Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in South Bend

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in South Bend? 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!

Essence Restaurant + Bar

4.9

4.9 (392)

$31 to $50

American

Elkhart

About the restaurant

A culinary playground centered around unwavering hospitality and creatively curated cuisine, wine and spirits.

Welcome home.

Top review

Bill

Dined 5 days ago

Outstanding high quality restaurant, excellent and unique meals. A really extensive wine and liquor selection. We’ll be back!!!

LaSalle Grill

4.8

4.8 (1295)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

South Bend

About the restaurant

LaSalle Grill, a modern American Bistro featuring steaks and chops cooked over a live hardwood fire, is born of the dream of experienced restaurateur Mark McDonnell. Like the restaurant’s namesake, noted French explorer, Robert de LaSalle, McDonnell set out to explore the uncharted waters of downtown South Bend, Indiana. In April of 1991, McDonnell opened a lively and exciting restaurant unlike any other in the area.

LaSalle Grill is committed to providing guests with excellent service, great atmosphere, an award-winning wine list and, most importantly, delicious cuisine that is artfully and dramatically presented.

The Grill has been presented with the coveted AAA Four Diamond Award every year since 1996.

Set out to explore the art of fine dining usually found only in major metropolitan cities, visit LaSalle Grill.

Top review

Jenny

Dined 4 days ago

The food is always phenomenal. Service is wonderful. It can get a bit noisy as the restaurant fills up. Overall, I always recommend LaSalle Grill!

Yesterday's Food & Spirits

4.8

4.8 (968)

$30 and under

American

Granger

About the restaurant

Starting December 1st our hours have changed to accommodate the early birds.

Tuesday through Thursday we open from 5:00 pm until 9:30 pm
Friday and Saturday we open from 4:00 pm until 10:30 pm
**We are open later for drinks and desserts**

We will be closed for a family holiday from December 22nd to January 1st. We will reopen January 2nd at 5:00 pm.

Until then join us for some Christmas cheer!
From our family to yours, have a Blessed and beautiful season.

Top review

Susy

Dined 5 days ago

Our dining experience at Yesterday’s last night certainly didn’t disappoint! The drinks, dinner and dessert were delicious. We all tried the perch and it was prepared perfectly. The garlic mashed potatoes were a perfect accompaniment. Key lime pie paired perfectly with dinner. All in all diners choosing Yesterday’s for the first time will be very pleased!

Cascade

4.8

4.8 (216)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

South Bend

About the restaurant

South Bend’s newest dining destination, Cascade, showcases fresh seafood, shellfish towers and prime steaks. Featuring signature cocktails, craft beer and an extensive wine program with over 400 selections. Floor to ceiling windows provide unparalleled views of the St. Joseph River. Modern yet understated décor, open kitchen and wood fired hearth are the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable evening. Join us on our large river side patio and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Cascade waterfall, Keepers of the Fire sculpture and river lights, or dine at our custom-built bar: with every seat enjoying uninterrupted views of the water. Private dining for groups of 8-50 people

Top review

Jim

Dined 3 days ago

Outstanding meal start to finish. 10 out of 10. Kim was amazing. What a wonderful place. We will return.

Ruth's Chris Steak House - South Bend

4.7

4.7 (1825)

$30 and under

American

South Bend

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House is a premier dining establishment renowned for its specialty in serving USDA Prime steaks. Each steak is expertly prepared and served sizzling on a 500-degree plate, ensuring a delicious and unforgettable dining experience. Located in Granger/South Bend, close to the University of Notre Dame, the Snite Museum of Art, Morris Performing Arts Center and the Hesburgh Memorial Library (one of the world's largest college libraries), Ruth's Chris Granger/South Bend has been recognized as the 2024 OpenTable Diner's Choice Winner. This is a testament to its commitment to exceptional quality and service. Whether you're a steak aficionado or simply looking for a remarkable dining experience, we invite you to join us and indulge in our award-winning cuisine.

Top review

Michael

Dined 4 days ago

This was our first time there- we were celebrating my moms 84th birthday- the restaurant was beautiful- the food was amazing and so hot you had to blow it (which is a good complaint) our server was outstanding! The only negative was that it’s so loud - we could here the other diners conversations- overall it was a great experience and we will be going back…

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Kankakee Grille - South Bend

4.6

4.6 (1671)

$30 and under

American

South Bend

About the restaurant

Enjoy rustic cuisine, hearth baked pizza, a variety of craft beers, and live entertainment every weekend. Kankakee Grille South Bend is the hottest restaurant in Northeast Indiana and features a beautiful outdoor patio to enjoy during the warm weather season.

Top review

Jack

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was great. The menu has expanded with more offerings. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to enjoy a great meal.

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Popular dish

Caesar Salad

Villa Macri Ristorante

4.5

4.5 (510)

$30 and under

Italian

Granger

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Toscana Park, just north of SR 23 and Main Street, Villa Macri is the place for traditional Italian fare in the Michiana area. The extensive menu includes appetizers, steaks, seafood, pasta, and the best gelato outside of Italy.

Villa Macri is also home to Macri’s Deli, serving their famous sandwiches for over 40 years. With the largest Martini Bar in the area and inexpensive wine pricing on their Wine Spectator Award winning wine list, Villa Macri is also the place for spirits. Choose to dine upscale or casual in one of the many dining room options: Outdoor Patio, Garden Room, Round Room, Martini Bar, or Sports Theater Room. And don’t forget our Wine Cellar, Chef’s Room, and Villa Room for your next banquet or private party.

Top review

Sher

Dined on Nov 23, 2024

Celebrated a bday with outstanding food and service. Happy atmosphere surrounding us!! Thanks for the bday treat.

Papa Vino's - Mishawaka Italian Kitchen

4.5

4.5 (610)

$30 and under

Italian

Mishawaka

About the restaurant

Good Italian food and impeccable service are in our DNA. Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful wine list or feeding a party of 75, we’re here to make sure you get the very best of everything we have to offer.

Top review

PatriciaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Waitress was wonderful! Very attentive but allowed us to sit and talk. Food was superb!

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LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern

4.5

4.5 (161)

$30 and under

American

South Bend

About the restaurant

LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern is located on the Third Floor of LaSalle Grill. Join us, Pull up a chair and take your time to review our drinks menu. This could take a while, since we offer 120 whiskeys and scotches, dozens of craft brews, wines, and craft cocktails. Our selection is unparalleled, so tap into our staff’s expertise to help you choose. Settle in for some civilized refreshment and a break from the ordinary.
You probably noticed that this isn’t a brand-new building. That’s no coincidence. In fact, our twenty-first-century establishment is housed in the oldest commercial structure in South Bend, built in 1868 as the Second St. Joseph Hotel. No fake historical patina here–like everything we do, this is the genuine article.
At LaSalle Kitchen Tavern we take food and drink service seriously so you can keep the focus on what matters: relaxing with friends over drinks and a meal.

Top review

Pete

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

Nice atmosphere, the menu isn't large but has several delicious items. service was great and the live acoustic music was great.

Legends of Notre Dame

4.3

4.3 (551)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

South Bend

About the restaurant

***FOOTBALL FRIDAYS WE ACCEPT WALK INS ONLY****
Legends, our refreshed tavern offers a new menu featuring shareables, burgers, salads and sandwiches. Located just yards from Notre Dame Stadium on its sound side, Legends is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. The University of Notre Dame is a cashless campus. Please be aware that campus is undergoing multiple construction projects this summer that may impact how you navigate campus by vehicle and on foot. A renovation project to the Main Circle on Notre Dame Avenue has begun, closing the roundabout to traffic. Access to North Notre Dame Avenue will be limited until mid-August and you may experience delays upon your arrival to campus. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to welcoming you to campus.

Top review

John

Dined on Nov 20, 2024

We very much enjoyed our dinner at Legends this evening with excellent service, a great nacho appetizer, a nice selection of beverages and excellent burgers and shrimp tacos. We’re looking forward to our next visit to Legends, a great place for a bite to eat on the Notre Dame campus.

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