Ritual Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge

So I’ve been to this particular spot to party but never to have a meal. We chose Ritual being that their menu was light but also had some larger entrees available and you can’t go wrong with the outdoor space to hang out in. Our reservation was set for 5:30 as our plan was to catch the improve comedy show just a couple blocks away at theater 99. The parking was a breeze as it was just behind the Walgreens on the corner (don’t forget to scan that barcode in the parking lot and pay up for that so you don’t get towed) I paid about $16 for 2 hrs)
One thing I love about Ritual is that they have an elevator (thanks yall! My “non Megan knee” definitely appreciates that!) for those of you who love your stair stepper, you can take the stairs up to the top.
The host was able to seat us right away and we were very quickly greeted by our server.
We ordered both espresso martinis, (they have a vodka option and a tequila option) the tequila option was my favorite.
When it came to the food, we went with some tapas. My partner ordered the guacamole and house made tortilla chips (so flavorful and bright with a slight kick & the chips were large and fresh). We got an order of the bang bang shrimp which had a light batter on them and the bang bang sauce was creamy and delicious. We also ordered the crispy brussel sprouts with carrot purée which were also very tasty and beautiful. The last dish we ordered was the charcuterie board and the saltine crackers and jam were a fantastic combination. Everything looked amazing and so fresh and tasted just as delicious.
Once we finished up with the eats we headed to the other side and stepped out onto the rooftop terrace area that was poppin with a live DJ, chill but upbeat vibes and the bar tenders were definitely putting in work. We ordered a carafe of one of their signature drinks and it was sooo good! Not too sweet, not bitter, just perfect and very refreshing.

We visited Ritual for a rooftop dinner with a group of 9! There were tons of bachelorette groups there, so it had a fun, lively vibe. We were seated out on the patio while the sun was still up, and although the rooftop has curtains/shades to block the sun, it ended up trapping a lot of heat since they were down. Once the sun went down and the curtains were raised, the breeze rolled in and it was so much more comfortable.

The food was good overall. I ordered the empanadas, which were much saucier than I expected... not bad, just different. The chips and guac were absolutely amazing! The drinks were good, but because it was so hot up top, they melted super quickly and ended up pretty watered down. This isn't the restaurant’s fault, just something to be aware of. Pork tacos were good!

Our server was kind but seemed a little overwhelmed with the large group. One of the main dishes was forgotten, and after waiting around 15 minutes while everyone else ate, we decided to cancel it. To be fair, the restaurant did mention it’s a tapas-style menu and recommends sharing small plates, so it may be better suited for more casual bites than full dinners.

The atmosphere was fun and trendy, but definitely packed (we were there on a Saturday). On the way out, we overheard the bouncers chatting about how strict the dress code would be for the evening crowd mentioning they wouldn’t let people in with “butt cheeks out” or anyone looking “trashy.” Two of our Uber drivers even told us they had previously been denied entry for not wearing collared shirts. They do make their dress code clear on the website when booking, so just make sure to plan for that!

Overall, the vibe and energy were good, and it’s a cool rooftop setting but I don’t think I’d return for a full meal. I’d come back for drinks and the view but probably not for dinner again.

Food was fine, not bad, but not excellent. The open patio had a good breeze going with a pretty view. The whole area smelled like lighter fluid, which is odd.

Burger was cooked perfectly but under seasoning made it bland. Fries were slightly undercooked but well seasoned. Chimchiri Hanger steak was cooked properly, but chimichirri tasted like straight vinegar and was watery.

Everything was so amazing!! The food, the staff, the drinks. I was so impressed. Likely one of the best meals I have ever had. I was visiting from out of state and since my visit I had suggested it to many friends and they all had the same experience. Exceptional!! Thanks for all you do to make an amazing dining experience.

We had a reservation for ten people and we were not told ahead of time that we would not be able to split the check according to what each couple individually ordered in groups over six. The waiter did give us the option to split it into five equal payments but that didn't work for us since some of our tabs were literally double of other couples. For me the food was just ok and the service was slow and inattentive. We waited fifteen minutes to order drinks and then it took about twenty minutes to be served them. I ordered calamari which was soggy and greasy and the presentation (the dipping sauce was off to the side of the bowl it was served in and then the calamari was poured into the bowl) left a bit to be desired. I also ordered the grouper tacos... They were a very small portion of fish on top of roasted corn. The flour tortillas were burned on the outside and they came out ICE COLD. My husband had the seared tuna sandwich which had flavor but twice as much bun as contents. The table ordered together and could not split the bill into separate checks but somehow our entrees did not come out together and some of our party were waiting for food while others were encouraged to eat so it didn't get cold. The drinks were tasty (loved the Paloma) but we ordered a "Lean With It" sharable cocktail and expected the experience of a fishbowl drink for the table, but instead four separate cups were brought to the table. The beer selection was lackluster but at least the beers were reasonably priced. Also, we had a designated driver in our group because we are responsible adults and it killed me that they charged her $4 a coke ... Every single coke... And it came in maybe an 8 ounce Collins glass. Who doesn't give the DD free soda? Or at least free refills. Despite the fact we had a table, there were a lot of people standing near the bar... Like four deep... And they kept bumping the people on that side of the table. The views were nice at sunset and I liked the decor. I just think that dinner and a night club is too much for the staff to handle since the "night club people" were able to migrate to the dining side because the night club bar was busy. I don't think the wait staff had a dedicated bartender. I wasn't impressed but I had a really good time with my people. Nothing disastrous, just nothing I'd care to repeat.

We had an amazing experience at Rituals! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Our server, Peter, truly went above and beyond, he was attentive, knowledgeable, and made sure everything was perfect throughout our meal. The food was absolutely delicious, incredibly fresh, and clearly made to order with great care. Every bite felt like it was crafted just for us. We’ll definitely be coming back for more!

If you wanna have a good meal, do not come here. Burgers came out burnt as a rock, everything over priced for bad food. Service bad and VERY slow, rude. If you want fish, you’re only getting a piece of fish, no sides for 35 bucks! Chicken tacos, only have chicken on it no other toppings. Had to spend 30 dollars on a caesar salad!!

Ritual is a super fun vibe with good music and drinks. Everyone got a different cocktail and they were all great. We went for brunch and the food was very good, but slightly overpriced for what it was. Only negative about Ritual is they don’t have coffee which I think is a must for brunch - even just adding iced coffee to the menu would make a huge difference. Overall, great service and super fun for bachelorette parties!

Service was good. The food was awesome. I’m not from South Carolina, but I wanted to visit for my birthday and I was not disappointed.

Came for Cocktails one Sunday- beautiful day to be outside at the outside bar or on the veranda!
The Espresso Martini was good and then I switched to Tequila Waters :-)

For Dinner we came back in May '24 and though a little pricey, the food was pretty good (My Mom even ordered a second plate of Calamari (the sauce it came with was fire!!) and I personally liked the Brussels!!

Cool vibe and fun rooftop, igloos with heaters to fight the cold, and a good DJ. The vibe was fun even though we went at an off hour

Food was fresh with generous portions! Great service and atmosphere. We were surprised at how quiet the restaurant was on a Friday night.

Great Place for drinks! If your hungry eat before you come. The portions are bar bites but good! The vibes are everything!

This was a fantastic experience with our bachelorette party! We got shots, plenty of drinks, and delicious food. Our waiter was super attentive and nice, and the overall atmosphere was beautiful. It's obviously a popular spot for bachelorette parties since we saw several other brides-to-be dining here. I will definitely come back here!

Everything about this place is incredible! The atmosphere along with the service and food was outstanding. I got the burger with the crispy potato bravas and it was delicious. The drink was a coconut creamsicle and that was also amazing! This has been one of my favorite restaurant experiences ever, I definitely suggest that you stop here.

Dropped in for happy hour with coworkers. The rooftop is gorgeous. Very attractive crowd. Bartenders are very talented. I tried one of the specialty drinks and was not disappointed. Ordered a few of my favorites, old fashions, by far the best I've had in a long time. Food was served quickly after ordering. The ceviche and the shrimp tacos were just ok, not very flavorful. Overall, a pretty good place to chill.

Very cool place with a nice rooftop view of Charleston. We had a group that went for brunch and we sat inside. Food was really good and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. We have some great specialty drinks. They also have espresso martini flights which looked delicious!

Hard pass. We went there a few weeks ago for dinner because the location was convenient. My friend and I both ordered tacos - she got steak on flour shell, I got shrimp on soft corn shell. Meager portion of two baby tacos, and mine was cold. (Hey Ritual Rooftop, did you know if you heat a corn shell in a skillet, it won’t disintegrate into dry dust when your patrons bite into them?). Atmosphere was like a noisy meet market. Service was fine.

Think twice about going there for drinks if you’re over 28 because you’ll feel like an adult compared to everyone else there. Major disappointment. Overpriced, skimpy portions, tasteless, weird atmosphere. Won’t be back.

Xander was a phenomenal server! He made the experience exceptional. Everyone making reservations should ask for him! The appetizers, drinks, and entrees were all fabulous. The calamari and brussel sprouts were our favorite appetizers and the hangar steak and lamb chops were amazing! Go to Ritual today!

Good atmosphere, food is plain they messed up my husband to go order. Waiter Donte (or something like that) he was horrible our tabel was filled with glasses I put all the empty glasses and plates to one side and he never came to get them. We had to ask for them to be removed. Overall not going back. Bad 1st impression. Taco are very small and no taste

Loud, dirty environment. We were very excited to try this place for a drink prior to our dinner which we quickly realized was a mistake. Stood in line to get a drink, bartender was rude and dismissive drink was decent (espresso martini ). We sat at a table which hadn’t been cleaned prior or during us being there. Chips, trash, cups littered the floor and gum was all over the Awning beside us. We did not order food so cannot rate that.