Why locals love it
Get the lobster roll and the fish tacos. Don't bring a big group.
What locals are saying
167 Raw is a King Street institution with a 4.7-star Yelp rating across 3,200+ reviews and a Yelp Top 100 U.S. Seafood ranking, with locals and repeat visitors consistently citing unimpeachable freshness and the live oyster-shucker bar as the core draw. The no-reservations walk-in waitlist is both a badge of honor and a friction point — the workaround of grabbing drinks at sister spot Bar 167 while waiting has become a local ritual in itself. Pricing is the loudest and most consistent criticism: multiple reviewers call the lobster roll and raw bar pricing 'overpriced' relative to portion and execution, and at least one competitor review flatly calls it 'very good but lacking any real wow' — a sentiment echoed by a vocal minority on TripAdvisor who cite mediocre service on off nights.
On socials
The lobster roll is the undisputed star of social posts — TikTok creators and food bloggers repeatedly call it the best in Charleston, and the restaurant's own IG labels it '#1 classic.' The Pastrami'd Swordfish Sandwich is the breakout second mention, showing up in TikTok 'best bites in Charleston' roundups alongside the oysters, with one food blogger flagging the Lobster Tostada as a sleeper hit worth ordering. The one consistent crowd complaint: long waits (walk-ins only), with creators consistently advising followers to arrive early.
- Airial Travel – TikTok/IG aggregator for 167 Raw
- TikTok: Eric Hammer – Best Foods in Charleston (167 Raw oysters + Pastrami'd Swordfish)
- TikTok Place Page – 167 Raw Oyster Bar
- Andrew Loves food blog – 167 Raw review (lobster tostada, mahi taco)
- 167 Raw IG Reel – '#1 classic: The Lobster Roll'
- Roadfood – 167 Raw dish-level breakdown
- Brunch Belle blog – Charleston foodie guide (lobster roll, ceviche)
Who it’s for & what you get
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Coffee
- Beer
- Wine
- Cocktails
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Restroom
- Free parking
Frequently asked
Is 167 Raw one of the best restaurants in Charleston?
167 Raw is ranked #35 restaurant in Charleston by community votes. Get the lobster roll and the fish tacos. Don't bring a big group.
What is 167 Raw best known for?
Tiny East Bay oyster bar. Boston-fresh fish, cash counter, line out the door.
Who should go to 167 Raw?
167 Raw is best for: oysters, seafood, lunch.
Where is 167 Raw located?
167 Raw is located at 193 King St, Charleston, Charleston, SC.
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