Get ready to savor the night at Taste of Lake Murray
March 26, 2026
Taste of Lake Murray returns to the DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Presented by Lexington Health, this signature event brings together the region’s top culinary talent for an evening filled with exceptional flavors, live entertainment, and community spirit, all in support of Lake Murray’s Independence Day Celebration.
What’s on the menu?
From savory to sweet, this year’s menu will be a showstopper with dishes and beverages prepared by some of the region’s most talented chefs and culinary teams. Here’s a sneak peek at what attendees can expect to indulge in:
- 518 Smokehouse – Ribs served over cornbread with banana pudding on the side
- Bessie’s Burgers and More – Spicy peach wings, dry garlic parmesan wings, mini smashburgers, and banana pudding
- Big Boys BBQ – Pork sliders and ‘“mini porkos”
- Blue Marlin – Shrimp & grits
- Cola’s Restaurant – Beef short rib ragu and house made Persian gnocchi with whipped ricotta and microgreens
- Columbo’s – Sesame ginger beef bao with Asian slaw and Chef Eric’s Thai red curry hot sauce on the side
- Ember Lexington – 48-hour short rib with pot roast veggies and mashed potatoes
- Halls Chophouse – Wagyu beef sliders w/ bacon onion jam and pimento cheese
- Juniper – Blue Ridge rabbit and dumplings with Saluda County vegetables
- Lexington 2 Innovation Center – Firecracker shrimp slider with Thai green sauce & slaw
- Mother’s Oysters + Pies – Sourdough pizza pies (72-hour cold-fermented sourdough, wood-fired at 800–900°F) and oysters
- Roy’s Grille – Pulled pork nachos
- Sarah’s Rockin’ Kitchen – Whiskey meatballs in subs
- Savage Craft Ale Works – Poached shrimp on top of a spiced grit cake served with a house made gazpacho
- SouthShore Grill & Grocery – Shrimp & grits
- TakoSushi – Southwest tuna tartare
- The Bistro – Pulled pork sliders
*Please note that while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the menu, items are subject to change without prior notice due to availability and unforeseen circumstances.
Beyond the bites, entertainment will keep the night lively from start to finish. Right To Party will energize the ballroom dance floor with a high-energy live show featuring multiple vocalists, horns, and crowd-favorite hits from past and present.
The Liberty Lounge, presented by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, will serve as a new outdoor experience where guests can step outside the ballroom into a lively expanded area with music from DJ Stingray 803 on the Spirit of ’76 Dance Floor, local samples, and food trucks. This space also highlights an enhanced farm-to-fork initiative partnered in part with Fresh on the Menu, celebrating locally sourced ingredients and the farms and flavors that make the region special.
Hollow Creek Distillery joins the celebration as this year’s Signature Spirit Sponsor. Guests can sip on the featured cocktail, the Lakeside Lemonade, crafted with their Low Water Vodka.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to take part in the Stars & Stripes Silent Auction sponsored by Michelin, featuring a wide variety of exceptional items and experiences available for bidding throughout the evening, like Savannah Bananas baseball tickets, an Edisto Beach house getaway, and more!
This year’s raffle also features incredible prizes, including a $1,500 check, $700+ in restaurant gift cards, and four tickets to the Spirit of Lake Murray Fireworks Cruise on July 4, 2026.
Tickets are $150.00 and can be purchased online here: https://tickets.coladaily.com/
Proceeds from Taste of Lake Murray directly benefit Lake Murray’s Independence Day Celebration, helping continue one of the region’s most beloved traditions.
Capital City/Lake Murray Country extends sincere appreciation to the event sponsors whose support helps make Taste of Lake Murray and the annual fireworks celebration possible. Sponsors to date include Lexington Health, DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia, Dominion Energy, First Community Bank, Michelin, Tidewater Boats, US Foods, South Carolina Department of Agriculture, Bentley Pontoons, Caughman-Harman Funeral Homes, Freetimes Post & Courier, Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative, N.W. White & Company, Solara Hospitality, Jan Jernigan, Independence Solutions, Spirit of Lake Murray, Impact Consultants, Barnhill’s Services Inc., Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology, Dick Dyer, Palm Beach Tan, Hollow Creek Distillery, and Marine360.
About Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board:
CCLMC is the official source for all things Lake Murray Country. Explore The Top Southern Destinations of Columbia, Lake Murray, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, and Saluda. To plan your next trip, find information on attractions, dining, hotels, outdoor recreation, fishing, golf, and events. For more information about CCLMC, visit LakeMurrayCountry.com or call 803-781-5940 | 1-866-SC-JEWEL. Stay up-to-date with trip ideas, events, and more by following us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube.
