Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Columbia

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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

4.9

4.9 (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.

Saluda's

4.8

4.8 (4162)

$30 and under

American

Columbia

About the restaurant

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 review

Stacy

Dined 4 days ago

Delicious food, service was excellent and very nice atmosphere. I will be back.

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The Retreat at Ridgeway: Lake Wateree Dining

4.8

4.8 (158)

$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

AbelVIP

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

It was our first time here and we had a great time. Service was great and the food was awesome. We were with six people and all of us had a different dish from the menu and everything was delicious. The view is nice on a sidearm of the lake and the restaurant can be transferred by boat or by road. They had a band playing outside and that gave us some nice entertainment while we waited for our table. Highly recommended!

Chophouse of Chapin

4.7

4.7 (1123)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Chapin

About the restaurant

Chophouse of Chapin is an upscale steakhouse located in Chapin Commons - featuring aged steaks, delicious desserts, a large selection of spirits & an in-house wine sommelier

An in-house Tallow aged steak - a Chef selected ribeye encased in rendered steak trimmings, then aged for 60 days and handcut to perfection. The Chophouse has a full bar with a wide variety of spirits hand selected by our award-winning bar staff. And an on-premise Wine Sommelier that will help pair your menu selection with the best wine from our extensive menu to please your palate.

Top review

Joe

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Our server was very professional AND friendly, his personality fit very well with the restaurant. Our water glasses were never empty and the young man that kept them full was also very polite and friendly. The food, again, was delicious and perfectly prepared and presented. Thank you to all that worked to make our dining experience memorable.

Coa Agaveria y Cocina

4.7

4.7 (10)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Columbia

About the restaurant

Escape to Coa Agaveria y Cocina, Columbia's upscale Mexican haven. Savor our family recipes, crafted with bold flavors from across Mexico. Indulge in small plates, exquisite tequila and mezcal cocktails, and specialty dishes that tantalize your taste buds. Our cozy ambiance creates the perfect setting for a delightful dining experience. Join us for a culinary journey that transports you to the heart of Mexico.

We accept limited reservations Monday – Saturday

Standard Tables: Parties of 2 to 12 guests
High Top Tables: Parties of 4 to 12 guests
Patio Tables: Parties of 2 to 12 guests

If not available smaller parties are served on a first-come, first served basis, and larger parties over 12 must call for a reservation.

Our private dining room can accommodate up to 24 guests. Please call 803-851-5965 or email privatedining@coaagaveria.com to reserve.

Top review

Mary

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent service, drinks and food but really noisy Even though it wasn't fully packed and we were at the end of the dining area.

Kao Thai Cuisine

4.6

4.6 (451)

$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

Elena

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

Thai Kao is a gem. We love coming here. The food is lovely, the wait staff is attentive and the place have a just the right ambiance for us.

Tupelo Honey - Columbia

4.6

4.6 (218)

$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

Richard

Dined 4 days ago

I had the best waitress I’ve ever had. Great. Staff mmm food can’t go wrong

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Experience

10% Off for July 4th

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

Bernadette

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

We had a large party of 8. Service was excellent and food was too. All orders were correct. We Will be back.

California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

4.3

4.3 (2736)

$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

Shiree

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

The food was delicious, service was top-notch, and I enjoyed the charming atmosphere. I appreciate my amazing waitress. Definitely a must-visit for great food in my book!

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Popular dish

California Dreaming

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