12 Best Restaurants in Downtown Greenville SC
Going out to eat can be a fun experience for friends, families, and couples. It’s always a joy to find a great new restaurant or go to your favorite spot.
With that said, we’ve put together a list of the best restaurants located in downtown Greenville that you don’t want to miss. For these best-of lists, we rank restaurants based on high reviews and locality.
We aim to exclusively mention local restaurants that retain a 4.5-star rating or higher. So without further ado, whether you’re seeking take-out or a nice dinner, this is a collection of the best restaurants in downtown Greenville.
Best Restaurants in Downtown Greenville
1. Sassafras Southern Bistro (103 N Main St #107)
Looking for some gold ole’ southern food? With almost 1,000 reviews and another 4.7-star rating, Sassafras Southern Bistro is the go-to for all things comforting.
This restaurant offers a vibrant menu of seafood, steak, fried chicken, salad, and wonderful desserts. Oh, and don’t forget to check out their bar! This restaurant’s bar is loaded with locally brewed beverages and a variety of wine selections.
2. Urban Wren (116 N Markley St Suite 102)
With 170 reviews, this restaurant averages a 4.8 rating among Google reviewers. One local guide found this place to be a great location for a small group of friends to gather.
The staff is said to be friendly and professional. If you’re into a more upscale vibe, you’ll enjoy sitting in this restaurant.
They serve a lot of different meats at this location. A favorite of one local guide that you might like trying is the Lobster Chorizo Corndog.
3. Pomegranate on Main (618 S Main St, Greenville, SC)
Ali Saifi is a model of authenticity. Originally from Iran, the Pomegranate on Main offers authentic Persian food like no other.
Staged in a brick-walled setting, this restaurant is best known for its mouth-watering lamb. With just a short walk from Falls Park, it has the perfect mix of fine dining and casual – making this the perfect place to wind down.
4. The Lost Cajun (116 N Main St, Greenville, SC)
When a trip to New Orleans isn’t possible, The Lost Cajun is an amazing substitute. The restaurant is critically acclaimed for gumbo, oysters, fried catfish, po-boys, fried chicken, and house-style beignets.
They’ve generated so much success that they’re now operating out of 20 different locations sprinkled across the nation. From the streets of New Orleans to your city, once you enter this bistro, you surely won’t be able to resist coming back!
Lunch in Downtown Greenville
5. TRIO: A BRICK OVEN CAFE (22 N Main St, Greenville, SC)
Located in historic downtown Greenville, when entering this cafe, the handcrafted lanterns and rustic brick walls overwhelms its visitors with a warm and welcoming feeling. This restaurant offers a unique spin on gourmet wood-fired pizzas, coupled with homemade sauces and pestos that are made fresh daily. Also known for their rotisserie chicken and pasta, Trio is a genuine treat for people of all ages.
6. TUPELO HONEY (1 N Main St T, Greenville, SC)
Hailing from the Carolina Mountains, Tupelo Honey demonstrates just as much of a modern twist on classic southern food as they do their ethics. After being in business for over 15 years now, Tupelo Honey has expanded into over ten different locations.
And despite the amount of success this business has seen, one of the company’s core values is based on sourcing their food solely through locally owned businesses. By putting money back into their own community, it’s no wonder why the conversations and drinks last longer at their place.
7. SMOKE ON THE WATER (1 August ST #202, Greenville, SC)
After spending a nice day on the Reedy River, the faint smell of home-cooked barbeque and mac ‘n cheese is the obvious formula for ending the day on a good note. The restaurant offers dishes ranging from loaded potato cakes, fried okra, pulled pork plates, and even homemade briskets.
They have affordable pricing and stellar lunch specials. You can try out their famous bourbon pecan pie!
Breakfast in Downtown Greenville
8. Sully’s Steamers (6 E Washington St, Greenville, SC)
Known for their build-your-own freshly steamed bagel menu, Sully’s Steamers is a go-to for all breakfast sandwiches and bagel enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking to dine in or eat on the go, Sully’s Steamers’s 1,500 Google reviews collectively conclude that the staff graces all of their customers with the same, outstandingly swift customer service.
9. Roost (220 N Main St, Greenville, SC)
After much discussion about breakfast and lunch, it seems only appropriate to conclude this section with a great spot for brunch: Roost. From buffet to dining, pancakes to burgers, omelets to pizzas, and coffee to cocktails, Roost clearly aims to meet all of their visitors’ needs. Located inside of the Hyatt Hotel, Roost is a buzzing spot for both locals and travelers alike.
Desert Near Downtown Greenville
10. Coffee Underground (1 E Coffee St, Greenville, SC)
An essential part of Greenville’s local gatherings, Coffee Underground makes the beating heart of Greenville pump even faster. With their exclusively handcrafted lattes, muffins, scones, and cakes, Coffee Underground is the perfect way to jumpstart your day.
11. Spill The Beans (531 S Main St, Greenville, SC)
Overlooking Reedy River Falls, what makes this eccentric coffeehouse stand out from the rest is the fact that they double as a creamery. From the smoothness of homemade ice cream to the bold flavor of a house-made freshly brewed cup of coffee, Spill The Beans definitely provides its visitors with a uniquely flavorful and scenic experience.
12. Soby’s (207 S Main St, Greenville, SC)
Believe it or not, the small city of Greenville is home to over 600 restaurants. Despite only listing a few restaurants at a time, this does not mean that there aren’t other note-worthy restaurants. With that said, before we sign off, here are more top-rated restaurants that are worth stopping by.
More Food Near Downtown Greenville SC
Dinner
Rick Erwin’s Westend Grill, The Trappe Door, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Halls Chophouse.
Lunch
Passerelle French Bistro, Greektown Grill, Grill Marks.
Breakfast
Bonjour Crepe, Flying Biscuit Cafe.
Dessert
O-cha Tea Bar, Blueberry Frog, Old Europe Coffee and Desserts, Creme Shack.
Asian Food
Sushi Go, Menkoi Noodle House, Tsunami Restaurant, Takosushi.
Indian Food
Italian Food
Luna Rosa Gelato Cafe, Trattoria Giorgio, Jianna.
Mexican Food
Papi’s Taco’s, Viva Villa Mexican Grill, Holy Mōlli Mexican Fusion.
Pizza
Belladina’s Pizzeria, Barley’s, Antonio Bertolo’s Pizza.
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