Publico

Goat's has a fun, casual atmosphere that works well for a night out with friends. I ordered the hot…read morechicken sandwich with fries, and the sandwich had a nice amount of heat without drowning out the flavor. We also shared the fried pickles, which disappeared pretty quickly. The music was a little loud during the busy part of the evening, but it added to the lively feel.

Goat's was a really cool restaurant, and was a great change of pace compared to the other…read moreestablishments in the area. When I walked in, I was amazed at what I saw inside, as it definitely was not what I was expecting (and I mean that in a good way!). I loved how dimly lit it was inside, which was complemented by miniature lights that were strung from the ceiling. Speaking of the aforementioned change of pace, I also appreciated how there were no TVs inside, which created an intimate atmosphere that focused more on conversing with your friends than watching whatever may have been on TV. Finally, as someone who always pays attention to a restaurant's artwork... I absolutely LOVED the artwork that was on display at Goat's. They had so many cool pieces of eclectic artwork, that you could almost consider it as much a small art museum as a restaurant. My favorite art piece is kind of hard to describe, but I guess you could say that it was of a God-like man in a suit controlling somebody who was playing golf. (I know, it's hard to describe, but like I said, it's eclectic.) My one (1) downside to Goat's, and the only thing keeping it from a five-star review, is that the bartender and servers were all pretty rude and arrogant. This is speculation, but maybe Goat's is one of those places that considers itself a "regulars" bar, and isn't very nice to people who aren't regular customers, but the three (3) employees I interacted with weren't all that inviting. All in all, Goat's was a great experience, and if it were an option, I'd probably give it something like 4.5 or 4.8 stars if I could. If the servers were a little less full of themselves, or maybe just in a better mood, I'd consider it a five-star experience. Nevertheless, Goat's was a great experience, I'll definitely be back, and I'd recommend that anybody stop in if they're looking for a unique experience in Five Points!

Mussels and frites, PEI mussels, Greek farro salad

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$25 wine bottle fridays

Saluda's

4.1(372 reviews)

0.0 mi

One of the best restaurants in COLA! The pork chop melts in your mouth. Old fashion is spot on…read more Fried green tomatoes is a great play on the traditional dish. The meat balls and burrata is strange...be sure to combine all three ingredients... Service was excellent and it has a great southern vibe. Can't believe we didn't try this place sooner!

Service was impeccable and the kitchen was on top of hot fresh well timed dishes. Every bite was…read morebeautifully plated and perfectly seasoned. We had a hard time choosing, the entire menu sounded delicious! Which means... we will be back for more. White linen table clothes, inviting art work, and the nice buzz of happy customers enjoying the company of family or friends and a fantastic meal.

Shrimp & Grits

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Mocktail Ginger Lemonade Mule & Mocktail Blood Orange Spritz

Backstreets Grill

4.4(387 reviews)

0.4 mi

This was my first time trying out this restaurant. I had always heard they had great food, so of…read morecourse, I had to try it for myself. My husband decided we should test it out today, so we ended up grabbing the food as we had a couple plans for today. My husband ordered the Reuben Sandwich. It came with Truffle Parmesan Fries. He stated the taste was very flavorful, the meat was tender, and he fell in love with the truffle fries. They didn't stand a chance! Now here comes the funny part:) I told him I wanted the Black Bean Burger without the lettuce and tomato, but instead he ordered me just the patty with cheese and mayo with no buns! Instead of him asking the correct way, he asked for it as just the patty only, haha I was too tickled to be mad. Even though he missed it, it was so good! That was the best black bean patty I had in a long time. It was well-prepared and delicious. Yes, I also have the Truffle Parmesan Fries and they tasted amazing. Hot, seasoned to perfection and irresistible! Once I saw the salmon, I had to try it. Omg, that salmon was prepared perfectly, juicy and mouth-watering. The food was on point I must say. Hubby stated customer service was amazing as well. The restaurant was well lit, had a great atmosphere and overall a great spot to dine with your friends. We will definitely be heading back soon to dine in and try more food:)

Solid four. Service was a bit slow at the start, but improved. Food was all good, but not something…read moreI'd crave. We did sit outside on a very hot day, so to be fair, that may have detracted from the experience. We will give this one another try though. Big menu and a lot of choices so we'll come again and sit inside next time!

Outdoor Bar

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Cocky Rooster

4.1(20 reviews)

We're always on the hunt for a good wing spot, and lately we keep finding ourselves back at Cocky…read moreRooster in Five Points. This time we went with the Buffalo Lemon Pepper, the Anaconda, and the Buffalo Ranch dry rub--all extra crispy, of course. The hardest part is choosing because they have so many sauces and dry rubs on the menu. And can we talk about the housemade ranch and bleu cheese? Absolutely worth adding to your order. Great wings are one thing, but friendly staff and consistently great service keep us coming back. If you're in Columbia and looking for your next wing fix, add Cocky Rooster to your list.

The restaurant came up in a quick search en route to a South Carolina basketball game. They have…read moremany chicken options, as the name would suggest as well as a nice selection of sides. The guy who took our order was very helpful in making suggestions for a first visit. The restaurant is pretty small so only a few tables were available for dine in consideration. Everything was made to order and hot when we received it. We also ran into some trouble with the fountain drink machine and the same employee replaced our cups with bottled drinks for no extra charge. It's not close enough for me to visit regularly unfortunatelybut I would definitely recommend for anyone in the area!

5 Boneless Wings

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Mr Friendly's New Southern Cafe

4.4(433 reviews)

Great food, friendly staff and a nice Southern atmosphere. The local flair on their traditional…read moresouthern dishes (shrimp & grits, fried green tomatoes, succotash) hits the spot just right. Add time for parking if you've never been but definitely worth the effort.

I was shocked at how bad the food was. I had been there 4 years ago and it was just good…read more I had a blackberry mint drink. No mint & 1 blackberry smashed up on the bottom. It was very bad. Got the Crab cakes...ok I could hardly eat them. The crab meat was the lowest quality of crab. Looked like canned crab meat. They were flat about a 1/4 inch. Over fried. So very sad for $34 dollars. Green fried tomatoes. Just a stack of tomatoes without sauce. (Ever pic shows a sauce served with them) my husband had red fish...it was just ok. Now the dessert didn't get what was described on menu. It was good sadly the desert was the best part of the meal. The service was a 4. The place needs a full make over w a better menu & chef. I would not recommend. Unfortunately I will never visit again. It is very low quality cooking.

Rock shrimp appetizer

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The Friendly Salad

Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint - Columbia

4.4(128 reviews)

It's my second time coming here, so I figured I could finally write a fair review. Honestly, I…read morethought the first time might have been a fluke. The burger and fries were great, the beer was perfect, they were playing '90s rock, and Friends was on TV. Honestly, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. The second time, the place was pretty full on a Saturday, but the food and fries were just as delicious, and the beer was still perfect. I'll definitely be coming back regularly to this place!

Had eleven of our lunch group here again for lunch. One of our favorite burger spots in the area…read more We gathered around the one table they have that can fit us in, with the help of adding two small chairs around the corner table. Our group has 13 and fortunately we had 11 today, which probably was about the most they could've managed at that table. Waiter was great. Took our drink orders and burger orders. Had a variety of orders (Poncho, Classic, Tuesday's Special Ron Swanson's), with regular fries and sweet potato fries. Burgers were very good, everyone happy with the exception of one burger getting dropped on the floor, resulting in that person waiting for about 10 minutes to get a replacement. Meanwhile he chomped on some of his fries. Overall food was great. Only issue is with the loud music. Music is good music, just way to loud. Everytime we go here nobody can here each other talk across the table. (We always sit at the big corner table on the right as you walk in). Fries were okay....nothing special. Burgers are the thing. Wish they would offer some home fries along with the regular and sweet potato fries. Only complaint we have is the loud music. Just tone it down about 3db.

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Great cider and beer selection

Cola's

4.2(458 reviews)

1.1 mi

Absolutely a great experience! My husband and I were looking for a new place to try and Cola's did…read morenot disappoint. The atmosphere was great, a rustic yet classic design. I adored the fact that it used to be a bottling plant! The staff was welcoming and on their game. Every recommendation was exactly what we were looking for. The food was to die for. We couldn't get enough and yet we were so full after our appetizers. Each plate was better than the next and let me tell you we never bring home food and we can home with doggy bags. This is a must visit restaurant. Just a heads up the parking lot next door is privately owned, you can pay through an app!

Food was fine. I do find it a bit overrated for how much it's hyped in reviews and publications and…read morefor how much it is. Burger was okay, mahi mahi + shrimp + polenta good. Brussels good. Chicken parm, just okay. I wouldn't say it's anything that special. But it's okay. I was given moldy bread which I don't appreciate.

Bread (moldy)

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Great spot in downtown Columbia

Motor Supply Co Bistro

4.2(713 reviews)

1.2 mi

Omg, sensational. The artwork & decor was perfect for the type of service provided. We got two…read moredrinks that were fantastic. The 2 appetizers we got were the shrimp (3.5/5 ) and the burrata toast (4.75/5) but baby, the entrees were exceptional. We ordered the duck, steak and pappardelle. The desserts were also amazing. The bread pudding & creme brûlée were great too. If you can snag a reservation please do. The menu does rotate so please be mindful when reading reviews.

The French toast was delicious along with the bacon . Everyone seemed to have enjoyed their food .read more

Meatloaf

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Horse and Sheriot

Top Tier Featuring The Genesis Room

3.5(12 reviews)

1.2 mi

Had dinner here over the past weekend, while in town for a college tour. This place came…read morerecommended along with a few others by the front desk agent at our Marriott hotel. Because the location was right around the corner from the hotel, we opted to give it a try. The restaurant is on a nice block, with quite a few dining options. Metered parking is available on the block. Its also not far from a beautiful recently renevated park that we also visited that night. We were immediately seated when we arrived. The restaurant is beautiful. I love how colorful it is with the plush velvet like seating. Had didn't visit the restroom while there, but my sister said it could use some cleaning. Our server was nice. I ordered the lamb chop meal, which came with two sides. I selected the mac & cheese with the collard greens. I was told both were popular. The lamb itself was seasoned well. The sauce they include for it on the side was horrible. It had a overpowering vinegar taste. I hated it! The mac & cheese was basic and I didn't care for all of the parsley packed on top. I was told 5 cheeses are used in their mac recipe but I couldn't tell. It had no real flavor. The greens were just okay. It was supposed to have spices in it from what I was told but I had to dump a cup of hot sauce in it for the spice and flavor. One of my sisters ordered salmon. She said the seasoning used on the salmon was really good but she also said you can tell its not fresh salmon; more like frozen pack salmon. Honestly, we were not impressed by the food but the great customer service, gorgeous ambiance, and music selection made our experience.

Service from. battener Summer was excellent she provided excellent tasting drinks and educated me…read moreindifferent drinks to help me decide on my drinks selections I love talking with her and getting the knowledge of different drinks

Lamb Chops

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TLC Sports Bar & Grill

3.4(13 reviews)

2.1 mi

I'm currently at tlc and I'm eating it up. CiCi (the bathroom bouncer) is literally the sweetest…read morehuman ever. We talked for almost 20 min because she is so kind and a conversationalist. I will definitely be back because of CiCi. She deserves a raise!!!

Denied people who are 21 and made girls feel uncomfortable! Drinks were weak. Music sucked. Not a…read morefan!

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798 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Troy A.

9 years ago

(Just ignore. For class assignment. Unless you want to read.) Not too long ago, my family and I went to go try out Publico Kitchen and Tap. We were looking for a place to eat for lunch and it being one of many places in Columbia we haven't been to yet might as well give it a try. Publico is located in Five Points which is only a few minutes away the University of South Carolina campus. They label themselves as a Latin-American-Asian fusion restaurant which definitely gives their menu many unique options but it is very limited. They do have a very extensive bar as well; I am not old enough to drink, but I did notice that they have a very large selection of craft beers and various other drinks. I would have to say will the food is unique there is much room for improvement. This is also not just with the food; the service, layout, and accessibility could be improved as well. Aside everything that could be improved, Publico is an interesting and flavorful place to eat. Publico labels their food as Latin-American-Asian fusion which is a very unique mix of cuisines in general but even more for the Columbia area. The menu varied from your typical American sandwiches and burgers, to tacos, to ramen, and etc. With its various options it had plenty to choose from if you did not know what type of food you were in the mood for. Also, all the food is received fresh from local South Carolina farms. During my visit there, I got two tacos, the pork belly and the carne chimichurri. The flavors from the tacos were amazing and very different than any regular taco but they were cold. I did look over the whole menu and noticed that at the bottom it says that all food is prepared only after you order it. Which means that the food that is put on the plate is not made until the server from the front of the house calls it out to the cooks in the back of the house. I do not believe that it was the fault of the back of the house on why my food was cold. The service at Publico can definitely be improved. When we first walked up to the hostess stand, we were asked how many of us there was and then asked to wait while they cleaned off a table; So my family and I waited. It was fairly busy considering we went for lunch during the prime lunch hours. During the wait, I started to look around the restaurant. The front of the house is very cramped with these small high top tables with very little space in between each one and the bar taking up about half of the entire front of the restaurant. After about five minutes, we were finally seated at one of the small high top tables. Instantly the server came up to the table and greeted us. It was a woman who looked to be of upperclassmen in college age. She took our drinks, brought them to us, and asked us if we were ready to order. After we asked for a few minutes she disappeared. It took the server about ten to fifteen minutes to finally come back to the table and take our order. Then after taking our order she disappeared until bringing it out to the table which doesn't reflect good service. While on the surface Publico doesn't look like it has more impact on local area other than just another bar in five points; it does. The food and produce they receive is all fresh from South Carolina farms which keeps business in South Carolina and the ingredients fresher because they don't have to travel long distances. The food that the restaurant serves also impacts the local area. It provides another type of cuisine. A type that is not very commonly found in the downtown Columbia area. It also is very accessible to the college students at USC with being only a few minutes away. But it isn't for those who have to drive to it. There is little parking in five points and there is no specific Publico parking. At the end my experience at Publico Kitchen and Tap, it is a restaurant that I will re visit multiple times. I like how they receive all the produce and meat from SC farms. The atmosphere of the restaurant might be cramped and have you feel boxed in but in a way it makes you feel open because you are so close to others guests. The menu is very interesting, unique, and offers many options many being things you wouldn't get anywhere else. While there are things that could be improved, it still is a place everyone should visit at least one. read more

Danielle P.

7 months ago

I can honestly say that I've yet to be disappointed on a visit to Publico. The food is great, the deals are on point, and the service is exceptional. I have become a regular of sorts ever since finding out that my favorite bartender, Kelsey, had relocated here after the closing of Boku (their sister restaurant in the Vista). What I really appreciate is that Kelsey always goes out of her way to make sure I have a fun, specialty mocktail each time I come in. I've found that a few places just like to throw a few juices together and call it a drink, and to me, that's just lazy. It's things like that that make an experience go from good to great. Speaking of great: the food is fantastic. I am a big fan of the shrimp quesadillas and the barbacoa bao bun sliders. I went in this past Sunday and had the chilaquiles which were awesome. Plus, they had music bingo! I was told that it was only going on that day for Valentine's, but that they have it at the Bull Street location weekly. I had a lot of fun, and I bet it would be a big hit if it occurred regularly at the 5 Points location (hint, hint) I highly recommend Publico and make sure you ask to sit at the bar if Kelsey is working. She is awesome and will make your experience great! read more

Sam D.

8 years ago

Best brunch in town by far. Not the typical eggs, meat, carbs that you can get at every other brunch spot, their menu is diverse and the dishes have a great flare of creativity. I've been here more times than I can count and have yet to be disappointed. My fiancé and I have tried pretty much every brunch spot in Cola and continue to return to Publico. The drink special for brunch is unbeatable, I usually go for the Bloody Mary (the spicy one has a lot of kick to it), she goes for the mimosas which are always on point. Steak and egg tacos are my go to as well as the French toast with strawberry compote, food always comes out hot and delicious. Craft beer for days as well as a full bar of liquor and wine. Service is awesome, we have always had a great experience and have been impressed with the staff even on a slammed Sunday morning. Also very dog friendly porch outside, they even have a menu just for dogs with REAL food that is actually healthy, safe and appropriately portioned for different size dogs. Crowd is very diverse (for five points), mix of college kids, young adults, families. Publico is great on all fronts. read more

Ryin C.

6 months ago

I had such a great experience at Publico, and a huge part of that was thanks to our waiter, Colin. From the moment we sat down, he brought such a warm, welcoming energy to the table that immediately made us feel comfortable. He was attentive without being overbearing, always seeming to show up at just the right moment. Colin really knew the menu inside and out. He gave thoughtful recommendations, answered every question with confidence, and even suggested a few things we wouldn't have thought to try--but ended up loving. It was clear he genuinely cared about making sure we had the best possible experience. What stood out most was his attitude. He was friendly, personable, and had a great sense of humor that made the whole meal more enjoyable. It didn't feel like just another night out--it felt like we were being taken care of by someone who truly enjoys what they do. Service like that is rare, and Colin absolutely elevated our entire visit. If you get the chance, definitely ask for him--you won't be disappointed. read more

Chip K.

10 years ago

AWESOME!!AWESOME!AWESOME! I am hyper-critical of most restaurant experiences. Being in the service business myself I expect excellence, or at least a striving for excellence. That being said I could not be more complimentary of my overall Publico experience. I was blown away! Vibrant atmosphere. The hostess was friendly and very accommodating to our 5 party walk-in. The bartenders were attentive and most helpful. Our meal service was spot on - perfect combination of friendly recommendations and check backs. The owner ( Mike) circulated and made sure all was well with our food and experience. From appetizers to desert, everything I put in my mouth was delicious, and the rest of our group concurred. Do yourself a favor and go! I sure will next time I'm rolling through Columbia, SC. read more

Miette D.

11 years ago

Upon arrival I was sat in the quickest manor possible, with 2 parties ahead of us we were sat in a matter of 10 minutes tops, by a friendly and welcoming host. We were greeted by the same positive and uppity energy at our table, the food was delicious. Liv was high energy and very sweet, you could tell she enjoyed working. We got the bacon wrapped jalapeños and spring rolls to start- great, we got a round of tacos and had nothing bad to say about any (* carne astada, green chile chicken, gochujang shrimp, sweet pork belly, and sambal fish to be exact) The bar staff was vibrant and attentive, ask for Chandler and Vicky! Great place, and will be back! Not to mention the place is not yet a week old, I am pleased with the turn out at such an early stage of business read more

Kevin O.

2 years ago

Publico is fantastic. I started coming here during the Halloween seasons when the decorated the whole place for Spooky Season, and the whole restaurant is line with slasher icons and an atmosphere to get even the most enthusiastic horror fans into the feel of the season. During Christmas, they continued to push the festive feel as you're engulfed in the Christmas season with lights, music and themed drinks to give you the cheer we all desire at that time of year. The food is amazing and their $3 beer of the day is my absolute favorite. Evan is a wonderful bartender and is always attentive to my needs, as well as the great management of Sarah. It's a great place with great food and I highly recommend you stop in and have a drink. read more

Bobbi O.

4 years ago

If you are ever in Columbia, SC you HAVE to go here! Hands down - best tacos we've ever had! My husband and I love a good taco and these were literally the best! We had the Baja fish taco and shrimp taco! We also tried the Cuban nachos, Pazole fries, and pollo de fuego sandwich! We love a good spicy fried chicken sandwich and this one was amazing! Restaurant was super cool - we loved the patio!! Great for families too! Our kids would have loved it! Claire was our server and she took great care of us! You also have to try the spicy margarita - SO good!! The cool atmosphere combined with the amazing food gives this place a 10/10 from us! Everything was amazing! We can't wait to come back! read more

Guillermo G.

2 years ago

We had the pleasure of visiting Publico while in South Carolina for my sister's Army basic training graduation, and it was an absolute delight! Mikayla and the rest of the staff was incredibly attentive, making us feel welcome and cared for from the moment we arrived. The atmosphere was vibrant and fun, perfect for a celebratory outing. The highlight of our meal was Buddy's Spaghetti Special, inspired by the iconic recipe from the movie Elf. It was festive, creative, and surprisingly delicious--a true homage to the holiday spirit! Publico offers more than just great food; it's an experience. We'll definitely return whenever we're in town. Highly recommend! read more

Tiera M.

1 year ago

We recently visited this restaurant for brunch and overall the food was quite good. I ordered the sweet potato mash, and my daughter had a burger and fries. Everything was flavorful and well prepared. However, the portion of fries with the burger was very small. When my daughter politely asked for a few more fries, we were told the kitchen did not want to cook any additional fries during brunch. While I understand kitchen policies, this left a disappointing impression. Our waitress was kind and attentive, so this was not her fault. I simply feel the chef or management could have shown better customer service in this situation. We will not be back read more

Lady Amanda R.

6 months ago

The music is a bit too loud for the daytime and very few people, but otherwise it's fine. The Cuban nachos were great and so was the Tofu Ramen. We also sampled their Habanero hot honey and ghost pepper hot sauce, both very good. The table pieces needed a good wipe down, but it did not affect the food. Miss Jordyn was an incredible server, very attentive and efficient, and she was training Noah, who we watched improve in the time we ate, which isn't an easy task for anyone to do, and less easy for a trainer to help with. Both were great servers and met your eyes when they interacted. Great people and we enjoyed it a lot. read more

Blane H.

11 years ago

I decided to try this place the other day when I had some friends visit from out of town, I had the Bombazo sandwich with a side of fries the flavors worked so well together, my friend had the Gochujang Shrimp taco and the Sweet Belly pork. We all had the Mead that's on tap (a fermented honey drink) and the staff all gets along so well and they're super friendly this will definitely be our tradition to come back to this place when they come visit again. They will also start having a desert of the day soon and ramen of the day which I'm super excited about! Victoria was our bartender and makes a killer margarita! read more

Melissa H.

11 years ago

My husband and I walk in and the hostesses are very nice and friendly, we are seated and we order the jalapeño poppers. First off, they were not bacon wrapped as described on the menu and it was a very small portion. My husband orders a draft beer which was $6.50. Just my opinion but I think that is very pricey seeing he just got the same beer on tap at another restaurant in Columbia for $4 and that's not even on special. Second off, we ordered the chicken puffy taco which had shredded chicken on it. The chicken was so dry and tasteless. This place has very small portions and is too overpriced for what you get. read more

Ms A.

6 months ago

Came into Publico's and had a really great experience. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, but what truly stood out was the service. Our waiter, Colin, was attentive, friendly, and made sure everything flowed smoothly from start to finish. He checked in at the right times, gave helpful suggestions, and had such a great energy that it honestly elevated the whole experience. It's not often you come across service that feels both professional and genuinely personable. Definitely looking forward to coming back--great food, great vibe, and even better service. Ask for Colin if you can! read more

Jason H.

6 months ago

The food was absolutely outstanding, but the tacos really stole the show. They were packed with flavor, perfectly seasoned, and clearly made with fresh ingredients. Every bite was better than the last--easily some of the best tacos I've had in a long time. On top of that, the service made the experience even better. Jackson was awesome as our waiter--attentive without being overbearing, quick with anything we needed, and just genuinely friendly. He made sure everything came out right and kept the whole table taken care of. Great food and great service--hard to beat that combination. read more

Mitchell U.

3 years ago

Olivia our server was amazing. We had my daughters 15th birthday (9 teenage girls) in early December on a busy Saturday evening. Everything was set up and ready for our party in a "home alone" themed Igloo. There was great energy and service from the entire staff from the moment we walked in. The quality food, fantastic drinks, Christmas decor, a special visit from the Grinch and snow falling from above as we exited really made the evening very memorable. Publico on Greene Street over the holidays is a must do and one of our favorite family traditions every year. Mitch read more

Matt M.

4 years ago

Publico is my girlfriend and I's favorite place to eat in the city! We go every other date night. Tonight however we were pretty much ignored by our waiter Jack, who failed to order the appetizer we asked for and who did not check on us until after we were finished our food. The taco's were amazing as always but the fries were terrible compared to how they usually are. We hope that isn't a permanent replacement on the menu. After leaving my girlfriend agreed that publico was good, not great. We still recommend you dining here and we hope our next time there will be better! read more

Morgiana M.

5 years ago

Saturday morning Publico brunch is always the best way to kick off the weekend, especially because you can't beat the $20 mimosa and margarita pitchers paired with perfect cuisine. I always like to bring a big group of friends with me to enjoy the start of our Saturday which can certainly be overwhelming for wait staff. My waitress this past Saturday, Kylie, worked tirelessly to assist our large group and brought everything out in a timely manner, was helpful and kind, and even split our checks down to the split items we had. Can't wait to come back! read more

Nancy F.

4 years ago

Love the atmosphere - colorful and upbeat. All of the staff was friendly from the moment I walked in the door - the hostesses were smiling and I was seated immediately. My waitress, Finn, arrived at my table with water - perfect on this hot day - and again, the friendly, smiling service continued! I had the FAF (Fresh As Farm) drink special - she shared how the FAF is the Publico Friday special and always changing so you need to come back to try others. I had the shrimp poke bowl for my meal, so fresh and tasty. Definitely a place I'll come back to! read more

Cole V.

6 years ago

I have been going to Publico for as long as I have lived in Columbia. The staff is always great and I have always loved sitting at the bar but Carly is the best bar tender I have had by far. She is full of life and makes Publico a place I never hesitant to stop by any night of the week. I've brought friends, family, and everyone in between for tacos, tequila, and a good time. I would highly recommend anyone to consider Publico for their night in Columbia, and it's all thanks to a very talented staff and the best bar tender ,Carly, in South Carolina. read more

Publico - newamerican - Updated September 2026

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4.2

(11 reviews)

I went to The Yard on two (2) occasions. The first time, shortly after the restaurant opened, was…read moreabsolutely terrible. When I say terrible, I mean it could not have been any worse. My friends and I went during the NCAA Basketball Tournament, hoping to be able to watch all of the games at once. However, rather than having any of the basketball games on, they literally had a replay of an NFL game, a volleyball game, a TV that had timed out, and some kind of documentary on the other TV. When we asked our server if they could put the games on, we were told that they were unable to change the channels on the TV, as it was some kind of streaming service. Furthermore, we placed an order for drinks, and after sitting there for about fifteen minutes (15) minutes, got up and left after not seeing our waitress after that. If I were simply judging by this experience, I would have given The Yard negative stars if possible. However, my friends and I returned to The Yard to watch the NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship, and had a much better experience. It seemed that they were able to get the TV situation worked out, and we were actually able to get drinks this time. I know that this is the bare minimum for a sports bar, but they did show marked improvement from the first time that we went there. Our server, the bartender, and the hostess were all very nice, and I really liked the interesting sports regalia that was hanging on the walls. Overall, I'm going to give The Yard a generous three (3) stars, mainly considering the context in which my experiences took place. I hope that my first visit was simply a matter of needing to work the kinks out, and that future visits will be more in line with how my second visit went. I've yet to try their food, so I'll probably come back at least one more time, which'll serve as the tiebreaker as to whether The Yard is a worthwhile stop or not.

This is my bar. Like I don't own it, but at this rate I probably will in about 14 years. While some…read morebartenders have regulars, some regulars have bartenders. I'm immediately greeted at the door by Abby or Hannah, with a warmly affectionate nickname that I honestly earned. They know what I drink and have a decent idea of what I'll be eating. Kat walks in and it's like family just arrived home. Everyone is great. Seriously. Shay and Megan are amazing people I'm just getting to know, and literally everyone they hire makes the place great. Why did I put so much into this review? Because you deserve to be in a welcoming and fun environment too. Oh and get the fking White Russian sandwich. Don't even look at the menu first. Go see the team at The Yard. They're killing it.

Breakers Bar and Grill

5.0

(5 reviews)

Great atmosphere! Fun people good service for a very popular bar. I like the live music. Good…read moreselection of beers and drinks. We didn't eat any food but I assume it is decent base on the people eating.

Great food, great service. Parking was a bit of a challenge, but it was worth the trouble.read more

Twisted Root Bar And Grill

3.8

(52 reviews)

Love the grilled gator! It's my go to place for an excellent salad with chicken on top! Service is…read morealways quick and friendly. Love the interior lighting.

Food was delicious, had the Ribeye and the Loaded fries. Both very good . Service was good, cool…read morespot.

929 Kitchen & Bar

4.4

(419 reviews)