Town Hall Restaurant and Bar
(Town Hall ambiance)
(Quail entree for dinner)
Located in a historic building that was once the town hall of Florence is a very new restaurant called Town Hall. They also have an impressive bar in the restaurant main room and a rooftop bar called Dispensary on top of the building as well! The food is a modern twist to southern comfort and the specialty drinks are mixed very well with an extensive beer and wine menu. This is a great place for locals, tourists, dates or just a night out on the town. Read about our first visit to Town Hall Restaurant for our wedding anniversary. Town Hall Address: 101 W. Evans St., Florence, SC 29501
Victors Bistro
Located inside the beautiful boutique hotel, Hotel Florence, this restaurant is classy with excellent food and service. The prices for the quality you get is very good. They didn't have a kid's menu when we were there,but they have always been stroller friendly. Victors Bistro Address: 126 W. Evans St., Florence, SC 29501
Wholly Smokin' BBQ
Venus Restaurant & Catering
(Breakfast from Venus Restaurant)
If you are not in a hurry to get breakfast, this is the best spot for an early morning meal. Every waffle and pancake tastes like they are made from scratch. Everything is always coming out piping hot. The prices are also very reasonable. Service can be a bit slow but the wait is well worth it. Venus Address: 471 W Palmetto St., Florence, SC 29501
Long Grain Cafe
(Thai Basil Chicken from Long Grain Cafe)
This is a great place to have breakfast and lunch. Many churches have gathered here for large parties. The place is even bigger in the back than in the front. Check out their fountain in the back if you are coming there for the first time! Prices are reasonable and there are Asian dishes on the menu as well. I highly recommend this place for a good sit down. Be ready to wait awhile when they get busy as they take care of their food service but it is worth every wait! Long Grain Address: 260 W Palmetto St., Florence, SC 29506
COFFEE SHOPS & DESSERTS
Dolce Vita Cafe & More
(Temporarily closed due to the pandemic.) This is a wine bar that sells coffee all day as well! They also have delicious desserts on display. I have brought my baby here in the morning for coffee before while we were just in the downtown area. It's also a great place for a mom's night out with the girls! Dolce Vita Address: 160 S Dargan St., Florence, SC 29506
Lula's Coffee Co
Lula's Coffee is located in South Florence and is a local coffee shop that hosts shows and open mic in the evenings. Their coffee is always spot on! They take their time with their specialty drinks and has a small outdoor sitting area. Use their drive-thru if you'd like to stay in your car to order a drink. Lula's Coffee Co Address: 600 Pamplico Highway, Florence, SC 29505
Bean Bar
Located next to Naturally Outdoors in Florence, Bean Bar has been around for several years as a pop-up and finally opened their storefront in July 2020. Their coffee and business space supports creativity are sure to impress. Bean Bar Address: 2511 W Palmetto St, Florence, SC 29501
Starbucks at Florence Mall
There are 2 malls in Florence: the Magnolia Mall (big indoor one) and the Florence Mall (outdoor shopping center). They are about 5 min away from each other but the Starbucks stand-alone location is located at the Florence Mall. You know this town isn't that small if there is a few Starbucks in town! Starbucks Address: 933 W Palmetto Street; Florence, SC 29501
Starbucks inside Barnes & Noble at Magnolia Mall
There is also another Starbucks that is located inside of the Barnes & Noble at Magnolia Mall. They don't take the Starbucks gift cards but will take the Barnes & Noble one. They also serve more food! It's a great place to take the kids here for some Cheesecake Factory desserts and then head over to the Kid's area at Barnes & Noble for some book-reading or story time. Check out free Story time information on the Events & Activities page. Starbucks inside of Barnes & Noble Address: 2701 David H McLeod Blvd #1200, Florence, SC 29501
Starbucks inside Target
There's a total of 3 Starbucks locations in Florence and this one is located inside of Target in West Florence. It's a smaller location with very little seating but it accepts both Starbucks and Target gift cards and convenient if you're going to be shopping at Target anyway! Starbucks inside of Target Address: 2791 David H McLeod Blvd; Florence, SC 29501
Bruster's Real Ice Cream
(Florence Mom's ice cream waffle cone from Bruster's)
It is such a treat to have an ice cream place like this in Florence. Located in the Magnolia Mall area, Bruster's really does have real ice cream and they create all their ice cream flavors. They have a drive-thru, which makes it very convenient. They also have shakes, ice creams and cakes but you must try their ice cream and homemade waffle cones! I always got my toddlers, the kid's dino sundae! Bruster's address: 116 Dunbarton Dr, Florence, SC 29501
Sweet, Cafe & Bakery
If you are craving something sweet and don't want to buy a whole cake at the store, you can buy individual cupcakes, gelatos and other desserts at Sweet, Cafe & Bakery. They are located inside Cibo, an Italian restaurant so you can get a great Italian meal and dessert in one spot! Sweet Address: 1270 Celebration Blvd., Florence, SC 29501 (inside of Cibo Restaurant)
Sweet Frog Premium Frozen Yogurt in Florence
Located on the south side of Florence is Sweet Frog Premium Frozen Yogurt. They offer a lot of fat-free options and you pull the handles and add the toppings yourself. You pay by weight and you can enjoy it there or take it togo. The place inside is very inviting and colorful and a great place to bring the kids. Sweet Frog Address: 960 Pamplico Hwy, Florence, South Carolina 29505
(Calzone from Mellow Mushroom) 
(Cheese pizza and apple slices from the kid's menu at Mellow Mushroom) Magnolia Mall Food Court
There are several restaurants you can pick from at the food court at Magnolia Mall. It's always a popular option because you can pick from so many restaurants if your family is torn about what they want to eat. Selections include Chic Fil A, a Chinese food restaurant, hibachi restaurant, gyros and wings and Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwiches. There's also a kid's play area right in the food court too.
Plus, you can walk your meal off afterwards by shopping at the mall. If you want a more formal sit down, go to Ruby Tuesday. It is also in the mall but not at the food court. Magnolia Mall Address: 2701 David H McLeod Blvd. Florence, SC 29501.
Red Bowl Bistro
Red Bowl Bistro is located a block from the Magnolia Mall and has a kid's menu for a reasonable price! The place is very nice and roomy inside. They also have a bar area with TVs. It's an Asian fusion restaurant with an extensive sushi and non-sushi menu.
(Calamari appetizer from Red Bowl Bistro)
(Sushi from Red Bowl Bistro)
This place has the freshest sushi in all of Florence so head here if you are really craving some decent sushi. Red Bowl Bistro address: 2417 David H. McLeod Blvd., Florence, SC 29501
OTHER RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
Jennifer's Taqueria at the Florence Flea Market
(Tacos from Jennifer's Taqueria at Florence Flea Market come with all the fixings)
If you are a big fan of authentic Mexican food, then you'll need to make a visit to the flea market in East Florence on the weekends to try the tacos of Jennifer's Taqueria. It is located in the heart of the flea market. They have a patio covering and it can get busy during certain times. They only take cash but once you order a taco from them, you will be daydreaming about having their tacos again! After you have your snack or lunch there, stroll around the flea market with your kids to get some fresh produce, snow cones and good deals. Flea Market Address: 4001 E Palmetto St, Florence, SC 29506
Julia Belle's Restaurant
Located through the same gates of the Pee Dee Farmers Market, this restaurant serves the best southern food in Florence. It is located inside of the red barn on the right as you enter the gates. They try to use as much fresh ingredients from the farmers market as possible and everything tastes amazing.
I recommend their chicken and waffles and blue plate specials. Their prices are reasonable and they are only open for lunch during the week but I have seen them change their hours during the busy tourist season. Check their website to see their current hours. Don't forget to try their desserts! You won't regret it. In 2020, they moved. Their new address is 2106-W. Lucas St. Florence, SC 29501 (next to the new Starbucks on 52 at I95).