In northwestern South Carolina’s Old 96 District, a surprising depth of flavor is rooted in tradition, heritage, and bold culinary vision. At Christine’s Farm to Fork restaurant in the quiet city of Edgefield, every dish begins in soil that’s been tended by the same family for four generations. Here, “fresh-picked” doesn’t need to be stated. Nothing less is expected when it comes to chef Matt Flemister’s food. That same spirit surrounds the tables of Pascal’s Cafe & Grill in nearby Greenwood, where French chef Pascal Hurtebize—trained in the Michelin-starred restaurants of Paris—treats locally sourced ingredients not as a trend, but as a personal philosophy. The fragrance of shrimp and grits, lamb osso buco, and duck confit perfumes his bistro. In Abbeville, 2023 South Carolina Chef Ambassador Erica McCier channels ancestral flavor at Indigenous Underground, where classic Afro-Indigenous dishes take center stage. Rich plates of black-eyed pea gumbo, spicy pimento cheese, and gator bites add up to a satisfying meal of unique flavors. From refined French plates to soulful Southern heritage cooking, the Old 96 District’s culinary scene is anything but expected—and it’s never tasted better.
Plan your Old 96 District menu at VISITOLD96SC.COM
