Review of The Darling Oyster Bar

This Charleston gem is a must-visit for any seafood-loving celiac! A last-minute biz trip with a dinnertime planning session at The Darling led me to I contact the team via email to assess gluten-free options and note extreme sensitivity to cross-contamination. The website doesn't specify, but don't let that stop you from checking out its many temptations!They replied quickly and were highly accommodating, going as far as to send a list of menu items that were naturally gluten free given the ingredients and prep methods, and asked for the name and time on the reservation so they could make a note. Michael, the manager (I believe), confirmed they had our info and that he'd be working that evening. This lovely spot was packed, surprising for a Monday night, but not only did our duo of servers know to ask which of us was gluten free, Michael came over shortly after we were seated to introduce himself and assured me that the team was on top of it. A variety of options were easily adaptable to be gluten free.The only challenge was choosing what to eat, since I could spend a week sampling the raw bar alone. I don't believe there's a dedicated fryer, but I didn't ask - so if that's your thing, I recommend contacting them to see whether they're able to adapt fried items to be gluten free. If not, though, there's something for any seafood lover's taste here. I decided on the snapper ceveche to start, then treated myself to some true southern shrimp and grits (minus the fried brussels sprouts, a simple accommodation). Everything was delicious, and my fellow diners enjoyed their meals just as much as I did. The atmosphere is fantastic; the space is lovely and didn't feel crowded or overly loud despite it being a packed house. Darling, indeed!

Celiac friendly?

Yes