California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

4.4

2541 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Make a booking

2 people

29 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 126 times today

Good for special occasions
Good for groups
Neighbourhood gem

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 am–9:00 pm
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
Gluten-free Options

Popular dishes

She Crab SoupUS$7.95
A rich and creamy Charleston classic
Steamed Peel & Eat ShrimpUS$9.94
(9) Old Bay boil, served with cocktail sauce
Fried Crab ClawsUS$15.95
Served with spicy cocktail sauce. Llimited availability
BBQ Chicken NachosUS$13.95
Smoky BBQ sauce, red onions, house-made chips, cheese sauce
Seafood NachosUS$15.95
Spicy shrimp, salmon, red onions, house-made chips, cheese sauce and lobster cream sauce with dill
Tijuana Chicken WingsUS$13.95
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$6.95
Creamy soup, scallions, cheese, ham, bacon

Entrees

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
Crispy Shrimp Tacos (3)US$15.95
Jicama slaw, chipotle mayo, tomatoes, pickled onions, scallions, queso fresco

Seafood Favorites

Shrimp San FranciscoUS$17.95
Mushrooms, garlic cream, white wine, served over pasta, topped with romano cheese
Roasted SalmonUS$24.95
Encrusted with rosemary and thyme, with side item
Carolina TroutUS$23.95
Grilled with arugula and lemon

Fried Seafood Platters

ShrimpUS$20.95
OystersUS$24.95
FlounderUS$20.95
All ThreeUS$25.95
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$15.95
Mixed greens, bacon, egg, avocado, tomatoes, balsamic vinaigrette
- SalmonUS$15.95
- ChickenUS$14.95
CaesarUS$14.95
Crisp romaine, grated romano cheese, croutons
- Chicken or Fried ShrimpUS$14.95
- Fried OystersUS$16.95
Chicken ClubUS$14.95
Mixed greens, fried chicken strips, avocado, bacon, egg, tomatoes, house-made ranch dressing

Steaks, Chops + Ribs

Pork ChopUS$25.95
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$33.95
14oz. hand cut
Filet MignonUS$35.95
8oz. barrel cut
Baby Back RibsUS$19.95
Danish full-flavored ribs, grilled with a charred exterior, basted with BBQ sauce, with side item
- One RackUS$19.95
- Two RacksUS$27.95

Burgers

Served with french fries

AmericanUS$12.95
Lettuce, tomato, red onions, pickles and Duke's® mayo
VeggieUS$13.95
Beyond Burger®, sweet soy, Duke's® mayo, monterey jack cheese, lettuce, pickle, tomato and red onions

Sandwiches

Served with french fries

Spicy ChickenUS$12.95
Crispy fried chicken, american cheese, jicama slaw, pickles, chipotle mayo
ClubUS$12.95
Thinly sliced turkey, ham, bacon, cheddar and monterey jack cheeses, lettuce, tomato and mayo on toasted sourdough
ChickenUS$12.95
Broiled, topped with jack cheese, bacon, arugula, tomato and honey mustard
BBQ PorkUS$12.95
Pulled pork, pickles, red onion and cole slaw
New Orleans Po' BoyUS$14.95
Flounder, Fried Shrimp or Oysters with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce on french bread
SteakUS$17.95
Two 3oz. filet medallions, lettuce, mayonnaise, tomato, and jack cheese

Sides

$4.95

French Fries
Seasonal Veggie
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy Cole Slaw
Baked Potato
after 4pm

Desserts

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

What 2,541 people are saying

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
4.5Service
4.4Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

South Carolina
Most Booked
Columbia
Good for groups
Columbia
Healthy
Columbia
Hot spot
Columbia
Neighbourhood gem
Columbia
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

California Dreaming in Columbia offers a "fabulous atmosphere" within a historic train depot setting. Guests rave about the "great service" and "delicious food," particularly the "stellar honey croissants" and California Dreaming salad. Despite occasional wait times, the restaurant remains a "Columbia staple," perfect for special occasions and family gatherings.

2,541 Reviews

D
Debbie
Charleston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We were seated at our exact reservation time. Our server was excellent. The roasted salmon was perfectly cooked and the California Dreaming salad was, as usual, wonderful. My only complaint was the noise level and crowd level on people waiting for a table. They all gather at the inside entrance and it makes it hard to get thru.
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M
Melanie
VIP
Western NC
22 reviews
4.0
22 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Restaurant is located in the beautiful old Columbia Railroad Station. Had She-Crab Soup, which was creamy and delicious, then split a Club Sandwich, very tasty. Service was excellent. Noise level was off the charts! Music way too loud and with high ceilings and stone floors, the noise just too much. Overall - great food, but headache inducing noise.
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S
SANDY
Charleston
21 reviews
5.0
21 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Another fabulous experience with family celebrating Christmas!! The food, the service … everything was fabulous! Thank you!
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B
Beverly
Charleston
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
California Dreaming can always be counted on for good food, service and ambience. Went for a Christmas birthday lunch and the food was delicious. We had the spicy chicken sandwich, San Francisco shrimp pasta and the pork chop meal. Everyone had to have the California Dreaming house salad as a side because it is divine.
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W
Wendy
Charleston
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Well let’s say that if you plan to go on Christmas Eve for a nice dinner. Don’t!! We had 6:00 priority seating reservations. We were sat right in time which was great. However the waitress came to our table and immediately said “it’s Christmas Eve.. so we will take your order , but we are closing early”. Went down hill from there.. food was undercooked had to send it back.. and they started cleaning while we were eating. We were rushed and barely stayed an hour with cocktails and full dinner. Never again! Shame on them for allowing a reservation if they were going to rush us out. I understand everyone wants to be home Xmas Eve, BUT you chose the to be open. And the expectation of an easy tip was expected.
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M
MT
VIP
Tampa
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Minimal wait time, private table and outstanding customer care experience provided by our server. We appreciate his sensitivity to our needs as well as the exceptional observation and anticipation of individual experiences throughout our meal. His positive attitude and enthusiasm made our meal even more enjoyable. Everything was quite pleasant and we look forward to joining you next year on Christmas Eve for the same experience together!
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A
Ann
Charleston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Steak and shrimp was awesome!! We sat at table 2,8 and our server was absolutely awesome! Thank you for an awesome experience!
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I
Isabelle
Charleston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
we had a wonderful experience, the food was incredible and the atmosphere was very pleasant
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L
Lynn
Charleston
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 21 December 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Dining room was rather noisy. Waitress was absent for long periods of time.
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D
Darrell
VIP
San Francisco
5 reviews
2.0
5 reviews
Dined on 21 December 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 5
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 5
I made reservations for 10pm. Arrived at 9:54p. Was seated at 10:12 only to be have the waiter hover on my quest and I staying told that the kitchen is about to close and that I should place my order. Sir. This is our first time here and we haven’t had a chance to even look at the menu. When I asked for the manager she made it no better. She attitude gave me the impression that I was bothering her with my concerns. Any way we rushed to put in our order. And the food was delicious by the way. Either way don’t allow for 10pm reservations if your kitchen closes at 10ish.
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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 2541 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

29 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 126 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 am–9:00 pm
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
Gluten-free Options

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

California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Steak

Our Famous Croissants (5)