Are you wanting to plan a picnic? Greenville, SC has dozens of restaurants that offer picnic-worthy food for takeout. Summertime means dining outdoors and dining outdoors equals picnics. We’ve gathered 10 of the best options for procuring picnic provisions in Greenville, SC. These places will provide you with things to eat and drink, whether your picnic is happening lakeside, poolside, or at the park. We also have some of the top tips for planning a picnic, so that your outside meal goes perfectly.
10 Spots for Picnic Food Near Greenville, SC
If you are wondering “Where can I find the perfect picnic food near me?”, then look no further! We have a list of some of the best restaurants in the Greenville area that offer foods that are perfect for outdoor eating.
Please note that the menu prices listed are subject to change without notice.Â
Fork & Plough
The Fork & Plough Wednesday Night Fried Chicken Family Meal makes the perfect picnic meal.
Juicy hand-hand breaded fried chicken, collards, and gooey mac and cheese, this meal makes a delicious meal to enjoy during a weeknight picnic. You can also find other family meal deals if you’re looking for picnic foods on a Monday or Friday.
$32 | Fried Chicken Family Meal serves 3-4 people with mac & cheese, collard greens, ranch, hot sauce, side salad, and fresh bread
Chadcuterie
Local restaurateur turned charcuterie supplier Chad Gangwer, can create a perfect box of picnic provisions for your family! Whether you are looking for a meal or something to enjoy with a bottle of wine during a date night picnic, Chadcuterie can help. The Mezza Platter is the perfect box whether you want to pair it with something else or enjoy it alone.
$40 | Mezza Platter includes Genoa Salami, Capicola, Mozzarella, Feta, Manchego, Olives, Cucumber & Tomato Salad, Local Crudite, EVOO, Pita bread, and Arugula
White Wine & Butter
Spice up your picnic with some cajun flavor from this Greer-based caterer. White Wine & Butter is one of the restaurants to occupy Cartwright Food Hall on Trade Street. Grab one of their Po Boys and Voodoo Fries, and you’re all set for a picnic.
The Cooks Station
You can find anything you might need for the perfect picnic at The Cooks Station. Wine, cheese, bread, salads, literally anything you might want. If your picnic needs sandwiches, the Crispy Beef Brisket, The Bird, or Trout Po-Boy will fill your belly. Paired with a side salad and some sparkly beverages, people at the park will be jealous.
$11.99 per person for Crispy Beef Brisket | $10.99 for Trout Po-Boy
Kuka Juice
If you are looking for a meat-free picnic option, Kuka Juice has delicious sandwiches and salads ideal for eating while enjoying the outdoors. The U pick two sandwich and salad meal allows everyone to choose what they want and enjoy two different things.
$14 per person | ½ a Sandwich & ½ a salad or ½ soup
(We recommend the All Kale Caesar Salad and the Pendleton Panini)
Methodical Coffee / Bake Room
Head to The Commons and grab coffee and sandwiches to enjoy. The Bake Room has freshly made croissants with ham and cheese, and you can grab an artisan soda or coffee from Methodical. You will probably leave with more than just the sandwiches, once the smell of the bread hits your senses!
$4.50 / $5.50 | Ham & Cheese Croissant / Signature Soda
Bobby’s BBQ
BBQ is the perfect picnic meal. If you haven’t had the BBQ from Bobby’s yet, you should plan a picnic just as an excuse! The Bobby’s BBQ family meal is a great deal, and paired with some sweet tea; you’ll be in picnic heaven!
$34 | Family BBQ Meal includes a pound of pulled pork, (4) sandwich buns, one pint each of (2) different sides
Swamp Rabbit Cafe
The Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery has tons of options for things to take along with you on a picnic. One of our favorites is the Turkey Pesto sandwich on Stecca bread. It’s beyond delicious and can easily feed two along with some sides or chips. They also have vegan and vegetarian options. This makes a great stop if you’re taking the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail to your picnic spot.
$10.50 | Whole Turkey Pesto Sandwich on Stecca
Moe’s Original BBQ
You can pick up a Picnic Pick Up from Moe’s Original BBQ located in Downtown Greenville. They can have any menu item already placed in disposable pans so that you don’t have to worry about bringing along extra tube wear. Some popular menu options include pulled pork bbq with baked beans, marinated slaw, potato salad, and banana pudding.
Riverside Bagels and Deli
If you’re planning a breakfast or lunch picnic, then you have to pick up a Reuben sandwich from Riverside Bagels and Deli in Greer. They have tons of options for sandwiches, bagels, schemers, and sides.
$9.99 + $1.99 | Reuben Sandwich + side of bowtie pasta
Top Tips For Planning a Perfect Picnic
Planning a picnic around the Greenville area is a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors, spend time with your family, refuel after a morning at the park, and also a great boredom buster! Lots of details can go into preparing, but here at the Kidding Around Greenville Community, we’ve made it easy as P-I-C-N-I-C!
Pick a Shelter for a Picnic: Greenville, SC
Located at many of Greenville’s parks, shelters are convenient for a nice lunch in the shade and most likely are equipped with restrooms and trash cans as well. Some of the most popular parks with sheltered picnic areas are Herdklotz Park, Heritage Park, Cleveland Park, Legacy Park, and McPherson Park. Larger Shelters can be reserved through Greenville Rec.
Invite Friends and Family to Your Picnic
Inviting friends and family not only means double or triple the fun, but it also means you can all divvy up the list of food items! Make it a potluck and everyone can just bring one item!
Consider Seating
On a beautiful day, you may find all the shelters are full and all the tables are taken. Come prepared with a blanket or some folding chairs! Both of these items are easy enough to keep in the trunk of your car so you’ll never be without a layer between you and the creepy crawlies on the day of your picnic.
Picnic Any Time of Day
Go Now! Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, just go now! Picnics don’t have to be limited to any certain time of day.
- Breakfast picnic: Think outside the picnic basket and plan a breakfast picnic to a sunny space before it gets too hot outside like the new Unity Park, Sunset Park, Runway Park, the Pavilion, or enjoy the lovely lake views at Lake Robinson.
- Lunch picnic: Save your lunchtime picnics for parks with lots of trees and many shelter options like Poinsett Park or McPherson Park.
- Dinner picnic: Take your dinner-time picnic to spaces with grills for hot dogs and hamburgers like Butler Springs Park or Herdklotz Park. A dinner picnic would also be nice in Falls Park or The Children’s Garden – you could grab take-out from one of the many cute restaurants nearby!
Keep Your Drinks Cold
Freeze your water bottles the night before and wrap them in some foil (this will keep them from sweating). Use these as insulation for the rest of your lunch and then enjoy some ice-cold water! Other foods that are great to freeze and pack are yogurt tubes, grapes, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and cookies!
Clean-Up After Your Picnic
I’ve yet to meet a mother of small children that don’t keep a pack of baby wipes stashed somewhere close by! You may think of adding a pack of anti-bacterial wipes for use before and after eating. Bring some extra plastic bags for trash or leftovers. Depending on reusable or disposable, consider how you’ll transport all these containers back home if a trash can isn’t in sight.
Great places for a picnic: Greenville, SC
Here’s a quick list of great places for a picnic near Greenville. These are the parks and places for picnics that we mentioned above, plus a few extras.
- Herdklotz Park
- Heritage Park
- Cleveland Park
- Legacy Park
- McPherson Park
- Unity Park
- Sunset Park
- Runway Park
- Pavilion
- Lake Robinson
- Poinsett Park
- Butler Springs
- Falls Park
- The Children’s Garden
- Paris Mountain State Park
- Conestee Nature Preserve
Need More Inspiration? Check out the KA’s Ultimate Guide to Restaurants Near Greenville, SC