The Top Restaurants to try in Greenville SC
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Greenville has become the foodie haven of the Southeast. Tourists flock here to indulge in Southern style BBQ, traditional cathead biscuits, as well as all sorts of international cuisine. The city really is giving nearby foodie hotspots like Asheville and Charleston some intense competition. The quaint downtown region is lined with over 100 unique dining options, so you will never run out of new options during your visit. I have lived in the area for over a year and have enjoyed various types of cuisine, ranging from an authentic Indian buffet to a delicious farm-to-table lunch spread. In my guide, you will find a few of my favorite restaurants in Greenville to check out!
Best breakfast: Stax Omega Diner
This delicious homestyle diner serves up the best breakfast in town. In fact, Southern Living Magazine even rated it one of the top 15 diners in the South. At Stax, you will find your standard gigantic diner menu, filled to the brim with hearty choices to fill up on before you explore the great outdoors. You really cannot go wrong with a delicious skillet, a plate of specialty pancakes (try the Ghirardelli chocolate chip), or a fluffy plate of French Toast. Their home fries are definitely the best! The house coffee is pretty decent as well (and unlimited) so no need to hit the Starbucks.
Oh, and breakfast is not the only time to visit. Check out the wonderful vegetable plate for lunch where you will get to pick and choose 4 sides, served with cornbread and a fresh loaf of hot bread.
The decor is cozy and the service is friendly just like you would expect at any local diner. This place does tend to get busy on weekends. To avoid a lengthy wait, be sure to arrive before 9am. Service is hit or miss, and could definitely be a bit friendlier considering the high price point. Update: Recent reviews suggest that this diner has gotten a bit dirty, unfortunately.
Location: 72 Orchard Park Dr, Greenville, SC 29615
Best biscuits: Biscuit Head
Biscuit Head originated in the foodie haven of Asheville, and has now expanded to include a location in downtown Greenville. “Put some south in your mouth,” as their popular slogan goes, and treat yourself to a traditional cathead biscuit.
Never heard of a cathead biscuit? Basically these biscuits are much larger than your standard biscuits, hence “as big as a cat’s head.” Try your biscuit with a gravy flight or top with homemade jams from the dozen plus jam flavor bar.
Gluten free & vegan biscuits are available for those with dietary restrictions. Plus, vegan butter and gravy, so this is one of the best choices for anyone with dietary concerns!
Location: 823 S Church St unit c, Greenville, SC 29601
Best Chinese food: Lieu’s Chinese Bistro
Lieu’s is the place to go for traditional Chinese food. This one is located on Woodruff Rd, far away from the craziness downtown, and thus, the dining experience is a bit more peaceful. The veggie egg rolls are the highlight here, so treat yourself to a few. The fried rice is decent enough, not the best, but probably the best you will find in Upstate SC. They offer a nice variety of affordable lunch specials.
The decor is a bit bland, nevertheless, at least it is quiet compared to the small congested restaurants downtown. Service is always professional and the food is always fresh, hot, and nicely presented.
Location: 1149 Woodruff Rd, Greenville, SC 29607
Best healthy fare: Roost
Roost is a farm-to-table restaurant located inside the beautiful Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville. They offer a fantastic soup & salad lunch buffet known as the “Harvest Table.” All the produce is fresh and the soups are made fresh on-site. Broccoli cheddar, minestrone, creamy tomato…there is something different on the lineup every day. Various sides (potato salad, pesto tortellini, black beans, pizza) are often served alongside the salad bar. Health conscious diners will be pleased to know that Roost sources local ingredients whenever possible. As a vegetarian and healthy diner, I am a big fan of this fresh lunch buffet.
They also offer a daily breakfast buffet, as well as a popular Sunday Brunch. The Sunday brunch menu is quite extensive, featuring both breakfast and lunch fare.
The decor is beautiful and contemporary, and overall, it’s a great place to take a date. They also offer patio dining, with the breezy space easily being one of the best people watching destinations in town.
Location: 220 N Main St, Greenville, SC 29601
Best lunch deal: Handi Indian Buffet
If you like Indian food, you will want to give Handi Indian a chance while in town. While the food is a bit too spicy for my taste, you really cannot beat the value here. The buffet line is so fresh and clean with plenty of vegetarian options like veggie korma, fresh naan bread, and the best pakoras. Do not leave without treating yourself to a bowl of rice pudding for dessert!
Handi by far is the best Indian restaurant in the Upstate. To top it off, service is always fabulous and the decor really is exotic. Overall, Handi really is one of the best places in town for a fancy afternoon date!
Location: 18 N Main St, Greenville, SC 29601
Update: Handi unfortunately closed their downtown location in 2022. Their new cafe opened on Haywood Rd in 2024.
