Ambiance
The exterior of the restaurant is so elegant you might think you’re about to enter a royal ball—so imagine my surprise when I walked in and found people chilling in shorts and sneakers! The place may look historic, but the vibe is more speakeasy chic, with exposed wood beams, brick, and concrete walls. It’s got that perfect moody ambiance, except at the oyster bar, which is practically glowing like it’s the main attraction (and it is!). Classic rock plays in the background, but don’t worry—it won’t blast you out of your seat. The Darling was definitely not what I expected, but it turned out to be pretty darn cool.
Service
The staff is incredibly attentive and knowledgeable—never pushy, but if you ask for their opinion, they’ll gladly share their favorites and why they love them. As soon as we sat down, our waitress brought out a bottle of ice water, setting the tone for excellent service. My husband, eager to dive into the oyster selection before even glancing at the menu, didn’t phase her one bit. She patiently walked us through each of the six varieties, detailing their taste and origin like a true oyster aficionado. For drinks, we kept it simple with juices and club soda, and our glasses were never empty, thanks to her keen attention throughout our meal.
Food Selection
The Darling specializes in raw and cooked appetizers, with oysters and fish taking center stage. While the main dishes also lean heavily toward seafood, they do throw in a curveball with one fried chicken and one burger option. If you’re vegetarian, it might be a good idea to call ahead. And let’s not forget dessert—about four delicious options, most of which are made in-house and definitely worth saving room for. To top it all off, there’s a full bar with an impressive selection of original Darling cocktails.
Appetizers
The Darling offers both raw and cooked appetizers, along with a standard menu and a specials menu. With so many tempting options, the toughest part is deciding what to order. John and I kicked things off by ordering two of each raw oyster. Our selection included, in order of price: James River (House Oyster, VA), Single Lady (SC), Skinny Dippers (NC), Carolina Golds (NC), Wellfleet (MA), and Fire Lakes (Canada). Since we love the salty ones, our favorites were the Carolina Golds, Wellfleet, and James River—so naturally, we ordered another round of those! We also tried the crab cakes, which we both agreed were the best we’ve ever had. (Even John, who usually isn’t a fan of crab cakes, loved these!) The green salad with buttermilk dressing was far from your average boring salad—it burst with delicious flavor.
Main Course Dishes
The main course offers a choice of three different sandwiches (fried chicken, burger, and lobster roll), five entrées (four of which are seafood), fry baskets in three variations, and five side options. I opted for the Seared Diver Scallops, featuring the largest scallops I’ve ever seen, served with a tomato-dill vinaigrette, corn, potato, arugula, and tomato beautifully draped over the scallops. The scallops were seared to perfection—cooked through but still soft, not rubbery. It was so delicious that I was genuinely sad when I finished; I wished I could order another stomach just to keep eating!
John went for the Shrimp and Grits, which, true to The Darling’s style, was not your typical shrimp and grits. They used cheddar grits, crispy Brussels sprouts, country ham, red bell peppers, fennel, and John added a fried egg on top. The dish came with a unique sauce that I couldn’t quite identify, but it was incredibly different and absolutely delicious. If you’re a shrimp and grits lover, you have to try this one!
Desserts
For dessert, The Darling offers an array of house-made treats, including Key Lime Pie and a S’more parfait. I opted for the Key Lime Pie, and it was hands down the best I’ve ever had. The filling was incredibly light and fluffy, a refreshing change from the typically dense Key Lime pies. The homemade crust was a standout too, with a dense sweetness that reminded me of a cookie.
John went for the S’mores Parfait, which was pure decadence. It had crumbled graham crackers at the bottom, followed by a layer of rich chocolate pudding, topped with a layer of chocolate mousse. The pièce de résistance was a huge marshmallow, covered in chocolate and then flame-burned to perfection. Next time, I’m eyeing the Banana Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel sauce—just thinking about it has my mouth watering!
Final Thoughts
If you’re after a fun restaurant with gourmet-caliber food minus the fuss of dressing up, The Darling is your spot. Seriously, don’t skip making reservations—at least a week in advance. Trust me, you don’t want to show up and get turned away, especially when you can see people enjoying those oysters right through the window. So make your plans, book a table, and get yourself over to The Darling—you won’t regret it!
(view from the oyster bar)