A Look at the International Cuisine of Spartanburg
Spartanburg’s food options reflect its status as a growing, diverse, and global community. With more than 75 countries represented by more than 100 international businesses countywide, authentic flavors from all over the globe can be found around Spartanburg County.
Mexican
Burrito Hub
Burrito Hub is Spartanburg’s local version of Chipotle or Moe’s, featuring fast-casual (and delicious) Mexican food that serves up the classics – burritos, tacos, quesadillas and nachos – all made with fresh ingredients. Specialty guacamole, one with mango and cucumber and the other with pork and cheese, have become signature appetizers at Burrito Hub.
el paso tacos and tequila
El Paso Tacos and Tequila opened its first SC restaurant in October 2022 in Downtown Spartanburg (at 149 S. Daniel Morgan Ave., to be exact). Diners can find much more than tacos and tequila, though. The menu features an array of enchiladas, soups and salads, burritos, and combination platters with heavy portion sizes (so come hungry).
Mezcal Taberna Mexicana
Mezcal celebrates traditional Mexican food by featuring tapas made with traditional Mexican ingredients and an upscale, modern technique. Serving lunch and dinner, Mezcal’s menu includes distinctly flavorful salads, tortas (Mexican sandwiches), and tapas-sized taco with smoked brisket, pork-belly carnitas, ahi tuna or roasted chicken.
El Chile Rojo
Along Downtown Landrum’s main drag – Rutherford Street – El Chile Rojo is a classic Mexican restaurant serving up the favorites. El Chile Rojo is a popular gathering space in Landrum thanks to their menu and specialty drinks.
Mr. Jalapeno
While we’re talking about popular Mexican restaurants in emerging towns in Spartanburg County, we have to mention Woodruff’s Mr. Jalapeno. The centerpiece of a shopping strip brought to life by a local family, Mr. Jalapeno benefits from its proximity to the locally-owned Country Meat Center.
Asian
Soulisa’s Fine Thai Dining
Soulisa’s brings together Thai and Japanese flavors in historic Downtown Landrum. With a plethora of soups and appetizers, Soulisa’s offers red, yellow, and green curry sure to satisfy any spice fans, and Thai noodle dishes, fried rice and other entrees bringing out traditional Thai flavors. You can also find Japanese favorites like teriyaki and hibachi style proteins with veggies and rice, and an entire portion of the menu dedicated to vegan diets specifically.
Chef Ae’s
Owned and operated by its namesake, Chef Ae, this fusion-French and-Thai restaurant is inside the historic Baber Rhyne building on the outskirts of Downtown Spartanburg. The eclectic menu featuring curries, a cheesesteak crepe and Thai garlic pork ribs.
Thai Taste
Just outside the City of Spartanburg, Thai Taste has become a popular lunch spot with many thanks to their abundant fried rice varieties, noodle soups, and other Thai dining specialties. And don’t worry, there are non-spicy options if you have a sensitive tongue.
Pokenori
Hawaiian-style poke is brought to Spartanburg at Pokenori, with poke bowls and sushi burrito options filling the menu. Poke – with clean, fresh ingredients, features sustainable raw fish, or chicken, along with a plethora of freshly-cut vegetables, toppings and sauces that come together to form a fresh, flavorful dish that’s hard to compare to anything else.
Lemongrass Kitchen
Downtown Spartanburg’s Lemongrass Kitchen focuses on classic Vietnamese noodle dishes like pho, and the popular street food, the Banh Mi sandwich. Served on a French baguette, the Banh Mi features a variety of proteins and vegetables, typically including jalapenos, pickled carrots and daikon radish, and cilantro.
Miyako Sushi Group
Miyako Sushi Group brings fresh, clean flavors to the table at its Downtown Spartanburg restaurant. A downtown staple for years, Miyako brought its unique sushi rolls to a new, bigger space on Magnolia Street, helping anchor a new dining corridor downtown.
EUROPEAN
Delaney’s
While Delaney’s Irish Pub is maybe most popular for their drinks, don’t sleep on the classic English and Irish food they’re serving up. Classics like Shepherd’s Pie, corned beef and cabbage, and bangers and mash can be found on their menu all year long.
sophia’s restaurant
Sophia’s dishes out Italian favorites like the Penne alla Vodka and Chicken Parmigiana, this spot in the heart of Downtown is a perfect place for a date-night, celebration dinner, or just treating yourself to something delicious. While only opened in September 2020, Sophia’s is becoming one of the best places to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine during your visit to Spartanburg. Be sure to save room for the house favorite, tiramisu, or our pick, the cannoli.
Gerhard’s Café
Gerhard’s serves up European-American classics, specifically some German cuisine along with specialty pizzas. Opened in 1993, the café brings German and Austrian dishes like wiener schnitzel, roasted pork and more to hungry Spartanburg diners.
The Crepe Factory
Locally owned and operated, The Crepe Factory and its new Inman location brings the French classic it’s named for together with local ingredients, offering sweet and savory crepes sure to appease any palette. Inside a historic building from the early 1900s, The Crepe Factory is a popular spot to start spring and summer mornings when the temperature is just right.