50 Best American Restaurants in Columbia

“We had a party of eleven which they wanted to split us up . They accommodated us all on one table the staff and our waitress Kennedy were awesome all the food was delicious well cooked and came out quickly I would highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely return. The Bison burger was so good“

“Great food and great service. We had the fish and cheeseburger and both was excellent. oh ya my husband also had the lemon cake and it was delicious. We are from Oklahoma on our way too Myrtle beach and will have to stop on our way home.“

“I wanted to rave about the manager, Eddie, and chef, Jonathan. On Friday, I inquired about accommodating my stringent dietary restrictions, and they proactively exceeded expectations. My requirements included the exclusive use of pure olive oil in the preparation of my meal. Initially, I expressed concern that my options might be limited to broccoli and a simple salad. Manager Eddie assured me that this was unacceptable and suggested I contact the chef the following day to discuss my needs. Following this conversation, Chef Jonathan promptly developed a suitable solution. I ordered the brick chicken, prepared using only olive oil, rosemary, and thyme—a dish perfectly aligned with my dietary limitations. The meal was exquisite, and I thoroughly enjoyed dining with my friends. accommodate my very strict food intolerances, and they went out of their way to do just that. I needed my dishes to be cooked in pure olive oil, amongst other things. At first, I told Eddie it looked like I could only have broccoli and a salad with minimal toppings. He said, "You can't come here and just eat salad and broccoli." He then said to call the next day, and he would get the chef on the phone to discuss my food concerns. I called the next day, and Jonathan quickly had an idea. I ordered the brick chicken, which only had olive oil, rosemary, and thyme. Exactly what I was able to eat. It was delicious, and I was so thrilled to eat out with my friends. I so appreciate both of them going out of their way for me.“

“Brussel sprouts, salmon, brisket halibut you name it and everything was delicious always!! Highly recommend!!“

“My bartender Felisatie greeted me with a smile and told my what the beer special of today was. She took my drink/food order in a timely fashion and made sure that my food order was complete before she enter it in the cash register...Hey pleasant personality is extremely rare nowadays.“

“I eat their weekly. Grew up eating Lizards Thicket. Started out at the one that used to be by the airport. I’ve eaten at all of them. They are all good. Love the breakfast. Love the specials. Love the staff. Would recommend anybody that has had a bad Experience. Don’t let that one time experience stop you from enjoying a lot more of good experiences there. Highly recommend them.!!!!👍“

“just had meatball and provolone hot sandwich... fantastic“

“Celebrated my 61st birthday there.We had an awesome time ‼️“

“give me wrong the drink twice just had a bad waiter“

“The lady that took my order was polite and knowledgeable. I wish I would of gotten her name but I totally forgot because she was so personable. I got a chili cheese basket without lettuce, tomato, onions. I got my food promptly and HOT. But the burger looked smashed and the bread was extremely soggy. But other then that it was great. Hopefully thet 2“

“We absolutely love the food and wonderful drinks here! The staff is amazing thank you Goats! We always have the best time here!“

“Hands down this place is AMAZING!!!! We got the Zesto Burger and fries, chicken tenders and onion rings. First, that burger 🤌🏼 The onion rings were a perfect mix of onion and batter. Second, the tenders… I would eat them all the time!!!!! I feel sorry for the place across the street, that also serves chicken (no match, EVER). I hope others enjoy this meal as much as we did!“

“great food,cold beer ,friendly staff and well maintained atmosphere 👌“

“The food, service, and atmosphere was off the chain!!! Great place to eat and hangout!!!“

“This review is specifically for the newer Redbank location. We had a late night concert Monday night at the White Knoll High School PAC center and decided afterwards to go to this location. We weren't aware that they closed at 9pm until after we were leaving. Most of our party arrived at 8:15pm but we had some stragglers that arrived at 8:40pm. The entire staff was soooooooo incredible and accommodating, everyone helping each other get drinks, refills, bread and food out soooooooo quickly. Not one time did we ever feel "rushed" or "hovered" over to "hurry up." Instead they just let us enjoy our dining experience! The food was fantastic, even at the end of the shift, it was still all so fresh and delicious! I think we wrapped up our bills at 9:30pm. We all thanked the servers and all the management staff for allowing us to stay and enjoy our meal and we humbly apologized to them honestly not knowing the time they closed. The manager reassured us it was no problem at all and asked us if we enjoyed everything, food, service and all. We enthusiastically replied YES! I just wanted to specifically shout out to the store and staff how wonderful our dining experience was. I'm sorry for posting a few days afterwards, but please know your team was phenomenal and it didn't go unnoticed. Ty so very much again!“

“Saw them this morning. The food is good and reminds me of home. will be having again for sure.“

“Everything about our experience at Saluda's was just lovely from start to finish. Great atmosphere, fantastic service, absolutely delicious food. Highly recommend!!“

“blackened shrimp tostada with corn was a legit plate scraper! hmmm! burgers were both overcooked sadly but the potential was there. short rib dish also a winner. deviled eggs were ok - which is not a put down. no restraunt seems to do them well enough for my high-falutin palette and I'm not sure why I always order them. probably to make the wife mad. the search goes on I spose...

overall a cozy spot with some really good stuff.“

“Professional environment Fast and polite bartenders Good food Good music A+ 💯“

“My friend came into town and I was on my way taking her back to the airport. We needed a quick place to grab a bite because her flight was delayed. I decided to get the burger. Wow! Totally amazing. At this location their burgers are fresh, never frozen! You can definitely tell the difference. I'm not a big fan of Applebee's I won't lie. But that burger deserves ALL five stars!!!!!“

“The bartender Alley is the best! I’ve had great service from lots of people here including Cat, Amanda, Maddie W, Maddie A. Erica, Raylee, and Fallon are also awesome!“

“My experiences at Prohibition over the past few years have consistently been positive, marked by a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere. The food was well crafted. Furthermore, the service provided by Claudia was exceptional, and her recommendation to return for the musical entertainment proved to be a worthwhile suggestion.“

“Outstanding Service!

I had an amazing experience thanks to our bartender Arnold. He delivered top-tier service from start to finish. He was super friendly, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. Every recommendation was spot-on, and the cocktails were perfectly crafted.

What really stood out was his charming and warm personality. Arnold made everyone at the bar feel welcomed and taken care of.

It’s very rare to find someone who combines professionalism with genuine hospitality, but he nailed it!!! We’ll definitely be returning because of the exceptional service. Highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“I want to thank the team and their management at this location for excellent customer service. I had minor concern about my meal. Once I shared my concerns with my bartender Autumn she was able to make corrections and brought my meal out. She displayed calm and courteous to my issue. Shout out to the manager at this location Mr. Courtney!!!!“

“This place is my little secret, even tho it is not a secret to many people. Always get a chili slaw dog with onion rings. Even tho they forgot my slaw on thos order I still love the dog and this place. Definitely got to try it out but make sure you get there early. Sometime the lunch rush and get busy. Thanks to everyone there for great service“

“Alex, was absolutely wonderful!! Great customer service!“

“Chayz Lounge, was an Awesome Experience being that it was our first time there. Me and my wife went there to Celebrate her birthday and she enjoyed herself. I want to Thank Chazys for helping me Celebrate my Wife, in such a Classy way. Again Thanks“

“This review is specifically for the newer Redbank location. We had a late night concert Monday night at the White Knoll High School PAC center and decided afterwards to go to this location. We weren't aware that they closed at 9pm until after we were leaving. Most of our party arrived at 8:15pm but we had some stragglers that arrived at 8:40pm. The entire staff was soooooooo incredible and accommodating, everyone helping each other get drinks, refills, bread and food out soooooooo quickly. Not one time did we ever feel "rushed" or "hovered" over to "hurry up." Instead they just let us enjoy our dining experience! The food was fantastic, even at the end of the shift, it was still all so fresh and delicious! I think we wrapped up our bills at 9:30pm. We all thanked the servers and all the management staff for allowing us to stay and enjoy our meal and we humbly apologized to them honestly not knowing the time they closed. The manager reassured us it was no problem at all and asked us if we enjoyed everything, food, service and all. We enthusiastically replied YES! I just wanted to specifically shout out to the store and staff how wonderful our dining experience was. I'm sorry for posting a few days afterwards, but please know your team was phenomenal and it didn't go unnoticed. Ty so very much again!“

“McCutchen House is a spectacular historic home at The University of South Carolina Horseshoe that has been transformed into a teaching restaurant and event space. I attended a private Wine tasting featuring Mira Wines from Napa. The charcuterie offered was a perfect selection for the 4 wines being evaluated and enjoyed. The dining room setting was perfect for 20 -25 guests. Tables were set up in a horseshoe for conversation and tasting engagement. Spectacular wines by Mira was the obvious star and purpose for the gathering. Very well crafted Burgundian style Chardonnay started the conversation, followed by Cab. Franc, Petit Verdot and Cab. Sauv. I highly recommend all for your future wine consideration.“

“The food and service is really good! Never been disappointed. Always delicious.“

“Very good food and service!“

“A variety of choices at every meal. Pleasant cooks, staff and kitchen/dining room manager. Willing to meet special dietary needs. Catering and bag lunch options for other facility venues on campus. Fresh, well stocked Salad bars and fresh sandwich topping/condiment bar. Creative entree offerings such as Gyros, Croissant French Toast, Breakfast Pizza. Great fresh inventory. Side private dining/presentation rooms. As CIU opened its doors to our leadership conference the Cafeteria Service laid out a spread with a smile.

Wheelchair accessibility: Modern college campus cafeteria with amenities and wide open dining facilities. Willing staff and accommodating tables for those using wheelchairs“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stopped by Colombo’s on a quiet Sunday evening, and it hit the spot. Tamara at the bar was fantastic—friendly, attentive, and full of great suggestions. I went with the crab dip and wings, and both were packed with flavor. My drink was perfectly mixed, and the atmosphere was laid-back but classy. It wasn’t crowded, just peaceful and inviting. The kind of place where you can unwind, eat good, and feel taken care of. I’ll absolutely be back.“

“This review is specifically for the newer Redbank location. We had a late night concert Monday night at the White Knoll High School PAC center and decided afterwards to go to this location. We weren't aware that they closed at 9pm until after we were leaving. Most of our party arrived at 8:15pm but we had some stragglers that arrived at 8:40pm. The entire staff was soooooooo incredible and accommodating, everyone helping each other get drinks, refills, bread and food out soooooooo quickly. Not one time did we ever feel "rushed" or "hovered" over to "hurry up." Instead they just let us enjoy our dining experience! The food was fantastic, even at the end of the shift, it was still all so fresh and delicious! I think we wrapped up our bills at 9:30pm. We all thanked the servers and all the management staff for allowing us to stay and enjoy our meal and we humbly apologized to them honestly not knowing the time they closed. The manager reassured us it was no problem at all and asked us if we enjoyed everything, food, service and all. We enthusiastically replied YES! I just wanted to specifically shout out to the store and staff how wonderful our dining experience was. I'm sorry for posting a few days afterwards, but please know your team was phenomenal and it didn't go unnoticed. Ty so very much again!“

“What a great local chain! this diner has great variety (especially of sides) for reasonable prices. the carrot & raisin salad was especially good, as was the squash casserole. The baked chicken was great! so was the smoked sausage. oh! and we had to split a very nice piece of lemon meringue pie because we were too full for a dessert apiece. We ate there once on the journey to visit family and once again on the trip home because we liked it so much.“

“Friendly staff, super clean room and close to everything downtown!“

“MY NEW FAVORITE PLACE! The food was incredible and the atmosphere perfect! I didn't get our server's name (curly hair on top) but he was fantastic, very attentive!“

“Amazing People & Services. Had A Blast.“

“Megan Marsh is the best. So friendly and she knows what she is doing.. Will come again.“

“Friendly service, tried the honey lemon pepper wings and they were delicious, and tasty drinks.“

“Chef Tom catered a Christmas dinner for our boat club this past weekend. A lot of great menu choices. I went with the bourbon marinated steak tips, twice baked potatoes & the grilled veggies. Many compliments on the potatoes, the tenderness of the meat & the taste & display of the vegetables. Drop off went smoothly. Jen was very helpful in setting up the dishes & answering all my questions. Would highly recommend!!“

“While I normally order a turkey burger or chicken philly, in the spirit of the Super Bowl, went back to my first visit and ordered the Garlic Parmesan Cut Wings. Listen, Nothin’ But Wings did not disappoint. My food was HOT, FRESH and fried just right (not to hard not to soft). Perfectly and neatly presented, the sauce and flavoring was plentiful but not soggy. The customer service was impeccable considering my order was a very last minute add on. The only thing I’m mad about is that I didn’t order more because them dere wings didn’t even make it to Super Bowl kickoff.“

“This is one of my favorite spots in Columbia! They have an amazing rooftop with great energy. You can get food up there too although the menu is slightly limited and more geared towards small plates-- which makes sense for a rooftop anyway! In the main dining area service is excellent. I could eat the mushroom toast every day- it's that good! As a wine professional I appreciate their thoughtful selections, there's something for everyone. Much love!“

“I appreciate both the Columbia and Charleston locations for their unique offerings. Charleston provides stunning waterfront views, while Columbia is set in a charming vintage train station, evoking a sense of nostalgia. However, I believe there is room for improvement in both locations. In Charleston, greater consistency in the preparation of made-to-order steaks would enhance the dining experience. In Columbia, the service could be improved, as there was a delay in receiving my tea to go, and the waiter did not return.“

“Our waiter Russell was so amazing!! He was so polite and took care of every little detail. He checked in on us multiple times and our drinks never got below halfway. Asked for grape jelly with our biscuits and he had four in the basket. We were just traveling through Columbia SC but if you are in the area go to the Cracker Barrel on Bush River Rd and ask for Russell…you will not be disappointed!!“

“Hunter did an excellent job as our server. He was also bar tending. Hunter was efficient , personable and had a sense of humor! Black and Blue burger was excellent. Cooked as requested. Only disappointment was that there was no outdoor dining available.“

“I’ve been coming to Rush’s for years every time I come into the Columbia area. The food is so good! The burger is always amazing. The milkshake is a nice dessert. But those fries. They are delicious! I normally use ketchup as a habit with most fries I eat. These are the only fries that I feel the ketchup is not needed. To me, that is the sign of a good fry! Keep it up. If I could get a Rush’s in the upstate, I’d be even happier!“

“I’ve ordered from here a few times now. Staff are helpful and ordering is easy. Most of my orders have been fine with minimal complaints. This last time was a disappointment though. My sub was not made to order and I was missing 2 wings. I asked for no mustard and no onions and got both. It’s hard to return for a remake or to make a complaint when you are on a time limit for lunch so I was not able to get any mistakes corrected. Next time I’ll be sure to check the food harder when they show it to you when checking out.“

“As soon as I walked i I was seated. The staff were really friendly. The food was cooked to a perfect temperature. The somlee came out mid course and asked if we'd like the house wine. 5 star meal at an affordable price. Only place i can get a gourmet meal and some virginia slims.will definitely be there again.“

“My husband and I had a great experience. The food was really good and the customer service was great. My husband and I have been complaining about the food experience in Columbia, but Mission BBQ was a pleasant surprise. We enjoyed it so much that we ordered more food to go.“