One of the best ways to experience Pumpkintown and the surrounding foothills is through the locally owned restaurants, country stores, markets, farm stands, and small businesses found along the backroads and in nearby towns.
You will not find a large commercial district in Pumpkintown, but you will find memorable places with good food, friendly service, and plenty of local character. A short drive also opens the door to downtown Pickens, Travelers Rest, Easley, Clemson, Brevard and other Upstate communities.
Whether you are looking for breakfast before a hike, barbecue after a day at Table Rock, fresh produce, antiques, or an unusual roadside shop, you can start here.
Local Favorites
Discover some of the most popular restaurants, markets, and locally owned businesses featured on PumpkintownSC.com.
What Are You Looking For?
Want a Taste of Pumpkintown?
These local gathering places offer food, personality, and a connection to the community. They are natural stops before or after a day at Table Rock, Lake Oolenoy, or along Highway 11.
- Pumpkintown General Store & Café: A True Upstate Landmark
- Aunt Sue’s Country Corner: A Mountain Tradition Near Table Rock
- Pumpkintown Mountain Opry: BBQ, Coffee, Ice Cream, and Mountain Views
- Pumpkintown Produce: Fresh From the Fields of Pumpkintown
Looking for a Casual Local Meal?
Sometimes you just want a good burger, a giant slice of pizza, or a plate of barbecue without turning the meal into a formal occasion. These local spots are worth considering when hunger hits.
- Could Holly Springs Country Store Have the Best Burger in Pickens County?
- Dacusville Pizza Stop: A Local Favorite Worth the Drive
- Merrill’s Pizza: One of Easley’s Go-To Spots for a Giant Slice
- Home Team BBQ Greenville: Smoked Meats, Strong Drinks, and Six Sauces
- The Burning Brick Tavern: A Local Gathering Place in Downtown Pickens
Need Coffee, Ice Cream, or Something Sweet?
A mountain drive is even better with coffee, ice cream, or a local treat. These stops can easily fit into a day of hiking, shopping, or sightseeing.
- Build Your Own To-Go Espresso at Dacusville Pizza Stop
- The Pink Ice Cream Shop That’s Become a Travelers Rest Favorite
- Pumpkintown Mountain Opry
Hunting for Antiques and Hidden Treasures?
Pickens County and the surrounding mountains are filled with flea markets, antique stores, and unusual shops where the fun is often in not knowing what you will find.
- Market at the Mill: One of South Carolina’s Largest Indoor Markets
- The Pickens Flea Market: One of the Upstate’s Best Places to Treasure Hunt
- The Whistle Stop Depot: An Antique Treasure in the North Carolina Mountains
- Needful Things: A Treasure Hunt Hidden Along Highway 11
- The Massive Discount Book Warehouse Most Upstate Residents Don’t Know About
Looking for Fresh Produce and Seasonal Favorites?
Farm stands, produce markets, orchards and roadside shops are part of life in the foothills. Offerings change throughout the year, with peaches, apples, berries, vegetables, and local products arriving in season.
- Pumpkintown Produce: Fresh From the Fields of Pumpkintown
- Poinsett Produce: One of the Upstate’s Best Old-Fashioned Produce Stands
- The Highway 25 Peach Trail: A Summer Tradition in the Upstate
- Sky Top Orchard: A Complete Guide to Apple Picking in the North Carolina Mountains
- Best Apple Picking Near Table Rock State Park
Want to Explore a Walkable Downtown?
The small towns surrounding Pumpkintown offer restaurants, shops, public art, historic buildings, and places to explore on foot.
- A Walk Through Downtown Pickens
- Downtown Travelers Rest: One of the Upstate’s Most Walkable Small Towns
- Have You Ever Hunted for the Turtles Hidden Around Downtown Pickens?
- The Curious Gap Between Two Historic Buildings on Main Street, Pickens
Looking for a Unique Roadside Stop?
Some businesses are worth visiting simply because nothing else is quite like them. These roadside stops add personality to a drive through the foothills.
- Big Bear Chainsaw Carvings: Highway 11’s Most Unique Roadside Attraction
- Echo Plaza: The Last Stop Before the Mountains
- Miracle Hill: The Story Behind One of Pickens County’s Most Inspiring Landmarks
Find What You Need
Restaurants and Places to Eat
Browse local restaurants, cafés, barbecue spots, pizza shops, country stores, and other places to eat around Pumpkintown and the Upstate.
Shops and Markets
Discover antique stores, flea markets, farm stands, roadside shops and other interesting places to browse.
Local Businesses and Services
Find businesses serving Pumpkintown and the surrounding foothills, including home services, outdoor businesses and community resources.
Complete Business Directory
Search the local directory for businesses, services, and organizations throughout the area.
Before You Visit
Many locally owned businesses in the foothills operate with smaller staff and schedules that may change seasonally.
Before making a special trip:
- Check the business’s current hours.
- Confirm whether reservations are recommended.
- Ask whether credit cards are accepted.
- Review seasonal schedules and holiday closures.
- Call ahead if you are traveling a long distance.
- Remember that cellular service can be unreliable near the mountains.
Whenever possible, confirm information directly with the business before leaving home.
Make It Part of Your Day
A meal or shopping stop can easily become part of a larger Upstate adventure.
Explore Nearby Attractions
Find hiking trails, waterfalls, lakes, parks, and scenic overlooks near Pumpkintown.
See What Is Happening
Check for festivals, concerts, farmers’ markets, and community gatherings taking place during your visit.
Plan an Overnight Stay
Find cabins, campgrounds, hotels and vacation rentals near Pumpkintown, Table Rock and the surrounding communities.
Plan the Rest of Your Visit
Find visitor guides, seasonal information, transportation tips and practical travel resources.
Latest Places to Eat and Shop
We add new restaurants, shops, markets, and local businesses as we discover them.
Support Local
Every meal, purchase, and recommendation helps support the people who keep these foothill communities unique. Shopping locally also gives visitors a chance to discover places and stories they may never find along the interstate.
If you enjoy your visit, consider leaving a thoughtful review, recommending the business to a friend, or sharing it with others.
Add Your Business
Do you own or manage a business serving Pumpkintown or the surrounding foothills? Submit your information to be considered for the PumpkintownSC.com local directory.