I don’t know about y ’all but this fall weather is making me hungry for comfort food. After all, it is countdown to Thanksgiving! Whether it’s a tapas-style meal, French cuisine, blue pate specials, international foods… Aiken is the place to be for good eats! And, it’s not just about the cuisine, it’s the unique dining atmosphere as well.
Pardon My French Café
For a European café experience, this café is the place to be! It’s so quaint that you will feel like you’re dining in a country side near Paris. A must-try is the specialty Ham and Gruyere Cheese Quiche.
Red Pepper Café
Behind the wrought iron black gates of this beautiful dining establishment is an outdoor patio that leads to indoor seating with live entertainment and seasonal favorites such as the Lobster Bisque, Shrimp and Grits, and Fried Oysters served with a honey citrus pepper sauce … need we say more?
New Moon Café
This café is known for roasting the best socially conscious coffees and serving hearty soups. A must-try is the Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup. While you eat, browse at the artwork on the walls for sale by local artists.
Whiskey Alley
Time your meal correctly and you'll get to enjoy entertainment in the Alley. And, this picture of food is worth a thousand words! One hint: Charcuterie Platter.
Track Kitchen
Off the beaten path and near downtown Aiken, southern food doesn’t get better than this kitchen! This gem is nestled in the middle of dirt roads surrounded by horses, racing tracks and stables. Note the memorabilia on the kitchen walls illustrating years of friends and workers who came together in Aiken to train some of the best thoroughbreds in the world!
Taj Aiken
Dine internationally with authentic Indian food in Aiken and be greeted by incredible fragrances as you open the door. Tasty dishes are prepared with fresh herbs and spices. The garlic naan is so fresh that you can taste the cumin and cardamom. Other favorite bites include the Spinach Pakoda, Chicken Tikki Masala and the Lamb Saag paired with fragrant basmati rice.
Betsy’s On the Corner
This restaurant is a favorite of many (in fact, it’s expanding and relocating soon to meet the needs of the popular crowd)! It’s an old-fashion style diner known for its retro soda fountain, blue plate specials, burgers and ice cream and the ahhhh…their famous mouth-watering Chicken and Dumplings!
Stables at Rose Hill
When you crave an exquisite meal, The Stables at Rose Hill offers an exceptional menu and attentive service. Entrees include choices such as the Jagerschnitzel, Red Snapper and Filet Mignon. This charming garden estate in downtown Aiken is one of the four locations in the US where a historic estate has repurposed an original horse stable into a restaurant.
It’s no surprise that chefs in Aiken will always keep it interesting, offering unique dining opportunities and bringing fresh meals with bold flavors to the table. There are many places to dine in Aiken depending on your style and taste buds. Bon Appetite!