Best Restaurants in Florence

The restaurants in Florence serve up local specialties with big flavors and a side of cozy small-town atmosphere. Make time to indulge in South Carolina's most famous food—barbecue. And if you've got a hankering for old-fashioned Southern-fried chicken, burgers and fries—or even a bit fancier fare—you will be as charmed as you will be satisfied when you experience the Southern hospitality at these best restaurants in Florence.

Stops Along the Official BBQ Trail

South Carolina proudly proclaims that it is the birthplace of barbecue. There's even an official BBQ Trail Map so you can find the best succulent pork dishes wherever you travel in the state. In Florence, check out Cain's Bar-B-Que, a family-operated restaurant on the BBQ Trail that has been serving up pork, fried chicken and sides to multiple generations. Make it there on a Friday night when local bluegrass musicians accompany the family-style buffet dinner. On South Dargan Street's Restaurant Row, Wholly Smokin' Downtown is a more recent addition to the BBQ Trail's listing. Here you can pair classic barbecue and smoked dishes with craft beer, wine or custom cocktails.

Upstairs/Downstairs at Red Bone Alley

The flavors at Red Bone Alley are such a hit that its own line of grilling sprays and rubs are for sale in the region's groceries and in U.S. military commissaries around the world. The food is fresh and bold, but you might find the setting even more memorable—the interior of the restaurant is a two-story replica of a Charleston streetscape. You can choose to dine in the downstairs cafe area, have lunch on the upstairs balcony overlooking the indoor plaza or hang out with the kids in a picnic area accented with a real ice cream truck. The robust menu offers a wide choice of savory meats and seafood served with Red Bone Alley's signature grits, as well as lighter fare like salads and sandwiches.

Old-Fashioned Diner with Modern Style

The Drive-In's straightforward name gives you an instant snapshot of what's on the menu; burgers, hot dogs, onion rings and milkshakes are the stars of the show. And, as the South Carolina Office of Tourism website notes, the fried chicken is said to be the best in the area. Although The Drive-In has been recently remodeled, old-timers still hold fond memories of date nights and getting together with friends there all the way back to the 1950s. It's your turn to make memories now, surrounded by nostalgic memorabilia and sizzling old-school diner food.

When You Want to Splurge

If you’ve got a craving for steak, seafood and wine in a beautiful setting, Victors is a delightful indulgence. For a fine-dining experience that's not too hard on the wallet, drop by this AAA 3-Diamond restaurant for lunch, make a selection from the bar menu to accompany a cocktail or simply stop in for coffee and an exquisite dessert. If your trip to town is work related, Victors is a smart choice for a business luncheon or dinner. Reservations are recommended.

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