Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in Columbia

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the most romantic 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!

Mill Pond Steakhouse

4.9

4.9 (1746)

$31 to $50

Steak

Rembert

About the restaurant

Window seating is first come, first serve depending on how early you make your reservation. Parties larger than 5 are unable to be seated next to the window. We do our best to accommodate all requests but aren't always able to seat everyone that requests a window seat by the window.

Mill Pond Steakhouse is the only up-scaled steakhouse in the midlands. We have a well developed staff that is committed to your dining needs. It starts from the time you pick up the phone to make a reservation to when you are welcomed at the front door and lasts forever. When you arrive to the Mill Pond Steakhouse in Boykin, SC you take a step back in time. Mill Pond Steakhouse offers rustic elegance with southern hospitality and a one of a kind dining experience.

Parties of 6 or more are required to call the restaurant at 803-425-8825 and ask to speak to management.

If you can't make your reservation on time, please call to let us know or else your table may be given to someone else. Thank you!

Top review

David

Dined 6 days ago

We ate there the 3rd and the 5th and Arial was our server both times. We knew she would be in the bar area the second visit and requested to be there where she was serving and bar tending. What a delightful server! Also the young host that help in seating and provided cornbread was just as responsive. Please thank both of them for an exceptional dining experience. David Grantham Florence, S.C.

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 (4165)

$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

Ozzie

Dined 1 day ago

Exceptional appetizers (cheese tray variety), halibut cooked to perfection, ribeye prepared perfectly (medium) melts in your mouth, and delicious peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Kudos to chef and wait staff (especially Andy)!

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MOA Korean BBQ & Bar - Columbia

4.8

4.8 (277)

$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

Kevin

Dined 7 days ago

Great food and service. Love Nibble as well. A must try.

Melting Pot - Columbia SC

4.7

4.7 (1253)

$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

Sarah

Dined 6 days ago

The 4 course experience was unlike any other dining experience, I’ve had. Food was delicious and the desserts were heaven! 😍

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Popular dish

Pure Chocolate Fondue

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

Popular dish

Yin & Yang Chocolate Fondue

Chophouse of Chapin

4.7

4.7 (1129)

$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

Salley

Dined 3 days ago

Very great, most importantly the food. My halibut, tarragon potatoes and asparagus was as good as it gets!!

Cork and Cleaver Steakhouse

4.7

4.7 (181)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Lexington

About the restaurant

Join us at Cork and Cleaver Steakhouse, where we pride ourselves on our unique offerings and commitment to quality. Our House Dry Aged Steaks are a true labor of love--aged for 30 days in our own Dry Age cooler, hand-cut to perfection, and featuring show-stopping Tomahawks that will leave you speechless. Pair your meal with a selection of over 140 rare bottles and a curated wine list of 60 hand-selected varieties. And for seafood lovers, our menu delights with Crabcakes, Seared Ahi Tuna, and Shrimp Fra Diavolo.

Brunch on weekends features indulgent options like Eggs Benedicts and savory delights like Shrimp and Grits. Wash it down with mimosas for the perfect brunch experience!

During Happy Hour, enjoy half off our wine selection and Buffalo Trace specials. Explore our upgraded spirits collection, including the sought-after Weller collection, for a truly elevated experience.

Join us and savor the flavors that will leave you craving more!

Top review

NaShalla

Dined 4 days ago

I truly enjoyed my experience at Cork and Cleaver!! The staff were so professional and friendly!! We were greeted as soon as we came in! Caleb was awesome and had some great recommendations! We were celebrating her 60th birthday and she was so pleased with the service!! Thank you to Caleb and all the amazing staff!! We will definitely be back!!

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.

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Columbia

4.4

4.4 (2916)

$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

Chuck

Dined 3 days ago

We made this reservation late, however, Ruth's Chris could not be more helpful to get us a table. Our server was Kalief and he was AMAZING! His suggestions were spot on. From appetizers to entree's to dessert to wine were all spot on. FIVE STARS across the board from a very picky family!

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Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse - Columbia

4.3

4.3 (1652)

$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

Kathy

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

What can I say, a lesser price would be better. My only complaint

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