Location: Clemson
Top Restaurants in Clemson
Top Things to do in Clemson
- 1. Memorial Stadium
- 2. South Carolina Botanical Gardens
- 3. Fort Hill Plantation
- 4. Bob Campbell Geology Museum
- 5. Doug Kingsmore Stadium
- 6. The Walker Course At Clemson University
- 7. Saint Andrew Catholic Church
- 8. Larry W. Abernathy Waterfront Park
- 9. Brooks Center for the Performing Arts
- 10. Loose Change
Where to Eat in Clemson: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Clemson is a city in Pickens and Anderson counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina. Clemson is home to Clemson University; in 2015, the Princeton Review cited the town of Clemson as ranking #1 in the United States for "town-and-gown" relations with its resident university. The population of the city was 13,905 at the 2010 census.
Things to do in Clemson
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. '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.
3. 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.
4. 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!
5. Spill The Beans of Clemson
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By thedemarias - Athens, Georgia
While the process can be a little confusing for a first timer, this is a great place with delicious ice cream. Generous servings and decent prices. Loved that it is tucked away behind College Avenue, the Main Street in downtown.
6. 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.
7. 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!
8. Pot Belly Deli
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Pot Belly Deli (PBD) is a local and college establishment started in 1994.it is our pleasure and honer to have been part of the ever changing clemson scene.we offer breakfast lunch and dinner all day long,who said eggs were just for breakfast?we also have a coffee bar with a wide selection of teas and desserts and sweets for that in between time.thanks for taking the time to read and we hope to see you at PBD.
Reviewed By Ron K - Haymarket, Virginia
This was my first time at Pot Belly. Very interesting menu. I had their specialty sandwich breakfast. I was very grease. Also the place had a lot of flies. I did not check their cleanliness rating but I can't imagine it would he high. Also the tables were not very clean. It's a deli where you order at the counter and they bring the food to the table. Patrons clean their own table when they leave, however there was no one that can by to sanitize the tables.
9. Pixie & Bill's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 189 reviews
Reviewed By N5458LSmartinc
My son, who has Celiac's disease, called ahead, and the mgr. assured him that they had a gluten free menu. My son again asked the waitress if there was a gluten free menu, so she checked with the mgr. and assured us that his meal would be gluten free. Long story short, she served him glutenous crackers and pita bread. Both my son and daughter became very upset, because we knew what was in store for my son. The mgr. comped my son's meal which was small consolation. In addition, the waitress was neither helpful nor nice. Never again! CC Greenville, SC
10. The Esso Club
Overall Ratings
4 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By Christina H - Arlington, Massachusetts
This place is an icon in Clemson. Just go. Take it in. The best thing on the menu is the "meat and 3" -- it's just what you think -- a choice of meat + 3 sides. It's $9.00. Really, that's all. You will leave full and happy. Some of the veggies are canned -- so what -- it's the history and atmosphere you are there for. Grab a beer. And soak it in.
Note -- on "Game Days" and big school events they serve a limited menu -- and the Meat and 3 is not on the limited menu.
Further -- when we were there it took a long time for the food to come out -- to their credit, they told us that when we walked in - so we set appropriate expectations.
