Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in South Bend

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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 on Jun 28, 2025

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

Cascade

4.9

4.9 (447)

$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 4 days ago

Incredible food, atmosphere and service. Loved the steak!

Cafe Navarre

4.8

4.8 (2861)

$31 to $50

American

South Bend

About the restaurant

Specializing in modern American cuisine, fresh seafood, and USDA prime steaks, Cafe Navarre is celebrating its 12th year in historic downtown South Bend. Located in a bank building in the heart of our city with the fusion of Old World architecture, natural light, and the contemporary furnishings. Join us for dinner or enjoy a cocktail in our bar or on our outdoor patio.

As a locally owned establishment, we strive for excellence in producing and serving the finest cuisine. We are excited to provide you with top-shelf service, world-class recipes, as well as local and fresh ingredients. Every part of your experience at Cafe Navarre is important to us, right down to the last detail.

Café Navarre brings you modern American cuisine with European influences, distinguished by its simplicity, flavor, and respect for ingredients. Cafe Navarre offers fresh seafood and steaks, along with dishes created with seasonal elements from local farms that are unmistakable in flavor and quality.

Top review

Dave

Dined 6 days ago

Food was delicious and interesting dishes to chose from. Our server "Prince" was very attentive and helpful in making our selections

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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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Rocky River Tap and Table

4.8

4.8 (370)

$30 and under

American

Granger

About the restaurant

Welcome to Rocky River Tap and Table!
ocated in Granger, Indiana and named for a tributary of the St. Joseph River in Michigan, Rocky River provides a farm-to-fork experience featuring sustainably farmed products from nearby growers and a casual atmosphere. Partnerships with local farmers, brewers and winemakers paired with culinary creativity yield brilliant results. From the table enjoy anything from small plates and unique bar snacks to entrees and a variety of handheld sandwiches.
And from our taps…Indiana and Michigan are home to some of the best breweries in the country. From these, we’ve handpicked a menu of over 30 draft beers to enjoy with a snack or accompany your meal. Our wine list, along with many organic West coast wines, includes carefully selected wines from Southwest Michigan and Indiana wineries, enjoyed by the glass or bottle

Top review

John

Dined 6 days ago

We were visiting from out if town. The menu was enticing with many interesting choices. It is open on a Monday which was convenient. We sat outside. The waitress, Bridget, was friendly, professional, and very helpful when we asked her about a few choices. The food was excellent. Hummus to start- so good. bison burger and sweet potato fries. Blackened mahi was delicious. We will be back!

Osteria Amici

4.8

4.8 (57)

$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

Diana

Dined 1 day ago

Fantastic. Can’t wait to go back. Loved the vibe. Loved the food. Made with imported flour so was easy on my digestion!

LaSalle Grill

4.7

4.7 (1346)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

South Bend

About the restaurant

LaSalle Grill, a modern American Bistro featuring steaks and chops and seafood cooked over a live hardwood fire, is born of the dream of experienced restaurateur Mark McDonnell. Like the restaurant’s namesake, noted French explorer, Robert de LaSalle, McDonnell set out to explore the uncharted waters of downtown South Bend, Indiana. LaSalle Grill has set the standard for fine dining in South Bend since 1991

LaSalle Grill is committed to providing guests with unrivaled hospitality and excellent service, great atmosphere, an award-winning wine list and, most importantly, delicious cuisine that is artfully and dramatically presented.

The Grill has been presented with the coveted AAA Four Diamond Award every year since 1996. The wine list is also exceptional with many bottles priced under $75.00. The list has also won the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence sine 2023.

Set out to explore the art of fine dining usually found only in major metropolitan cities, visit LaSalle Grill.

Top review

Catherine

Dined 1 day ago

LaSalle Grill has never disappointed. The Food is always amazing and the staff is superb! Literally our go-to place for occasions or just when we want to ..

Kankakee Grille - South Bend

4.6

4.6 (1770)

$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

Vicki

Dined 2 days ago

The food was delicious and the service was amazing! Our server went out of their way to make our anniversary dinner one to remember!

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Popular dish

Caesar Salad

O'Rourke's Public House

4.2

4.2 (41)

$30 and under

Irish

South Bend

About the restaurant

Located in the shadow of the Golden Dome and Nestled in the heart of Notre Dame's Eddy Street Commons, we provide delicious Irish pub and American fare in a lively and fun environment! O'Rourke's Has the largest selection of Irish Whiskey in the state, as well as 30+ draft beers, signature cocktails, and rotating seasonal taps. The perfect place to grab some delicious grub and a pint before the game or celebrate an Irish victory afterwards! Perfect for Private events, Birthdays, Corporate Gatherings, Rehearsal Dinners and MORE!

Top review

ErinVIP

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

Always a “go to” spot when at Notre Dame. Good pub food, phenomenal staff and celebratory atmosphere.

LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern

3.9

3.9 (179)

$30 and under

American

South Bend

About the restaurant

LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern is located on the Third Floor of LaSalle Grill. Join us, Pull up a chair and take your time to review our drinks menu. This could take a while, since we offer 120 whiskeys and scotches, dozens of craft brews, wines, and craft cocktails. Our selection is unparalleled, so tap into our staff’s expertise to help you choose. Settle in for some civilized refreshment and a break from the ordinary.
You probably noticed that this isn’t a brand-new building. That’s no coincidence. In fact, our twenty-first-century establishment is housed in the oldest commercial structure in South Bend, built in 1868 as the Second St. Joseph Hotel. No fake historical patina here–like everything we do, this is the genuine article.
At LaSalle Kitchen Tavern we take food and drink service seriously so you can keep the focus on what matters: relaxing with friends over drinks and a meal.

Top review

Helen

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

Reasonable innovative dishes well prepared. Nice decor and overall ambiance

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