3 Best Restaurants in The Midlands and Upstate, South Carolina

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We've compiled the best of the best in The Midlands and Upstate - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Motor Supply Company Bistro

$$$$ | Vista Fodor's Choice
The daily-changing menu at this stalwart of the Columbia dining scene highlights the best of what local farmers and purveyors have to offer, worked into eclectic dishes that span European to Asian influences. The artsy interior (a former engine parts building, on the National Register of Historic Places) and thoughtful service make it a standout.
920 Gervais St., Columbia, SC, 29201, USA
803-256–6687
Known For
  • Curated beer and wine selection
  • Daily farm-to-table menu
  • Gorgeous setting in a renovated 19th-century building
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.
Reservations recommended

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Malia's

$$$$

Locals love this busy contemporary restaurant, with dim lighting and dark decor that conveys a cool class. The menu changes monthly and may include American, Caribbean, French, and Italian entrées. Dinner reservations are recommended on weekends.

120 Laurens St. SW, Aiken, SC, 29801, USA
803-643–3086
Known For
  • White-tablecloth dining on weekend evenings
  • Small-town farm-to-table cuisine
  • Casual lunch scene
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun.–Tues.
Reservations recommended

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Mill Pond Steakhouse

$$$$

It's all about steak here, and what steaks they are: aged for at least 35 days before they're cut, the fillets, rib eyes, and strips are juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. You can dine alfresco overlooking the sprawling pond or enjoy the vintage saloon-style bar. Area farmers provide most of the produce; grits for the shrimp and grits are ground at the mill next door. There is a limousine service available to and from Camden.

84 Boykin Mill Rd., Rembert, SC, 29128, USA
803-425–8825
Known For
  • Homemade mixed-berry cobbler
  • High-end Southern cuisine
  • Locally sourced produce
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon.

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