Having opened its doors in December 2024, Merci is the debut restaurant from Charleston-based duo Michael and Courtney Zentner, the creative minds behind the culinary and event design company The Drifter. Housed in a 1820s Federal-style corner building in the city’s charming Harleston Village, this intimate 26-seat bistro offers a European-inspired menu served in a charismatic, convivial setting; a signature of the Zentners’ private event prowess.
Designed in collaboration with Helen Rice of Serious Buildings, the interiors nod to classic bistro culture, merging old-world warmth with Southern hospitality. Every inch of Merci has been curated by Rice and Courtney Zentner, an accomplished stylist, to create an enticing dining room.
From vintage cookware hanging above the open kitchen to the soft textures of hand-selected fabrics draping banquettes, the dining area at Merci feels like that of a well-travelled friend. Soft lighting, timeworn wood, and carefully collected antique fixtures lend a sense of nostalgia, while a modern edge keeps it feeling fresh.
The menu is led by Chef Michael Zentner and brings a refined but approachable European sensibility to Charleston’s dining scene. Rooted in French and Italian techniques, standout dishes include foie gras with seasonal preserves, a steak tartare, and a show-stopping Beef Wellington. A focus on local produce and seasonal ingredients ensures each plate reflects the spirit of the Lowcountry, but with a European twist.
A place that feels instantly familiar yet unmistakably special, Merci is a neighbourhood bistro with international soul. From the music to the patina on the walls, this humble and unpretentious dining room is a graceful new addition to Charleston’s already vibrant culinary map.
Photography, courtesy Merci Charleston.
