Olympian Grill in Charleston: Greek Food and Seafood on King Street

What Olympian Grill offers and where to find it

Olympian Grill is a Greek restaurant on King Street in Charleston that serves grilled seafood, lamb, and chicken alongside traditional Greek sides and appetizers. The menu centers on flame-grilled proteins—whole fish, lamb chops, shrimp saganaki—paired with Greek salads, grilled vegetables, and rice or potatoes. The dining room has a casual, neighborhood feel with exposed brick and a bar that runs the length of the space.

The restaurant sits in the heart of downtown Charleston's restaurant corridor, making it accessible whether you're walking from the Historic District or parking nearby. Service is straightforward and attentive without being formal, which fits the food and the crowd—a mix of locals, tourists, and people working in the area.

Key Takeaways

• Olympian Grill specializes in grilled whole fish and lamb, cooked over an open flame and finished simply with lemon and olive oil.
• The saganaki—fried cheese served flaming tableside—is a signature dish that appears on most tables in the restaurant.
• Appetizers like spanakopita, saganaki, and grilled octopus are substantial enough to share or order as a light meal.
• The wine list focuses on Greek and Mediterranean bottles at moderate markups, with several options under $40.
• Reservations are recommended for dinner, especially on weekends, though the bar accommodates walk-ins.

The grilled seafood and meat that define the menu

The kitchen's strength is in grilled whole fish—branzino, Mediterranean sea bass, and snapper appear regularly depending on what's available. These arrive at the table split down the backbone, seasoned with salt, lemon, and olive oil, with the flesh still moist against the charred skin. The cooking is straightforward: the fish spends just enough time over the flame to cook through without drying out. You eat it with your hands, pulling meat from the bones, which is part of the experience.

Lamb chops come in a thick-cut version, grilled to a pink center and finished with lemon. The meat has the gamey depth that distinguishes good lamb from the milder cuts served elsewhere. Shrimp saganaki—large shrimp baked in tomato sauce with feta cheese—arrives bubbling in a small pan, and the sauce soaks into bread better than any appetizer on the menu. Chicken is available grilled whole or as a half-bird, though it plays a supporting role to the seafood and lamb.

Appetizers and the tableside saganaki ritual

Saganaki—fried cheese, usually kasseri or halloumi, served flaming with a squeeze of lemon—is the dish most people remember from Olympian Grill. The server brings it to the table, sets it alight, and you eat it immediately while the outside is still crisp and the inside is molten. It's theater and food at once, and it's worth ordering even if you've had it elsewhere, because the execution matters and Olympian Grill does it well.

Spanakopita (spinach and feta in phyllo), saganaki, and grilled octopus are the appetizers most worth ordering. The octopus comes charred on the outside, tender inside, with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon. Tzatziki and melitzanosalata (eggplant dip) are standard and competent, meant for bread rather than as standalone dishes. The Greek salad is large, built on good tomatoes and Kalamata olives, with a block of feta that you break apart yourself.

Sides, wine, and what to expect from the experience

Sides are simple: grilled vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes), rice pilaf, or potatoes. These are not afterthoughts—the grilled vegetables carry char and olive oil, and the rice is fluffy and seasoned. Bread arrives warm, meant for soaking up sauce or the oil left on your plate. The pacing is unhurried; this is not a restaurant that rushes you through courses.

The wine list leans Greek and Mediterranean, with bottles from Santorini, the Peloponnese, and the Greek islands alongside Italian and Spanish options. Most bottles fall between $30 and $60, with several under $40. The staff can point you toward something that pairs with grilled fish or lamb without overselling. Beer and ouzo are also available, and ouzo with ice is the traditional way to finish a Greek meal.

Dinner is the main service, and the restaurant fills steadily after 6 p.m. The bar is a good option if you want to eat without a reservation, and you can order the full menu from a barstool. Lunch is quieter and faster, useful if you're downtown and want a substantial meal without the evening crowd.

What the neighborhood and timing mean for your visit

Olympian Grill's location on King Street puts it within walking distance of the Historic District, the City Market, and most of downtown's hotels and offices. Parking is street parking or nearby lots; there is no dedicated lot. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner most days, closed Sundays and Mondays (hours vary seasonally, so check ahead).

The crowd is mixed—tourists and locals, business lunches and date nights, families and groups of friends. The noise level is moderate; you can have a conversation without raising your voice, but it's not quiet. The dress code is casual; jeans and a button-up are fine, and you'll see people in everything from work clothes to weekend wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation?

Reservations are not required but are recommended for dinner, especially Thursday through Saturday. The bar accommodates walk-ins, and you can order the full menu there. Lunch is usually less crowded and easier to walk into without calling ahead.

What's the best dish to order if I'm new to the restaurant?

Start with saganaki (the flaming cheese), then order a grilled whole fish or lamb chops as your main. If you want to share, the grilled octopus and spanakopita are both substantial and let you taste different parts of the menu.

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes. Spanakopita, saganaki, grilled vegetables, Greek salad, and melitzanosalata are all vegetarian. The kitchen can grill vegetables as a main course if you ask, though the menu is built around seafood and meat.

What's the price range?

Entrees (grilled fish, lamb, chicken) typically run $20 to $35. Appetizers are $8 to $16. A meal for one with an appetizer, entree, and drink usually costs $35 to $50 before tax and tip.

Can I bring my own wine?

Most Charleston restaurants do not allow outside wine, and Olympian Grill follows that practice. The wine list is reasonably priced, so there's no strong incentive to bring your own.