One of my favorite parts of traveling is the food. When traveling along the east coast of the US, my favorite part becomes a bit more specific, the seafood!
Knowing this, visiting Hyman's Seafood (link) restaurant in Charleston, SC became an immediate need. When preparing the itinerary for our road trip, this well known restaurant was quickly added as a bucket list item. The question is - did it live up to the hype? Let's find out!
A honest & detailed review of Hyman's Seafood in downtown Charleston, SC.
What is Hyman's known for?
1. It's seafood. Obviously..
2. It's history.
3. It's star studded guest list. Wait, what?
Let's start with the basics.
Hyman's Seafood is conveniently located on Meeting Street right in the heart of downtown Charleston. It's a well known restaurant so expect long lines. They do not accept reservations so you may need to put your name on a list and wait to be seated. The restaurant is multiple levels so they're able to comfortably cater to a large crowd. Attached to the restaurant is Hyman's General Store which means you can happily browse as you wait.
This restaurant is 100% kid friendly and does serve land food.
How was the seafood?
There was lots and lots of seafood.
The menu is so extensive that I had a difficult time picking something to eat. After asking the waitress for more time twice, I finally settled on the lobster mac & cheese. The portions were even bigger than the menu. I easily could have made that one meal last for an additional two dinners. That being said, it was ok.
We had the same to report with my husband's fisherman platter. The portion was huge. The variety on the platter was extensive. The food was good.
Did you get the historical feels?
Yes! From the second I walked through the doors, you could sense the history inside.
While not always a restaurant, Hyman's has been in this location and owned by the same family since 1890. The fifth generation currently owns and runs this longstanding family business while the older generation lives on the 3rd floor!
While dining, an ornate spiral staircase caught my eye. It leads to nowhere that I could tell but my curiosity was peaked. I asked the waitress about it and she briefly told me of it's history. The staircase is historical in its own right and adds to the establishment's charm.
Any evidence of a star studded guest list?
I read all about this restaurant's claim to fame with the famous. Let's just say, if anything, it was downplayed!
Every table has little plaques on them letting diners know what celebrities dined at that table in the past. Just in case you think they're full of it, they back these statements up with signed pictures from these VERY notable celebrities. For example, we sat at the same table that Jodi Foster and Martin Sheen dined on in the past at completely separate times. Not impressed? Neither was my husband until he discovered Michael Bolton's table on the way to the restroom. That one got him shook!
Anything else to report?
Many times I go to restaurants and am happy to say how attentive, kind, and accommodating the staff is. At Hyman's Seafood, this is taken to a whole other level.
Every person working in this well known restaurant is proud of where they work, are knowledgeable of the history, and act like they're a Hyman themselves. This impressed me. Then, at the end of our meal, the owner, Eli Hyman, walked over to our table. Impressed isn't even the word. He asked for honest feedback, joked with our young children, and even gave them coupons for free ice cream. While the restaurant and everyone in it seems like one big family, this man is the heart and soul of it all. It was a wonderful experience.
If traveling to Charleston, SC, I recommend taking a walk to Meeting Street and experiencing a meal at Hyman's Seafood (link).
- R&W
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