Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in Columbia

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the most romantic 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

JudyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Perfection!!! Great service, ambiance, and food!!!

Discover more

Sweet & Spicy Fried Oysters

Mill Pond Steakhouse

4.8

4.8 (1660)

$31 to $50

Steak

Rembert

About the restaurant

Window seating is first come, first serve depending on how early you make your reservation. Parties larger than 5 are unable to be seated next to the window. We do our best to accommodate all requests but aren't always able to seat everyone that requests a window seat by the window.

Mill Pond Steakhouse is the only up-scaled steakhouse in the midlands. We have a well developed staff that is committed to your dining needs. It starts from the time you pick up the phone to make a reservation to when you are welcomed at the front door and lasts forever. When you arrive to the Mill Pond Steakhouse in Boykin, SC you take a step back in time. Mill Pond Steakhouse offers rustic elegance with southern hospitality and a one of a kind dining experience.

Parties of 6 or more are required to call the restaurant at 803-425-8825 and ask to speak to management.

If you can't make your reservation on time, please call to let us know or else your table may be given to someone else. Thank you!

Top review

Gary

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Every thing was excellent! The service was top notch as always, and the food was amazing

Discover more

The Melting Pot - Columbia SC

4.8

4.8 (1223)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Columbia

About the restaurant

Experience a new way to dine when you make The Melting Pot in Columbia your next dinner destination. From the first bite of our delicious artisan cheeses, to the last bite of our decadent chocolate fondues, you will know you have made the right decision! Whether you want to have the full four-course adventure or you are in the mood for perfectly crafted cocktails and cheese fondue, you can find what you crave on our tables. Our friendly staff specializes in creating your perfect night out. Come join us today at The Melting Pot.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined 1 day ago

We had a wonderful Christmas celebration here today. Kelsey was our server. She did a fabulous job. We let her know we were on a little bit of a time crunch and she definitely did her very best. The food was great and the experience was fun. I highly recommend.

Discover more

Popular dish

Pure Chocolate Fondue

A photo of Lavender & Blueberry White Chocolate Fondue of a restaurant

Experience

Thursdate

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 (226)

$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

Jon

Dined 4 days ago

Great experience!! Mike, one of the owners cooked part of our meal for us. Katelyn, a newer server was excellent. MOA is one of, if not the best dining experiences in Columbia for special events!

Chophouse of Chapin

4.7

4.7 (1026)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Chapin

About the restaurant

Chophouse of Chapin is an upscale steakhouse located in Chapin Commons - featuring aged steaks, delicious desserts, a large selection of spirits & an in-house wine sommelier

An in-house Tallow aged steak - a Chef selected ribeye encased in rendered steak trimmings, then aged for 60 days and handcut to perfection. The Chophouse has a full bar with a wide variety of spirits hand selected by our award-winning bar staff. And an on-premise Wine Sommelier that will help pair your menu selection with the best wine from our extensive menu to please your palate.

Top review

Patti

Dined 3 days ago

Couldn’t have asked for anything better. Food and service was perfect. Highly recommend.

Discover more

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 5 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.

Cork and Cleaver Steakhouse

4.4

4.4 (43)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Lexington

About the restaurant

Join us at Cork and Cleaver Steakhouse, where we pride ourselves on our unique offerings and commitment to quality. Our House Dry Aged Steaks are a true labor of love--aged for 30 days in our own Dry Age cooler, hand-cut to perfection, and featuring show-stopping Tomahawks that will leave you speechless. Pair your meal with a selection of over 140 rare bottles and a curated wine list of 60 hand-selected varieties. And for seafood lovers, our menu delights with Crabcakes, Seared Ahi Tuna, and Shrimp Fra Diavolo.

Brunch on weekends features indulgent options like Eggs Benedicts and savory delights like Shrimp and Grits. Wash it down with mimosas for the perfect brunch experience!

During Happy Hour, enjoy half off our wine selection and Buffalo Trace specials. Explore our upgraded spirits collection, including the sought-after Weller collection, for a truly elevated experience.

Join us and savor the flavors that will leave you craving more!

Top review

Sharonkay

Dined 2 days ago

We were extremely impressed with our first visit there and will be back.

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 1 day ago

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.

Discover more

Explore Diners' Choice best of Columbia