Below are links to the best restaurants in Columbia SC - whether you want Japanese, Mediterranean, Mexican, a steakhouse, fine dining, seafood, chicken wings or Italian, click for more on the best dining experiences in Greater Columbia!
American
Cellar on Greene · Five Points
2001-D Greene Street Five Points 803-343-3303
During the day, Cellar on Greene is a retail wine shop with 100’s of wines from around the world. At 5pm their doors open to the hungry, as well as thirsty! Cellar offers a nightly three-course menu for only $19. Also - a full menu of snacks, pizzas, small plates and desserts. Wine & beer. www.cellarongreene.com
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Jillian's · Downtown Columbia SC
800 Gervais Street The Vista 803-779-7789
Whether your night out is a great meal (serving incredible burgers, pasta, seafood, steaks and pizza), sports viewing, playing billiards and games, dancing to hot hits in a nightclub, or attending incredible concerts, Jillian’s Columbia is the perfect venue for all. Jillian’s motto: Eat Drink Play... Your Fun is Our Business!! www.jilliansofcolumbiasc.com
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Liberty Tap Room · Downtown Columbia SC
828 Gervais St. The Vista 803-461-4677
Liberty’s atmosphere brings about American pride and enchants visitors from across the globe... Lady Liberty’s welcoming window in the foyer greets the tired and hungry, and its colorful celebration of the United States makes you feel right at home. Liberty never fails to please - specialty steaks and signature burgers are 100% Certified Angus Beef; gourmet pizzas; entree salads; seafood; comfort foods like meatloaf and honey bourbon chicken; 2 bar areas with lots of TV sports! www.libertytaproom.com
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Mr Friendly's · Five Points
2001-A Greene St · 803-254-7828
Situated alongside Clauusen's Inn on Greene Street in Five Points, Mr. Friendly's is one of Greater Columbia's favorite spots. Creative southern cuisine, relaxed atmosphere, did I say" great food"? These guys love to cook and it shows in their amazingly varied menu and their delightful daily specials. Whether you are looking for a special lunch or an impressive dinner, Mr. Friendly's never disappoints. Open Monday - Friday for lunch 11:30-2:30. Open Monday - Saturday for dinner 5:30 - 10/10:30. http://mrfriendlys.com/
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Solstice Kitchen & Wine Bar · Northeast
841-4 Sparkleberry Lane · 803-788-6966
Northeast Columbia's best spot for creative dining - excellent New American cuisine in a simply beautiful little restaurant. Select from their standing menu with items like pan seared jumbo sea scallops to bronzed pork tenderloin to buttermilk fried chicken breast, or choose the ultra-creative dishes offered as daily specials. Extensive wine list, Solstice is open for lunch Tuesday - Friday; for dinner Monday - Saturday. Reservations accepted. 803-788-6966. www.solsticekitchen.com
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The Original Pancake House · Southeast Columbia SC
Trenholm Plaza 4840 Forest Drive near Gate 2 Fort Jackson 803-782-6742
Specialties include the Apple Pancake, a single large pancake smothered with sautéed apples and cinnamon sugar baked to perfection and the Dutch Baby, an air filled delight oven baked to golden perfection and served with lemon, whipped butter and powdered sugar to create a mouthwatering blend. Savory dishes include crepes, eggs benedict, corned beef hash. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. www.originalpancakehouse.com
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Uno Chicago Grill · Lexington SC
5304 Sunset Blvd. · Highway 378 · 803-359-3888
For the hospitality. For the friendship. For the deep-down, soul-satisfying goodness of our classic deep dish pizza. For the inventiveness and tastiness of our seafood, salads and steaks - whether you're in the mood for our brewmaster's new york strip or our cap steak chimichurri or our salmon served creatively and fresh! And best - for the feeling you get when you know you've come to the right place. www.unos.com
Asian
Inakaya Japanese & Tsubaki · Northeast | Northwest/Irmo/Harbison
655 St. Andrews Road (Northwest) 803-731-2538 224 O'Neil Court (Northeast) 803-699-2626
Allow yourself to be magically transported across the Pacific to an authentic Japanese restaurant and sushi bar. Inakaya has been Columbia’s most realistic Asian dining experience for more than 20 years. At the sushi bar, watch as food turns into art and enjoy Southern/Japanese hospitality and humor from the friendly sushi chefs. Dining room seating and traditional Japanese cooked dishes served as well.
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SakiTumi ·Downtown
807 Gervais Street 803-931-0700
SakiTumi is one of the only restaurants in the area that receives fresh fish almost every single day of the week. Go in and try their fresh, #1 bluefin tuna, delivered daily. Visit them today and ask your server for a small sample of their fresh tuna. www.sakifresh.com
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Sato · East-Southeast
1999 Beltline Blvd. Forest Acres near Gate 2 Fort Jackson 803-782-1064
Hibachi style Japanese restaurant offers a meal and dinner show with accomplished hibachi chefs. Ooh and aah at the showmanship; savor the wonderful food! www.satosteak.com
Barbecue
Little Pigs BBQ · Northeast
4927 Alpine Road Northeast 803-788-8238
In 2010, readers of Southern Living selected Little Pigs “the best barbecue in South Carolina”. That means Little Pigs beat out every barbecue joint from Clemson to Beaufort. Serving 3 kinds of barbecue (tomato, pepper & vinegar, mustard), with pulled pork and ribs on the buffet. Homey veggies, sweet tea, the area’s best mac & cheese. www.littlepigs.biz
Dessert
Cupcake Bakery ·Downtown Columbia SC
1213 Lincoln Street The Vista 803-212-4949
Baked fresh daily, these cupcakes are made from the finest all-natural ingredients, and topped with signature homemade icing and colorful candies, nuts and more. Offering nine flavors daily. www.freshcupcakes.com
Italian
Columbo's Italian Eatery & Prime Steaks · Northwest
2100 Bush River Road in the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Northwest Columbia 803-731-0300
Off the chic contemporary lobby of the Doubletree is Columbo’s, a locals’ favorite. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days, Columbo’s takes inspiration from the South with its Shrimp and Grits, Lowcountry Crab Cakes and Key Lime Pie, as well as serving outstanding steaks, pasta, sandwiches and entree salads. www.columbos.net
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DeLucca's · West Columbia
1720 Sunset Blvd 803-926-5255
Wonderful entrees including the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, prepared with fresh lump crab meat with a drizzle of homemade remoulade sauce, served over whipped potatoes, fresh sauteed vegetables and with a house salad. Homemade pizza is a specialty! www.deluccas.com
Mexican
Pancho's · Owned by Greg Leon · Southeast Columbia SC
5400 Forest Drive near Gate 2 Fort Jackson 803-738-9511
Pancho’s interior resembles a patio courtyard in a Mexican village with its large scenic murals, second story open balcony and south-of-the-border decor. Authentic Mexican Cuisine is served up fresh, with complimentary chips and salsa. A full service bar welcomes patrons with a friendly staff and beautiful Margaritas - from regular to ginormous! Panchos Mexican Restaurant
Seafood
Pearlz Oyster Bar · Downtown
936 Gervais Street The Vista. 803-661-7741
Pearlz Oyster Bar originated in Charleston, and their third location is located here in The Vista. Pearlz’ seafood menu features a mix of raw shellfish, local seafood, Lowcountry recipes and regional favorites. Their raw bar offers a variety of oysters and fresh seasonal shellfish. A full-service bar serving the coldest beers and unique, refreshing cocktails, Pearlz has become a favorite meeting spot for both locals and visitors. Late night menu. www.pearlzoysterbar.com
Steakhouses
Ruth's Chris Steak House · Downtown Columbia SC
924-A Senate St. at the Hilton Hotel The Vista 803-212-6666
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse is synonymous with excellence in dining - from its classically stylish dining room to its cut-above service, its phenomenal selection and preparation of foods, no one leaves Ruth’s Chris disappointed. Steaks are 100% USDA Prime, and are seared to perfection at 1800 degrees and topped with fresh butter so they sizzle all the way to your table. Steaks range from a Petite Filet to a Porterhouse for Two and anything and everything inbetween. Their Signature Steaks are the stars of the menu, but here you’ll also find an impressive array of mouth-watering entrees including barbecued shrimp, whole Maine lobster, lamb chops and stuffed chicken breasts. As the onsite restaurant and bar inside the Hilton Hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner are served seven days a week. The restaurant is conveniently located next door to the Columbia Convention Center and just a few blocks from the University of South Carolina campus. www.ruthschris.com
