California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

4.4

2619 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Make a booking

2 people

17 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 90 times today

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Lively
Good for groups

Located in downtown Columbia, SC, inside the historic 1902 Union Station, California Dreaming welcomes guests with its vibrant and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows offer a picturesque view of the rail tracks, stretching from the inactive platform to the main terminal. Paired with our hearty, made-from-scratch menu, it's no wonder California Dreaming has been a beloved local institution since 1984. Open for lunch and dinner daily, including online ordering with curbside pickup.

Celebrating 40 years, California Dreaming has been a valued part of the Columbia community. Union Station, its historic home, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

**We provide Advance Priority Seating to reduce wait times and expedite the seating process when your entire party arrives. To ensure the best experience for all guests, we seat groups of up to 8. While larger groups are seated separately, this arrangement is flexible during quieter hours.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Seafood, Steak
Hours of Operation
Daily 11:00–21:00
Phone number
(803) 254-6767
Website
http://www.californiadreaming.rest/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
401 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201-4147
Area
Columbia
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeaway, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

She Crab SoupUS$8.94
A rich and creamy Charleston classic
Steamed Peel & Eat ShrimpUS$10.95
(9) Old Bay boil, served with cocktail sauce
Fried Crab ClawsUS$15.95
Served with spicy cocktail sauce. Llimited availability
BBQ Chicken NachosUS$14.95
Smoky BBQ sauce, red onions, house-made chips, cheese sauce
Seafood NachosUS$16.95
Spicy shrimp, salmon, red onions, house-made chips, cheese sauce and lobster cream sauce with dill
Tijuana Chicken WingsUS$15.95
Marinated in hot pepper sauce, fried crispy, with bleu cheese dip
Our Famous Croissants (5)US$6.95
Topped with honey-butter
Baked Potato SoupUS$7.95
Creamy soup, scallions, cheese, ham, bacon

Entrees

Cali BowlUS$16.95
Warm sushi rice, avocado, jalapenos, sesame seeds, mango, scallions, jicama slaw, pickled red onions, chipotle mayo. Choice of:
- Tuna PokeUS$16.95
- Miso SalmonUS$17.95
- SteakUS$18.95
- Fried ChickenUS$15.95
Chicken Tenders PlatterUS$16.95
Fried chicken tenderloins, served with house-made honey BBQ sauce and french fries
Blackened Chicken PastaUS$17.95
Alfredo, scallions, tomatoes, with romano cheese
BBQ ChickenUS$15.95
Double breast of chicken basted with BBQ sauce, with side item
Knob Hill ChickenUS$17.95
Topped with ham and monterey jack cheese, with side item

Seafood Favorites

Miso SalmonUS$24.95
Miso glazed, sweet soy, with side
Shrimp San FranciscoUS$17.95
Mushrooms, garlic cream, white wine, served over pasta, topped with romano cheese
Carolina TroutUS$24.95
Grilled with arugula and lemon

Fried Seafood Platters

ShrimpUS$20.95
OystersUS$24.95
FlounderUS$20.95
All ThreeUS$26.95
Served with french fries

Salads

California DreamingUS$13.95
Mixed greens, ham and turkey, cheddar and monterey jack cheeses, egg, tomatoes, almonds topped with warm ham and bacon, house dressing
Roasted Salmon or ChickenUS$16.95
Mixed greens, bacon, egg, avocado, tomatoes, balsamic vinaigrette
- SalmonUS$16.95
- ChickenUS$15.95
CaesarUS$14.95
Crisp romaine, grated romano cheese, croutons
- Chicken or Fried ShrimpUS$14.95
- Fried OystersUS$17.95
Chicken ClubUS$15.95
Mixed greens, fried chicken strips, avocado, bacon, egg, tomatoes, house-made ranch dressing

Steaks, Chops + Ribs

Aged USDA Choice | Served with a house or caesar salad and side item

Pork ChopUS$26.95
16oz. double bone, frenched chop, peach jalapeno jam
Marinated SirloinUS$24.95
10oz. CAB sirloin marinated in fruit juices, garlic, soy sauce and spices
Steak + ShrimpUS$25.95
Two 3oz. filet medallions, crispy fried shrimp
RibeyeUS$35.95
14oz. hand cut
Filet MignonUS$37.95
8oz. barrel cut
Baby Back RibsUS$20.95
Danish full-flavored ribs, grilled with a charred exterior, basted with BBQ sauce, with side item
- One RackUS$20.95
- Two RacksUS$29.95

Tacos (3)

Served with side item

ChickenUS$15.95
Shredded lettuce, chipotle & cilantro mayo, pico de gallo, Monterey cheese
SteakUS$17.95
Cilantro cabbage slaw, chipotle mayo, pickled onions, queso fresco
Crispy ShrimpUS$16.95
Jicama slaw, chipotle mayo, tomatoes, pickled onions, scallions, queso fresco
VeggieUS$14.95
Roasted cauliflower, chipotle mayo, cilantro cabbage slaw, avocado, pickled onions, scallions

Sandwiches

Served with french fries

American BurgerUS$12.95
Lettuce, tomato, red onions, pickles and Duke's® mayo
Veggie BurgerUS$13.95
Beyond Burger®, sweet soy, Duke's® mayo, monterey jack cheese, lettuce, pickle, tomato and red onions
ClubUS$13.95
Thinly sliced turkey, ham, bacon, cheddar and monterey jack cheeses, lettuce, tomato and mayo on toasted sourdough
Spicy ChickenUS$14.95
Crispy fried chicken, american cheese, jicama slaw, pickles, chipotle mayo
ChickenUS$14.95
Broiled, topped with jack cheese, bacon, arugula, tomato and honey mustard

Sides

French FriesUS$5.95
Seasonal VeggieUS$5.95
Mashed PotatoesUS$5.95
Creamy Cole SlawUS$5.95
Baked PotatoUS$6.95
after 4pm

Desserts

Chocolate BrownieUS$8.94
Apple Walnut CobblerUS$8.94
Croissant Bread PuddingUS$7.95
CheesecakeUS$9.94
seasonal topping

What 2,619 people are saying

California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4

4.4 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.6Service
4.4Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

South Carolina
Most Booked
Columbia
Great for brunch
Columbia
Good for groups
Columbia
Hot spot
Columbia
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

California Dreaming in Columbia offers a vibrant dining experience with delicious food and attentive service. Guests rave about the "amazing croissants," "great service," and "delicious food." The historic setting adds charm, although some mention delays in seating despite reservations. Overall, it's a popular spot for special occasions and everyday dining.

2,619 Reviews

AB
AntB
Tucson2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I definitely recommend making a reservation. Because of this place is great and there was a long line to get in. the parking was great. The customer service was awesome waitress Kate I think. Food the ambience, the energy I can’t say enough about this place. A little pricey, but definitely worth it for a special occasions or two people. Everything about this place was quality!
Is this helpful?
CD
ChocolateDrop84 VIP
Atlanta8 reviews
4.0
Dined on 9 March 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
We made a 6pm priority reservation and were seated within 10 mins of arriving. We were seated on the other side of the bar near the service station which was messy and a bit smelly but we chose not to complain due to how busy they were. Our servers were great. The young man who took care of us was also training a new server. He was honestly one of the best servers I’ve had.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Charleston1 review
5.0
Dined on 9 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My experience has been excellent previously and I am a regular you can say but today all the fried seafood just tasted and smelled burnt and they was out of the porkchop so today was horrible for me😩😩😩
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M
MT
Tampa16 reviews
5.0
Dined on 9 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
As always a wonderful experience! Our server was delightful and outstanding, ensuring each detail was attended. The atmosphere was pleasant and the food was delicious! We look forward to next time!
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J
James
Charleston1 review
1.0
Dined on 8 March 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Absolutely so over rated. Entirely too many people in one place. It was so loud we couldn’t hear each other talk. They ran out of silverware and gave us plastic to-go utensils. Food wasn’t worth the high prices.
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B
Bridgette
Unspecified1 review
2.0
Dined on 8 March 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
The food was not very good and overpriced. Kindve overrated. Was sat in a weird spot and walked past several times by our waiter. Didn't get a drink refill once on the water. Food price was not worthy quality. Used to be a great place to eat but it's just changed.
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S
Shannon
Charleston1 review
5.0
Dined on 2 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great salads and the roll is perfect for dessert! Service was great! The bar area is a bit more noisy than other areas of the restaurant, but can still carry a conversation.
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T
Todd
Nashville3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 2 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great place, opened at 11am on Sunday, quickly had everyone seated quickly.
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Y
Yvette
Charleston1 review
5.0
Dined on 1 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
The experience was lovely however the lighting needs to be better. The lights were so low that it was hard to see the menu and what you were eating.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Charleston2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 1 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always love California Dreaming! Great food and excellent service from Isabella.
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FAQs

California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (803) 254-6767.

California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating is rated 4.4 stars by 2619 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

17 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 90 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

401 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201-4147

Additional information

Area
Columbia
Hours of Operation
Daily 11:00–21:00
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Seafood, Steak
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeaway, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.californiadreaming.rest/
Phone number
(803) 254-6767

California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

Make a booking

About this restaurant

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Steak

Our Famous Croissants (5)