Restaurant review: The Longboard
Overview of The Longboard
The Longboard is an island-inspired restaurant and bar located on Sullivans Island, not far from downtown Charleston. The second iteration of the Longboard concept, the first is based in Cruz Bay, St. John, part of the US Virgin Islands. Offering light fares and creative craft cocktails, on their seafood-focused menu you’ll find fresh and innovative cuisine found throughout the Caribbean.
Atmosphere and Ambiance: ★★★★★
The Longboard exudes a relaxed and inviting atmosphere that perfectly captures the essence of coastal living. Impeccably designed, the open and airy dining room features surf-inspired elements and vibrant colors that reflect the surrounding beach elements. An impressive bar sits in the center, with a longboard displayed overhead. For a dose of salty sea-air, unwind with a cold drink or gather with friends at sunset on the patio. Filled with lively conversation, at The Longboard, there’s a sense of community among locals and visitors alike. It’s a warm, welcoming retreat that embraces the spirit of island living.
If you visit during the winter, don’t let the cold discourage you. Come late fall, the porch is enclosed with multiple space heaters, so you can enjoy al-fresco eating year-round.
Service Experience: ★★★★☆
As soon as we entered through the doors, we were greeted by a friendly host and taken to our seat on the patio. Our waiter happily discussed the menu options, including recommendations and the locality of the raw oysters, to help us make informed choices. His recommendations were spot on! We felt valued as customers, and didn’t feel rushed.
Menu Offerings: ★★★★★
The vibrant menu at The Longboard boasts an impressive variety of dishes. Heavily seafood-focused, they fuse together bold flavors and classic favorites, and their offerings highlight locally-sourced seasonal ingredients that transport you to a coastal paradise.
Guests can also enjoy an extensive selection of craft beers and creative cocktails with a Caribbean flare, which perfectly pair with entrees for an unforgettable dining experience.
Food Quality: ★★★★★
We’ve been blown away with literally every dish we’ve had here!
Start your experience with selections from the Raw Bar. Our favorite was a dressed oyster (or two or three) over ice, topped with seasonal accoutrements, crème fraîche, and caviar. It was *chef’s kiss*. The grill-and-chill shrimp was a fun shareable, but be forewarned, your fingers will turn orange by the time you reach the bottom of the bowl. And though not seafood, the Pork Belly entree was not only melt-in-your mouth, but also the perfect tie-in to the Southern cuisine Charleston is known for. Everything, at every visit, has been nothing but exceptional!
Note that the menu does change, so don’t be surprised if any of the above dishes aren’t available at the time of your visit.
Also, as someone who places a high value on aesthetic, the food presentation was impressive! Every dish came out artfully-plated on handmade ceramics by MMClay.
Cleanliness and Hygiene: ★★★★☆
The Longboard felt very clean. Tables were regularly bussed, and there was not trash or litter in the dining area. Bartenders frequently wiped down the countertops.
Pricing and Value: ★★★★☆
Longboard is on the expensive side, and will easily run two adults $100+ for non-alcoholic drinks, an appetizer, and two entrees. Is it worth the money? Absolutely.
Final Thoughts
The Longboard remains one of our most memorable meals in Charleston. The menu is well thought-out and the combination of flavors stand out from cookie-cutter seafood restaurants. Not only do we recommend it, but we can’t wait to go back!
In our opinion, this restaurant is most suited for couples, friends, and solo diners. We would not recommend for families with young children.
Overall, we rate The Longboard Sullivans Island an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Ratings are graded based on expectations within the restaurants own category. Three stars is average/neutral, while anything above exceeds our expectations, and anything below leaves something to be desired.
Tell us your thoughts!
Have you dined at The Longboard? What did you think? Leave a comment with your feedback or experiences below!
Has our restaurant review enticed you to visit The Longboard? Visit the Charleston location at: 2213-B Middle St, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482
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