The Anderson, Oconee, Pickens areas each have thriving restaurant scenes. Residents dine at fine places such as The Lighthouse on Lake Keowee or Rick Erwins in Clemson's Patrick Square. Neighbors gather at popular spots like The Smokin’ Pig off of Clemson Boulevard for happy hour deals and good choices for kid-friendly dining. Below we featured many local picks for favorite restaurants and dining experiences!

Earle Street Kitchen and Bar

This place is a gem, offering Southern comfort food with a twist. Many dishes have locally sourced ingredients. Here you can taste trendy and delicious cuisine without breaking the bank. Pick anything from their menu and you will not be disappointed. They also offer a popular Sunday brunch with outdoor seating.

134 W Earle St, Anderson, SC; 864-965-9052

Summa Joes

Summa Joe's is a charming, retro restaurant with fresh food, great variety and friendly service. It’s the perfect place to go when you have the feeling like, "I'll know what I want when I see it.” Just be patient, this place can get busy.

127 N Main St, Anderson, SC; 864-965-9030

Sullivan Metropolitan Grill

Sullivan’s Metropolitan Grill is a favorite local restaurant. It’s a wonderful sit-down restaurant for the whole family. Originally opened as a hardware store during the late 1800s, the unique building has morphed into the fine dining destination for lunch, dinner, business meetings, catering affairs and weddings. 

208 S Main St, Anderson, SC; 864-226-8945

Raines On Main

Great atmosphere. Great food. Great prices. The owner and his wife are very personable and always take time to speak to every guest. Best pool tables in the area AND drink prices are cheaper than almost every place downtown!

312 S Main St, Anderson, SC; 864-622-8339

The Smokin’ Pig

Three words — get the brisket! The Smokin' Pig may look like a country shack, but serves some of the BEST Barbecue in South Carolina.

6630 Clemson Blvd, Pendleton, SC; 864-646-5150

720 Anderson Dr, Williamston, SC; 864-841-2323

701 S Pendleton St, Easley, SC; 864-442-5074

The Boondocks

The menu is southern, i.e. plenty of options for a burger, chicken fingers or salads. A featured item on the menu is the “Bird-dog,” a tasty, uniquely southern treat. They use only quality ingredients to bring their customers the best food possible.

3819 N Hwy 81, Anderson, SC; 864-540-8181

J Peters Grill & Bar

Great service in a restaurant with a superior atmosphere. For the quality of the restaurant, the prices are reasonable, and the early bird specials are practically a steal. Some local favorites on the menu at J Peters include true She-Crab Soup and Slow Roasted Prime Rib.

202 S Main St, Anderson, SC; 864-224-0040

Rick Erwin’s Clemson

Rick Erwin’s is an A+ experience from start to finish. The restaurant’s atmosphere is lovely, the food is delicious and the craft drinks are on the mark. It is obvious the staff are all well trained and enjoy their jobs. 

127 Market Street, Clemson, SC; 864-654-9466

Joe’s New York Pizza

Enjoy some of the best pizza in the south, where your taste buds are sure to dance a little jig. Even the most picky of eaters will be satisfied — it will fill up the soul.

104 Thomas Green Blvd, Clemson, SC; 864-722-5464

685 By Pass 123 # D, Seneca, SC; 864-888-0009

Pot Belly Deli

An absolute staple in the Clemson & surrounding areas. PBD serves up an amazing breakfast, lunch & dinner for anyone looking for a fresh meal. 

109 Wall St, Clemson, SC; 864-653-3663

The LightHouse Restaurant

Fantastic food, creative menu, friendly and efficient staff, all wrapped up in a fun lake-themed environment. The Lighthouse offers a lovely dining experience on beautiful Lake Keowee. The menu is dense and the prices are fair. They even have a cabana down by the lake that serves its own food and drinks!

1290 State Rd S-37-15, Seneca, SC; (864) 888-4446

Solé Grill and Sushi Bar

Locals say it’s the best sushi in a 30 mile radius. Pro tip: call for reservations on Friday and Saturday if you don't want a 30+ minute wait!  The restaurant is clean with a nice, yet casual atmosphere and friendly staff. On Wednesdays, they have a special BOGO on a large selection of rolls.

700 By Pass 123, Seneca, SC; 864-882-9463

Sole On The Green

Open for lunch and dinner, Sole On The Green is a full service restaurant and bar located inside the Clemson University Conference Center and Inn. The dining room and outdoor patio look over the beautiful Walker Golf Course and Lake Hartwell. The fountain, lake and all the greenery is soul soothing therapy.

230 Madren Center Rd, Clemson, SC; (864) 656-7444

Blue Marble Deli & City Market

By far one of the best places to eat in Seneca. They offer fresh baked breads, sandwiches, soups & salads, a butcher shop, fresh pasta, imported cheeses and fresh seafood.

286 Market St, Seneca, SC; 864-280-6717

Blue Heron Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Blue Heron offers the finest steaks and fresh seafood. The restaurant is dedicated to providing its customers with delicious and innovative food with select dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients. Choose between dining upstairs in a more formal setting, downstairs at the bar, or outside on the patio.

405 College Ave #130, Clemson, SC; 864-653-3354

PRESST food and wine

The best at putting together tasty and fresh combinations for wraps and salads; or satiate your lunch cravings with a delicious pressed sandwich on freshly baked breads. All the employees are attentive and eager to please. Give it a try — you will not be disappointed.

12019 N Radio Station Rd, Seneca, SC; 864-973-8978

Calhoun Corners Restaurant

Located in a historic building, Calhoun Corners is an upscale restaurant with delicious food and a full bar. Locals say it is a great place for gathering for your special events. In an area of limited restaurant options, this is a quaint upscale establishment with excellent steak and seafood.

103 Clemson St, Clemson, SC; 864-654-7490

Groucho’s Deli

Groucho’s is a chain restaurant that is known for their classic deli sandwiches and signature sides. You definitely cannot go wrong with an Apollo and the Formula "45" sauce.  Great place to eat, especially during Clemson game days.

104 Fendley St, Clemson, SC; 864-653-7764 

SunnySide Café

SunnySide Cafe brings a new flare to Southern comfort food. Specializing in locally sourced ingredients, SunnySide Cafe offers fresh, feel good food in a comfortable atmosphere. No need to add salt or butter to the grits, and the eggs taste like they were just gathered that morning. Local, fresh & delicious!

101 Market Street, Clemson, SC; 864-653-9532

Tipsy Taco

Enjoy a fun, laid back environment specializing in made-from-scratch Tex-Mex favorites like street tacos, tamales, fajitas, and much more. The bright painted walls create a warm, inviting energy with a creative Mexican Twist. Definitely a five star destination when you’re craving nachos. PRO TIP: With an extra order of chips you have plenty for two, because they are generous with the toppings.

102 Southern Center Way, Easley, SC; (864) 644-8314

13430 Clemson Boulevard, Seneca, SC; 864-654-0188

BREWS on the Alley

Great brewhaus; combines beer brews and coffee brews, PLUS hosts a great selection of both. They also have a set of shelves dedicated to beers you can take home. You can bring in food to eat while you are enjoying drinks. Popular local hangout; come to relax after a long day at work.

109 Ram Cat Alley, Seneca, SC; 864-973-8923

Palmettos Smokehouse and Oyster Bar

The great food and excellent service will keep you coming back. This full service bar and cozy dining room sells fresh oysters from the Gulf, Atlantic, and North Atlantic. Guess what? They are shucked right in front of you.

199 Old Greenville Hwy, Clemson, SC; 864-810-7339

Copper River Grill

A great place for anyone and everyone, Copper River serves traditional American cuisine made from high quality ingredients and offered at moderate prices. The atmosphere is upscale casual and features wide-open show kitchens, stone fires, comfortable booths and other inviting elements reminiscent of an Alaskan mountain lodge.  

514 US-123, Seneca, SC; 864-888-8788

The Pizza House Greek & Italian Restaurant

The food is amazing, and the method they use to build pizzas is above and beyond (toppings in between the layers of cheese? Smart!). Just be careful when you ask for extra cheese, the amount of cheese is unquestionably 'extra'.

50 Halter Dr, Piedmont, SC; 864-605-0065

Serendipity Café

Cheerful venue with exposed-brick walls serving American cafe eats, including soups & sandwiches. Even when it's busy, you can often find a table that offers a little privacy for thoughtful conversation. Need to take colleagues or buddies out for lunch? Excellent custom catering services for every occasion; treat your guests to delectable dishes like the pot roast or their exclusive range of homemade soups.

104 E W Main St, Easley, SC; 864-855-8921

Skins Hot Dogs

Nobody has cooked a hot dog quite like Skin Thrasher’s. With their special blend of pork and beef hotdogs and the family-friendly atmosphere, it’s no wonder they have been featured in magazines and polls around the country.

3420 Clemson Blvd, Anderson, SC; 864-226-4588

Mellow Mushroom

Funky, art-filled chain pizzeria featuring craft beer, calzones & creative stone-baked pizzas. It's somewhat New York style, but Mellow Mushroom started out in the south's own Atlanta, GA.

1007 Tiger Blvd, Clemson, SC; 864-718-5062

Pixie & Bill's

This signature fine dining establishment has been operating in Clemson since 1971 and is considered a landmark restaurant for the area. The steaks and chops are outstanding and the delicious sides and appetizers pair perfectly. Topped off with excellent service. 

1058 Tiger Blvd, Clemson, SC; 864-654-1210

Tokyo Japanese Restaurant

Tokyo's is a top notch, high quality Japanese restaurant. The staff is quick to get food on the tables, and the taste is second to none. 

906 Tiger Blvd, Clemson, SC; 864-654-0037

1826 Bistro

Part of historic Farmers' Hall, this inviting bistro serves American fare such as steaks & seafood. The food is great and the menu changes regularly. Great wait staff, excellent menu, and good wine. Make your reservation for a truly enjoyable evening.

105 Exchange St, Pendleton, SC; 864-646-5500

Mac’s Drive In

Customers enjoy looking at the Clemson memorabilia decorating the walls of the diner. Definitely a must stop for all Clemson Tiger fans! Great nostalgia and drive-in food. THIS IS A CASH OR CHECK *ONLY* RESTAURANT. 

404 Pendleton Rd, Clemson, SC; 864-654-2845

The Pompous Pig

Fine meats smoked to loving perfection and sides prepared like momma used to make. In addition, the sauces are the real deal, especially the mustard sauce. The southern sweet tea is made like it’s supposed to be, and the staff's service is outstanding.

3320 N Main St, Anderson, SC; 864-231-7447

NYC Bagel and Sandwich Shop

NYC Bagel and Sandwich Shop is pleased to bring the authentic flavors of New York to Clemson, South Carolina. Not to mention a true, New York bagel, which is hard to find the further you go down the East Coast.

125 Anderson Hwy, Clemson, SC; 864-986-3040

Your Pie Pizza

Diners choose their dough, sauce, cheese & toppings for their pizza and then pair with gelato & microbrews. A fun place many locals enjoy. 

111 Earle St, Clemson, SC; 864-643-4180

Sardi’s Den

Sardi’s is a hole in the wall Clemson tradition known for their southern-style cuisine. A few customer favorites are BBQ ribs, peel-n-eat shrimp, and wings.

520 Old Greenville Hwy, Clemson, SC; 864-654-7427