Schwaben House — Restaurant in Greenville

There are dining establishments one frequents for sustenance and others one visits for sheer gastronomic delight. Schwaben House, a gem nestled within the heart of Greenville, belongs resoundingly to the latter category—a veritable temple of German cuisine that transported me far from the Carolina pines to the storied Black Forest.

The meal began with an unassuming bowl of pumpkin soup. But to call it merely "soup" would be an insult to the care and artistry evident in every spoonful. Its velvety texture glided across the palate like silk, with the faintest whisper of nutmeg adding a warm, autumnal embrace. This opening act was not only a harbinger of culinary excellence but also an unspoken invitation to surrender wholly to the experience.

For the main course, I selected the pork cutlets—a dish that, in lesser hands, might risk ordinariness. Schwaben House, however, transcends such mediocrity. The cutlets arrived enrobed in a mushroom sauce that could only be described as a masterstroke. Rich yet refined, earthy yet sophisticated, it was a triumph of balance. Beneath it, the pork was tender, succulent, and perfectly cooked, as though the very essence of the animal had been honored in its preparation.

And then, the spätzle. Ah, the spätzle. That simple yet divine amalgamation of flour, egg, and water, elevated here by the judicious addition of cheese. Each bite was a testament to the transformative power of a humble ingredient treated with reverence. The cheesy spätzle was neither cloying nor overpowering; instead, it provided a delightful counterpoint to the robustness of the cutlets and sauce.

The meal unfolded at a pace that encouraged appreciation, not haste—a rarity in today’s hurried world. The staff, attentive yet unobtrusive, seemed to possess an innate understanding of when to appear and when to fade into the background. Their demeanor only enhanced the atmosphere, one of quiet sophistication tempered by an unmistakable warmth.

Schwaben House is not merely a restaurant; it is a culinary sanctuary. A place where tradition and innovation dance in harmonious unison, and where each dish tells a story of passion, craftsmanship, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Should you find yourself in Greenville, consider it imperative to visit this establishment. As for myself, I departed with not only a satisfied appetite but also a sense of profound gratitude—for in Schwaben House, I had found a slice of...

Poor experience here. I called in to celebrate a graduation party over two weeks in advance. While calling I mentioned that we wanted to have some of their schnitzel and spaetzle and that we would be bringing our own cake. We were welcomed to come dine with them on the 6th. We arrived early and as we were bringing in the cake we were told they couldn't allow outside food inside the restaurant. When we explained the phone call we were again rebuffed. We were then told we were welcome to go somewhere else if that was a problem. On a Greenville Friday for a large party we decided to give the place a chance. That was a mistake. The pork was bland and the Spaetzle had a terrible gravy on it. The only saving grace was the red cabbage. Another member of our party tried the Salmon and was disappointed as well. Each person paid for their own food except the graduate. A tip of Over 20% was tacked onto each person's check after the service was below average. That was probably because the owner was our waitress. Needless to say we won't be coming back and reccomend nobody visit this overpriced sorry excuse of a restaurant. There is another German restaurant in town that offers a much better selection with better customer treatment.

Edit: I have been obviously informed below that our server was not the owner, though that does not change the fact that their attitude was poor and elitist. I was told over the phone that we could bring our cake in, and instead of inconveniencing our entire party by leaving at 6pm on a Friday we decided to give it a shot. It was clearly too late for us to read any posted signs about food when we were given a promise over the phone. Typical owner attempting to save face since it is clear we will never be back. The attitude was poor, the service was poor, and the food was overpriced...

They are not closed - they have moved to a new location on Laurens Road.

The restaurant decor is comfortable and elegant. While it does have a German flair, it is not the stereotypical "Oktoberfest Bavarian" folksy decor you see in many Americanized German restaurants. It is much more romantic and sophisticated. They pay a lot of attention to little details such as using cloth tablecloths, cloth napkins with napkin rings, granite coasters for your drink, and bringing the bill in a cute little wooden "treasure box" that includes after dinner mints.

The layout has several cozy areas with smaller tables for couples and they have large tables for bigger groups, making it ideal for large parties or a romantic dinner for two. The service is friendly and the perfect level of attention - they are always there if you need them, your drink is always filled, but they are never intrusive and let you take your time to enjoy the meal without feeling rushed.

The food is delicious and very authentic. Everything I have tried has been wonderful, and I think I've had just about everything on the menu. If you are unfamiliar with German food trust your server to guide your selection and you won't go wrong. The regular menu has plenty of variety but not so much that it's overwhelming. At dinner, they often have additional items on special and the chef sends out an amuse bouche to whet your appetite. These are often unusual and always delicious. If you drink, be sure to order a beer - they have a moderate but excellent selection of German offerings in bottles and on tap - and also save room for dessert. Highly...