Location: Central
Top Restaurants in Central
Top 10 restaurants in Central, United States
Central is a town in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 5,159, roughly 3,000 of which were considered permanent residents. Contrary to its name, it is not near the center of South Carolina. It received its name from its geographic location, being the halfway or central point between Atlanta and Charlotte along the former Atlanta and Richmond Air-Line Railway line. The primary campus of Southern Wesleyan University is located east of the downtown area.
Things to do in Central
1. Blue Heron Restaurant & Sushi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 255 reviews
Reviewed By 2BEis2SKI - Charlotte, NC
I have wanted to eat here for a long time and it just never worked out. We finally did the weekend of the FSU game.
This is a very nice space, well appointed. It's fairly close quarters but not too loud. You don't have any problem conversing at your table. They have a small upstairs which is where we ate.
Our server was good. He was attentive and the team (water, food delivery) all made sure we were content.
I chose sushi. The rest of my family chose off the regular menu. This is where reviews diverge. I travel a lot for business and eat sushi often, including out of the country. Honestly, the sushi was no better than what you find in a market. It's not comparable to sushi from a true sushi restaurant. The rolls were small and bland. I don't like being negative but there was nothing redeeming about what I got at all. It was definitely not worth the price. Worse than that though was the time it took for the sushi to come. It was almost a full 15 minutes after the other meals came before it was ready. Before it even came, I asked for all but the cooked roll to be brought in a to go box for later consumption. We were trying to make the basketball game but I also didn't want to sit and eat while my family was all just watching me.
So, why did I still rate Blue Heron so high? Because the meals the rest of my family got, all of which I sampled, were outstanding. They were well prepared, well flavored, perfect temps and came in a reasonable time. Whether it was the main course or the side, I thought presentation and quality were excellent. In fact, I would very willingly give Blue Heron 5 stars if not for my sushi experience. If I had just rated based on that, I'd probably give only 2.
So, perhaps it was a bad night and that can be the problem with reviewing based on one experience but one experience may be all the restaurant has to win a repeat customer. I do look forward to going back but won't bother with the sushi menu.
2. Sidetracked Cafe & Catering
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By BeachGrandmax4 - Seneca, South Carolina
Our family of 4 adults and 2 children ate at Sidetracked for lunch on Valentine's Day. Anticipating a large crowd, we arrived soon after they opened at 11:00. We were seated promptly and our orders were taken quickly and arrived in record time. The food was delicious as usual, the restaurant was clean, and our waiter was friendly, courteous and attentive - checking on us frequently. Our orders consisted of the tomato and basil, quiche, pork chops, meatloaf, fried chicken, and chicken tenders for the children. The food came to the table hot (a plus for me) and every morsel was enjoyed. My reason for not giving 5 stars was the fact that we were made to order more food than we wanted. I overheard the same discussion at the table behind us. The ONLY options were a meat & 2 or meat & 3. I asked only for the quiche with a side of slaw and was told I couldn't do that. Even if I insisted, I would be charged the meat & 2 price even if I only received 1 side. So, I ordered a 2nd side in a carry-out and took it home to eat later. There was an option to order more sides at an additional cost, but we were not allowed to order only one side. I do hope they rethink this policy because their portions are typically large and I typically do not like to order more food than I want to eat. Otherwise, it's a great place to eat and we do enjoy going there. Just a word of advice - they do only cook a certain amount and tend to run out of some items if you don't get there fairly early.
3. 'All In' Coffee Shop
Overall Ratings
5 based on 68 reviews
Reviewed By clemson_grad79 - north_alabama
Popped in for a mid day cup of coffee. Not crowded but since you order from the counter it is a little slow as one order at a time is processed. Since many people are ordering lattes and other fancy coffee drinks it can take a while before you get to place your order. Anyway the house coffee was good and hot. Pretty much an average coffee shop. I do with though they would have a coffee only line for those of us just getting regular coffee especially since it is pour it yourself. That'd keep us getting plain coffee much quicker service and wouldn't really impact the ones getting lattes and the like.
4. Dunkin' Donuts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Guoxin L - Clemson, South Carolina
The environment there is silent and good. The food especially the donuts is very good. Also you definitely cannot miss the breakfast there such as croissant burgers.
5. Clemson Ice Cream - '55 Exchange
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
The '55 Exchange is a student run business enterprise that manufactures, sells and serves Clemson's world famous Ice Cream and other Clemson products. An exciting feature of the '55 Exchange is the Tiger Slab, where customers can create their own unique ice cream flavor using our traditional Clemson Ice Cream and an assortment of special mix-ins. Made possible by a gift from the Class of 1955 all revenues support Clemson students and their academic training.
Reviewed By kattty2013 - Clemson, South Carolina
Great place on a hot day to stop for some ice cream made by Clemson students. Have traditional and alternating new flavors. Homemade waffle cones. Generous scoops. Haven't tried a flavor that I don't like.
6. Hachi Express Japanese Grille
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By OneLovePhotography - Greenville, South Carolina
If you want a lot of food...cooked to perfection..and they get it right every-single-time...Go to Hachi Express Japanese Grille, in Central, South Carolina. Go through their drive thru and order a bunch for your next tailgating feast at a Clemson game! You can not go wrong! Very nice and they have never messed an order up!
7. SunnySide Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
We will be closed for a couple months while our building is being built. Thanks for all the support and see spring 2018.
Reviewed By carooney - Waynesville, North Carolina
Best breakfasts ever! The waiter was efficient and funny! The four of us ordered different things. My sister, the Vegan, LOVED her breakfast. The sausage was delicious. I had the standard breakfast, which was wonderful. My husband had pancakes - homemade, butter and great syrup! Brother had the spicy breakfast - said it was "muey bueno!". Nephew went a la carte with fruit, cottage cheese and one egg. All was good. The coffee was delicious, but the service - the service was outstanding! The wait wasn't too long at 10am! p.s. - the biscuits are incredible!
They're expanding and I think moving so they'll have more room and parking! Wooohooo!
8. Rick Erwin's Clemson
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 180 reviews
Reviewed By William A
We went for New Year's Eve and left disappointed. Ambiance lacked, especially in the back room where we were put. And the bar area which could be so much better. Besides our waitress, who was very good, happy and dressed professionally, the rest of the staff, looked sloppy, acted unhappy and the general service was uninspired. But I will say again, our waitress was great, but she couldn't do everything herself.
The food was very good, but not great. And I know this is a difficult night for all restaurants, but the Clemson Rick Erwin's is definitely not up to the standards of his other restaurants in Greenville.
You know, if you are paying top dollar, you expect a top dollar experience.
We will think twice before going back.
9. Fiesta
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By NationalParkHiker - Clemson, South Carolina
Located in the Walmart shopping center, this restaurant recently moved from its former location on Hwy 93 between Central & Clemson. Have eaten here for lunch several times now and can highly recommend the lunch fajitas. My wife usually gets either one of the vegetarian options or one of the lunch combos that they will make without meat for her. They serve the standard salsa and chips that most Mexican restaurants have but their chips are the really thin crisp ones that you cannot get in a grocery store as well as two different red salsas and a really good bean dip. All in all, we think this is the best option for lunch in the area.
10. Calhoun Corners Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 167 reviews
Reviewed By PJGGAH - Charlotte, North Carolina
I've been visiting Lake Keowee for more than 11 years and someone asked us to meet them for a birthday celebration at Calhoun Corners in Clemson. Boy have we been missing out on great dining experience. My steak was cooked to perfection and the asparagus appetizer has left me wanting for more. The margaritas weren't bad either!
This restaurant is in an old house with exposed brick on the inside. There is such an atmosphere of joy when you pull up and then go inside! Be sure to make reservations if it is during a Clemson football weekend!
