The Shellmore

The food at this restaurant was amazing! The menu is limited, only about 5 appetizers and 5 entrees total, but the quality is top notch--you won't be disappointed. Had the halibut with black lentils, golden beets, and cashews, and it was the best grilled fish I've had in a while. Their sauce was an explosion of flavors and the fish was thick cut, juicy, done perfectly. Didn't get a drink but they have a long list of alcoholic beverages (wine, cocktails, spirits, etc)--the old fashioned that a neighboring customer ordered looked wonderful. Minor warning: this place is small, as in 10 seats at the bar, maybe 4 tables indoors, and 1 or 2 tables outdoors. Reservation is highly recommended.

The Shellmore is an amazing hidden gem in I'On Mount Pleasant with a mix of absolutely gourmet food great wine and beer and friendly service. Tara bartender and server runs the show and Eric as owner chef cooks up some amazing gourmet food. The Shellmore is cozy and intimate with a great bar scene especially at happy hour. Brenda and I last night shared 1/2 dozen sunken meadow raw oysters from Massachusetts and a wild striped bass paired with a bottle of Anjou Blanc. The food was over the top five stars. The ambiance is local easy going neighborhood casual fun and exciting. Considering Tara is the only server the service was much faster than I thought possible. There is usually plenty of street parking. We highly recommend the Shellmore for local neighborhood gourmet food.

Best place ever. Love it. A secret gem ! Love the food Chef Eric is a great chef. So creative and yummy food. Tara is so attentive and caring. Great service Super recommend for a date and for meeting friends and events. Love it.

Outstanding! From Mary providing exemplary service, to the perfect atmosphere to enjoy some of the best food I’ve had in and around Charleston. They create a new and innovative menu daily. We started with the oysters, then to the salad with the perfectly cooked sous vide egg, followed by a fabulous ceviche and finished with flounder. We also enjoyed some rose bubbles and a buttery Chardonnay. We met one of the owners, Chad, who was delightful to talk to. His partner, Chef Eric, was busy in the kitchen. This is where all the locals know to go. If only I was a local.

Great wine and the menu was amazing. We had the gnocchi, crab salad and the trout dip. All were fabulous. The wine, a great Rioja was delicious.

Amazing cozy restaurant and bar hidden in the Ion neighborhood in Mt. Pleasant. The definition of doing a small selection perfectly. The menu is curated and only has a few options for each course, but each is absolutely delicious and complements the other items and drinks well. There are daily menu changes as well as a more standard menu. John is an amazing host - funny, attentive, and knowledgeable. With only a few tables and no reservations, the service is topnotch. Will definitely return when I get back to the Charleston area. My only concern in recommending is making them too popular to get a table.

Hands down one of the BEST meals we’ve ever had in the highly competitive Charleston food scene. Intimate setting- warm ambiance with kind service and over the top hospitality. Food excellently executed and wonderfully seasoned - could not really think of a way to improve the flavor of this ragu and the fish stew as well! Chef Greg and his wife Tara were so gracious- will return just as soon as we can

My husband and I visited The Shellmore last Friday. We enjoyed the best oysters ever, after sampling many while in Gulf Shores, which couldn't compare to those offered by Chef Eric. Next I enjoyed the seafood stew and my husband the beef and lamb ragu. Both were incredible. Everything is fresh and the wines that were suggested by Tara and Eric were perfect and the cheese and fruit tray was a wonderful finish. My only regret is that we don't live closer (we were visiting from Tucson) because we would probably stop in every week.

Took my wife here for her birthday dinner. It was during the middle of the week and we practically had the restaurant to ourselves. Food and service was outstanding! The ambiance was nice, tin roof ceilings, easy on the eye colors. We both had a chilled oyster appetizer and then onto the swordfish special. Sometimes this fish can be over cooked, making it very dry. Chef Eric Milley, ensured that ours was perfectly cooked, seasoned, moist, tender and delicious . . . and well plated with broccoli rabe, white bean, olive, garlic confit, zucchini and tomato. We opted to chare a slice of come delicious chocolate cake and it came with a candle for her to make a wish and blowout.

The oysters were Local and Canadian, very tasty. Menu is limited and posted on Instagram. We ordered the Halibut and pasta dish, both freshly made. They were delicious!!! Service was excellent. This is a quaint restaurant with a nice bar and sound system. Outstanding selection of wines as well. The staff brought out a scrumptious pastry for dessert as it was our Wedding Anniversary. If you're looking for something special, this is the place to visit!!! I would recommend making a reservation so you are not disappointed

The overall experience was a disappointment after reading such good reviews on here. We mostly ordered appetizers which may have been our mistake. Oysters were incredibly bland and we didn't finish them. Fish dip and tuna crudo were far too salty. Ceasar salad had dressing that was too thick and we could barely eat it. The ragu pasta however was very delicious. Our server removed the charge for two of the apps which we appreciated. Nice ambiance overall but it was uncomfortably cold inside.

I absolutely love coming here. Their menu always has fresh, delicious things to choose from. They usually have some type of delicious burrata/cheese and some sort of gnocchi/pasta dish which is my favorite. Check their instagram the day-of to see what's on the menu that night since it changes a little and definitely get a reservation on weekend nights. I recommend this place to everyone! The service is fabulous - husband and wife run the show and it's awesome. Such a cozy, classy vibe in there too!

Our appetizers and meals were absolutely delicious. My husband stated he had the "best pork chop ever there." We enjoyed the attentive and friendly service as well as the cozy atmosphere. We will definitely be returning.

Food was so good . We were the when the guest chef Micheal there. Everything was amazing! We had Tuna Crudo, Pickled Rock Shrimp, Burrata,and Beef and Lamb Raggu. Everything was so good, and fresh. There is an option of outside seating, indoor or the bar. The have different menu everyday if I am not mistaken that is posted on their social media . Parking was pretty easy they is a parking lot behind the restaurant . Definitely coming back and excited to try other items in the menu!

This is a lovely intimate setting. Super friendly and outgoing team serving up beautiful wine as well as the most delicious food locally. We are typically one and done...but this is a must repeat!

The most wonderful dinner! The menu for the night has such great options and everything we ordered was fantastic! Love that it is truly made to order! It's so cute, quaint and cozy, ideal for a date night. The host/waitress was so sweet and made sure everything was to our liking. I would eat here all the time if I could!

For a place called The Shellmore in SC they only had one oyster selection and those were overpriced in my opinion. The only happy hour selections were 3 wines 2 white and a Rose. The restaurant was dark with only 5 others besides myself. I travel for work and was looking forward to having a dozen oysters but at $3.25 each I settled for 6 which were mediocre at best. Needless to say I was not unhappy but unimpressed.

This is a great tony gem hidden in the Ion area of Mount Pleasant. It is a very intimate setting with a wonderful chef and small but great staff. You can really tell they put a lot of thought and care into their menu.

Classy ambiance. Good service. Nice selection of seafood. We were at a party of four and everyone got something different. Fish and chips for the wife and one other person in our party, scallops for one person, and everyone was very happy with their meals. Yelp has this down as $$, but I would say it was more like $$$

Quaint little place, Had the seafood pasta that was just amazing, fresh pasta no box stuff , add a bottle of wine for a perfect evening

Stopped based on the pictures of oysters on yelp. Was a tiny place, maybe 5 tables and a bar. Very limited menu but everything we had was great. We got 24 oysters to start. We also had the special burrata app, caesar salad, steak tartare and the pasta. Everything was really tasty. This place didn't have salt and pepper on the table but didn't need it. Glad it was not crowded. Everything was great. A bit pricey for it being happy hour for our drinks and 24 oysters.

Quaint spot where everyone feels like a regular. It's a wine bar but the food is what shines.

The restaurant itself was really cute and quaint. However, our server was rude as well as the bartender. Not a single staff spoke to us when we walked in and the whole time we were there the staff acted as if they couldn't be bothered. Food was really not all that good compared to the reviews I had read on several platforms.

The Shellmore is a great little restaurant located in the I'On neighborhood in Mt Pleasant. We had a wonderful dinner last night with lots of delicious food and wine. Our server, Mary, was extremely nice and attentive. I especially loved the pork cake and the mahi mahi ceviche. We also tried their special - a Mussel Roll... we were very intrigued, and it tasted great! Would recommend this spot for an intimate date night or for a girl's night out. They have a cute courtyard in the back that will be the perfect place to dine in the warmer months to come!

Blink and you'll miss this uber trendy store front on a quiet side street off the Square in I'on. There's outside seating (if that's your thing), a large bar (they only serve craft beers and wine) a handful of gleaming wood tables and chairs in the minimalist dining room, seating in the large side corridor and on the back patio. Happy Hour (4:00 pm-7:00 pm) was our hook ... $1.50 oysters on the half shell and $5.00/glass house wines. There is no wine list, per se ... all the wines are showcased. Come to think of it, we didn't get past the happy hour offerings. No complaints... they were all appealing ... and the pours were very generous. The small menu ... two daily oyster selections, several cheeses, 3 apps and two small plates ... changes at least every week and sometimes, day to day. That being said the offerings this past Saturday may not be available when you visit; however, I will say that everything we put in our mouths was fabulous. We started with oysters, clean and plump ... served with lemon, freshly grated horseradish and a snappy cocktail sauce ... followed by Romaine and Arugula Caesars (complete with a delicate sous vide egg, garlic aioli, fresh grated cheese and crunchy croutons ($10.00). Served with four lightly toasted and gently buttered toast points, this salad was delicious ... a burst of flavor in each mouthful. My husband, who rarely has no more to say about any dish other than, "It's OK" or (more often than not) what he doesn't like about it said that this was the best Caesar he's had in Charleston. Yes, it was that good! Joe loved the charred octopus ($15.00) over a fine dice of fennel, olive, tomato and candied lemon. No, I did not taste the octopus; however, the 'hash' combo was unusual and it worked. For Joe's sake, I wish the two tentacles were larger; for me, the dish could have used a bit more hash. But then again, this was a 'small plate.' My hearty and chunky beef and pork ragu (often on the menu), served over capunti pasta popped with just a touch of cashew pesto ($18.00). The portion was right sized, comparable to a 'small' order when two sizes are offered. Perhaps, bread would have been a nice addition, but there was no sauce to mop up as the pasta grabbed every bit. John was fabulous ... friendly and engaging. Check out the daily menu on Facebook ... it's posted around 2:30 pm. If the offerings appeal to you, The Shellmore a sure bet to take the edge off your work day or a precursor to a show, concert or other event. Take your chances on seating as there are no reservations. You won't be full ... but you'll leave very satisfied and want to return, often.

I wish I could box this place up and bring it home with me. This is exactly what I would want for my neighborhood local. The venue is sized for small groups or couples with a handful of tables inside and outside, with a patio coming soon. The U-shaped bar provides ample seating and you can easily have a large group here as you can see across the bar and make conversation without having to shout. The bar is my favorite accessory here -- an item of handcrafted beauty like no bar I've seen before. I couldn't stop talking about it. The beer/wine list offers something for everyone and the food menu was small but pleasant. We ended up with a cheese plate (pictured) which I think was $15 since we got the big one. There was enough cheese to share amongst a few of us without gypping anyone, although I do wish a) there had been more bread or crackers and b) the bread had been easier to separate. The staff is very friendly and we even had the chef make a few appearances during his down time to check and see how everyone was doing. Other groups came and went so we got to see more menu items being served. I will definitely be back.

This was our second visit to Shellmore and each time has been 5 star. We decided to order several apps and starters, sort of our own tasting. Each dish was prepared to perfection and there wasn't a hard rush. The entree was the special of the day, Salmon in a light sauce with a crust that was frankly, unbelievably good. Service was delightful and very attentive. Great wine list and cozy atmosphere. We'll be back again very soon. Highly recommend to all!

Horrible experience. We were sitting in the outside courtyard and it started raining at the moment our meals were being served. We were moved inside and told we had 20 minutes to finish our food. The bartender, that was also waiting on the tables, walked past and asked us how we were doing. We said we felt like we felt pressured to leave. Her response was "Don't worry. You have ten minutes." With all the great food in downtown Charleston, I would suggest you steer clear of this

I'm gonna give this little nook in I'on 5 stars. Mikaela our bartender/ server was great! She helped us with the food and wine decisions and is very knowledgeable on both. We loved the happy hour, the $5 sparkling wine was amazing and so were the oysters on their happy hour menu. My husband had the pork & beef ragu and I had the braised octopus.. the portions are small but flavorful! Also loved the ample parking and courtyard seating option.. we will definitely be back again soon!

We love the Shellmore!! This place has the best vibe, so cozy and a special local spot. They have an excellent wine list and a "power hour" with a featured wine of the evening. We loved the sparkling rose that Tanya served us and the chilled Sangiovese with dinner. The chef cooks everything himself (typically) but had ONE person helping him the night we came in this week. The bartender has the help of one other server, but I believe at times it is just her. The now take reservations (even for bar seats), so unless you are ok with sitting outside, make sure you book bc. This places fills up nightly. The best advice i have is to be patient bc. The food is worth the wait. The menu changes daily and they post this on Instagram, but almost always has a raw fish of the day, a few varieties of fresh oysters, arugula Caesar salad (a must!!), a prepared fish, a pasta and a meat. We all enjoyed the arugula Caesar salad with soft egg. Two of us had the salmon with turnip purée and roasted potatoes (SO fresh and cooked perfectly) and the others had the pasta special. The vibe is always great, music is on point, service is so warm and friendly ... we will be back each year like we have!!

Excellent night tonight at the Shellmore. Welcoming atmosphere with seats at the bar, at tables, or outside (dog friendly). Plenty of parking in the lot. Interesting and appropriately curated wine list with lots of options by the glass. Oysters (from MA) were cleanly shucked, easy to eat, and came with a tasty mignonette, fresh horseradish, lemon, and cocktail sauce. The scallop ceviche was fresh and nicely flavored with pineapple and coconut. Beef tartare was super tasty with a soft egg and fresh crostini. Hubs had the chicken liver mousse and raved about the flavor, texture, and accompanying tart cherry compote. Service was warm, friendly, and knowledgeable and we are looking forward to coming back.

Very limited menu, tiny portions, no sides to round out the plate, and a very high bill at the end. Shellmore has lots of potential. It's a pleasant size with a nice outdoor area that feels a little European, but we were looking for a seafood restaurant. Shellmore came up when we searched for seafood in the area, but there was only one seafood item offered (swordfish) on the menu. We expected more variety, and also possibly a salad or a side of some type of bread with the meal. We left hungry and dissatisfied.

Quaint and sooooooo yummy! This little wine bar has the best apps and oyster menu. We really enjoyed our evening here with the nicest bartender. Thank you.

I arrived after the 1/2 off oysters and wine, meaning that the oysters were $3.00 each, a little steep, but they were excellent oysters! I also had the arugula Caesar and it was good too. Overall this is a nice little spot, and I do mean LITTLE with a really high noise level, so if you're looking for peace and quiet, this may not be the place. A little too loud and lively for some. The bar service was terrific and she was certainly doing her best to make everyone happy.

It's has warm and welcoming atmosphere. The wine menu has a good selection. The food menu changes daily, and the chef brings the food out to introduce it.

My wife and I are new to the neighborhood and were excited to eat at the Shellmore for the first time on a special occasion. While my wife's salad was good, her tuna tartar was below average without seasoning or flavor. I ordered ragu pasta expecting this to be my entree, given it cost $25. I was served a mouse-sized portion. While tasty, the portion size was less than half what I would expect for an appetizer and one fourth or less than what would be a reasonable portion for an entree. While the server saw I was shocked and she had the chef bring more of the ragu pasta, it was an even smaller portion. I was shocked and extremely disappointed. There was no apology. I came home and prepared food for dinner since I was still hungry. It is a nice environment, but our first experience will be our last. We had been warned that the food could be great sometimes and not good on others, so be forewarned before deciding to eat here.

Ooooooh I love this place. Tiny. Borderline swanky. The Shellmore makes you feel like you did something to deserve a seat at the table (or bar). Small but decent wine menu with the staff amenable to helping us find the wine of our dreams! The neighborhood is very stepford wives (I mean this in the best type of way). There is a limited and changing menu and I have yet to eat here BUT you can't go wrong with oysters on the half shell!

There's one thing for sure- I LOVE the Shellmore. Tucked away in the I'On neighborhood of Mt. Pleasant, there's something about sitting at their little bar and enjoying fresh and delicious (and cheap!) oysters while enjoying a nice glass of wine that I can't get enough of. There are never more than 5 or 6 people at the bar- and it's a super relaxed vibe where your neighbors or the bartender are likely to linger and ask you how your day is going. Beyond the bar- they do have some tables- inside and outside- but the Shellmore is most certainly better suited to small groups of two or four. The menu changes daily and it always has something interesting and different on offer. Crudos, fabulous cheeses, maybe a steak or seafood dish- you're never going to be bored with the menu at the Shellmore- even though the menu is relatively small compared to other spots. They've often got wonderful pasta dishes on the menu- and I've never had a bad salad there. They offer beer and wine only- but have some terrific and interesting choices. I have a hard time not ordering a glass of $5 bubbles when ordering the oysters- they're a wonderful combo. Parking is easy and there's an Irish Bar next door if you are looking for liquor after your meal.

Happy hour with friends. Place has a nice relaxing and warm feel. Too wet to sit outside. We enjoyed the wine selections

I plan on eating here as often as I can. This place has a great fresh menu that changes daily. My mother said, it was the best meal she had ever eaten. That's all you need to know just go.

Small, pretentious and overpriced. I would not return. The service was slow. The oysters were okay and the fish was unremarkable. However, the price on all the dishes was way too high.

Love love love this place! Came here after flight from DC for a trip for a Bachelorette party. Jon and Eric were awesome suggesting pairings and giving tastings of wine to find the right wine. Food was heavenly and atmosphere was so charming. Would love to come back to this town just for this restaurant and staff! BTW order the gnocchi with caviar. Best thing ever!!!

Oysters, wine and salad were delicious! Very cute place. Only suggestion is get more outdoor seating.

Definition of a neighborhood gem. Simplicity at its finest. Small menu which is a bonus.. great Happy hour including oysters..and I personally schedule to visit when Mikaela is running the bar as she is aces..

Clean, quant and delicious. If you are in the area make sure you try this place out.

I love The Shellmore! The food is OUTSTANDING! Happy hour is fun and John and Mikaela are excellent servers and the chef works magic in the back. This is a hidden gem in I'On Village. The menu changes, I follow them on Instagram where they post the menu daily.

Enjoyed it immensely. Excellent wine and meal. My favorite was the burrata dish. Could have eaten at least three of it. Also had an excellent caramel cheesecake for dessert.

Quaint restaurant located in I'On. Limited menu but selection was good. Our table had lamb shank, grouper and chicken. All nicely done. Our server was pleasant. Wine list was nice selection and not overpriced.

The menu changes often depending on what's in season or fresh, but everything that Chef Eric prepares is delicious! One of my favorite spots to pop into!

I love a place that does a couple of things incredibly well. Welcome to the Shellmore, because they are 100% on point. Food is delicious. Wine is eclectic and exciting. And the staff and chef/owner could not be more kind or gracious.

I'on is a bit stuffy for me but the good reviews brought me here to try it out. It's pricey but casual. But what makes this place stand out is the food. It's really, really good. If the quality of food is your top priority in a restaurant, this is your place. Only small inside area though - we went early so it wasn't a problem.

What a disappointment! My husband I had greatly looked forward to dining @ the Shellmore during our visit to Charleston. We found the service staff to be very unfriendly when we arrived with our two guests. She seemed to be irritated by our arrival & very unfocused. 20 minutes into our visit she appeared & announced she had forgotten to turn in our order. We have been dining in Charleston for 30 years & were very disappointed in Shellmore's service & portion size, which our server stated was more than shareable. The food was very flavorful but comparably over priced. Shellmore is in a great location & very quaint inside. Hopefully it's service staff won't be it's downfall.

Quaint wine bar, small menu, great place for happy hour. $5 house wines. Recently visited on a busy holiday eve, the only server fabulously handled a full house and kept everyone happy. Well done. Will return often!

Great little place. Friendly staff. Really good, always fresh food. Couldn't disagree more with the bad review by Paul G. Prices are in line with other Mt Pleasant restaurants. This has become one of our go-to places since moving to the area.

Loved it. great oysters. cheese plate. everything was great.

Great local find. Stopped in to catch the end of happy hour. Drinks and oysters were at special prices. Had a number of the cold dishes on the menu. Everything was spot on. Small restaurant and menu but very good food. Nice local spot with great food and service. Prices were reasonable. We will definitely be back.

Finding this little place was a wonderful surprise. Small menu and wine/beer only. Oysters were amazing and rest of food was also delicious. Will be back next time we are in town.