5 Best Restaurants in Downtown, Columbia SC
Updated 11 October 2026 · 47 restaurants in Downtown, Columbia SC considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This list covers the best-rated restaurants in Downtown Columbia, SC. Each business was ranked by its Google rating, weighted by how many people left a review, and 47 qualifying businesses were considered. It is useful for diners looking for a dependable meal in the center of the city, whether for a birthday, an anniversary or a weekday lunch. Each entry lists its cuisine, hours, address and the themes that reviewers mention most often.
#1
The Hollow
★ 4.9 (2,527 Google reviews)New American restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Hollow is a New American restaurant on Gervais Street rated 4.9 from 2,527 reviews, the highest rating on this list. It serves lunch and dinner most days, with Sunday hours from 10 am to 2 pm. Google lists wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating and toilets. Reviewers mention wild game dishes, whipped feta and stuffed prawn appetizers, smoked chicken, elk filet cooked to order, and the risotto served with it. Several describe the atmosphere as warm and well suited to birthdays.
Best for: Wild game and special dinners
- Address
- 823 Gervais St Unit 100, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–2 pm, 4–10 pm; Mon 11 am–2 pm, 4–10 pm; Sat 11 am–2 pm, 4–10 pm; Sun 10 am–2 pm; Thu 11 am–2 pm, 4–10 pm; Tue 11 am–2 pm, 4–10 pm; Wed 11 am–2 pm, 4–10 pm
#2
CAVA
★ 4.8 (1,061 Google reviews)Mediterranean restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
CAVA is a Mediterranean restaurant on Gervais Street rated 4.8 from 1,061 reviews. It is open every day from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm. Google lists wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating and toilets. Reviewers mention a salmon bowl, a Greek salad with chicken, and natural drink options such as a blueberry soda. Several praise the staff for being friendly and patient with guests who are unsure what to order, and a few describe it as a convenient lunch spot with fast service.
Best for: Quick Mediterranean lunch
- Address
- 831 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
- Hours
- daily 10:30 am–10:30 pm
#3
929 Kitchen & Bar
★ 4.7 (1,535 Google reviews)Korean restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
929 Kitchen & Bar is a Korean restaurant on Gervais Street rated 4.7 from 1,535 reviews. It serves lunch and dinner daily, with late hours on Friday and Saturday nights. Google lists wheelchair-accessible seating and toilets. Reviewers mention seafood bibimbap, beef bulgogi udon, cream curry udon with fried tofu, banchan, beef short ribs and japchae. Many say the food arrives quickly, even during a rush, and that the spice level of the sauce is noticeable.
Best for: Korean dishes and shared banchan
- Address
- 929 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–2:30 pm, 5 pm–12 am; Mon 5–10 pm; Sat 11 am–2:30 pm, 5 pm–12 am; Sun 11:30 am–10 pm; Thu 11 am–2:30 pm, 5–10 pm; Tue 11 am–2:30 pm, 5–10 pm; Wed 11 am–2:30 pm, 5–10 pm
#4
smallSUGAR
★ 4.7 (645 Google reviews)Restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
smallSUGAR is a restaurant on Gervais Street rated 4.7 from 645 reviews. It is open every day from 7 am to 3 pm, which makes it a breakfast and lunch spot. Google lists wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating and toilets. Reviewers mention a turkey melt on sourdough, a roast beef sandwich, a cucumber salad, and lattes with pastries. Several describe the room as bright and welcoming, and say the staff went out of their way to help guests.
Best for: Morning pastries and lunch sandwiches
- Address
- 709 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
- Hours
- daily 7 am–3 pm
#5
Di Vino Rosso
★ 4.7 (623 Google reviews)Italian restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Di Vino Rosso is an Italian restaurant on Gervais Street rated 4.7 from 623 reviews. It is open for dinner from 4 to 10 pm on every day except Sunday. Google lists wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating and toilets, and reviewers mention complimentary valet parking. Reviewers mention gnocchi with bolognese, lamb chops, scallops, steak and the daily specials. Several describe a warm, sophisticated dining room with comfortable chairs that suits anniversaries.
Best for: Italian dinners and anniversaries
- Address
- 807 Gervais St Ste 100, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
- Hours
- Fri 4–10 pm; Mon 4–10 pm; Sat 4–10 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 4–10 pm; Tue 4–10 pm; Wed 4–10 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 47 restaurants in Downtown, Columbia SC with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then ranked by Google rating, weighted by how many people left one. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 11 October 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- For an early start, smallSUGAR opens at 7 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated restaurant on this list?
The Hollow ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.9 from 2,527 reviews. CAVA is second at 4.8 from 1,061 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Columbia SC are open late?
929 Kitchen & Bar stays open until 12 am.
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