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Samosa Chaat with cocktails. - Ma'am Saab, Charleston, SC
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Ma'am Saab

$31 to $50
Pakistani
251 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401-1602

Make a reservation

A photo of Ma'am Saab restaurant

Ma'am Saab

4.7
$31 to $50
Pakistani
Ansonborough

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 7 times today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Innovative
  • Neighborhood gem
We cook bold, modern Pakistani food on Meeting Street. The chaats of Karachi's markets, the karahis of the super highway, the slow nihari of old Lucknow, brought home to Charleston and served with real spice and real heart. There is a Frontier Kabab on the menu that belongs to my mother. A karahi in honor of my late uncle. A nihari that took half a lifetime to understand. None of it is here by accident.

Expect loud spice, low light, and a bar that flirts back. A butter chicken people come back for. A three-course tasting experience that tells the whole story on a plate. Come hungry, come as you are, and leave a little more in love. We saved you a seat.

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202620252024

From the OpenTable editors: Ma'am Saab began with sold-out Charleston pop-ups in 2019 and opened on Meeting Street in 2023, the address where modern Pakistani cooking meets Southern hospitality. Expect butter chicken with a devoted following, a 16-hour Lucknow nihari in limited nightly numbers, and a three-course tasting menu built for sharing. The Mughal arches, low light, and inventive cocktails will make you want to linger at one of Charleston’s best Pakistani and Indian restaurants.

Executive chef: Raheel Gauba

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Pakistani, Indian, Cocktail Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Contact
    (843) 259-2660
  • Website
    https://www.maamsaabchs.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Now offering catering for small to large events - From office get-togethers, birthdays, anniversaries to welcome dinners and wedding receptions. We're here to take your guests on a culinary journey that they'll remember for a long time. Please get in touch with us to design the perfect catering package.
  • Private party facilities
    Choose Ma'am Saab's unique dining room to host your next event. Whether you're looking to host a small party or large party, expect an experience and menu like no other. Please get in touch with us and allow us to create the perfect evening for you and your guests.
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Location
    251 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401-1602
  • Award-winning
    1. OpenTable Icons 2026
    2. OpenTable Icons 2025
    3. OpenTable Icons 2024
  • Neighborhood
    Ansonborough
  • Cross street
    Meeting Street and Wentworth Street.
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Kosher, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

All Experiences

  • Date Night Tasting Menu

    $109.00 per party

    2 - 2 people

    Multiple dates available
    This one is about the two of you. Wednesday Date Night is your excuse to step out of the week, settle in across the table from someone you love, and actually enjoy being together. We’ll welcome you with a little something to toast with, take you through three courses, and create the kind of evening that feels unhurried, intimate, and just a little special. Come hungry. Stay a while. Leave a little more in love. $109 per couple.
    Date Night Tasting Menu Photo

  • Double Date Night - Tasting Menu

    $218.00 per party

    4 - 4 people

    Multiple dates available
    Some of the best date nights need a bigger table. Bring your favorite couple and turn Wednesday into the kind of night that starts with a toast and ends with someone saying, “We need to do this more often.” We’ll set the mood, pour something to get the evening started, and take the four of you through three courses designed for a night of great food, stories, laughter, and connection. Good company is everything. We’ll take care of the rest. $109 per couple.
    Double Date Night - Tasting Menu Photo

  • Ma'am Saab Tasting Menu Experience

    $69.00 per person

    4 - 20 people

    Multiple dates available
    Transport your palate to the vibrant streets of Pakistan and immerse yourself in the rich and diverse flavors of the region with our multi-course dinner experience. Minimum party of 2 is required to participate and entire table must participate.
    Ma'am Saab Tasting Menu Experience Photo

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Menu

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Ma'am Saab.

4.7

4.7
(549)
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Charleston

    Innovative

  • Charleston

    Healthy

  • Charleston Peninsula

    Innovative

  • Charleston Peninsula

    Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Ma'am Saab delights diners with "mindblowingly" awesome flavors and "excellent food and service." The tasting menu is a standout, offering variety and value. Diners appreciate the "authentic Pakistani cuisine" and "warm spices." The owner and staff are praised for their friendliness and accommodating service, making it a must-visit in Charleston.
549 Reviews

  1. Jason

    Unspecified2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Quality joint for a nice dinner. Expensive for a regular affair. Small place, so it likely fills up quickly during prime dining hours. Sat at the bar during an off hour on a Wednesday, and had a good time. Food very flavorful and a nice change from the norm. Would dine again.

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  2. Lisa Gold

    Chicago79 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Yummy butter chicken and pakar dinner. Pricey, but delicious,

    Is this helpful?

  3. Charles Gold

    South Carolina17 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent all round, great food and service, first class.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Jennifer

    Unspecified2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food at this restaurant is amazing in the service is top notch!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Allison Gold

    Portland24 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Not as good as it once was, my cocktail was warm not shaken with ice. Puff rice salad was always my favorite, it was lacking in flavor, not flavorful like it used to be. Entree was the paneer with the tomato, ginger, sauce, the first one on the menu, the sauce was oily “ broken” inedible Chutneys were good, naan, rice was tasty We were disappointed that this was not the restaurant we remember when they first opened.
    Ma'am SaabResponded 4 days ago
    Allison, thank you for your thoughtful feedback and for being a returning guest! Your cocktail should absolutely have arrived properly chilled. Our Bhel Puri is intentionally lighter on the chutneys to preserve its crunch and avoid excessive sweetness. As for the Paneer Karahi, the separation of spiced oil is characteristic of this dish and part of its intended flavor and presentation. I wish we'd known about your concerns during your visit. We take pride in making things right, and would have gladly addressed everything for you. I'd love to invite you back for a chance to deliver the experience you remember. Please ask for Raheel in your reservation so I can personally make sure you're well taken care of. Thank you again. We hope to welcome you back soon! Raheel Owner, Ma’am Saab

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  6. Karen Gold

    Greater Boston1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was our first time at this restaurant and now it will be ranked amongst one of our favorites. Everything was absolutely delicious.

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  7. JAMES Gold

    South Carolina26 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Delicious food and great service. A great addition to the Charleston dining scene.

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  8. Gerry

    Pittsburgh1 review

    4.0

    Dined on October 26, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Biryani, butter chicken, and kheer were really good.

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  9. Benjamin

    Unspecified1 review

    4.0

    Dined on October 25, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was fantastic, the smoked wings were my favorite thing on the menu! It was quite busy in there but the hosts were very accommodating even though we showed up early for our reservation and they got us seated quickly. Our server did a great job explaining the menu but we didn’t see very much more of her. The first course came out quickly but then it was about a 30 minute wait until the next course. Once we received everything it was amazing!

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  10. thomas

    Los Angeles3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 24, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Love our little hidden gem in SC- amazing food, great service. Not cheap , but we are living in Charleston. It’s worth the cost to enjoy an authentic Indian meal every now and then.

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Pakistani, Indian, Cocktail Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Contact
    (843) 259-2660
  • Website
    https://www.maamsaabchs.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Now offering catering for small to large events - From office get-togethers, birthdays, anniversaries to welcome dinners and wedding receptions. We're here to take your guests on a culinary journey that they'll remember for a long time. Please get in touch with us to design the perfect catering package.
  • Private party facilities
    Choose Ma'am Saab's unique dining room to host your next event. Whether you're looking to host a small party or large party, expect an experience and menu like no other. Please get in touch with us and allow us to create the perfect evening for you and your guests.
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Location
    251 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401-1602
  • Award-winning
    1. OpenTable Icons 2026
    2. OpenTable Icons 2025
    3. OpenTable Icons 2024
  • Neighborhood
    Ansonborough
  • Cross street
    Meeting Street and Wentworth Street.
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Kosher, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Guests frequently describe the portions as generous, the Chef’s tasting and full dinners regularly deliver a lot of food, with parties often bringing home leftovers.

Casual dress is the guide, comfortable, neat attire is appropriate and nothing formal is expected.

Yes, Ma'am Saab is a lovely choice for date night, with reviewers noting cozy couple’s tables, successful Valentine's dinners, and a tasting menu many couples praise.

Yes, Ma’am Saab welcomes families: several guests brought children (including a picky 5‑year‑old who loved the chicken pakora) and others noted staff were accommodating with a baby and family meals.

Ma’am Saab feels stylish and warm, a modern Pakistani dining room with richly detailed touches like copperware, moody dimmed lighting, and a vibrant, intimate energy that suits tasting menus and cozy couple tables.

At Ma’am Saab you can choose a table in the dining room or sit at the bar, guests mention bar seating as a great spot to watch the bartenders and enjoy cocktails.

Ma’am Saab is at its calmest for lunch or earlier, low-key visits, several guests noted a relaxed lunch service, while weekend evenings (especially Saturday nights and holiday dinners) are busier and more lively.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Charleston
  4. Charleston Peninsula
  5. Ansonborough

Make a reservation

A photo of Ma'am Saab restaurant

Ma'am Saab

4.7
$31 to $50
Pakistani
Ansonborough

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 7 times today
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