California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

Name: California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating
Address: 401 Main St, Columbia, SC, United States, 29201-4147
Telephone: (803) 254-6767
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.4

4.4

2536 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Make a booking

2 people

25 Dec 2024

7:00 pm

Booked 41 times today

Good for special occasions
Good for groups
Neighbourhood gem

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.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Seafood, Steak
Hours of Operation
Daily 11:00 am–9:00 pm
Phone number
(803) 254-6767
Website
http://www.californiadreaming.rest/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
401 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201-4147
Area
Columbia
Parking details
Public Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeaway, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

She Crab SoupUSD 7.95
A rich and creamy Charleston classic
Steamed Peel & Eat ShrimpUSD 9.94
(9) Old Bay boil, served with cocktail sauce
Fried Crab ClawsUSD 15.95
Served with spicy cocktail sauce. Llimited availability
BBQ Chicken NachosUSD 13.95
Smoky BBQ sauce, red onions, house-made chips, cheese sauce
Seafood NachosUSD 15.95
Spicy shrimp, salmon, red onions, house-made chips, cheese sauce and lobster cream sauce with dill
Tijuana Chicken WingsUSD 13.95
Marinated in hot pepper sauce, fried crispy, with bleu cheese dip
Our Famous Croissants (5)USD 6.95
Topped with honey-butter
Baked Potato SoupUSD 6.95
Creamy soup, scallions, cheese, ham, bacon

Entrees

Chicken Tenders PlatterUSD 16.95
Fried chicken tenderloins, served with house-made honey BBQ sauce and french fries
Blackened Chicken PastaUSD 17.95
Alfredo, scallions, tomatoes, with romano cheese
BBQ ChickenUSD 15.95
Double breast of chicken basted with BBQ sauce, with side item
Knob Hill ChickenUSD 17.95
Topped with ham and monterey jack cheese, with side item
Crispy Shrimp Tacos (3)USD 15.95
Jicama slaw, chipotle mayo, tomatoes, pickled onions, scallions, queso fresco

Seafood Favorites

Shrimp San FranciscoUSD 17.95
Mushrooms, garlic cream, white wine, served over pasta, topped with romano cheese
Roasted SalmonUSD 24.95
Encrusted with rosemary and thyme, with side item
Carolina TroutUSD 23.95
Grilled with arugula and lemon

Fried Seafood Platters

ShrimpUSD 20.95
OystersUSD 24.95
FlounderUSD 20.95
All ThreeUSD 25.95
Served with french fries

Salads

California DreamingUSD 13.95
Mixed greens, ham and turkey, cheddar and monterey jack cheeses, egg, tomatoes, almonds topped with warm ham and bacon, house dressing
Roasted Salmon or ChickenUSD 15.95
Mixed greens, bacon, egg, avocado, tomatoes, balsamic vinaigrette
- SalmonUSD 15.95
- ChickenUSD 14.95
CaesarUSD 14.95
Crisp romaine, grated romano cheese, croutons
- Chicken or Fried ShrimpUSD 14.95
- Fried OystersUSD 16.95
Chicken ClubUSD 14.95
Mixed greens, fried chicken strips, avocado, bacon, egg, tomatoes, house-made ranch dressing

Steaks, Chops + Ribs

Pork ChopUSD 25.95
16oz. double bone, frenched chop, peach jalapeno jam
Marinated SirloinUSD 24.95
10oz. CAB sirloin marinated in fruit juices, garlic, soy sauce and spices
Steak + ShrimpUSD 25.95
Two 3oz. filet medallions, crispy fried shrimp
RibeyeUSD 33.95
14oz. hand cut
Filet MignonUSD 35.95
8oz. barrel cut
Baby Back RibsUSD 19.95
Danish full-flavored ribs, grilled with a charred exterior, basted with BBQ sauce, with side item
- One RackUSD 19.95
- Two RacksUSD 27.95

Burgers

Served with french fries

AmericanUSD 12.95
Lettuce, tomato, red onions, pickles and Duke's® mayo
VeggieUSD 13.95
Beyond Burger®, sweet soy, Duke's® mayo, monterey jack cheese, lettuce, pickle, tomato and red onions

Sandwiches

Served with french fries

Spicy ChickenUSD 12.95
Crispy fried chicken, american cheese, jicama slaw, pickles, chipotle mayo
ClubUSD 12.95
Thinly sliced turkey, ham, bacon, cheddar and monterey jack cheeses, lettuce, tomato and mayo on toasted sourdough
ChickenUSD 12.95
Broiled, topped with jack cheese, bacon, arugula, tomato and honey mustard
BBQ PorkUSD 12.95
Pulled pork, pickles, red onion and cole slaw
New Orleans Po' BoyUSD 14.95
Flounder, Fried Shrimp or Oysters with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce on french bread
SteakUSD 17.95
Two 3oz. filet medallions, lettuce, mayonnaise, tomato, and jack cheese

Sides

$4.95

French Fries
Seasonal Veggie
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy Cole Slaw
Baked Potato
after 4pm

Desserts

Chocolate BrownieUSD 7.95
Apple Walnut CobblerUSD 8.94
Croissant Bread PuddingUSD 7.95
CheesecakeUSD 8.94

What 2,536 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4

4.4 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.5Service
4.4Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

South Carolina
Most Booked
Columbia
Good for groups
Columbia
Healthy
Columbia
Hot spot
Columbia
Neighbourhood gem
Columbia
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

California Dreaming in Columbia offers a "fabulous atmosphere" within a historic train depot setting. Guests rave about the "great service" and "delicious food," particularly the "stellar honey croissants" and California Dreaming salad. Despite occasional wait times, the restaurant remains a "Columbia staple," perfect for special occasions and family gatherings.

2,536 Reviews

W
Wendy
Charleston
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Well let’s say that if you plan to go on Christmas Eve for a nice dinner. Don’t!! We had 6:00 priority seating reservations. We were sat right in time which was great. However the waitress came to our table and immediately said “it’s Christmas Eve.. so we will take your order , but we are closing early”. Went down hill from there.. food was undercooked had to send it back.. and they started cleaning while we were eating. We were rushed and barely stayed an hour with cocktails and full dinner. Never again! Shame on them for allowing a reservation if they were going to rush us out. I understand everyone wants to be home Xmas Eve, BUT you chose the to be open. And the expectation of an easy tip was expected.
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A
Ann
Charleston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Steak and shrimp was awesome!! We sat at table 2,8 and our server was absolutely awesome! Thank you for an awesome experience!
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I
Isabelle
Charleston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
we had a wonderful experience, the food was incredible and the atmosphere was very pleasant
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L
Lynn
Charleston
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Dining room was rather noisy. Waitress was absent for long periods of time.
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D
Darrell
VIP
San Francisco
5 reviews
2.0
5 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 5
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 5
I made reservations for 10pm. Arrived at 9:54p. Was seated at 10:12 only to be have the waiter hover on my quest and I staying told that the kitchen is about to close and that I should place my order. Sir. This is our first time here and we haven’t had a chance to even look at the menu. When I asked for the manager she made it no better. She attitude gave me the impression that I was bothering her with my concerns. Any way we rushed to put in our order. And the food was delicious by the way. Either way don’t allow for 10pm reservations if your kitchen closes at 10ish.
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L
Landon
Greensboro
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic experience! Great food, and excellent service!
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A
Amanda
Charleston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food, service and environment. Never a bad experience at CD!!!
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K
Ken
Charleston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great service and food!!! Thank you for a great restaurant.
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O
Orlando
Charleston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 16 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wait time was very small, waitress was very friendly and attentive, food was very good. Overall, great experience!
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D
Dr. Windy
VIP
Charleston
33 reviews
3.0
33 reviews
Dined on 16 December 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
We tried to celebrate my birthday last night at our favorite California Dreaming but our dining experience fell flat. The restaurant was out of honey butter croissants, ribs, and she crab soup. 2/3 of these items is why we come to California Dreaming! The server apologized and I know it was not his fault. I ordered a glass or wine but it never came. Once we mentioned it, the waiter was kind enough to comp the wine. We never saw a manager come around to apologize for the specific food shortage and the bathrooms were in a total disarray. We will be back, hoping that this was just a bad evening on their part and we just happened to be "lucky" enough to have picked last night to dine there.
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FAQs

California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (803) 254-6767.

California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating is rated 4.4 stars by 2536 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

25 Dec 2024

7:00 pm

Booked 41 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

401 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201-4147

Additional information

Area
Columbia
Hours of Operation
Daily 11:00 am–9:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Seafood, Steak
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeaway, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.californiadreaming.rest/
Phone number
(803) 254-6767

California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Steak

Our Famous Croissants (5)