Restaurants in Anderson
Anderson is a beautiful section of urban haven in northwestern South Carolina. It is dubbed the Electric City, as it is the first Southern city to utilize electricity through long-distance cables. Nowadays, Anderson is also known as the Friendliest City in South Carolina.
Anderson certainly has no shortage of fantastic dining options to choose from. Below is our list of some of the restaurants in Anderson we recommend trying during your time in the state’s “friendliest city”.
Arnold's Famous Homemade Hamburgers
Arnold’s Famous Homemade Hamburgers is an established restaurant serving comfort food that, while familiar to your tastes, can be new and exciting. Their menu items are proudly homemade — mouth-watering and juicy burgers, tasty salads, and satisfying sandwiches — staying true to the Anderson promise of Southern hospitality. This is why the people of Anderson voted them as the Best Burger in 2024’s Best Of Your Hometown Awards.
If you’re looking for great taste, great people, and a great ambiance, Arnold’s Famous is the place for you. You’ll really get a good grasp on what Anderson is while munching on comfort food.
Mama Penn’s Restaurant
Mama Penn’s is not just a restaurant — it’s an Anderson tradition. Mama Penn’s started as a family restaurant and boasts ‘Real Southern Cooking.’ They’ve been serving quality food, great customer service, and getting the most bang for your buck for more than half a century.
Mama Penn’s Restaurant is a great establishment to bring your family to and indulge in hearty and filling Southern cooking. They serve not only great meals throughout the day, but they serve excellent breakfasts too!
Earle Street Kitchen and Bar
Earle Street Kitchen and Bar in downtown Anderson is a quaint yet classy go-to for people who want to try something new. If you’re looking to expand your tastes and experience twists on timeless classics, then this is the place for you. If it is a Southern staple, Earle Street has probably upgraded it with local ingredients and impeccable technique, from fried pickles and green tomatoes to meatloaves.
Their unique menu may look daunting to the hungry. However, the restaurant’s friendly servers are very knowledgeable about their offerings, and it would make dinner an easier choice should you heed their recommendations. Earle Street also has plenty of space and a fully stocked bar, making it a great venue for parties.
J Peters Grill & Bar
J Peter’s Grill & Bar is a picturesque restaurant a stone’s throw away from Carolina Wren Park. It’s another restaurant by Jon Angell, a well-known restaurateur with numerous successful restaurants all over the Southeast. Of course, this restaurant comes equipped with Jon Angell’s classic recipes (and must-try dishes) like the decadent She-Crab Soup and the juicy Slow Roasted Prime Rib.
The prices may seem a little steep once you sit down, but just wait for the delicious food to hit your table. Their servings are huge — enough to fill you up and then some. J Peters also satisfies the eyes with their classy ambiance and pretty plating.
MaKi Sushi Bar & Bistro
Any self-respecting town would have a sushi bar to their name. Anderson’s answer to that need is MaKi Sushi Bar and Bistro. Located just outside of Carolina Wren Park, it’s an easy-going hole-in-the-wall to visit if you want to taste something new.
They have tons of Asian food offerings — like Japanese, Chinese and Filipino food — and can cater to your dietary needs if you’re vegetarian or vegan. If you’re looking to dive into new tastes, then MaKi Sushi Bar and Bistro will be a pool of Asian flavors that you may want to try.
McGee’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
At the heart of every city is a place where all kinds of people can come together for a good conversation and even better drinks. McGee’s is that place for downtown Anderson. They offer unique beers and whiskies from around the world, and a dazzling wine selection that took home multiple Wine Spectator Awards.
The real charm of McGee’s, however, is their food. Their kitchen can whip up multiple tastes, like Scottish, Irish, and country cooking. They also get produce for most of their menu items farm-to-table from the owner’s farm located only in Starr, SC. McGee’s is the type of pub that can become a staple for you and your friends or a place where you can meet new ones.
Sullivan’s Metropolitan Grill
Sullivan’s Metropolitan Grill is a family-owned restaurant located a couple of blocks from Carolina Wren Park. Chances are, this place was probably already recommended to you. They’re that popular — winning accolades left and right. They boast a world-class dining experience right in the heart of downtown Anderson. Sullivan’s is a great choice to dine in if you want to dress it up for the night with your partner or your family.
At Sullivan’s, you can enjoy juicy steaks cooked to perfection and freshly-prepared pasta that quenches your need for fine dining. Sullivan’s also offers private dining and catering for functions and parties at modest fees. Here’s a pro-tip: you can get a complimentary slice of key lime pie on your first online order.
Arden’s Burger & Grill
Arden’s Burger & Grill is probably the spin that your Anderson trip needs. This joint doesn’t serve normal burgers — that’s what other burger restaurants are for. While you may not see your run-of-the-mill cheeseburgers on Arden’s menu, they serve specialty burgers with extraordinary Asian flavors. They even serve delicious dumplings and have heavenly hibachis.
If you desire to be inspired with new flavors and new experiences, then grab yourself a handful of fries and a plate of dumplings at Arden’s Burger and Grill. Give Arden’s a shot if you’re in the area and try their Vietnamese Knockout Burger — it’s a, well, it’s a knockout.
SummaJoe's
If you’re in Anderson and you find yourself in a bit of a locavore craving, then the locals will point you toward SummaJoe’s. Here, they keep their promise of simple, local, and fresh very seriously. Their menu items are sourced locally and made fresh daily — from roast meats to pizza dough and sauces.
SummaJoe’s offers familiar tastes to those who know what they want. This makes it a great restaurant if you just want to hang back and enjoy a nice, quiet, and delicious meal in downtown Anderson. It’s quite near Carolina Wren Park, so if you’re passing by, we recommend that you stop by.
