Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in South Carolina

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambience in South Carolina? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes 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 reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Chayz Lounge

4.8

4.8 (11)

$31 to $50

American

Columbia

About the restaurant

Situated in West Columbia's River District, Chayz Lounge blends smooth jazz, soul, and elevated dining in an intimate, elegant setting. Known for showcasing the best in contemporary jazz and rhythm & blues, our venue features music legends alongside acclaimed national and regional artists, offering an unforgettable experience where live music and gourmet cuisine harmonize.

Chayz Lounge is a retreat where enticing aromas, symphonic sounds, and a relaxed atmosphere embrace you. Savor artisanal cocktails, fine wines, and Signature Small Plates in a warm, sophisticated environment designed to help you unwind. With feel-good vibes and refined elegance, it's the perfect escape.

We invite guests to dress with sophistication, enhancing our ambiance and elevating the experience. Chayz Lounge is your oasis of comfort, style, and unforgettable moments.

Top review

Cassandra

Dined on Jan 5, 2025

Amazing relaxing atmosphere! Wait Staff Extrodinary! Found my new Adult atmosphere to solo dine!

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Experience

Sip. Savor. Smooth Jazz

Experience

Sunday Jazz Brunch

Experience

Thursdays Uncorked: Dine & Unwind

The Retreat at Ridgeway: Lake Wateree Dining

4.8

4.8 (128)

$30 and under

Regional American (Southern)

Colonel Creek Landing

About the restaurant

The Retreat located on Lake Wateree in Ridgeway, South Carolina is inspired by celebrating family and the community. This scratch kitchen showcases locally sourced, seasonal ingredients in their cozy lake front restaurant. Chef Blake Hartwick's approach and belief in representing local farmers drives the refined southern cuisine served at The Retreat. The southern charm extends through the whole restaurant as Heather's dedication to exceptional experience will provide you with a warm welcome in an elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere paired with attentive service. Menu items that have remained on the menu since day one, Hickory Smoked Pork Chop, the Retreat Burger, and Buffalo Cauliflower.

Top review

BesteatsVIP

Dined 5 days ago

The best! Foodies will love this restaurant, with views of beautiful Lake Wateree. Worth the drive if you aren’t local.

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Experience

SC Restaurant Week 3 courses for $35

River House - Montage Palmetto Bluff

4.9

4.9 (400)

$50 and over

American

Bluffton

About the restaurant

River House does have a dressy casual dress code consisting of no shorts, flip flops, baseball hats or tank tops in the dining room for the gentlemen. Comparable attire for the ladies. Children under 16 are exempt. We do offer complimentary pants to guests that may need them.
River House corkage policy is a maximum of 3 bottles per reservation without management consent at $35 per bottle.
River House has a 24-hour cancellation and No-Show Policy consisting of $25 per person plus a 18% SVC Charge.

In the South, there’s an intimate connection between the table and the land. Our fertile soil feeds corn and cattle. The palmettos provide cover for quail and game. And the ocean provides its bounty with the incoming tide. The River House is a culinary celebration of this relationship and our professed love for the land and waters of the Lowcountry.

Top review

LynnVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Spectacular! Creative and delicious! Exceeded expectations. The finest restaurant in the Lowcountry!

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Popular dish

Venison Tenderloin

Experience

Thomas Rivers Brown Wine Dinner

Frank's Outback - Outside Dining

4.9

4.9 (1217)

$31 to $50

American

Pawleys Island

About the restaurant

Frank’s Outback has 45 seats inside the building and interestingly, the patrons get to walk through the open kitchen to enter the dining room. Once inside, you sense a warm welcoming atmosphere. The walls are painted in a cool blue with original artwork on the walls. White tablecloths, candle light, hand polished silverware and glassware grace the tables. There are also 100 seats outside, set in a garden setting under a canopy of trees. The outdoor seats are covered and not affected by weather. In the Fall and Winter guests are warmed by infrared heaters and the large outdoor fireplace.

Top review

AnnVIP

Dined 2 days ago

The Outback was comfortable on a cool evening. Our server Stephanie was attentive and polite. We had a very enjoyable evening and the food was tasty. The fireplace in the Way Back was a great after dinner drink spit.

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Popular dish

Blue Crab Ravioli

Popular dish

Whole 14 Layer Caramel Cake

Bin 2004

4.9

4.9 (53)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

North Myrtle Beach

About the restaurant

Step into Bin 2004, where sophistication and allure meet to create an unforgettable dining experience. Located at 2004 Highway 17 South in North Myrtle Beach, our new wine and tapas restaurant transports you to the chic wine-tasting rooms of New York City, Miami, or Las Vegas. With a unique blend of maximalist design and intimate ambiance, Bin 2004 is more than just a restaurant – it’s an escape. At Bin 2004, wine is the star. Our modern wine station bar offers an innovative way to sample and savor our extensive collection. With more than 400 bottles from renowned regions like Napa Valley, Italy, and France, our temperature-controlled wine room provides an intimate setting for special events and gatherings. Let our experts guide you through each selection, enhancing your appreciation for the fine wines we offer.

Top review

SuzyVIP

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

It was a birthday celebration and the food was great as well as the service!

Braza Do Sul Brazilian Steakhouse (formerly Rioz)

4.8

4.8 (1193)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Columbia

About the restaurant

Step into a world of culinary excellence at our amazing Brazilian Steakhouse! 🥩✨ Immerse yourself in Brazil's vibrant flavors and traditions as our skilled chefs serve up a feast for your senses.
Savor the succulent cuts of perfectly grilled meats, from tender sirloin to juicy lamb chops, brought directly to your table on skewers. Each bite is a symphony of smoky, savory goodness, expertly seasoned and cooked to perfection.
But our Brazilian steakhouse is not just about the meats—it's a celebration of flavors and textures. Indulge in a colorful array of fresh salads, exotic side dishes, and traditional Brazilian specialties like feijoada and pão de queijo.

Top review

Joseph

Dined 5 days ago

Outstanding quality and service. Will be back again!

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Experience

Restaurant Week 2025

Patterson Kitchen + Bar

4.7

4.7 (330)

$31 to $50

American

Greenville

About the restaurant

Experience the flavors of the Upstate at our contemporary American restaurant, where Southern charm meets international flair. Nestled beside our beautifully manicured courtyard, our restaurant draws inspiration from the rich bounty of South Carolina. Our cuisine emphasizes bright, clean, and approachable dishes, all served with a touch of warm hospitality in a vibrant setting. Executive Chef Gianna Smutzki and Chef de Cuisine Veronica Rodriguez craft seasonal menus that showcase the finest of Greenville’s culinary scene.

Top review

Patti

Dined 1 day ago

Patterson Kitchen is a fine dining experience in every way. The exquisite detail in lighting, landscaping, inside sound softening, delightful background music, friendly and attentive waitstaff, comfortable seating, delicious food and the presentation was perfect. To go above being a great restaurant to an amazing experience is truly an art form of many hands that few places achieve! Thank you!!

Saluda's

4.9

4.9 (4021)

$30 and under

American

Columbia

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Haig

Dined 3 days ago

Had a business dinner here. Arrived 30 mins late and they didn’t bat an eye. Out server told us right up front he was new but would get us an answer we needed if didn’t know. The pork cheeks and the fried green tomatoes were both exceptional. Each of us had a different entree; pork chop, lamb shank and grouper special and every plate was empty. My gutsy visit there and not my last. All prices were more than fair. Highly recommend.

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Sweet & Spicy Fried Oysters

The Library

4.8

4.8 (1403)

$31 to $50

European

Myrtle Beach

About the restaurant

The only Three-star restaurant on the Grand Strand since 1974! Specializing in table-side service from the Caesar salad to Steak Diane to Bananas Foster. Come visit 88 Keys Piano Bar after dinner. Located right next door. Piano Bar hours are 7PM to 11Pm Wed thru Sat.

Please contact the restaurant for large parties of 8 or more. Security deposits may be applicable.

Top review

CliffVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Great cocktails and salmon reef entrees. Nice bottle of wine at reasonable prices. Peach cheesecake dessert was good too. Service was awesome.

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4.8

4.8 (1672)

$31 to $50

Steak

Rembert

About the restaurant

Window seating is first come, first serve depending on how early you make your reservation. Parties larger than 5 are unable to be seated next to the window. We do our best to accommodate all requests but aren't always able to seat everyone that requests a window seat by the window.

Mill Pond Steakhouse is the only up-scaled steakhouse in the midlands. We have a well developed staff that is committed to your dining needs. It starts from the time you pick up the phone to make a reservation to when you are welcomed at the front door and lasts forever. When you arrive to the Mill Pond Steakhouse in Boykin, SC you take a step back in time. Mill Pond Steakhouse offers rustic elegance with southern hospitality and a one of a kind dining experience.

Parties of 6 or more are required to call the restaurant at 803-425-8825 and ask to speak to management.

If you can't make your reservation on time, please call to let us know or else your table may be given to someone else. Thank you!

Top review

eddie

Dined today

Great place for an awesome dinner I High highly recommend

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