These South Carolina Holiday Buffets Are Filled With That Classic Christmas Charm
Christmas buffets in South Carolina carry a special kind of magic that blends coastal warmth with mountain coziness and city sparkle all at once.
I have spent enough December afternoons wandering between carving stations and dessert tables to know that the right buffet can turn a regular holiday into something you talk about until next year.
These fourteen spots across the state serve up spreads that feel generous, festive, and perfectly South Carolinian, whether you are looking out at the ocean or watching city lights through frosted windows.
Grab your stretchy pants and your appetite because this list covers the buffets that make Christmas in the Palmetto State taste as good as it looks.
1. Swamp Fox Restaurant at Francis Marion Hotel – Charleston
On chilly December evenings, the Swamp Fox Restaurant gives me exactly the old-fashioned Christmas feeling I keep hoping to find.
Set inside the Francis Marion Hotel at 387 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, it overlooks Marion Square, where holiday lights twinkle through the windows.
Their Christmas Day buffet feels like someone took every classic comfort dish and lined it up in one long, tempting parade.
I built a plate with roasted turkey, sweet potatoes, dressing, and just enough greens to pretend I was being responsible.
Live piano music floated through the dining room while families in holiday outfits debated whether to start with ham or dessert.
Eventually, I circled back for another helping of macaroni before I even made it to the pie table.
When I walked back outside onto King Street, the combination of a full stomach, warm lobby air, and city lights felt perfectly complete.
2. The Palmetto Cafe at The Charleston Place – Charleston
Walking into The Palmetto Cafe during December felt like stepping straight into a snow globe that traded snow for palm trees.
Tucked inside The Charleston Place hotel at 205 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, it puts you right in the middle of the city’s holiday energy.
I booked their Christmas buffet brunch and immediately regretted not arriving hungrier when I saw carving stations and dessert tables stretching across the room.
The spread leaned into Southern comfort with roasted meats, coastal seafood, and sides that tasted like a grandmother had done the quality control.
Servers kept plates cleared, and coffee topped up so smoothly that I barely noticed how many return trips I was making.
What really sold me was the view through the glass toward the courtyard trees glittering with ornaments and lights.
When I think about a Charleston buffet that feels like a full holiday weekend in one sitting, this is the one that comes to mind.
3. Church and Union – Charleston
In the middle of Charleston’s holiday bustle, Church and Union manages to make a historic church interior and a Christmas buffet feel like natural partners.
You will find it at 32B N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401, right in the middle of the city’s busy Market Street corridor.
On Christmas Day, they lean into a full buffet that runs through the afternoon and evening, giving late sleepers a fair shot at seconds.
I walked past the stained glass and headed straight toward trays of prime rib, seasonal vegetables, and very generous dessert pans.
The room glows under soft lighting while garlands, wreaths, and ornaments fill every corner without ever feeling overdone.
I ended up lingering over coffee longer than planned just to keep soaking in the atmosphere and people watching.
Anyone who likes a Christmas buffet with a side of dramatic architecture will see very quickly why this place stands out.
4. Jasmine Porch at The Sanctuary – Kiawah Island
Whenever I crave Christmas buffet comfort with Lowcountry scenery on the side, Jasmine Porch at The Sanctuary jumps straight to the top of my list.
The restaurant sits inside The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort at 1 Sanctuary Beach Dr, Kiawah Island, SC 29455.
Their Grand Christmas Day Buffet feels like a carefully choreographed holiday movie scene, complete with ocean views and big decorated trees.
I watched families pose for photos in the lobby before making strategic plans about which buffet station to attack first.
Carving tables, coastal seafood, and trays of seasonal sides make it easy to justify more than one carefully overloaded plate.
I took my time over a slice of pie while looking out toward the dunes and quietly debating a second dessert round.
For a Christmas meal that blends resort polish, sea air, and a walkable beach afterward, Jasmine Porch delivers effortlessly.
5. Carolina Seafood & Steak – Myrtle Beach
Some holiday meals sneak up on you, and Carolina Seafood & Steak gave me one of those moments when I realized I had underestimated the buffet.
The restaurant sits at 9911 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, close to the north end attractions.
Their Christmas Dinner Buffet runs a generous window on December 25, and the printed menu alone reads like a greatest hits list.
I watched staff carve prime rib while guests circled through ham, roasted chicken, shrimp dishes, and a whole lineup of salads and sides.
My own plate quickly turned into a carefully engineered tower of macaroni, vegetables, and slices from the carving station.
The room felt festive but relaxed, with families trading bites across the table and kids making early moves on the dessert platters.
Anyone who likes building their ideal plate from a big, cheerful spread will feel right at home here on Christmas.
6. Black Drum Brewing – Kingston Resorts, Myrtle Beach
More than once, Black Drum Brewing has reminded me that a brewery-style space can feel surprisingly snug and seasonal at Christmas.
It anchors Kingston Resorts at 9800 Queensway Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, looking straight out over the ocean.
On Christmas Day, the restaurant hosts a special meal where generous family-style platters and buffet touches keep the food coming steadily.
I passed shared bowls of holiday sides around the table while the staff kept refilling trays with roasted favorites.
The big windows, warm wood, and winter decorations softened the space so it felt more like a giant living room by the sea.
After lunch, I took my coffee out toward the terrace and watched waves roll in beneath the December sky.
For a holiday buffet with relaxed coastal energy and plenty of hearty food, Black Drum makes a very easy choice.
7. Christmas by the Ocean at Seaside Vista – Kingston Resorts, Myrtle Beach
From the moment I stepped out of the elevator, the Christmas by the Ocean buffet at Seaside Vista felt like walking into a seaside holiday party.
Seaside Vista sits above Black Drum Brewing at Kingston Resorts, 9800 Queensway Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, with huge windows framing the water.
This open-air ballroom event focuses on holiday spreads laid out banquet style, with long tables of festive dishes and sweets.
I wandered the room balancing a plate while a band tuned up in the corner and kids compared gingerbread cookie designs.
Servers moved between the rounds, refreshing trays of roasted meats, vegetables, and classic sides before anyone had time to miss a favorite.
Every time I looked up from my plate, I caught another view of the decorated pool deck and the ocean beyond.
Anyone dreaming of ballroom sparkle, ocean views, and a generous buffet in one place will feel very satisfied here.
8. Amalfi at Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort – Myrtle Beach
On the upper floors of Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, Amalfi quietly proves that Italian-leaning flavors and Carolina holidays make a very friendly pair.
The restaurant is inside the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort at 9800 Queensway Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, sharing the Kingston Resorts address.
Their Amalfi Christmas buffet and special holiday services focus on generous spreads and seasonal dishes served in a bright oceanview room.
I loaded my plate with roasted meats, seafood dishes, and pastas while waves rolled in just beyond the glass.
Breakfast guests talk about the regular buffet here, so the kitchen clearly knows how to keep trays full and hot.
During the holidays, wreaths and garlands soften the modern space, and families stretch leisurely meals into slow afternoons.
When I want a buffet that whispers of Italy while still feeling very Myrtle Beach, this is where I reserve a table.
9. Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island – Hilton Head Island
On Hilton Head Island, Sonesta Resort showed me how a big resort ballroom can turn into something surprisingly homey once the Christmas buffet opens.
The property sits at 130 Shipyard Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, tucked inside the leafy Shipyard community near the beach.
Their holiday buffets have featured carving stations, seafood, and classic seasonal sides that encourage at least two passes through the line.
I drifted between tables decorated with winter greenery and watched families trade parts of desserts like they were stocking stuffers.
The staff clearly treats the buffet as a major event, keeping everything refreshed and guiding guests toward their favorite stations.
After dinner, I stepped outside toward the paths leading to the beach and listened to waves under cool island air.
For a Christmas buffet that pairs resort polish with relaxed coastal charm, Sonesta makes a very strong case.
10. The Porch Southern Kitchen & Bar at Beach House – Hilton Head Island
Right beside Coligny Beach, The Porch Southern Kitchen & Bar delivered a very specific holiday joy that only happens when the buffet lives just off the sand.
It is part of Beach House Resort at 1 S Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, a few steps from the ocean.
On Christmas in past seasons, they hosted hearty feasts and holiday buffets that leaned into Southern comfort with plenty of roasted mains and sides.
For the current season, the restaurant is closed for the winter and scheduled to reopen in February 2026, so anyone hoping to plan a buffet here now needs to watch those dates.
I built a plate with turkey, vegetables, and cornbread before realizing there was an entire dessert station waiting behind me.
The dining room decor runs cozy and coastal at the same time, with warm lighting complementing the palms outside.
After dinner, I took a slow walk down to the sand, partly to admire the lights and partly to walk off dessert.
When I think about holiday food that feels relaxed but still thoughtfully prepared, this Hilton Head buffet experience still comes to mind, even while it takes a winter break.
11. Roost at Hyatt Regency – Greenville
In downtown Greenville, Roost at the Hyatt Regency is where I realized a city hotel buffet can feel just as festive as any beach resort.
You will find it inside the Hyatt Regency at 220 N Main St, Greenville, SC 29601, right on the city’s main stretch.
Locals talk about Roost’s Christmas buffet returning year after year, complete with carving stations and a spread of seasonal dishes.
I grabbed a window seat so I could watch Main Street lights while working through roasted meats and comforting sides.
The buffet leaned into familiar holiday flavors with just enough creative twists to keep me curious about the next tray.
Families in winter scarves drifted through the lobby between trips to the dessert table, while staff kept the pace unhurried and friendly.
Anyone craving Christmas charm mixed with walkable downtown energy will find Roost an easy favorite.
12. Passerelle Bistro – Greenville
Down by Falls Park, Passerelle Bistro gave my holiday season a French accent and a serious buffet craving at the same time.
It sits at 601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601, perched beside Falls Park with views of the Liberty Bridge.
Their special Christmas buffet brunch and Santa events turn the restaurant into a cozy corner where kids and adults both win.
I watched children head off to share wish lists while I zeroed in on quiche, roasted meats, and flaky pastries.
The smell of coffee and warm bread filled the room, mixing with the sound of the falls just outside the windows.
My plate ended up as a delicate balancing act between savory bites and more sweet options than I care to admit.
For a holiday buffet that trades ballrooms for a parkside bistro setting, Passerelle feels very hard to top.
13. Between the Trees at Grand Bohemian Lodge – Greenville
Tucked along the river at Grand Bohemian Lodge, Between the Trees made me feel like I had wandered into a mountain lodge holiday special.
The lodge is set near Falls Park at 44 E Camperdown Way, Greenville, SC 29601, nestled among trees and water views.
Their Christmas Day brunch now arrives as a three course holiday menu served at the table rather than a traditional self serve buffet, but it still feels generous and festive.
Instead of roaming carving stations, I worked my way through courses that moved from savory favorites to rich desserts that tempted me into lingering.
Floor-to-ceiling windows framed winter scenery while the dining room glowed with garlands, trees, and just enough sparkle.
Kids posed for photos while adults lingered over coffee, clearly in no hurry to step back out into regular life.
Anyone who likes lodge vibes, river views, and a generous holiday brunch in the same room will be happy here.
14. Core 450 at Cherokee Valley Club – Travelers Rest
Out in Travelers Rest, Core 450 at Cherokee Valley Club showed me that a golf community can host a surprisingly charming Christmas buffet.
The restaurant and event space sit at 450 Cherokee Valley Way, Travelers Rest, SC 29690, surrounded by rolling foothills.
Their Served Venue Christmas Buffet is designed for holiday gatherings, offering full-service catering and classic seasonal menus for groups.
I joined a group celebration here and watched long tables fill with roasted meats, vegetables, salads, and rich desserts.
The open dining room layout let everyone see the buffet line while still keeping the mood relaxed and conversational.
Big windows framed the course and nearby hills, turning the whole meal into a kind of cozy winter retreat.
When I think about group holiday buffets that feel both tucked away and thoughtfully polished, Core 450 always comes up.