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Some restaurants are good. Some are memorable. Stella's Southern Bistro in Simpsonville, South Carolina is the kind of place people drive across the Upstate for, then tell everyone they know about afterward. Open since 2008, this Fairview Road staple has built a loyal following through a simple but powerful idea. Take the best ingredients from local farmers and the Carolina coast, handle them with real culinary skill, and serve them in a room where everyone feels at home.
It is not just a great meal. It is a complete experience.
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The Story Behind the Restaurant
Stella's was opened by Chef Jason Scholz and his wife, Julia, in 2008. The name belongs to their late black Labrador, a kind and energetic dog they describe as full of genuine affection and always happy to see a friend. That spirit is something the team works to carry into every shift.
Jason grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, where his mother was a successful caterer. He trained through the kitchens of Louisville, then Charleston, where he worked with Maverick Southern Kitchens at Slightly North of Broad before becoming sous chef. He later served as executive chef at the original High Cotton in Greenville when it opened in 1999. That combination of Lowcountry kitchen experience and fine dining discipline is the backbone of every plate that comes out of Stella's kitchen.
Julia grew up on the Carolina coast as the daughter of a fisherman and restaurateur. She is a Johnson and Wales graduate who managed restaurants in Charleston before the couple built Stella's together. The restaurant, from its menu to its atmosphere, reflects her coastal upbringing, her creativity, and her love for genuine Southern hospitality.
Since opening in Simpsonville, the team has expanded. Stella's Southern Brasserie opened in Greenville in 2017, and Rotie by Stella's followed as a third location. The original Simpsonville bistro, though, remains the heart of everything.
The Atmosphere
Walking into Stella's feels like the right kind of surprise. It is relaxed without being casual. Polished without being stiff. The team describes it as a beach-front ease, and that comparison lands correctly. There is a warmth to the dining room that makes it work just as well for a Tuesday lunch as it does for a Saturday anniversary dinner.
The restaurant also features the Indigo Room, a private dining space that can accommodate groups of up to 50 people. Whether it is a corporate dinner, a rehearsal event, or a milestone birthday, the private room gives the full Stella's experience with added exclusivity.
What to Eat
The menu at Stella's is seasonal and farm-focused. That means it changes based on what local farms and the Carolina coast are producing at their best. Every item is made from scratch, and the sourcing is specific. You will see names like Bradford Farm, Dorr Farms, Happy Cow Creamery, Manchester Farms, Heritage Farm, Sweet Grass Dairy, Split Creek Farms, and Anson Mills throughout the menu. These are real producers with real relationships with the kitchen.
Starters Worth Ordering:
- Warm Collard Dip, Bradford Farm collards with parmesan, cracklin crust, southern pepper jam, and grilled focaccia
- Sweet Grass Dairy Baked Brie with whipped honey, balsamic marinated Dorr Farms strawberries, toasted pecans, and crispy prosciutto focaccia
- Stella's Southern Sampler, a shareable plate of pimento cheese, fried house bologna, deviled eggs, assorted pickles, pork rinds, beer mustard, and grilled focaccia
- Bistro Pimento Cheese Plate with bacon jam, house grilled bologna, pickled vegetables, and focaccia
Dinner Entrees That Stand Out:
Signature Shrimp and Grits, pimento cheese grits with smoked bacon, peppers, tomato, basil, and shrimp broth. This is the dish that comes up in nearly every review, and for good reason.
Parmesan Crusted Carolina Flounder, a showstopper of a plate built on lump crab, Carolina Gold rice, snow pea and scallion pirlau, skillet roasted bok choy, lemon scented cauliflower puree, and toasted benne seed broth
Grilled Heritage Farm Bone-In Pork Chop, served with an Anson Mills baked cheddar grit cake, Southern braised collard greens, and smoky pork jus
Grilled Manchester Farms Quail Duo with Anson Mills dirty rice grits, skillet-fried Wakefield cabbage, cornbread puree, and red-eye gravy
Grilled 12oz New York Strip with tallow-fried fingerling potatoes, roasted local mushrooms, and red wine shallot butter
Brunch, Which Deserves Its Own Mention:
Stella's brunch is a serious meal, not an afterthought. A few things worth knowing about before you go:
- Stella's Mimosas are served by the glass for $5 or by the pitcher for $18, with your choice of orange, cranberry, or seasonal juice
- The Seasonal Sangria, the signature wine punch with liqueurs and seasonal fruits, comes by the glass or pitcher
- The Southern Bloody Mary is built with pimento cheese-stuffed olives and a Cajun-spiced house mix
- Signature Shrimp and Grits shows up on the brunch menu too, at $20, and it is one of the best orders on the table
- The Dorr Farms Strawberry French Toast, made on Southern Baking challah with honey whipped mascarpone, pistachios, and Nutella syrup, is a brunch signature that regulars plan their weekends around
- Huevos Rancheros, made with sunny-side-up farm eggs, chorizo, braised beef short ribs, Jimmy Red hominy, avocado, queso fresco, and salsa verde, is a bold and deeply satisfying plate
Perks Worth Knowing
Happy Hour runs Tuesday through Saturday from 4 pm to 6 pm. Every Tuesday is also $25 Wine Night, with hand-picked bottles from Mission Grape Co. The lunch loyalty program gives you every 11th entree free after buying 10, a great reason to make this a regular stop.
The restaurant accepts AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa. Prepaid gift cards are not accepted. Gift certificates are available on their website and are redeemable at all three Stella's locations.
Hours
Lunch runs Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. Dinner is served Tuesday through Thursday from 5 pm to 9 pm and Friday through Saturday from 5 pm to 9:30 pm. Brunch is Saturday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and Sunday from 10:30 am to 2 pm. The restaurant is closed on Mondays. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made through OpenTable.
Stella's has been featured in publications including the LA Times and Garden and Gun Magazine, but what keeps people coming back is simpler than that. The food is honest, the service is warm, and the ingredients are real. For anyone relocating to the Greenville area or just looking for a reliable place to take guests, this is the restaurant you will want on your list.
Thinking about making the Greenville area your next home? Our team at The Whaley Group can help you find the right neighborhood, whether it is Simpsonville, Greenville, or anywhere across the Upstate. Reach out today and let us help you get started.
