14 South Carolina Restaurants That Are So Much More Than Amazing Places To Eat
South Carolina boasts a diverse and thriving restaurant scene with unique dining experiences across various regions.
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
This restaurant is also an art cafe and studio. Create something amazing before, after, or while you eat!
2. Farm Haus Butcher & Beer Garden – Indian Land
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.
3. Fr8yard – Spartanburg
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
Grab a bite to eat and knock out some grocery shopping at Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery.
5. Stone Soup Market & Cafe – Landrum
At Stone Soup Market & Cafe you’ll find delicious food, a market, live music at times, and a dog park where your pup can play while you eat.
The Midlands Area – 6 Restaurants
6. Market on Main – Columbia
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
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.
8. Bang Back Pinball Lounge – Columbia, Five Points
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
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
Enjoy more gourmet food at this cafe and shop afterwards in the gift shop! Party rooms are available for private events as well as catering services.
11. Lil Duck’s Kumbucha & Treehouse Cafe – West Columbia
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
You can get fresh seafood here to cook at home or prepared to enjoy immediately or to-go. The prepared dishes are to-die-for!
13. The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood – Myrtle Beach
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
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:
TReehouse Cafe & Studio website
TReehouse Cafe & Studio Facebook page
Farm Haus Butcher & Beer Garden website
Farm Haus Butcher & Beer Garden Facebook page
Oak Hill Cafe & Farm Facebook page
Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery website
Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery Facebook page
Stone Soup Market & Cafe website
Stone Soup Market & Cafe Facebook page
The Grand on Main Facebook page
Bang Back Pinball Lounge website
Bang Back Pinball Lounge Facebook page
The Peanut Man Gourmet Cafe & Gift Shop website
The Peanut Man Gourmet Cafe & Gift Shop Facebook page
Lil Duck’s Kombucha & Treehouse Cafe
The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood website
The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood Facebook page
Stono Market & Tomato Shed Cafe
There’s so much to explore in our state! Check out these hidden places in South Carolina only locals know about for more adventure.
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!
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