Greenville wasn’t originally on our radar but we fell in love with it the first time we visited while we were digital nomads. And the more time we spent here on subsequent trips, the more it felt like the kind of place where life could slow down without feeling small. 

We were drawn to the balance—the mountains and outdoors nearby in our backyards, scenic country roads that lead to a vibrant award-winning downtown with all of the modern amenities, a vibrant food scene, thoughtful urban design integrated with rural living, and small communities all around that still feel grounded and human. 

The Upstate offered a lifestyle that’s both relaxed and creative and ultimately, became the home base for the Tiny Dice House.

While downtown Greenville gets much of the attention–and for good reason–some of the best hidden gems from restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries filled with southern charm and hospitality are found just outside the city center. 

This guide highlights the places we’ve come to love and return to again and again across Travelers Rest, Greenville, Taylors, Greer, Landrum, and the Mauldin/Simpsonville/Five Forks area.

📋 We also have a more condensed version of this guide on Airbnb here.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend, exploring around the Tiny Dice House, we hope you get the chance to check out some of our favorite spots to eat, drink, shop and visit in the Upstate.

📍 See all of our recommendations visually on Google Maps here.

Jump straight to a specific neighborhood:

• Travelers Rest
• Taylors
• Greenville
• Greer
• Landrum
• Mauldin/Simpsonville/Five Forks

Travelers Rest (10 mins from the Tiny Dice House)

Travelers Rest sits just 10–15 minutes north of downtown Greenville, connected by US-25 and the Swamp Rabbit Trail, making it an easy hop between small-town charm and city amenities. Despite being a small-town charm, TR has an outsized and growing food scene with unbeatable access to nature.

It’s where cyclists end up after a Swamp Rabbit Trail ride, where James Beard award chefs experiment, and where weekends feel slower—in the best kind of way. The town feels like Greenville’s outdoorsy, slightly artsy cousin that certainly punches far above its size when it comes to food and charm. It was one of the places we loved the most when we first visited the area and where we wanted to be closest to.

Food & Drinks

☕️ Coffee & Tea:

• Bridge City Coffee – Community-driven café with excellent lattes, espresso, etc.
• D’Cafe – Casual and cozy Cuban pastries and coffee.
• Joybird Coffee – A mobile drive-thru coffee shop that’s getting a brick and mortar location in TR soon!
• Leopard Forest Coffee Company - Feels like a hole in the wall but one of the few coffee places that offers a bougie cup of pour over coffee. 
• Boba Yama - (Coming soon) Created by the same founders of Sushi Yama and Yakitori Yama, TR's first dedicated boba shop!

🍽️ Restaurants:

• Topsoil Restaurant – Led by Chef Adam Cooke and Pastry Chef Tania Cienfuegos Harris(both James Beard Award Seminfinalists), this a farm-forward fine dining experience that offers amazing brunch and dinner.
• Tandem Creperie – A cute local favorite spot that that offers mouthwatering sweet and savory crepes. You also order from a little yellow bus parked outside.
• Trubroth - Authentic Vietnamese broth and delicious pho. Their Vietnamese iced coffee is a must have as well.
• Upcountry Provisions - Delicious sandwiches for breakfast and lunch and equally delicious baked goods.
  Sidewall Pizza – Yummy Italian thin crust pizza, salads (their Wedge salad is a must have!), and craft beer to go with all that deliciousness.
• Coastal Crust - Elevated Italian pasta, pizza, and appetizers in a modern setting.
• Sushi Yama - The best and freshest sushi you'll find around Upstate
• Yakitori Yama - Japanese skewers that are perfect for happy hour or dinner in a fun, environment next to a brewery.
• Chicora Alley Fire House - They have something for everyone from wings to New American to jerk chicken.
• Farmhouse Tacos - Fusion tacos with great salsa and guac.
• Core 450 - Upscale dining on a beautiful golf course with scenic views.
• Restaurant 17 - Located inside the European inspired Hotel Domestique, it's upscale dining with peaceful mountain views.
• Hungry Drover - Homey, hearted breakfast and lunch that will satiate you.

🍺 Breweries:

• The Community Tap - A beer garden vibe brewery nex to several popular TR restaurants.
• Swamp Rabbit Brewery & Taproom – Laid-back atmosphere to enjoy some craft beers with food trucks and live music.

🍦 Desserts:

• Pink Mama’s Ice Cream Shop - Playful counter-serve featuring classic ice cream in sprinkle waffle cones, plus floats & sundaes.
• Sunset Slush -Italian Ice, all natural smoothies, vintage candy, bulk candy including taffy and more.

🛒 Groceries & Farmers Markets:

• AM/PM Farms Butchery & Market – High quality, grass fed local meats with some groceries and snacks.
• Travelers Rest Farmers Market (seasonal) - Family-friendly Saturday morning market with dozens of local vendors, prepared foods, and live music.
  
• Piney Mountain Farm & Market - Small family farm with a wide variety of local products ranging from local meats, produce, coffee, sweets and more.

Things to Do in TR:

🛍️ Shopping:

• Urban Hare – Cozy, timeless home decor store with a mix of traditional, contemporary, modern rustic designs.
• Carolina Honey Bee Company - Raw local honey and beekeeping supplies.

⛳️ Activities:

• Spring Park Golf Range - Full service golf range right on main street. 
• History Museum of Travelers Rest - Small lovely museum to learn about the history of TR (open on weekends only).

🏕️ Nature & Outdoors:

• Swamp Rabbit Trail - A 22 mile trail that connects Travelers Rest with Greenville.
• Trailblazer Park- Open space park where many concerts, events, etc. are held.
• Swan Lake Trail at Furman University - A scenic, leisurely hike around Swan Lake inside Furman University's campus.
• Horseback Riding at JMG Ranch - From basic lessons to trail rides to multi-day adventures.

Taylors (12 mins from the Tiny Dice House)

Tucked between Greenville and Greer, Taylors is one of those places people often drive through before realizing how much is actually there. It’s less polished than downtown Greenville, but that’s part of the appeal—solid local food, long-standing businesses, and a strong community feel. Taylors is practical, unpretentious, and quietly becoming a popular place to put your roots down in.

Food & Drinks

☕️ Coffee & Tea:

• Junto Coffee – A modern specialty coffee spot with a modern feel.

🍽️ Restaurants:

• Spaghetti Westurn - A playful Italian pasta shop that will satisfy your carb cravings.
• The Farehouse - Taylors Mill -A modern, cool place to gather for good food and community that was renovated from a textile mill.
• Pho Le - One of the more authentic Vietnamese restaurants around. 
  
• Pita Grille - Get a quick and yummy Mediterranean meal here.

🍺 Breweries:

• 13 Stripes Brewery – Also located in Taylors Mill, a fun spacious brewery with a large selection of drinks.

🍩 Desserts:

• Big Apple Donuts and Cafe - Family-owned, handmade donuts made fresh daily.

🥩 Groceries & Farmers Markets:

• Grazers, Famoda Farms - The freshest local, pasture raised, grass fed beef in town along with a selection of other staples like sourdough, raw milk, eggs, etc.
• Publix or Ingles - larger chain grocery stores that have everything you need conveniently in one place

Things to Do in Taylors:

• Horseback Riding at Roam Acres Farms
• Play pickleball, basketball or enjoy a stroll at Northside Park
  
• Pavillion Rec Center - Indoor facility that offers ice skating, hockey, pickleball, badminton, tennis, etc. Also has a outdoor dog park open to the public.
• Enjoy arcade games at Pinky's Revenge
• Eat, drink and shop local boutique stores at Taylors Mill

GREENVILLE (18 mins from the Tiny Dice House)

Greenville is the cultural and culinary heart of the Upstate—walkable, polished, and full of energy. Downtown blends thoughtful urban design with great food, public art, and green space, making it easy to fill a full day without ever getting in your car.

Food & Drinks

☕️ Coffee & Tea:

• Methodical Coffee – Stylish coffeehouse featuring its own brand of artisanal coffee beans, barista drinks & pastries. Several locations throughout GVL including one in Commons.
• Due South Coffee Roasters – Hip, industrial-style coffeehouse offering gourmet coffee drinks, pastries & other simple nibbles. Located inside Hampton Station.
• Other Lands - A modern neighborhood brewery, coffee shop and cafe with small bites.
• Daydrinkers - A down to earth hip coffee shop with all your favorite drinks.
• Feng Cha - Nationally recognized bubble tea store that has the best boba and milk foam cakes in town.
• Ding Tea - Another good boba tea shop with yummy bubble waffles.
• Kung Fu Tea -Popular bubble tea brand to get your boba fix.

🍽️ Restaurants:

• Scoundrel - Greenville's first Michelin star restaurant, blending French tradition with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
• The Anchorage – Locally sourced American small plates, cocktails & wine in white-walled digs with blue banquettes.
• Jianna – Italian housemade pastas, seafood and cocktails with a polished riverfront feel and city views. 
• The Jones Oyster Co. - Good oysters and seafood in downtown GVL.
• Gather GVL - Cool venue with food trucks made out of shipping containers with occasional events, live music, etc. 
• The Commons - Coffee, booze & light fare in an airy, modern complex with dining & retail stalls plus green spaces.
• White Duck Taco - Creative and delicious tacos with unique flavors.
• Keipi - Located inside Hampton Station, serving authentic Georgian food.
• Green Fetish - Fast, casuall yummy salad bowls similar to Sweetgreen.
• Aryana Afghan Cuisine - Distinctive Afghan flavors combine in the range of meat & vegetable dishes at this relaxed spot. The lamb shank is heavenly.
• Sum Bar - A fusion take on your classic dim sum dishes.
• Fork & Plough - Unfussy restaurant prepping farm-fresh brunch staples, meat dishes & seafood, plus cocktails & wine.
• Asia Pacific Restaurant & Supermarket – The most authentic Chinese (Cantonese-based flavors) food you'll find in all of Upstate that is a hidden gem literally hidden inside an Asian grocery store.

🍺 Breweries:

• Spirit & Bower - Inside the Grand Bohemian Lodge
• Fireforge Crafted Beer
• Yee-Haw Brewing
• Liability Brewing
  

🍫 Desserts:

• The Chocolate Shoppe
• Poppington's Popcorn
• Jeni’s Ice Cream
  
• Scout's Doughnuts
• Parlor Doughnuts
• Clare's Creamery

🥬 Groceries & Farmers Markets:

• Greenville State Farmers Market
• Swamp Rabbit Café & Grocery
• Asia Pacific Supermarket
• Hooked Meat
• Revival Butchery

Things to Do in Greenville:

🛍️ Shopping:

• Visit the art gallery inside the Grand Bohemian Lodge
• Local boutiques and shops on Main Street
• Boardwalk Board Game Store

🎯 Activities:

• Hampton Station - Axe Throwing
• Takeoff Mini Golf at Airport
• Group Therapy Pub
• Greenville Zoo
• Discovery Museum
• Hampton Station

🌳 Nature & Outdoors:

• Falls Park on the Reedy
• Paris Mountain State Park
• Unity Park
• Fall for Greenville
• Swamp Rabbit Trail

GREER (20 mins from the Tiny Dice House)

Greer has quietly become one of the Upstate’s most charming small downtowns. Centered around Greer Station, it mixes historic character and architecture with modern food & drink spots, and an easy, walkable layout.

Food & Drinks

☕️ Coffee & Tea:

• Scandi Tiny Coffee – Scandinavian-inspired and minimalist tiny home coffee shop that operates out of a tiny home community.
• Barista Alley

🍽️ Restaurants:

• SELECT Restaurant
• Cartwright Food Hall
• Mi Irie on Trade
• House 509 Bistro & Wine Bar
  
• Harvest Kitchen
• Los Mayas Mexican Grill

🍺 Breweries:

• Southern Growl – Excellent food and craft beer. Dog friendly.
  

🍪 Desserts:

• Crumbl Cookies
• Abbott's Frozen Custard

🌽 Groceries & Farmers Markets:

• Skyland Farms
• Lowes Foods of Greer
• The Willow Whole Health Market

Things to Do in Greer:

• Discover a new board game at Not Just Gamin'
• Walk around downtown and along the historic Greer Station
• Try out the pergola swings at Greer City Park
• Have a picnic at Lake Robinson

Landrum (30 mins from the Tiny Dice House)

Tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Landrum feels like a postcard – tranquil, scenic but full of character. It's where you'll see homes with large pastures, horses and farm animals. It’s slower, quieter, and perfect for antique hunting, scenic drives, and unplugging for an afternoon while breathing in that crisp mountain air. 

Food & Drinks

☕️ Coffee & Tea:

• Cardinal Coffee & Bistro
• Third Space Coffee & Bakery

🍽️ Restaurants:

• Stone Soup
• The Hare & the Hound
• Southside Smokehouse
  

🐓 Groceries & Farmers Markets:

• Landrum Farmer's Market

Things to Do in Landrum:

• Antique and vintage shopping
• Scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Mountains
• Campbell’s Covered Bridge
• Horseback riding

Mauldin & Simpsonville (35 mins from the Tiny Dice House)

This cluster of growing suburbs—Mauldin, Simpsonville, and Five Forks—offers convenience, space, and an increasingly solid food scene. This is the part of Upstate that feels most like living in your typical suburb with easy access to Greenville and plenty of everyday, convenient things and box stores. Many locals live, commute to and from, eat and unwind in this area day-to-day.

Food & Drinks

☕️ Coffee & Tea:

• Summer Moon Coffee
• Luna Cafe Bakehouse & Coffee Shop
• Chestnut Coffee House
• Ding Tea

🍽️ Restaurants:

• Volcano Korean BBQ & Hotpot
• Saffron Indian Cuisine
• Vaughns Food Hall

🍺 Breweries:

• 1885 Taproom
• Beer Den Cavern

🧁 Desserts:

• Old Europe Coffee and Desserts Bridgeway Station
  

🐓 Groceries & Farmers Markets:

• Trader Joe's
• Whole Foods
• Simpsonville Farmer's Market

Things to Do in Mauldin/Simpsonville:

• Bridgeway Station
• Top Golf
• Heritage Park
• Pickle Yard

We're always looking to explore new places and support local businesses so let us know if we missed something that you'd recommend as one of your favorite places in Greenville and Upstate, SC!

Need a place to stay while you're visiting Greenville?

👉 Book the most unique stay in town at the Tiny Dice House or a luxury getaway at the Travelers Nest Cabin.