Things To Do
Falls Park on the Reedy
A 32 acre park in the middle of downtown Greenville with a 345 feet long suspension bridge overlooking a waterfall and downtown. One of Greenville’s best attractions!
Swamp Rabbit Trail
A 28 mile walking and biking trail through the city of Greenville and Travelers Rest. The trail goes through both downtown Greenville and Travelers Rest. The trail also passes through Unity Park and several breweries, cafes and restaurants. Bike rentals are available at Reedy Rides. There are also electrics bike rentals at swamp rabbit cafe.
Unity Park
A newly built park along the swamp rabbit trail with new playgrounds, basketball courts and picnic tables. There is also a food court as well as restaurants and breweries. Our favorites are The Commons food court and Southernside Brewing Co .
Greenville Drive
A high-A minor league team affiliated with the Boston Red Sox. Often voted one of the prettiest fields in the minor league. They offer drink deals on Thursday night games ($2 beer night? It’s changed so many times) and have fireworks on Friday night games. Patrick interned here one summer in college.
Maple Street Biscuit Company
This breakfast spot has classic southern breakfast with biscuits and gravy, fried chicken biscuits and chicken and waffles. Other notable mentions are biscuit head, the flying biscuit cafe and Patrick’s favorite breakfast spot, Stax Original Resturant, a mom and pop diner a little drive away from downtown.
Nose Dive
Elevated bar food, right near The Westin. They serve brunch, lunch and dinner. We love the soft pretzel bites and they have a good brunch!
Gather GVL
An outdoor food court with fried chicken, burgers, sushi, italian, seafood, mexican and drafts. An easy and casual spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner and/or drinks!
The Commons
A food court in Unity Park with indoor and outdoor seating. They have coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner and drafts.
Southernside Brewing Co.
An indoor and outdoor brewery that serves food in Unity Park. You order with your phone and they will bring it to your table. They serve lunch and dinner, we like their burgers!
Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery
A local grocery store and cafe on the swamp rabbit trail with the best homemade bread for sandwiches. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and have surrounding picnic tables to eat.
Papi's Tacos
There are two locations downtown, the other one is located on 21 Augusta St. 21 Augusta Street has more outdoor seating while the 300 River Street is right in Falls Park. This restaurant offers authentic tacos and is a very casual spot for lunch. They have several award winning tacos. Shannon’s favorite taco is the Mexican Style Shrimp Taco. No reservation needed.
Comal 864
Unfortunately not located downtown but this is one of Patrick’s favorites. They started as a food truck and serve authentic birria tacos. Patrick gets the birria quesitacos and Shannon orders the mulita. Well worth the trip! It is located near west greenville. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The chef will be on beat Bobby Flay in May 2024!
Cantina 76
A casual mexican restaurant known for their margaritas and contemporary tacos. An easy walk from downtown. They offer outdoor seating and are open for lunch and dinner. I don’t think they take reservations but you can join a wait list. They are usually more busy for dinner than lunch.
Mac's Speed Shop
Closest BBQ to walk to downtown. Open for lunch and dinner. They are also open late for drinks. Lewis BBQ is probably the best in the surrounding Greenville area but you have to drive to it. Home Team BBQ and brewery is also very good but you have to drive there as well.
Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint Greenville SC
Amazing burgers! There is a special burger for every night. They serve their burgers with their special sauce on the side (amazing). They also constantly change their taps and cans with unique drinks. Open for lunch and dinner. They are open late and become a bar at night
Coastal Crust Greenville
Not located in central downtown but in the downtown of West Greenville. Coastal Crust originated in Charleston and has the best fig and prosciutto pizza with hot honey. They also make homemade pesto that is amazing to dip your crust in. This is one of Patrick and Shannon’s favorites. They do not take reservations but you can put your name in and get a drink at the cocktail bars near by Bar Margret or The Rabbit Hole. They also do carry out!
Trio - A Brick Oven Cafe
Patrick’s favorite because of the bread they serve before dinner. They serve a homemade loaf covered in olive oil and parmesan cheese. We both like the blackened carbonara. They do not take reservations.
Sassafras Southern Bistro
Elevated southern food, lots of southern staple dishes like shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes and palmetto cheese, lousianna catfish, fried chicken and many more. They have a pretty large menu with lots of options. They offer outdoor seating. You will likely need a reservation.
Trappe Door
One of Patrick’s favorites, a underground Belgian restaurant known for their steak frites and traditional Belgian food and beer. Patrick gets steak frites with three custom mayo-based sauces to dip your frites and Shannon gets the mussels with fries on the side. You will need a reservation for this restaurant.
Jianna
Often voted one of the best restaurants in Greenville, a modern Italian restaurant with homemade pasta. They regularly change their menu with new dishes. This restaurant also has a balcony with city views. You will need a reservation ahead of time for this restaurant, it books up far in advance.
Soby's
Modern southern food. They have some of the best shrimp and grits and pimento cheese dip. You will need a reservation for this restaurant, you may have to book one in advanced as it is popular.
The Lazy Goat
A Mediterranean inspired restaurant with small and large plates. Shannon and Patrick love the fried goat cheese, the smoked paprika tagliatelle and the scallops. They also have an outdoor patio overlooking some of falls park. You will need a reservation ahead of time for this restaurant, it can book up quickly.
Scoundrel
European style restaurant with French inspired dishes, known for their steak frites. You will need a reservation for this restaurant
O-Ku
High-end sushi restaurant serving Japanese dishes. You will need a reservation for this restaurant
Rick Erwin's West End Grille
An upscale restaurant with steak and seafood, known for their steaks. You will need a reservation for this restaurant
CAMP Modern American Eatery
A modern tapas bar that changes their menu often. Located in Camperdown plaza. Popular for its small plates with “reimagined, globally influenced flavors” and unique cocktails. You will need a reservation for this restaurant.
BrickTop's
Upscale restaurant with gourmet American dishes, in a contemporary setting. Has a beautiful bar and is a great place to grab a drink
Ink N Ivy
A four story restaurant and bar that also serves brunch. The first floor is usually for dining, if it’s warm they will open up the windows. The rooftop has a bar and city views. This is where Patrick and Shannon had their first date. They also offer a good happy hour. If you are looking for other rooftop bars there is SIP Whiskey and Wine Bar and Juniper.
Neat Bourbon Bar
A low-lit underground bar with a couple small bites. A unique bar with lots of bourbon inspired cocktails, they also have taps and other cocktails.
Vault & Vator
A low-lit speak easy bar hidden behind a building, good for cocktails! Apparently you cannot use your phone here but I have never seen that strictly enforced.
Juniper - Greenville
A rooftop gin bar at the top of the AC hotel, lots of floral decorations. You usually need a reservation, even for drinks.