Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in South Bend

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in South Bend? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Essence Restaurant + Bar

5.0

5 (519)

$31 to $50

American

Elkhart

About the restaurant

A culinary playground centered around unwavering hospitality and creatively curated cuisine, wine and spirits.

Welcome home.

Top review

Rosalie

Dined 6 days ago

Wonderful experience. Great food. Our server was attentive and took good care of us. Looking forward to my next visit.

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Popular dish

Sea Bass

Popular dish

Japanese Sweet Potato

Osteria Amici

4.8

4.8 (56)

$30 and under

Italian

Elkhart

About the restaurant

Now Open!
We are here to welcome you to a gathering of food and friends at Amici. As part of Navarre Hospitality and partnered with Paul Cataldo of Antonio's Ristorante, we are driven to provide excellent food, quality, and service, making you want to come back for more.

Top review

Stephanie

Dined 4 days ago

The food was absolutely amazing! We enjoyed multiple pastas, pizzas, and appetizers for the entire table and none of it disappointed. They know exactly what they’re doing here, and if you have not tried it you absolutely need to.

Cascade

4.9

4.9 (443)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

South Bend

About the restaurant

South Bend’s newest dining destination, Cascade, showcases fresh seafood, shellfish towers and prime steaks. Featuring signature cocktails, craft beer and an extensive wine program with over 400 selections. Floor to ceiling windows provide unparalleled views of the St. Joseph River. Modern yet understated décor, open kitchen and wood fired hearth are the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable evening. Join us on our large river side patio and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Cascade waterfall, Keepers of the Fire sculpture and river lights, or dine at our custom-built bar: with every seat enjoying uninterrupted views of the water. Private dining for groups of 8-50 people

Top review

Ryan

Dined 2 days ago

Incredible food, atmosphere and service. Loved the steak!

Copper Rock Steakhouse - South Bend

4.9

4.9 (1152)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

South Bend

About the restaurant

Dining at Copper Rock Steakhouse is an experience like no other. Savor perfectly dry aged steaks, succulent seafood, gourmet desserts and more, paired with a selection from an award-winning wine list feature over 200 wines by the bottle and glass. Stop by the bar in Copper Rock Steakhouse for pre-dinner martinis or an after-dinner cognac. Copper Rock Steakhouse is a 21 and older dining establishment.

Top review

Christopher

Dined 7 days ago

Great service, great food, attire of patrons leaves a little to be desired but overall a good experience.

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5.0

5 (1356)

$31 to $50

American

Elkhart

About the restaurant

The culinary team creates dishes that reflect the freshest in season ingredients. With hospitality that exceeds expectations, Artisan staff foster a space that is inviting and comfortable.

Top review

LisaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

This was our first time at Artisan. Our server, Micah, was awesome. He gave us great recommendations for dinner. The blackened Cod dinner was fantastic. Another person ordered the seafood stew and was very happy with his dish. Another ordered the pork ribeye and said it was very tender and flavorful. We shared a crab cake for an appetizer, and that was delicious as well. We plan to return again! We would highly recommend.

Yesterday's Food & Spirits

4.7

4.7 (999)

$30 and under

American

Granger

About the restaurant

Starting December 1st our hours have changed to accommodate the early birds.

Tuesday through Thursday we open from 5:00 pm until 9:30 pm
Friday and Saturday we open from 4:00 pm until 10:30 pm
**We are open later for drinks and desserts**

We will be closed for a family holiday from December 22nd to January 1st. We will reopen January 2nd at 5:00 pm.

Until then join us for some Christmas cheer!
From our family to yours, have a Blessed and beautiful season.

Top review

Daniel

Dined 6 days ago

An absolutely wonderful experience as usual, our waitress was exceptionally attentive.

Rohr’s

4.8

4.8 (1235)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

South Bend

About the restaurant

Rohr's is a modern tavern- a casual, warm gathering place with focus on bright, flavorful food. Imagine a classic steakhouse with a twist highlighting colorful vegetables, fresh fish and of course, signature steaks. Good food, excellent service and the warm smiles of familiar friends. This is Rohr's.

Please be aware that campus is undergoing multiple construction projects this summer that may impact
how you navigate campus by vehicle and on foot. A renovation project to the Main Circle on Notre
Dame Avenue has begun, closing the roundabout to traffic. Access to North Notre Dame Avenue will be
limited until mid-August and you may experience delays upon your arrival to campus. We apologize for
any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to welcoming you to campus.

Top review

Kayla

Dined on Jun 24, 2025

The food and ambiance was amazing. I was, however, taken aback by my server taking my plate away when I still have a pretty decent serving of steak frites remaining and was not offered a to-go container…

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4.7

4.7 (38)

$30 and under

American

Middlebury

About the restaurant

Family owned and operated, West on Warren Gallery + Grill is about more than just food and art -- every part of our restaurant is designed to build community. We are dedicated to providing a space where friends and family gather to enjoy the best food and drink in the most inspiring environment possible.

Located at 200 W. Warren Street (across the street from Old Hoosier Meats), in the newly renovated Filling Station Building (est. 1926). West on Warren Gallery + Grill graciously features clean urban design with original artwork, being in perfect harmony with the cuisine.

Top review

Cindy

Dined on Jun 7, 2025

We travel to the Elkhart area at least once a year and we always go to West on Warren at least once. It’s always a great meal and great service.

Carmela's at Macri's

4.8

4.8 (1247)

$30 and under

Italian

South Bend

About the restaurant

Our authentic Italian restaurant is full of Italian classics inspired by Carmela herself. Enjoy rich Italian favorites like homemade lasagna, chicken marsala and lake perch. Relax over a hearty meal of spaghetti and arancini or enjoy chicken parmigiana, one of our old world selections. Located right next door to our very own Macri's Italian Bakery, save room for an exquisite dessert selection! Open since 1978 and ran by the same family for 45 years. Join us at our one and only location Downtown South Bend, for the best authentic Italian!

Top review

Nate

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent service, anticipated our desires and served promptly. The food was delicious! Will definitely return.

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Kankakee Grille - South Bend

4.6

4.6 (1766)

$30 and under

American

South Bend

About the restaurant

Enjoy rustic cuisine, hearth baked pizza, a variety of craft beers, and live entertainment every weekend. Kankakee Grille South Bend is the hottest restaurant in Northeast Indiana and features a beautiful outdoor patio to enjoy during the warm weather season.

Top review

BeverlyVIP

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

The ribeye steak was absolutely wonderful, steak was cooked to perfection, a medium rare.

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Popular dish

Caesar Salad

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