Dine Like a Champion: Best Eats in Clemson, SC

Welcome to Clemson!

Clemson, SC is obviously best known for Clemson University, one of the oldest public institutions in the country. A pretty typical college town, Clemson University serves as the cultural hub of the city.

But the downtown area is also loaded with shops, bars, restaurants, and much more.

Come hungry, as Clemson boasts a wide variety of restaurants fit to satisfy even the pickiest eater in your group.

Here are a few of our favorites...

Cheap(er) Eats

Loose Change

Lively, no-frills gathering place providing hearty pub grub, beer, mixed drinks & live-band nights.

349 College Ave. ♦ Weekend Hours: 12 PM-10 PM ♦ (864) 654-1090

Excellent staff, great food, great drinks, reasonable prices, and a fun ambiance - Loose Change has it all.

It's a lively restaurant that is equally popular among students and locals, and features daily specials like Taco Tuesday - where you can get tacos and a margarita for a price that's easy on the wallet.

While there is limited seating, it's well worth the wait. The menu consists mostly of "bar food" and tacos, but it all tastes great.

Get there early if you want a table, or grab a beer at the bar and enjoy the atmosphere while you wait!

FROM THE FANS: "Great food, I highly recommend the zucchini fries and the shrimp po boy, hands down some of the best bar food in Clemson. Limited seating, but food is well worth the wait."

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Sole on the Green

Casual on-campus eating with a great brunch, bar, and delicious eats

230 Madron Center Dr ♦ Hours: 11:30 AM-10 PM ♦ (864) 656-7444

Located in the Clemson Conference Center (on campus), Sole on the Green offers casual-upscale dining in a modern interior and beautiful, outdoor patio.

Their menu has something for everyone's tastes and price points - offering a variety of burgers, sandwiches, and appetizers for the more casual diner, and steaks and fish more someone looking more something fancier.

While the restaurant isn't necessarily in downtown Clemson, it's located in a convenient and cool spot with an amazing view out onto the lake.

FROM THE FANS: "Amazing food and amazing service. I love their calamari. A great selection of burgers and cocktails. And the view of the lake from back side of the restaurant is amazing!!!"

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Sunnyside Cafe

Fantastic breakfast spot serving classic diner fare for the masses

405 College Ave. ♦ Hours: 7 AM-3 PM ♦ (864) 653-9532

Sunnyside Cafe is one of the best breakfast and lunch spots in town. Self-described as "Farmhouse Chic" SunnySide offers a wide-variety of fresh, diverse, and locally inspired options.

They offer breakfast and lunch all day (until 3 PM) in a casual and warm environment - get an early start Saturday and stop by for a great meal before a day of festivities!

FROM THE FANS: "This is really a great little place to eat. I live in Clemson and I never write reviews, so that should tell you I really like this place and know what I'm talking about! I love that it has outdoor seating."

Fine(r) Dining

Calhoun Corners Restaurant

Formal, brick-lined parlor offering old-fashioned American steak, seafood, poultry & meat dishes.

103 Clemson St. ♦ Hours: 5 PM-9:30 PM ♦ (864) 654-7490

Calhoun Corners offers some of the best meat, pasta, and fish dishes in town.

An upscale and traditional restaurant, Calhoun Corners has excellent service, fine dining, and an extensive beer, wine, and cocktail list.

Come relax, enjoy a great meal, and catch up with friends in this eloquently decorated, comfortable space.

FROM THE FANS: "Had my graduation dinner and many dinners before football games here. Awesome food, drinks, and service!"

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Blue Heron Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Offers pizza, pasta, sandwiches & a full bar in addition to Asian-influenced surf & turf.

405 College Ave. ♦ Hours: 4:30-10 PM ♦ (864) 653-3354

Blue Heron is dedicated to serving its customers the freshest and highest quality food possible. Known for having possibly the best steak and seafood in the region, the Blue Heron restaurant also has the longest standing sushi bar in the area.

Stop by for a meal featuring organic food, quality dishes, and cold drinks. It's one of the finest meals you can get at Clemson.

FROM THE FANS: "Loved this place while attending Clemson and still love it when we get a chance to come up for games. Servers, ownership- full package! It's fantastic!"

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1826 Bistro

Part of historic Farmers' Hall, this inviting bistro serves American fare such as steaks & seafood.

105 Exchange St. ♦ Hours: 11:30 AM-2 PM, 5-9 PM ♦ (864) 646-5500

Located in historic Farmer's Hall on Pendleton's Village Green, 1826 Bistro brings fine dining, creativity, and culture to its adjacent community. Its beautiful and intricate interior spills out to a red brick patio that overlooks a grassy park and the bustling downtown area.

Its menu offers delicious proteins and plates, like the pasta of the day, black pepper & sake marinated scallops, and the 1826 Crab Cake.

1826 Bistro is one of the finest establishments around Clemson, and you can stop by for either lunch or dinner.

FROM THE FANS: "Best restaurant in the area. Sometimes amazing, but always consistently fabulous. Staff is as good as the food. Our go to spot for date night. If you can't tell we like it."

Who Wants Pizza?

Brioso Fresh Pasta

Homemade pasta, plus mix-&-match options, are found at this buzzy spot with vintage Italian posters.

360 College Ave. ♦ Hours: 11 AM-10 PM ♦ (864) 653-3800

I cheated a little bit by putting this restaurant in the pizza section... but it's too good to omit.

Brioso's menu offers much more than just pizza, and while their pizza is really good, so is everything else on their menu - paninis, pastas, flatbreads, and much more.

On top of that, they offer catering packages for parties, tailgates, etc. So if you don't feel like going out, invite some friends over to your house and have Brioso's catered in!

FROM THE FANS: "This place is so awesome. The food is always fresh and very delicious. Great for a date night or hanging out with a few great friends."

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Your Pie

Diners choose their dough, sauce, cheese & toppings at this pizzeria chain with gelato & microbrews.

111 Earle St. ♦ Hours: 11 AM-10 PM ♦ (864) 643-4180

Have a picky eater in your group? Not a problem!

At Your Pie, diners have the ability to choose their own dough, sauce, cheese, topping, and customize the pizza exactly to their liking. They use only fresh, hand chopped ingredients, and cook every pie to perfection in an authentic brick oven.

They also offer a wide variety of craft microbrews and wine to complement your food. If you're in the mood for pizza, Your Pie is one of the best places in town to go.

FROM THE FANS: "They have a great setup. You walk in and pick your bread, sauce, and choose from a wide range of toppings and cheeses. Then it goes into the oven and they bring the hot pie to your table when it's ready."

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Rick's Pizza and Pub

Quaint family pizza parlor with artisan red and white pies, along with other classic pasta dishes

7721 Clemson Hwy. ♦ Hours: 11 AM-10 PM ♦ (864) 646-6060

Rick's Pizza and Pub features a friendly staff, cool interior, a spacious outdoor patio - and is the perfect place to come with a group. They have great pizza, great wings, cold beer, and plenty of TVs - what more could you ask for?

Plus, every pizza is cooked in a wood fire oven, giving the pizza more flavor than other chains and local joints in town. Stop by when in town and check it out for yourself!

FROM THE FANS: "A wonderful family owned business that consistently seeks to improve and please. We are lucky to have them in town!"

Want to stay close to all of these delicious restaurants? Don't forget to stay with Rent Like A Champion!

Our homes will keep you close to the downtown area, so you can keep going back to your favorite food spots again and again...