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Plenty of Choices for Dining on Christmas Day

by Erin Perkins
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by Erin Perkins

Just because it's Christmas Day doesn't mean you have to suffer with a frozen dinner or Chinese take-out. Charleston offers a plethora of options for eating out on December 25. Selections run from super fancy spots with white-glove service to a dark dive bar. While everyone else is worrying about basting hams and turkeys, relax and let someone else do the work. Take a peek at the map to see what's open on the holiday.


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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Alluette's Cafe

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80 Reid St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 577-6926
(843) 577-6926
Visit Website
The holidays are usually about pigging out, but Alluete's is a holistic soul food place. Chef Alluette Jones-Smalls cooks up healthier versions of Lowcountry favorites like an organic lima bean soup and fish stew.

2. Anson Restaurant

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12 Anson St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-0551
(843) 577-0551
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Anson has old Charleston charm with a more modern menu. Yes, they have classics like she-crab soup, but they also serve a pork belly above a corn and cheddar waffle topped with hot pepper jelly.

3. Blossom

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171 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-9200
(843) 722-9200
Visit Website
If you miss traditional Christmas dinner, Blossom is serving up slow roasted turkey with all the fixings or a fig and orange glazed ham to fit the bill. There are non-traditional items offered as well, like pickled shrimp or a New York strip.

4. Blu Restaurant & Bar

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1 Center St
Folly Beach, SC 29439
(843) 588-6685
(843) 588-6685
Visit Website
Spend the holiday on the beach and visit Blu Restaurant and Bar on Folly. The menu has a large focus on seafood, but there are plenty of meaty options as well. Surf's up for Santa.

5. Charleston Harbor Fish House

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24 Patriots Point Road
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 284-7070
(843) 284-7070
Visit Website
The review from City Paper was less than stellar for the Charleston Harbor Fish House, but they've had plenty of time to improve. Besides, you're going for the stunning views of the water.

6. Charleston Grill

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224 King St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-4522
(843) 577-4522
Visit Website
Charleston Grill's general manager Mickey Bakst will make you feel like family as soon as you walk through the doors of this refined restaurant. The service is unparallelled, and the food is just the right amount of decadence.

7. Cypress

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167 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 727-0111
(843) 727-0111
Visit Website
Chef Craig Deihl makes magic with meat at Cypress—his charcuterie plate is a masterpiece. For Christmas, the restaurant will offer a few specials, like a Lady's Island oyster pan roast or smoked heritage turkey with shiitake-cornbread stuffing.

8. Hank's Seafood

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10 Hayne St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-3474
(843) 723-3474
Visit Website
Treat yourself to a seafood tower for the holidays at Hank's. If you're spending December 25 alone, you can find a new family at the communal table or saddle up to the bar for some friendly service.

9. Peninsula Grill

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112 N Market St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-0700
(843) 723-0700
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If you were dreaming of a white tablecloth Christmas, then the Peninsula Grill is for you. The flakes on the coconut cake make not replace the kind Bing Crosby sings about, but these are much more tasty.

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10. Poogan's Porch

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72 Queen St.
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-2337
(843) 577-2337
Visit Website
Poogan's Porch is all about Lowcountry classics like shrimp and grits, fried alligator salad and she-crab soup. If you're looking for a Carolina Christmas, this is the place.

Also Featured in:

11. Social Wine Bar

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188 East Bay Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Visit Website
With wines on tap, thin crust pizza and innovative appetizers, Social has a hip holiday in store for their Christmas patrons. The vino list is extensive, but not overwhelming. Every dish has a recommended pairing, so you don't have to think about it.

12. The Recovery Room

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If you hate the holidays, then The Recovery Room might be the perfect place to hide with a PBR in hand. It's dark and you can choose your own non-carol music on the jukebox. You won't get a gourmet dinner, but the bar food menu does offer tater tot nachos and chicken wings to soak up all those beers you'll be throwing back.

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1. Alluette's Cafe

80 Reid St, Charleston, SC 29403
The holidays are usually about pigging out, but Alluete's is a holistic soul food place. Chef Alluette Jones-Smalls cooks up healthier versions of Lowcountry favorites like an organic lima bean soup and fish stew.
80 Reid St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 577-6926
Visit Website

2. Anson Restaurant

12 Anson St, Charleston, SC 29401
Anson has old Charleston charm with a more modern menu. Yes, they have classics like she-crab soup, but they also serve a pork belly above a corn and cheddar waffle topped with hot pepper jelly.
12 Anson St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-0551
Visit Website

3. Blossom

171 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
If you miss traditional Christmas dinner, Blossom is serving up slow roasted turkey with all the fixings or a fig and orange glazed ham to fit the bill. There are non-traditional items offered as well, like pickled shrimp or a New York strip.
171 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-9200
Visit Website

4. Blu Restaurant & Bar

1 Center St, Folly Beach, SC 29439
Spend the holiday on the beach and visit Blu Restaurant and Bar on Folly. The menu has a large focus on seafood, but there are plenty of meaty options as well. Surf's up for Santa.
1 Center St
Folly Beach, SC 29439
(843) 588-6685
Visit Website

5. Charleston Harbor Fish House

24 Patriots Point Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
The review from City Paper was less than stellar for the Charleston Harbor Fish House, but they've had plenty of time to improve. Besides, you're going for the stunning views of the water.
24 Patriots Point Road
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 284-7070
Visit Website

6. Charleston Grill

224 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
Charleston Grill's general manager Mickey Bakst will make you feel like family as soon as you walk through the doors of this refined restaurant. The service is unparallelled, and the food is just the right amount of decadence.
224 King St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-4522
Visit Website

7. Cypress

167 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Chef Craig Deihl makes magic with meat at Cypress—his charcuterie plate is a masterpiece. For Christmas, the restaurant will offer a few specials, like a Lady's Island oyster pan roast or smoked heritage turkey with shiitake-cornbread stuffing.
167 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 727-0111
Visit Website

8. Hank's Seafood

10 Hayne St, Charleston, SC 29401
Treat yourself to a seafood tower for the holidays at Hank's. If you're spending December 25 alone, you can find a new family at the communal table or saddle up to the bar for some friendly service.
10 Hayne St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-3474
Visit Website

9. Peninsula Grill

112 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401
If you were dreaming of a white tablecloth Christmas, then the Peninsula Grill is for you. The flakes on the coconut cake make not replace the kind Bing Crosby sings about, but these are much more tasty.
112 N Market St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-0700
Visit Website

10. Poogan's Porch

72 Queen St., Charleston, SC 29401
Poogan's Porch is all about Lowcountry classics like shrimp and grits, fried alligator salad and she-crab soup. If you're looking for a Carolina Christmas, this is the place.
72 Queen St.
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-2337
Visit Website

11. Social Wine Bar

188 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401
With wines on tap, thin crust pizza and innovative appetizers, Social has a hip holiday in store for their Christmas patrons. The vino list is extensive, but not overwhelming. Every dish has a recommended pairing, so you don't have to think about it.
188 East Bay Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Visit Website

12. The Recovery Room

Mt Pleasant, SC
If you hate the holidays, then The Recovery Room might be the perfect place to hide with a PBR in hand. It's dark and you can choose your own non-carol music on the jukebox. You won't get a gourmet dinner, but the bar food menu does offer tater tot nachos and chicken wings to soak up all those beers you'll be throwing back.

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