5 Local Coffeeshops to Check out in Greenville, SC
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The indie coffee scene continues to explode in cities across the US, and Greenville is no exception. Vibrant, independent coffee shops are now a popular alternative to common chains. I am not surprised as I find that these local establishments typically source high quality beans, provide more personalized service, and offer a cozier atmosphere that makes me want to linger around with my drink and return again and again. I love that I can visit the same shop again next week and the barista knows my order. The seating area is typically cozier and you will see a mix of people socializing and reading vs. everyone staring at their phones.
This southern hub has been making headlines in recent years as more unique coffeeshops continue to sprout up and down historic Main Street. Since moving to the area, I have been impressed with the many great coffee houses taking up shop in such a small city. Really, the coffee scene here is better than some of the bigger cities I’ve lived in/visited.
Relaxing in one of the many coffee houses lining this lively downtown district is a fun and affordable activity to add to your to-do list. I love supporting a local coffeeshop and then walking around beautiful Falls Park. It is the perfect way to get out of the house on the weekend and support the local community. In this guide, I highlight 5 of my favorites.
1. Methodical Coffee
- Highlight: Top-notch coffee
- Location: 101 N. Main St.
Quality-wise, Methodical offers the best drinks downtown in my opinion. The artisan coffeehouse began roasting its’ own beans (which you can now purchase at the shop) and continues to receive praise from top publications around the world. I recently saw this local gem featured in Food and Wine Magazine in their list of best roasters in the US.
Although pricing is quite high (7+ bucks for 2 regular coffees!), it really is the best place to go if your primary concern is high quality coffee. Whenever my main goal is a cup of perfectly brewed, coffee, this coffeeshop is my choice. The setting is modern and upscale, so it’s a nice place for a date. I also see quite a few people working on laptops here.
Methodical specializes in single origin coffee, cold brews, & pour over, using top end equipment like the luxurious Slayer espresso machine. The coffee is always smooth and delicious on every visit, as opposed to other shops where your drink can be a hit or miss depending on the beans used that day.
They have several drips to pick amongst which are always top notch. The Americano is definitely the smoothest, most flavorful in the city. If you are in the mood for something a bit sweeter, be sure to try out their fabulous mocha. I am usually only a fan of black coffee, but wow they make a great mocha. Besides the wonderful coffee, the presentation of the drinks in gorgeous Blue Willow china is really what sets this coffeehouse experience apart from others in the area.
For those who don’t drink coffee, they offer one fabulous cocoa. I almost always prefer coffee, but once in a while during the chilly winter season, I crave a rich cocoa. Methodical was often my treat of choice after ice skating (it’s a quick walk from the seasonal Ice on Main rink).
This is not one of those coffee shops that offer a gigantic food menu. I actually prefer food options to be limited or else the vibe feels more breakfast cafe than coffeeshop. They do offer a few specialty pastries. The best I’ve tried thus far was this delicious cinnamon roll with an orange glaze.
The ambiance here is modern and trendy, with an attractive 2 story layout. Upstairs, you can enjoy your drink while gazing out the humongous windows overlooking the downtown. Soft music plays in the background via a record player. Outside they have a small patio which is great for people watching during the milder spring and fall months. Overall, I would say this is the best spot in town for a coffee date due to the stylish ambiance and beautiful presentation.
2. Spill the Beans
- Highlight: Beautiful views of Falls Park
- Location: 531 S. Main Street
Spill the Beans is unique in that it is both a coffeehouse and a gelato shop. As you can imagine, it’s quite popular with tourists, especially during the hot summer season. While I do not personally find the coffee here as delicious as other places on this list, the beautiful ambiance and convenient location is what sets this one apart. Their standard drip coffee is decent enough to warrant a visit, and they also offer a few specialty lattes for anyone with a sweet tooth (try the Leaning Tower of Mocha).
The vibe here is nice with exposed brick wall and big windows. It’s fun to people watch while sipping a drink. The vibe also feels a bit more family friendly if you are looking for somewhere to take the kids.
This coffeehouse is located within an easy walk of Falls Park, the gem of downtown Greenville. This award- winning park features a picturesque waterfall, a pedestrian bridge, beautiful gardens, and tranquil nature paths. After your coffee, I definitely recommend taking a stroll.
I can’t even count the number of times I walked around this gorgeous park during my time living here. Any weekend Mike and I weren’t heading out of town, we enjoyed a walk around this park, as well as dining in local restaurants on Main St which is just a quick walk. I love that you can park once and enjoy all the amenities. It’s a great little town!
3. Coffee Underground
- Highlight: Unique ambiance
- Location: 1 E. Coffee Street
This long-running local favorite has been serving up great drinks downtown since 1991. According to their website, the owners were set on bringing quality Seattle-style coffee to Greenville after a visit to the iconic coffee city. The rest is history and Coffee Underground has become the go-to coffeeshop of both locals and visitors.
It’s my favorite pick when I want to escape the harsh Carolina sunshine. The vibe is so dark and cozy. It’s a nice place to cozy up with a cup or 2, meet up with friends, or even get a bit of work done. This place does not feel at all like a rushed chain experience. I would call it the “anti Starbucks” ambiance.
Coffee is roasted in-house for the freshest quality. In addition to a full espresso menu, fresh pastries and a light breakfast menu are available. Their veggie quiche is pretty delicious and quite affordable compared to other options in town. I also like their bagels the best.
After much testing, I can confirm that they offer the best seasonal drinks. I really love their pumpkin spice latte. I love Starbucks too, but I prefer the setting and other food offered at this local gem.
4. Swamp Rabbit Cafe
- Highlight: Great outdoor patio and direct access to the Swamp Rabbit trail
- Location: 205 Cedar Lane Rd
The Swamp Rabbit Cafe is a wonderful local co-op/coffee shop. It’s one of the places I come back to most frequently. In addition to serving excellent locally roasted coffee, they also whip up a fresh batch of homemade pastries daily.
The house made Cinnamon roll is ginormous and worth every calorie. They even offer a gluten-free/vegan donut, which honestly offers the same sugary satisfaction as the gluten loaded alternative. I love that I can pick up homemade bread and fresh produce and then relax with a great drink and pastry, all in the same place.
Like Coffee Underground, they also whip up some great holiday drinks. Their pumpkin spice latte is seriously better than Starbucks plus they use real pumpkin! You can really taste a difference in the quality!
While the interior is nothing to write home about, they do offer a nice covered patio. Spring, fall, and early summer are the best seasons to enjoy your drink outside.
The co-op also offers fresh seasonal produce, fruit from local farms, and housemade Stecca bread (it’s so delicious that I never leave without picking up a loaf) daily. You can also pick it up at the Saturday Farmer’s Market.
And, best of all, one of the nicest and flattest sections of the Swamp Rabbit trail begins right here. There is a free parking lot, so you can hop right on the trail after your breakfast. This is my favorite place to start the ride – it’s a convenient way to access the downtown. There are various bike rental shops around town if you don’t have your own. This is a great city for anyone who loves the outdoors – check out my park guide for more details.
5. Old Europe
- Highlight: Delicious homemade pastries & dessert
- Location: 716 S. Main
Old Europe is one of the newer additions to the ever growing local scene. Asheville’s oldest coffeehouse, known for its’ decadent pastry offerings, now has a location in the West End. If not for the mediocre coffee, it would definitely be up there near the top of this list.
While the coffee is a bit too bitter and burnt tasting for my liking, the treats are amazing! I especially love their veggie quiche and decadent muffins. We also have ordered their croissants more than once. Most shops in this area don’t offer croissants, so this is the place to go if you are a fan!
This is the place to go for a winning dessert, whether it be cheesecake, eclairs, tiramisu, and cookies. Here is a sample of just some of the pastries offered daily – I couldn’t even fit the entire display in my photo. Thankfully, I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but I would love to try some macarons or a rich slice of cheesecake one day.
Note: I recently removed Port City Java from this list as they unfortunately closed all locations. This was my absolute favorite coffeeshop in the city and I am sad to see them go. The coffee was great, service was so friendly, and they offered the best people watching patios.
More local coffee options
Crafty Cats is an adorable tea/coffee shop. While the coffee is decent, the quiet vibe makes it a better choice for a relaxing tea experience. If you love cats, then you will love this themed shop. Do try their Blooming Tea which is served in a gorgeous glass teapot!
Note: The Village Grind is a decent coffeehouse, although way too crowded for my taste. The coffee is great and the decor appealing, unfortunately, it is noisy and extremely overcrowded most of the time. If you are willing to put up with the crowds, stop by for a great cup of coffee!
Full service restaurants serving great coffee: Passerelle Bistro, Soby’s, and Stax Omega would be my top choices. If you prefer a full meal along with your coffee, there are numerous restaurants which do not serve your standard Folgers. Check out one of the above mentioned restaurants which serve up a great brunch menu, along with a great cup of joe.
Exploring the Upstate
While you are here, I definitely recommend leaving Main Street for a few hours to explore one of the many great state parks or waterfall hikes of the Upstate. This is such an amazing area for hikers and outdoor adventurers. Most parks are located within an easy hour or so daytrip, so definitely explore a bit while you are in the vicinity. It’s definitely one of the most beautiful regions in the Southeast!
