The Michelin Guide’s arrival to Greenville last year finally gave credit where credit is due. Scoundrel from chef Joe Cash, who was also named a 2026 James Beard Best Chef Southeast semifinalist, was awarded one star, in addition to four Michelin-recommended spots (Soby’s, Topsoil, the Anchorage, and Jianna).
Soon, the city will debut its first tasting-menu restaurant from chef Nico Abello, formerly of New York’s L’Appart, who has been hosting various pop-ups throughout the city while he awaits the official opening of his new venture, Enlō.
What’s more, the recent premier of Top Chef Season 23—which was filmed in Greenville and Charlotte, North Carolina—is spreading word of the city’s food scene even further. Here are the some of the top places to eat and a quick overview of other things to do while in Greenville.
Restaurants defining Greenville’s food scene
Led by chef Joe Cash, Scoundrel just earned a Michelin star for its combination of southern flavors and French style.
Courtesy of VisitGreenvilleSC
Newcomer Little Secret opened in February in Woodside, Greenville’s hippest neighborhood. Chef Conner Hinderks, of New Orleans’s Maypop, makes pan-Asian dishes blending southern comfort and umami rush. Try the cheesy Szechuan potatoes, where Yukons are bathed in garlic, peppercorns, and grated Parmesan.
Plan for a dinner at Camp, an innovator in the city’s modern American scene, where the seasonal menu always features pickled vegetables from Upstate farmers. Or head to the aforementioned Scoundrel, where French classics—garlicky, buttery escargot and crispy-skinned duck breast—are served in a Parisian-style bistro. Chef Cash’s latest enterprise, the Italian-focused Dootsie’s Kitchen, is opening this spring.
Also on the dining horizon in Greenville is LolaCeli, a seafood- and vegetable-forward restaurant with Filipino influences. The chef, Michael Izzard, born in the Philippines, is turning his pop-up into a brick-and-mortar place.
Of course, this being the South means a traditional Southern meal is in order. The classic Soby’s, awarded South Carolina’s first Wine Spectator Grand Award in 2025, executes comfort food with gusto: Fried green tomatoes are doused in pimento cheese, and the fried chicken is served with hot honey.
What to do between meals
Enjoy a meal on the go in Falls Park.
Photo by Brad Shortridge/Unsplash
Falls Park on the Reedy is a fine place to plant yourself on a bench with a biscuit from Flying Biscuit Cafe and an iced coffee from Methodical Coffee. For a deeper outdoor immersion, head to Greenville’s 28-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail, welcoming cyclists, runners, and day trekkers.
Camp, Scoundrel, Soby’s, and Jianna are all near the center of Greenville, and therefore close to the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum. Jackson was acquitted for an alleged role in throwing the 1919 World Series, but was banned from baseball for life. The exhibit is a compelling look at the player’s history and the scandal. The museum is only open on Saturdays—as is the Greenville Farmers’ Market, with 75-plus vendors.
Just west of downtown is the Village, home to aforementioned Michelin-recommended The Anchorage restaurant and Six and Twenty Distillery. Before or after your meal, wander in the neighborhood’s art galleries and cute shops, many in converted historic buildings and mills. If you time your visit around the first Friday of the month, you can take part in the First Fridays Gallery Crawl, when Greenville’s artists open their doors after hours.
One final recommendation: Check the Comedy Zone’s schedule for live shows and open-mic nights.
Where to stay near the restaurants
Stay in Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville for a rustic connection with the outdoors, right in the center of town.
Courtesy of Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville
Two noteworthy hotels sit within walking distance of many restaurants in central Greenville. The city’s grand dame is the aptly named Grand Bohemian Lodge, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The stately hotel’s perch overlooking Falls Park is an immediate draw, but so is the soaring lobby with its leather furniture and fireplaces. The spacious guest rooms feel earthy, like a continuation of the surrounding landscape.
The Westin Pointsett, Greenville, a Historic Hotel of America since 2002, is also in the heart of downtown. The 12-story, Beaux Arts-style hotel dates back to 1925 and has welcomed such esteemed guests as Amelia Earhart and Bobby Kennedy.
