Chez Nous is a small European restaurant at 6 Payne Court, Charleston, SC 29403, in the Cannonborough–Elliottborough neighborhood. Opened in 2014 in a 19th-century house, it interprets the cooking and wines of southern France, northern Italy, and northern Spain through local ingredients. Travelers come for its unusually focused daily menu, intimate dining rooms, and courtyard tables rather than an extensive roster of permanent dishes.
What to Expect at Chez Nous
Chef Jill Mathias helped establish Chez Nous around a simple proposition: two appetizers, two entrées, and two desserts, changing every day. Lunch and dinner share exactly the same menu. That makes lunch a particularly useful option when evening reservations are scarce, without sacrificing the kitchen’s central experience. The handwritten daily menu is part of the restaurant’s identity; check it before booking if you have strong preferences. There is no permanent signature dish to plan an entire trip around—the signature is the six-dish format itself.
The house, dating to approximately 1835, shapes the experience as much as the cooking. Small rooms, wooden floors, closely arranged tables, and an upper dining floor make this feel more like dinner in an old Charleston home than a conventional restaurant. Outdoor courtyard seating offers a different setting in comfortable weather. The wine program follows the same southern French, northern Italian, and northern Spanish geography as the kitchen. Ask for a pairing with that day’s dishes rather than assuming a particular bottle or preparation will remain available.
- Six-dish daily menu: Two starters, two mains, and two desserts keep the kitchen’s attention on a short selection.
- Identical lunch and dinner offerings: The daytime service provides another opportunity to experience the day’s cooking.
- Regional European focus: Food and wine connect southern France with northern Italy and northern Spain.
- Historic-house dining: Compact rooms and an upstairs dining area preserve the building’s domestic scale.
- Courtyard tables: Outdoor seating adds an open-air alternative to the small interior dining rooms.
Chez Nous at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 6 Payne Court, Charleston, SC 29403, United States |
| Neighborhood / Area | Cannonborough–Elliottborough, downtown Charleston |
| Operating Hours | Tuesday–Sunday: lunch 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; dinner 5–10 p.m. Monday: closed. |
| Admission / Price Range | $$$; upscale à la carte dining. Prices accompany the changing daily menu. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | DASH Route 211 via the Charleston Visitor Center area; Visitor Center Garage at 63 Mary Street, approximately a 10–15-minute walk. |
| Official Website & Phone | Chez Nous official website; +1 843-579-3060 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve through the booking link on the official website, particularly for Friday or Saturday dinner. An 11:30 a.m. lunch or 5 p.m. dinner puts you at the beginning of service; walk-ins depend on available tables. Check the daily menu and discuss vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy requirements directly with the restaurant before committing: six dishes leave less substitution flexibility than a large menu. Smart casual clothing suits the setting. Confirm payment arrangements directly if you intend to use cash or a particular card.
Approach Payne Court from Coming Street and leave time to locate the small residential lane. Do not count on parking immediately outside; the Visitor Center Garage is a practical alternative. Free CARTA DASH Route 211 serves the Visitor Center area around Meeting and Ann streets. Upstairs dining requires stairs, so anyone avoiding steps should request ground-floor seating and confirm entrance thresholds, courtyard access, and restroom suitability before booking. Pair the meal with Upper King Street’s shops, roughly five minutes away, or walk approximately 10–15 minutes to The Charleston Museum or Marion Square. Older sidewalks can be uneven.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours, and when is the best time to visit?
Chez Nous opens Tuesday through Sunday for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m.; Monday is closed. Choose lunch for daylight in the historic house and access to the same menu offered at dinner.
How expensive is Chez Nous, and are reservations necessary?
Expect $$$ upscale dining, with individually priced dishes on a changing menu rather than a fixed admission or tasting-menu charge. Advance reservations are strongly advisable because the restaurant is small; use the official website for booking and the daily menu.
How much time should I allow?
Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for a relaxed meal with multiple courses. Add walking time from parking, especially if you are continuing to a performance or another timed reservation.
Is Chez Nous suitable for wheelchair users and families?
The upstairs dining area is reached by stairs; discuss ground-floor arrangements and specific access needs directly before reserving. Families should review the daily menu first, since its two-choice format may not suit children who need familiar dishes.
When planning your Charleston travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Charleston, pair this stop with standout local spots including Grand Bohemian Charleston, Autograph Collection, The Restoration Charleston, Postal Museum, and Vern's (0.2 km away).
