14 South Carolina Restaurants That Are So Much More Than Amazing Places To Eat
By AnneMarie|Published December 16, 2022
×
AnneMarie
Author
South Carolina has been home for AnneMarie since 2001. Her favorite part of the state is Lake Jocassee. An App State alumna, it's always the mountains; the lake bonus makes it heavenly. When not writing about the state, she may be spending time with family, relaxing by the pool, or out somewhere enjoying nature.
We love to eat in South Carolina. Our restaurant industry rebounded quicker in the aftermath of COVID-19, with restaurant sales far outperforming the rest of the country as economies began to reopen. This is not surprising when you go to eat out and see the restaurants packed. We have a good variety of places to eat, including restaurants that are so much more in South Carolina than amazing food. Check this list out and add them to your bucket list!
The Upstate Area – 5 Restaurants
1. TReehouse Cafe & Studio – Travelers Rest
TRee House Cafe & Studio, 27 S Main St, Travelers Rest, SC 29690, USA
The menu here features haus-made sausages and burgers using only heritage-breed pork and grass-fed beef ground fresh daily in the on-site butcher shop. There’s also a beer garden for enjoying your favorite craft beer, the company of friends, and entertainment live or on the big screen.
Fr8yard is South Carolina’s first fully outdoor biergarten built from re-purposed shipping containers. It has 16 taps, numerous craft and domestic selections, wine, and craft cocktails, as well as an array of houseground sausages (and more), a 20-foot jumbotron, and the best stage around for live music. It does go into "hi-beer-nation" during the winter season.
4. Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery – Greenville
Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery, 205 Cedar Lane Rd, Greenville, SC 29611, USA
Get ready for a unique dining experience here during the winter months, when there are heated igloos available in the outdoor area. An 18-tap self-serve beer wall, jumbotron for game day, and scrumptious gourmet dishes are available any time of the year.
7. The Grand - Columbia
The Grand on Main, 1621 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201, USA
Boutique bowling and games, including Shuffleboard and Giant Jenga, and an upscale dining experience with live music are waiting for you at this award-winning restaurant.
Is the best burger in Columbia found at this pinball lounge? Some argue yes! Owned and managed by Frederick Richardson, who currently ranks as the 108th pinball player in the world per the International Flipper Pinball Association and having reached a peak ranking of 13 in 1994, this restaurant not only has great burgers but also 16 professionally maintained pinball machines that are Circuit Tournament ready! The art and entertainment of pinball are celebrated while the passion and love of the game are shared with guests. This would be a perfect rainy day, family night, or kids-are-bored outing. Catering services are available as well.
9. The Gourmet Shop – Columbia, Five Points
The Gourmet Shop, 724 Saluda Ave, Columbia, SC 29205, USA
If you don’t prefer plant-based dishes, no worries – it’s not the only type of food served here. You can also get all kinds of other goodies at The Gourmet Shop including gift baskets, cigars, cheese, wine, charcuterie boards, and other items in the market.
10. The Peanut Man Gourmet Cafe & Gift Shop – Columbia
The Peanut Man, 3905 Fernandina Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Lil Duck's is a treehouse cafe and kombucha brewery. Dine in this quaint, peaceful setting and try the delicious kombucha. Dishes are made from locally sourced ingredients and the beef and pork are pasture-raised, grass-fed, and grass-finished. The focus is on healthy cuisine that tastes amazing. You can also buy the kombucha in quart or gallon sizes to take home with you.
The PeeDee Area – 2 Restaurants
12. Ocean Fish Market – Conway
Ocean Fish Market, 302 Kingston St, Conway, SC 29526, USA
The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood Restaurant is massive and includes 11 uniquely-themed dining rooms to enjoy seafood from the buffet, a dry sea aquarium overhead in the bar area, a model ship collection and nautical museum throughout the restaurant, the workshop where the ships for the collection are built, and a children's nautical adventure area.
The Lowcountry Area – 1 Restaurant
14. Stono Market & Tomato Shed Cafe – Johns Island
Stono Market and Tomato Shed Cafe, 842 Main Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455, USA
Serving farm-to-table foods since 1987, Stono Market started as an open-air market and packing shed in 1987. The produce is grown at the family farm on nearby Wadmalaw Island. The Tomato Shed Cafe evolved in '92, and in 2013, the torch was passed to the 2nd generation co-owner. The menu is classic, Southern country cooking with meat selections including roast pork, beef, or barbecue and side dishes such as tomato pie, squash casserole, collards, and butter beans. Whatever you are in the mood for, there is something to meet your appetite. A supply of the day’s freshest catch of shrimp is usually available as well.
Visit the following links for each establishment for additional information including operating hours, updates, and more:
What other restaurants in South Carolina have you been to that offer more than great food? Please share about them with us in the comments section below!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
