GREENVILLE — Food & Wine Magazine is the latest to recognize Greenville, naming the city one of the top small U.S. cities for food and drink.
The municipality was chosen along with 10 other small locales (fewer than 100,000 residents) throughout the United States. They were cited for distinct identity, creative food and beverage scene.
Fork & Plough has found a rhythm in the Overbrook community, and has helped fuel retail and restaurant growth in the area.
By Lillia Callum-Penso
lcallumpenso@postandcourier.com
The recognition comes as Greenville’s culinary landscape has seen a swell of attention in the past year. In June, the Michelin Guide announced the city was chosen to host the first ever American South awards ceremony.
Greenville chocolate shop LaRue Fine Chocolate was also recently named No. 1 in the country by USA Today.
Soby’s, a stalwart of Greenville’s downtown dining scene, was last week awarded Wine Spectator’s Grand Award, becoming one of only 97 winners in the world since 1981. Soby’s is the only South Carolina restaurant ever to receive the award.
The Food & Wine focus on smaller food cities is part of the magazine’s Global Tastemakers Awards, which, per the magazine, aims to “celebrate culture, cuisine, and culinary experiences that are rooted in a true sense of place, highlighting not just incredible food cities, but businesses that lean into the soul of a destination.”
Greenville was chosen for the Food & Wine list for the city’s network of local food producers as well as the variety of cuisines.
“Downtown, cuisine from 34 countries spans five continents, adding global dimension to this Southern town’s palate,” wrote Wendy Pramik, who culled the list from her own travels, research and recommendations from other travel writers. “With year-round growing and serious kitchen ambition, Greenville has firmly established itself as a rising destination for curious eaters.”
Pramik’s write up specifically highlighted Bobby’s BBQ in Fountain Inn, Topsoil Kitchen & Market in Travelers Rest and Fork & Plough in Greenville’s Overbrook neighborhood.
Food & Wine’s Top Small US cities for Food & Drink
Asheville, N.C.Bozeman, Mont.McMinville, Ore.Santa Fe, N.M.Greenville, S.C.Burlington, Vt.Covington, Ky.Fredericksburg, TexasHeadlsburg, Calif.Oxford, Miss.Traverse City, Mich.