Restaurants

Below is a list of the restaurants we recommend along with some descriptions. The ones marked with a star* are close to the Spartanburg downtown Marriott.  You might also consider venturing over to Greenville or Greer.

Abby's Grill*: $$$ The menu changes nightly and usually features steaks, fresh fish, and pasta all served with a Southern flair. Save room for the cobbler or creme brulee. Full bar and wine list. Some patio seating. Right on Morgan Square downtown. 

The Beacon Drive-In: $ A Spartanburg historic landmark. A little terrifying for newcomers. Just get in line, "walk and talk," "say it, say it!" Make it easy on yourself: just order a chilli cheese a'plenty and keep on walking..."it's OK to pass in line." Pay at one register. Pick up your food at the other.  Don't forget to order sweet tea. It's the best in town--Steele calls it "rocket fuel." 

Bistro Europa: $$-$$$ Located in downtown Greenville, Bistro Europa offers fresh continental cuisine in an intimate bistro setting. Some sidewalk seating.

City Range: $$-$$$ Located near Westgate Mall City Range has great appetizers, steaks and seafood.  Try the fried calamari and fried oysters. 

Holden's Ranch Restaurant: $ A little out of the way, but totally worth it for the chicken stew.  I cannot emphasize enough how awesome the stew is.  Call (864) 576-7396 for hours and directions.  Does not serve alcohol.  But you won't care...you'll be too busy dunking your entire face in a bowl of stew.

Gerard's: $$$ Located in Greer, Gerard's serves contemporary Italian cuisine and has an excellent wine list.  They were recently featured in Southern Living magazine.  Note: Gerard, the chef, is a native Clevelander!

Justin's Steakhouse*: $$$  Located on Morgan Square in a renovated bank, Justin's is known for its steaks and its martini list.

Lime Leaf*: $$-$$$ Upscale Thai restaurant.  I haven't eaten here yet myself, but I've heard good things.

Monsoon Noodle House*: $ A variety of Asian noodle recipes served to your specified degree of spiciness.

Monterrey: $ Good Mexican food abounds all over town.  Monterrey is one of the oldest but certainly not the only place.  Any of the Corona or El Mexicano restaurants around town are also good.

Sassafras: $$$ Located in downtown Greenville, Sassafras offers upscale Southern cuisine in a bistro atmosphere. Wonderful wine list. I recommend the shrimp-n-grits.

Sonny's Brick Oven Pizza*: $ A fun place with great pizza.

Wade's: $ If you love Southern home-cookin' this is the place for you. Wade's is known for its vegetables...and for its ridiculous billboards.  A regular in Southern Living's "Best Of the South" list.

Wasabi: $$ Without a doubt the best Japanese food in the Upstate. Wasabi has sushi as well as all the standard Japanese dinner entrees. More adventurous eaters should ask the chef to prepare whatever he feels like. You'll get authentic Japanese cuisine prepared with the freshest ingredients.

Weenie Heads: $ A local hot dog joint with lots of, er, personality. They also have sausage biscuits in the morning. Their hours of operation fluctuate, so call ahead.

Wild Wing Cafe*: $-$$ A chain restaurant that offers a wide variety of wings from the mild to the dangerous.  Drink specials every night and live local bands on Fridays.  They have karaoke on Saturdays if you want to keep the party going after the reception.