Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in South Bend

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

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 (338)

$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

Kodiak

Dined 3 days ago

Absolutely outstanding service from Jorge, he took care of everything for us and was very personable and knowledgeable. The food was exquisite, especially the risotto. It was a very memorable anniversary for us and we will most definitely be back.

Cascade

4.9

4.9 (123)

$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

James

Dined 5 days ago

Food was prepared to perfection. Service with Chad was a pleasure. Atmosphere with music was soothing and pleasant. Will definitely go back.

Cafe Navarre

4.8

4.8 (2742)

$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

Kim

Dined 4 days ago

Service and food were outstanding! Our server was helpful in making recommendations.

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4.7

4.7 (1065)

$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

Garyvip

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent all the way around

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Popular dish

STEAK

Copper Rock Steakhouse - South Bend

4.7

4.7 (1050)

$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

Cindyvip

Dined on Sep 30, 2024

It is always delicious. Our favorite place to eat.

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Legends of Notre Dame

4.6

4.6 (543)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

South Bend

About the restaurant

***FOOTBALL FRIDAYS WE ACCEPT WALK INS ONLY****
Legends, our refreshed tavern offers a new menu featuring shareables, burgers, salads and sandwiches. Located just yards from Notre Dame Stadium on its sound side, Legends is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. The University of Notre Dame is a cashless campus. 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

David

Dined on Oct 3, 2024

Good meal, pleasant surroundings, attentive service

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Experience

October Bell's Euchre Tournament

Rocky River Tap and Table

4.6

4.6 (319)

$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

Rebeccavip

Dined 1 day ago

Delicious food, great drinks, lively atmosphere on a game weekend and great service on a busy night. Highly recommend!

Kankakee Grille - South Bend

4.6

4.6 (1639)

$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

Lola

Dined 2 days ago

Was a nice meal last night. Our server Jhon was great. The only complaint was the boss Hogg was a little dry. But my husband said it was still really good. Overall was a good experience

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Popular dish

Caesar Salad

BRU Burger Bar - South Bend

4.6

4.6 (171)

$30 and under

Burgers

South Bend

About the restaurant

Bru Burger Bar is an ode to our love, the burger! We offer shareable appetizers, fresh salads with in-house dressings, gourmet chef burgers, daily cut fries, plenty of vegetarian/vegan options, and mouthwatering house made desserts. All of which pair well with our list of 16 local draft beers and hand crafted cocktails.

Top review

Susan

Dined 5 days ago

Always a great place for burgers and salads. Very reliable.

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Popular dish

Bru Burger

Villa Macri Ristorante

4.5

4.5 (505)

$30 and under

Italian

Granger

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Toscana Park, just north of SR 23 and Main Street, Villa Macri is the place for traditional Italian fare in the Michiana area. The extensive menu includes appetizers, steaks, seafood, pasta, and the best gelato outside of Italy.

Villa Macri is also home to Macri’s Deli, serving their famous sandwiches for over 40 years. With the largest Martini Bar in the area and inexpensive wine pricing on their Wine Spectator Award winning wine list, Villa Macri is also the place for spirits. Choose to dine upscale or casual in one of the many dining room options: Outdoor Patio, Garden Room, Round Room, Martini Bar, or Sports Theater Room. And don’t forget our Wine Cellar, Chef’s Room, and Villa Room for your next banquet or private party.

Top review

Jeffrey

Dined 1 day ago

All in all, it was a wonderful experience. We ate on the patio and at first it was quiet, but as the evening grew on, it is a Friday night and it filled up! It’s great to see good restaurants be successful. I recommend it without any a qualification.

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