Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in South Bend

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance 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

Coletin

Dined 1 day ago

We had an amazing night at the Essence & Carissa along with the staff treated us like royalty. They set the standard for hospitality & for amazing food! You won’t be disappointed!

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

LAURIE

Dined 6 days ago

Service was fantastic and food was great. I give a shout out to Carlos being so attentive to us.

Cafe Navarre

4.8

4.8 (2776)

$31 to $50

American

South Bend

About the restaurant

Specializing in modern American cuisine, fresh seafood, and USDA prime steaks, Cafe Navarre is celebrating its 12th year in historic downtown South Bend. Located in a bank building in the heart of our city with the fusion of Old World architecture, natural light, and the contemporary furnishings. Join us for dinner or enjoy a cocktail in our bar or on our outdoor patio.

As a locally owned establishment, we strive for excellence in producing and serving the finest cuisine. We are excited to provide you with top-shelf service, world-class recipes, as well as local and fresh ingredients. Every part of your experience at Cafe Navarre is important to us, right down to the last detail.

Café Navarre brings you modern American cuisine with European influences, distinguished by its simplicity, flavor, and respect for ingredients. Cafe Navarre offers fresh seafood and steaks, along with dishes created with seasonal elements from local farms that are unmistakable in flavor and quality.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great service, great food and great ambiance. What else do I need to say?

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4.8

4.8 (1125)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

South Bend

About the restaurant

Rohr's is a modern tavern- a casual, warm gathering place with focus on bright, flavorful food. Imagine a classic steakhouse with a twist highlighting colorful vegetables, fresh fish and of course, signature steaks. Good food, excellent service and the warm smiles of familiar friends. This is Rohr's.

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 5 days ago

We loved the Rueben sandwich. It was delicious and big enough to share.

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Popular dish

Steak

Artisan

4.7

4.7 (1244)

$31 to $50

American

Elkhart

About the restaurant

The culinary team creates dishes that reflect the freshest in season ingredients. With hospitality that exceeds expectations, Artisan staff foster a space that is inviting and comfortable.

Top review

David

Dined 6 days ago

Great atmosphere and amazing food with a wonderful presentation. The support staff are next level.

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Copper Rock Steakhouse - South Bend

4.7

4.7 (1084)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

South Bend

About the restaurant

Dining at Copper Rock Steakhouse is an experience like no other. Savor perfectly dry aged steaks, succulent seafood, gourmet desserts and more, paired with a selection from an award-winning wine list feature over 200 wines by the bottle and glass. Stop by the bar in Copper Rock Steakhouse for pre-dinner martinis or an after-dinner cognac. Copper Rock Steakhouse is a 21 and older dining establishment.

Top review

bryanVIP

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Other than the lobster bisque soup being a little to spicy for some people everything else was excellent

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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

Deanna

Dined 3 days ago

Had the baked brie, prime rib, and godfather, then the turtle cheesecake for dessert. Everything was phenomenal! I would come back again and again’

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

KarenVIP

Dined 4 days ago

From the steak to the au gratin potatoes, our dinner was delicious. Our server,Mark,was exceptional with his service. We truly enjoyed our entire experience.

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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

Rocky River Tap and Table

4.7

4.7 (330)

$30 and under

American

Granger

About the restaurant

Welcome to Rocky River Tap and Table!
ocated in Granger, Indiana and named for a tributary of the St. Joseph River in Michigan, Rocky River provides a farm-to-fork experience featuring sustainably farmed products from nearby growers and a casual atmosphere. Partnerships with local farmers, brewers and winemakers paired with culinary creativity yield brilliant results. From the table enjoy anything from small plates and unique bar snacks to entrees and a variety of handheld sandwiches.
And from our taps…Indiana and Michigan are home to some of the best breweries in the country. From these, we’ve handpicked a menu of over 30 draft beers to enjoy with a snack or accompany your meal. Our wine list, along with many organic West coast wines, includes carefully selected wines from Southwest Michigan and Indiana wineries, enjoyed by the glass or bottle

Top review

Daniel

Dined 4 days ago

I had the perch dinner, and I told our fantastic server, Dean, that growing up I had gone perch fishing countless times with my family. The perch I had tonight was by far the that I have ever had. My bride of 41 years had the chicken pot pie and said it was also extremely delicious! I can’t recommend Rocky River Tap and Table enough!

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