The illustrious Michelin Guide now resides in the American South, creating a travel guide that includes destinations such as Greenville, SC; Charleston, SC; and Atlanta, GA, among many others. The Peace Center downtown recently hosted the first-ever Michelin Guide Ceremony for the American South, with multiple local restaurants coming away with wins and recommendations.
There was only a single One Michelin Star winner announced here in Greenville, SC. Congratulations to Chef Joe Cash and Scoundrel restaurant for this recognition!
According to the Michelin Guide website, “the famous one, two, and three Michelin Stars identify establishments serving exceptional cuisine that’s rich in flavor, remarkably executed and infused with the personality of a talented chef.” The criteria used by the Michelin Inspectors to determine the star rating of a restaurant are: “quality of the ingredients used, mastery of flavor and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in his cuisine, value for money, and consistency between visits.”
⭐️ Scoundrel ($$$) – Address: 18 N. Main St., Greenville, SC, 29601. Opening hours: Tuesday–Thursday (5–9 pm), Friday & Saturday (5–10 pm), and Sunday–Monday (closed). This French bistro, led by local Greenvillian Chef Joe Cash, is known for its signature cocktail menus and happy-hour specials at the bar. The service is superb, accompanied by menu favorites such as tableside beef tartare, steaks with duck fat fries, Caesar salad, and caviar service. Chef Joe trained in the kitchens of the original Torrisi, Noma, and Per Se before returning to his hometown to bring some of that culinary magic to the Upcountry. Reservations are highly recommended, but seats at the bar are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
No Bib Gourmands were awarded in Greenivlle this year (establishments that serve good food at moderate prices, held to the same five criteria as stars). However, there were multiple “Michelin Recommended restaurants”, a sign of a chef using well-cooked quality ingredients, and the food is above average, but not at the level of a Bib Gourmand or star. Here are the recommended restaurants in the Upcountry:
🌺 Jianna ($$$) – Address: 600 S. Main St., Greenville, SC, 29601. Opening hours: Tuesday – Thursday and Sunday (starting at 5 pm with last seating at 9 pm), Friday – Saturday (starting at 5 pm with last seating at 9:30 pm), and Monday (closed). Please visit the website for additional hours and to make a reservation. Chef Michael Kramer heads the team at Jianna, a craft Italian restaurant overlooking Falls Park in downtown Greenville. They’re known for their seafood, freshly-made pastas, wine program, and desserts made by in-house pastry chef Alison Legg.
🌺 Soby’s ($$) – Address: 207 S. Main St., Greenville, SC, 29601. Opening hours: Monday – Thursday (Dinner 5 – 9 pm), Friday (Dinner 5 – 10 pm), Saturday (Brunch 11 am – 2 pm; Dinner 5 – 10 pm), and Sunday (Brunch 10 am – 2 pm; Dinner 4:30 – 9 pm). The original restaurant in the Table 301 Group (named for a two-seater table on the second floor that gives a birds-eye-view of the kitchen), Soby’s New South Cuisine is famous for its crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and White Chocolate Banana Cream Pie. This restaurant won a “Wine Spectator Grand Award” in the summer of 2025, awarding its wine program with global honors.
🌺 The Anchorage ($$$) – Address: 586 Perry Ave., Greenville, SC, 29611. Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday (5 pm – 9:30 pm). With a local shop for take-home wines (try them before you buy), and a focus on thoughtfully prepared small plates, craft cocktails, beer, and sustainable wine, this is a not-to-miss restaurant in the Village of West Greenville. They regularly host wine dinners and offer a four-course tasting menu featuring SC-sourced ingredients, including produce from Tyger River Farms and Anson Mills grits.
🌺 Topsoil Restaurant ($$$) – Address: 13 S. Main St., Travelers Rest, SC, 29690. Opening hours: Monday – Wednesday (Closed), Thursday – Friday (5 – 9 pm), Saturday (Brunch 10 am – 2 pm, 5 – 9 pm), and Sunday (Brunch 10 am – 2 pm, Chef’s Tasting Experience 6 – 8:30 pm). This restaurant prides itself on being as farm-to-table as possible, sourcing its ingredients from its 16-acre farm nearby, as well as from other local farms. They’re known for their chef’s tasting experiences and allergen-friendly options, catering to both gluten-free and vegan diners. Don’t miss grabbing some local produce and goodies in the general store as you walk in while waiting for your table.
Check out this article for more culinary adventures to travel in our area, and stay tuned for more from Upcountry SC!
By: Sarah (Moore) Gross, Contributing Author