6 Delicious Restaurants in York County, SC That Locals Love

If you’re hungry in York County, South Carolina, you’re in for a treat! This area is bursting with restaurants that mix Southern comfort with creative flair. Here are some of the best restaurants in York County that locals love.

After eating my way through Rock Hill and Fort Mill, I’ve rounded up my favorite restaurants where the food is as memorable as the stories behind it. From a historic lunch counter with deep Civil Rights roots to globally inspired kitchens, these York County restaurants are worth the visit!

Whether you want to brunch on stuffed French toast in Fort Mill or sip a craft cocktail in Rock Hill, you’ll want to check out these delicious restaurants in York County, SC that locals (and now I) absolutely love.

A special thanks to Visit York County, SC for hosting us for a weekend! As always, all opinions are my own.

A plate of French toast dusted with powdered sugar, topped with strawberries and blueberries, alongside syrup, at Poppyseed Kitchen in Fort Mill, South Carolina. A mug of frothy green matcha sits beside it.

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Best Restaurants in York County, SC

1. Kounter

American, Gourmet

A textured glass of red cocktail with ice and a blackberry garnish sits on a wooden table next to a napkin and a menu titled "Kounter Craft Cocktails" at Kounter in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

A plate with grilled steak, topped with fresh arugula, resting on creamy sauce alongside colorful garnish, accompanied by a bowl of cheesy corn risotto, from Kounter in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

The best meal we had in York County was at Kounter, a creative restaurant inside a historic building where the food is every bit as good as it looks (and it looks Insta-worthy).

Back in 1961, this building was the site of the “Friendship Nine” sit-in Civil Rights protest. These men kicked off the “Jail, No Bail” movement, and Kounter still has the original pink laminate counter where the men sat, plus the bar stools with their names on the back.

You’ll find owner Chef Rob Masone behind the counter putting the finishing touches on his picture-perfect dishes. I recommend the 17 Herb Seared Hangar Steak or the Lobster Gnocchi. The Sherried Crab Dip appetizer was great too. To drink, I got their rotating Community Cocktail whose proceeds go to a local organization.

135 E Main St Suite 101, Rock Hill, SC 29730

2. Poppyseed Kitchen

Breakfast, Brunch

A plate of French toast dusted with powdered sugar, topped with strawberries and blueberries, with a small syrup cup and orange juice nearby, at Poppyseed Kitchen in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Plate with flaky biscuits smothered in creamy sausage gravy, topped with scrambled eggs and chopped green onions, beside a glass of orange juice at Poppyseed Kitchen in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Poppyseed Kitchen is one of the best restaurants in Fort Mill for breakfast and brunch, as you can tell by the line out the door waiting for a table (you can call ahead to join the waitlist same-day).

I recommend the Stuffed French Toast or the Biscuit and Gravy with a side of bacon (it’s corn-cob-smoked and delicious!), paired with the Matcha Latte.

485 Tom Hall St #103, Fort Mill, SC 29715

3. FM (Fort Mill) Eatery

Globally-Inspired Dishes

A plate with avocado toast topped with a fried egg alongside a fresh salad with greens and radishes at FM Eatery in Fort Mill, South Carolina. A glass of soda rests on the wooden table.

A white bowl with the Oink-A-Doodle-Moo Bowl dish from FM Eatery in Fort Mill, South Carolina topped with a fried egg and crispy onions on a wooden table. Beside it, a glass of water and orange juice, and a gray napkin.

FM Eatery is a trendy restaurant in Downtown Fort Mill that serves brunch on the weekends and lunch and dinner throughout the week. We visited for Saturday brunch.

I recommend the Tomato & Avocado Toast with eggs over easy for a lighter breakfast, or the Oink-A-Doodle-Moo Bowl for an explosion of flavors and a heartier brunch.

217 Main St, Fort Mill, SC 29715

4. Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails

American, Southern

A grilled sandwich with melted cheese and beef patties is stacked on a speckled plate at Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails in Rock Hill, South Carolina. A toothpick secures it, and a metal cup of ketchup is in the background.

A bowl of creamy pasta topped with seasoned grilled chicken slices and garnished with green onions, accompanied by toasted bread, on a rustic wooden table at Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails offers a menu of American dishes with a Southern twist and unique, craft cocktails. Located not far from Winthrop University, the restaurant gives off a studious, library-inspired vibe.

I recommend the The Melt with their Garlic Parm Shaken Fry Bag or the Creole Chicken Linguini. To drink, I went for the It Takes Two to Mango.

300 Technology Center Way Suite #203, Rock Hill, SC 29730

5. Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe

French, Bakery

A cinnamon roll with creamy icing in a blue-striped box beside a branded Amélie's coffee cup, on a yellow table with a French café vibe from Amelie's French Bakery & Cafe in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

You’ll find Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe inside the old bank building in Old Town Rock Hill. They’ve turned the bank vault into their walk-in cooler, and the restaurant space is bright and airy with two levels of seating.

Let yourself be tempted by the pastries and baked goods behind the counter. We went for a Cinnamon Roll and a Steamed Apple Cider (the perfect seasonal drink for fall in Rock Hill!).

157 E Main St, Rock Hill, SC 29730

6. 650 Tinsley Social

Hotel Restaurant & Bar

A slice of cheesecake with strawberry sauce on a clear plate next to a glass of white wine and water, set on a wooden table with red napkins at 650 Tinsley Social in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

A refreshing red Strawberry Daiquiri with a lime on a wooden table, next to cheesecake and a small dish of strawberry sauce, at 650 Tinsley Social in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

650 Tinsley Social is the restaurant and bar inside the Hilton Garden Inn Rock Hill. They serve breakfast, dinner, and drinks if you’re looking for a meal nearby while staying in Rock Hill. They have indoor seating, an outdoor patio, and cozy fire pits.

We stopped in for drinks and dessert while staying at the hotel. I recommend the Strawberry Daiquiri with a slice of Cheesecake with strawberry topping.

650 Tinsley Way, Rock Hill, SC 29730

York County Restaurants Map

Ready to eat your way around these restaurants in Rock Hill and Fort Mill? Use the map below to find all the York County restaurants listed in this post.

I hope you have a great time visiting York County, South Carolina!

Where to Stay in York County, SC

Where I Stayed: Hilton Garden Inn Rock Hill
Top Hotel: Hampton Inn Rock Hill
Great Value: Clarion Pointe Near University
Unique Stay: Water’s Edge Cottage

More South Carolina Travel Tips

Find more fun things to do in South Carolina with these top blog posts:

Ready to visit Rock Hill, South Carolina? Plan your trip with these tips.

Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Rock Hill using Expedia.
Start Packing: Check out my packing list resources so you’re prepared for your trip.

Cheers!

Paige

6 Delicious Restaurants in York County, SC That Locals Love

What are your favorite restaurants in York County, South Carolina? Let me know in the comments!

6 Delicious Restaurants in York County, SC That Locals Love