5 Romantic Restaurants in Downtown, Columbia SC for a Date
Updated 11 October 2026 · 9 restaurants in Downtown, Columbia SC considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This list covers five downtown Columbia SC restaurants that Google lists as romantic, ordered by rating. Nine qualifying businesses were considered. It helps couples planning a date night who want a shortlist with clear details on atmosphere, hours, price range and what diners mention. Each entry includes the address, opening hours, price range where listed, selected Google attributes and themes from reviews, so you can compare options before booking a table.
#1
CITY GRIT
★ 4.8 (193 Google reviews)American restaurant$30–90 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
CITY GRIT is an American restaurant at 707 Gervais St in Columbia SC 29201, rated 4.8 from 193 Google reviews, with a listed price range of $30 to $90. Lunch is served daily from 11 am to 2 pm, and dinner runs to 8 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays and to 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Google lists women-owned, dine-in, brunch, great cocktails, wine and healthy options. Reviewers mention a celebration noted at booking that led to a card and a jar of honey, whipped feta, and staff who accommodate allergies.
Best for: Celebrations and wine
- Address
- 707 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–2 pm, 4–9 pm; Mon 11 am–2 pm; Sat 11 am–2 pm, 4–9 pm; Sun 11 am–2 pm; Thu 11 am–2 pm, 4–8 pm; Tue 11 am–2 pm; Wed 11 am–2 pm, 4–8 pm
#2
Saluda's Restaurant
★ 4.6 (952 Google reviews)Southern restaurant (US)$40–90 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Saluda's Restaurant at 751 Saluda Ave in Columbia SC 29205 is a Southern restaurant rated 4.6 from 952 Google reviews, with a listed price range of $40 to $90. It is open daily for dinner from 5:30 to 9 pm. Google lists outdoor seating, a private dining room, wine, cocktails, great dessert and happy-hour drinks. Reviewers mention a pork chop with spicy mac and cheese, a filet mignon, meatballs with burrata, attentive bar service and a restaurant week menu.
Best for: Steak and a private dining room
- Address
- 751 Saluda Ave, Columbia, SC 29205, United States
- Hours
- daily 5:30–9 pm
#3
Il Giorgione
★ 4.6 (621 Google reviews)Italian restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Il Giorgione is an Italian restaurant at 2406 Devine St in Columbia SC 29205, rated 4.6 from 621 Google reviews, with a listed price range of $20 to $30. It is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Friday evenings from 5 to 10 pm. On Saturdays it serves 10:30 am to 2 pm and 5 to 10 pm, and on Sundays 10:30 am to 2 pm. Google lists outdoor seating, takeaway, great wine and cocktails, comfort food and vegetarian options. Reviewers mention margarita pizza, chicken marsala and fresh bread, and some said the prices are fair.
Best for: Italian dinner at a modest price
- Address
- 2406 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205, United States
- Hours
- Fri 5–10 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 10:30 am–2 pm, 5–10 pm; Sun 10:30 am–2 pm; Thu 5–10 pm; Tue 5–10 pm; Wed 5–10 pm
#4
Motor Supply Company Bistro
★ 4.5 (1,663 Google reviews)Bistro$20–70 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Motor Supply Company Bistro at 920 Gervais St in Columbia SC 29201 is a bistro rated 4.5 from 1,663 Google reviews, with a listed price range of $20 to $70. It is open for dinner most evenings, with lunch on Fridays and weekends. Google lists outdoor seating, great cocktails and beer, healthy options and wheelchair access. Reviewers mention a farm-to-table menu with local offerings, lamb and ricotta tortellini, crispy trout, sweet potato gnocchi and bar seats for a relaxed meal.
Best for: Local menu and bar seats
- Address
- 920 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–2 pm, 5–9 pm; Mon 5–9 pm; Sat 11 am–2 pm, 5–10 pm; Sun 10 am–2 pm, 5–9 pm; Thu 5–9 pm; Tue 5–9 pm; Wed 5–9 pm
#5
Blue Marlin
★ 4.4 (4,046 Google reviews)Seafood restaurant$20–60 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Blue Marlin is a seafood restaurant at 1200 Lincoln St in Columbia SC 29201, rated 4.4 from 4,046 Google reviews, with a listed price range of $20 to $60. It serves lunch and dinner on weekdays, dinner on Saturdays and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. Google lists outdoor seating, a private dining room, great cocktails and dessert, and local specialties. Reviewers mention crab cakes, shrimp and grits, blackened salmon and a lemon drop martini, while some found the fried green tomatoes bland.
Best for: Seafood and shrimp and grits
- Address
- 1200 Lincoln St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 4:30–10 pm; Mon 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 4:30–10 pm; Sat 4–10 pm; Sun 11 am–3 pm; Thu 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 4:30–10 pm; Tue 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 4:30–10 pm; Wed 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 4:30–10 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 9 restaurants in Downtown, Columbia SC with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Romantic”, then by rating. 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
- CITY GRIT, Saluda's Restaurant, Il Giorgione, Motor Supply Company Bistro and Blue Marlin take reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- 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?
CITY GRIT ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.8 from 193 reviews. Saluda's Restaurant is second at 4.6 from 952 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Columbia SC are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Il Giorgione, at 10 pm.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: CITY GRIT $30–90; Saluda's Restaurant $40–90; Il Giorgione $20–30; Motor Supply Company Bistro $20–70; Blue Marlin $20–60.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for CITY GRIT, Saluda's Restaurant, Il Giorgione, Motor Supply Company Bistro and Blue Marlin.
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