Best restaurants near me in Columbia, SC

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanSteakhouseSeafoodMexicanPizzeriaFusion / Eclectic

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

34 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of MOA Korean BBQ & Bar - Columbia restaurant

1. MOA Korean BBQ & Bar - Columbia

4.9

Exceptional(274)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Columbia

Booked 11 times today

Welcome to MOA, downtown Columbia's exclusive destination for authentic Korean BBQ dining. Our upscale establishment prides itself on delivering an unforgettable culinary experience, where the vibrant flavors of traditional Korean cuisine meet the highest quality ingredients, including our signature dry-aged beef. Sit back and relax as our dedicated service team expertly handles the grilling for your table, ensuring every bite is perfection. Join us for a memorable dining adventure at the only Korean BBQ restaurant in downtown Columbia, where every moment is filled with warmth, flavor, and genuine hospitality.

2. Kao Thai Cuisine

4.7

Exceptional(449)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Thai • Columbia

Booked 11 times today

Our menu offers modern Thai eats that are commonly found on the streets of Bangkok as well as a mix of creative pan-Asian and Asian-American fusion dishes that are fresh and exciting. With a rotating menu of specials, we hope to continuously bring new flavors and dishes to the Main Street District!

A photo of Ruth's Chris Steak House - Columbia restaurant

3. Ruth's Chris Steak House - Columbia

4.4

Awesome(2911)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Columbia

Booked 26 times today

Ruth's Chris Steak House serves the finest aged, corn-fed USDA Prime beef. Broiled in a trademark 1,800° oven & served on a plate heated to 500 degrees, your steak is presented sizzling hot at your table.Additionally, the menu includes select fresh seafood & other meat entrees, including seasonal specialties like foie gras, buffalo strip & scallops. A variety of fresh-cooked vegetables, including seven kinds of potatoes, salads, homemade desserts & an extensive selection of over 100 domestic & imported wines complete your dining experience. Ruth's Chris never fails to please!

4. Boku- Columbia

4.3

Awesome(302)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Asian • Columbia

Booked 5 times today

At Boku Kitchen and Saloon, you can be sure you are receiving only the highest-quality meals with the freshest ingredients possible. We pride ourselves on not serving our customer's pre-made food. We make everything from scratch, including our noodles, salads, crab rangoon, calamari, soups, cocktails, and more! All our food is made-to-order. You won’t be able to find quality like this elsewhere!We want to make your time at our restaurant as enjoyable as possible. Therefore, at Boku Kitchen and Saloon, you can trust that we will provide you with a made-from-scratch meal paired with the best cocktails, sake, wine, and craft beer you will find in Columbia, SC.Our team is excited to serve you, your family, and your friends' delicious meals and beverages. See you soon!

A photo of Coa Agaveria y Cocina restaurant

5. Coa Agaveria y Cocina

4.8

Exceptional(6)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Columbia

Booked 12 times today

Escape to Coa Agaveria y Cocina, Columbia's upscale Mexican haven. Savor our family recipes, crafted with bold flavors from across Mexico. Indulge in small plates, exquisite tequila and mezcal cocktails, and specialty dishes that tantalize your taste buds. Our cozy ambiance creates the perfect setting for a delightful dining experience. Join us for a culinary journey that transports you to the heart of Mexico.We accept limited reservations Monday – SaturdayStandard Tables: Parties of 2 to 12 guestsHigh Top Tables: Parties of 4 to 12 guestsPatio Tables: Parties of 2 to 12 guestsIf not available smaller parties are served on a first-come, first served basis, and larger parties over 12 must call for a reservation. Our private dining room can accommodate up to 24 guests. Please call 803-851-5965 or email privatedining@coaagaveria.com to reserve.

A photo of Sakitumi Grill and Sushi Bar restaurant

6. Sakitumi Grill and Sushi Bar

4.6

Exceptional(47)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Sushi • Columbia

SakiTumi boasts an authentic menu, with both fresh sushi (we have tuna overnighted from Hawaii) and flavorful grill items. Located in the heart of the Vista, we are down a quaint alleyway in a historic building that used to house the production of Model T fords.Awarded "Best Sushi Restaurant" by the readers of the State newspaper, we continue our ethics of quality by ordering fresh, #1 ahi tuna along with salmon, butterfish and more. Our flavorful grill items include a variety of hibachi-style plates, tacos and even a Wagyu beef burger. Serving Columbia as a local, independent restaurant since 2006, we have made friends and family from all over the southeast and continue to provide delicious food in a casual, upbeat and energetic atmosphere. Music videos or sports are playing on our large tv's behind the bar, and we have a nice collection of wine and speciality drinks to compliment our food. We invite you to get fresh with us anytime.

A photo of Tupelo Honey - Columbia restaurant

7. Tupelo Honey - Columbia

4.6

Exceptional(207)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Southern • Columbia

Booked 55 times today

Tupelo Honey is a revival of Southern food and traditions rooted in the Carolina Mountains we call home. We craft brunches, lunches and suppers that bring family and friends around the table and allow for conversations and cocktails to linger longer than usual. Always scratch-made, always responsibly-soured, and always Southern.If you do not see your desired party size or time available please see our website for additional reservation availability. https://tupelohoneycafe.com/location/frisco/reservations/

A photo of California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating restaurant

8. California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

4.3

Awesome(2733)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Columbia

Booked 34 times today

Located in downtown Columbia, SC, inside the historic 1902 Union Station, California Dreaming welcomes guests with its vibrant and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows offer a picturesque view of the rail tracks, stretching from the inactive platform to the main terminal. Paired with our hearty, made-from-scratch menu, it's no wonder California Dreaming has been a beloved local institution since 1984. Open for lunch and dinner daily, including online ordering with curbside pickup.Celebrating 40 years, California Dreaming has been a valued part of the Columbia community. Union Station, its historic home, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.**We provide Advance Priority Seating to reduce wait times and expedite the seating process when your entire party arrives. To ensure the best experience for all guests, we seat groups of up to 8. While larger groups are seated separately, this arrangement is flexible during quieter hours.

A photo of Prohibition - Columbia restaurant

9. Prohibition - Columbia

4.3

Awesome(182)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Columbia

Booked 13 times today

Prohibition Columbia opened in the spring of 2024 and is brought to you by the same team behind Prohibition Charleston, which opened in 2014, and Repeal 33 in historic Savannah, Georgia. While many of the food and drink items can be found at all three locations, special considerations have been made to tailor a unique experience in each city.As part of the ever-growing Main Street District, Prohibition brings innovative cocktails, eclectic cuisine, and live music to the heart of Soda City.

10. Saluda's

4.8

Exceptional(4152)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Columbia

Booked 31 times today

Located in the heart of Five Points, just steps from the University of South Carolina’s campus and less than a mile from the state capitol building, Saluda’s has been impressing Columbia residents and visitors since it opened to much fanfare in 1996. Saluda's has created an exciting menu intermingling classically prepared dishes with cutting edge techniques and ingredients. Saluda's menu is built around mixing locally grown seasonal products with luxurious ingredients from around the world. Saluda's features Southern cuisine with French and Italian influences to create a menu both familiar and new. Our professional and courteous staff serves all of our guests with true Southern hospitality.

Dining near Columbia, SC at a glance

Updated on 6/17/2025

Coterie- Charleston

4.9

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From verified diners like you

Z
ZabdielVIP
Charlotte •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
The food and atmosphere was truly wonderful. It was a perfect place for date night. From the amazing service that our waiter Kyle provided, to the delicious starters, entrees , sides, desserts and wonderful cocktails. The restaurant itself had an amazing aesthetic and vibe. A must come back place for us anytime we are in the Columbia area!
More info
Coa Agaveria y CocinaPrice: Expensive• Mexican• Columbia
•
4.8
L
Lathorica
Charlotte •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Great customer service. Quiet peaceful Atmosphere. A manager came and spoke personally and introduced himself
More info
Ruth's Chris Steak House - ColumbiaPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Columbia
•
4.4
A
Adina
South Carolina •1 review
4.0
Dined 5 days ago
First and foremost, our server was amazing!! The food - not so much. I ordered the eggplant tofu basil. 1st attempt, the tofu was barely cooked and the center was cold. The 2nd attempt, it was over-cooked and so crispy it was painful to eat. AND, they used canned mushrooms! Ugh! Who does that these days? If you are going to offer tofu on the menu, please train your chefs to cook it correctly. And, the manager declined to offer a discount - times are tight, I'm guessing, and she wasn't willing to budge. I didn't ask for a discount; the server advocated for one. She didn't even come over to the table to try and make things right. Poor experience overall. Thank goodness are server was on-point...he made the experience pleasant.
More info
Kao Thai CuisinePrice: Expensive• Thai• Columbia
•
4.7
S
Simon
South Carolina •1 review
4.0
Dined 5 days ago
Services good but the bbq is okay. Meat is blend and hot dishes are not having enough taste. I have lot of leftover.
More info
MOA Korean BBQ & Bar - ColumbiaPrice: Expensive• Asian• Columbia
•
4.9
A
Adriane
Coastal Georgia •3 reviews
4.0
Dined 7 days ago
Friendly knowledgeable staff, with good customer service. The food was enjoyable but not portioned for the price.
More info
Boku- ColumbiaPrice: Moderate• Asian• Columbia
•
4.3

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Here are the most popular cuisines: American, Seafood, Steakhouse, Italian, Contemporary American and many more.

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Best restaurants near me in Columbia, SC

Price

Cuisine

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating Options

Accessibility

34 restaurants available nearby

1. MOA Korean BBQ & Bar - Columbia

2. Kao Thai Cuisine

3. Ruth's Chris Steak House - Columbia

4. Boku- Columbia

5. Coa Agaveria y Cocina

6. Sakitumi Grill and Sushi Bar

7. Tupelo Honey - Columbia

8. California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

9. Prohibition - Columbia

10. Saluda's

Dining near Columbia, SC at a glance

Coterie- Charleston

American

See what locals rave about

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