Greenville Food Guide 2025: Must-Try Eateries from Comal 864 to O-Ku

Greenville’s culinary scene has transcended its Southern-mill-town roots to embrace global flavors, inventive concepts, and a deep farm-to-table ethos. Anchored by award-nominated Tex-Mex at Comal 864, rooftop Italian at Jianna, shareable French plates at Scoundrel, precision sushi at O-Ku, and ever-changing seasonal menus at Fork & Plough, the city offers experiences for every palate. Beyond brick-and-mortar, weekly markets and major festivals—like the TD Saturday Market, Greenville Mimosa Festival on June 7, 2025, and euphoria’s Tapas & Tinis on July 11, 2025—fill calendars with opportunities to taste the Upstate’s best. This comprehensive guide covers addresses, hours, signature dishes, reservation tips, hidden gems, emerging trends, and an events calendar, equipping you to navigate Greenville’s gastronomic renaissance.

The Evolution of Greenville’s Dining Scene

Once known primarily for its textile mills, Greenville’s food culture began shifting in the 2000s as chefs like Vince Perone and establishments such as The Anchorage introduced a focus on local ingredients and creative small plates. The arrival of Swamp Rabbit Café & Grocery further solidified the farm-to-fork movement, inspiring concepts that double as markets, coffee bars, and community hubs. Over the past decade, Greenville has welcomed a wave of destination restaurants—from fine dining in renovated mills to casual taco joints—earning national attention in publications like Southern Living and Bon Appétit.

Today, Greenville boasts dozens of distinct neighborhoods, each featuring its own culinary character. West Greenville’s warehouse district hums with experimental kitchens, Midtown sprinkles in chef-driven brunch spots, and downtown’s Main Street corridor presents an ever-evolving lineup of global flavors. This diversity has transformed Greenville into a year-round food destination, where locals and visitors alike chase flavors that reflect both regional roots and international inspirations.

Spotlight Restaurants

Comal 864

Locations:

• 1112 Woodside Avenue, Greenville, SC 29611

• 219 W Antrim Drive, Suite C, Greenville, SC 29607
  Hours: Mon–Wed 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Thu–Fri 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun Closed
  Style: Rio Grande–inspired Tex-Mex street tacos, tortas, and breakfast specials
  Highlight: Chef Dayna Lee-Márquez earned a 2023 James Beard semifinal nomination for Best Chef: Southeast.
  Website: https://comal864.com/

Comal 864 began as a summer pop-up in July 2019 and quickly garnered a devoted following for its authentic tortillas and creative fillings—think birria quesitacos and carnitas tacos with house-made salsas. The counter-service model means no reservations, but wait times are part of the experience as locals and trail riders line up for $4 breakfast tacos and $6–$8 lunchtime specials. With two locations anchoring West Greenville and Midtown, Comal 864 remains a vital entry point into the city’s Tex-Mex renaissance.

Jianna

Address: 600 S Main St., 2nd Floor, Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: (864) 720-2200
Hours:

• Tue–Thu: Dinner from 5 p.m. (last seating at 9 p.m.)

• Fri: 5 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

• Sat: Lunch 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; Piccolo menu 2:30 p.m.–5 p.m.; Dinner until 9:30 p.m.

• Sun: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; Piccolo 2:30 p.m.–5 p.m.; Dinner until 9 p.m.
  Style: Modern Italian & oyster bar perched above Falls Park
  Website: https://jiannagreenville.com/

Jianna merges hand-made pastas with a curated oyster selection, showcasing seasonal seafood and locally foraged mushrooms. House specialties include the truffle-simmered Spaghetti TBG and Potato Gnocchi tossed in brown butter with sage. The intimate dining room and riverside patio book out well in advance; secure seating via Resy 7–10 days ahead for prime weekend dinners.

Scoundrel

Address: 18 N Main St., Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: (864) 283-0095
Hours: Tue–Thu: 5 p.m.–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat: 5 p.m.–10 p.m.; Sun–Mon: Closed
Style: French-inspired communal plates in a cozy downtown locale
Website: https://scoundrel.restaurant/

Since October 2022, Scoundrel has delivered refined, shareable plates—escargot, steak frites, and layered cocoa cake—designed to evoke a Parisian bistro. Chef Joe Cash crafts each dish for communal dining, encouraging guests to savor multiple courses in a relaxed, convivial atmosphere. Reservations are strongly recommended; limited bar seating fills on a first-come basis.

O-Ku

Address: 30 W Broad St., Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: (864) 326-4812
Hours: Sun: 5 p.m.–9 p.m.; Mon–Thu: 5 p.m.–10 p.m.; Fri–Sat: 5 p.m.–11 p.m.
Happy Hour: Mon–Tue: 4 p.m.–6 p.m.
Style: High-precision sushi and Japanese small plates
Website: https://okugreenville.com/

O-Ku sources fish from top global markets and local purveyors, pairing nigiri, sashimi, and innovative specials like Rock Shrimp in spicy aioli during happy hour. The sleek dining room and outdoor patio accommodate walk-ins, but reservations via OpenTable ensure the best seats.

Hidden Gems Beyond Main Street

Fork & Plough

Address: 1629 E North St., Greenville, SC 29607
Phone: (864) 609-4249
Hours: Mon–Fri: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. & 4 p.m.–9 p.m.; Sun: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Reservations: OpenTable or walk-in welcome
Style: Changing market-driven menus; butcher, market, and café under one roof
Website: https://forkandplough.com/

Fork & Plough exemplifies farm-to-table ethos with twice-daily menu changes based on pickups from Greenbrier Farms, Barnyard Farmstead, and more. Don’t miss the house-made charcuterie trio or seasonal vegetable gratin, each served alongside freshly baked bread from the on-site bakery.

Topsoil Kitchen & Market

Address: 13 S Main St., Travelers Rest, SC 29690
Phone: (864) 400-5424
Hours: Thu–Sat: 5 p.m.–9 p.m.; Sun: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. & 5 p.m.–9 p.m.; Mon–Wed: Closed
Reservations: Resy recommended
Style: Prix-fixe farm-to-table dinners and market offerings
Website: https://topsoilkitchenandmarket.com/

Nestled along the Swamp Rabbit Trail, Topsoil offers a three-course prix-fixe dinner ($55) and weekend brunch that spotlight local farms such as Feathers Farm and New Moon Farm. The adjacent market stocks house-made pantry staples and regional provisions.

Emerging Culinary Trends

• Hyper-Local Sourcing
  Chefs across Greenville pledge to source within a 50-mile radius, showcasing heirloom vegetables, pasture-raised meats, and foraged mushrooms on their menus.

• Pop-Ups and Collaborations
  Pop-up dinners—like Comal’s brewery collaborations—connect diners directly to visiting chefs and seasonal programs, fostering community engagement.

• Beverage-Forward Moments
  From O-Ku’s spicy Rock Shrimp happy hour to Fork & Plough’s curated natural wine list, specialty pours and tasting flights elevate the dining experience.

Food Events Calendar (Next Three Months)