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Cru Cafe

18 Pinckney St, Charleston, SC 29401-2006 (Downtown)
843-534-2434
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Ranked #4 of 558 restaurants in Charleston
Price range: $10 - $30
Cuisines: American, Café, Bistro
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Restaurant details
Good for: Local cuisine, Outdoor seating, Special occasions
Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Reservations, Takeout, Late Night, Dessert
Dining style: Casual Dining
Neighborhood: Downtown
Description: It's the Holy City's Hidden Gem! Cru Cafe is Charleston's home to some of the best gourmet comfort food in the Lowcountry. Cru Cafe is the culinary creation of renowned Le Cordon Bleu graduate, Chef John Zucker. Opened in 2002 in response to overwhelming demand, Cru Cafe is a culinary destination off the beaten path in in a classic 18th century Charleston single-style home. Cru Cafe and its award-winning Cru Catering division are consistently ranked as top eateries by locals and tourists alike. From our famous Four Cheese Macaroni to our tasty Thai Seafood Risotto, we feature something for everyone. And if you're in the mood for lighter fare, try our Chinese Chicken Salad or Duck Confit Salad. Guests of the restaurant can enjoy daily specials, indoor and outdoor porch seating, a wine list tailored to the varied menu and rich, mouthwatering desserts. We invite to stop in and enjoy a delicious meal with us today.
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646 reviews from our community

92% Recommend
    460
    141
    19
    11
    15
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Hudson, Iowa
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
10 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 19, 2013 NEW

This restaurant is very tiny, but still manages to serve up some excellent dishes. The mac and cheese is definitely worth the visit, and was probably the highlight of our meal. There is a decent wine selection, and the setting allows you a peek inside a true Charleston home. Because it is so small, it does have a slightly cramped... More

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Hays, KS
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
6 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 15, 2013 NEW

Great location and fabulous food. Only one bathroom so must wait in line for that but well worth that small inconvenience.

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See 3 more reviews by KrisDHays_KS for Charleston
New York City, New York
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
4 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 14, 2013 NEW

Small, quaint restaurant. They accommodated us at last minute at the chef's table overlooking the kitchen. Though I had hoped for attention from the chef, our waitperson provided ample attention. We had clear view into kitchen (it was a cool night, so heat was not a problem) which ran efficiently and looked clean. Chose items I can't (easily) get at... More

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See 4 more reviews by IntrepidwDog for Charleston
Fort Myers, Florida
1 review
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 14, 2013 NEW

I didn't have a reservation but arrived 10 minutes before opening for lunch just to see if I could get seated. Was told I could sit at the chef's table (bar height counter looking into the small kitchen) thought it would be fun place to sit I was solo. I had not been seated for barely 10 seconds when the... More

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Saint Louis, Missouri
Top Contributor
78 reviews 78 reviews
41 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 14, 2013 NEW

We had lunch at this restaurant today. Saved an hour wait by making reservations. This is a small restaurant, with delicious food. I had a BBQ beef brisket sandwich with slaw, which was outstanding. My wife was impressed with the Portabella mushroom sandwich. We shared a bread pudding order for dessert. The bread pudding was the best we had ever... More

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See 23 more reviews by Davigeta for Charleston
Atlanta, Georgia
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
12 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 13, 2013 NEW

We were very happy we had made a reservation for lunch - a friend who is a Charleston native recommended this place. On a cool and rainy day, this cozy dining room was a welcome escape. The indoor seating area is small, and if we hadn't had a reservation we would have been standing out on the porch waiting for... More

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See 4 more reviews by anATLgirl for Charleston
Claremont, California
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
6 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
20 helpful votes 20 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 13, 2013 NEW via mobile

Make a reservation for this deservedly popular restaurant. The sweet potato bisque is tasty, and the mozzarella-tomato stack is a great starter, but save room for a side of fried onions! Highly recommended.

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Falmouth, MA
Top Contributor
212 reviews 212 reviews
154 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 66 cities Reviews in 66 cities
98 helpful votes 98 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 13, 2013

After taking a tour with Palmetto Carriage, we ventured across the street to see if there were any tables available at Cru Cafe. We did not expect to get a table, as the restaurant is very small and very popular. But, just as we walked in someone had called and cancelled. This was our last lunch in Charleston before heading... More

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See 18 more reviews by Mikeb1Falmouth_MA for Charleston
Corona, California
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
4 restaurant reviews
1 of 5 stars Reviewed May 12, 2013

Two different people recommended we eat here for lunch, so we went to it, walked in the door and just stood there waiting for someone to let us know where we should sit. Twice a waitress went rushing by saying "Nate would be right with you". Finally a young man comes out and says did we have a reservation. When... More

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See 5 more reviews by Jana W for Charleston
Massachusetts
Top Contributor
197 reviews 197 reviews
124 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 101 cities Reviews in 101 cities
56 helpful votes 56 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 12, 2013

A bit hard to find, in an unremarkable house, but interesting none-the-less. Higher than average pricing, especially for the location, but pretty good. I had the grilled swordfish, which was good ... but the bread pudding for dessert was a bit forgettable. There's a large parking garage about a block down the street, and a smaller parking lot right next... More

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See 7 more reviews by MassCouple2 for Charleston

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