Downtown Greenville has more independent restaurants than most cities twice its size. We eat at our partner restaurants every week on tour, so this list starts with them and adds the other downtown spots we recommend to friends.
Written by the local guides at Foothill Foodie Tours
Quick Picks
- Southern classic: Sassafras Southern Bistro
- Pizza and cocktails: Crust & Craft
- Hidden gem: Maestro Bistro & Dinner Club
- Special occasion: Halls Chophouse
- Lunch: Brick Street Cafe
- Tacos in the West End: The Matador
Restaurants You Can Taste on Our Tours
These are the locally owned restaurants our guests visit on our food tours. Each one is worth a full meal of its own.
Sassafras Southern Bistro
Set in a restored tobacco warehouse more than 100 years old, with original brick and stained glass. The shrimp and grits are the dish to order.
Crust & Craft
Artisan pizzas, DODO balls with marinara and a strong cocktail list in a building with a surprising past as a funeral parlor.
Maestro Bistro & Dinner Club
A supper club tucked away downtown where an Argentinian chef cooks his grandmother's recipes. Do not skip the empanadas with chimichurri.
Brick Street Cafe
A long-running local favorite for lunch, known for homemade dishes and desserts in a cozy, historic setting.
The Matador
A modern Mexican spot in the historic West End, and one of the newest stops on our lunch tour. Come hungry for tacos.
Le Petit Croissant
Authentic French pastries from family recipes that trace back to a village near Chamonix, France.
Can't Decide Where to Eat? Try Three in One Afternoon
Our food tours stop at three local restaurants with tastings at each, so you can sample downtown before you pick a dinner spot.
More Downtown Favorites
Soby's New South Cuisine
A downtown institution since the late 1990s, serving modern takes on Southern food in an old cotton exchange building.
Halls Chophouse
The go-to downtown steakhouse for anniversaries, birthdays and business dinners.
Rick Erwin's West End Grill
Steaks and seafood a short walk from Fluor Field, a favorite before a Peace Center show or a ballgame.
Passerelle Bistro
French bistro cooking with a view of Falls Park and the Liberty Bridge. Ask for a table on the patio.
Larkin's on the River
Classic American dining in a polished setting, popular for anniversaries and celebrations.
The Cazbah
Open since 2000, with small plates and a long wine, beer and champagne list.
Downtown Dining Neighborhoods
Main Street and Falls Park
The heart of downtown, lined with patios from North Main to Falls Park. Most of our tours start here.
The West End
Historic buildings, Fluor Field and a growing mix of restaurants and bars just past Falls Park.
Augusta Road
A neighborhood dining strip with longtime local favorites, a short drive or ride from Main Street.
The Village of West Greenville
Galleries, coffee and some of the city's most creative independent kitchens.
Taste Downtown on a Food Tour
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best restaurant in downtown Greenville SC?
It depends on the occasion. For Southern food, try Sassafras Southern Bistro or Soby's. For a steak dinner, Halls Chophouse or Rick Erwin's West End Grill. For something different, Maestro Bistro & Dinner Club.
Is downtown Greenville walkable for dinner?
Yes. Most downtown restaurants sit along Main Street, Falls Park and the West End, so you can park once and walk to dinner, drinks and dessert.
What food is Greenville SC known for?
Modern Southern cooking like shrimp and grits, plus a wide mix of independent restaurants. A food tour is the easiest way to taste several in one outing.
Do I need reservations in downtown Greenville?
On Friday and Saturday nights, reservations are a good idea at popular spots like Halls Chophouse, Soby's and Passerelle Bistro.
More Greenville Guides
Hours, menus and openings change. Check with each business before you go.