Nestled in the heart of South Carolina, Spartanburg is a city that teems with Southern charm, a rich historical backdrop, and a pulsating culinary scene.

The city is a cornucopia of dining establishments that cater to a wide array of taste buds. From cozy cafes and casual diners to refined dining establishments and lively bars, the restaurants in Spartanburg, SC, offer something unique for everyone.

In this article, we journey into the heart of Spartanburg’s culinary landscape, highlighting 16 incredible places to eat that you absolutely must try on your next visit. Let’s get started!

Monster Subs N Grub – A Haven for Sandwich Lovers

When the craving for a hearty sandwich strikes, Spartanburg locals head over to Monster Subs N Grub. A family-owned restaurant, this delightful eatery crafts gargantuan subs using the freshest ingredients and homemade sauces.

Here, you have the freedom to select classics such as the Italian, the Philly cheesesteak, or the BLT, and if you’re more adventurous, you can savor the unique flavors of the Monster Reuben, the Cuban, or the Gyro.

Additionally, the restaurant’s extensive menu also offers salads, wraps, burgers, hot dogs, and even desserts. But the true showstopper here is their signature Monster Fries – a scrumptious mound of fries lavishly topped with cheese sauce, bacon bits, and ranch dressing.

📍 Address: 8039 Warren H Abernathy Hwy, Spartanburg, SC 29301
📞 Phone: (864) 764-1510

Cribbs Kitchen – An American Twist

Adding a twist to traditional American cuisine, Cribbs Kitchen is a local favorite among the restaurants Spartanburg SC boasts. Their menu is diverse and contemporary, featuring burgers, sandwiches, salads, tacos, and entrees all made with local and seasonal ingredients.

You can add your personal touch to your burger by selecting from a variety of toppings and sauces, or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can delve into their specialties such as the Fried Green Tomato Burger or the PB&J Burger.

Moreover, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available, Cribbs Kitchen caters to all dietary needs. Their drink menu, inclusive of craft beers, wines, cocktails, and milkshakes, completes your dining experience.

📍 Address: 226-B W Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29306
📞 Phone: (864) 699-9669

Willy Taco – The Mexican Fiesta

Bright, fun, and festive, Willy Taco is a Mexican restaurant that brings the spirit of fiesta to downtown Spartanburg restaurants. Serving delicious tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, and more, the restaurant provides a vibrant gastronomic adventure.

With a wide selection of tacos, you can pick your favorite or mix and match options like the Baja Fish Taco, the Korean BBQ Taco, or the Veggie Taco. Their daily specials and weekend brunch items keep their menu exciting and fresh.

Wash down these delicious bites with their specialty drinks, including margaritas, sangrias, mojitos, and beers. As the sun sets, enjoy the live music and outdoor seating, and immerse yourself in the lively Spartanburg scene.

📍 Address: 930 E Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29302
📞 Phone: (864) 327-8228

Wade’s Restaurant – The Classic Southern Comfort

Wade’s Restaurant, a Spartanburg institution, has been serving Southern comfort food since 1947. The key to their menu lies in its simplicity: classic meat-and-three dishes made from scratch with fresh ingredients.

At Wade’s, you can select from staples like fried chicken, meatloaf, ham steak, roast beef, and more as your main course. Complement your choice with a variety of sides like mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans, and cornbread.

Don’t forget to leave room for dessert; pies, cakes, and cobblers await to satisfy your sweet tooth. This family-friendly restaurant promises generous portions, friendly service, and an authentic taste of Southern comfort.

📍 Address: 1000 N Pine St, Spartanburg, SC 29303
📞 Phone: (864) 582-3800

Carolina Barbecue – The Smokehouse Delight

Carolina Barbecue stands as a testament to the rich tradition of authentic barbecue that is integral to the culinary identity of Spartanburg. The casual and laid-back atmosphere of this joint complements its specialty: smoked meats slow-cooked over hickory wood to perfection, ensuring maximum flavor and tenderness.

As you peruse their menu, you’ll find an array of dishes that make it hard to choose. From pulled pork, chicken, ribs, brisket, to turkey, the choices for your main dish seem endless. Add a side of coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad, or hush puppies, and you’ve got yourself a traditional barbecue meal.

If you prefer sandwiches, salads, or have a sweet tooth for desserts, Carolina Barbecue has you covered. To experience new restaurants in Spartanburg, SC, without straying too far from the traditional path, this is your go-to spot.

📍 Address: 7115 Lone Oak Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29303
📞 Phone: (864) 503-0542
🌐 Website: Carolina BBQ Spartanburg

City Range Steakhouse Grill – Upscale Indulgence

The elegant and refined ambiance of City Range Steakhouse Grill makes it a perfect venue for a romantic date night or a special occasion. This upscale restaurant serves an array of dishes including hand-cut and 21-day aged steaks, seafood, pasta, and more.

The restaurant’s steaks are a carnivore’s delight, grilled to your preferred level of doneness. Alternatively, you might want to try their signature dishes like the Crab Stuffed Flounder, the Bourbon Glazed Pork Chop, or the Chicken Marsala.

They also offer an extensive bar menu featuring a selection of wines, cocktails, and beers. Offering some of the best food in Spartanburg, the City Range Steakhouse Grill ensures a memorable dining experience.

📍 Address: 774 Spartan Blvd, Spartanburg, SC 29301
📞 Phone: (864) 327-3333

Ike’s Korner Grill – A Spartanburg Staple

No exploration of Spartanburg’s food scene is complete without a visit to Ike’s Korner Grill, a local favorite that has been serving customers since 1960. The old-fashioned diner is a quintessential Spartanburg institution known for its mouthwatering burgers, hot dogs, and fries.

Their burgers, cooked on a flat-top grill using fresh ground beef, are the star attraction here. However, don’t miss out on their hot dogs, adorned with chili and slaw, or their other offerings such as sandwiches, salads, and breakfast items. The hand-cut fries and crispy onion rings add the perfect finishing touch to your meal.

📍 Address: 104 Archer Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29303
📞 Phone: (864) 542-0911

Gerhard’s Cafe – A European Escapade

Offering an authentic taste of Europe in South Carolina, Gerhard’s Cafe is a fine dining restaurant specializing in German and Austrian cuisine. Dishes like Wiener Schnitzel, Sauerbraten, Jägerschnitzel, and Rouladen transport you to the heart of Europe with every bite. Their seafood, steaks, and salads provide more variety to the already diverse menu.

No meal here would be complete without sampling their delectable desserts such as Apple Strudel, Black Forest Cake, and Linzer Torte. The restaurant also offers a curated wine list featuring selections from Germany, Austria, France, and Italy. This blend of European flavors and warm hospitality make Gerhard’s Cafe one of the best restaurants Spartanburg SC has to offer.

📍 Address: 1200 E Main St #23, Spartanburg, SC 29307
📞 Phone: (864) 591-1920

Lime Leaf – A Thai Treat

Lime Leaf brings the flavors of Asian and Thai cuisine to the heart of Spartanburg. The cozy and casual restaurant serves a variety of dishes crafted from fresh and flavorful ingredients.

Whether it’s soups, salads, noodles, rice, curry, stir-fry, or seafood dishes, the menu is extensive and catered to suit different preferences, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.

The homemade sauces, such as the peanut sauce, the sweet chili sauce, or the lime leaf sauce, provide a burst of flavor to your meal. And to end on a sweet note, try their desserts like fried bananas, sticky rice with mango, or coconut ice cream.

📍 Address: 101 E Main St #G, Spartanburg, SC 29306
📞 Phone (864) 542-2171

The Kennedy: A Blend of Modernity and Southern Tradition

The Kennedy, nestled in the heart of Spartanburg, is a testament to modern American cuisine sprinkled with a Southern flair. This sophisticated establishment echoes the evolving culinary scene in Spartanburg, and it ranks among the best restaurants in Spartanburg, SC, due to its meticulous use of local, organic ingredients.

Its seasonally changing menu features innovative creations such as the Fried Chicken Parmesan Sandwich, which gives a unique twist to the conventional sandwich, and Shrimp and Grits – a staple Southern dish. The Duck Confit and Grouper with Risotto further showcase the depth and variation of their culinary prowess.

Moreover, to enhance your dining experience, The Kennedy houses a selection of craft cocktails, local beers, and a curated wine list. This place represents a confluence of refinement, relaxation, and extraordinary dining, making it a worthy contender among the downtown Spartanburg restaurants.

📍 Address: 221 E Kennedy St #1000, Spartanburg, SC 29302
📞 Phone: (864) 586-5554
🌐 Website: https://thekennedysc.com/

Monsoon Noodle House: A Fusion of Asian and Thai Cuisine

Monsoon Noodle House adds a spicy touch to the downtown Spartanburg restaurants landscape with its exquisite blend of Asian and Thai cuisine. A family-owned establishment, it brings a fusion twist to the table, much like the culinary variety found at our recommended restaurants in Greenville.

Monsoon Noodle House’s versatile menu offers a plethora of choices from noodle soups, stir-fried noodles, to curries, salads, and appetizers. The ability to customize your protein from options such as chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, tofu, or vegetables, and adjust the spice level to your taste is a unique aspect of this place to eat in Spartanburg, SC.

Some customer favorites are the classic Pad Thai, the Tom Yum Soup with its hot and sour flavors, and the flavorful Basil Fried Rice. Plus, for those with specific dietary needs, they also offer vegan and gluten-free options, setting it apart in the food scene in Spartanburg.

📍 Address: 129 W Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29306
📞 Phone: (864) 582-0618
🌐 Website: https://www.monsoon-noodle-house.com/

Delaney’s Irish Pub: Where Spartanburg’s Heart Beats

If you’re looking for a lively, cozy pub that offers a generous pour of Irish charm, Delaney’s Irish Pub is your destination. This is not just a place to eat in Spartanburg, SC, but a hub for social interaction and enjoyment.

Delaney’s menu presents a delightful mix of Irish and American fare. The hearty Irish classics like Fish and Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers and Mash, and Corned Beef and Cabbage compete with American staples such as burgers, sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and wings for your attention.

Adding to the ambiance, Delaney’s has a series of entertainment activities like live music, trivia nights, karaoke nights, and sports on TV, making it a lively place to enjoy Spartanburg’s vibrant nightlife.

📍 Address: 117 W Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29306
📞 Phone: (864) 583-3100
🌐 Website: https://www.delaneyspub.com/

The Flounder: Dive into Seafood Delights

In Spartanburg’s dynamic culinary scene, The Flounder has carved out a niche for itself as the go-to destination for seafood lovers. This casual, family-friendly restaurant is known for its fresh and fried fish, much like the mouth-watering seafood served in the best restaurants in Southport, NC.

Their menu casts a wide net, offering not only the namesake flounder but also catfish, shrimp, oysters, scallops, and crab legs. Whether you’re ordering seafood by the piece or by the platter, your taste buds are in for a treat.

And for the landlubbers, The Flounder offers alternatives such as chicken tenders, burgers, salads, and desserts, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. If you are looking for places to eat in Spartanburg, SC, The Flounder’s quality seafood at reasonable prices is a catch.

📍 Address: 160 Barbado Ln, Spartanburg, SC 29303
📞 Phone: (864) 576-3165
🌐 Website: https://www.thefloundersc.com/

Thai Taste: A Taste of Authentic Thai Cuisine

When it comes to authentic Thai cuisine, few places compare to the family-owned Thai Taste in Spartanburg. The restaurant has managed to capture the spirit of Thai food through the careful use of fresh and flavorful ingredients.

The menu at Thai Taste encompasses a wide range of Thai classics, from the comforting warmth of their soups to the hearty satisfaction of their noodles, rice, curry, stir-fry, and seafood dishes. And for those who appreciate a fiery kick, the homemade sauces like red curry sauce, peanut sauce, or sweet and sour sauce can add a delicious layer of complexity to any dish.

With vegetarian and gluten-free options available, Thai Taste truly caters to the gastronomic preferences of every diner. Their desserts like fried ice cream, coconut cake, and mango sticky rice make a sweet ending to any meal. Thai Taste makes its mark as one of the best restaurants in Spartanburg, SC.

📍 Address: 1450 WO Ezell Blvd #1100, Spartanburg, SC 29301
📞 Phone: (864) 595-5240
🌐 Website: http://thaitastespartanburg.com/

Initial Q Social Bar & Smokehouse: An Ode to Southern Barbecue

The gastronomic canvas of Spartanburg is incomplete without the quintessential Southern barbecue. Initial Q Social Bar & Smokehouse has not only fulfilled this requirement but elevated it. This modern and trendy restaurant is creating a buzz among new restaurants in Spartanburg, SC with its innovative take on Southern cuisine.

Their menu showcases an array of smoked meats including brisket, pork, chicken, and ribs. But it’s not just about the meat. Unique dishes like the Queso Brisket Nachos, Smoked Chicken Wings, and Mac & Cheese Waffle make a visit to Initial Q a culinary adventure.

Whether you’re planning a social get-together or looking for a delicious dining experience, this combination of food, drink, and atmosphere make Initial Q one of the top downtown Spartanburg restaurants.

📍 Address: 207 Magnolia St, Spartanburg, SC 29306
📞 Phone: (864) 585-7397
🌐 Website: https://www.initialq.com/

Heirloom – A Milltown Eatery: A Farm-to-Table Gem

Heirloom – A Milltown Eatery stands as a testament to American cuisine with a Southern touch. Mirroring the farm-to-table approach adopted by many barrier islands in South Carolina, Heirloom’s menu undergoes seasonal changes to best utilize local and organic ingredients.

Among their standout dishes are the Fried Green Tomato BLT, Shrimp & Grits, Pork Chop with Apple Chutney, and Salmon with Quinoa Salad. They also offer a tempting weekend brunch menu featuring items like Chicken & Waffles, Biscuits & Gravy, and the French Toast Casserole.

The carefully selected wine list, craft cocktails, and local beers further enhance the dining experience, making Heirloom – A Milltown Eatery a destination among the best restaurants in Spartanburg, SC.

📍 Address: 805 Spartan Blvd #120, Spartanburg, SC 29301
📞 Phone: (864) 913-1212
🌐 Website: https://www.heirloomsc.com/

Conclusion

Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a city with a diverse food scene that caters to an array of culinary cravings. Whether it’s a casual meal, a sophisticated dinner, or a social outing, the restaurants in Spartanburg, SC, have it all covered. This list of restaurants gives you a taste of the gastronomic delights that Spartanburg offers. The quality, variety, and uniqueness of these restaurants make Spartanburg an exciting

food destination, much like the vibrant islands of South Carolina. So whether you’re a local or a visitor, be sure to check out these places to eat in Spartanburg, SC.

FAQs

1. What are the best restaurants in Spartanburg?

Some of the best restaurants in Spartanburg include Monster Subs N Grub, Cribbs Kitchen, Willy Taco, Wade’s Restaurant, and Carolina Barbecue.

2. Are there any downtown Spartanburg restaurants worth visiting?

Yes, downtown Spartanburg is home to several fantastic restaurants. Some popular choices include Cribbs Kitchen, Willy Taco, Ike’s Korner Grill, and The Kennedy.

3. Are there restaurants in Spartanburg that offer vegetarian or gluten-free options?

Yes, many restaurants in Spartanburg accommodate dietary preferences and offer vegetarian and gluten-free options. Lime Leaf, Monsoon Noodle House, and Thai Taste are a few examples of restaurants with such offerings.

4. Where can I find Southern comfort food in Spartanburg?

If you’re craving Southern comfort food, Wade’s Restaurant is a must-visit. Known for its meat-and-three dishes and homemade desserts, it has been a Spartanburg institution since 1947.

5. Which restaurant in Spartanburg is ideal for a special occasion or date night?

City Range Steakhouse Grill is a perfect choice for a special occasion or romantic date night. With its upscale ambiance and a menu featuring hand-cut steaks and seafood, it offers an exceptional dining experience.

6. Are there any restaurants in Spartanburg with a lively atmosphere and entertainment?

Delaney’s Irish Pub is known for its lively atmosphere, featuring live music, trivia nights, karaoke, and sports on TV. It’s a great spot to enjoy a vibrant night out with friends.

7. What types of cuisine can I find in Spartanburg?

Spartanburg offers a diverse range of cuisines. You can find American cuisine, Mexican fare, Thai and Asian fusion, Irish pub food, seafood, barbecue, and more.

8. Are there restaurants in Spartanburg that focus on using local and organic ingredients?

Yes, several restaurants in Spartanburg prioritize local and organic ingredients. The Kennedy and Heirloom – A Milltown Eatery are known for their farm-to-table approach and seasonally changing menus.

9. Can I make reservations at these restaurants in Spartanburg?

Reservations policies may vary by restaurant. It is advisable to check the individual restaurant’s website or contact them directly for reservation availability.

10. Are these restaurants family-friendly?

Many of the restaurants in Spartanburg are family-friendly, offering a welcoming atmosphere and menus suitable for all ages. Wade’s Restaurant, The Flounder, and Ike’s Korner Grill are examples of such establishments.

Remember to check the specific details and offerings of each restaurant, as policies and menus may change over time.