I recently visited The Darling with the delightful Queen of the Food Age, Sydney, and wanted to share my experience.
The space that was once King and Morris has been thoughtfully transformed into The Darling, and I had been watching the renovation and menu with interest. What drew me in immediately was one clear thing: $9 cocktails. Not gimmicky nips, but full-size, carefully crafted cocktails made with real ingredients. Pair that with a reasonably priced food menu, a tempting oyster happy hour, and a wine list with many bottles around the $30 mark, and it was hard to resist checking the place out early on.
This write-up is less a formal dinner review and more a “dinner at the bar” account—an evening of cocktails and small plates, which is exactly how it should be.
We began with several cocktails from the menu, and they were uniformly excellent. Between the two of us we worked through most of the list, and every drink struck a balance between craft and approachability: interesting flavors without overloading the glass with overpowering herbs. The Shoulder Monkey was my favorite—despite containing ingredients I usually avoid, like scotch and sage, it was well-tempered. The scotch’s edge was mellowed without becoming cloying, and the sage added just a whisper of aroma rather than dominating the drink.
On to the appetizers: the Creole Shrimp is a must-order. It might sound like hyperbole, but it’s genuinely one of my favorite dishes in Charleston right now. The shrimp arrive in a tangy mustard-and-bacon style sauce, but the real revelation is the Anson Mills rice cakes. They sound unassuming on paper, yet they bring a texture and flavor that elevate the whole dish.
An unexpected highlight recommended by Sydney was the Snapper Toast. It combines sourdough with a snapper spread, pickled onions, celery leaves, and hints of potato and country ham. The combination sounds odd until it lands on your palate—then it makes perfect sense. It’s the kind of shareable bite that you’ll find yourself wishing you’d ordered twice.
We also ordered the Lobster Cocktail from the raw bar. Presented on ice in a stainless bowl, it looks modest at first, but reveals generous chunks of lobster and an intentionally composed dressing. It’s light, refreshing, and pairs perfectly with another round of cocktails—though I was too curious to stray from the house list to grab a martini.
For dessert, the bartender recommended the Oatcake. I love oat-forward desserts, but this one was sweeter than I expected and didn’t match the high bar set by the rest of the evening. It wasn’t bad, just not a standout compared with the cocktails and appetizers.
TL;DR:
The Darling delivers what many restaurants aim for: honest, reasonably priced food; cocktails that are both creative and approachable; a lively but comfortable atmosphere; and shareable small plates that invite repeat visits. It’s an excellent new spot for happy hour or a casual night out.
Eat:
Creole Shrimp — make this your priority.
Drink:
Try something from the cocktail menu. The Shoulder Monkey and the Sherry Colada were favorites during our visit.
Wear:
Casual
Locate:
513 King Street
Charleston SC, 29403
Park:
Valet service after 6 pm. Street parking is available on King Street and nearby side streets if you prefer to skip valet; the walk from Cannon is reasonable.
Contact:
843-641-0821