Diners' Choice: Great for brunch restaurants in Columbia

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are great for brunch in Columbia? 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!

Top of Carolina

4.8

4.8 (144)

$50 and over

American

Columbia

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Erica

Dined on May 11, 2025

My son treated me to the Mother's day Brunch, very beautiful atmosphere, food was excellent and service was top notch.

The Retreat at Ridgeway: Lake Wateree Dining

4.8

4.8 (156)

$30 and under

Southern

Colonel Creek Landing

About the restaurant

The Retreat located on Lake Wateree in Ridgeway, South Carolina is inspired by celebrating family and the community. This scratch kitchen showcases locally sourced, seasonal ingredients in their cozy lake front restaurant. Chef Blake Hartwick's approach and belief in representing local farmers drives the refined southern cuisine served at The Retreat. The southern charm extends through the whole restaurant as Heather's dedication to exceptional experience will provide you with a warm welcome in an elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere paired with attentive service.

Top review

Melissa

Dined on May 24, 2025

We were enjoying a Winthrop College reunion and celebrated at the Retreat. We enjoyed every bite and the surprise dessert! Thanks for a lovely evening! One of our favorite spots!

Chayz Lounge

4.8

4.8 (44)

$31 to $50

American

Columbia

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

CynthiaVIP

Dined on Jun 1, 2025

Everything about this experience was lovely. Our waitress, Shay, was superb! My husband told me to make another reservation next month for monthly brunch date.

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Experience

Sunday Jazz Brunch

Tupelo Honey - Columbia

4.6

4.6 (205)

$30 and under

Southern

Columbia

About the restaurant

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/

Top review

DesireeVIP

Dined 2 days ago

All of our food was great. Our server was very attentive. The cereal martini was fun and good.

Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse - Columbia

4.5

4.5 (1644)

$31 to $50

Brazilian Steakhouse

Columbia

About the restaurant

Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse is an unique, all you can eat “Churrascaria” featuring a full Salad Bar with over 30 items, 6 Hot Dishes and a “parade” of 16 USDA Prime cuts of beef, chicken, pork and lamb sliced at your table by our Gauchos. Along with a full bar, we have a beautiful walk-in wine cellar with fine selection of wines from Argentina, Chile, California and our Brazilian Flavored Martini Menu. Join us for an unforgettable dining experience!

Top review

TobyVIP

Dined on Jun 7, 2025

Visited Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse recently and overall had a solid experience. The service was excellent—staff was attentive, friendly, and kept the meats coming without us having to flag anyone down. The food was good, especially the picanha and cinnamon-glazed pineapple. The salad bar was fresh and offered plenty of variety. Not quite mind-blowing, but definitely enjoyable. Ambience was just okay. The space felt a bit cramped, and the noise level was overwhelming—especially near the back where sound really bounced off the walls. It made conversation difficult at times, which took away from the experience. As for value, it was decent. The price matches what you'd expect from a rodízio-style steakhouse, but I’d say it’s better suited for a group night out than a quiet dinner. Would I return? Yes, but I’d probably ask to be seated in a quieter section if possible.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Columbiana Station

4.4

4.4 (250)

$30 and under

American

Columbia

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

Dined on Jun 1, 2025

Always a great experience. I go there often. Service and food are always good.

California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

4.3

4.3 (2724)

$30 and under

American

Columbia

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Debra

Dined 7 days ago

The food was amazing as always, and we were taking care of

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Popular dish

California Dreaming

Prohibition - Columbia

4.3

4.3 (182)

$31 to $50

American

Columbia

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Ron

Dined on Jun 2, 2025

Absolutely delicious from start to finish. Our waitress made great menu suggestions and was very helpful.

Columbo's at DoubleTree by Hilton

4.2

4.2 (88)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Columbia

About the restaurant

We have developed, evolved, and refined the restaurant over the past 5 years. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the year; our aim is to serve the metropolitan Columbia, SC community as well as hotel guests.

Top review

William

Dined on May 11, 2025

Another home run by the Doubletree Columbo team. My family has been attending their three holiday buffets since they first began and each one gets better. So, this was their very best and we will be back for future holiday buffets. Pricing is reasonable for the food, service and experience. It begins with the event and chef management on site for the event and greeting you as you enter. A mimosa or Bloody Mary starts the meal followed by a seafood/cheese presentation with oysters on the half shell and large shrimp. Entrees include salmon, carved beef and other meats with an abundance of vegetables. Dessert choices are plentiful and they have flavorful coffee available if you ask. An attentive serving staff tops it all off. If you haven’t been before, make reservations for the next event on Thanksgiving. You won’t regret it.

Iron Hill Brewery - Columbia, SC

4.1

4.1 (468)

$30 and under

American

Columbia

About the restaurant

Welcome to Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, where you'll find fine handcrafted beers, creative yet informal cuisine, and friendly, attentive service in a casual, upscale atmosphere.

Top review

Marlana

Dined on May 31, 2025

We are weekly regulars, King of the Hill members, and enjoy the food and beer. We also use the InKind benefits which is another reason we frequent IHB. The service on our last 2 visits however has not been stellar. We have had to ask the host/hostess to get us a waitress/waiter after waiting 10+ minutes both times. Numerous staff,including management, just walking by and not paying any attention that we don’t even have waters. No one even greeted us or said, “we’ll be right there”. CRICKETS. Not sure if it’s a host problem not communicating with wait staff or the wait staff dropping the ball. I hope this can be corrected.

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