The Archer’s website states the restaurant’s “philosophy is simple: all bullseye, no BS.” And it practices what it preaches. Since opening in August 2024, this American tavern has amassed a legion of fans among locals, visitors and Charleston food and beverage pros.
The menu takes comfort food to a refined yet still approachable level and pairs it with creative cocktails, eclectic wines and a vibe that is somehow both relaxed and energizing at the same time.
Making a name in a crowded city
The Archer’s menu might have familiar ingredients like crab, steak, pork belly and trout, but each is prepared in refreshing ways. To start, chilled crab dip comes with pepita chili crunch and house-made potato chips. Steak tartare is served with sourdough, horseradish, pickled things and peppercorn aioli. Crispy pork belly has miso apple sauce and kohlrabi slaw while crispy fried eggplant is paired with whipped buttermilk, herbs, lime, fish sauce and Thai chili.
Large plates include braised short rib served with black garlic jus, potato purée and bourbon glazed cipollini onions, and roasted trout is accompanied by charred cabbage, apple mustard, toum (a Lebanese garlic sauce) and brown butter almonds.
“If you had told me before we opened, that our most ordered cocktail would be a goat cheese-infused gin cocktail, I would assume you were out of your mind,” said Chris Higgins-Johnson, director of operations. “Same with food. If you had told me an eggplant small plate would be the dish that most people come back for, I would be incredibly surprised.”…