California Dreaming is a relaxed American restaurant and bar in Columbia, SC, offering a welcoming setting for everything from casual meals to special evenings out. Located at 401 Main St, the restaurant serves a broad selection of steak and seafood along with signature nachos, sandwiches, and pasta.
Whether you are joining friends for lunch, planning a dinner, stopping in for solo dining, or looking for a comfortable place to enjoy brunch, California Dreaming provides a varied menu and inviting atmosphere for different occasions.
Guests can choose from dine-in, takeaway, delivery, and on-site services. The restaurant is known for fast service, a great beer selection, excellent cocktails, a notable wine list, satisfying desserts, and local specialties. Its offerings include alcohol, beer, cocktails, coffee, comfort food, happy-hour drinks, healthy options, and small plates.
With a bar on site, seating, table service, counter service, restroom, and Wi-Fi, California Dreaming is equipped for both relaxed visits and convenient meals. Catering is also available, adding flexibility for gatherings and events.
The atmosphere combines casual and cozy qualities with historic, romantic, trendy, and upmarket touches. Guests can enjoy a meal while following sports, making it a fitting choice for a range of dining preferences. Dinner reservations are recommended, and the restaurant accepts reservations, although there is usually a wait.
California Dreaming accepts credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments. Accessibility features include a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating, and toilet.
Rated 4.20 out of 5 based on 6,604 reviews, California Dreaming offers an established and appealing choice for American dining in Columbia. To learn more or make plans, call +1 803-254-6767 or visit 401 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at California Dreaming
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
(no side)
Hear from our valued guests
A group of friends and I went to eat here for lunch and it was my first time there but I have to say that I'll be back. The waitress was so attentive and the food was delicious and did not break the bank. Great atmosphere and beautiful decor.
Had a client dinner here and also went back the next day for myself. Recommend this fantastic restaurant. Staff was so accommodating and attentive. Handled my gluten allergy well. Delicious chicken. One of the best in town.
Everything we tried was really good. We tried potato soup (was very tasty), stake (was cooked just right), there house salad (if you like salad you should try it) and cole slaw is the best(so far) that we tried in Columbia. I forgot to take pictures of food but establishment itself was different (you enjoy your food and building). Keep up good work...
Thoroughly enjoyed our time tonight! We were promptly greeted by hostesses and reservation was on time! Ny B was our waitress and she was such a pleasure! Drinks were on point (enjoyed a painkiller....yum) and sweet tea which is a southerners staple when prepared correctly...which it was! Appetizers of croissants and fried crab claws were devine and quickly brought to the table. Entrees of steak and shrimp (steak cooked to perfection and shrimp was tender and oh so flavorful) and shrimp San Francisco (creamy and delicious) all of which well surpassed expectations and melted in our mouths! Enjoyed the history in the old train station and ambiance was delightful! Thank you again, Ny B and all staff that interacted with us and prepared our food! We will be back!
The Cali Bowl with the chicken and miso salmon have swiftly become my favorite meal here. FYI, in the photo is regular salmon because my order was not correct; however it was still delicious so I didn't complain. Still, get that miso salmon to top your bowl! You won't regret it🫶🏾
Enjoyed an early Mother’s Day here! Delicious Food, atmosphere and a beautiful old train station meant for a memorable occasion. Service was on point and everyone was super friendly.
I've waited literally almost 20 years (from when I was in undergrad) to eat at a California Dreaming as it is one of my favorite restaurants! My parents literally surprised me with a reservation here on Saturday (3/7) for my birthday that was in 3/6. The location had a hand written birthday card waiting for me which was too kind of them! I had the House Salad and the croissant bread pudding. Everything was superb! I cannot wait to return back here (it definitely won't be another 20 years)! Thank you for making this special for me!
Great stop for lunch today at CD! The place is in a historic old train station, and that gives it great atmosphere. We both had the chicken club salad - and it was delicious! Highly recommend the house dressing which is honey mustard and hot bacon. Really good.
Met here for dinner and glad we did! It’s built inside of an old union train station and is a beautiful space to enjoy! Nye was our serve and very nice! She took good care of us during our whole visit. The food was outstanding! I’m not a crescent roll guy, but the honey crescent rolls are a good start and come with all salads if you get one! I had the ribeye with a baked potato and the ribeye needed nothing! I’d rank it in the top 5 steaks I’ve had. Lots of good options to choose from on the menu as well! We will certainly be back!
We’ve eaten at this restaurant multiple times, and every experience has been amazing. The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxing, the customer service is always top-tier, and the food and drinks are consistently delicious. You can tell they truly care about their guests. We have absolutely no complaints. This is a great place to grab lunch or enjoy a nice dinner date. Highly recommend if you’re in Columbia! We’ve completed our mission of 100 restaurants last year and working to visit 100 different ones this year! Follow me here for more reviews and photos!!!
Common questions about California Dreaming
California Dreaming is located at 401 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States, Columbia, SC, United States.
You can reach California Dreaming by calling +1 803-254-6767.
California Dreaming has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 based on 6604 customer reviews.
California Dreaming features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
California Dreaming features the following service options: Delivery, On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in.
California Dreaming features the following highlights: Fast service, Great beer selection, Great cocktails, Great dessert, Great wine list, Serves local specialty, Sport.
California Dreaming features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
California Dreaming features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Happy-hour drinks, Healthy options, Small plates, Spirits, Vegetarian options, Wine.
California Dreaming features the following dining options: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Catering, Counter service, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
California Dreaming features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom, Wi-Fi.
California Dreaming features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Historic, Romantic, Trendy, Upmarket.
California Dreaming features the following crowd: Family friendly, Groups, Tourists, University students.
California Dreaming features the following planning: Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations, Usually a wait.
California Dreaming features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
California Dreaming features the following children: Good for kids, Has changing table(s), High chairs, Kids' menu.
California Dreaming features the following parking: Free parking lot, Free street parking, Paid parking lot, Plenty of parking.
Business Features
We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!
Request a table and we'll confirm your booking shortly.
