When you walk into Gerhard’s, you are seemingly transported to a moody Austrian pub with its blend of rustic wood and warm leather.  Feel free to saddle up to the bar for a cold cocktail or German ale while you wait for a table.  There are three distinct seating areas, plus a beautiful patio for warm summer nights.  You have a choice of the formal dining room for fancy occasions, the more casual dining with private booths, and then the Biergarten which has open tables and a cozy fireplace.  

To start your experience, you’ll get a bread basket served with some of the best butter you’ve ever tasted.  It’s spicy, almost cheesy, and simply melts in your mouth!  If you need something else to tie you over until the main course, I highly recommend the fried pickles which are small, battered spears served crunchy and piping hot with a slightly spicy remoulade.  

On the menu for entrees are authentic dishes varying from Mahi-Mahi Kabobs over Rice to Elk Rouladen with Spaetzle and Red Cabbage.  One of my favorites is the Roasted Rack of Lamb with Green Peppercorn Sauce and Fried Potatoes – the sauce is perfectly creamy and spicy, a great compliment to the tender lamb.  For something more traditional, try the Wiener Schnitzel (a thin, breaded veal cutlet) with a traditional Gerhard’s salad (tangy potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and sauerkraut).  

For a casual night out with the family, try out some of the wood-fired pizzas.  I love the thin and crispy crust and from the traditional pepperoni to the interesting Swiss pizza topped with raclette cheese, you won't be disappointed. And they start at $8!

​Gerhard’s is a comfortable spot for a variety of occasions, so head there soon to wow a date, relax with your family, or impress out-of-town guests! ​And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

location.
197 E Saint John Street

what they are known for.
brewed-in-house ciders and beers

menu. (this is not the full menu)

features.
outdoor seating, indoor cornhole

Ciclops Cyderi and Brewery (Hub City Tap House) just celebrated their first anniversary, and the past year has been a huge success with tons of support from the Spartanburg community.  I attribute that not only to the great food and drinks, but also to the attitude of the staff and owners - they are all about community, hosting events for various charities and being super easy to work with for private parties.  Located right across from the Chapman Cultural Center, they are in a prime location to get a drink and snack before a show! (If you haven't seen Beauty and the Beast, try to get tickets for this weekend - you won't regret it!!)

When I saw that the brewery was releasing a new menu, I knew I had to try it out because the original menu had some impressive items.  I was glad to see some return, like the curry hummus!  We had a group go on a Tuesday night to try out their trivia for the first time as well.  If you are a trivia buff, you've got to give it a go - it was fairly tough!  

When you walk in, you'll know you are in a brewery by that signature smell.  The decor is sleek and industrial with concrete floors and high-gloss plywood tables.  There is a seating area with couches, chairs and coffee tables that is great for more intimate get-togethers, and of course the indoor cornhole which is open for anyone to play.  They are also family-friendly, offering apple juice and snacks for the kids, and there is a huge chalkboard near the restrooms to keep them entertained.

The beer and cider list can be found on the large TV screen over the bar.  It can be overwhelming, so ask for help and samples!!  Another option is to try several by ordering a flight.  One my favorites that they brew in-house is a cider called Ta Tse Dang (unsure of that spelling!) which is fruity and delicious.  You can find an updated beer list on their Facebook page at anytime.  

The food menu has about 10 options ranging from the meat and cheese tray which can be shared among friends, to the chicken salad croissant which is more of a one-person meal.  We tried the Curry Hummus, Pimento Cheese, and Boursin with soft pretzels. The hummus is a home run in my book - it is smooth and well-seasoned, served with soft naan bread and a side of olives, tomatoes and cucumbers.  The pimento cheese plate is another great app - the cheese is balanced by a sweet drizzle and served with strawberries, grapes and cucumbers as well as whole grain crackers.  But  my favorite of these three was the boursin - the cheese was creamy with a hint of onion and salty parmesan, and served with warm pretzels that complimented it perfectly.  

On a more recent visit, I tried the meat and cheese platter, and it may have topped the boursin as my new favorite!!  If you haven't visited the Ciclops Cyderi and Brewery yet, well, I don't know what you're waiting for.  It's great for happy hour with friends or coworkers, grabbing a drink and a bite before a show across the street, trivia night, private parties, work meetings, baby showers, you name it!  Check 'em out!! ​And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

Don't forget to check them out for trivia on Wednesdays and Live Music on Thursdays and Fridays!

Update: Growler Haus no longer serves pizza because now Papi's Tacos is in the haus!  Enjoy $2 tacos and $2 off beer flights every Tuesday.

Update: Papi's Tacos has moved out. Growler Haus now has their own "Haus Bites" menu, and it's perfect for bar snacking!

This is the hummus plate, which on this particular night featured Spicy Black Bean, Tzatziki (Greek), and Red Bean with corn relish varieties.  The black bean hummus was creamy with the richer flavor that comes with the black bean versus the traditional garbanzo, plus it has quite a kick! Red bean hummus was new to me, and it was a pleasant surprise.  Almost a bit smoky with the corn relish on top, it felt deeply southern in a comfortable way.  To me, the star of this plate was the greek-style Tzatziki hummus which was heavy on the chunks of cucumber and feta with the bright dill on top - you really needed a spoon to get this one onto the pita, and it is worth the effort!

Love seeing Growler Haus make their way with this new menu, and can't wait to try more! Cheers!!

​And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

location.
375 E. Kennedy Street

what they are known for.
the redneck cheeseburger

menu.

features.
outside dining, dog friendly, live music, trivia, daily food and drink specials, hub city delivery


The NuWay has been "Spartanburg's favorite bar since 1938", and for good reason.  It is known as a "no-frills roadhouse", which you'll get as soon as you walk in the door.  Mismatched furniture and eclectic wall decor ranging from vintage beers signs to hand-drawn pictures from local children.  Wait-staff is casual and friendly.  Patrons range from families with children to college students in search of grease.  In fact, they may be nursing a hangover acquired at this very bar the night before.  Local bands grace the "stage" on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, plus karaoke on Saturdays.  And don't forget trivia with Donnie on Monday nights, known as some of the most challenging trivia in town.

The NuWay has received numerous accolades.  Most recently it was named the Most Iconic Bar in South Carolina by The Thrillist.  It has been featured in Garden and Gun Magazine. And then of course, there is the Redneck Cheeseburger, which Food Network named the best burger in South Carolina.

I most likely first visited The NuWay on a Friday night in college.  Many other weekend nights (okay and weekday nights) have been spent here.  Go for the karaoke, go for the live music, go watch sports on the big screen, go sit out back and drink a $1.50 PBR after a rough day, bring out-of-town guests for dinner, go for lunch with coworkers. I've done all of these. Whatever your needs are, The NuWay can meet them.