A terrific way to sample some of downtown Greenville's best restaurants is by doing a tapas crawl. Here are my suggestions for a small-plate itinerary, which will transport you in the culinary sense from the South to South-of-the-Border and beyond. Stops are arranged conveniently along Main Street from north to south. Bring some friends to share the fun!

First Stop: Roost Restaurant

Start at the north end of Main Street at the Hyatt Regency's farm-to-table restaurant, Roost. Flatbreads here are a must with their thin and crispy crusts and toppings such as spinach, pesto and roasted chicken, which change with the season. Inspired by Mexican street food, the open-face duck confit "street tacos" should also figure on your menu. Just roll up the soft tacos, encasing rich duck confit, mild asiago cheese, a kick of pico de gallo, silky lime crema, and fresh cilantro, and take a delicious bite.
Insider's Tip: Weather permitting, stake out a table on the outdoor terrace and enjoy the people watching. Come sit outside on Thursday or Friday nights in spring and summer to enjoy live music on NOMA Square.

Second Stop: Soby's New South Cuisine

From the Hyatt Regency, it's a short five-block walk to Soby's New South Cuisine, where you can grab a high-top table in the bar area (near the front window walls that open onto the street in warm weather) to snack on an appetizer that celebrates a match made in Southern heaven: fried green tomatoes topped with pimento cheese fondue. Soby's creamy she-crab soup is another must-try. Spiked with aged sherry and Old Bay seasoning, this delicious soup—said to have been created by a Charleston butler in the mid-19^th century—swims with luscious lump crabmeat.

Third Stop: Halls Chophouse

Further down the street and just over the bridge, you'll arrive at Halls Chophouse, a Charleston import that opened in Greenville early in 2016. Halls' airy, newly renovated space overlooks the Reedy River through a wall of windows, while the kitchen specializes in cooking the highest grade of USDA Prime beef to order, along with irresistible signature sides like loaded mashed potatoes and lobster mac and cheese. Stake out a high-top table in the popular bar area and indulge in a refreshing Greenville Cocktail (made with vodka, iced tea, Madeira, lemonade and mint). Then dive into a plate of decadent Halls Prime Steak Nachos, scooping up layers of tomatoes, avocados, cheddar cheese sauce, and sour cream as you go.
Insider's Tip: Live music plays here seven nights a week, and Happy Hour (4-6pm daily) includes $4 beer of the week, $5 well drinks, and $6 house wines.

Last Stop: The Lazy Goat 

Continue down the sidewalk by the river from Halls Chophouse, passing the artists' studios of Art Crossing at RiverPlace along the way. Just past the kids' splashy fountain (the Swamp Rabbit Splash Track), climb the stairs by the water wall for Mediterranean fare at the The Lazy Goat. The menu here includes plenty of tapas portions, ranging from harissa-spiced hummus to Moroccan lamb, braised in a tomato base spiced with paprika, coriander, cumin and cinnamon. Your favorite item on the menu just might be a meal in itself: Lazy Paella. This shareable Valencian rice dish simmers Calasparra rice together with peas, shrimp, roasted chicken, chorizo, mussels, clams, calamari, and sofrito. Pair it with a glass of Spanish tempranillo from the Mediterranean-focused wine list.
Insider's Tip: Try for a seat on the outdoor patio, where you can enjoy a view of the river and listen to the rush of water tumbling down the water wall and nearby fountains.

THAT Something Extra:

Sip-sational Sights and Sounds

If you're in the mood for another fun stop, experience the fresh night air and enjoy a bird's eye view of Main Street at the rooftop SIP Whiskey & Wine Bar.  Give their WineEmotion machine a try for a unique sampling experience and check out the new menu of plates to share!