California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

4.4

2486 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 22, 2024

11:00 PM

Booked 98 times today

Good for special occasions
Good for groups
Good for business meals

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
Neighborhood
Columbia
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

She Crab Soup$7.95
A rich and creamy Charleston classic
Steamed Peel & Eat Shrimp$9.94
(9) Old Bay boil, served with cocktail sauce
Fried Crab Claws$15.95
Served with spicy cocktail sauce. Llimited availability
BBQ Chicken Nachos$13.95
Smoky BBQ sauce, red onions, house-made chips, cheese sauce
Seafood Nachos$15.95
Spicy shrimp, salmon, red onions, house-made chips, cheese sauce and lobster cream sauce with dill
Tijuana Chicken Wings$13.95
Marinated in hot pepper sauce, fried crispy, with bleu cheese dip
Our Famous Croissants (5)$6.95
Topped with honey-butter
Baked Potato Soup$6.95
Creamy soup, scallions, cheese, ham, bacon

Entrees

Chicken Tenders Platter$16.95
Fried chicken tenderloins, served with house-made honey BBQ sauce and french fries
Blackened Chicken Pasta$17.95
Alfredo, scallions, tomatoes, with romano cheese
BBQ Chicken$15.95
Double breast of chicken basted with BBQ sauce, with side item
Knob Hill Chicken$17.95
Topped with ham and monterey jack cheese, with side item
Crispy Shrimp Tacos (3)$15.95
Jicama slaw, chipotle mayo, tomatoes, pickled onions, scallions, queso fresco

Seafood Favorites

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

Fried Seafood Platters

Shrimp$20.95
Oysters$24.95
Flounder$20.95
All Three$25.95
Served with french fries

Salads

California Dreaming$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 Chicken$15.95
Mixed greens, bacon, egg, avocado, tomatoes, balsamic vinaigrette
- Salmon$15.95
- Chicken$14.95
Caesar$14.95
Crisp romaine, grated romano cheese, croutons
- Chicken or Fried Shrimp$14.95
- Fried Oysters$16.95
Chicken Club$14.95
Mixed greens, fried chicken strips, avocado, bacon, egg, tomatoes, house-made ranch dressing

Steaks, Chops + Ribs

Pork Chop$25.95
16oz. double bone, frenched chop, peach jalapeno jam
Marinated Sirloin$24.95
10oz. CAB sirloin marinated in fruit juices, garlic, soy sauce and spices
Steak + Shrimp$25.95
Two 3oz. filet medallions, crispy fried shrimp
Ribeye$33.95
14oz. hand cut
Filet Mignon$35.95
8oz. barrel cut
Baby Back Ribs$19.95
Danish full-flavored ribs, grilled with a charred exterior, basted with BBQ sauce, with side item
- One Rack$19.95
- Two Racks$27.95

Burgers

Served with french fries

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

Sandwiches

Served with french fries

Spicy Chicken$12.95
Crispy fried chicken, american cheese, jicama slaw, pickles, chipotle mayo
Club$12.95
Thinly sliced turkey, ham, bacon, cheddar and monterey jack cheeses, lettuce, tomato and mayo on toasted sourdough
Chicken$12.95
Broiled, topped with jack cheese, bacon, arugula, tomato and honey mustard
BBQ Pork$12.95
Pulled pork, pickles, red onion and cole slaw
New Orleans Po' Boy$14.95
Flounder, Fried Shrimp or Oysters with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce on french bread
Steak$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 Brownie$7.95
Apple Walnut Cobbler$8.94
Croissant Bread Pudding$7.95
Cheesecake$8.94

What 2,486 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

4.3Food
4.5Service
4.4Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

South Carolina
Most Booked
Columbia
Good for groups
Columbia
Healthy
Columbia
Hot spot
Columbia
Neighborhood 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, perfect for special occasions. Guests rave about the "delicious food" and "great service," with standout dishes like the Cali Dreaming salad and seafood nachos. Priority seating ensures prompt service, though the place can get busy on holidays.

2,486 Reviews

S
Sandra
New York City
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 5
The food was excellent as always- such a nice place for casual dining
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S
Stanley
Charleston
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Service was excellent. We could not have asked for a better waiter. The ranch dressing on the salad was not good, tasted more like blue cheese. Our waiter informed us he'd heard that complaint all night and happily brought me a new salad with thousand island dressing which was very good. Our baked potatoes were just barely warm and our steaks (marinated sirloins) were, although very flavorful, tough as leather. Definitely not worth the money.
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J
Janet
Coastal Georgia
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food and Eli’s service was outstanding. Atmosphere was enjoyable.
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D
Doug
Atlanta Metro
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I fell in love with California Dreaming when we lived in Kennesaw. We frequently dined at Chastain Rd location which unfortunately has since been closed. I was beyond thrilled when my daughter moved to Columbia and I found they had a location. Every time I visit my daughter, it’s our first dinner. Never disappoints, always delicious and the service is impeccable.
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J
Jationna
Las Vegas
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
this was my first time at this location, the service was great! the food was good and at a reasonable price.
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J
J. A.
Little Rock
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Service staff young and inexperienced; but friendly. Food came out too fast appetizers had just been brought to the table and the salads came. After three bites of salad, entrees came. I felt rushed and had to eat entree cool; of course cool pasta with congealed cream-based sauce is not super pleasant. Flavors were good though. I’ll go back for sure, but will temper expectations.
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M
Malinda
New York City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great. Server Nicole was helpful and responsive. Great local Resource.
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R
Ray
Pittsburgh
18 reviews
4.0
18 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Lunch before USC football game. Everything was very good.
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J
Julie
Charleston
8 reviews
2.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 1
Our lunch was rushed and felt like we were on a timer. Our server wasn’t sure if the Tea we ordered was sweet or not so - he said.. “I added extra sugar just in case it wasn’t sweetened; may need to stir it up.” Yes it was too sweet! Then brought out my She Crab Soup for a starter- but quickly took it from me while there was still 1/2 of the soup in the bowl! Please ask next time. Placed our salads in front of us with the house dressings on the side for us to mix and apply. Then with the heat from the hot bacon our salads were soggy and wilted. We did not ask for them on the sides. Then in 10 minutes he comes by with the electronic card reader and tells my husband to “go ahead and get out his card to run the bill.” We have been in this Resturant since we were in college ourselves at USC- 1990 - never have we seen it so rushed, loud, casual, yet pricey. Disappointed in the food, service, and atmosphere. We were in town for a CPA conference as we do quite often.. not sure if we will be back or encourage others to do the same. Too many other great new places to try at the Vista.
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R
Robert Lee Sumpter Jr
Charleston
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 14, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The atmosphere and service was excellent! The meal ordered was not okay. I ordered the Trout meal. The meat was almost paper thin. Based on the price, I would never order that dish again.
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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 2486 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 22, 2024

11:00 PM

Booked 98 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

401 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201-4147

Additional information

Neighborhood
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
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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

California Dreaming - Columbia - Priority Seating

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Steak

Our Famous Croissants (5)