Open for dinner Wednesday-Saturday (reservations required), The Old Post Office Restaurant situated at 1442 Hwy 174 on the drive out to Edisto Beach is a true hidden gem specializing in innovative Southern fare. They describe themselves as “deliciously simple with an ambiance that is island casual and unobtrusively elegant.”
Edisto native Chef Dianne Padgett possesses more than 30 years of experience in the service industry and is a past recipient of the “Hole in One” award for Southern charm and hospitality. As she relates, “I enjoy pleasing people through the joys of great food.”
Established in 2009, charming décor from its former life as a post office adorns the interior, including collections of antique stamp machines and the original mailboxes. A variety of postal stamp motifs are used for their menu and collateral pieces. The restrooms are even playfully labeled the “mail room” and the “femail room.”
Creative dinner specials are presented nightly, with Lowcountry favorites such as Shrimp n Grits and Shrimp n Scallop Grits with Mousseline sauce highlighting the main menu. The Cayenne and Honey Sizzled Flounder weaves together a flavorful masterpiece of heat and sweet that comes fried or broiled and garnished with shrimp. Or crank it up a notch with their Firecracker Flounder, fresh fried flounder covered in a spicy jalapeno tomato sauce.
The turf portion of the menu features the decadently delightful Ultimate Beef Filet Mignon topped with Montrachet goat cheese and hollandaise sauce. Or seek food solace in the Carolina Ribeye, lightly seasoned, grilled, and topped with pimento cheese and Mousseline sauce. Hearty appetites can tear open the OPO Mailbag and feast on their version of a captain’s platter featuring fried oysters, shrimp, flounder, and scallops.
All main courses are paired with their house salad, fresh bread, stone-ground grits, and a vegetable of the day. You can substitute grits for jasmine rice or a potato medley for an extra charge.
Begin your evening with their Crispy Fried Duck Wing Drummettes appetizer drizzled in hoisin sauce or a fried oyster cocktail, delicately golden fried and served with cocktail sauce.
Their wide assortment of heavenly dessert selections entails Key Lime Pie, Charleston Chewy Cake, Salted Caramel Brownie with Pretzel Crust, and Blueberry Cobbler. Make any one of them a la mode and add vanilla ice cream for a slight upcharge.
Complement any meal with a bottle of wine from their extensive wine list (note: bottle service only, no glass service). Spirits and beer are available as well.
The Old Post Office provides a perfect spot for a romantic date night or an anniversary celebration. Make a dinner reservation at The Old Post Office during your next trip to Edisto and experience an expertly prepared and presented authentic Lowcountry meal with attentive service in a warm and nostalgic atmosphere.
