The best restaurants in Lexington County

Gourmet sandwiches, pizza & other pub grub offered in a lively American eatery with a patio.

Classic Italian-American entrees, hot subs & pizza served at this mural-decorated family restaurant.

Comfortable, casual pick for hearty Mexican plates such as fajitas plus margaritas & beer.

Contemporary grill chain offering a seafood-centric menu, plus steaks & cocktails.

Full-service chain bar & grill providing hearty American eats in an informal setting.

Locally owned eatery serving hearty plates of Mexican fare & margaritas in an unpretentious setting.

Southern-inspired fast-food chain known for fried chicken & biscuit, plus signature sides.

Counter-serve chain serving up a menu of specialty or custom pizzas for takeout or delivery.

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

Local chain serving a menu of sushi & Pan-Asian entrees in a contemporary, stylish space.

Located in a historic home, the popular eatery features classic Southern cuisine & a garden patio.

Fast-food chain serving Mexican-inspired fare such as tacos, quesadillas & nachos.

Relaxed chain serving a menu of breakfast, burgers & sandwiches in a colorful setting.

Located in an old mill, this casual eatery whips up homestyle American food for breakfast & lunch.

Cafe chain for health-minded breakfast, brunch & lunch options such as omelets, salads & soups.

Casual chain featuring egg dishes & other breakfast items, plus brunch sandwiches.

Counter-serve restaurant chain with hibachi & teriyaki meats, plus sushi, salads & Japanese sides.

Easygoing restaurant turning out a variety of Pan-Asian specialties in an informal setting.

Relaxed locale serving Chinese, Japanese & other Asian-style eats such as moo shu, sushi & curry.

Casual restaurant serving Irish classics like corned beef & bangers & mash, plus 30 beers on tap.

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

Made-to-order burgers & milkshakes fill out the menu at this quick-serve chain with retro decor.

Casual diner chain dishing up classic American comfort fare, including all-day breakfast favorites.

Full-service chain bar & grill providing hearty American eats in an informal setting.

Casual chain featuring egg dishes & other breakfast items, plus brunch sandwiches.

Down-home chain known for its pit-cooked BBQ & mustard sauce, as well as burgers & Southern sides.

American classics, beer & cocktails served in an easygoing setting with a mural of pro sports stars.

Counter-serve Mexican chain offering customized burritos, nachos & quesadillas in a colorful space.

Convenience store-based pizza chain doling out create-your-own pies along with wings.

Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.

Carry-out chain featuring chicken wings, signature breadsticks & pizza tossed from housemade dough.

Pizza take-out & delivery chain offering classic & specialty pizzas, plus wings, sides & desserts.

Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.

Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.

Chain restaurant known for classic deli sandwiches & signature sides such as potato salad.

Pizza, strombolis, baked pastas & a few Greek dishes offered in casual, diner-style digs.

Hearty Italian pastas, entrees & pizza offered in a casual, colorfully decorated space.

Laid-back restaurant serving custom pies as well as a selection of Italian pasta & Greek dishes.

Kid-friendly chain known for its pizzas & oversized sandwiches served in modest surroundings.

A menu of Greek classics with some eclectic options in a homey dining room with traditional accents.

Casual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads, with health-conscious options.

Casual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads, with health-conscious options.

Southern barbecue spot with lunch & dinner buffets plus an à la carte menu in modern-rustic digs.

Retro-themed chain with a 1950s soda-fountain look, dishing out familiar fast-food selections.

Down-to-earth option serving burgers, sandwiches & homestyle American mains, plus beer & wine.

Local chain serving signature & build-your-own tacos, plus cocktails, in a hip, casual space.

Chill, contemporary eatery with sushi, hibachi meals & other Japanese fare, plus a full bar & WiFi.

Fast-food burger & fries joint with an old-school feel, including retro drive-in service.

Counter-serve chain serving up a menu of specialty or custom pizzas for takeout or delivery.

Southern-inspired fast-food chain known for fried chicken & biscuit, plus signature sides.

Casual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads, with health-conscious options.

New Jersey–based counter-serve sandwich chain serving jumbo subs filled with cold cuts & toppings.

Chain restaurant known for classic deli sandwiches & signature sides such as potato salad.

Red Sake focuses on clean, raw and pure Japanese flavors, building sushi and other bites from fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables for standout taste and presentation. If you’re craving a relaxed night with actually good fish, make this your move this week.

From the Columbia newsletter, September 11, 2026

Clean spot for classic Vietnamese eats like pho and banh mi.

Sports bar with an extensive menu of Lowcountry pub food & a USC Gamecocks following.

Casual chain featuring BBQ & classic sides, plus memorabilia honoring soldiers & first responders.

Real Mexico Restaurant keeps it simple and tasty with well-seasoned tacos and burritos, chicken nachos loaded with flavorful shredded chicken, and a house margarita that locals swear by. Warm chips hit the table fast, portions satisfy, and the friendly crew makes it an easy weeknight staple.

From the Columbia newsletter, September 18, 2026

Grab N Go Late Nights turns post-game hunger into a happy problem, with cooked-to-order burgers, crispy wings, and even salmon that actually slaps. Chill vibes, quick service, and real flavor make it a clutch go-to when your fridge says no and your appetite says now.

From the Columbia newsletter, October 12, 2026

Texas-style eatery known for its smoked meats like brisket, wings and ribs, plus Southern sides.

Ferrara Real NY Pizza brings real-deal, foldable New York pies to our side of the river, with saucy, cheesy goodness that hits the spot after work or game night. Keep it simple with a classic, or go heavy on toppings and call it dinner for the crew.

From the Columbia newsletter, September 20, 2026

Down-home joint for barbecue & country cooking served from an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Family-owned restaurant serving classic breakfast dishes and cocktails, plus waffles.

Whether you're catching the game or just craving crispy-sauced perfection, Wings & Ale nails the no-frills sports bar vibe since 1989 with legit wings, cold craft brews, live music and pool tables. Handy online ordering, reservations, and catering make it a clutch move for weeknights or group hangs.

From the Columbia newsletter, October 4, 2026

Buzzy cafe & espresso bar known for their hangover hash browns serves all-day eats plus beer & wine.

Provisions from local farmers dictate the Southern-leaning menu at this bistro with skyline views.

Cafe preparing a menu of breakfast and lunch options in a comfortable setting with a patio.

Mexican meals such as tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos are served at this casual counter-serve eatery.