13 Absolutely Amazing Places to Eat in Greenville SC

1. The Trappe Door

23 W Washington St, Greenville, SC 29601, map

A few of our friends recommended this Belgian joint, so we were really excited to see their booth at Fall for Greenville.

We ordered a bowl of Mussels Mariniera, a local favorite, and I honestly could have used up all of my food tickets just for these mussels. The white wine sauce was piping hot, briny and brothy, with the right amount of garlicky kick.

Local Tip: Grab a Belgian brew to pair with your meal. We’ve heard good things.

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2. Smoky Dreams BBQ

3620 Pelham Rd, Greenville, SC 29615, map

Freshest meats with original homemade seasonings and sauces. Don’t skimp out on dessert! Locals love their peanut butter pie and lemon cream pie.

3. Thomas Creek Brewery

2054 Piedmont Hwy, Greenville, SC 29605, map

Thomas Creek Brewery pumps out some of the best beers I’ve ever tasted. They’re the first craft beer brewery in South Carolina and have been around for over two decades.

Hilton Garden Inn has a number of their beers on tap, and we loved the great variety of crisp brews, both seasonal and time-honored craft options. There’s also a nice food menu, but we didn’t get to partake. We’ll definitely have to come back!

Local Tip: Take the brewery tour. It only costs $5 and you get a sampling of four great beers.

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4. Yee-Haw Brewery

307 E McBee Ave, Greenville, SC 29601, map

Yee-Haw Brewery originated in Johnson City, Tenn. But, Greenvillians still consider this outpost a local hangout.

Sip through an array of beers, from a sharp Kolsch to a hoppy Dunkel. The unique names (e.g., Flirtin’ with Disaster, The Mowtivator, and Blackberry Beret) will make you want to order all of them. It’s a great spot to watch the game and enjoy late-night munchies.

Local Tip: They also have an extensive food menu. Order the beer cheese and soft pretzels. I could’ve eaten a whole plate myself.

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5. The Lost Cajun

3612 Pelham Rd, Greenville, SC 29615, map

We didn’t try anything savory from The Lost Cajun, but picked up their pillowy, sugar-coated beignets. There’s a 100% chance we would eat 100 more of these next time we’re back.

Local Tip: My favorite is the gumbo sampler. I always recommend it to out-of-town visitors. – Tyler, Local Student

6. Clare’s Creamery

1635 E North St, Greenville, SC 29607, map

You all know that Josh never skips out on dessert, especially if it’s gelato or ice cream. The photo below is from Luna Rosa Gelato smack dab in the middle of Main Street downtown, but they’ve closed since our visit.

Clare’s Creamery is a spot we’ve put on our list to visit next time we’re in town. Has anyone been?

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7. Hilton Garden Inn

108 Carolina Point Pkwy, Greenville, SC 29607, map

We had a fantastic time at the Hilton Garden Inn in Greenville. We’ve stayed at Hilton Garden Inn hotels before and have always had a wonderful experience.

Josh loved the breakfast buffet in the mornings, and I liked The Shop, a 24-hour grab-and-go retail shop where you can get snacks and drinks at any time of day.

We enjoyed a fun happy hour and sit-down dinner, where the hotel team showcased core Hilton Garden Inn menu items, served with a Greenville twist. All of these dishes showcased Hilton Garden Inn Greenville’s customized menu and locally sourced ingredients that reflected Southern flavors.

First, we tried a new specialty cocktail, created by actress Judy Greer, which is available on Hilton Garden Inn menus nationwide.

A fresh twist on the classic Daisy, Judy’s Garden Gin is simple, delicate, yet bursting with flavor. It combines gin, lemon juice, Chambord, and a touch of simple syrup. I loved the pretty pink color, and it was light enough for a pre-dinner drink.

Then we moved onto dinner. I particularly liked the Citrus Salmon Bowl. Picture grilled salmon atop a healthy blend of quinoa, wild rice, and barley, all of which are melded with fire-roasted peppers and a smoky yogurt that adds a subtle tang.

Josh savored the Sticky Finger Ribs with a local whiskey-soy BBQ sauce that was flavorful and chock-full of herbs.

Of course, we never skimp out on dessert. We indulged on a nationwide guest favorite, the Mason Jar Chocolate Fudge Cake. It was the definition of indulgent.

The Sous Vide Butter Pecan Creme Brûlée was luscious and smooth. I liked that the butter pecan flavor wasn’t too overwhelming. There’s something very satisfying about cracking into the caramelized sugar top.

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8. Spill the Beans

531 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601, map

I’m always on the hunt for the best local coffee shop and Spill the Beans did not disappoint. The cafe is cozy and filled with the sweet smell of homemade waffle cones (yes, they also serve ice cream!).

We tried one of their signature drinks, the Maffioso, consisting of deep, roasty espresso, milk, and a smooth caramel finish. It was very reminiscent of a Carmello candy bar.

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9. Strossner’s Bakery, Cafe & Deli

21 Roper Mountain Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, map

Everything is made from scratch, so you know that quality is *chef’s kiss*. Locals love their quiches and crepes and we love that they offer plenty of gluten free options.

See More: 15 Best Day Trips from Atlanta Georgia

10. Takosushi

34 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601, map

Picking between tacos and sushi is always a difficult choice. It’s great that Takosushi has both. Get that side of queso with your spicy tuna roll, because you can.

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11. Soby’s New South Cuisine

207 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601, map

Soby’s New South Cuisine was another booth we visited at the Fall for Greenville festival. Their crab cake truly set the expectations for the rest of our time there. It was a blend of jumbo lump crab over a creamy corn remoulade. I topped it off with a dash of hot sauce.

Everyone there was super friendly, too. Talk about southern hospitality!

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12. Jamaica Mi Irie

28 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601, map

Jaimaica Mi Irie is a Main Street veteran serving up authentic Jamaican favorites. We had their jerk wings and jerk pork, both of which were cooked to perfection. The portion sizes are pleasing without making you feel in need of your stretchy pants. This place does not serve your run-of-the-mill food!

Local Tip: Everything on their menu is under $15.

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13. The Lazy Goat

170 Riverplace, Greenville, SC 29601, map

Located next to the Hampton Inn by Hilton, The Lazy Goat came highly recommended by a local we met at our hotel bar. We were looking for good Mediterranean food and decided to pick up a couple of things to try.

Everything was super fresh, and out of everything we tried, the toasted shrimp and Brussels sprouts were my favorite. They have a large patio that overlooks the Reedy River, great for people watching.

Local Tip: You’ve got to try the fried goat cheese! It’s dusted with pistachio crumbles and drizzled in honey. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory. – Kelly, Greenville local of 12 years.

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