One could argue the most exciting things happening in the Charleston cuisine scene are happening off the downtown peninsula. Riva Mare, the latest opening from culinary behemoth Indigo Road Hospitality Group, supports this theory.
The restaurant opened Aug. 21 at 2154 Noisette Blvd. in the burgeoning Charleston Design District within the greater Navy Yard Charleston. On the top floor of Storehouse 9, Riva Mare offers a seafood-driven menu showcasing the tastes and vibes of coastal Italy. The restaurant also has one of the best rooftops in town with 165 seats, including cabanas. The outdoor space somehow catches a breeze on even the hottest Lowcountry night.
Coastal Italian in the Lowcountry
The kitchen is under the leadership of Executive Chef Sean McMullen, most recently chef de cuisine at Luminosa in Asheville, N.C. The restaurant was a Michelin Green Star recipient — a distinction highlighting places that excel at sustainable practices — and showcased Italian food with Appalachian techniques.
