Restaurants near Colonial Life Arena

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanSteakhouseSeafoodMexicanFusion / EclecticGrill

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating Options

BarStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

17 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

The default order for search results reflects a number of factors, including table availability, restaurant location, search criteria, and restaurant reviews and ratings. In addition, payment made by a restaurant to OpenTable is also a factor for the relative ordering of restaurants.

A photo of Ruth's Chris Steak House - Columbia restaurant

1. Ruth's Chris Steak House - Columbia

4.2

Awesome(2861)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Columbia

Booked 35 times today

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!

A photo of California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating restaurant

2. California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

4.4

Awesome(2615)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Columbia

Booked 116 times today

Located in downtown Columbia, SC, inside the historic 1902 Union Station, California Dreaming welcomes guests with its vibrant and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows offer a picturesque view of the rail tracks, stretching from the inactive platform to the main terminal. Paired with our hearty, made-from-scratch menu, it's no wonder California Dreaming has been a beloved local institution since 1984. Open for lunch and dinner daily, including online ordering with curbside pickup.Celebrating 40 years, California Dreaming has been a valued part of the Columbia community. Union Station, its historic home, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.**We provide Advance Priority Seating to reduce wait times and expedite the seating process when your entire party arrives. To ensure the best experience for all guests, we seat groups of up to 8. While larger groups are seated separately, this arrangement is flexible during quieter hours.

A photo of MOA Korean BBQ & Bar - Columbia restaurant

3. MOA Korean BBQ & Bar - Columbia

4.8

Exceptional(255)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Columbia

Booked 12 times today

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.

A photo of Tupelo Honey - Columbia restaurant

4. Tupelo Honey - Columbia

new

4.7

Exceptional(94)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Southern • Columbia

Booked 135 times today

Tupelo Honey is a revival of Southern food and traditions rooted in the Carolina Mountains we call home. We craft brunches, lunches and suppers that bring family and friends around the table and allow for conversations and cocktails to linger longer than usual. Always scratch-made, always responsibly-soured, and always Southern.If you do not see your desired party size or time available please see our website for additional reservation availability. https://tupelohoneycafe.com/location/frisco/reservations/

5. Saluda's

4.7

Exceptional(4083)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Columbia

Booked 35 times today

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.

A photo of Prohibition - Columbia restaurant

6. Prohibition - Columbia

4.4

Awesome(150)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Columbia

Booked 17 times today

Prohibition Columbia opened in the spring of 2024 and is brought to you by the same team behind Prohibition Charleston, which opened in 2014, and Repeal 33 in historic Savannah, Georgia. While many of the food and drink items can be found at all three locations, special considerations have been made to tailor a unique experience in each city.As part of the ever-growing Main Street District, Prohibition brings innovative cocktails, eclectic cuisine, and live music to the heart of Soda City.

7. Boku- Columbia

4.2

Awesome(288)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Asian • Columbia

Booked 10 times today

At Boku Kitchen and Saloon, you can be sure you are receiving only the highest-quality meals with the freshest ingredients possible. We pride ourselves on not serving our customer's pre-made food. We make everything from scratch, including our noodles, salads, crab rangoon, calamari, soups, cocktails, and more! All our food is made-to-order. You won’t be able to find quality like this elsewhere!We want to make your time at our restaurant as enjoyable as possible. Therefore, at Boku Kitchen and Saloon, you can trust that we will provide you with a made-from-scratch meal paired with the best cocktails, sake, wine, and craft beer you will find in Columbia, SC.Our team is excited to serve you, your family, and your friends' delicious meals and beverages. See you soon!

8. Kao Thai Cuisine

4.6

Exceptional(433)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Thai • Columbia

Booked 10 times today

Our menu offers modern Thai eats that are commonly found on the streets of Bangkok as well as a mix of creative pan-Asian and Asian-American fusion dishes that are fresh and exciting. With a rotating menu of specials, we hope to continuously bring new flavors and dishes to the Main Street District!

A photo of Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse - Columbia restaurant

9. Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse - Columbia

4.5

Awesome(1631)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Brazilian Steakhouse • Columbia

Booked 29 times today

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!

A photo of Iron Hill Brewery - Columbia, SC restaurant

10. Iron Hill Brewery - Columbia, SC

4.3

Awesome(426)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Columbia

Booked 26 times today

Welcome to Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, where you'll find fine handcrafted beers, creative yet informal cuisine, and friendly, attentive service in a casual, upscale atmosphere.

Dining near Colonial Life Arena at a glance

Updated on 09/03/2025

Chayz Lounge

4.9

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American

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Average bill amount

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

C
Cleon
Atlanta •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The cream spinach and the lobster mac and cheese were 10/10. The waiter Evan was real attentive a d made the dining experience amazing
More info
Ruth's Chris Steak House - ColumbiaPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Columbia
•
4.2
MK
MelissaK
South Carolina •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
We had Eli as our server, she was very professional and charismatic, we enjoyed our time at Saluda’s. The food was delicious as delicious as always. This is our favorite restaurant in town and favorite server. Thank you for always being consistent and for the incredible service. Melissa Kinard.
More info
Saluda'sPrice: Moderate• American• Columbia
•
4.7
T
TerriVIP
South Carolina •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Everything was wonderful food tasty service was great drinks two thumbs up!
More info
Tupelo Honey - ColumbiaPrice: Moderate• Southern• Columbia
•
4.7
M
Mike
Atlanta •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 1 Mar 2025
Another great experience!! We went there tonight for our anniversary and we had great service.
More info
MOA Korean BBQ & Bar - ColumbiaPrice: Expensive• Asian• Columbia
•
4.8
H
Heather
South Carolina •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 25 Feb 2025
Our server was great! Very personable and knowledgeable!
More info
California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority SeatingPrice: Moderate• American• Columbia
•
4.4

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