Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Columbia

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Columbia? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

MOA Korean BBQ & Bar - Columbia

4.8

4.8 (363)

$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

PaulGold

Dined on 5 Oct 2026

The experience was awesome. The variety of options caused me to taste some new & delicious choices.

Saluda's

4.8

4.8 (4421)

$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

Natalie

Dined 2 days ago

Food and service were excellent. Highly recommend!

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4.8

4.8 (1855)

$50 and over

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

TrippGold

Dined on 6 Oct 2026

It was very enjoyable as always. Good and service impeccable

Bonefish Grill - Harbison, SC

4.6

4.6 (59)

$30 and under

Seafood

Seven Oaks

About the restaurant

Your local Columbia, SC Bonefish Grill® specializes in hand-cut, wood-grilled specialties and locally crafted Partner Selection dishes made with the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. The restaurant offers a selection of classic and signature hand-crafted cocktails, using just-squeezed juices, edible garnishes, and house infusions in addition to offering a distinct list of wines, which are the perfect match for any food pairing. On Bower Pkwy in Harbison

Top review

Sherry

Dined on 19 Sept 2026

One of the best dining experiences! Food and service were excellent!

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Experience

4-Course Patrón Tequila Cocktail Pairing Dinner

The Retreat at Ridgeway: Lake Wateree Dining

4.7

4.7 (234)

$30 and under

Southern

Colonel Creek Landing

About the restaurant

Nestled on Lake Wateree, The Retreat is a locally owned lakeside restaurant offering elevated southern cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and genuine hospitality in a relaxed waterfront setting. Our scratch kitchen features seasonal ingredients, fresh seafood, premium steaks, and Chef Blake Hartwick's signature southern inspired dishes. Whether yore arriving by boat, gathering with family and friends, celebrating a special occasion, or enjoying a sunset dinner on the lake, guests can expect attentive service, memorable flavors, and beautiful views. The Retreat also offers private vents, catering, and a warm welcoming atmosphere that captures the charm of lake life while delivering an exceptional dining experience.

Top review

JeremyGold

Dined 6 days ago

Beautiful place to stop for a delicious meal on Lake Wateree. We stopped in along our journey from Florida to Tennessee. Lake Wateree is a magnificent oasis. We had the Sunday brunch and arrived just before closing. The BBQ was the highlight for me and I enjoyed a large 2nd helping of it along with fresh salad with blue cheese dressing. The locals at the bar were very friendly and the wait staff was attentive. We will stop there again to try menu items when visiting the Charlotte/Columbia area.

Braza Do Sul Brazilian Steakhouse (formerly Rioz)

4.6

4.6 (1509)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Columbia

About the restaurant

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—indulge in a colorful array of fresh salads, exotic side dishes, and traditional Brazilian specialties like pão de queijo.
*BRUNCH is available from 11am to 2pm, DINNER is from 3pm to 8pm every SUNDAY*

Top review

RonaldGold

Dined 7 days ago

Fantastic server! Made the entire evening fun. Food and atmosphere were great. We will return

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Popular dish

Lamb Chops

Carlisle's

4.7

4.7 (48)

$31 to $50

Southern

Colonel Creek Landing

About the restaurant

Carlisles at Hotel Everett is a refined Southern dining experience led by Executive Chef Michael Rogers, where elevated cuisine meets timeless character. The menu thoughtfully blends coastal inspiration with regional tradition, highlighted by the restaurant’s signature seafood paella—crafted with red rice, smoked sausage, East Coast shrimp, lobster, and a rich smoked tomato broth.

Set within the historic main house, Carlisles offers an intimate, warmly lit atmosphere defined by rich textures, classic architectural details, and understated elegance. Each dining space has been carefully restored to preserve the property’s heritage while delivering a polished, contemporary experience.

Special features include a curated cocktail program inspired by local history, seamless access to private event and gathering spaces, and a setting that transitions effortlessly from relaxed evenings to sophisticated celebrations.

Top review

Jennie

Dined 6 days ago

We very much enjyed our dining experience at Carlisle's. Food was terrific and the service was outstanding. Will continue to visit often!

Cork and Cleaver Steakhouse Lexington

4.7

4.7 (422)

$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.

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

dave

Dined 5 days ago

Great experience. Service was wonderful and food was delicious

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Popular dish

Brisket Candy Deviled Eggs

Melting Pot - Columbia SC

4.6

4.6 (1282)

$30 and under

Fondue

Columbia

About the restaurant

Melting Pot isn't just a meal - it's an experience! Perfect for date nights, birthdays, and celebrations, Melting Pot blends fine dining with interactive fun that makes every occasion memorable. Our restaurant offers a warm, inviting escape where guests cook, dip, and share fondue together at the table. Savor our signature four-course fondue journey with award-winning cheese fondue, crisp salads, premium entrées (filet mignon, cold-water lobster tail, shrimp, teriyaki sirloin, chicken, vegan and vegetarian options), and unforgettable chocolate fondue. Private seating options, curated celebration experiences, and a full bar with craft cocktails and an extensive wine list help create an evening designed for connection and celebration.

Top review

ElisabethGold

Dined 2 days ago

Had a wonderful experience. Connor was an excellent waiter. He was patient, kind, and paid attention to detail. Food was delicious. The manager was also very nice. Highly recommend!

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Down To Fondue Happy Hour

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Columbiana Station

4.6

4.6 (300)

$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

Kristina

Dined on 9 Oct 2026

We were seated quickly. Our server was very attentive. Food was great and delivered timely and we were very pleased.

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