However you care to spend Easter this year (and no, we haven’t forgotten about our Jewish friends celebrating Passover!), opt to support local in any way you can – be it through a take-home meal, brunch at a local restaurant or even in the goodies you stock in your Easter baskets.
At-Home Eats
Enjoy the best of hosting your loved ones for an Easter meal without having to do any of the prep. Order ahead from one or more of these local eateries for a no stress, all satisfaction holiday dining experience.
Your Easter table will happily be creaking under the weight of Spotted Salamander’s take and make options. Deviled eggs, sugar and spice glazed ham, crab pie, mac and cheese (of course!), lemon chess pie and more make up the springtime meal of our dreams.
We know this is a holiday where ham, eggs and cheese tend to reign supreme and we also know that not everyone partakes. If that’s you, score some vegan eats, including desserts, from A Peace of Soul instead.
Ally and Eloise has Easter dessert options aplenty, like a beautiful bunny cake, coconut cake, a baby cake box, vanilla cake pops and more.
For the gluten free or plant-based folks, Tasty As Fit has you covered with a special carrot cake.
Sunday Brunch
You’re already dressed in your Easter best – so show off that ‘fit while out at brunch.
Keep it laid-back at Café Strudel. With two locations in West Columbia and Lexington, both offer a relaxed atmosphere and next-level eats. Cinnamon pancakes, Lowcountry Hashbrowns and the ever-popular Hangover Hashbrowns? Be still, my heart.
Looking for casual, Southern cuisine? At Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles you are sure to find sweet and savory soul food options. Did we mention it's a James Beard recognized restaurant?
Omelets, eggs benedict, biscuits and gravy and, of course, prime cuts of steak all await you at Halls Chophouse.
Lovely outdoor bistro tables and French-inspired eats like Croque Madame and French toast scream spring at Hampton Street Vineyard.
Motor Supply Co. Bistro in the Vista keeps it fresh with seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients shaping the rotating menu. Plus, their patio is temperature-controlled, so weather need not ever be a concern.
Honestly, we could go on and on about the brunch scene in Columbia SC, so head here for even more ideas. Pro Tip: There is complementary street and garage parking during Easter weekend from 6:00PM on Thursday, April 2, 2026 through 2:00AM on Monday morning, April, 6, 2026. See more information and exclusions here.
Easter Basket Bounty
Make sure your baskets are brimming with local goods.
Head to Mast General Store for fun vintage toys and all your favorite classic candies. For colorful basket fillers, stop by A Little Happy where stickers, games, hats, notebooks and more line the shelves.
Who doesn’t love the gift of an activity or experience? Line your basket with tickets to a Fireflies baseball game or one of our area’s attractions like Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, EdVenture, South Carolina State Museum, Columbia Museum of Art and more, for a fun family outing this spring. Or, tuck in some tickets to a local concert or festival coming up in the next couple months. Check out our spring blog for inspo.
Hey, adults deserve Easter baskets, too. Sneak in some bath bombs from Sunshine Artisan Bath & Body, a locally-made candle from Seminole Candle Company, KiRoKa Essentials and Just a Dude Candle Company, fancy olive oils and balsamic vinegars from Crescent Olive, hot sauce from The War Mouth or a six-pack from one of our local breweries. Let the store tell you what to buy at Partager, where you are as likely to find locally sewn clothing as you are a unique antique.
Don’t feel like assembling your own? The Gourmet Shop both boast a strong basket game, so just leave it to the pros and it’ll be our little secret.