Hank's Seafood Restaurant — Restaurant in Charleston

We made reservations here for a brief visit to Charleston. I did a lot of research and am so glad this was where we decided to eat. The food was delicious, the service was great, and despite being large and busy, the atmosphere was nice.

I really wanted some she crab soup while I was here. I started with the soup, and my husband got the mussels. Both were a hit. Although, he said the mussels were not the best he had ever had, they were very good. I typically do not eat mussels, but I had several. The complementary bread was soft and great by itself, or even better, for dipping in both the white wine suace in the mussels, and the crab soup.

Because I was already filling up, I did not want a large main dish, so I got the romaine salad with shrimp. Honestly, it was still huge, so I kind of wish I had gotten something else. Having said that, it was my first time having charred romaine, and I liked it. I also do not typically eat shrimp, but they were cooked very well. The green goddess dressing was also not extremely heavy. It was lightly drizzled on the romaine. A bit of the fried shrimp with the charred romaine, and a little of the dressing in one bite was a great combination.

The real winner of the meal was the swordfish my husband ordered as his main course. The swordfish was cooked perfectly. The corn cream sauce was delicious and carried the meal. He said the fried okra was the best he ever had.

Our server was very polite, prompt, and made great suggestions. As I said, the restaurant was busy. It had a lot of tables, and they were close together. Despite how busy it was, I never felt cramped, or that it was loud and overcrowded. It was a lovely, warm atmosphere.

I wanted a good seafood place to eat at while in Charleston, and I am so glad this is the place I picjked. Hands down we would eat here again if...

We haven't been to Hank's for quite some time but my wife was in the mood for seafood so we booked a table. Boy, ate we glad we did! The quality and the preparation of the food was, well, 5 star. My wife started with the she crab soup. In not a fan so can't say how it was, but there wasn't any left so I guess it was pretty good. I had the salad special: 4 boiled shrimp on lettuce and 3 fried green tomatoes, garnished with sweet peppers and a light ranch type dressing. Delicious! For the main course my wife had the broiled founder served with asparagus over a potato pancake and finished with a very bland sauce and grape tomatoes. I did have some of that, actually I finished it for my wife since in that kind of guy, and it was excellent. I had the seared ahi tuna which came with mashed potatoes and a goat cheese and cauliflower fritter. The ahi tuna had a balsamic vinegar and park onion sauce. The sauce was really good but to be honest, the tuna was so good or wasn't needed (but I did eat it). The fritter and mashed potatoes we're tasty as well. With a glass of Reisling, the vanilla cheese cake, which we split, and a cup of coffee the bill came to $155 before tax and tip. Certainly expensive but, in my mind we'll worth it. I have to mention the coffee since restaurant coffee is a pet peeve of mine. It's typically expensive and doesn't live up to its price. However, this may have been the best cup of coffee I've had. It had a robust, smooth coffee flavor. According to our server they use King Bean coffee which is rusted l roasted in Charleston. Speaking of our server, Emily was fantastic. She doesn't exactly the right amount of time with us, was pleasant, professional, and personable. Hopefully we won't wait so...

🌟 A Charleston Gem with a Star Server to Match 🌟 Visited Hank’s Seafood last night with a colleague, and from the moment we walked in, the experience was exceptional. The atmosphere was vibrant yet relaxed, the drinks were top-notch, and the energy of the place set the tone for a memorable evening.

We were lucky enough to be seated in Kayleigh’s section—she’s originally from Lancaster, and let me tell you, she’s a standout. From the first hello, it felt like we weren’t just being served—we were being welcomed by a friend. Kayleigh struck the perfect balance: witty without being over-the-top, upbeat without being pushy, and genuinely warm with just the right touch of flair.

She guided us through the menu like a seasoned pro who somehow knew our cravings better than we did. I gave her the freedom to surprise me between soup or salad, and shrimp and grits or seafood à la Wando. My colleague went with the shrimp and grits, while Kayleigh chose the wedge salad and seafood à la Wando for me—and it was spot-on delicious.

The food was phenomenal, the drinks were flowing, and the ambiance was everything you’d hope for in a Charleston dining experience. But what truly elevated the night was Kayleigh. Her smile, her spirit, and her intuitive service made the evening unforgettable. If I owned a business, I’d hire her in a heartbeat—she’s that much of a gem.

Hank’s Seafood is a must-visit, and if you’re lucky enough to be served by Kayleigh, you’re in for a treat that goes far...