Food scene
You have to eat right? Might as well eat well. Florence has hundreds of great restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for some good old-fashioned southern barbecue, or a wide selection of tapas, there are plenty of choices. Southern specialties include fried chicken and fried okra, and great desserts such as pecan pie and cake-in-a-jar.
In Florence County, residents embrace new and old restaurants, especially locally owned. Around here, a meal isn’t just to nourish the body; it’s to enjoy the company we’re with, as well as our roots. So grab your family or friends to try out our local favorites.
Holt Bros BBQ
2087 W Evans StExcellent BBQ and a fantastic staff. It is another “must try”.
Possibly one of South Carolina’s best seafood restaurants!
9 locals recommend
Tubb's Shrimp and Fish Co.
1500 2nd Loop RdPossibly one of South Carolina’s best seafood restaurants!
The Drive In
135 E Palmetto StLocal favorite diner/drive in restaurant!
Wholly Smokin' Downtown
150 S Dargan StAmazing local smokehouse bbq!
It’s Mexican food, does there need to more of a reason?
6 locals recommend
El Agave Mexican Restaurant
147 W Evans StIt’s Mexican food, does there need to more of a reason?
Starfire Grill
2130 W Palmetto StAnother local favorite offering great American and Greek food.
Stefano's Pizza Restaurant
2600 South Irby StreetFlorence’s best Italian food option!
Great local nice and romantic restaurant. Higher end with a hometown feel.
11 locals recommend
Town Hall
101 W Evans StGreat local nice and romantic restaurant. Higher end with a hometown feel.
Romantic downtown restaurant. A little pricey, but great food.
18 locals recommend
Victors Steaks Wine Seafood
126 W Evans StRomantic downtown restaurant. A little pricey, but great food.
A longtime favorite in Florence. Known for breakfast, but also great for lunch.
Venus Restaurant & Catering
471 W Palmetto StA longtime favorite in Florence. Known for breakfast, but also great for lunch.
Jimmy John's
483 West Palmetto StreetFreaky fast right around the corner.
ChocoBella
114 N Dargan StNew high end chocolate and gelato shop. Absolutely amazing!
Krispy Kreme
1709 W Palmetto StIf the Hot Now sign is on, GO! 😁
Another great local eatery offering a wide variety of tacos and Mexican food.
14 locals recommend
King Jefe
134 S Irby StAnother great local eatery offering a wide variety of tacos and Mexican food.
Lula's Coffee Co
160 S Dargan StAnother favorite! Locally owned coffee shop.
Cibo
1270 Celebration BlvdGreat Italian with "quicker" service than Stefano's, and run by the same family.
Birds Nest
166 S Dargan StF.E. Pop’s
1811 Cherokee RdFreeman's Bakery
1307 2nd Loop RdYour One Stop Sweet Shop
Since 1964
Red Bone Alley Restaurant
1903 W Palmetto StSouthern Hops Brewing Co.
911 S Sunset Acres LnRebel Pie
804 2nd Loop RdAmazing locally owned brick fire oven pizza!
Outdoor parks and recreation areas
There are so many areas to head out to enjoy the outdoors. There are a few parks/playgrounds within a couple blocks from The Kuker Place, and even more to explore with a short drive!
Maple Park Community Center
915 Gregg AveNeighborhood park.
High Hill Bike and Run Park
2502 Prosperity WayGreat local mountain bike and running trail
Timrod Park
400 Timrod Park DrLarge local neighborhood park and playground
B.K.'s Playground
Amazing handicap inclusive playground!
Lynches River County Park offers a treetop canopy walk and Environmental Discovery Center, along with a splash pad that is a favorite for kids during the summer months.
Lynches River County Park
5094 County Park RdLynches River County Park offers a treetop canopy walk and Environmental Discovery Center, along with a splash pad that is a favorite for kids during the summer months.
Sightseeing
Favorite local walking and biking path. This path entry is also located at the local bike (Phil’s Bicycle World) and outdoor shop (Naturally Outdoors).
Florence Rail Trail Connection Trailhead
2521 W Palmetto StFavorite local walking and biking path. This path entry is also located at the local bike (Phil’s Bicycle World) and outdoor shop (Naturally Outdoors).
Events and arts
Local places for events and the arts
Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center
201 S Dargan StBeautiful FMU performing arts center.
Florence County Museum
111 W Cheves StFlorence Little Theatre
417 S Dargan StFlorence’s local theater with live plays and concerts.
The area’s largest event center holding concerts, circus, rodeo, monster truck, sporting events, and more!
Florence Center
3300 W Radio DrThe area’s largest event center holding concerts, circus, rodeo, monster truck, sporting events, and more!
Have a fun and creative date night, or head over there for some quality time with your whole family.
DIY Place Florence
157 W Evans StHave a fun and creative date night, or head over there for some quality time with your whole family.
Shopping
This is an historic store that has a deep history in Florence with great prices on local products, t-shirts, housewares and more.
Tomlinson's Florence
1309 E Palmetto StThis is an historic store that has a deep history in Florence with great prices on local products, t-shirts, housewares and more.
Magnolia Mall
Pee Dee State Farmers Market
2513 W Lucas StWonderful collection of produce and locally grown and made products!
At Florence Mall, you’ll find more big names such as Ulta, TJ Maxx, Ross, and Pet’s Mart. Dining is convenient with Red Bone Alley, Schlotsky’s, Starbucks, Five Guys, Moe’s, and Cici’s Pizza right at the mall.
Florence Mall
1945 W Palmetto StAt Florence Mall, you’ll find more big names such as Ulta, TJ Maxx, Ross, and Pet’s Mart. Dining is convenient with Red Bone Alley, Schlotsky’s, Starbucks, Five Guys, Moe’s, and Cici’s Pizza right at the mall.
Booty Brothers Western Store carries a full line of western boots for men and women. They also carry most major work boots brands as well. Booty Brother’s is located at 120 Quartz Lane, Florence, SC 29506.
Booty Brothers Western Store
Booty Brothers Western Store carries a full line of western boots for men and women. They also carry most major work boots brands as well. Booty Brother’s is located at 120 Quartz Lane, Florence, SC 29506.
Shop for unique and trendy Women's attire, whimsical and fun Children's clothing, gorgeous locally handmade Jewelry, Handbags, and much more.
Pretty N Bliss
Shop for unique and trendy Women's attire, whimsical and fun Children's clothing, gorgeous locally handmade Jewelry, Handbags, and much more.
Our Mission: To offer a fun and safe experience for children and their parents to shop for toys hand selected based on their play value to the child, as well as a place to shop in person for high quality children's clothing and accessories. To also connect the companies, charities, customers, and other small businesses in a way that maximizes the impact we can have on all children in our community and beyond.
hakabohu - the toy shop
Our Mission: To offer a fun and safe experience for children and their parents to shop for toys hand selected based on their play value to the child, as well as a place to shop in person for high quality children's clothing and accessories. To also connect the companies, charities, customers, and other small businesses in a way that maximizes the impact we can have on all children in our community and beyond.
City/town information
2023 Great American Main Street Award Winner
Florence has undergone an amazing revitalization over the past several years!!
Florence Downtown Historic District
2023 Great American Main Street Award Winner
Florence has undergone an amazing revitalization over the past several years!!