Smoke On the Water
1 / 10

Smoke On the Water

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A cozy downtown taproom serving classic Southern comfort food and barbecue with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Smoke On the Water

Smoke On the Water

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A cozy downtown taproom serving classic Southern comfort food and barbecue with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"A reliably great southern meal in a great location."

TIP

Try popular Southern dishes

Don't miss out on flavorful options like salmon or the well-loved shrimp and grits.

Consider outdoor seating

Enjoy the downtown vibe from their charming outdoor area, perfect for pleasant weather.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Cuisine

American, Southern, BBQ

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(864) 232-9091

Address

64 Beacon Dr, Greenville, SC 29615, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Reliably Great Southern Meals

Reliably Great Southern Meals

A welcoming taproom offering classic Southern dishes and barbecue in a cozy atmosphere.

Signature Shrimp and Grits

Signature Shrimp and Grits

A highly recommended dish, known for its flavorful preparation and satisfying taste.

Google Review
Cozy Downtown Dining Experience

Cozy Downtown Dining Experience

Offers a warm atmosphere and is noted for its reasonable prices in a prime downtown location.

Google Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Try popular Southern dishes

Don't miss out on flavorful options like salmon or the well-loved shrimp and grits.

Consider outdoor seating

Enjoy the downtown vibe from their charming outdoor area, perfect for pleasant weather.

Patience for food delivery

Some diners note longer wait times, so be prepared for potential delays.

Dog-friendly patio

Bring your furry friends along to enjoy the outdoor seating area.

Tips

from all over the internet

Try popular Southern dishes

Don't miss out on flavorful options like salmon or the well-loved shrimp and grits.

Consider outdoor seating

Enjoy the downtown vibe from their charming outdoor area, perfect for pleasant weather.

Patience for food delivery

Some diners note longer wait times, so be prepared for potential delays.

Dog-friendly patio

Bring your furry friends along to enjoy the outdoor seating area.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Smoke on the Water offers a mixed dining experience. While many praise its warm atmosphere, reasonable prices, and certain signature dishes like shrimp and grits, others report issues with flavor inconsistencies, lack of seasoning, and disjointed service. The restaurant's location and accommodating staff are often highlighted as positives, but some guests found the food to be average or lacking. It seems best to focus on specific recommended dishes for a more consistently satisfying meal.

"Food was good, our waiter was super kind, and sense it was our first time there we got free desert! The bill wasn’t bad at all for what we ordered. It was a really nice time. I definitely want to come back in the summertime and sit outside.

Fried okra was great!"

Rachel Murphy

"This was not our first choice for dinner, but it was close to where we wanted to go.
I ordered a delightful Red, White and Bleu salad which came with perfectly cooked steak medallions.
I have to admit I’m pretty harsh on BBQ so I avoided this option! Hubs on the other hand dove right in…and was disappointed.
He got the pulled pork with Mac & Cheese and the Skin On Fries. The Mac was great. The fries were nothing special and the BBQ was drowning in water.
Once hubs pointed out the watery mess on his plate the waiter basically took his unfinished meal and brought the check!"

Charity

"Hubby and I were in town for a couple of hours and stopped here to eat. First mistake. When I reached out to a local friend and she described this place as "decent" that should've been my cue. I ordered fried catfish, greens and baked beans with brisket. None of it had flavor or a lick of seasoning. This is not cornmeal style breading like southerners eat. It was almost tempura style in consistency and texture. My husband had shrimp (remove the tails yourself) and grits and was rather pleased. We also ordered the sausage platter which was served cool- almost cold. No heat or warmth to be found. The desserts- fried bread pudding and fruit crisp (we were told peach but received berry- only the topping was eaten)- were beautiful but fell short on flavor. The fried banana's Foster was pretty good. But we only ate the pastry portion. All in all, if you want shrimp n grits and bananas foster, try them. I personally wouldn't go back."

Chassid Mcbrayer

What People Like

Warm and welcoming atmosphere
Reasonable prices for downtown
Signature shrimp and grits

What People Dislike

Inconsistent flavor and seasoning
Disjointed service and long waits
Mediocre food quality

Frequently Asked Questions

Many diners recommend the shrimp and grits. Other popular choices include salmon, pulled pork, and barbecue platters.

Google Review+1

Yes, Smoke on the Water has comfortable outdoor seating, which is great for enjoying the downtown atmosphere.

Our Favorite Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Greenville, SCDog-Friendly Restaurants in Greenville, SC

Yes, the restaurant is noted for having gluten-free options, such as Shawarma Chicken.

Google Review

Prices are considered reasonable, especially for a downtown restaurant location.

Google Review

Some reviews mention longer wait times for food and occasionally disjointed meal service.

Google Review+1

The atmosphere is generally welcoming, and they have accommodated large groups and families.

Google Review+1

Yes, they offer a dog-friendly patio where your pets are welcome.

Our Favorite Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Greenville, SCDog-Friendly Restaurants in Greenville, SC

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As described by USA Today, “Some local foodies will claim there are better restaurants in Greenville, but even they take first-time Greenville visitors to Smoke on the Water, for a reliably great southern meal in a great location. While many local BBQ restaurants are no-frills joints with bright lights, Smoke on the Water quickly dispels that perception. Warm, cozy and welcoming, it’s a great place for lunch or dinner.

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Located in downtown Greenville, Smoke on the Water is a Texas-inspired smokehouse that offers a wide range of bbq dishes and beers on tap. The restaurant specializes in brisket, and its flavorful smoke-cooked brisket tacos or brisket nachos are a must-try. The restaurant's rustic décor and wooden interior, combined with the smell of smoked meats, make for an enjoyable dining experience.

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Smoke On the Water, 1 Augusta St #202, Greenville, SC: Smoke On the Water is a laid-back and inviting taproom that delights patrons with its relaxed ambiance and mouth-watering barbecue and Southern cuisine. With a charming outdoor seating area, it's the perfect spot to savor delicious food while enjoying the company of friends and furry companions.

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Smoke on the Water is a saucy Southern tavern dishing up uniquely different fare. Each dish has been specially crafted to meld with the correct sauces or seasonings—all of which are made in house from scratch. They also pride themselves on supporting local businesses by using local beers, spirits, and farm-to-table ingredients.

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This great spot offers amazing food and customer service, along with a comfortable outdoor setting. Pups and their owners are more than welcome to dine al fresco while the staff greet all dogs with a bowl full of water to keep them hydrated. Due to its popularity, diners are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot.

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Each dish at the Smoke on the Water is designed and crafted so that it goes well with the sauce and seasonings. Everything here is made from scratch, in-house. You’ll find all sorts of classic dishes here, from the Frogmore stew to the shrimp & grits, beer butt chicken, beef briskets, and more.

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Smoke on the Water serves up some of the best barbecue in Greenville, which is quite the claim to fame. It’s got all the glorious goods, like pulled pork, beef brisket, and beer butt chicken. With exposed brick walls and intimate booths, this cozy joint is always buzzing with a packed crowd.

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The restaurant has comfortable outdoor seating where you can dine al fresco with your pups in tow and the staff greet your dogs with their own water bowl to stay hydrated. You’ll want to arrive early as the outdoor patio always fills up quickly during peak hours.

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Great portion size, I couldn't even finish it even without the bun!. No gluten-free bun, but they do have a gluten free lemon pound cake which I had to get to go. I took a couple little bites of it, comes with strawberries, some syrups and whipped cream...

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Smoke on the Water is a fashionable barbeque restaurant/tavern next to Falls Park on the Reedy River in downtown Greenville. There is a large patio area outside the restaurant with several tables where you can dine al fresco with Fido in tow.

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What it's known for: You can choose between four different barbecue sauces to top your smoky 'cue in this spot by the river. Sides and appetizers are tasty and interesting. And it's a short walk to the falls.

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If you are sticking downtown, in addition to the other options that have been mentioned, I'll commend Smoke on the Water - for southern/BBQ cuisine.

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