+1 843-937-8666
Nestled in a beautifully preserved former church in the heart of Charleston, Church and Union Charleston offers a distinctive dining experience that seamlessly blends history, ambiance, and exemplary American cuisine. This American restaurant captivates guests not only with its striking architecture—complete with awe-inspiring ceiling artwork and original details—but also with a menu that delights the palate and excites the senses.
The culinary offerings here are as thoughtfully curated as the setting. From the first bite to the last, each dish tells a story of bold flavors and masterful execution. Start your meal with standouts like the Moroccan Meatballs, rich with aromatic spices, or the dozen raw oysters, fresh and briny, setting a perfect tone for what’s to come. The charcuterie board provides a perfect appetizer option, offering a delightful array of cured meats and cheeses that awaken the taste buds.
For brunch enthusiasts, Church and Union shines with signature dishes such as the Praline French Toast—a sweet, indulgent treat that’s perfectly balanced with a hint of Southern comfort—and the ever-popular Avocado Toast, elevated with fresh, vibrant ingredients. Pair your meal with expertly crafted cocktails like the velvety Espresso Martini, blending vanilla vodka and creme de cacao for a smooth, sophisticated finish, or the refreshing and spicy Bloody Mary, both highly recommended by patrons.
The entrees showcase a robust selection of flavors that highlight local and international influences. The crispy pork loin, praised for its perfectly crackling exterior and juicy interior, stands out as a culinary masterpiece. The shrimp and grits offer a comforting yet refined take on a Southern classic, while the steak sandwich provides a hearty, satisfying option. Guests consistently applaud the fried chicken for its irresistibly crispy skin and tender, juicy meat, often described as one of the best in town.
Dessert is equally impressive at Church and Union. Indulge in the White Chocolate Cheesecake with its luscious pretzel crust and layers of jivara milk chocolate sauce—a decadent finale that lingers delightfully on the palate. Alternatively, the Key Lime Bar accompanied by coconut sorbet offers a refreshing and tangy conclusion to an exceptional meal.
Beyond the exceptional cuisine, the dining atmosphere is worthy of mention. Reviewers frequently highlight the unique ambiance—where the reverent and majestic aura of the former church is imbued with warmth and character. The staff enhance the experience with their attentive, knowledgeable, and genuine service, often personally guiding diners through the menu with insightful recommendations that elevate the entire experience.
Visitors leave Church and Union Charleston not only impressed by the food and drink but also deeply moved by the setting and the attentive care that makes each visit feel special. Whether gathering for a festive brunch with friends or indulging in an elegant dinner, this restaurant offers a memorable journey through both place and palate that begs to be revisited time and again.
Contact: 32B N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401 | +1 843-937-8666
Excellent restaurant. We went with a party of eight and had a great time. Our server Hana was fantastic offering lots of insight to the menu items and providing great service from start to finish. The braised bacon and melon and the Moroccan meatballs were great starters. The crispy pork loin stood out as an entree. We will definitely be back the next time we are in town!
From the moment you step inside, this restaurant makes an impression. The space is striking and full of character—it was formerly a church, and the architecture has been beautifully preserved. The artwork on the ceiling alone is worth admiring. We began the evening at the bar with cocktails and PEI mussels, which were absolutely delicious and a perfect way to start the night. Once seated at our table, the service continued to shine. Our waitress heard it was our anniversary and took exceptional care of us throughout the meal. We started with the bacon and melon—wow. It was incredibly flavorful, and quite generous in portion size. For mains, we ordered the lamb burger and the special seafood pot pie. Both dishes were excellent, thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and served at well-timed intervals. We ended the evening with the banoffee pudding dessert, which was a lovely finish. Overall, the food was outstanding—bold flavors, careful presentation, and consistently friendly, attentive service. The only drawback to an otherwise wonderful experience was feeling slightly rushed toward the end of the meal. We arrived on time for our reservation and were there for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, yet the dessert menu was presented before we were halfway through our entrées. A dessert spoon was placed on the table before we had ordered dessert, and the bill arrived as our dessert was served. While I understand the need for table turnover, a two-hour dining window is generally expected unless a time limit is communicated in advance at the time of reservation. That said, this is still a fantastic place, and we truly enjoyed our anniversary dinner.
This old church is visually amazing and the food was delicious. The meatloaf was top tier for being so simple of a dish. The fried chicken was one of the best. It was soooo crispy on the outside with almost a honey glaze also not to mention a generous portion. It seemed like we got an entire chicken in one dish. Then the dessert was Buttermilk cake and it tasted like a cheesecake with edible flowers and crispy caramel bites. Entire dessert was absolutely amazing and shareable. We had a reservation for a party of 6 and we were sat fairly quickly but still had to wait which was no big deal. However there isn’t exactly a waiting area other than outside and it was cold so kind of a bummer unless you want to encroach on other people eating. But I like that they have a lot of options for larger parties.
My husband and I loved our brunch at Church and Union Charleston. First we had some delicious scones, they were very good. Then my husband had a delicious chicken sandwich with hot honey and fried potatoes. I had a mushroom omelet and fried potatoes and toast. My fresh squeezed orange juice was so good, as was everything we ate. It's a really beautiful place. Shylir was a great waitress and took great care of us. We appreciate the kindness, thank you
This place is stunning! Many of the architectural details have been kept in tact. The staff were friendly, quick and knowledgeable. We had a glitch with our on line reservation and the hostess quickly fixed the situation. We were seated in the small room off the larger dining area. We found it less noisy and cozy. My friends had the crab cake and fried chicken. They loved it. The chicken was juicy and flavorful. I had the summer salad. I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it. For me-it was a bit too heavy on the kale.
This restaurant offers a memorable experience that I’d recommend. Our server, Marco, was outstanding! The drinks were enjoyable, though a bit small. The food had great flavor, but the portions were modest and my steak lacked quality. We also tried the lamb stew—tasty, though slightly oily—but the potatoes were absolutely delicious. The ambience was exceptional, and the service was impressively fast despite the crowd, so be sure to book ahead. Overall, it was a pleasant visit, though the food didn’t quite wow me. We didn’t catch the show this time, but we have in the past and the dancers are excellent. Live music added to the vibe. Keep in mind, your visit is limited to 120 minutes, so choose your time wisely. Almost forgot, the desert was delicious. Enjoy!
What can I say…this place blew us away. While the food was wonderful, we felt the service far surpassed even that, not to mention the ridiculously breathtaking venue. The former church from the early 1900s, as we learned, now houses one of the most caring, interesting, and genuinely lovely teams we’ve ever met. I could tell you how great the food was, but I’ll let you see for yourself, as we’re still savoring the incredible encounter we had the pleasure of being part of. A big thank-you to the staff who welcomed us like family and left us wanting more.