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California Dreaming | Columbia, SC - California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating, Columbia, SC

California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

4.3 (2736)
$30 and under
American
401 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201-4147

Make a reservation

2 people
11:30 PM
Booked 44 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for groups
  • Charming
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.

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Columbia
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 2,736 people are saying

California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • South Carolina

    Most Booked

  • Columbia

    Great for brunch

  • Columbia

    Good for groups

  • Columbia

    Healthy

  • Columbia

    Hot spot

  • Columbia

    Neighborhood gem

  • Columbia

    Romantic

  • Columbia

    Lively

  • Columbia

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
California Dreaming in Columbia offers "delicious food" and "top-notch service" in a charming, old train station setting. The California Dreaming salad is a standout dish, and the croissants are a must-try. While some guests noted delays in seating, the "friendly and attentive staff" and "great atmosphere" make it a memorable dining experience.
2,736 Reviews
  1. Debra

    South Carolina10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our waitress was awesome and as usual, our food was amazing. We really like going there and just hanging out we went to the bar first got a couple of glasses of wine and then sat down and had a steak which was perfect.

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  2. Shiree

    Charlotte2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was delicious, service was top-notch, and I enjoyed the charming atmosphere. I appreciate my amazing waitress. Definitely a must-visit for great food in my book!

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  3. Tracy

    South Carolina1 review

    2.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    We had reservations and was not seated until 45 min after time

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  4. Vicki

    Los Angeles6 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Great service and good food, still had quite a bit of waiting, ~30 minutes with a reservation.

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  5. Brian

    South Carolina1 review

    3.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    5:30 reservation and did not get seated until 6:10. 40 minutes later than the time that this restaurant gave us the reservation for is not acceptable. We committed to be there at 5:30 but this restaurant did not honor their commitment to us the CUSTOMER. The food was good and our server Kristen was very attentive to us. We spent 80.00 on our food but didn't feel as if california dreaming appreciated our business.

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  6. Faye

    South Carolina1 review

    2.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    Waited 30 mins after our priority time chosen. Then was sat at a high top table in the bar. I made reservations for a special event not to be sat at a high top table. I asked to move. We were moved to a booth still at the bar

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  7. Ron

    New York City1 review

    4.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was excellent. The waiter was excellent. But seating or priority seating was lacking. There were plenty tables available 15 to 30 minutes prior to the actual reservation time.  If there are no other bookings, and walk-ins have already been seated, why do you make the reservations wait beyond the reservation time?

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  8. Tamara

    Charlotte2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We celebrated a birthday here on Fathers Day. It was packed, but thank God for reservations. The food was good.

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  9. David

    East Tennessee1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Bartenders, staff and employees are always top notch, we go about once to twice a month, the California Dreaming salad is the best salad in all of Columbia. Definitely worth the time and money...

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  10. Jacquie VIP

    New York City52 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Food is always good. Service was a tad slower because it was Father’s Day but otherwise good.

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FAQs

California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (803) 254-6767.

California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating is rated 4.3 stars by 2736 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. South Carolina
  4. Columbia
  5. Columbia

Make a reservation

2 people
11:30 PM
Booked 44 times today
Google Map for California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

401 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201-4147

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Columbia
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 11:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Seafood, Steak
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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