Nose Dive in Downtown Greenville is the perfect place if you're looking to grab a bite and a drink in a casual atmosphere. This gastropub, closed on Sundays, has good food and a vast array of wines, cocktails and handcrafted beers to offer you. You can enjoy snacks like chicken wings and crab pretzels, or have a full meal comprising dishes like shrimp and chorizo pasta, bangers and mash and vegetable curry. South of the Mason Dixon, a concoction made from mint and peach syrup combined with lemon, water and Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, is one of their many cocktails. There are live music events every week, as well as brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

Situated just across from the Peace Center for the Performing Arts, Nantucket Seafood Grill is another offering from Rick Erwin, the man who gave Greenville the West End Grille. At this restaurant, with its walnut-stained wooden decor and earthy colors, you immediately feel at home and ready to tuck into a fabulous meal. In addition to the lunch, dinner and brunch menus, this restaurant offers two three-course theater menus, one for USD30 and the other for USD39. Rick's signature shellfish tower, choc-a bloc with oysters, crab legs, tiger shrimp, lobster tail and lots more seafood has to be tried to be believed. Sunday brunch is served between 11a and 2p.

Having prepared meals for the likes of George Clooney, Kevin Costner and Renée Zellweger, Alex Castro is a chef people associate with a fabulous meal. At Larkin's on the River, where he is Executive Director of Cuisine, he more than lives up to these expectations. Peppered salmon filet (USD13) and the USD14 shrimp and grits are two of the signature entrées, and must be sampled. The Low Country crab cake sandwich and Larkin's steak sandwich are also delicious. There is a filling brunch to be enjoyed on Sundays.

Irashiai Sushi Pub's extensive menu is sure to please any lover of Japanese food. From sushi, sashimi, and teriyaki dishes to sukiyaki, shabu-shabu (Japanese hot pot), and fried noodles, everyone in your party will be able to find something to love, even if they shy away from eating raw fish. Catering to families and large groups, giant sushi platters are available to share, and reservations can be made for up to groups of 30. Located on Pelham Road a stone's throw from the Haywood Mall and the Greenville Downtown Airport, Irashiai Sushi Pub is convenient to many area hotels as well as the Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery.

Since it opened in 1988, Papa's Breakfast Nook has been a local favorite. Open 24/7, Papa's serves up filling meals for a very affordable price. Some local favorites on the menu include the trashcan omelet and the Spartan-burger. Visit their website for a complete menu.

Bucky's Bar-B-Q has a simple menu, but every item is packed with deliciousness. Pork, chicken, ribs and sandwiches fill the plate along with two sides. There are also three more locations in South Carolina, so grab a plate if you're nearby! Call or see the website for more information.

Known for smoking the "leanest butt in town" over hickory logs, Henry's Smokehouse is a favorite for locals and visitors to Greenville alike. The meat is cooked in the pit from about 8 to 12 hours, ensuring the most tender meat that falls off the bone and melts in your mouth... without costing you an arm or a leg! Call or see the website for more information.

The Brickhouse Grill & Warehouse is a popular restaurant and bar in downtown Spartanburg. The restaurant serves up brick-oven pizza and house specialties like pasta and chicken parmigian. The restaurant definitely caters to family outings and group gatherings while the bar caters to the young and hip downtown scene. The Warehouse serves up a variety of beers with a growing list of micro brews making the roster for the many beer enthusiasts in town. The Warehouse features live local bands and has weekly specials including happy hour, karaoke and trivia night. 

If you want to avoid the downtown crowds and dine with locals in the know, Addy's Dutch Cafe and Restaurant is the perfect place for dinner and drinks. Serving a menu of European favorites, you'll find food here that you won't get anywhere else in Greenville. Wednesday night is German night, where freshly made schnitzel and Jaeger schnitzel are the stars of the menu. Addy's also serves 40 varieties of imported beer to go with your meal. A private dining room is available for events.

If you're not particularly craving Southern cuisine, consider visiting Sushi Masa in East Greenville for lunch or dinner. Serving ramen, sashimi, sushi and rice bowls in a traditional Japanese atmosphere, diners might just forget that they're in South Carolina. A much more extensive menu along with Japanese spirits and wine are available in the evening. Stop by Tanpopo, the market next door, for some Japanese groceries and snacks. With limited seating, consider making reservations on Friday nights.