Columbia Restaurants
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Chayz Lounge
Price: Expensive•American•4.8(41)Chayz Lounge is more than a venue — it’s a boutique destination where smooth jazz meets culinary artistry, and every moment feels like a special occasion.
Nestled in the heart of West Columbia’s River District, we offer a curated escape that blends signature small plates, fine wines, and handcrafted cocktails in a warm, intimate, upscale setting.
Each experience is intentionally designed, from wine tastings and the Chef’s Dinner Series to Vino & Vinyl nights and Sunday Jazz Brunch, offering something far beyond entertainment: atmosphere, enrichment, and unforgettable moments.
Like the iconic spaces once curated by tastemaker B. Smith, Chayz Lounge is where culture, class, and intention converge. It’s a space for discerning guests, devoted music lovers, and those drawn to the finer things—and the elegant setting to savor them.
Whether you're savoring Signature Tasting menu, enjoying wine and vinyl, or taking in a live performance, Chayz Lounge invites you to indulge in the moment.MOA Korean BBQ & Bar - Columbia
Price: Expensive•Asian•4.9(270)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.
Kao Thai Cuisine
Price: Expensive•Thai•4.7(445)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!Saluda's
Price: Moderate•American•4.7(4,138)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.
Top of Carolina
Price: Very Expensive•American•4.7(144)Embark on a culinary adventure unlike any other as you ascend to the pinnacle of indulgence at the Top of Carolina rotating restaurant for Sunday brunch. Nestled high above the cityscape, our panoramic views are only rivaled by the sumptuous spread awaiting your arrival. As you sip on mimosas and bask in the morning sunlight, let the world below become a mere backdrop to the feast unfolding before you.
From the first bite of freshly baked pastries to the last sip of artisan coffee, every detail is meticulously curated to tantalize your taste buds and elevate your brunch experience to new heights. Indulge in a symphony of flavors, from savory classics to inventive culinary creations, all while being gently spun around to witness the ever-changing landscape below.
Join us at the Top of Carolina, where Sunday brunch isn't just a meal—it's an unforgettable journey through taste and sight, leaving you with memories as delightful as the dishes themselves.Braza Do Sul Brazilian Steakhouse (formerly Rioz)
Price: Very Expensive•Steakhouse•4.6(1,262)Step into a world of culinary excellence at our amazing Brazilian Steakhouse! 🥩✨ Immerse yourself in Brazil's vibrant flavors and traditions as our skilled chefs serve up a feast for your senses.
Savor the succulent cuts of perfectly grilled meats, from tender sirloin to juicy lamb chops, brought directly to your table on skewers. Each bite is a symphony of smoky, savory goodness, expertly seasoned and cooked to perfection.
But our Brazilian steakhouse is not just about the meats—it's a celebration of flavors and textures. Indulge in a colorful array of fresh salads, exotic side dishes, and traditional Brazilian specialties like feijoada and pão de queijo.
Tupelo Honey - Columbia
Price: Moderate•Southern•4.6(187)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/Boku- Columbia
Price: Moderate•Asian•4.3(297)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!
Outdoor dining in South Carolina
See what locals rave about in Columbia
- AAnnieSouth Carolina •1 review5.0Dined 3 days agoIt was great! Delicious food great service! We will definitely be back!More infoTupelo Honey - ColumbiaPrice: Moderate• Southern• Columbia•4.6
- EEliVirginia •1 review5.0Dined 3 days agoGreat experience! The service was phenomenal will be back for sure! Our server Alex was amazing! And very polite.More infoMOA Korean BBQ & Bar - ColumbiaPrice: Expensive• Asian• Columbia•4.9
- MMarkSouth Carolina •1 review5.0Dined 4 days agoGreat restaurant, excellent food choices, incredible ambiance, but a little pricey!More infoKao Thai CuisinePrice: Expensive• Thai• Columbia•4.7
- TTreySouth Carolina •8 reviews5.0Dined 5 days agoGreat atmosphere, food, and drinks. Convenience to nearby parking garage too.More infoProhibition - ColumbiaPrice: Expensive• American• Columbia•4.4
- PPaulaCharlotte •7 reviews5.0Dined on May 9, 2025We had a great experience at Cowboy last night. The food and service was spot on.More infoCowboy Brazilian Steakhouse - ColumbiaPrice: Expensive• Brazilian Steakhouse• Columbia•4.5
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Discover Columbia
Situated smack-dab in the Midlands of South Carolina, Columbia is the state capital and home of the University of South Carolina. A diverse community with a distinctive Southern flair, Columbia possesses a wide variety of dining options. From easy-going barbecue shacks to countless ethnic eateries, there is truly something for everyone. And don’t forget about the formidable fine-dining scene. Best bets? For something casual, stop off at a college pub, grab a handful of boiled peanuts and sink your teeth into a pimento cheese burger. Looking for something more upscale? Go downtown, pick out a trendy eatery and order a plate of locally sourced shrimp and grits. If you have room, seek out a big piece of bourbon cream pie.
Dining around Columbia Hot Spots
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Frequently asked questions
Dog friendly restaurants in Columbia include Tupelo Honey - Columbia, Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse - Columbia and Iron Hill Brewery - Columbia, SC
Child friendly restaurants in Columbia include California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating, Tupelo Honey - Columbia and Dave & Buster's - Columbia