The Greek Festival in Greenville, SC is one of the most popular festivals and is coming soon – which means awesome food, lively entertainment, and vendors with beautiful, traditional Greek items. The 2023 Greek Festival is happening at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in downtown Greenville, SC on May 19-21, 2023.

I look forward to the Greek Festival every year and count down the days until I get my baklava and gyro fix. The spring festival is during the perfect time of year, usually having good weather and lots of lively entertainment.

The St. George Greek Orthodox Church hosts three days worth of music, food, and authentic Greek vendors that sell clothes, jewelry, and other fun goods. I love strolling through the vendors and have purchased jewelry and headbands in the past, plus lots of good food. Did I mention their baklava is amazing?

Everything to Know about Greenville’s Greek Festival

You can expect lots of live music and entertainment at the Greenville Greek Festival. You can typically see the full schedule of entertainment on the Greek Festival website. And it’s always jam-packed. There is a big, grassy seating area above the stage where you can hang out and watch the entertainment and there are also covered tables for dining.

The music is always so lively and fun. It makes me wish I had any knowledge whatsoever of Greek dancing. The costumes are beautiful as well with lots of bright colors and jingly things on the ends. Again, showing my lack of knowledge of traditional Greek outfits (apologies).

The festival takes place at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church and they will be offering tours of the inside plus have an iconography exhibit available.

Food available on the festival grounds outdoors are their traditional Gyros, Athenian Chicken, Pastichio, and Moussakawe. They also have Greek Pizza, Lamb Burgers, Greek Fries, Souvlaki, Greek-Style Ribs, Baklava Sundaes, Greek Donuts (Loukoumades), Greek Coffee, Lemonade and Beer. New in 2022, they will have a Taverna with Greek beer, wine, and “mezedes”, which is a traditional Greek appetizer.

If you haven’t had Greek pastries before, you need to try them. They will have many for sale including baklava, koulourakia, kourambiedes or a combination assortment. Get the baklava. It’s a layered pastry of thin philo dough with honey and nuts. Oh my gosh, I’m so hungry.

If you’re not able to attend the festival but still want the great food available, you can order drive-thru. They will be offering Athenian Chicken, Pastichio, or Moussaka plus my personal favorite, Gyros. And you can still get baklava at the drive-thru, which is on Elford Street (you’ll enter off Academy Street). The drive-thru closes 2 hours earlier each evening.

The 2023 Greek Festival will take place at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in downtown Greenville on May 19-21, 2023 (Friday-Sunday).

Admission benefits the Barbara Stone Foundation. The hours are Friday and Saturday, 11 am – 9 pm and Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm.

Who’s excited about the 2023 Greek Festival?

The nearly 100-location experiential fondue restaurant has embraced a more modern look in line with the brand's continued evolution and targeted growth

GREENVILLE, S.C., May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Melting Pot, the nearly-100 unit experiential fondue concept, has undertaken a major, system-wide remodel initiative to unify all locations with a more open, modern visual identity. Greenville's The Melting Pot location at 475 Haywood Rd Ste 5 Greenville, South Carolina 29607 is the most recent restaurant to remodel.

"When we started to undertake the remodel, we had a pretty wide variety of designs. The brand is a legacy brand, and some of our stores have not been updated since they opened in the early '80s," explained Deborah Ramos, senior design manager at Front Burner Brands. "All of the stores were well-maintained, but the system felt a bit disjointed. We're calling this remodeling effort Melting Pot Evolution because it's reflective of how our system is growing and changing to better serve our franchisees and guests."

The remodel also sets the tone for growth within South Carolina, as the restaurant franchise hopes to build upon its three existing locations within the state.

"We are teaming with restaurant operators interested in building an amazing dining experience within their community," said CEO Bob Johnston. "The Melting Pot has historically been a place to build special moment memories, and now, with our updated experience, it is for the frequent diner looking for an incredible, consistent meal out."

The revived Melting Pot design features a more open, inviting floor plan with an open dining room and a designated, but easily visible, bar area where bartenders can craft the concept's high-level cocktails.

"A lot of our stores are also using fireplaces and candle features, so there's additional movement and a playful element that reminds guests of fire and melting," Ramos added.

The location is the fifth of over 60 restaurants scheduled to be remodeled this year.

"We're scheduling the remodels with individual owners' needs in mind, but we continue to drive the changes because they really are having an impact," explained , director of construction and design at Front Burner Brands. "We have seen systemwide year-over-year revenue increases, and remodeled locations are performing nearly 20% better than non-remodeled locations."

In 2022, nearly 75% of open restaurants achieved all-time sales records, highlighting the brand's growing demand. The Melting Pot team is working to meet or exceed the 125-unit mark in 2026, targeting expansion in , , , , and more.

About Melting Pot Founded in 1975, Melting Pot has offered a unique fondue dining experience for more than 45 years. As the premier fondue restaurant franchise, Melting Pot has 97 restaurants in 31 U.S. states and . Known for offering a variety of fondue cooking styles and unique entrées, Melting Pot's menu also features cheese fondues, salads, fine wines, spirits and chocolate fondue desserts. Fondue fans can join Melting Pot's Club Fondue for exclusive promotions, special events and advance holiday reservation privileges. Melting Pot is an affiliate of Front Burner Brands, a restaurant management company headquartered in . For more information, visit . To learn more about franchise opportunities with Melting Pot, please visit .

About Front Burner Headquartered in , Front Burner is the restaurant management company for Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., the new casual whimsical dining concept Melting Pot Social and fast-casual concept Oronzo Honest Italian! Melting Pot currently has more than 96 restaurants in 31 U.S. states and . Melting Pot Social opened its first location in in . Oronzo opened its first location in in and will open a second location in the area in October of 2021. For more information, visit .

, Mainland, 3125263996,

Views from Bald Rock Heritage Preserve, under an hour from Greenville, SC, are reason enough to visit this beautiful spot. Here’s what you need to know to visit this pretty place.

I can’t remember exactly when I discovered Bald Rock. Maybe it was when I was curious as to why lots of cars were randomly parked on the side of the road heading up to Caesars Head State Park. I imagine that may be how a lot of people discover this place.

It’s certainly a unique place and one that takes hardly any effort in order to experience a breathtaking view of Greenville and Table Rock.

Bald Rock Heritage Preserve

Bald Rock Heritage Preserve, a land that stretches 165 acres, is actually managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and is part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness. There aren’t any signs that indicate where it is along the road but it’s easy to pull up on Google maps and it’s about five miles south of Caesars Head State Park.

Once you park at the pull-off, it’s a short, easy walk to beautiful views. There’s a small wooden footbridge next to garbage cans that you walk across and then up the granite, which opens to wide, beautiful views of the Carolina foothills.

There are pockets of granite that my kids like to think were made for them since they fit perfectly in many of these holes carved out by years of weather. There are also two headwater streams that run through the preserve, which provide an environment for rare fauna and flora.

There aren’t really hiking trails at the preserve but there is plenty of space for a picnic and to walk around the huge outcropping and explore the area near the streams in the woods.

Clean Up Efforts

The large rock outcropping has been vandalized with graffiti and excessive amounts of trash for the last several years, unfortunately. We always advocate following the seven principles of Leave No Trace when you enjoy the outdoors and it’s a sad sight when people leave a beautiful place much worse than when they found it.

The Friends of Bald Rock, a volunteer-based organization that started in 2021, has led substantial clean-up efforts for the preserve. They’ve hosted several days of community-wide litter clean-ups and provided power washers to start removing the graffiti. On one day of cleaning up the preserve in October 2022, the volunteers collected more than 300 pounds of litter.

They still have a long ways to go because the preserve has been so trashed in recent years (which isn’t the first place to be a victim of this kind of disrespect, unfortunately). People have had illegal fires, dumped entire cars off the rock outcropping, and strewn the area with broken glass and beer cans.

If you’d like to help in the clean-up efforts, sign up for the email newsletter that Friends of Bald Rock sends out and see their calendar of upcoming volunteer events.

Fireworks, drugs, graffiti, alcohol, littering, and campfires are all illegal and perpetrators can be fined up to $465. If you see anyone defacing Bald Rock or using drugs, alcohol, shooting off fireworks, or the like, you can report them by calling 1.800.922.5431.

Enjoying the Preserve

My kids and I really love Bald Rock Preserve and usually stop there if we are hiking in the area. It’s always worth the stop to enjoy the views. We’ve taken our hammocks up there multiple times to read and even do our homeschool work.

Parents do need to be cautious about broken glass though. While clean-up efforts are on-going, there is still broken glass around, especially in the forested areas and even on the rock outcropping where people have had illegal campfires.

Camping isn’t allowed by the way.

Pets are allowed at Bald Rock Preserve but must be kept on a leash. The preserve is open sunrise to sunset because of the vandalism. You don’t get a direct view of either the sunrise or the sunset but you will be able to see some beautiful landscapes.

Activities Near Bald Rock Heritage Preserve

Bald Rock Heritage Preserve is very close to Caesars Head State Park, which has miles and miles of hiking trails like the moderate Raven Cliff Falls hike and the Dismal-Naturaland-Gum Gap strenuous hike. The overlook at Caesars Head State Park is nearby as well and in the fall you can see the migration of hawks.

It is also near Wildcat Wayside Falls, Table Rock State Park, and Jones Gap State Park. Table Rock and Jones Gap have many miles of trails like the hard Table Rock Summit Trail and the moderately difficult Rainbow Falls Trail at Jones Gap.

If you’re headed to Pretty Place at YMCA Camp Greenville from Greenville, Bald Rock is on your way up there so it’s an easy stop. Additionally, Sassafras Mountain isn’t too far away. This beautiful spot is the highest point in South Carolina and you can drive right up to it and take a short walk to the platform. Fun fact: the platform splits North Carolina and South Carolina so you can literally stand in two states at one time.

Getting to Bald Rock Heritage Preserve

To get to Bald Rock from Greenville, take Highway 11 to Geer Highway and go about 2.8 miles. The pull-off to the preserve will be on your right. There is usually a guy selling honey at a small table there. The preserve is about five minutes from Wildcat Wayside Waterfall and five miles from Caesars Head State Park.

If you type in “Bald Rock Heritage Preserve” into a map, it will come up and give you directions. It’s a very popular place so you’ll see a lot of cars parked there during most times of the year.

Bald Rock Heritage Preserve6600 Geer Highway, Cleveland, SC 29635

The emerging food scene in Greenville, South Carolina, makes it a must-stop-and-eat destination.

As someone who has lived in Atlanta on and off since 1978, I'm still amazed at the gems that abound in every nook of the Southeast. There's great delight in discovering a new (to me) treasure like the concentration of Korean restaurants near the automotive manufacturers in Alabama or the abundance of incredible immigrant-led restaurants in Clarkston, Georgia.

I've often traveled through Greenville on the drive from Atlanta to Asheville to visit my parents. I can't count the number of times that I've purchased superior South Carolina peaches from the roadside stand next to the Spinx gas station in nearby Travelers Rest because I was wondering what to eat but drawing a blank. I won't have that problem after this eating expedition, because I have found that Greenville's culinary offerings make it a place worth savoring.

As a restaurant critic and a mom, I have two essential criteria for a Southern road trip: There must be good dining options and lots of activities. Greenville has both, including plenty of museums with exciting exhibits and established restaurants in every category, whether it's Bucky's Bar-B-Q or fresh regional cuisine at Soby's. There are imports from other Southern cities and towns, including the Mast General Store (with barrels of candy) and Halls Chophouse out of Charleston, but Greenville has a distinct personality all its own.

In recent years, the city's food scene has expanded its borders, both geographically and culturally. There's everything from Aryana Afghan Cuisine to tacos at Califas, a strip mall spot that started in 2020 as a pop-up serving trendy birria (a slow-cooked meat filling). Califas' owner, Erika Dila, hails from Culver City, California, hence menu items with names like Sunset Boulevard and Palm Springs. The classic Heavenly Delicious Birria Taco is a perfect benchmark for how this dish should taste, and the crispy tortilla shell and gooey strings of melted white cheese make it way too fun to eat. Dip it into the accompanying consommé (cooking liquid) for a saucy treat.

Meat and cheese plate from The Anchorage. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards Swordfish from The Anchorage. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards

Neighborhood favorite The Anchorage was a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2018. Chefs Gregory McPhee (who was on the opening team at Husk in Charleston) and Alex Morgan make this a can't-miss spot. Enter through Taxi House Wines, which sells a fun assortment of the bottles served at this bi-level eatery. Although the cocktails with whimsical names like Kermit the Fizz are delightful, wines match the incredible menu best. Delicious options might include a handcrafted cheese plate with silky smooth bourbon-liver mousse or a thick slab of North Carolina swordfish with fresh greens and fried garlic.

Ruth Doyle of The Cook’s Station. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards Pulled Brisket Sandwich at The Cook’s Station. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards

The Cook's Station presents a hyper-Southern array of products showcased next to top-of-the-line BlueStar ovens for those who have food and cooking on the brain. Its newest location on Buncombe Street in downtown Greenville opened during the pandemic and sells gadgets and goodies that you never even knew you needed. Want to shop for a while? Grab a glass of Champagne from the wine bar or a sandwich at the cafe.

Jianna’s Respect Your Elders cocktail. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards Jianna chef Michael Kramer. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards

In the West End of downtown, close to Fluor Field and the new South Carolina Children's Theatre, you'll find Gather GVL, an outdoor food court of multicolored shipping containers. It's home to 13 businesses serving everything from giant artisan doughnuts at HenDough to Maine-style lobster rolls at The Lob Father. As you walk down Augusta Street, you'll see cute boutiques selling brands like Vince, Longchamp, and Alice + Olivia plus locally made jewelry. After a day of shopping, lunch at Jianna is a wonderful way to recharge. Fresh pasta is the first thing you notice as you climb the pastel green stairs to the Italian eatery, which looks out onto Falls Park on the Reedy. If the weather permits, take a seat on the patio. Order the tender and light chicken piccata or any of the homemade pasta dishes. Each is sauced with a deft hand and is even better complemented by wine—you are on vacation, after all.

Pancakes at Oak Hill Café and Farm. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards Oak Hill Café and Farm’s bar. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards

Sourcing food locally is significant, so many establishments have plots of land where they grow fresh produce for their kitchens. Oak Hill Café and Farm uses permaculture growing techniques at their little roadside farm and restaurant. There's an on-site lab where executive chef David Porras and partner Lori Nelsen (a former laboratory manager in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at Furman University) meld cooking with science. Given the beautiful presentations (like the warm corn masa empanadas served over stones in a white bowl decorated with fronds of greenery), it's no wonder Oak Hill was a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in 2020. Next time I return, it'll be for dinner to try the chicken blanquette served with Carolina Gold rice, parsnips, mushrooms, turnips, and pearl onions in a rich cream sauce. While you can eat outdoors, it's chicer inside, so treat yourself.

Topsoil Restaurant in Travelers Rest. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards Trio of Spreads and Chicken Liver Pâté at Topsoil Restaurant. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards

It would be hard to discuss the culinary scene in Greenville without mentioning the town of Travelers Rest, which is about 9 miles away and growing into a powerhouse with strong ties to the land. There you'll find Topsoil Restaurant. As soon as you see the door handles, which are cast from metal to look like curled carrots (with tops intact), you'll know this is a place that takes the earth seriously. Committed to farm-to-table cuisine, chef Adam Cooke was a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef Southeast in 2020.

Topsoil Restaurant’s fresh bread. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards Brunch at Topsoil Restaurant. PHOTO: Peter Frank Edwards

Baguettes are for sale near the hosting stand, but save yourself for the jaw-dropping ways this kitchen spins ingredients, such as a plate of za'atar-roasted carrots and beets served with chard hummus and cilantro pesto. If you're lucky, you might catch the homemade raspberry doughnuts; they're slightly sweet, a little tart, and pure love in each warm bite.

Wondering where to stay? The Westin is a stalwart on Main Street, but if you like something more contemporary, the AC Hotel Greenville feels brand-new and has a rooftop area ideal for special events. During my stay, the license plates in and out of the valet hailed from as far away as New York.

Given the abundance of tourists visiting Southern towns, it seems like the rest of the nation is finally waking up to find that our culinary industry has something to say—and we don't whisper. After seeing other cities get their due, it's great fun to watch the accolades for the Greenville area roll in and to see its tide rise.

You’ve been hearing a lot about Greenville, South Carolina, in recent years—and that’s because it has something for everybody. With a population hovering around 75,000, South Carolina’s most charming town is where big city cool meets small-town America.

Downtown’s tree-lined main street could be plucked from a postcard, and Reedy River, along with the roaring Reedy River Falls, ripple right through the heart of the city—lending it an even more special feel. And because so many global companies (including Michelin, BMW, and Bosch) have headquarters and operations in the area, Greenville boasts a wonderfully diverse population. There’s also an incredible number of locally-owned restaurants and shops ready to show you their own unique style of Southern hospitality, and the weather is blissfully mild—even during this time of year.

So here, how to plan a winter weekend in Greenville with recommendations on where to eat and drink, shop, and stay.

Where to Eat and Drink

If there’s one restaurant that should top your list, it’s Camp. Conveniently situated downtown at Camperdown Plaza, this contemporary and globally-inspired restaurant led by talented chef Drew Erickson—who cut his culinary chops at The French Laundry—conjures up all the fun you had at camp as a child with four distinct dining areas (chef’s counter, main room and bar, outdoor patio, and rooftop bar) and a menu brimming with craveable plates from all over the world, from pork belly buns with housemade kimchi to calamari Thai Tom Kha. Despite the service and food being polished, the vibe is refreshingly inclusive and laid back—no wonder Camp has weekly regulars.

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ByAmy DaniseEditor

The Anchorage in The Village of West Greenville is also a lovely option for dinner. Here, James Beard Nominated Chef Greg McPhee and his affable team turn out ever-changing, vegetable-forward small plates in a charming historic structure. The wine list is exceptional, with a strong showing of natural and sustainable producers. Craving a classic steakhouse experience? Then check out Larkin’s, a Greenville institution that recently relocated to a crisp new space just off of Camperdown Plaza for perfectly-grilled chops and ice-cold martinis. And for the best nightcap in town, make a reservation at The Press Room, an intimate and modern-day speakeasy that will text you a secret code for entry on the day of your visit.

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Short on time and seeking something light and nutritious? Sip on some fresh-pressed juices from Kuka Juice and Southern Pressed Juicery. If you’re craving a more substantial snack, there’s plenty of choices. Rise Bakery purveys naturally leavened breads and made-from-scratch pastries using old-world European techniques, while Le Petit Croissant by Vincent Caradonna specializes in huge, all-butter croissants and exquisite handcrafted sweets such as macarons and chocolates. Also, don’t miss Gather GVL, a lively outdoor food hall with vendors doling out lobster rolls, pizza slices, and fried chicken biscuits from upcycled shipping containers by Fluor Field.

Where to Shop

If you have a sweet tooth, swing by Mast General Store, where barrels are packed with old-fashioned candy (Bit-O-Honey, Long Boys, Beemans Gum) you can buy by the pound. M. Judson Booksellers and Storytellers conjures up all the nostalgia of the independent shops many of us grew up with by offering a wonderfully diverse book selection, regular events and readings, and Camilla Kitchen for coffee and light bites. Owned by chef Veera Gaul, Oil & Vinegar Greenville lets you sample from a wide range of domestic and imported oils and vinegars before purchasing. (There’s also other kitchen essentials, like salt, spice blends, and hot sauces.) For the ultimate souvenir, book a candle making class at Greenville Soy Candle Co., where you’ll learn the ins and outs of candles, from why using natural waxes like soy is important for the environment to how custom fragrances are blended. The best part? You’ll get to take home your very own creation.

Where to Stay

When Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville opened last August, it ushered in a real sense of luxury to Greenville—something the city so deserved. Subtly nodding to its spectacular setting overlooking Reedy River Falls, the 187 guest rooms and suites sport thoughtful touches (like tree branch sconces) nodding to nature and plenty of space to spread out. Even the lobby dazzles with its oversized stone fireplace and elaborate Native American art collection. The tiny-but-mighty Poseidon Spa offers classic facials and massages to help balance your body and mind, while the hotel’s downstairs lounge Spirit & Bower is Greenville’s buzziest place to unwind after a long day of exploration with a well-crafted cocktail and refined bite (think Chattooga trout dip and Wagu beef sliders).