Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Columbia

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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 (1719)

$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

Chykevia

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing food and service! Food was flavorful and delicious. Server was excellent and we were able to be seated before our actual reservation time.

MOA Korean BBQ & Bar - Columbia

4.9

4.9 (263)

$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

Elena

Dined 7 days ago

Amazing experience at MOA. We will definitely return often.

Chayz Lounge

4.9

4.9 (38)

$31 to $50

American

Columbia

About the restaurant

Situated in West Columbia's River District, Chayz Lounge blends smooth jazz, soul, and elevated dining in an intimate, elegant setting. Known for showcasing the best in contemporary jazz and rhythm & blues, our venue features music legends alongside acclaimed national and regional artists, offering an unforgettable experience where live music and gourmet cuisine harmonize.

Chayz Lounge is a retreat where enticing aromas, symphonic sounds, and a relaxed atmosphere embrace you. Savor artisanal cocktails, fine wines, and Signature Small Plates in a warm, sophisticated environment designed to help you unwind. With feel-good vibes and refined elegance, it's the perfect escape.

We invite guests to dress with sophistication, enhancing our ambiance and elevating the experience. Chayz Lounge is your oasis of comfort, style, and unforgettable moments.

Top review

ducky

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

The owner and staff are welcoming, friendly, and very accommodating!

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Experience

Lunch Break at Chayz Lounge

Experience

Sip. Savor. Smooth Jazz: Your Evenings, Elevated

Experience

Sunday Jazz Brunch

The Retreat at Ridgeway: Lake Wateree Dining

4.8

4.8 (149)

$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 Apr 20, 2025

Excellent as always! Loved the buffet! So many good choices.

Publico Kitchen & Tap - Igloo Parties Only

4.7

4.7 (99)

$30 and under

Latin American

Columbia

About the restaurant

IGLOO POLICY:
We have a 10 min grace period. Please call us if you are running later than 10 min after your reservation time. We may contact you about this reservation, so please ensure your email & phone number are up to date. For parties of 1-2 there is a $35 per person food & beverage minimum required to reserve your igloo. For parties of 3 or more there is a $25 per person food & beverage minimum required to reserve your igloo. Children 8 years old and younger are not included in this minimum. There is no minimum on weekdays until 4:00pm.

Publico offers Latin-Asian inspired cuisine combined with craft beer & craft cocktails. We are committed to delivering fresh, made-from-scratch tacos, ramen, burgers, salads, cocktails & more. We are committed to supporting our neighbors & offering you, our guests, a fresh, made-from-scratch, made-to-order meal accompanied by some of the best craft beers, cocktails & wine!

Top review

Kirk

Dined on Feb 14, 2025

It was great. The staff was great and attentive. The ambience was great for the igloos. My wife loved the privacy and decorations. The food was simple but good. Overall we enjoyed it and would definitely recommend

Chophouse of Chapin

4.7

4.7 (1096)

$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

Harley

Dined on Apr 15, 2025

First time at the Chapin Steakhouse but we will be back! The food was well-presented and tasty. Kim provided great service and made our time relaxing.

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The Melting Pot - Columbia SC

4.7

4.7 (1250)

$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

brianna

Dined 2 days ago

we happen to get a night where it wasn’t too crowded , and we loved it ! private booth , and such a different experience! something to try at least once , and somewhere to go a every once in a while !

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Popular dish

Pure Chocolate Fondue

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

Experience

Thursdate

Saluda's

4.7

4.7 (4113)

$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

Cheyenne

Dined 2 days ago

Everything was wonderful! The portions were SO BIG, delicious, and fairly priced. Our server was also great. Will return

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Sweet & Spicy Fried Oysters

Tupelo Honey - Columbia

4.7

4.7 (165)

$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

Jason

Dined 2 days ago

Great experience!! The food and service was fantastic.

Kao Thai Cuisine

4.7

4.7 (440)

$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

Jeff

Dined 3 days ago

My wife was celebrating 10 years of being cancer free and we love the food at Kao Thai so we chose to eat there. Our table was in/outside and the weather was perfect along with the service and food.

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