Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Columbia

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

Saluda's

4.9

4.9 (3999)

$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

RogerVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Absolutely wonderful experience! The restaurant is very nice inside with a very welcoming vibe. We were visiting Columbia for the first time and totally lucked out. We had a 2 server team as one was being trained and the service was amazing. I wrote down their names but lost my receipt. Food was fabulous. I had the Wreckfish special and my wife had the Lamb Osso Buco and they couldn’t have been any better. If you’re in town this should be a must

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Sweet & Spicy Fried Oysters

Braza Do Sul Brazilian Steakhouse (formerly Rioz)

4.8

4.8 (1175)

$31 to $50

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—it's a celebration of flavors and textures. Indulge in a colorful array of fresh salads, exotic side dishes, and traditional Brazilian specialties like feijoada and pão de queijo.

Top review

Barry

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Thr wait staff did not seem to be very happy. I've been to other Brazilian restaurants where the wait staff was incredibly energetic which made mediocre food taste incredible.

MOA Korean BBQ & Bar - Columbia

4.8

4.8 (225)

$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

Emilie

Dined 5 days ago

We got the tier of meat that was the least expensive for 4 people. We had plenty. and it was excellent. We discussed going in the middle tier but what we got was excellent. We also ordered edamame and calamari. We were stuffed. The sides are small but there is plenty of food because they bring so many to try. It was fun to taste all the different Korean flavors. I asked which were spicy and he told me so I avoided those. The cheesy corn was a great side as was the salad. We got the cheesecake and the pastry that had Uba (purple sweet potato) It was okay, if we had known there was a citrus option, we'd have done that. The biscotti option was sold out. It was an expensive night out but we will definitely be back for a special occasion. Great birthday for my 27 year old daughter. Service by the son of the owner and sometimes the owner himself was excellent. Definitely will be back.

Top of Carolina

4.7

4.7 (98)

$31 to $50

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

Carmen

Dined 6 days ago

The dishes, the variety and the qualityof the food are unsurpassable. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Everything is so delicious that you do not know what to choose. the view too can't be beat.

Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse - Columbia

4.6

4.6 (1617)

$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

Robin

Dined 4 days ago

Fun experience with friends and the food was excellent. Service is great and choices of meats are endless. If you like meat than this is your place.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Columbiana Station

4.6

4.6 (229)

$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

Kristen

Dined today

Excellent bar food. Husband, 13yr daughter and myself. Great and family friendly atmosphere. We had the parm crusted chicken and while good it was really not as described-would have loved more flavor in the almost non-existent lemon sauce and the tomatoes were not sun-dried. Nicely cooked thin chicken breast slices though. The honey roasted Brussel sprouts were excellent!!. The prime rib sub was really good with the highlight being the creamy horseradish sauce and slaw…We will order the Bbq wings again, no question. The spaghetti and meatballs were a hit, although note that the serving size was HUGE (leftovers ✔️). All in all we loved the place and our waitress was wonderful.

Kao Thai Cuisine

4.4

4.4 (416)

$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

Russell

Dined on Nov 4, 2024

Excellent food, service and location. I will be a repeat customer.

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Prohibition - Columbia

4.4

4.4 (96)

$31 to $50

American

Columbia

About the restaurant

Prohibition Columbia opened in the spring of 2024 and is brought to you by the same team behind Prohibition Charleston, which opened in 2014, and Repeal 33 in historic Savannah, Georgia. While many of the food and drink items can be found at all three locations, special considerations have been made to tailor a unique experience in each city.

As part of the ever-growing Main Street District, Prohibition brings innovative cocktails, eclectic cuisine, and live music to the heart of Soda City.

Top review

Robin

Dined 4 days ago

Really good place! Huge bar! Really played into the holiday season with their inventive drink and food menus!

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Columbia

4.2

4.2 (2782)

$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

Kimberly

Dined today

There has never ever been a time that we have not been blown away by the beautiful ambience, and the incredible service! It is absolutely our favorite restaurant, whether we are dining there for a special occasion or just because we look forward to a incredible dining experience. You have never disappointed us And we appreciate you and we are grateful.

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4.2

4.2 (265)

$30 and under

Asian

Columbia

About the restaurant

At Boku Kitchen and Saloon, you can be sure you are receiving only the highest-quality meals with the freshest ingredients possible. We pride ourselves on not serving our customer's pre-made food. We make everything from scratch, including our noodles, salads, crab rangoon, calamari, soups, cocktails, and more! All our food is made-to-order. You won’t be able to find quality like this elsewhere!

We want to make your time at our restaurant as enjoyable as possible. Therefore, at Boku Kitchen and Saloon, you can trust that we will provide you with a made-from-scratch meal paired with the best cocktails, sake, wine, and craft beer you will find in Columbia, SC.

Our team is excited to serve you, your family, and your friends' delicious meals and beverages. See you soon!

Top review

Stephanie

Dined 4 days ago

We had a great experience at the Grinch Christmas pop up at Boku. I highly recommend, it’s so much fun and the food and service were excellent

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