The Independent

4.5
141 reviews

About

Seafood RestaurantAmerican RestaurantRestaurantFine Dining Restaurant
The Independent is an ingredient-driven, seafood restaurant and raw bar showcasing the Lowcountry’s surrounding local fisherman, farmers, and purveyors. Located on historic Front Street, the restaurant pays homage to the community’s former, yet iconic seafood market by the same name, with a seasonal menu of Southern-inspired dishes guided by the region’s bounty of fresh seafood.

Details

  • Dine-inAvailable
  • DeliveryNot available
  • TakeoutNot available
  • Accepts reservationsAvailable

Location

The Independent
615 Front Street, Georgetown, SC
29440, United States

Hours

Reviews

4.5
141 reviews
5 stars
106
4 stars
15
3 stars
12
2 stars
3
1 star
5

What are people saying?

AI-generated from recent customer reviews

Service Quality

Many customers praised the attentive and friendly service, highlighting specific staff members who provided exceptional experiences.

Food Quality

While many reviews celebrated the delicious food and unique dishes, some customers expressed disappointment with specific meals and inconsistencies in preparation.

Atmosphere

The restaurant's ambiance was generally well-received, though some customers noted issues with noise levels and seating comfort.

Special Occasions

The restaurant was recognized for going above and beyond to make special occasions memorable, including personalized touches for anniversaries and birthdays.
  • KW
    Kelly Woods
    5 days ago
    3.0
    This was our first time dining here and we were really excited because we had heard great things from friends of ours. The server was great, the food was great and the atmosphere was cozy. However, when we first arrived we initially decided to sit at the bar. The bartender (who we later found out was the bar manager) seemed extremely annoyed that we decided to sit there. It was an empty bar and it was still early in the evening that we thought it would be nice to look out the window and see the happenings on the street. He slapped the menus on the counter and muttered let me know when you are ready and then left. No hello, no introduction and no recommendations, nothing. We watched him walk out of restaurant and was left very confused. 15 mins had gone by and we were ready to order so we let the host know and she said “oh he is probably in the office, I’ll go get him”. We thought it was strange but we decided to ignore it and continue on with our evening. We ended up ordering our drinks and the mussels and a couple of baked oysters. The drinks were good but those mussels were incredible!! I’m still dreaming about them. We tried to ask the bartender for recommendations on entrees and wine pairings and his attitude was just terrible. It was really starting to put a damper on our evening. My husband decided to go speak to the hostess to see if we could move to a table, she was extremely sweet and got us moved quickly and thankfully faraway from the bar. Our server came quickly and she was outstanding. We mentioned the bad service at the bar and she said “oh that’s just ‘insert name’, he is just like that” (I wish I could remember his name). After talking for a little bit we actually found out that he ran the bar and we were in shock! Someone with that attitude and no care for the customer should 1. Not be working in the service industry and 2. Definitely not be running it! The host, food, and waitress saved the night for us. The ribeye was fantastic and perfectly cooked, the fish special was to die for and they even gifted us a dessert which was mouth watering. All in all, I think you all really need to take a look at who have at the bar, but the rest of the staff and the food was great.
  • KT
    Kandy Thietten
    Jan 1, 2026
    5.0
    My husband and I have a very restrictive diet, and our waitress, Sam, and the chef were so helpful and accommodating, working with us to get us a delicious meal. Eating here was an absolutely wonderful experience. Thank you all so much!
  • PV
    Polly Vue
    Dec 31, 2025
    3.0
    Went for brunch with a friend. Ordered steak and eggs. I like a medium rare steak. Not medium, not rare, but medium rare. Steak came out pretty rare with scrambled eggs that were bland and unimpressive and largely chopped potatoes heavily seasoned with orange powder that were salty (maybe lawry's season salt?). Service was prompt and attentive immediately noticing my dissatisfaction with the steak and replacing. Overall the restaurant is comfortable and service very kind and attentive.
  • WC
    Whitney Williams Cole
    Dec 27, 2025
    5.0
    We have had many meals at The Independent and have alway’s enjoyed them. Beautiful atmosphere, friendly staff and great drinks. But this past Xmas eve was our MOST enjoyable experience. We brought my parents and our 3 young children for an early dinner before church and it was just wonderful! Our server, Emily, could not have been kinder. We had an allergy at our table and she was so helpful guiding us through the menu and the kitchen was very careful and kindly offered substitutions. It was all delicious! They were so welcoming of our kids and we walked away totally in the Xmas spirit! Was an evening to remember. Not just because of the wonderful food but because of the amazing staff and warmth of the whole place. Thank you!!!
  • BG
    Barbara Grissom
    Dec 11, 2025
    1.0
    My recent dining experience at this restaurant was deeply disappointing. Despite having a 7:30 p.m. reservation, we were informed upon arrival that the evening’s specials were no longer available. This left us with a limited selection that consisted mostly of salads. I ordered the charred Caesar salad, which arrived burned and made with the smallest piece of romaine I have ever been served. The restaurant environment added to the frustration: the space was uncomfortably loud, and the seating offered little comfort. Service was exceptionally slow. In an attempt to tide us over, the staff brought out a plate of French fries, which, unfortunately, ended up being the best part of the entire meal. Overall, the experience did not meet expectations, and I cannot recommend this restaurant based on my visit.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Independent

Does The Independent accept reservations?

Yes, The Independent accepts reservations which can be made through their online reservation system.

What type of cuisine does The Independent serve?

The Independent is a seafood restaurant and raw bar focused on local Lowcountry seafood with a seasonal Southern-inspired menu.