Tucked along ten miles of pristine beach on an unspoiled island, The Ocean Room at The Sanctuary in Kiawah Island in South Carolina, is a Forbes Five-Star feast for the eyes and the palate.

In a region blessed with myriad exceptional epicurean experiences, there is only one restaurant in South Carolina that has earned a coveted Forbes Five-Star rating, The Ocean Room at The Sanctuary, located within the luxurious Kiawah Island Golf Resort, a short, picturesque drive south of historic Charleston.
A leisurely stroll to The Sanctuary under canopies of Spanish moss-draped oaks provides an idyllic prelude for the enjoyment to come. As guests enter the cozy restaurant lounge, they are greeted by ornate hand-wrought iron gates reminiscent of the craftsmanship found throughout the region. True to its name, The Ocean Room’s main dining area features an expansive wall of windows and French doors, complete with majestic views of the Atlantic. A showcase of Southern hospitality ensues, layered with rich dark wood, crisp white table linens, warm décor, and elegant chandeliers.
Masterful dishes that meld modern and classic culinary techniques are helmed by globally trained Chef de Cuisine, Steven Brooks, to be savored by guests overlooking gently rolling surf. The menu itself is a masterpiece of Lowcountry cuisine flavored generously with ingenuity and seasonally changing ingredients. Offerings hit upon every craving, plus gastronomic wonders you may previously have not considered.

The epicurean journey opens with choices of tuna tartare, American Osetra caviar, and a tower filled to the brim with oysters, shrimp, lobster tail, tuna poke and king crab salad. First plates tantalize with selections such as poached pears, chestnut soup, and the Kiawah Oyster Roast, served southern style with cheddar cheese, cornbread, and hot sauce.
Entrées crafted from locally sourced beef, poultry and produce are relished, from the 30-day wet-aged 16-ounce ribeye with house-made bearnaise sauce to the seared duck coupled with apricot chutney, kumquat, and swiss chard. Seafood delicacies abound, ranging from sea scallops to seared trout and black cod.
A wine list curated by Sommelier Bret Reynolds, boasting more than 1,000 of the world’s finest varietals, provides excellent pairings for every dish. And, of course, the topper for any celebratory outing at The Ocean Room is one of Executive Pastry Chef Jordan Snider’s decadent desserts. As a rule, impeccable service is a mainstay of every meal.
The Sanctuary is one of only fifteen hotels worldwide to earn a prestigious Triple Five-Star rating for hotel, spa and restaurant. Additionally, the hotel has been named the Best Resort in the South by Condé Nast Traveler in its Readers’ Choice Awards for 2024.
The perfect balance between natural beauty and refinement, The Ocean Room is an extension of Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s many world-class amenities—five championship golf courses, including the famed Ocean Course, an acclaimed tennis center, pickleball programs and wide-ranging nature programming and water-sports enjoyed in year-round mild temps.
Reservations at The Ocean Room at The Sanctuary may be requested online or by calling 855-458-4881.
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