by TM Petaccia

Charlotte is uniquely positioned as a great central starting point to explore both of the Carolinas and beyond, with many worthy destinations only a few hours away. Whether you are traveling for a business meeting, industry conference, a family event, sports event, or just a quick getaway, finding the right spots to eat are a vital part of getting to know a city. Every few months, we’ll be sharing culinary guides to popular cities across the Carolinas, with spots for everything from morning coffee to fine dining — places to put an exclamation point to your journeys.

The logical place to start is Greenville, South Carolina. In addition to the city’s recent culinary ties to Charlotte as our Top Chef co-host and home to the first Michelin Guide: American South announcements, Greenville has developed its own strong dining identity with a rich, diverse collection of local, independent eateries.

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Fine Dining

The Anchorage
586 Perry Ave. • West Greenville
Boasting a new Michelin recommendation to go along with its 2018 James Beard Award semifinalist status, The Anchorage focuses on locally sourced ingredients, presented in creative and mouthwatering ways. The eight-item menu (plus bread service and dessert) changes frequently and can be ordered à la carte, or you can order the entire menu as an “appropriately proportioned” tasting. Cocktails are solid as well as a well-thought, sustainable wine list.

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Camp Modern American Eatery
2 East Broad St. • Downtown
How this restaurant escaped the eyes of Michelin and Beard judges is a bit of a mystery, but make no mistake, Camp can go head-to-head with any spot in the Southeast. Executive chef Diego Campos continually curates seasonal menus inspired by local farms and his own international flair. The menu is divided in to Field (vegetables and legumes), Sea (seafood), and Land (meat) offerings plus a select series of snacks/appetizers and desserts. The wine list is extremely impressive, as are its house cocktails.

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Larkin’s
32 East Broad St. • Downtown
A classic steakhouse with refined Southern charm touches, Larkin’s has been satisfying Greenville appetites since 2005. The menu is straight out of Steakhouse 101, with the requisite steaks, chops, and seafood offerings — plus some fun options like Korean fried wings and shrimp and grits as well as creative main dish accoutrements. Service is also old school steakhouse in all the good ways. The wine and cocktail programs are again what you would expect: solid and strong.

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Pomegranate on Main
618 South Main St. • Downtown
One doesn’t find too many Persian restaurants in the South, but you should definitely run into this one. Using traditional family recipes, all the dishes are a harmonious balance of exotic flavors, but somehow hit that downhome comfort food spot. Of note, all the main entrées are gluten-free and there are a number of vegetarian options as well. Don’t skip ordering the pomegranate martini.

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Scoundrel
18 North Main St. • Downtown
Like Charlotte, only one Greenville restaurant netted a Michelin star, and Scoundrel has it. Chef/owner Joe Cash has created a space that’s dark and intimate, but with an open camaraderie that’s inviting and warm. The menu features classic French bistro dishes such as escargot, beef tartare, and an absolutely unforgettable duck breast, along with a bit of steakhouse inspiration with items like tomahawk steak and French coulotte (sirloin cap, a.k.a. trimmed picanha). The wine list is noteworthy and often changes with the season.

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Soby’s
207 South Main St. • Downtown
Soby’s is the restaurant that spurred the revitalization of downtown Greenville when it opened on Nov. 7, 1997. Since then, the restaurant has become a beloved institution for locals and visitors alike. Now sporting an official Michelin recommendation, it is a picture of South Carolina cuisine, from its signature cheddar biscuits to its downhome white chocolate banana cream pie. The restaurant works hand-in-hand with local farms and seafood purveyors to showcase the best of the Upstate’s seasonal bounty, staying true to the flavors that make this restaurant distinctly Greenville. Its wine list has been noted nationally for years, including earning a 2025 Wine Spectator Grand Award.

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Lunch & Casual Dinner

Harry’s Hoagie Shop
1700 East North St. • Overbrook
Philadelphia expatriates are everywhere and Greenville is no exception. Those raised in the South Philly/South Jersey area know that distinctive ethereal aroma of an authentic hoagie shop — and they’ll find it here. The place is mostly takeout, but there are limited tables inside and outdoors. You’ll find a wide assortment of hoagies, cheesesteaks, hot sandwiches (like eggplant parmesan), and salads. If you need a quick grab-and-go, grab it here. Go Birds.

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Kendall’s Grill
1810 West Blue Ridge Dr. • West Greenville
The owners stress the fact that this is a cheeseburger and chicken fingers joint and one look at the dizzying array of burger and chicken tender options confirms that. However, the restaurant runs an in-house smoking operation as well as a ice cream bar and all-day breakfast in addition. You’ll also find wings, hot dogs, cheesesteaks, salads, and other casual eats. If you are traveling with children, Kendall’s is an especially must-stop.

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The Pharmacy at Augusta
15 Conestee Ave. • Augusta
Aptly named, the building was originally a pharmacy in the 1960s. This craft bar and eatery offers upscale pub food with an affinity for all things grilled cheese; there are five variations on the lunch menu. At dinner, you’ll find steaks, seafood, burgers, ribs, and with some assorted sides and desserts. Also check out the rum chantilly shake.

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Sofrito Latin Restaurant & Bar
1757 Woodruff Rd. • Overbrook
If an afternoon or evening of Latin drinks and cuisine sounds good to you, Sofrito is your spot. You’ll find a wide range of margaritas, mojitos, and other south-of-the-border cocktails along with a menu rich with six different mofongo variations — plus empanadas, ceviche, seafood stews, Latin-style steaks, pastelón, and other specialties. If you are lucky to go on a Friday or Saturday, order the sancocho, a heady soup/stew with multiple meats and a broth you’ll dream about for weeks.

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Coffee & Treats

Coffee Underground
1 East Coffee St. • Downtown
An all-day and most of the night coffee shop, Coffee Underground is more than a place to grab a cup of joe and a breakfast sammie. It’s a cultural institution. During the day, it’s the spot to leisurely sip, discuss business, or swap gossip. At night it’s home to poetry slams, improvs, and open mics. It’s about as Greenville as Greenville gets.

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The Gelatist
1616 Woodruff Rd. • Overbrook
A husband-and-wife owned local gelateria and pasticceria offering a range of Italian frozen and dessert treats, made daily. Great for an afternoon pick-me-up or taking pastries back to the hotel to enjoy later.

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Le Petit Croissant
640 South Main St. • Downtown
Your spot for a morning café au lait and almond croissant (or other laminated pastry), lunchtime quiche, or panini, with a full coffee/tea/chai menu. This is a great place to fuel up before getting in your daily walk or run through nearby Falls Park on the Reedy.

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The Mad Batter Bakery & Café
8590 Pelham Rd. • Augusta
A complete guilty pleasure stop for small-batch pastries, scones, cookies, muffins, and more — plus a cookie dough “scoopery.” Another family-friendly stop.

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Stop along the way

White Wine & Butter
2299 East Gap Creek Rd. • Greer, S.C.
The restaurant at the Greer Country Club is open to the public and about a 25-minute drive outside the city. Headed by 2024 South Carolina Chef Ambassador Michael Sibert, the restaurant offers lunch and dinner service Wednesday-Sunday, as well as Sunday brunch. The menu is New Orleans inspired with some interesting twists like jambalaya risotto and cold-smoked duck breast “tartare” — but definitely go for the deviled eggs with fried oysters.