Greenville, SC, is a foodie hotspot blending Southern charm with bold, creative flavors, making it perfect for those seeking unique experiences. This vibrant city in the Southeast is known for its innovative dining spots that serve everything from classic shrimp and grits to globally inspired dishes with a local twist. Imagine dining in a rooftop garden with sweeping views, savoring smoked BBQ in a cozy gastropub, or enjoying artfully crafted small plates in a modern bistro. Greenville’s restaurants don’t just serve incredible food—they offer unforgettable atmospheres that make every meal an adventure. These 23 insanely unique spots capture the heart of the city’s culinary scene, showcasing why Greenville is one of the Southeast’s best-kept foodie secrets. Get ready to eat your way through something truly special!
👉 Pro Tip: Explore Greenville’s craft cocktail scene with the Saturday Evening Craft Cocktail Tour! This guided experience takes you to some of the city’s best bars to sip on expertly crafted drinks while learning about the art of mixology. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating insights into Greenville’s cocktail culture and the history behind each venue. Perfect for cocktail enthusiasts, this tour is a stylish and fun way to experience the city’s nightlife while enjoying unique, flavorful drinks. Come thirsty and ready for an unforgettable evening in Greenville!
23 Most Unique Restaurants in Greenville at a Glance
If you’re looking for a quick way to narrow down your dinner plans, the table below highlights the 10 most distinct dining experiences in Greenville, categorized by what they do best and the specific “vibe” that sets them apart from the standard Southern eatery.
| Restaurant | Best For | What Makes It Unique | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Better Than Sex | Romantic dessert dates | Adults-only dessert bar with chocolate and caramel rimmed wines and beers. | Downtown (College Street) |
| 2. Coral Greenville | Fresh seafood & date nights | Locally owned seafood restaurant with a weekday bar happy hour and free valet. | West End |
| 3. Between the Trees | Special occasions | Modern lodge cuisine overlooking Reedy River Falls, with a Wine Spectator 2026 Award of Excellence. | Downtown (Grand Bohemian Lodge) |
| 4. Biscuit Head | Southern breakfast | Oversized cathead biscuits and a self-serve jam bar. | South Church Street |
| 5. The Trappe Door | Belgian beer & mussels | Underground cellar pub with about 100 bottled Belgian-style beers. | Downtown (West Washington Street) |
| 6. Scoundrel | Michelin-starred French dining | Greenville’s first Michelin star, led by a 2026 James Beard finalist chef. | Downtown (North Main Street) |
| 7. Group Therapy Pub & Playground | Fun group outings | Adult playground with themed mini golf, axe throwing, and a 30-tap self-serve beer wall. | Camperdown Plaza |
| 8. GB&D x Delicious | Casual comfort food | Full-service comfort food next to Unity Park and the Swamp Rabbit Trail. | The Commons |
| 9. Vault and Vator | Intimate cocktail nights | Hidden basement speakeasy in an early-1900s Dr Pepper vault. | West End |
| 10. The Jones Oyster Co. | Oysters & raw bar | New England-style oyster bar with $1.50 oysters on weekday afternoons. | Downtown (East Court Street) |
This table is a great starting point, but the “soul” of Greenville’s food scene is found in the details of each menu and the stories behind the venues.
Read on for our full guide to 23 incredible eateries, where we dive deeper into must-order dishes like the Cookie Nookie Pie at Better Than Sex or the cheese-pull magic found in the Georgian specialties at Keipi.
1. Better Than Sex
- 📍 Location: 23-25 College Street, downtown (one block off Main Street)
- 💲 Price range: $13 – $16 per dessert, drinks extra
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Adults-Only Dessert Restaurant & Bar
- 🔥 Standout Features: Dessert-only menu, chocolate and caramel rimmed wines and beers, curtained tables, two-time Best Desserts in South Carolina winner
- 🎯 Perfect For: Date nights, anniversaries, girls’ nights, after-dinner drinks
Better Than Sex is an adults-only dessert restaurant on College Street, one block off Main Street, and it’s my favorite way to end a night in downtown Greenville. The dining room is dark and candlelit, with curtains or walls separating nearly every table. Tables seat up to four guests, which makes it a fun pick for date nights and small celebrations.
I always order the Cookie Nookie Pie, a chocolate chip and walnut cookie filling baked in a flaky crust with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. For fall 2026, I’d add the seasonal Pumpin’ Cheesecake with salted caramel and maple spiced whipped cream. Pair it with a signature rimmed drink like the Choco-Cab, a Cabernet in a chocolate-rimmed glass, or the Man Candy, a strawberry ale in a white and dark chocolate-rimmed glass.
Desserts are $13 to $16, and I recommend ordering two and sharing both. Walk-ins are welcome, but I book ahead for Friday and Saturday nights. It’s closed Monday through Wednesday, and I’d reserve early if you’re planning a Valentine’s Day 2027 date.
Better Than Sex is a short walk from Scoundrel, Greenville’s Michelin-starred French bistro, and a few blocks from the Peace Center. I like having dinner or seeing a show first and saving dessert for last. Give yourself about an hour here, since the pace is relaxed and there’s no rush to leave.
- Visit the Better Than Sex website
- Read reviews of Better Than Sex
- Read next: 12 Best Neighborhoods in Greenville for an Amazing Lifestyle
2. Coral Greenville
- 📍 Location: 654 S Main Street, West End (near Falls Park)
- 💲 Price range: Appetizers $16 – $21, entrées $22 – $57
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Upscale Seafood & Cocktail Bar
- 🔥 Standout Features: Locally owned, fresh daily seafood, bar happy hour 4 to 6 pm, free valet
- 🎯 Perfect For: Date nights, anniversaries, seafood lovers, dinner after a Falls Park stroll
Coral Greenville is a locally owned seafood restaurant at 654 South Main Street in the West End, a short walk from Falls Park. Three friends opened it, and you’ll often see the owners greeting guests and checking on tables. The area near the bar gets lively, and I ask for a table farther back for a date night.
Start with the Bangin’ Shrimp ($19), tempura-fried shrimp tossed in a sauce with a nice kick. For a main, I’d order the soy-glazed Chilean sea bass with miso butter ($54) or the seared scallops over parmesan risotto ($44). Save room for the sticky toffee pudding with vanilla bean ice cream, which regulars rave about.
For a lighter meal, the bar menu has a lobster roll ($28) and fish and chips ($21). Happy hour is from 4 to 6 pm in the bar area, with $7 specialty cocktails and $4 draft beer. Coral is closed Sunday and Monday, and the dining room opens at 5 pm Tuesday through Saturday.
I recommend booking on Resy for Thursday through Saturday, when tables fill up fast. Valet parking is free Tuesday through Saturday from 5 pm, which saves you from circling Main Street for a spot. After dinner, walk across the street to Vault & Vator for a nightcap in a hidden basement speakeasy.
3. Between the Trees
- 📍 Location: Grand Bohemian Lodge, 44 E Camperdown Way (overlooking Falls Park)
- 💲 Price range: Dinner starters $14 – $27, steaks $43 – $67
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Lodge Cuisine / Upscale American
- 🔥 Standout Features: Reedy River Falls views, patio with outdoor fireplace, wild game dishes, Wine Spectator 2026 Award of Excellence
- 🎯 Perfect For: Special occasions, romantic dinners, scenic breakfast or brunch
Between the Trees sits inside the Grand Bohemian Lodge at 44 East Camperdown Way, with big windows overlooking Falls Park and the Reedy River. The menu is modern lodge cuisine, which means seasonal Carolina ingredients with a focus on game and steak. Its wine list earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2026, and a wine steward can help you pick a bottle.
On the current fall menu, I’d start with the elk carpaccio ($18) or the lobster fritters with brown butter tartar sauce ($18). For a main, the 7-ounce bison filet ($54) is a fun change from a standard steak dinner. If you’re celebrating, share the Hunt Board ($24) of local cheeses and house-cured meats with a bottle of wine.
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👉 Send me cheap 2026 flightsRequest a patio table when you book on Resy, since the outdoor fireplace and waterfall views are the highlight. Dinner is served daily from 5 to 10 pm, and I’d aim for a table just before sunset. Expect to spend $100 or more per person with drinks, which is on the high end for Greenville.
For the same views at a lower price, come for breakfast (6:30 to 10:30 am) or brunch (11:30 am to 2:30 pm), both served daily. I like a slow breakfast on the patio after an early walk across Liberty Bridge. After dinner, head to the hotel lobby for a cocktail, where harp and piano performances take place each evening.
4. Biscuit Head
- 📍 Location: 823 S Church Street, Suite C, just south of downtown
- 💲 Price range: $8 – $15 per biscuit plate
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Southern Breakfast & Brunch
- 🔥 Standout Features: Oversized cathead biscuits, self-serve jam bar, gluten-free and vegan biscuits, Maple Bacon Latte
- 🎯 Perfect For: Weekend brunch, hungry groups, first taste of Southern breakfast
Biscuit Head started in Asheville, and its Greenville location sits at 823 South Church Street, just south of downtown. The cathead biscuits are huge and fluffy, and you can top them from the self-serve jam bar. The dining room is casual and colorful, with communal tables that work well for groups.
I always order The Greenvillian ($11), a biscuit with country fried pork steak, jalapeño cream cheese, bacon gravy, a sunny-side egg, and pickled jalapeños. If you’re extra hungry, the Filthy Animal ($15) piles on fried chicken, pimento cheese, bacon, and scrambled eggs smothered in gravy. Pair either one with a Maple Bacon Latte ($7), which comes topped with a strip of crispy bacon.
You can swap in a gluten-free, vegan biscuit for $1, and meat can be replaced with a veggie sausage patty at no extra cost. Biscuit Head serves breakfast and lunch from 8 am to 2 pm. I once waited 40 minutes in line on a Saturday, and I now arrive before 9 am on weekends to beat the rush.
If you’re short on time, order ahead through Toast for pickup. For a group brunch at your rental, the Fried Chicken Brunch Box ($80) includes six biscuits, eight pieces of fried chicken, gravy, and slaw. You can also take home a jar of house-made jam or a copy of the Biscuit Head cookbook ($25).
5. The Trappe Door
- 📍 Location: 23 W Washington Street, downtown (below street level)
- 💲 Price range: Appetizers $12 – $18, entrées $27 – $46
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Belgian Pub Fare
- 🔥 Standout Features: Underground cellar dining room, five moules frites preparations, about 100 bottled beers plus 15+ drafts, open seven nights
- 🎯 Perfect For: Belgian beer fans, mussel lovers, cozy date nights, Monday dinners
The Trappe Door is a Belgian restaurant and beer bar in a cellar below 23 West Washington Street, one block off Main Street. You walk down a flight of stairs into a dim dining room with red walls that feels like a pub in Brussels. Owner Josh Beeby opened it in 2011, and it’s still a downtown favorite.
Mussels are the signature, with five moules frites preparations priced from $28 to $30. I order the White & Bleu, which comes in a Belgian white ale broth with bleu cheese, bacon, and Dijon mustard. Start with the Bitterballen ($12), fried beef and cheese croquettes with herbed mustard.
The beer list has about 100 bottles organized by style and region, plus at least 15 drafts. If mussels aren’t your thing, the Carbonades Flamandes ($27) is a hearty Flemish beef stew cooked in Belgian beer and served with frites. Save room for a Belgian waffle ($12) for dessert.
The Trappe Door opens at 5 pm seven nights a week, which makes it a good pick on Mondays when many Greenville restaurants close. Dining room reservations go fast, but I’ve had luck grabbing a walk-up seat at the bar. The main entrance is down a full staircase, and I’d call ahead if you need step-free access.
- Visit The Trappe Door website
- Read reviews of The Trappe Door
- Also explore: 12 Best Places to Live in Greenville, SC
6. Scoundrel
- 📍 Location: 18 N Main Street, downtown (near NOMA Square)
- 💲 Price range: Hors d’oeuvres $8 – $36, entrées $28 – $64
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: French Bistro
- 🔥 Standout Features: Greenville’s first Michelin star, 2026 James Beard finalist chef, featured on Bravo’s Top Chef, happy hour Tuesday to Friday
- 🎯 Perfect For: Special occasions, food lovers, date nights, bar dining
Scoundrel is a French bistro at 18 North Main Street, and in November 2025 it became the first restaurant in Greenville to earn a Michelin star. Chef and owner Joe Cash trained at Per Se in New York and Noma in Copenhagen before returning home to open it in 2022. In 2026, he was named a James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef Southeast, and the restaurant appeared on Bravo’s Top Chef.
The menu is designed for sharing, and I’d start with Colin’s Baguette ($8) with fromage blanc butter and the citrus-cured hamachi ($26). For a main, the steak frites comes with duck fat frites and sauce au poivre, as an 8-ounce coulotte ($41) or a 6-ounce filet mignon ($64). If you’re with a group, order the tomahawk ribeye, which arrives with salad, frites, and broccoli rabe for the table.
Tables book up fast on Resy, and I’d reserve as far ahead as you can for a Friday or Saturday. If you miss out, the Michelin Guide itself says seats at the bar are a great alternative. Happy hour is Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 7 pm at the bar, cocktail tables, and patio.
Scoundrel is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 pm and closed Sunday and Monday. The official dress code is “come as you are,” but I’d still dress up a little for a Michelin dinner. For dessert afterward, Better Than Sex is a short walk away on College Street.
7. Group Therapy Pub & Playground
- 📍 Location: Camperdown Plaza, 320 Falls Street, Suite G, downtown
- 💲 Price range: Games $18 – $25 per person, food $10 – $16
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American Pub Fare
- 🔥 Standout Features: 18-hole indoor mini golf course, axe throwing, duckpin bowling, 30-tap self-serve beer wall
- 🎯 Perfect For: Group outings, birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, rainy days
Group Therapy Pub & Playground is an indoor entertainment bar in Camperdown Plaza, just off Main Street near Falls Park. The highlight is an 18-hole wacky mini golf course where every hole is themed around nostalgic movies and pop culture. You’ll also find axe throwing, duckpin bowling, digital darts, ping pong, and a multi-sport simulator with a 14-foot screen.
Mini golf and duckpin bowling cost $22 per adult and $12 for kids under 12, while axe throwing is $25 per person for an hour. I recommend booking your game on Tock before you go, especially for Friday and Saturday nights. Axe throwing requires a signed online waiver, and I’d fill it out ahead of time to save a few minutes at check-in.
The self-serve beer wall has 30 taps of beer, cider, and seltzer, plus a full cocktail menu. For food, I like the Pretzel Sticks with beer cheese ($10) and the Buffalo Chicken Flatbread ($15) to share between games. There’s also a gluten-free menu, which is handy for mixed groups.
Group Therapy opens daily at 11 am and stays open until 10 pm Sunday through Thursday, 1 am on Friday, and 2 am on Saturday. Kids are welcome during the day, but it’s 18+ after 8 pm Sunday through Thursday and after 9 pm on Friday and Saturday. It’s a great rainy-day plan, and I’d pair an afternoon here with dinner at CAMP in the same plaza.
- Visit the Group Therapy Pub & Playground website
- Read reviews of Group Therapy Pub & Playground
- You may also like: 12 Nighttime Attractions in Greenville, SC
8. GB&D x Delicious (Golden Brown & Delicious)
- 📍 Location: The Commons, 157 Welborn Street (next to Unity Park)
- 💲 Price range: $$ (casual comfort food)
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Creative Comfort Food / New American
- 🔥 Standout Features: Fried chicken sandwich and bibimbap, full bar, Sunday brunch, Swamp Rabbit Trail access
- 🎯 Perfect For: Casual lunches, Sunday brunch, meals before or after Unity Park
GB&D, short for Golden Brown & Delicious, is a local comfort food favorite at The Commons food hall, right next to Unity Park. In late 2025, the team moved back into its original full-service space and now operates as GB&D x Delicious. The menu mixes Southern and Asian-inspired comfort food, backed by a full bar.
The fried chicken sandwich and the burger are the dishes GB&D is known for, and I’d order one of them on a first visit. If you want something lighter, the bibimbap and the Big FN Salad are two other house favorites. Grab an outdoor seat at The Commons, where you can watch cyclists pass on the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
GB&D x Delicious is open from 11 am to 8 pm Sunday through Thursday and until 9 pm on Friday and Saturday. Sunday brunch is served from 10 am to 4 pm, and it’s one of my favorite brunches in Greenville. The team posts its current menu and specials on Instagram at @eat_gbnd, and I’d check it before you go.
The Commons is also home to Leo’s Pizza from the same team, plus a coffee counter and a taproom, which makes it easy to please a group. After eating, I like walking into Unity Park to see the Reedy River and the historic Wyche Pavilion. It’s a short drive from Main Street, or an easy bike ride along the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
9. Vault and Vator
- 📍 Location: 655 S Main Street, Suite 100, West End (basement level, Falls Park side)
- 💲 Price range: About $15 – $30 per cocktail
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Speakeasy Cocktail Lounge with Small Plates
- 🔥 Standout Features: Hidden basement entrance, original early-1900s Dr Pepper vault and elevator, Dealer’s Choice custom cocktails, phone-free house rule
- 🎯 Perfect For: Cocktail lovers, date nights, nightcaps after dinner on Main Street
Vault & Vator is a speakeasy cocktail lounge hidden in a basement at 655 South Main Street, across the street from Coral. To find it, walk around to the Falls Park side of the Edward Jones building and look for an unmarked door at basement level. The space once belonged to the Dr Pepper Cola Company in the early 1900s, and the original vault and elevator give the bar its name.
My favorite way to order is Dealer’s Choice, where you pick two words like smoky and sour, and the bartender builds a drink around them. If you’d rather order off the menu, the Vow of Silence is a house signature made with mezcal, green Chartreuse, and Luxardo Maraschino. Cocktails cost about $15 to $30, and the bartenders will make any classic you ask for.
Seating is limited to about 45 guests, and the house rules ask you to keep your phone away. I’d arrive close to the 5 pm opening on weekends, when it’s easier to grab a seat. The menu changes with the seasons, and small plates like charcuterie are available if you get hungry.
Vault & Vator opens daily at 5 pm and stays open late. For a hands-on night out, book one of its cocktail classes through the website. I like pairing it with dinner at Coral or Pomegranate on Main, both a short walk away on South Main Street.
- Visit the Vault and Vator website
- Read reviews of Vault and Vator
- Read next: 12 Surprising Things to Do in Greenville at Night
10. The Jones Oyster Co.
- 📍 Location: 22 E Court Street, downtown (behind Soby’s)
- 💲 Price range: Starters $9 – $22, lobster rolls $30
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: New England-Style Oyster Bar & Seafood
- 🔥 Standout Features: Rotating daily oyster list, $1.50 oysters on weekday afternoons, walk-in only, monthly Sunday oyster roasts
- 🎯 Perfect For: Oyster lovers, casual lunches, dinner before a Peace Center show
The Jones Oyster Co. is a New England-style oyster bar at 22 East Court Street, tucked behind its sister restaurant Soby’s. The name comes from the building’s former tenant, the Jones Furniture Company. The oyster list rotates daily, and I like grabbing a bar seat to watch the staff shuck.
Start with the Jones Famous Cheddar Hushpuppies ($9), then order a half dozen NOLA grilled Gulf oysters ($19) with garlic butter and parmesan. The lobster roll ($30) comes Maine-style with chilled lobster and mayo or Connecticut-style with warm lobster in melted butter, and I always pick Connecticut. For a Southern plate, try the Low Country Crab Rice ($23) with Charleston Gold rice, crab, and a fried egg.
My favorite deal downtown is the oyster happy hour, with Barcat oysters for $1.50 each Monday through Friday from 2 to 5 pm. The Jones is walk-in only, and I’d arrive early on weekends to avoid a wait. It’s open from 11 am to 9 pm Monday through Thursday, until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday, and closed Sunday.
From October 2026 through March 2027, The Jones hosts all-you-can-eat Sunday oyster roasts in the lot next door from 2 to 4 pm. Tickets are $80 per person and include roasted oysters, light bites, beer, wine, and bubbles. The upcoming dates are October 4, November 8, December 6, January 10, February 7, and March 7, rain or shine.
11. Keipi
- 📍 Location: Hampton Station, 1320 Hampton Avenue Extension
- 💲 Price range: $13 – $24 per dish
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Georgian (Republic of Georgia)
- 🔥 Standout Features: Nonprofit restaurant, khachapuri cheese bread boats, weekly supra toasting dinners, Georgian wines
- 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous eaters, families, groups, trying a new cuisine
Keipi is a nonprofit Georgian restaurant at Hampton Station on Hampton Avenue Extension. The food comes from the Republic of Georgia in the Caucasus, where cheese bread and dumplings are everyday staples. It’s run by the First Things Foundation, and profits support the foundation’s community work.
I always order the Adjaruli Khachapuri ($16), a boat-shaped bread filled with melted cheese and topped with butter and an egg yolk you stir in yourself. Pair it with khinkali ($16), dumplings filled with meat, onion, broth, and Georgian spices. Hold each one by the knot at the top, take a small bite, and sip the broth before eating the rest.
Keipi’s signature experience is the supra, a traditional Georgian feast led by a toastmaster called a tamada. The restaurant hosts weekly community supras where strangers share long tables, food, and Georgian wine, and you can sign up through the website. Guests are invited to give toasts too, but nobody has to.
Keipi is open Wednesday through Friday from 5 to 9 pm, Saturday from 11:30 am to 9 pm, and Sunday from 11:30 am to 7 pm. Reservations aren’t required, but I’d call ahead for a large group. Hampton Station has shared outdoor space where kids can play, which makes it an easy pick for families.
- Visit the Keipi website
- Read reviews of Keipi
- You may also like: 12 Best Areas in Greenville for an Amazing Lifestyle
12. Pomegranate on Main
- 📍 Location: 618 S Main Street, West End (steps from Falls Park)
- 💲 Price range: Dinner entrées about $30 and under
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Persian (Iranian)
- 🔥 Standout Features: Open-flame kabobs, all entrées gluten-free, year-round covered patio with a water wall, signature pomegranate martini
- 🎯 Perfect For: Date nights, gluten-free diners, first-time Persian food, lunch near Falls Park
Pomegranate on Main has served Persian food at 618 South Main Street since November 2007, just steps from Falls Park. Owner Ali Saifi opened it to share the food of his homeland, Iran, with Greenville, where he’s lived for more than 40 years. The dining room is bistro-style, and the covered patio with a water wall is open year-round.
Kabobs are grilled over an open flame and served with basmati rice, and the Beef Tenderloin Torsh Kabob in a sweet-and-sour pomegranate walnut marinade is the house bestseller. I’d also try the Fesenjan, a rich stew of pomegranate and walnut. Start with the hummus and a pomegranate martini, a cocktail the restaurant says it was first to bring to the Upstate.
Every entrée on the menu is gluten-free, and there are several vegetarian options, which makes this an easy choice for groups with dietary needs. The staff are great at walking first-timers through the menu, and I always ask for their suggestions. If you’re traveling with a dog, the patio is dog-friendly.
Pomegranate serves lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and dinner from 5 pm, with all-day service on Saturday. It’s closed Sunday, and I recommend booking online for Friday and Saturday dinner. After your meal, walk to Falls Park or head up South Main Street to Vault & Vator for a cocktail.
13. CAMP Modern American Eatery
- 📍 Location: Camperdown Plaza, 2 E Broad Street, downtown
- 💲 Price range: Small plates $13 – $26, larger plates $28 – $42
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern American with Global Flavors
- 🔥 Standout Features: Shareable global menu, chef’s tasting menu in Nora’s Cellar, weekend lunch, Southern Living Best New Restaurant 2023
- 🎯 Perfect For: Date nights, small groups who like to share, weekend lunch downtown
CAMP Modern American Eatery sits in Camperdown Plaza at 2 East Broad Street, just off Main Street near Falls Park. The menu takes classic dishes and adds flavors from around the world, with plates sized for sharing. Southern Living named it one of the South’s best new restaurants in 2023, and it’s still one of my go-to dinner spots downtown.
I’d order three or four plates for two people, starting with the Crispy Lion’s Mane mushrooms ($15) in a peanut-chili glaze and the Steak Pinchos ($15). The Pork & Shrimp Dumplings ($14) with a Filipino adobo glaze are another favorite. For a bigger plate, try the Green Circle Chicken Katsu ($28) or the Beef Salpicão with filet and gnocchi ($42).
For a special night, book the chef’s tasting menu in Nora’s Cellar, which changes with the seasons and includes sommelier-guided pairings. On weekends, CAMP serves lunch from 11 am to 2 pm, including a Belgian waffle with corn ice cream ($15) and $6 brunch cocktails. From 2 to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, a shorter Intermezzo menu keeps small plates coming.
Dinner is served nightly, and I recommend reserving on OpenTable for Friday and Saturday. Camperdown Plaza has paid valet parking, but you can also use the free valet at Soby’s, a short walk away. For a full evening out, pair dinner here with mini golf or axe throwing at Group Therapy in the same plaza.
14. White Duck Taco Shop Downtown
If your food mood is “variety is the spice of life,” White Duck Taco Shop is the spot. This casual, quirky taqueria in downtown Greenville churns out wildly creative tacos you won’t find anywhere else. The vibe is colorful, playful, and simple – big patio, string lights, fun murals. Crowd favorites are the Bangkok Shrimp Taco (sweet, spicy, fried goodness) and the Korean Beef Bulgogi, but honestly, every taco is a surprise hit.
It’s a cool space for groups, since you can mix-and-match as many funky flavors as you want. Just steps from the river and hiking the Swamp Rabbit Trail, it’s ideal for lunch mid-adventure. I always love how quickly food arrives – you’re fed and happy within minutes.
15. Up on the Roof
- 📍 Location: Embassy Suites at Riverplace, 250 Riverplace (8th floor)
- 💲 Price range: Small plates $9 – $19, entrées $17 – $48
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Southern-Inspired Small Plates & Cocktails
- 🔥 Standout Features: Rooftop views of the Reedy River and Blue Ridge Mountains, open until 2 am on weekends, dog-friendly terrace, brunch four days a week
- 🎯 Perfect For: Sunset drinks, groups, brunch with a view, late nights out
Up on the Roof sits on the eighth floor of the Embassy Suites at Riverplace, overlooking the Reedy River and downtown Greenville. On clear days, you can see the Blue Ridge Mountains from the terrace. Take the elevators in the hotel lobby straight up to the rooftop level.
The food is shareable and playful, and I’d start with When Pigs Fry ($15), a baked pimento cheese dip with house-fried pork rinds. The honey-soy fried chicken lettuce wraps ($18) are great for a group, and the shrimp and grits ($28) is my pick for a full meal. Come for the views and cocktails first, since reviews of the food are mixed and drinks can get pricey.
Outdoor tables can’t be reserved and go first-come, first-served, and I’d arrive about an hour before sunset to grab one. Brunch is served Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm, and the bar stays open until 2 am on Friday and Saturday. Valet at the Embassy Suites costs $10, or you can self-park in the city’s Riverplace Garage next door.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the outdoor terrace, and every Tuesday from 3 to 6 pm the rooftop hosts Yappy Hour for pup parents. In the fall, look out for the annual dog-friendly Halloween brunch and a costume party on October 31. The rooftop also hosts spirit pairing dinners through the year, and I’d check the events page before you visit.
- Visit the Up on the Roof website
- Read reviews of Up on the Roof
- For more evening adventures: 12 Fun Things to Do in Greenville After Dark
16. Soby’s
- 📍 Location: 207 S Main Street, downtown
- 💲 Price range: Starters $9 – $14, entrées $21 – $49
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: New South / Upscale Southern
- 🔥 Standout Features: Michelin-recommended, Wine Spectator Grand Award wine list with 4,000+ selections, No Corkage Sundays, weekend brunch
- 🎯 Perfect For: Special occasions, wine lovers, first-timers to Southern food, weekend brunch
Soby’s New South Cuisine opened in a historic brick building on Main Street in 1997 and helped put downtown Greenville on the food map. The Michelin Guide recommended it in its first American South edition in 2025, and its wine program holds Wine Spectator’s Grand Award. The cellar below the restaurant stores more than 15,000 bottles, and the wine list offers over 4,000 selections.
Your meal starts with a basket of warm cheddar biscuits, and I’d add the Fried Green Tomatoes ($11) with pimento fondue. The Crab Cakes ($35) are the dish Soby’s is famous for, and the Shrimp and Grits ($26) with andouille sausage is a close second. Save room for the White Chocolate Banana Cream Pie ($9), my favorite dessert in town.
Wine lovers should come on a Sunday for No Corkage Sundays, when you can bring up to two bottles per table to dinner with no fee. The sommelier team keeps wine service friendly and unpretentious. At the bar, order the Signature Old Fashioned ($22), made with Soby’s own 25th-anniversary Maker’s Mark Private Select.
Dinner starts at 5 pm Monday through Saturday and 4:30 pm on Sunday, and weekend brunch is served until 2 pm. I’d reserve on OpenTable, especially for 2027 holiday brunches like Easter and Mother’s Day. For a group celebration, The Loft at Soby’s is a private rooftop event space with views of downtown.
17. Saskatoon Lodge
- 📍 Location: 681 Halton Road, near Haywood Mall (about 15 minutes from downtown)
- 💲 Price range: Appetizers $15 – $29, entrées $34 – $58
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Wild Game & Steakhouse
- 🔥 Standout Features: Kangaroo, elk, antelope and buffalo on the menu, Northwest-style lodge on nine acres, specials that change every 4 to 6 weeks
- 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous carnivores, special occasions, groups, visiting family
Saskatoon Lodge is a wild game steakhouse at 681 Halton Road, about 15 minutes from downtown near Haywood Mall. It’s designed like a Northwest mountain lodge, with pine ceiling beams and game trophies on the walls, and it sits on nine acres with its own gardens. Many of the staff have worked here for more than 20 years, and the service shows it.
If you’re new to game, start with the Wild Game Sampler ($29), the chef’s choice of three meats for three to four people to share. For a main, the Huntsman Platter ($58) pairs a New Zealand venison chop with kangaroo strip loin and antelope. I’d also try the Elk Loin ($49) with ginger demi-glace or the Dry Aged Buffalo Ribeye ($56).
Not everyone at your table has to be adventurous, since the menu also has steaks, cedar plank salmon, and rainbow trout. Fried alligator bites ($18) are an easy way to try something new without committing to a full entrée. Save room for the Bourbon Bread Pudding ($10), which you can also order party-size with a day’s notice.
Saskatoon opens nightly at 5 pm, and you can book online for up to 10 guests or by phone for larger groups. It’s closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and the Fourth of July, and I’d plan around those dates if you’re visiting for the holidays. For Valentine’s Day 2027, reservations go through a separate page on the website.
18. Tipsy Taco
- 📍 Location: The Shops at Greenridge, 215 Pelham Road (plus other Upstate locations)
- 💲 Price range: Tacos $4 – $7 each, weekday lunch specials $8 – $12
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Tex-Mex with a Twist
- 🔥 Standout Features: More than two dozen creative tacos, weekday lunch specials, weekend brunch, full bar
- 🎯 Perfect For: Casual groups, budget-friendly lunches, taco lovers
Tipsy Taco is a locally owned Tex-Mex restaurant and bar with several Upstate locations, and I like the Pelham Road spot at The Shops at Greenridge. The menu has more than two dozen tacos, and you can order each one on flour, white corn, a hard shell, or a lettuce wrap. It’s loud and lively, which makes it better for a group dinner than a romantic date.
My favorite is the GVL Steak Taco ($6.50), with filet mignon, pico, and avocado on a flour tortilla crisped with melted Monterey Jack. The Seoul Mate ($6.60) adds Korean BBQ and yum yum sauce to filet mignon, and the Bang Bang Shrimp ($5.60) is a crowd favorite. Order the Tipsy Trio ($13) to share three dips, including queso and the spiked avocado ranch.
Weekday lunch specials are served from 11 am to 2 pm and are a great deal, like any two tacos for $9. On weekends, Tipsy Taco also serves a brunch menu, and the full bar mixes margaritas to go with it. Vegetarians have plenty of choices, including The Cowgirl ($4.60) and a fried portobello taco.
The Pelham Road location is open from 11 am to 9:30 pm Sunday through Thursday and until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. Walk-ins are welcome, and you can also order online for pickup. For a bigger event, Tipsy Taco caters taco bars and fajita spreads.
19. Spare Time Greenville
- 📍 Location: 822 Congaree Road, near Haywood Mall
- 💲 Price range: Bowling $39.99 – $45.99 per lane per hour, laser tag $9, escape rooms $12 – $28 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American Pub Fare
- 🔥 Standout Features: Luxury bowling lanes with big video screens, laser tag arena, four escape rooms, half-off Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- 🎯 Perfect For: Families, birthday parties, group outings, rainy days
Spare Time Greenville is a large entertainment center at 822 Congaree Road near Haywood Mall, about 15 minutes from downtown. It has luxury bowling lanes with oversized video screens, a big Game Zone arcade, a laser tag arena, and four escape rooms. A full restaurant and bar sits in the middle of it all, and food is served right to your lane.
The escape rooms are my favorite part, with themes like a haunted mansion, a murder mystery, and a zombie outbreak. A 60-minute room costs $28 per person, or you can try a 30-minute room for $12. Laser tag is $9 per game and makes a fun add-on for kids and teens.
For food, I’d order the Hot Honey Pepperoni pizza or the Smokehouse Burger to share between games. The Overlook Bar and patio give adults a place to relax while the kids play. During football season, Spare Time shows NFL Sunday Ticket games on its big screens.
My best money-saving tip is to go on a Tuesday or Wednesday, when bowling, arcade games, and laser tag are all 50% off. The deal is walk-in only, and I’d arrive before dinner to grab a lane. Spare Time is card-only, but you can load cash onto a Spare Time card at the machines near the entrance.
20. The Anchorage Restaurant
- 📍 Location: 586 Perry Avenue, Village of West Greenville
- 💲 Price range: Plates $17 – $38, four-course tasting $85 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Contemporary American Small Plates
- 🔥 Standout Features: Michelin-recommended, 2018 James Beard semifinalist, seasonal tasting menu, on-site Taxi House wine shop
- 🎯 Perfect For: Wine lovers, adventurous eaters, date nights, an evening in the Village of West Greenville
The Anchorage is a small-plates restaurant at 586 Perry Avenue in the Village of West Greenville, the city’s arts district. Chef Steve Zurkey’s kitchen works closely with local farms, and the menu changes often to follow the seasons. The Michelin Guide recommended it in its first American South edition in 2025, and it was a James Beard semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in 2018.
The current menu is creative and fun, like “IKEA in Indigo” ($25), Swedish meatballs over blue potato gnocchi with muscadine jelly. I’d also order the Mushroom Bulgogi ($20) and the Jamaican jerk duck with Carolina Gold rice ($36). Start with the bread service ($10), which comes with bourbon liver mousse and house-cultured butter.
For a special night, book the Tasting Table, a four-course menu for $85 per person with an optional $65 wine pairing. Everyone at the table has to order it, and I like letting the kitchen take the lead. The wine list focuses on esoteric and sustainable bottles, including orange wine, and the staff are great at helping you try something new.
Dinner is served Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 9:30 pm, and I’d reserve ahead for weekends. The front of the building doubles as Taxi House Wines, where you can buy a bottle to take home. Before dinner, walk the galleries and murals along Pendleton Street in the Village.
21. Cafe and then Some
- 📍 Location: Downtown Area
- 💲 Price range: $40 – $60 per person (Dinner + Show Ticket)
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Southern Buffet (Dinner Theatre)
- 🔥 Standout Features: Long-running comedy dinner theatre, live satirical/musical comedy shows, buffet dinner
- 🎯 Perfect For: Dinner + comedy show seekers, local theatre supporters, and experiencing history.
Get ready for laughs served alongside dinner at Cafe and then Some! This Greenville institution has been dishing out hilarious, locally-focused satirical comedy shows paired with a buffet dinner for decades. Where jokes are on the menu!
Enjoy a Southern-style buffet featuring comforting classics before settling in for a night of musical comedy sketches poking fun at local happenings, politics, and pop culture. The cast is talented, the humor is homegrown, and the experience is pure Greenville tradition. It’s dinner theatre with a distinctly local, comedic twist.
22. Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint Greenville
- 📍 Location: 19 Augusta Street, Suite H, just off South Main Street
- 💲 Price range: Burgers $8.99 – $12.49
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Burger Joint & Craft Beer Bar
- 🔥 Standout Features: 100% American Wagyu burgers, 100+ craft beers, daily burger specials, open until 2 am Thursday through Saturday
- 🎯 Perfect For: Casual meals, beer lovers, late-night bites, pre-game before a Greenville Drive game
Jack Brown’s sits at 19 Augusta Street, just off South Main Street and a short walk from Falls Park. The space is small and loud, with quirky decor, bar stools, and high-top tables. It pours more than 100 craft beers, and I always ask the bartender for a local pick.
Every burger uses a 100% American Wagyu patty, and they skip lettuce and tomato on purpose to keep things simple. My go-to is the Greg Brady ($11.99), topped with house-made mac ‘n cheese, American cheese, and BBQ potato chips. If you like heat, the Cobra Kai ($11.99) adds cream cheese, pickled jalapeños, and jalapeño jelly.
Each day brings a different special for $12.49, like the Pickolas Cage with fried pickles on Wednesday or a freestyle creation on Saturday. Get your fries “All Jacked Up” with cheese sauce, bacon, jalapeños, and Guinness onions for an extra $5.49. Finish with a deep fried Oreo for just $2.
Jack Brown’s opens daily at 11 am and stays open until midnight Sunday through Wednesday and 2 am Thursday through Saturday. It’s a fun stop before a Greenville Drive game at Fluor Field or after a night out on Main Street. It fills up fast on weekend nights, and I’d go before 6 pm to grab a seat.
23. Maestro Bistro & Dinner Club
- 📍 Location: 104 S Main Street, Suite 105 (inside the TD Bank building, behind Nose Dive)
- 💲 Price range: Lunch combo $16, tableside carbonara $48
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: French-Argentinian with a Southern Twist
- 🔥 Standout Features: Chef-owned, tableside carbonara in a Parmesan wheel, hidden Entre Nous speakeasy, vegan menu on request
- 🎯 Perfect For: Date nights, special occasions, hidden-gem hunters, business lunches
Maestro Bistro & Dinner Club is tucked inside the TD Bank building at 104 South Main Street, behind Nose Dive, and you can’t see it from the street. Chef Samuel Dominguez, who spent about five years as executive chef at Hall’s Chophouse, owns it with his wife, Arielle Salley. The menu blends his Argentinian roots with her French background, plus a few Southern touches.
Dinner is white-tablecloth, and the showstopper is the Fettuccine Carbonara ($48), finished tableside in a Parmesan wheel with crispy pork belly and egg yolk. I’d start with the smoke-infused caviar with crème fraîche and smoked salmon, or the beef empanadas with chimichurri. Ask for the separate vegan menu if you need it, since it isn’t displayed with the regular menu.
After dinner, ask your server about Entre Nous, a speakeasy hidden behind a bookcase that opens with a keypad code. The code changes daily and is shared with Maestro guests, and the lounge often has live jazz. Lunch is more casual, with a $16 combo of any two from soup, salad, and a half sandwich.
Maestro is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am, stays open until 2 am on Saturday, and is closed Sunday and Monday. I’d book dinner for a Friday or Saturday and save time for a nightcap in Entre Nous. If you’re coming with a big group, call ahead, since a few reviewers have reported slow service during large bookings.
Global Viewpoint is a personal blog. All content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, medical, or legal advice.
