Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in South Bend

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in South Bend? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit.

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

Paulina

Dined 1 day ago

Beautiful place! Wonderful staff! Food was AMAZING! We tried the sweet potato and flautas for starters and both were very good! The sweet potato definitely was a larger portion and more than enough for everyone. Entree wise we ordered 2 filets and 2 waygu burgers. Both were fantastic! The filet was definitely probably the best steak I’ve had in my life, as well as the green beans with bone marrow drizzle. Found our new date night spot and it’s centrally located too right downtown

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

Susy

Dined 5 days ago

Our dining experience at Yesterday’s last night certainly didn’t disappoint! The drinks, dinner and dessert were delicious. We all tried the perch and it was prepared perfectly. The garlic mashed potatoes were a perfect accompaniment. Key lime pie paired perfectly with dinner. All in all diners choosing Yesterday’s for the first time will be very pleased!

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

Jamie

Dined 6 days ago

Outstanding service Outstanding food Outstanding ambiance

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 (1295)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

South Bend

About the restaurant

LaSalle Grill, a modern American Bistro featuring steaks and chops cooked over a live hardwood fire, is born of the dream of experienced restaurateur Mark McDonnell. Like the restaurant’s namesake, noted French explorer, Robert de LaSalle, McDonnell set out to explore the uncharted waters of downtown South Bend, Indiana. In April of 1991, McDonnell opened a lively and exciting restaurant unlike any other in the area.

LaSalle Grill is committed to providing guests with excellent service, great atmosphere, an award-winning wine list and, most importantly, delicious cuisine that is artfully and dramatically presented.

The Grill has been presented with the coveted AAA Four Diamond Award every year since 1996.

Set out to explore the art of fine dining usually found only in major metropolitan cities, visit LaSalle Grill.

Top review

Jenny

Dined 4 days ago

The food is always phenomenal. Service is wonderful. It can get a bit noisy as the restaurant fills up. Overall, I always recommend LaSalle Grill!

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

GraceVIP

Dined 2 days ago

We had a phenomenal time on a double date. Our server took excellent care of us from start to finish. The food was exquisite and the ambience was perfect!

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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

Michael

Dined 4 days ago

This was our first time there- we were celebrating my moms 84th birthday- the restaurant was beautiful- the food was amazing and so hot you had to blow it (which is a good complaint) our server was outstanding! The only negative was that it’s so loud - we could here the other diners conversations- overall it was a great experience and we will be going back…

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BRU Burger Bar - South Bend

4.7

4.7 (179)

$30 and under

Burgers

South Bend

About the restaurant

Bru Burger Bar is an ode to our love, the burger! We offer shareable appetizers, fresh salads with in-house dressings, gourmet chef burgers, daily cut fries, plenty of vegetarian/vegan options, and mouthwatering house made desserts. All of which pair well with our list of 16 local draft beers and hand crafted cocktails.

Top review

KarlVIP

Dined on 9 Dec 2024

Our sandwiches were delicious, as always, and Desiree was a great server.

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Popular dish

Bru Burger

Experience

Give More to Get More this Holiday Season!

West on Warren

4.7

4.7 (18)

$30 and under

American

Middlebury

About the restaurant

Family owned and operated, West on Warren Gallery + Grill is about more than just food and art -- every part of our restaurant is designed to build community. We are dedicated to providing a space where friends and family gather to enjoy the best food and drink in the most inspiring environment possible.

Located at 200 W. Warren Street (across the street from Old Hoosier Meats), in the newly renovated Filling Station Building (est. 1926). West on Warren Gallery + Grill graciously features clean urban design with original artwork, being in perfect harmony with the cuisine.

Top review

DonnaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We had a group of 10 for an early dinner. Service, food, ambiance were all great. Every bite was delicious! And, every plate was clean!

Rohr’s

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

MeganMVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful service and fun atmosphere to go before a game - highly recommended!

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Popular dish

Steak

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