Where to Eat and Drink: Greenville, SC

Greenville, #yeahthatGreenville, is one of my favorite places, not just in South Carolina, but period. Why? Because the people are friendly, there are beautiful views of the mountains with some incredible hiking close by and it’s vibrant with music, cute boutiques for shopping, art festivals, theater and an undeniable food scene. Whether you’ve been there or not, it’s a place you’re sure to hear a lot more about in the future. As recently stated by Zagat, Greenville is "The South's Newest Culinary Darling," and here are some of my favorite places to eat and drink there (can't wait to try more!): 

My Chai Tea Latte I had at Methodical

Methodical Coffee

I recently had a meeting with a journalist at Methodical Coffee to talk a bit about our clients and our expansion with a Greenville office. I was so glad when she picked Methodical for our meeting place because I'd heard lots of great things from a number of people and wanted to try it out. It lived up to everything I expected and proved to be more than a coffee shop…it was an experience. Here are three reasons why: 1) Their atmosphere. Architectural Digest couldn’t have said it better, Methodical has a “timeless appeal.” Everything from the brass colored light fixtures and white marble bar to their blue and white Oriental coffee mugs gives a clean and light, upscale retro vibe that just makes you feel happiness inside 2) Their staff is really friendly, helpful and just all seem like really cool people you’d probably want to be friends with 3) The coffee (and other offerings)! I had a Chai Tea Latte, one of my favorite drinks to help me get going in the morning, and it was honestly the best I’ve ever had – the right amount of froth and flavor with a little bit of spice. For more information on Methodical Coffee, visit www.methodicalcoffee.com.

City Scape Winery

One of my closest friends had her birthday party at City Scape Winery for a tasting. A winery in Greenville County seems so unexpected to me, but low and behold there is City Scape with some really great wines to try. But before we get into anything else, I have to talk about the most important part about City Scape – their pet pig. Yeah, you read that right, a pig! As if a beautiful vineyard setting with some tasty wines isn’t enough, then they have this adorable little tiny pig just walking around greeting everyone - What more could you ask for in life?? My favorite wine to taste there is the Dark Chocolate Red. For more information about City Scape Winery, visit www.cityscapewinery.com.

The 05

I’ve spent many nights at On The Roxx in Greenville during a time when nightlife was a part of my weekly routine. I loved the place for getting my dance on to my favorite music and having a great time with my friends. With that being my former go-to going out establishment, when I heard that the same owners opened up The 05, I had to try it! It was a couple years back when I finally got to go there, but I remember the 05 as a stand-out. Completely different from On The Roxx, it has a cozy atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating and is a great place for a date night or a more quiet night with friends to talk over a glass of wine in hand. My friends and I got a huge charcuterie board and some really nice wines to pair with it. When I go back there, I really want to try their Chorizo Stuffed Dates that are Braised in Rioja Wine and topped with Whipped Goat Cheese Served with Toasted Focaccia… I mean, are you kidding me?? This sounds a bit life-changing. For more information about the 05 and their offerings, visit www.the05.net. Oh, and the same group just opened Encore Gastrolounge as well, which I HAVE to try soon.

Trappe Door

A Belgian-inspired restaurant, Trappe Door is one of my favorite places to eat because it feels like your own hidden European gem. Hence the name Trappe Door: you walk in the front door and down the stairs to an underground restaurant. Dimly lit with wood, exposed brick and red accents for the interior, it’s the perfect place to go with friends to grab a craft beer or on a date for a romantic-casual dinner. If you’re an avid beer drinker, this is your place to go, because their expansive beer list includes some hops you may have never gotten to try – That’s because they’re usually found in Europe. As far as the food, their burger is one of my favorites I’ve ever had. Other go-to items here are their options of Moules Frites (mussels and homemade fries), their Boulets Liegeois (traditional East Belgian meatballs) and Sautéed Duck Breast. For more information about Trappe Door, visit www.trappedoor.com.

Bacon Brothers Public House

Bacon Brothers, they have the meats…all of the meats. Right when you walk in you are entranced by the aroma of, well, bacon...and bbq while you’re probably salivating over the plates that you see served on other people’s tables – or maybe this is just my intense reaction. Whatever yours is when walking into this restaurant, it’s bound to be a good one. This is then followed up by an even better experience once your food is served, brace yourself. A place that is best when shared with friends, family or your s/o, my favorites here are the Pimento Cheese Jar, Devil’s Dust Eggs (not your average deviled eggs, just saying) Bacon Caramel Popcorn and their incredible bbq offerings. For more information on Bacon Brothers Public House, visit www.baconbrospublichouse.com. 

Sully’s Steamers

Sometimes I swear I dream about a hot Sully's Steamers bagel in my sleep. When I used to live in Greenville, my friends and I would go there from time to time after a night out, because they are open until 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays - it made for pretty much the perfect night, I remember. But, really anytime of the day is the right time for a Sully’s bagel. That is, only if you want food that is comforting and completely delicious. I usually go with the El Camino, with ham, egg, jalapenos & Pepper Jack Cheese, as my bagel of choice, but you really can’t go wrong with whatever you choose there. For more information on Sully’s Steamers, visit www.sullyssteamers.com.

Lazy Goat

Lazy Goat has always been one of my favorite places to go to in Greenville because of the food, of course, as well as the atmosphere – there’s indoor and patio seating all overlooking the Reedy River. Perfect for a dinner before a Broadway show at the Peace Center nearby. The menu items there are ideal for sharing. I love to start with a charcuterie board there and then get the Lazy Paella with calasparra rice, green beans, shrimp, roasted chicken, chorizo, mussels, clams, calamari and a glass of wine and share with friends – Cannot go wrong with that! For more information on Lazy Goat, visit www.thelazygoat.com.

There's SO much more to try Greenville, and a lot has changed since I moved from there over four years ago, so this post is to be continued once I get the chance to make it to some new places! 

Here are some places I’ve heard great things about and can’t wait to try for the first time: The Anchorage, Encore, White Duck Taco, Jianna, Valut & Vator and Birds Fly South Ale Project. 

Also notable, I love that a lot of our Charleston restaurants are opening second locations in Greenville like Husk, Basil and Halls Chophouse – they know where it’s at!