Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Columbia

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

The Melting Pot - Columbia SC

4.8

4.8 (1211)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Columbia

About the restaurant

Experience a new way to dine when you make The Melting Pot in Columbia your next dinner destination. From the first bite of our delicious artisan cheeses, to the last bite of our decadent chocolate fondues, you will know you have made the right decision! Whether you want to have the full four-course adventure or you are in the mood for perfectly crafted cocktails and cheese fondue, you can find what you crave on our tables. Our friendly staff specializes in creating your perfect night out. Come join us today at The Melting Pot.

Top review

Elizabeth

Dined 2 days ago

Had a special occasion with my daughter. Took advantage of Restaurant Week & had a great time. Teriyaki steak was super tender, bacon & Brie fondue was fantastic then we ended with s’mores dessert fondue!

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Popular dish

Pure Chocolate Fondue

A photo of Lavender & Blueberry White Chocolate Fondue of a restaurant

Popular dish

Black Forest Chocolate Fondue

MOA Korean BBQ & Bar - Columbia

4.8

4.8 (197)

$31 to $50

Asian

Columbia

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Sarah

Dined 1 day ago

Our server, Sean, was polite and attentive. Food came out quickly and was absolutely delicious. Cocktails were quite slow to come out and slowed down our meal. I would come back for the food and experience, but they definitely need another bartender when it's busy.

Braza Do Sul Brazilian Steakhouse (formerly Rioz)

4.7

4.7 (1152)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Columbia

About the restaurant

Welcome to Braza do Sul Brazilian Steakhouse, we look forward to seeing you soon

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.

Brazil's signature cocktail. With impeccable service and a lively atmosphere, our Brazilian steakhouse promises an unforgettable dining experience that will leave you returning for more.🍷🔥

Top review

Beverly

Dined 5 days ago

Tonight, my wife and I had the pleasure of dining at Braza (formerly Rioz), and we were thoroughly impressed. From the moment we arrived, the service and food were exceptional. Our server, Amanda, went above and beyond, providing attentive and outstanding service throughout the evening. The entire team at Braza consistently checked in on us, ensuring we had everything we needed. What truly stood out was the attention to detail—two managers personally stopped by our table to ensure everything exceeded our expectations, which it absolutely did. This was one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in a long time. A big thank you to the entire Braza team for an unforgettable evening!

Motor Supply Company Bistro

4.6

4.6 (3912)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Columbia

About the restaurant

Located in the historic Congaree Vista Motor Supply has been serving progressive, New World cuisine using classic French culinary techniques for over 20 years. The menu features contemporary New American cuisine, with nods to Creole, Cajun, New Southern, French, Italian and Asian cuisine. We are Columbia's foremost "farm to fork" restaurant, working with local, sustainable farms for produce, meats, SC seafood and more. Seafood is caught off of the Carolina coast, and all of our stocks, sauces and desserts are made on site, including our charcuterie, with house-made sausages, bacon, country pate, and rillettes, all the way down to the pickles and mustard. Our early 19th century, solid-oak bar with marble columns, imported from Europe, serves 180+ fine wines, an extensive list of imported, domestic and local craft beers, as well as an artisan farm-to-shaker cocktail list made from house-infused liquors, handmade bitters, barrel-aged spirits and locally-sourced ingredients and garnishes.

Top review

Bradvip

Dined 5 days ago

Awesome as always. Wish they would bring back the BEC at brunch.

Kao Thai Cuisine

4.6

4.6 (411)

$31 to $50

Thai

Columbia

About the restaurant

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!

Top review

Sarah

Dined 2 days ago

We went for restaurant week and had a great time. All the food and drinks were really well done!

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4.5

4.5 (242)

$30 and under

Asian

Columbia

About the restaurant

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!

Top review

Abigail

Dined on Sep 22, 2024

amazing waitress and the lychee martini is my favorite just wish it was a little stronger!

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Iron Hill Brewery - Columbia, SC

4.5

4.5 (362)

$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

ThomasB

Dined 7 days ago

Great space, atmosphere, service and food. Beer is top notch as well!

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Columbia

4.3

4.3 (2739)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Columbia

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House serves the finest aged, corn-fed USDA Prime beef. Broiled in a trademark 1,800° oven & served on a plate heated to 500 degrees, your steak is presented sizzling hot at your table.
Additionally, the menu includes select fresh seafood & other meat entrees, including seasonal specialties like foie gras, buffalo strip & scallops. A variety of fresh-cooked vegetables, including seven kinds of potatoes, salads, homemade desserts & an extensive selection of over 100 domestic & imported wines complete your dining experience.
Ruth's Chris never fails to please!

Top review

Bobby

Dined today

Overall the visit was perfect the customer service to the food was fantastic. I recommend this places for anyone that is in the area

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Angell Bros. 1801 Grille

4.3

4.3 (492)

$30 and under

American

Columbia

About the restaurant

Welcome to Angell Bros. 1801 Grille, the Capital City's exciting new restaurant concept from brothers Jon and Dan Angell. We're located at 700 Lincoln St #200, across from the Colonial Life Arena in downtown Columbia, South Carolina.

Top review

Maureen

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

We had a reservation, but arrived an hour early. That wasn't an issue for the staff, we were seated promptly. Our Waiter, Liam was courteous and professional. Everything was great, the only one downside was our entrees were served just after we received our salad, so the timing was a bit off, but not huge. Liam apologized for that, so its all good. Overall, great experience and we will be returning!

Prohibition - Columbia

4.3

4.3 (60)

$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

April

Dined 4 days ago

Our server was overwhelmed and I think new to the location. He had tables all over the restaurant. We had to remind him to take an order of a person he missed and then had to ask 3 times for a dessert to go. He did the best he could. The food came out at odd times but had decent flavor. It was my 1st time I might would go back as a happy hour sit at the bar type of place but not as a dinner place. The shrimp fried rice tasted like it came right out a microwave box but the charred wings were really good.

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