Circa 1886

Circa 1886, fine dining in historic downtown Charleston

Circa 1886 is a fine dining restaurant set in the original 1886 carriage house of Wentworth Mansion, a five-star hotel in historic downtown Charleston. The venue presents itself as one of the city's most romantic dining experiences, combining the charm of a historic home with contemporary cuisine.

Executive leadership is provided by Chef Marc Collins, who has led the restaurant since 2001. His approach reinterprets Lowcountry cuisine with seasonal ingredients from local farms and regional purveyors, applying contemporary techniques that balance traditional Southern flavors with modern presentation.

Tasting menus and à la carte selection

The restaurant offers two imaginative, seasonal six-course tasting menus, along with a refined à la carte selection. The menus are named Cooper and Ashley, and their composition evolves throughout the year. Dishes cited in the material include a smoked trout salad, smoked Storey Farms chicken with potato pavé, parsley velouté and blackberry gel, and a chocolate and coconut dessert with coconut mousse, flourless chocolate cake, chocolate feuilletine, Chantilly cream with dulce de leche and chocolate ganache.

The beverage offering includes a wine list, wines by the glass, half bottles, signature cocktails and a selection of non-alcoholic mocktails. The material also mentions the addition of a Barolo Casa E. di Mirafiore to the wine selection.

Spaces and experiences

The restaurant has three distinct dinner spaces: the bar, the main dining room and the wine room. In addition to dinner service, it hosts a calendar of events including intimate wine dinners and wine and cocktail classes.

For private celebrations, the team has experience organizing anniversaries, family reunions, weddings and rehearsal dinners, with dedicated event menus.

History and recognitions

Circa 1886 is part of the Charming Inns collection, founded by the Widman family. The restaurant presents itself as a benchmark for the preservation of Charleston's architectural heritage.

Recognitions cited include the Tripadvisor 2025 Best of the Best Date Night Restaurant award, within the global Top 1%; the Pastry Chef of the Year award for Executive Pastry Chef Ashley Cardona at the 2025 Stars of the Industry; and the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, which the restaurant states it has maintained since 2004.

Hours and reservations

The restaurant is open Monday to Tuesday and Thursday to Saturday, from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. Reservations are made through the website.

Location and contact

Phone: (843) 853-7828 · Email: info@circa1886.com