30 of the best things to eat, drink and do on a weekend trip to Greenville
While there’s so much of Charlotte to explore on the weekends, sometimes the sun and warm weather welcome a day trip. Situated about an hour and a half by car from the Queen City, Greenville, SC offers a unique downtown built around the iconic Reedy River Falls, dining options with patio views, and a shopping district for the lover of local boutiques.
Leave your bags, but pack an appetite. Whatever you don’t experience before driving back just calls for another weekend day-cation! (If you do pack in all the fun, there’s always Airbnb.)
Here are some of my favorite spots in the small South Carolina city:
EAT
Food tastes better with a view, and Greenville’s downtown river district proves the ideal location for culinary establishments catering to both outdoor patios and Southern tastes.
Breakfast/Brunch
Charlotte’s brunch scene proves difficult to top, but Greenville’s local breakfast spots offer fresh selections for morning diners. Mary’s at Falls Cottage, situated in an 1890s-private-residence-turned-restaurant, comes decorated with charm, views of Falls Park, and breakfast favorites.
A short ride from downtown, Golden Brown & Delicious offers a locally-sourced rotating menu featuring Southern staples like shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and avocado toast.
If you haven’t made it to Asheville, but want to sample a breakfast celebrated by some of the largest publications, Biscuit Head’s signature biscuits, gravy, and unique sides offer a hearty meal before a day of exploring.
Lunch
No matter how many times I make the trip to Greenville, I always find myself seated at Smoke on the Water, a barbeque spot serving regional cuisine. Start with the Smoken’ Jackets – small loaded potato skins topped with your choice of meat – and dig into options “from the smoker,” served with homemade BBQ sauces and your choice of side (you cannot go wrong with the loaded potato cake).
The Passerelle (French for “footbridge”) bistro procures its name from its location next to the Liberty Bridge, which overlooks Falls Park. This picture-worthy venue offers the ideal combination of a patio with market lights and French-inspired culinary favorites like the Croque Monsieur, ratatouille sandwich, and plat fromage.
Just simply strolling by Roost will whet your appetite. Separated from the street by a trickling water fountain, this open kitchen serves dishes prepared with farm fresh favorites and a healthy helping of dessert options.
Dinner
Soby’s New South Cuisine traces its humble beginnings back to its transformation from the old Shoe Mart. Now one of the most popular restaurants in Greenville, this Main Street hot spot serves its signature shrimp and grits, crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, and white chocolate banana cream pie to hungry locals and visitors alike.
If you find yourself in Greenville for a special occasion, Larkin’s on the River offers the ideal celebratory location across from the Peace Center downtown. Enjoy upscale selections from the steak collection or join the Secret Wine Society for special sips not listed with the regular selection of wines.
Owned by the same restaurant group as Soby’s, Jianna houses modern Italian cuisine and an oyster bar. Coveted patio seats offer views of South Main Street and Falls Park, where patrons will enjoy twists on Italian classics like Fusilli al Nero and Bavette Steak Tagliata.
SIP
Downtown Greenville serves as a mecca for locally-owned coffee shops featuring signature roasts coupled with sweet desserts. Although the cocktail and brewing scene have yet to catch up to Charlotte, unique spaces draw visitors for picture-worthy libations.
Coffee
After a morning of walking, I couldn’t decide whether I needed a refreshing scoop of ice cream or a shot of espresso. Luckily, Spill the Beans offered both. Situated near the entrance of Falls Park, the innovative coffee house and creamery serves custom-blended ice cream and specialty cups of caffeinated beverages in an industrial setting with exposed brick and ductwork. I coupled my incredible mocha with a scoop of chocolate-and-oreo ice cream.
Cleverly located on the corner of Coffee Street, Coffee Underground serves freshly-prepared desserts and house-roasted coffee. Sample a flavored caffé latte – options include Mexican mocha, lucky charm, and year-round pumpkin spice, among more – and pair it with a signature cake, pie, or sundae.
Serving its own brand of coffee beans, the stylish Methodical Coffee serves exceptional roasts in a modern space. Pair your coffee with a swirly cinnamon bun or enjoy a craft cocktail in the evening. Don’t overlook: Their Instagram, with more than 24.8k followers.
Cocktails, Wine, and Brews
Housed in a former Dr. Pepper Cola Co. bottling facility, the sleek Vault & Vator speakeasy mixes classics, signature cocktails, and spins on familiar favorites. The top portion of the menu is easy-to-miss but showcases one of its most unique aspects: the “Dealer’s Choice.” Choose two words from a list (floral, spicy, sour, herbal, smoky, fruity, bitter, sweet) to describe your ideal cocktail and revel in unique aspects of the space (it features the original vault where it’s believed the secret Dr. Pepper recipe was kept) while waiting for it to reach your table.
Home to over 60 varieties of whiskey and a handcrafted cocktail menu, The Flat offers a relaxed vibe coupled with an impressive nightlife experience. Or take a seat at Crêpe du Jour for a selection of specialty cocktails and an all-French wine list.
Much like Charlotte, visiting a brewery requires venturing outside the downtown area. Thomas Creek Brewery, famous for its Saison, opened in 1998, making it one of the longer-running craft beer producers in the area. Locals enjoy Upstate Craft Beer Co., as it allows them to produce their own brews. The spot encourages visitors to stop by and sample its locally-produced beers in a historic landmark formerly home to the Claussen Bakery. Quest Brewing Co. may also prove worth the drive, as its Ponce Cucumber Jalapeno Saison won gold at the 2016 World Beer Cup.
DO
The vibrant and walkable downtown area of Greenville draws both locals and visitors alike to experience river views, local boutiques, relaxed dining, and ice cream parlors galore.
Walk the Park
Falls Park on the Reedy River acts as the main feature of the waterfront city. First used as a trading post and grist mill, the area began to boom as a power source for industry in the early nineteenth century. Textile mills and a cotton warehouse contributed to the river’s rapid pollution until the Carolina Foothills Garden Club, with the support of the city of Greenville, reclaimed part of the land for the current park. They removed a bridge that obstructed the view of the river and replaced it with a sleek suspension bridge – The Liberty Bridge – complete with dramatic views of the falls.
The area around the river proves one of the most beautiful in the town. Stunning foliage and green spaces complement the falls and locally-owned eateries decorate the outskirts for dining with a view. Spend a few hours walking and relaxing around the space, and stick around for the Upstate Shakespeare Festival at 7 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Or, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Shop
The walkable downtown invites shoppers to dip into locally-owned boutiques like the Pink Azalea, a gift shop with apparel, accessories, and custom embroidery. Dress Up (although not unique to Greenville) offers affordable, yet chic, clothing. Hit Augusta Street for antiques, specialty stores, and popular outfitters.
Although I attempt to avoid cooking at all costs, nothing makes me want to don an apron like The Cook’s Station. Located next to Smoke on the Water, this locally-owned culinary shop features everything from Le Creuset to kitchen gadgets that suddenly you can’t live without, like the three-in-one avocado slicer. Yes, you need it.
And although it isn’t exclusive to just Greenville, spend a few minutes in Oil & Vinegar sampling the olive oil and spice collections. We never leave without an Italian spice mix, because dipping bread into olive oil without spices is utterly underwhelming.
Get Cultured
Located adjacent to Falls Park, the Peace Center acts as a performing arts center complete with a concert hall, theatre, and amphitheatre. It’s home to the Carolina Ballet Theatre, Greenville Chorale, the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, and the South Carolina Children’s Theater, and also plays host to larger musical performances as well.
A short walk from the main downtown area, the Greenville County Museum of Art holds the title of the premier American art museum in the South and houses one of the largest public collections of watercolors by Andrew Wyeth. Experience American history with strong ties to the South from Federal portraits to contemporary works.
Not sure what you’re craving for lunch? Sample the city’s epicurean delights on an “At the Chef’s Table” Culinary Tour, complete with bites from some of the most popular restaurants.
The short drive from Charlotte makes this city a must-see. If you’ve been, which spots do you frequent? Comment below.
This story was originally published April 19, 2018 at 12:00 AM.
