The Greenville dining scene is red hot, giving Charleston a run for its money as the Palmetto state's top culinary destination. The city's booming downtown is home to so many terrific, innovative restaurants, all just a quick walk from the beautiful Falls Park. Other great spots are dotted around the city just waiting to be discovered.
The Trappe Door
What it's known for: Stop at The Trappe Door for amped-up European pub dishes sprinkled with Southern touches. Flemish beef stew, mussel pots and beer-battered cod and chips shine here. And absolutely leave room for dessert. You'll want to convince everyone at your table to order something different so you can try all of them.
Style: Belgian, European, brewpub, lunch, dinner, casual
Address: 23 W. Washington St.
Phone: 864.451.7490
Fork and Plough
What it's known for: This restaurant, grocery store and butcher shop trifecta is the brainchild of two farmers and a chef who share an affinity for regional and local ingredients. With a menu based upon availability, the vibe is aways fresh and imaginative. Shrimp and grits with a Cajun spin, burgers topped with fresh shiitakes, and vegetable plates bursting with local flavor are examples of what you might find on the day's lineup. Not inclined to dine-in? Pick up a grab-and-go meal from the market or fresh Greenbrier Farms meats from the butcher counter
Style:Farm to table, casual, dinner, weekend brunch
Address:1629 East North St.
Phone: 864.609.4249
Passerelle Bistro
What it's known for: This casual French bistro overlooking beautiful Falls Park is the perfect place for lunch or dinner with a view. Don't miss the chef's special mussels with saffron, escargot, duck cassoulet and steak frites. Weekend brunch is brimming with treats like baked brioche, crab benedict, ham and Gruyere omelet, and more
Style: French, casual, lunch, dinner, brunch
Address: 601 S. Main St.
Phone: 864.509.0142
Topsoil Kitchen & Market
What it's known for: The innovative cuisine you'll enjoy in this Travelers Rest eatery features veggies harvested from its own farm and other local food producers. Be sure to order a basket of bread baked fresh each day. In addition to serving dinner Thursday through Sunday and Sunday brunch, Topsoil offers its homemade breads for sale at its onsite market.
Style:Local, farm to table, dinner and weekend brunch
Address:13 S. Main St.
Phone: 864.610.2281
Pomegranate on Main
What it's known for: This beautiful restaurant turns out terrific Persian dishes. The menu gives you detailed explanations if you aren't familiar with this cuisine, complete with wine suggestions. You can't go wrong with grilled kabobs, eggplant stew or roasted salmon with saffron and herbed basmati rice.
Style: Persian, lunch, dinner, casual
Address: 618 S. Main St.
Phone: 864.241.3012
Rick Erwin's West End Grille
What it's known for: Rick Erwin's West End Grille is Greenville's high-end, traditional steakhouse specializing in aged, premium cuts of beef. Beautiful space, perfect dishes. This is a dinner destination just right for special occasions.
Style: Steakhouse, upscale, traditional
Address: 648 S. Main St.
Phone: 864.232.8999
Soby's
What it's known for: Soby'sis the flagship for the Table 301 group, which you can thank for many of Greenville's visionary restaurants. The menu here is decidedly Southern with international influences. Some swear the fried chicken is the best in the state, and you can't go wrong with any of the shrimp or crab dishes. Don't skip over the inventive starter menu either.
Style: Southern, casual, farm-to-table, Lowcountry
Address: 207 S. Main St.
Phone: 864.232.7007
Asada
What it's known for: This hotspot for Latin American fusion cuisine serves up tacos and more made with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Creative and inspired, the focus is on the kind of "Mission Style" eats popular in San Francisco. Chayote rellenos (shrimp-stuffed mirlitons), arepa burgers, carne asada, San Diego-style fish tacos, carnitas and more will tantalize your tastebuds with exciting and diverse favors. Don't skip the sangria at Sunday brunch. The artsy crowd will love the co-owner's original works (all for sale) that appoint the walls.
Style:Latin American, casual, lunch, dinner, brunch
Address: 903 Wade Hampton Blvd.
Phone: 864.770.3450
Henry's Smokehouse
What it's known for: The barbecue here is cooked over hickory logs on open pits for 12 hours and hand pulled. Can you smell it yet? And ribs are fall-off-the-bone crazy good.
Style: Barbecue, casual, lunch, dinner
Address: Two locations in Greenville and one in Simpsonville
Phone: 864.232.7774
Larkin's on the River
What it's known for: Larkin'sis the place in Greenville to celebrate a special occasion, whether it's over brunch, lunch or dinner. The classy menu boasts traditional steakhouse dishes and Southern standards. It's a beautiful space with an even more stunning view.
Style: Southern, traditional, lunch, dinner, upscale, brunch
Address: 32 East Broad St.
Phone: 864.467.9777
The Lazy Goat
What it's known for: This is a distinctive menu of locally sourced ingredients served up in both small plates and entrees. House made pastas, pizzas and paella headline here, as do the Greek and Italian appetizers.
Style: Mediterranean, casual, lunch, dinner
Address: 170 River Place
Phone: 864.679.5299
Chophouse 47
What it's known for: The steaks demand attention here, and you can tell why with every bite. Delicious, caramelized cuts combined with great service are distinctive, as is the dining room that evokes the 1940s. This place is a local favorite.
Style: Steakhouse, upscale, traditional
Address: 36 Beacon Drive
Phone: 864.286.8700
Smoke on the Water
What it's known for: You can choose between four different barbecue sauces to top your smoky 'cue in this spot by the river. Sides and appetizers are tasty and interesting. And it's a short walk to the falls.
Style: Barbecue, casual, lunch, dinner
Address: 1 Augusta St., #202
Phone: 864.232.9091
Yellow Ginger
What it's known for: Inventive, homemade Asian dishes are the standard here, with chef specials you won't want to miss. This is Asian comfort food at its finest. Be sure to check out the co*cktails and dessert specials, too.
Style: Asian, Thai, Malaysian, Chinese, casual, lunch, dinner, seafood
Address: 2100 Poinsett Highway Suite J
Phone: 864.605.7551
Smoky Dreams BBQ
What it's known for: Smoky pork, ribs, wings and chicken are the specialty at Smoky Dreams. Simple. Straightforward. Delicious.
Style: Barbecue, Southern, casual, lunch, dinner
Address: 2131 Woodruff Road
Phone: 864.627.4227
The Nose Dive
What it's known for: This trendy gastropub, located in the heart of downtown Greenville, offers urban comfort food, a Sunday brunch grits bar and an impressive selction of craft co*cktails, handcrafted brews and small-batch wines.
Style: Lunch, brunch, dinner, elevated pub fare
Address:116 S. Main St.
Phone: 864.373.7300
Chrysti Shain
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