50 Best American Restaurants in Columbia

“We went for lunch and were lucky to get the last table outside. The atmosphere was great. Even though it was very busy, the service was excellent and Anne Marie was outstanding. We had the chicken ranch wrap and sweet potato fries, both were delicious with generous portions and a fair price. Refills came quickly without having to ask. We will definitely be back.“

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

“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.“

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

“We are from out of town visiting and wanted to try something new. We had a child with celiac so that can be difficult. This place had amazing servers and amazing food!! Def recommend for food and atmosphere!!“

“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 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.!!!!👍“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“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“

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

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

“I'm there for the burgers all day every day I love them burgers“

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

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

“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!!“

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

“Mac’s Cash Grocery is a true hidden gem! A classic greasy spoon with that old-school charm and even better prices. The food is always fresh and flavorful, and the burgers? Hands down some of the best I’ve ever had — juicy, cooked just right, and full of flavor. You don’t find many spots like this anymore. Friendly service, no frills, just good food done right. If you’re looking for a throwback spot with great eats that won’t break the bank, Mac’s is it!“

“My wife and I enjoyed a wonderful evening at Chayz Lounge this past Saturday, during the Intimate Evening of Dinner & Jazz with Play That Band. The atmosphere was elegant and the service was exceptional. Our tickets included dinner with the show. My wife had the Signature Lump crab cakes, which were amazing! The crab cakes came on a spring mix salad with julienne carrots. They were well portioned and full of fresh crab meat. My wife loved them.

I had the Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, which were also delicious. To put it simply, they were like having three crab cakes on top of mushroom caps with herbs and butter. This dish was simple but incredibly well executed.

Hospitality was exceptional, from the initial greeting, through service, and upon leaving after the show was complete. I would highly recommend this place if you are looking to have a good time with live music and small bite delicious food.“

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

“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!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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!“

“First time here! I will be back and I mean very soon. The food I had was absolutely delish. My plus one enjoyed their food equally. I had the Asian honey lime ribs and I can’t stop thinking about them. I also had the street corn for a side and I’ve never tasted something so good.“

“Very good food and service!“

“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!“

“Amazing People & Services. Had A Blast.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“The Mother's Day Buffet at the Doubletree is terrific. This was our 2nd year in a row and we weren't disappointed. They provide such a wide variety of food choices and everything is cooked to perfection. The staff is so friendly and professional, and the decor even includes an ice sculpture with a gorgeous flower arrangement. It is really a full dining experience and the desserts are not to be missed, we will return again.“

“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!“

“One of our favorite date night splurge spots. We enjoy their cocktail selection and delicious entree items that change with the seasons. Located in a historic building that's listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, this is the place to go to treat yourself to something new and delicious.“

“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!!“

“Best American Deli in the city Hands down. I don't care what the other reviews say about decker or garnersferry. This is the BEST one, Food is always hot, fresh even portion sizes are on point! They dont skimp, you'll definitely get what you pay for here. Thanks guys!“

“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“

“My experience with California Dreaming was good. The food wand service was good. I ask for my steak to be cooked medium well but it was delivered well done. I specified it was a birthday occasion when booking the reservation but the birthday occasion was not acknowledged. For the most part we had a pleasant time there.“

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

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

“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!!“

“So we usually go here for lunch, but today we had dinner (good decision!). Venny was the best server!! Now the pow pow shrimp was a salty, and the fried Brussel sprouts almost chocked me lol, but Venny got it fixed right away. The ribs, steak, and broccoli was great! We will be back for dinner“

“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.“

“Great stay at this hotel in the heart of the campus. Entire staff was very friendly and the attached parking garage was great for being able to go in and out. Want to give a special shout out to Charlie at the front desk who was very friendly and helpful!“