If you equate romance with French dining, then don't let Passerelle Bistro in downtown Greenville escape your attention. The restaurant feels like a Paris eatery, down to the details of soft yellow walls and contrasting deep red accents, with fresh flowers atop each table. Not to mention the French words for "hot" and "cold" on the bathroom faucets, if you must know. The light French menu of salads and sandwiches for lunch and heartier dishes like duck breast and vegetable pot pie for dinner also includes an all-French cheese board and wine list. Stop by for a romantic meal, inside or out. Passerelle's located right at the Main Street entrance to Falls Park and Greenville's landmark suspension bridge, Liberty Bridge.

Stella's Southern Bistro, located a bit off the Main Street grid in neighboring Simpsonville, affords hearty Southern favorites and a little romance without the price tag of downtown Greenville. Lunch and dinner options range from hanger steak and pork chops to shrimp and grits and NC monkfish, with more of a balance between land and sea options than other local Southern-inspired restaurants. The menu changes often, with daily and weekly specials that keep eating here exciting. But what remains the same is the more casual atmosphere and dishes that use local ingredients.

Known for aged steaks, fresh fish and romantic ambiance, Larkin's on the River is a perfect choice for a splurge in Greenville. Wait staff are nothing but professional. Subdued lighting and cozy tables set the stage for a romantic evening, and the excellent staff are happy to help you make a selection from an impressive wine list. Restaurant specialties include she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, aged filet mignon, and Chilean sea bass. The bar is a great space and well worth a visit before dinner.

You wouldn't expect it from looking at the exterior of Da Vinci's, located in a fairly average shopping center on Pleasantburg, but an upscale restaurant lies within. White linens accent the warm, wood decor with Mediterranean touches. The Italian and French menu constantly evolves to allow for the use of seasonal and local ingredients, as well as the opportunity to showcase many different recipes and flavors.

You might recognize the name "Halls" from its original Charleston counterpart, but Greenville has welcomed this beloved restaurant with open arms. Arguably the best steakhouse in Greenville, Halls is exceptional in everything from setting to service to, what else? The steak. Naturally, the steak here is the star. You'll find all sorts of variations in cut and aging process, but the menu is far more expansive, offering seafood, pork and chicken as well as options for vegetarians. And while the prices may seem high, they indicate the quality of the food and service you receive.

From owner Rick Erwin, of Rick Erwin's West End Grille, came Nantucket Seafood. Located in the heart of downtown Greenville, the restaurant is lavishly decorated with tall windows as well as beautiful mahogany chairs and walls. Before dinner, have a cocktail at the wine bar found in the adjacent lobby of the Marriott Hotel. Enjoy the freshest, most succulent seafood including live Maine lobster and yellowfin tuna. All the while, taste the fruitful flavors of a bottle of your choice from their world-class wine cellar.

This restaurant developed from Northampton's much-applauded wine shop and is a natural outgrowth of its focus on quality goods. The bright, narrow space is quiet and decidedly unpretentious, so it's a great place for a date or a low-key celebration. The menu boasts dishes like grilled quail, lamb shank and elk meatloaf. Each dish is accompanied by suggestions for wine pairings, or you can choose a bottle from the shop and have it served with your meal. Special wine dinners are available regularly.

Situated in the unique Village of West Greenville, The Anchorage is a much-welcomed addition to the Greenville food scene. This thoughtful restaurant, the pride of Chef Greg McPhee, puts the community first, offering a gathering place that serves sustainable food and beverage – sourced or grown in the local region. The menu is simple and unfussy, allowing the quality ingredients to shine. In that same vein, the plates are small, encouraging the sampling of multiple dishes – a must for food lovers. And the staff are knowledgeable about both the menu and wine list, only enhancing the superb level of service on display.

Restaurant 17 – located north of Greenville in the suburb of Travelers Rest – affords unparalleled views of the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. Soft, mellow music and the color-changing light of a hand-blown glass chandelier piece at the restaurant's center complement the already romantic setting. The thoughtful selection of unique food creations changes just as often as the light's glow, largely dependent on in-season produce from local farms in Travelers Rest and nearby. In fact, this may be the one of the most innovative menus you'll read in the Greenville area. Worth mentioning, too, is the staff's attentiveness to guest needs.