A community guide to the best places to eat in the Pee Dee — from legendary BBQ to hidden breakfast spots, date night favorites, and everything in between.
Last reviewed: April 2026 — verify details directly with providers before visiting.
Florence, SC has a food scene that residents know and newcomers are about to discover. This is not a list of chain restaurants — it is a guide to the places that actually make this city worth eating in. Updated regularly, powered by community knowledge, and completely free.
Community-Driven Guide
If we missed your favorite spot, scroll to the bottom to suggest it.
In the Pee Dee, BBQ is not just food — it is a point of pride. Florence sits at the heart of South Carolina's most distinctive BBQ region, where the tradition is mustard-based and the arguments about whose brisket is better can last decades. Locals here take their smoked meats seriously, and for good reason. Whether you prefer yours pulled, sliced, or sauced, the Florence BBQ scene has opinions — and we respect that. If you are new to town, getting acquainted with local BBQ is practically a rite of passage.
A downtown Florence staple known for wood-fired smoked meats, St. Louis-style ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and the legendary Jar-B-Q Bowl — creamy mac and cheese topped with BBQ beans and pulled pork, served in a mason jar. Full bar with local craft beers. Live music on weekends.
150 S Dargan St, Florence, SC 29506
(843) 407-7545
One of Florence's true old-school BBQ institutions serving pit-cooked whole hog barbecue in the authentic Pee Dee tradition. Expect a full buffet of accompaniments including mac and cheese, chicken bog, slaw, biscuits, and sweet potato casserole. Some nights feature live bluegrass music.
A beloved Florence BBQ buffet that combines smoked meats with seafood options. A local favorite for the full Southern spread.
1247 S Irby St, Florence, SC 29505
A Florence institution with over 50 years of history. Family-owned and famous for traditional Southern BBQ, fried chicken, and old-fashioned chicken bog — the Pee Dee's signature rice-and-chicken dish. No frills, just food that earns its reputation.
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Suggest a RestaurantFlorence has a deep tradition of soul food — the kind of cooking that feels like someone's grandmother made it. These are the restaurants where the vegetables taste better than anything you will find at a chain, where cornbread comes with everything, and where the staff knows your order by your third visit.
Tucked inside the Pee Dee State Farmers Market in a big red barn, Julia Belle's is one of Florence's most beloved soul food secrets. Locals swear by the shrimp and grits, Lowcountry boil, BBQ egg rolls, homemade buttermilk biscuits, and the White Russian Pecan Pie. A true hidden gem.
2513 W Lucas St, Florence, SC 29501
(843) 407-4686
A bustling Florence favorite serving up some of the tastiest soul food in the Pee Dee. The kind of place where the vegetables taste like someone's grandmother made them and the cornbread comes with everything.
Highly rated by locals for generous portions, fresh-cooked plates, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like family from the first visit.
A Black-owned brunch gem in Florence serving soul food favorites anchored around their signature everything waffle. Open Sundays for brunch. A community favorite worth seeking out.
Classic Florence soul food with a buffet of Southern favorites. Known for consistent quality and a warm, no-frills atmosphere that keeps regulars coming back weekly.
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Suggest a RestaurantFlorence has more upscale dining options than most people expect for a city its size. Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, impressing out-of-town guests, or simply want a meal that feels like an occasion, Florence delivers.
The crown jewel of downtown Florence dining. Chef Kelly Vogelheim — South Carolina Chef Ambassador 2019 — runs a "New Southern" kitchen built on locally sourced ingredients, seasonal specials, and a comprehensive wine list, inside a beautifully restored downtown space. Consistently Florence's top-rated restaurant for food quality, service, and atmosphere.
101 W Evans St, Florence, SC 29501
(843) 472-5203
Inside Hotel Florence, Chef Cooper Thomas — also a SC Chef Ambassador — delivers an upscale farm-to-table experience. Known for wagyu burgers, filet mignon, prime rib, bacon-wrapped scallops, and an elegant bar that draws the after-work crowd.
126 W Evans St, Florence, SC 29501
(843) 665-0846
An intimate Italian bistro with about a dozen tables where the dishes are as authentic as they come — spaghetti all'Amatriciana, chicken marsala, osso bucco. One of Florence's most beloved neighborhood restaurants.
Florence's premier gathering place for Lowcountry cuisine with French, African, Mediterranean, and West Indian influences. Famous for shrimp and grits in a dining room designed to feel like a Charleston outdoor café. Order the Angels on Horseback if it's on the menu.
An intimate live jazz venue and restaurant for a quieter, soulful evening out. One of Florence's most unique dining experiences.
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Suggest a RestaurantFlorence mornings are worth slowing down for. From no-frills diners where the coffee is hot and the biscuits are made from scratch, to brunch spots with a more relaxed weekend vibe, breakfast in the Pee Dee is one of the simple pleasures of living here.
Florence's favorite local coffee house for early morning wake-ups, great coffee, and a relaxed atmosphere. Also hosts night-time open mics and live music. A true community gathering spot.
A charmingly Victorian-themed tearoom offering lunch and afternoon tea service complete with finger sandwiches, scones, and lemon curd. Unique in the Pee Dee and perfect for a special morning out.
Serves a sumptuous weekend brunch alongside its dinner menu. The elegant bar and farm-to-table philosophy make it Florence's most upscale morning option.
126 W Evans St
(843) 665-0846
An artsy coffee shop featuring specialty drinks and all your favorite coffee concoctions. A creative, laid-back space beloved by the FMU crowd and downtown regulars alike.
Sunday soul food brunch built around their signature everything waffle alongside fried chicken, fried fish, turkey wings, and biscuits. Worth planning your Sunday around.
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Suggest a RestaurantThe best family-friendly spots in Florence are not just tolerant of children — they welcome them. Large portions, comfortable seating, and price points that do not require a special occasion.
Florence families know where to find the best welcoming restaurants.
One of the most beloved restaurants in Florence right now, located near the farmers market in a building with a large outdoor patio. Hawaiian BBQ-style dishes — chicken katsu, rice bowls, macaroni salad — with generous portions and a staff locals rave about.
2513 W Lucas St, Florence, SC 29501
Stone-baked pizzas, 48 beers on tap, fresh salads, and over 40 ingredients to build your own pie. Family-friendly atmosphere and a menu that works for every age.
120 Dunbarton Dr, Florence, SC 29501
(843) 407-1442
Creative tacos and bowls with bold flavors. Locals can't stop talking about the chorizo mac and cheese. The chicken and rice bowl is the go-to for families with little ones. A devoted Florence following.
The farmers market setting and soul food menu makes this one of the most family-friendly experiences in Florence. Kids love the buttermilk biscuits.
2513 W Lucas St
(843) 407-4686
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Suggest a RestaurantThis guide is community-driven. If you know a restaurant that deserves to be on this list — whether it's your family's go-to BBQ spot, a hidden gem, or the best breakfast in town — we want to hear about it.
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This guide belongs to Florence — which means it gets better every time a resident adds to it. If your favorite restaurant is not on here yet, we want to know about it.
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