These local businesses will help fill your plate this Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is one of America’s most beloved holidays, and for good reason. It’s a day filled with our favorite things: food, family, football, and floats (of the Macy’s Day Parade variety). If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, you might feel pressure to entertain and cook a delicious meal for your guests—but what if you don’t have the time, energy, or skills to make that happen? Luckily, we live in a time when you don’t have to.
Many Greenville businesses offer incredible dine-in or takeout options that will make you wonder why you didn’t ditch the oven mitts sooner.
Ultimate Alternative Thanksgiving
Dine Out
When you let a restaurant host, there’s no need to set the table, cook the food, or even do the dishes! Check out these local restaurants that offer sit-down Thanksgiving meals.
Nose Dive
A local favorite, Nose Dive’s annual Turkey Day Buffet includes appetizers, meats, sides, and an entire table full of desserts.
Though the menu is different each year, it always includes traditional favorites like turkey, ham, and mashed potatoes—plus some additional creative offerings that you wouldn’t typically have at a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner. Past years have included maple-glazed salmon and lentil hummus.
Be sure to check their website for this year’s menu before making your reservation.
116 S Main St, Greenville. (864) 373-7300, thenosedive.com
UP on the Roof
Fancy a fancier Thanksgiving experience?
UP on the Roof is the place to be for a luxurious, extravagant meal with amazing ambience. Enjoy a gorgeous view of Greenville with fire pits galore to keep you warm while dining outdoors. As far as the food goes, get ready to eat like royalty. From lobster-stuffed deviled eggs to roasted pheasant, you’ve never had a Thanksgiving dinner like this before. Don’t skip dessert—the rich pumpkin cheesecake is absolutely divine.
Reservations required.
250 Riverplace #800, Greenville. (864) 242-4000, eatupdrinkup.net
Asia Pacific
Some people go a different route for Thanksgiving dinner, replacing American staples with Chinese cuisine.
If this is your family’s tradition—or if you just want to try something new—check out Asia Pacific. This supermarket/restaurant combo is a hidden gem that offers authentic flavors and large portions. The roasted duck is a must-try (because is it really Thanksgiving if you’re not eating poultry of some kind?), but they have vegetarian options, too.
If you’re craving a fluffy dinner roll, try the Char Sue Bun: it’s a soft bao with a sweet barbecue chicken filling that will knock your socks off.
420 N Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville. (864) 603-1377, asiapacificgreenville.com
Order In
If you want to be an all-star host but don’t want to cook an entire spread, don’t worry. Ordering pre-made food is a great compromise, and these options will help you be the host with the most.
Bucky’s Bar-B-Q
If you’ve never had a smoked turkey for Thanksgiving, prepare to be amazed—and converted.
Ordering a smoked turkey from Bucky’s Bar-B-Q won’t just save you hours in the kitchen, it’ll win you bonus points and rave reviews from your guests, too. You may never go back to a home-cooked turkey again!
If you want more than a Thanksgiving assist, you can order classic sides to go with your smoked turkey, such as sweet potato crunch, mac and cheese, and green beans.
1700 Roper Mountain Rd, Greenville. (864) 329-0054, buckysbbq.com
Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery
This one-stop-shop has all your local, healthy, and delicious Thanksgiving needs covered: humanely raised turkeys and hams, sides aplenty, and decadent desserts.
If you have guests with dietary restrictions, their Thanksgiving specials will be a godsend. Vegetarians and vegans will love the meat-free “Pardon” roast, while gluten-free guests will devour the pies with gluten-free crusts.
We highly recommend you place your order well in advance, though—everything at Swamp Rabbit sells out fast for Thanksgiving.
205 Cedar Lane Rd, Greenville. (864) 255-3885, swamprabbitcafe.com
Stir Crazy Alternative Thanksgiving
Whether you’re doing actual stirring while preparing Thanksgiving dinner or just feeling a bit stir-crazy staying at home, here are some events that will get you out of the house over Thanksgiving break:
Turkey Fry – Nov. 22, 2022
Miracle Hill Rescue Mission Spartanburg
189 N Forest St, Spartanburg
(864) 583-1628
miraclehill.org/events/turkey-fry
Drinksgiving Bar Crawl – Nov. 23, 2022
Social Lounge
245 N Main St, Greenville
(864) 236-5549
Tickets: topshelfcrawls.com
Kava Family Thanksgiving Potluck – Nov. 25, 2022
Kava Konnection
1540 Wade Hampton Blvd, Suite H, Greenville
(864) 568-5550
thekavakonnection.com
