Greenville restaurant news: New spot for pizza downtown. Simpsonville adds Food Truck park.
In August, Greenville County experienced a net loss of six restaurants as establishments like Fatz Cafe of Greer and Créme Shack in downtown Greenville are now gone, according to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
Over the past month, rebranding, new concepts and food-gathering spaces have emerged. Our latest food and dining update includes more coffee and a sports bar in the West End. In addition, the former Smiley's Acoustic Cafe is joining On the Roxx for a fresh interpretation of an entertainment and dining experience.
Simpsonville appears to be a big winner in the food scene as a new coffee franchise and food truck park are set to arrive area this fall.
Another unique take on Italian desserts is coming near Falls Park this November as the county continues to grow its caffeinated and cold brew options.
Here are highlights and updates on the food and dining scene in Greenville County:
Summer Moon Coffee's second Greenville area location coming to Simpsonville
Summer Moon Coffee, a Texas oak-roasted coffee shop, will open in the Southside Corners Shopping Center at 2201 Woodruff Rd., Ste. A. on Saturday, Sept. 30.
This new location will be the Austin-based franchise's second Greenville County establishment and will feature a similar menu of coffee and pastries.
Local ownership is excited to bring a new blend of brew to a familiar place.
"We have lived in the Simpsonville area for 27 years now," said Charles Garcia, owner of Summer Moon Coffee in Simpsonville. "We believe the location to be a perfect place for Summer Moon and we also believe that the community will appreciate and enjoy what we have to offer."
Summer Moon Coffee plans to be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekends.
Crust & Craft to fill downtown Greenville location of former Luna Rosa Gelato
Crust and Craft will take over the old Luna Rosa location in downtown Greenville at 123 S. Main St.
Storefront signage suggests the new location will open during the fall of 2023 and is expected to feature hand-tossed pizzas, specialty cocktails, handheld sandwiches and more.
Indicated hours are expected to be seven days a week from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.
euphoria returns to downtown Greenville: What to know about the four-day culinary event.
GOAT Sports Bar opens in the West End with same owners as Sofrito Latin Restaurant
After listening to their customers at Tacos and Mas and Sofrito's Latin Restaurant, owners Hector and Ana Batista are bringing a sports bar concept to the West End at 1021 S. Main St.
The GOAT GVL, which opened in mid-August, is another establishment in the Batista restaurant portfolio, but this time, it's dedicated to sports and bar food such as more than 10 flavors of wings, burgers and more.
"It's been a great success since we opened," Hector Batista said. "It's a great environment with a good number of TVs, selections of beer on draft and everything that a sports bar should have."
Hours of operation are from 11:30 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Thursday through Monday. The GOAT closes Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11 p.m. On nights with no major televised sports, expect to see trivia nights and wing specials.
Beyond the big events: Greenville offers arts, small festivals and more this fall season
New food additions joining The Commons at Unity Park
Five new eateries will populate Greenville's food hall known as The Commons. The dining spaces are expected to open as early as late spring or the early summer of 2024.
Indigo Kitchen, LaRue, Kuka Juice, MooHogz Craft BBQ and Luna Pizza Cafe are the five retail food establishments set to join the Unity Park dining scene.
Carmella's Cafe & Dessert Bar coming to Falls Park area
Downtown Greenville is set to receive a new coffee and sweets establishment as Carmella's Cafe & Dessert Bar will join the scene near Falls Park at 335 S. Main St.
The Charleston-based establishment is mostly known for its sweets, specialty cakes, coffees and alcoholic beverages. Carmella's coins itself as a traditional Italian café. The upcoming menu is designed for both morning coffee runs or an after-dinner nightcap dessert.
According to Carmella's public relations team, the new location is expected to open the third week in November. Greenville location hours will be posted soon on their website.
Scuffletown Food Truck Park opens this fall in Simpsonville
A new place to convene and eat are on the way to Simpsonville as the Scuffletown Food Truck Park will look to open in the fall of 2023 and highlight six total food trucks at 206 Ladean Ct.
The initial food trucks expected to arrive are: Birria Boy, Half Rooted, One Love Fusion Foods and Too Sauc'd Up with two more trucks later to be announced. The new food truck space will include live music, big-screen televisions and 21 beer taps alongside a covered, heated pavilion.
On the Roxx, featuring music by former Smiley's Acoustic Cafe
On the Roxx co-owners Heather Frechete and Todd Zillmer plan to expand the food menu in the near future to compliment their new ambiance. They have brought aboard Mike Fraizer of the former Smiley's Acoustic Cafe to run their live music program.
The location at 734 S. Main St. opened on Sept. 6 and is attempting to approach a more professional and mature crowd that appreciates live music, shifting from a DJ and dancing scene.
"We were looking to change the format to On the Roxx, and once Smiley's closed, we came up with the idea to collaborate for live music," said Frechete. "Smiley's left a big hole when they left, so we reached out to Mike Frazier for his expertise."
Frechete anticipates a formal, grand opening and new menu to be announced soon on their website.
– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and more for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on Twitter @ajhappened.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Downtown Greenville will soon add new pizza, coffee, dessert options
