Save up to $1,322 on our trips! Limited spots. Book Now.

The Best Restaurants In Spartanburg, South Carolina

Smokeys BBQ
Smokey's BBQ | Zachary Spears | Unsplash | Unsplash | Zachary Spears

In the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Spartanburg, South Carolina, has an abundance of outdoor adventure activities. Since all this physical exercise will have you working up an appetite, we show you the best restaurants in town.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Carolina BBQ

Serving hickory-smoked Southern style barbecue, Carolina BBQ makes for both a great lunch stop and a delicious dinner venue. Diners can choose between a tasty selection of slow-cooked turkey, ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork and chicken to be enjoyed with a combination of sides from baked beans and slaw to potato salad and okra. There is a special kids menu as well as carry-out packages suitable for large groups to take on a picnic or enjoy at home. Try the chopped turkey tray for the smaller appetite, or go for the BBQ pork, chicken and ribs with the ‘pig-out plate option.’

Cribb’s

Adding a bit of elegance to classic American cuisine, Cribb’s serves an array of dishes that both look and taste exquisite. The menu is split into different sections with something suitable for every mood, appetite and occasion. Snack options include squirrel nuts and pork belly wantons, perfect for picking at while drinking a glass of wine or a beer. The table-share dishes are also great for enjoying with a group of friends. The buffalo chicken and bleu cheese toasted wrap makes for a perfect light lunch and there are plenty of more filling entrees to choose from at dinner too. The peach brined pork tenderloin with grits and crispy sweet potato, and the smoked bacon and truffle trout are both excellent choices.

Gerhards

Cafe, Restaurant, American, German, European, Steakhouse, Seafood, $$
Blending European and American cooking techniques to create a fusion of exquisite flavors, Gerhards is renowned both for its seafood and steak dishes. Due to the restaurant’s particular focus on Austrian and German cuisines, guests can enjoy traditional dishes such as wiener schnitzel with fried potatoes, elk rouladen with spaetzle and red cabbage, and krainerwurst with sauerkraut. Other, more American, menu options include peppercorn crusted sirloin with fries, Hunter’s medallion of pork loin served with mushrooms, and fresh North Carolina rainbow trout. As it’s open for dinner only Monday to Saturday, reservations are recommended and diners can choose to enjoy their food al fresco during the warmer months.

Ike’s Korner Grille

Offering plenty of low-carb dishes alongside comfort food favorites, Ike’s Korner Grille is the perfect spot for a quick and affordable meal. Philly cheese steaks, homemade Pimento cheese, made-to-order salads, chili cheeseburgers and thick cut Bologna sandwiches are all specialties of this much-loved place. Featuring that highly sought after good old Southern grill atmosphere, Ike’s is family-friendly and welcoming to groups of lively friends and chatty couples too. Ike’s also has a loyal burger-loving following—don’t leave without trying the triple cheeseburger.

Mon Amie

Diner, Restaurant, American, Vegetarian, French
Inspired by a classically French way of life, Mon Amie resembles a Parisian street side cafe with its al fresco tables and black and white flooring. It’s open from 8am to 3pm Wednesday to Saturday each week and locals love to stop by for a tasty breakfast or lengthy brunch. Diners can choose between a beautiful variety of crepes, pancakes, French toast and egg dishes for breakfast and a selection of salads, sandwiches and even more crepes for lunch. Mon Amie also makes fantastic dessert crepes, cakes and pies too – ideal for an afternoon treat with a cup of tea or a coffee in between visiting all of Spartanburg’s tourist attractions.

Nu-Way

Bar, Deli, Restaurant, American, Vegetarian, Wine, Beer, Cocktails

Hot Dog

A hot dog joint, deli and sandwich shop, Nu-Way serves traditional American lunch and late night fare. Officially the oldest bar in Spartanburg, it is a greatly loved spot by locals and culture-seeking tourists. Serving delicious burgers and other fast food style dishes, Nu-Way is also loved for its affordable drinks, speedy service, live music and quiz nights. For a casual sociable evening with friends, head down to Nu-Way to enjoy the cold beers, college football on the TV screens and tasty burgers.

The Beacon Drive-in

Restaurant, Diner, American, Ice Cream, Vegetarian, Vegan, BBQ
The second largest drive-in restaurant in the USA, The Beacon Drive-in is a true landmark in Spartanburg. Serving locals tasty food since 1946, The Beacon is known for its classically American flavors and refreshing tea. A simple canteen-style venue, The Beacon’s menu is much more extensive than you would probably expect. Diners can choose between several sandwich options, seafood dishes, breakfast plates, BBQ meats, chicken dishes and burgers. The double chili cheeseburger is a favorite among regular patrons, and the catfish sandwich and mixed BBQ plate are also great choices.

The Peddler

Restaurant, Steakhouse, American, Seafood, $$

Striploin Steak and Frites

An elegant, upmarket steakhouse, The Peddler specializes in serving superb hand-cut charcoal grilled steaks, fresh seafood and exquisite wine. The dark wooden decor of the restaurant gives it an instantly warm and welcoming feel and there are plenty of intimate corners perfect for romantic meals and conversational dinners. The only traditional steakhouse in the entire city, The Peddler is the steak-lovers destination of choice in Spartanburg. Enjoy a three-course meal of fried mozzarella cheese sticks, filet mignon with sweet potato souffle, and Peddler pie for dessert. Aside from a choice of steak cuts, other delicious entrees include bone in pork chops, salmon and grilled jumbo shrimp.

Wade’s Family

Restaurant, American, Vegetarian, Vegan

Chicken wings

Serving traditional Southern favorites since 1947, Wade’s Family restaurant is a warm and welcoming place sure to make diners nostalgic for their childhood. Diners can enjoy an array of filling, tasty, home-style cooking while sipping a deliciously refreshing iced tea. Featuring both a daily and a weekly changing menu, there’s always something new to try at Wade’s. Stop by on a Monday for a dinner of chicken fried steak with macaroni cheese, on a Tuesday for pot roast and buttered carrots, or on a Saturday for fried flounder and creamed potatoes. The day’s menus are all available to view online and can be complemented with any one of the tasty desserts on offer including homemade pecan pie and hot apple pie.

About the author

Chloe Hay is a 24-year-old food obsessed Londoner who spends her days thinking, talking and writing about food. When she's not scurrying around her home city seeking out the next hottest deli or underground speakeasy, she's likely to be on the hunt for the best local eateries abroad. To see what she's been up to this month, check out her website or follow her on Twitter.

If you click on a link in this story, we may earn affiliate revenue. All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip.
close-ad