25 Jul Get Your Foodie On
There’s no denying that food is becoming a large part of America’s culture, and a city’s food scene has an increasingly important impact on that area’s tourism and growth. With the rise of the ‘foodie,’ the bar is set high for restaurants to use better-quality and more diverse ingredients as well as to create Instagram-worthy dishes that patrons will share online.
Here in the Upstate, we are lucky to have a wide variety of delicious cuisine to enjoy. Greenville has been called a “foodie paradise” by Southern Living and landed on Buzzfeed’s list of 12 underrated destinations for foodies. Spartanburg is also enjoying their own restaurant renaissance with plenty of new and established concepts opening their doors downtown.
The upcoming weeks are prime time to refine your palette and sample dishes from Upstate gems. Taste your way through the area at these places and events.
Upcoming Events:
Restaurant Week
From August 9 through 19, enjoy special tasting menus at a great value as a part of Restaurant Week. With Greenville classics like Hall’s Chophouse, Jianna, Lazy Goat, Soby’s, and Nose Dive already announced as participants, this event is a great opportunity to revisit an old favorite or try something new. Click here to view the full list and menus.
Euphoria
Save the date for Euphoria, happening September 20 through 23. This four-day festival includes exclusive tasting events, cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, live music, and more. Click here for more information and to get your tickets.
Or if you prefer testing out different spots on your own time, here are some new restaurants and unique options to add to your list.
Try These:
Greenville
- One of Greenville’s newest restaurants, Fork & Plough, is located in Overbrook and highlights local ingredients from Greenbrier Farms and other purveyors in their focused and ever-changing menu. With grab-and-go options and an on-site butchery, the experience is truly unique.
- A Village of West Greenville staple, The Anchorage, earned a James Beard nomination earlier this year for their impact on Greenville’s food culture and how they’ve created an exceptional dining experience paired with a neighborhood vibe.
- Did you know that Kitchen Sync was named the no. 1 certified green restaurant in the country in 2016? Their approach pairs sustainable practices with great food.
- If you’ve missed the entryway to the Trappe Door on the way to Barley’s, you probably aren’t alone, but we suggest heading downstairs and giving it a try! Many of Belgium’s best restaurants live in basements like this one with heavy beams and low ceilings. You might discover that Belgian food is much more than waffles, and the beer is pretty great, too!
- Pomegranate on Main brings Persian cuisine to Main Street. First-timers, don’t skip out on the traditional Persian breakfast brought out before the meal.
Spartanburg
- Have you heard of sushi burritos? Gaining popularity in recent months, they’ve had many people thinking, “why didn’t I think of that?” Grab this innovative dish at Spartanburg’s PokeNori.
- Serving up Southern comfort for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, head over to a Spartanburg favorite, The Farmer’s Table… after you check out our new office on South Daniel Morgan Avenue, of course.
- Setting the standard again, Rick Erwin has brought quality and service to Sparkle City with The Standard: A Refined Kitchen in Drayton Mill. On the weekend, you can make your own mimosa or bloody mary at the bar, and for any occasion, the seasonal cobbler can be the perfect end to your meal.
- For several generations, the Cribb family has built a reputation for delicious food and hospitality. Don’t miss the pimento cheese fritters at Cribb’s Kitchen.
- As their motto goes, “If you’re hungry and thirsty, you might as well eat where the beer is.” Enjoy beer-inspired food with perfect pairings at The Silo at RJ Rockers.
Whether you consider yourself a full-fledged foodie or more of a casual diner, the next time you’re having the debate with your spouse, family, or friends of where to eat, you should have plenty of ideas!
