🌟 Looking for a creative date-day idea or a local experience in Greenville, SC? At The Chef’s Table from Greenville History & Culinary Tours offers an unforgettable way to explore Greenville through delicious food and interesting history.

I’ve lived in Greenville my whole life, and I thought I knew every nook and cranny of downtown Greenville. That is, until I took one of Greenville’s history tours, At The Chef’s Table, with John Nolan. This 2.5-hour walking tour blended the rich history of downtown Greenville with some of downtown’s most delicious restaurants.

It turned out to be one of the best date days my husband and I have ever had! It’s easy, fun, and absolutely delicious, the kind of food tour that will make anyone, from lifelong Greenvillians to first-time visitors, fall in love with the city. We loved the Saturday afternoon tour, but John also offers an At the Chef’s Table Tuesday Night tour as well!

Special thanks to John Nolan of Greenville History & Culinary Tours for inviting us on this tour.

The Storyteller Guiding Greenville’s History Tours

Local author and historian John Nolan has combined two of his greatest passions, Greenville’s rich history and booming culinary industry, into one unforgettable experience. His At the Chef’s Table tour takes guests on a walking culinary adventure through some of downtown Greenville’s best restaurants, complete with fascinating stories, historic photos, and relaxed conversation. After over 18 years of providing historic tours of Greenville, John has gotten really good at his job!

Greenville’s food scene has absolutely taken off in recent years. The city is now home to talented, creative chefs who blend local and international flavors to craft dishes that are as memorable as the stories behind them. All of the stops on the tour feature Table 301 restaurants, known for shaping Greenville’s modern dining culture with innovation and heart. John has created something special and unique, really showcasing how wonderful downtown Greenville is. It’s really interesting to think about the massive transformation the area has gone through in a little over a century.

At The Chef’s Table Tour: A Bite-Sized Preview

The Lazy Goat: Mediterranean Flavors to Start

Our first stop was The Lazy Goat, and from the moment we walked in, we felt like VIPs. The sous chef personally introduced the menu, describing how each course had been curated just for our group; many items weren’t even on the regular menu.

We started with tender lamb served with harissa sauce, creamy goat cheese, and a perfectly paired wine (I don’t drink wine often, but I trust that the flavors melded well). Then came one of Lazy Goat’s signature dishes: fried goat cheese balls with pistachio. Crispy, tangy, and melt-in-your-mouth perfect, these were so good! The staff shared how the restaurant takes inspiration from Mediterranean flavors with the idea that the flavors are meant to heighten one another. When Kristina went on the tour a couple of years back, her experience had her asking for “Just. One. More. Bite. My eyes were fighting with my full stomach as I stared down the dark chocolate tart at The Lazy Goat.”

It was the perfect way to begin our Greenville culinary experience. We learned about the various clocks that line the wall of The Lazy Goat behind our table, and were reminded to take the time to enjoy the our meal and the people we are sharing it with.

Strolling Through History on the Riverwalk

Between restaurants, John guided us on short, easy walks through downtown Greenville, pointing out pieces of history you’d probably miss on your own. We learned about the original Duke’s Mayonnaise plant, an old cigar factory, and how the area along the Reedy River once had train tracks running right through what’s now the Riverwalk, where artist studios and the Swamp Rabbit Trail collide.

He brought a binder along full of old photos and stories that made it feel like we were walking through time. I have lived in the Greenville area my entire life, and I learned things I’d never heard before, which made me appreciate Greenville’s growth even more. This part of the Greenville history tour made the day feel just as enriching as it was delicious, and John snuck in little tidbits of knowledge throughout each stop of the tour.

Soby’s: A Taste of Transformation

Next up was Soby’s New South Cuisine, a literal Greenville staple. One of the most interesting parts about how Soby’s came to be is how many times the building transformed over the past century (I’ll let John tell you more about that). Now, Soby’s is one of Greenville’s top restaurants. Table 301’s vision to revitalize the building that houses Soby’s helped spark downtown’s culinary revival, beginning in the 1990’s, and it’s easy to see why.

Here, we were served one of our favorite dishes on the tour, which included a Southwestern-inspired breakfast dish with the softest short rib and a yummy runny egg; it was so savory! The meal was paired perfectly with the sommelier’s chosen wine. The chef came out to tell us about the ingredients and inspiration, and it was fun learning about why he chose the flavors he did. Our seat at Soby’s was right near the kitchen, so we could sneak a peek at what was going on behind the scenes while we ate.

Take a Nose Dive into Elevated Southern Food

A short stroll later, we found ourselves at Nose Dive, where comfort food meets creativity. We were served a true Southern classic, but with a twist. Shrimp and grits, but with a rich, savory gravy that had my mouth watering a little when they sat in on the table in front of me. We had little mini mimosas on the side, one of Nose Dive’s specialties! 

While we ate, John pointed out nearby architecture and how the building transformed into what it is today, and how you can still find some of the original building’s massive cabinetry right across the street. It was the perfect blend of storytelling and dining, exactly what makes this Greenville culinary tour such a unique way to see the city.

CAMP – A Sweet Finish

Of course, my favorite meal was the dessert to end our tour. Every good meal deserves a grand finale, and CAMP delivered. For one thing, CAMP is so gorgeous and modern inside. It just felt so cozy, which I feel like is a very hard combination to achieve, but they did it! We were seated near the kitchen entrance and immediately greeted by the pastry chef. They served us the most delicious warm apple tart topped with apple sorbet and crumble. It was the perfect balance of tart, sweet, and cozy. Between the flavors and the friendly atmosphere, it felt like the perfect ending to a wonderful afternoon. Plus, John even mentioned that CAMP may be one of his favorites. Adding it to the future date night list!

Why At the Chef’s Table Stands Out

What makes At the Chef’s Table special is how personal it feels. Each restaurant welcomed us so warmly and treated John like they were old friends (which I am sure they truly are). The chefs and staff took time to share their stories and inspirations. Then, John tied it all together with the history that shaped Greenville into the food city it is today.

We had a great time conversing with the other couple we were dining with, enjoyed thoughtful wine pairings and a specialty cocktail, and felt like we were seeing Greenville through a whole new perspective. Nothing felt forced, it was truly inviting. It’s easy to understand why over 25,000 guests have taken this tour, and why many do it more than once. Every restaurant’s menu is curated just for your tour, often with off-menu dishes. Plus, John regularly refreshes the restaurants, so if you try it out another time in the future, you may get a totally new experience altogether. 

It’s a great time, whether you’re a local looking for a fun date or unique gift experience, a newcomer eager to learn about Greenville’s culture and flavors, or a visitor wanting to taste the best of the city in one afternoon.

Kristina also said that the tours are “perfect for date nights or getting together with friends. It doesn’t matter if you are a local or just visiting Greenville – you will enjoy this and learn just a little more about this wonderful place.”

Know Before You Go

At The Chef’s Table has both a Tuesday night option and a Saturday afternoon option. Both are great for a date night, or would make a fantastic gift to a family member or friend who loves food and culture. For the At the Chef’s Table tour, you should know: 

• Duration: About 2.5 hours
• Walking Distance: Just a few blocks — easy and accessible
• Stops: Four top downtown restaurants
• Includes: Food tastings, wine pairings, one specialty cocktail, and water
• Can accommodate food allergies and special dietary needs if given a heads up.
• Cost: Around $79 per person for the Saturday Afternoon tour
• Book your Culinary Tour ticket here.

More Tour Options with Greenville History & Culinary Tours

John has a van! And he is ready to take you on a food and history adventure throughout Greenville. Aside from At the Chef’s Table, John also offers a couple of other tours you may want to check out that range from $49 – $79 per person. Culinary tours include:

• Carolina Countryside Tour
• Greenville BBQ Trail Tour
• Greenville Breakfast Tour
• Greenville Coffee Tour
• New Restaurants of the Upstate Tour

If you’re looking to learn more about Greenville’s history, John also offers shorter tours that are primarily history-based, but he is really good at making things interesting. These include a Falls Park Walking Tour, Historic Neighborhoods driving tour, Photographic Journey of Old Greenville, just to name a few. These tours start around $25.

Give the Ultimate Experience Gift

Want to gift a tour as a gift, but not sure what will fit? You can get a gift card, so that whoever you’re looking to surprise with an amazing experience gift can choose which tour they would enjoy most! I highly recommend this experience as the ultimate gift for the foodie in your life; I have no doubt that they will love it.

Learn more about Greenville History Tours

864.567.3940
greenvillehistorytours@gmail.com
Greenville History Tours Website
Greenville History Tours Facebook

Have you ever been on the Culinary Tour in downtown Greenville?