Kounter in Rock Hill, SC absolutely deserves every bit of five stars. The food was delicious, the drinks were perfectly made, and the atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and full of character. Our waitress, Brandi (Brandice), was phenomenal -- knowledgeable, informative, respectful, and genuinely happy to be there. Her energy made the entire experience even better. The restaurant itself is deeply rooted in history as part of the Friendship Nine sit‑in location, and you can feel that significance the moment you walk in. It adds a meaningful layer to an already great dining experience. The bathroom was spotless, the prices were very reasonable, and everything from start to finish felt intentional and well cared for. Highly recommend Kounter for anyone looking for great food, great service, and a place that honors an important piece of Rock Hill's history. read more

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Kounter is a modernize restaurant that seems to be a renovation of an older soda jerk counter. Friendly welcoming and attentive staff . On the menu for today I chose the Blue plate Special ($23) OG, bacon wrapped meatloaf, swirl potatoes, veggie du jour, stewed, collards, steakhouse, vinaigrette, cilantro Crema. The dish was Tender medallions of meatloaf, wrapped in savory bacon. Topped with a steakhouse vinaigrette, tangy, and savory, which had an amazing flavor by itself, I just wish it added more to the main. Which was slightly bland. Unfortunately, this cilantro Crema had no hints of cilantro. The actual star of the show is the collard greens. The Collard greens has a subtle kick, which is amazing and flavorful, and gives that little extra punch. Hand slammed fries ($5) Parmesan - rosemary dusted, roasted tomato malt vinaigrette. Tasty especially with their house made ketchup, but unfortunately, the fries were a little on the soggy side. And a Blake's cider (5). crisp and refreshing. Perfect for a southern Carolina afternoon. Overall, food was delicious, but could use just a hint of attentions to flavor. I would definitely recommend you give Kounter a try. I would love to come back here again and try some more of their menu. Follow me on Yelp and Instagram @noodlesoupr as I travel the world in search of delicious food encounters. read more

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Kounter has a nice atmosphere and solid service, which made the visit pleasant overall and you can't beat the history behind it! The staff was friendly, attentive, and checked in at the right times, so no complaints there. The food was a bit underwhelming. It wasn't bad by any means, just lacked the flavor and execution I was expecting based on the menu and hype. Portions were fine, but the dishes didn't quite stand out or justify a higher rating. Overall, it's better than average thanks to the service and setting, but the food is what holds it back from being a full 5-star experience. I'd consider giving it another try, but mostly to see if the food improves. It may be that dinner is better than lunch, we went for lunch. read more

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This is one of our favorites. The fried ribs are so different but in the best way. We often sit at the bar, and have enjoyed the bustling entertainment of watching the servers mixing up cocktails and preparing items behind the counter. The seating options are varied. Brunch and dinner are both excellent options, and we have tried both several times. Service is always attentive and we've never had anything on the menu that was not very good. read more

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So...I made an RSVP well in advance for a party of 2 (on 12/6 Sat. @ 6:30 pm), with specific request for a regular table (NOT the high top). Well, we arrived on time....and there were 3 regular tables open, yet the hostess basically refused us these tables, saying those tables were reserved. I told her I also reserved those tables on Open Table. She basically said no. OK....I understand that sometimes restaurants save the best tables for their favorite regulars, or for bigger parties. But this is the THIRD time we've been to this restaurant WITH a reservation, WITH a specific request for a regular table (NOT the high top)...and the THIRD time we've been refused. In fact, the last time we were here, we reserved a regular table via Open Table, and when we arrived, they basically said that it was a super-busy night, and led us OUTSIDE for their street-side dining (THE worst so-called patio dining ever?!?)!! Frankly, we were livid then...and thought about asking for a Manager (but didn't). I am beyond disappointed with this place. I have given them several 4-star reviews in the past for their foods. Always short of 5 stars because of their inadequate seatings. I say this because the place has way too many high tops for a dining establishment. These small, high top tables and chairs are just not adequate for dining. They are more like bar tables (cheap ones at that)...for drinking. In addition to these uncomfortable high tops, they are awkwardly placed, in a row...right in the middle of the restaurant (see the pic that I posted from my first visit years ago). BTW, ALL the seats in this restaurant are not cushioned, so uncomfortable as well! The place also has extremely bright lighting (the type you'd find at a barbershop!). Definitely not your ideal date-night ambiance. After getting dissed for the THIRD time, we just decided to leave the restaurant...and headed elsewhere! Yes, we showed up for the reservation...but since we got dissed anyway, why not diss back?? It's one thing if we came to dine without an appointment, but again, I've always reserved our table well in advance, with a very specific request. I had no issues with their foods in the past...but trust me, you can get foods at this caliber or better at Flipside, right next door...plus a long list of places in Charlotte. I don't even like Southern American foods anyway! But the point is, it's ALWAYS an issue getting a decent, normal table here. I'm not even talking about seating location...but just a BASIC, REGULAR DINING TABLE. That's really not that much to ask for in a restaurant, but it seems to be an issue here...at least with us, each and every time! I don't care if I never set foot in this place again. I will make sure to spread the word...telling everyone about their preferential seating policy. Good riddance! PS***I've removed all previous reviews and pictures! read more

We love Kounter, especially as a first stop prior to going to Elsie's speakeasy. I've been there before for brunch and mimosas, and now for dinner and the experience overall is always great. Super friendly staff, particularly at the counter/bar. They're attentive even on the busiest of nights. The food is delicious- last time we spilt muscles and a crab dip while we waited to go to Elsie's. Perfect amount of food for two, and came quickly. Only thing we're noticed is that their wait times online don't match when you show up. We've seen before that there are half a dozen "open tables" online so didn't reserve, and then show up ten minutes later to be told everything has been booked all day. Might be something with their systems, but needless to say sitting at the bar is great too if there is a seat. read more

Kounter - Steamed muscles - New American Near Me - Rock Hill, South Carolina

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Extremely disappointing experience. We waited over an hour just to place our food order, and during that entire time no server acknowledged us, explained the delay, or apologized. We were left sitting there wondering if we had been forgotten. What made this worse was the lack of basic customer service. Even if the kitchen was backed up or the restaurant was short-staffed, simple communication would have made a difference. Instead, there was none. No check-ins, no updates, no accountability. The food was decent and the bar does not do substitution. The place looked decent. Dining out should feel welcoming and attentive--this felt careless and dismissive. The experience completely overshadowed any potential positives and left us frustrated rather than satisfied. Unfortunately, this is not a place I'd return to or recommend unless service standards significantly improve. read more

Service was good and the interior feels trendy, but the food was just ok, nothing stood out. We had the tuna app and the presentation was cool but otherwise there was barely any tuna and it was mainly cabbage. Lobster Mac was also ok, but felt like it was missing something like some herbs to balance out the richness. read more

Went to brunch at Kounter and it was fantastic. Service was on point. Seated promptly and our server was attentive and made sure we were taken care of. The food... I went with the Salmon "PLT" and it was fantastic. The dome the meal was served under with the smoke was a nice touch. We also had the Fried Everything Bagel which was also delicious. Also had a side of Pimento cheese grits and those were on point. All in all, no complaints and would come back again. read more

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Stopped in for lunch. Quality ingredients & great tasting food. Cute historic feel with a laidback fun vibe.

Charmingly nestled in downtown Rock Hill, boasting culinary delights & historical education on the Friendship Nine. Innovative menu that will make you want to make you try a bit of everything--which my dining partner and I did through an impressive array of oysters, fried ribs, cauliflower bites, crab dip, & Brussels sprouts. Every single bite was delectable & I trust that the leftovers will taste every bit as good for brunch. All that plus an adjoining speakeasy for a nightcap?! Cheers! read more

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Kounter is always a favorite dinner spot when passing through Rock Hill. Today was no different with delicious food and attentive service. The meatloaf served with grilled corn, greens & mashed potatoes with mom's chocolate pie was a perfect end to a long day of traveling. Thank you Kounter team for creating a perfect destination & great food! read more

Kounter - Meatloaf, corn, greens and mom's chocolate pudding - New American Near Me - Rock Hill, South Carolina

Ate here for lunch with my dining mate. Friendly staff, nice menu, reasonable price, comfortable atmosphere. I had a cobb salad, with chicken, my dining mate the grilled cheese with a tomato soup sauce and a side order of brussel sprouts. Everything was tasty. I probably would try ordering something different next time. My salad had a 2 small wedges of tomato and very little chicken but lots of lettuce. I asked to omit the croutons. The basil vinegrette was tasty. I guess I wasn't used to their interpretation of cobb salad. The grilled cheese yummy and brussel sprouts great. read more

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Food is amazing and service was great! We went as a foursome on a Saturday night and had sharables: Fried Ribs, Char-Grilled Oysters, Chicken + Waffles Sushi, and Beef Sliders. All were excellent! My top two were the sliders and chicken + waffle sushi. So good! read more

Kounter - Sliders - New American Near Me - Rock Hill, South Carolina

We eat here on repeat when we are in town! We've never gotten anything we didn't love. Tons of flavor. Unique menu, clean, friendly staff and food that's doesn't make you feel like crap after. Small and place- sometimes you need a reservation to get in the door. read more

Kounter - New American Near Me - Rock Hill, South Carolina

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This place was amazing. The ambiance and overall vibe really made the experience feel special and turned it into more than just a place with good food. Everything felt welcoming, comfortable, and well put together. On top of that, the service was top-notch. The staff stayed attentive the whole time, made sure our drinks were always refilled, and checked in often to make sure everything was going well. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a great meal and an even better overall dining experience. read more

Kounter - New American Near Me - Rock Hill, South Carolina

The cake stand sliders are a must order! Presentation is incredible and portion was huge! read more

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Rock Hill now has its own speakeasy. In downtown rests a new and clandestine hideaway. Elsie's is a wonderful place to spend an hour or an evening with guests. Part of the fun is finding Elsie's. It's next door to Kounter, directly across from the "Freedom 9" alley. But it's well-disguised, hidden behind a small sandwich and deli "bodega". The next question to ask is "How do I get in? Simple. Just walk into the deli, tell the cashier that you're there for Elsie's and give the password (available on the Facebook and Instagram sites). You'll be led through...no, I won't say, that's another part of the adventure...and into the bar. The atmosphere is dark, romantic and serene (note, cell phones must be kept on silent and no calls are allowed). On one side of the carpeted hall is a long bar with upholstered chairs, table seating is on the other side and larger group area is available in the back. Ample and attentive service was available, we sat at the bar and were very well cared for. Elsie's has an excellent cocktail, wine and beer menu and also a selection of small plates for snacking. (We were given a goblet of olives and almonds complimentary - classy!). My wife asked for "something with mezcal" and was treated to an off-menu cocktail, the Naked & Famous. Delicious! (Remember I said it was dark? Unfortunately, my photos of our drinks didn't turn out.) Elsie's is a great date-night opportunity just waiting for those, like me, who hate battling the interstate traffic in and out of Charlotte. Check it out! read more

Oh I love Kounter! Such a cozy little vibey spot perfect for date nights, special occasions, and the "just because" kind of days. Their cocktails are delightful, and their spread of tapas-like bites are unique, tasty, and comforting. Yum! read more

Had the Lobster Gnocchi for dinner and it was fantastic! I didn't see many reviews on it and was a little hesitant to order, but I'm so glad I did, it was absolutely wonderful. read more

Kounter - Lobster Gnocchi - New American Near Me - Rock Hill, South Carolina

The speakeasy section of this space is absolutely. THE WORST! I had friends in town and wanted to share a new part of my hometown. After ICE Skating in downtown and meeting up with some older relatives we ventured over. The not so pleasant gentleman at the front slowly looked up from the computer without so much of a greeting, looked us up and down then back to the screen and said : it's going to be an hour and a half. Mind you it was 9:40 and they close at 11:00. ( you do the math) He then stated: You want me to put you down? I politely told him we would just ride to Charlotte. He responded with: there are other bars down the street you may care for better. The crazy part about this is we had just walk through the wonderful picture wall and historical information including a picture of two relatives, one being Dub Massey who was with us, only now to experience what seemed to be fueled with racial discrimination on getting into the bar. I had heard whispers of this about the bar but never experienced it until Saturday 12/13. It was made obvious he didn't want us in. I have never been so embarrassed to have out of town guest experience this from my hometown in which I grew up in and recently moved back to. I am always singing the praises of Rock Hill. This is now the impression they have been left with. read more

The Mac and cheese is to die for!!!!! The orange float is amazing we also recommend the baked feta

The food was awful! I was not well for several hours afterwards. The crowd is nothing like it used to be...I would guess it is the food quality. Everything is heavy and fried! Won't go back. read more

The food was beyond excellent! Staff was very personable and helpful The atmosphere was fun Will definitely be back! read more

We decided to celebrate our 15 year anniversary at Kounter after reading many good things online. Overall it was a great experience. It's obviously a very popular place and being a last minute plan on our part, it seemed lucky that we were able to snag a reservation on a Friday night. Service was wonderful, the food was great, and the whole vibe was top tier. Even being short staffed, they stayed on top of service. There was never a long wait for food or drinks and even though our waitress(es) were training and taking care of many tables, they made a point to take the time to provide excellent service. Our table wasn't available at the time of our reservation but honestly, it worked out better because we were able to enjoy the nice weather at their tables outside. It was also much quieter but still had the great tunes playing overhead. It's not often you get to listen to Backstreet Boys while eating a fancy meal lol. I ordered the scallops and my husband had the blue plate special. Both dishes were great. As was our totchos appetizer. All of the flavors were unique but worked together so well. I will say my scallops were a little chewy but not overly so. Nowhere near rubber territory but not exactly the best I've ever had. I was pleasantly surprised by the grit cake and sauce that accompanied them though. It was still a great choice but as there are so many great options on the menu, I would probably try something else next time. My husband's meatloaf meal was awesome so that's a solid bet. The totchos were also unique but so good. They were actually more like balls of hashbrowns with toppings than tots. All the flavors worked well together. Oh! And I can't forget to mention their take on a White Russian with peanut butter whiskey was pretty delicious! The mini Reese cup garnish was a nice touch as well. Overall, I would definitely visit this place again and probably will in the near future. Our waitress mentioned many people order a lot of the smaller plates or a few larger ones and share so that will probably be the move next time. There's too many good options on their menus to narrow it down to just a couple plates! read more

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This place is really quaint. Hometown diner meets farm to market feel. Rock Hill is growing on me especially in this little district. The staff was super friendly and the bar was very welcoming to an out of towner. Loved the old fridge behind the bar it's like my beer fridge at home. Atmosphere 5 Service a 5+ Cocktail menu had lots of interesting options and I settled on one of the rotating taps. Drinks 5 - options are always good The menu had a bunch of different options and I couldn't decide. Wanted to grab like 10 things on the shareables but decided on the trout. What a good choice! Food -5+ Give it a try! read more

Kounter - Bar and fridge! - New American Near Me - Rock Hill, South Carolina

Our first time here...the food was Delicious! We had the grilled oysters, skirt steak and lobster and the Chinatown salad!! Everything was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The oysters and salad had the perfect combination of heat. sweet and sour. Totally makes you want to come back for more. Our server Evan was spot on - just the right amount of conversation, guidance, friendliness, welcoming and perfect service. The signature cocktails were not to sweet and tasty. The place was a bit loud but you can feel free to yell or LOL and nobody really notices. Sorry but the pictures don't really do the food justice. read more

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Best service! Best food! Highly recommend this cute spot in downtown Rockhill. I've been twice this week.

I stopped in for a solo dinner on a work trip and ordered the shrimp and grits, along with a Pear Spritz mocktail. As a Charleston resident, I have high standards for S&G but it scored a 97/100 - only losing a few points because a bit more Tasso ham gravy would have elevated it from good to great. The mocktail was quite enjoyable without being too sweet but I'm not sure it was worth its $9 price point. I knocked off a star because the service at the bar was underwhelming... the bartender didn't check on me once after I got my meal. As a solo diner, that lack of attentiveness really stands out. read more

Kounter - Shrimp & Grits - New American Near Me - Rock Hill, South Carolina

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just went for the first time with family. The menu was so creative it was hard to choose. Three couples shared 2 orders of potstickers. unforgettable! Each of us enjoyed a different entree. All delicious. I had the beet salad and added celery tender blackened chicken. it was served from a bottle. so good. My husband had shrimp and grits beautifully plated with large shrimp standing up around a crispy grit cake. Others had short ribs and fried ribs and oysters. All wonderful. The server was amazing. We will be back! read more

Have been waiting to go to go to Kounter. I wasn't disappointed. We decided on brunch since the lunch and dinner menus have an abundance of cheese. I had the chicken and waffle. The chicken was white meat that was in the form of 2 chicken tenders which works much better than needing to figure out how to handle the chicken. The waffles were on the thin side but tasty. I was going to ask for more syrup but just went as is which works too. My friend had the breakfast Sammy. It's thinner bread and for her personal preference too much bread so she deconstructed it and really enjoyed it. The steak and eggs was tasty and cooked perfectly. Jalapeño bacon is on the spicier side. And was cooked not crunchy but just as it should be. We all agreed the hash while ok was like eating a soggy potato. We wanted it to be a bit more crispy. All in all a great brunch! read more

Kounter - Chicken and waffle - New American Near Me - Rock Hill, South Carolina

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Brandy was our server and this was our first time visiting and she kept that in mind while serving. We were seated at a table about midway down the counter against the wall. It was a little dark though it was more quiet than the sunlit front. I ordered the Old Town Cobb and my husband ordered the Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf and a Caesar salad. The focaccia croutons in the salad were out of this world delicious and different. Their flavor of the croutons burst in our mouth. The meatloaf's presentation was superb. Hubby said he would order meatloaf again. I had a bite and it was crispy and smoky tasting. My husband ordered 2 beers and the bill was under $50 which we thought was a good value. Pros: water served in glass tumblers. Menu is very creative. Food is really delicious. Location. Plenty of other spots to grab a coffee, tea or hot chocolate while walking around Main Street after eating. Cons: tomatoes under ripe in Cobb salad. Caesar salad dressing was more sweet than anticipated. Depending when you come, parking will be challenging if a person is unable to walk. Parking is generally plentiful around downtown Rock Hill within a short walk. Verdict: Both dishes were good. Would come back and would order them again. read more

I have always had a good experience here! They recently elevated the brunch menu and it is fabulous!

Good lord.....this place is PHENOMENAL. I don't say that often....seriously, go look through my reviews. When I tell you this place has good food, I mean they have GOOD food. My husband's eyes rolled to the back of his head because of their meatloaf. MEATLOAF! We were absolutely STUFFED when we left, but honestly, we considered ordering another entree to take with us because we were only in the area one night. Lol! The hostess was the sweetest young lady, the waitstaff was exceptional....and the food....good god, was it tasty. You locals better keep this place around, because I fully intent to visit again, and I want to enjoy another meal. Heck, we might relocate. read more

I had the Blue Plate Special and it was one of my top dishes I have had while traveling. Flavor was perfect and cooked to perfection. For dessert I had the key lime pie and it was also a must have. I am glad we stopped here! read more

We stopped in here for a date night adventure on the second night of their opening. It's a secret SpeakEasy in Rock Hill, SC that opened in December of 2024. This place was so interesting, the atmosphere was great, and the drinks were perfect! The owner was super nice checking on the guests and our waitress was very nice and attentive. This was such a cool experience, we can't wait to go back! Helpful hint...you can't get in without a password read more

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Friendly staff and cool atmosphere! The food was phenomenal and all had really great flavor. The Cubano sandwich on the lunch menu is 10/10 as well as the Fried Ribs! Will definitely be returning soon. read more

Kounter - Cuban Sandwich & Fries - New American Near Me - Rock Hill, South Carolina

Really great meal. The chicken and waffles app was a unique play with a really thin tortilla like waffle creation wrapping tender chicken. The lobster gnocchi was fantastic. The sliders were super tender and a huge portion for the money. All the drinks we had were creatively made and tasty. Great service too in a really neat downtown area. read more

Our waiter Isaiah was fantastic! Got our drinks and food at great timing. Small plates were delicious. Highly recommend the chicken & waffle sushi and fried ribs! read more

Food was good, atmosphere is very nice. The martinis were on point. We had a lovely time.