My 17 Picks for 2017

To kick off 2017 I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite places to eat, drink and meet up with friends around the upstate! Hope you enjoy!

Brunch: Southern Culture

Southern Culture’s brunch menu not only includes over the top southern classics such as an enormous fried chicken biscuit and flavor packed shrimp and grits, but it also has bottomless mimosas and a build your own Bloody Mary bar!

Breakfast: Mary Beth’s

Craving an all-American, classic breakfast? Mary Beth’s has got you covered with their homemade, fluffy blueberry pancakes, traditional eggs and bacon, or a variety of morning pastries. I’ve heard their lemon ricotta pancakes are to die for!

Lunch: Golden, Brown and Delicious (GB&D)

Just having been open a few months now, GB&D quickly found its way to my heart with their simple, delicious lunch menu that incorporates local ingredients from around the upstate. I would highly recommend the grilled cheese on freshly baked bread, chicken and waffles, or their classic burger.

New to Greenville: Willy Taco

Willy Taco has only been open for a few weeks, but their parking lot stays packed all through lunch and dinner.  Great service, lively atmosphere, killer cocktails, and delicious tacos…what more could you want?  Willy Taco is certainly a force to be reckoned with.

Pizza: Sidewall Pizza

With two, soon to be three, locations around the upstate, Sidewall Pizza is no newbie to the pizza world. Their thin crust pizzas are accompanied perfectly by delicious salads and homemade ice cream. Their ice cream flavor changes daily, so be sure to follow them on Instagram to keep up!

Ice Cream: Spill the Beans

 Speaking of ice cream…Spill the Beans is the place to go. Start with chocolate or vanilla. Add any mix ins you want. Blend away. That’s how it works at Spill the Beans! My favorite combo is vanilla ice cream with Oreo and green mint, but the possibilities are endless!

Good for Your Health: Southern Pressed Juicery

It’s Sunday morning and maybe you had a little too much fun the night before.  Southern Pressed Juicery is here to help you get back on track with their organic juices, salads, energy bowls, and more.  My go-to is the Green Monstah’ bowl packed full of greens and nutrients and topped with seasonal fruit and crunchy bits.  Be sure to check out their signature juice cleanses!

Sushi: Tsunami

Tsunami has been open for many years in downtown Greenville and they consistently serve fresh, delicious sushi rolls. Their sushi menu is extensive, offering something for everyone. My personal favorites are the Rainbow Roll and the always-popular Greenville Roll.

Bang for Your Buck: Asada

Named by Yelp as the #1 restaurant in Greenville, Asada is known for their delicious, flavorful Latin dishes such as mission-style tacos, massive burritos and weekly specials. A bonus being that you don’t have to spend a fortune for incredible food! Don’t forget about their house-made Sangria and Saturday brunch!

Food Truck: Thoroughfare

Greenville’s food truck scene is booming! We have trucks serving up everything from tacos to ice cream. Run by husband and wife Neil and Jessica Barley, Thoroughfare serves good food with tons of flavor. Everything on their menu is awesome, but you can’t go wrong with their tots or tacos.  Check out Community Tap’s food truck schedule to enjoy a craft beer with your meal!

Splurge Dinner Out: American Grocery

Chef Joe Clark creates simple, yet refined dishes that showcase each and every ingredient at one of the first farm to table restaurants in Greenville, American Grocery. Great cocktails, cozy, quiet atmosphere, and incredible food…that’s what you’ll find here!

Burger: Halls Chophouse

Boy was I thrilled to have discovered this burger at Halls Chophouse. You can only find this burger on the bar menu, so be sure to ask for one. The meat is flavorful and cooked perfectly each and every time. This burger tastes even better paired with Halls’ signature chopped salad.

Cocktails: Dive N’ Boar

Not only are Dive N’ Boar’s handcrafted cocktails creative and delicious, but on Thursday nights they offer a few of their cocktails for only five dollars! The peppered Moscow Mule and Pisco Sour are two of my favorites.

Atmosphere: Lazy Goat

Lazy Goat is located on the Reedy River in downtown Greenville. When dining here you can munch on Spanish tapas, wood-fired pizzas and Paella while looking out the floor to ceiling glass windows at an incredible view of downtown.

Steak Dinner: Larkin’s on the River

I must say, I’m not a huge steak eater, but the bone-in filet mignon from Larkin’s was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Larkin’s takes pride in the quality, cut and decadence of their meat. From ribeyes to New York strip…they know a good steak!

Off the “Biking” Path: Tandem Crêperie and Coffeehouse

Everyone should spend a day biking the Swamp Rabbit Trail up to Travelers Rest and then taking a break to enjoy an indulgent, delicious meal. Tandem offers savory crepes such as a chicken and mushroom one, as well as sweet crepes stuffed with bananas and Nutella. It doesn’t hurt that they also have yummy coffee and a quaint, picturesque atmosphere.

Treat Yo’ Self: The Chocolate Moose

Feeling a little blue?  The Chocolate Moose, located inside M. Judson bookstore downtown Greenville, is the perfect place for you.  Known for their decadent sweets such as a brown butter, salted chocolate chip cookie and cupcakes galore, The Chocolate Moose is now serving lunch, as well as beer and wine.  They’ve got it all my friends!

Crowd Pleaser: Bacon Bros.

Bacon Bros. is one of my most recommended restaurants because it has something for everyone. While they are known mainly for their meats such as their “meat board”, barbecue platter and burger, they also have amazing salads, shrimp and grits, and deviled eggs. Chef Anthony prepares dishes that people keep coming back for!

So, go out and explore all that the upstate has to offer! These are just some of my favorites, but the list could have gone on and on. I can’t wait to see all that 2017 has in store for #YeahThatGreenville!

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