South Carolina is full of great and amazing places to eat, including restaurants with absolutely mouthwatering food, spots that have a unique atmosphere or are out-of-the-ordinary beautiful, food that is just as much a work of art as it is a delicious meal, and so much more. With Charleston being known for its culinary scene (among other things), it’s no surprise that this is where we found an award-winning restaurant in South Carolina where you can dine beneath an incredible work of art.

The Tempest opened in August 2020 in Charleston on North Market Street.

Its building is full of character, originally the Church of the Redeemer Chapel and the Harriott Pinckney Home for Seamen.

While brainstorming and planning elements for the restaurant, local was a key value for the team – from design and art to the food that would be served. Honey McCrary is the local artist who designed the beautiful stained glass mosaic overhead at The Tempest, her largest project to-date!

Honey sells her work in the City Market, which is just across the street from The Tempest. She was approached by the owner, who was blown away by her work when he stumbled onto it, to create a piece of art for the restaurant.

The end result is simply astonishing, estimated to have over 100,000 pieces of beautiful stained glass. It's one-of-a-kind and 700-square-feet in size.

Honey painstakingly placed each of the stained glass pieces by hand.

You could marvel at this masterpiece for hours.

It's even visible through the windows from the outdoor dining space, if you'd like some fresh air while you enjoy your meal.

USA Today readers voted The Tempest as the #1 Best New Restaurant in 2020. The menu focus is sustainable South Atlantic seafood.

The Tempest Chef Jamie Lynch said, “Life started in the ocean, so why not start every meal with something from the ocean?” The Ocean Roll is a play on a Japanese milk bun with toasted nori to give it an oceanic flavor.

Friday brunch has been offered since November 2022, where you can enjoy delicious dishes like this French toast with creme anglaise, pecan, and green apple.

You may find seasonal specials when you visit, such as this fall-inspired cocktail with a Tempest twist on a New York Sour: Caliban with rum, Montenegro, Disaronno, orange, lemon, and red wine.

Whatever you have for your entree, be sure to save room for dessert. Coffee Opera Cake is just one possibility, with joconde cake, espresso buttercream, chocolate glaze, and orange whip. Mmm-mm good!

Visit The Tempest’s website or

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Have you ever eaten anywhere else in South Carolina with such incredible art incorporated into the restaurant design? Please share about it with us in the comments section below.