Holiday Feasts

Where to dine this season

Elise DeVoe

Charleston for the holidays. Instead of snow sloshing in the streets, the palm trees are adorned with ornaments and lights to give you that festive feeling, without the frigid cold weather that often goes with it. For a memorable night out, Charleston restaurants have curated menus for Thanksgiving and Christmas—several that are open to diners on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day—sure to spark holiday cheer, however you celebrate.

Muse

82 Society St., Charleston

@charlestonmuse

Celebrate the holiday season Italian-style at Muse. While the restaurant will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, it will be open the day before Thanksgiving and on Christmas Eve. Enjoy a taste of Italian home cooking with dishes like tagliatelle Bolognese and veal scaloppini in this cozy renovated Charleston single house downtown. This Society Street restaurant has an extensive wine list, so you are guaranteed to find the perfect pairing for your entree. Bookings are available through Resy and if you would prefer a private dining room to have a more intimate holiday gathering, give them a call and they will take care of you.

Peninsula Grill

112 Market St., Charleston

@peninsulagrill

This downtown Charleston institution is always decked out in holiday decorations for the entire season and has a festive menu to match. On Thanksgiving, they are offering a prix-fixe three-course menu for $85 per person, but the restaurant’s full dinner menu will also be available. Diners will be able to choose between a few options for every course and highlights include their infamous She Crab soup and a 12 oz NY strip in lieu of a classic turkey dinner. On Christmas Eve, guests can enjoy their regular dinner menu, then on Christmas Day, they will be offering a prix-fixe three-course menu for $95 per person. Reservations will go quickly, so act fast.

Harold’s Cabin

247 Congress St., Charleston

@haroldscabin

This Westside neighborhood restaurant is being transformed for the holiday season. Now through January 2023, guests visiting the eclectic cocktail bar can expect floor-to-ceiling holiday garb, thematic events such as costume parties, holiday-inspired food and beverage menus, a private rooftop igloo and more. The private igloo packages are available for parties of up to six and guests can enjoy curated food and beverages while taking in the rooftop view. The Christmas pop-up begins on November 15 and will be exclusively held upstairs on the rooftop, lasting through early January 2023. To reserve the Cabin Igloo or inquire about private parties, contact Harold’s Cabin at 843-793-4440.

Post House Inn

101 Pitt St., Mount Pleasant

@posthouseinn

Celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant at the charming Post House Inn. The restaurant is hosting its annual Thanksgiving feast on Thursday, November 24, offering a 3-course prix fixe menu perfect for families of all sizes. The meal kicks off with an assortment of dips with Parker house rolls. The entree course offers something for everyone with a choice between a classic turkey plate, fish, or a vegan option, all served alongside family-style sides. For dessert, there will be Annie Mae’s pies and gelato. Reservations are available between 12 - 8 p.m. and the price is $75/adult and $25/child. 

Zero George

0 George St., Charleston

@zerorestaurant

Each holiday season, Zero George transforms into a lush, romantic retreat for travelers escaping to the Lowcountry. Zero George’s custom-built Italian fountain is strung with garland, matching the décor that adorns the five immaculately restored 1800s-era buildings that make up the award-winning boutique hotel. A live evergreen Christmas tree will greet guests as they enter the courtyard and lights the path for those returning to their hotel rooms or the piazza for a nightcap. Zero Restaurant + Bar executive chef Vinson Petrillo and beverage director Megan Mina bring a celebratory taste to the table with holiday-inspired dishes and cocktails, incorporating seasonal ingredients and unique presentations.

Hamby Catering

925 St Andrews Blvd., West Ashley

@hambycatering

If you want to host Thanksgiving at your house, but want to leave the cooking to the professionals, Hamby Catering has several packages that are sure to impress a crowd. If you’re having a larger party of eight guests, the Thanksgiving feast features either a bourbon-smoked or traditional whole roasted turkey, Boursin mashed potatoes, baked macaroni & cheese, Southern green beans with caramelized onions, cornbread dressing and classic turkey gravy. For smaller parties of four, they offer the same package, but with turkey breast instead of a whole turkey. The order deadline is November 19 at 5 p.m.

Lewis Barbecue

464 N Nassau St., Charleston

@lewisbarbecuechs

No need to bust out the deep fryer or attempt to smoke a turkey for the first time this Thanksgiving. It’s better to leave it to the meat-cookery professionals at Lewis Barbecue. The downtown restaurant is offering the ultimate southern feast for Thanksgiving, all available for pre-order and pickup the week leading up to the holiday. Highlights include Whole Turkey Breast ($65), Whole Brisket ($145), Green Chile Corn Pudding Tray ($35), Mac & Cheese Tray ($35), and Barbecue Sauces $8.95/each or three for $25. All dishes will be chilled with easy reheating instructions and are available on their shop at shop.lewisbarbecue.com. Pick up between Monday, November 21-Wednesday, November 23 from 11a.m. – 5 p.m.

Rappahannock Oyster Bar

701 East Bay St., Charleston

@rapbarchs

This East Bay staple is an excellent place for groups to celebrate the holiday season, especially if you have a lot of seafood lovers in your party. While the restaurant is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, they will be holding their annual Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. You can expect a seven-course prix fixe menu with dishes similar to those featured on last year’s menu, like scallops over black trumpet and chanterelle mushroom, and yakitori prawns over a smoked pepper and tomato puree. The restaurant recommends reserving your seat by December 15. Rappahannock will also be celebrating New Year’s Eve with elevated dishes like caviar parfaits and surf and turf.

Church & Union and Tempest

32 N Market St., Charleston

@churchandunioncharleston @tempestcharleston

In celebration of Thanksgiving, Church and Union and Tempest will serve a 3-course prix-fixe menu between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. for $70-$75 per person and $30 for children 12 and under. Highlights of Church and Union’s turkey day menu include roasted butternut squash soup, stuffing fritters, turkey dinner with all the fixings, and chocolate mousse cake for dessert. On Christmas Eve, both restaurants will serve a 3-course menu priced at $75 per person. Church and Union will serve a Christmas Day buffet from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. for $75 per person, while Tempest will be closed for the holiday. 

RAW LAB

99 S Market St., Charleston

@raw.lab.chs

This holiday season, master mermmelier Kevin Joseph invites you to dine privately at RAW LAB. Kevin is holding a collection of dates for private holiday parties in December. Dates include December 7, 8, 14, 16, 21, 22, 23 or 29. If you're interested in reserving the entire space for your private holiday event, visit Resy. Additionally, RAW LAB's "Feast of the Seven Fishes" will be offered on Saturday, December 24, and is open to individual seating. To join in the "SHELLebration," reserve seats on Resy.