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    Publico

    3.9 (610 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

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    PUBLICO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Publico

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    Puffy waffles a la carte
    Chad A.

    Came here for brunch with my wife and I. Prices are quite reasonable, food is tasty and original, and our server (April) was great. Really the only thing I could gig the place on was that all chairs were barstools, but that also means people don't hang out all day and you can go here for lunch after church without a 45 minute wait. Actually, we had no wait time. While I don't drink, their selection of alcoholic drinks is extremely comprehensive, I think it would impress most. Definitely worth going as they offer a military/veteran rate as well :) Enjoy!

    Cynthia E.

    Had a great time at Publico! The staff was festive and friendly, and it was nicely decorated for Christmas. I really enjoyed my meal, which was the Ube bubble waffle with fried chicken. It also had plantains and kimchi - an interesting mix of menu items! This was part of their brunch menu. overall, everything was delicious! I also got the pineapple mimosa which came with a rubber ducky on top. All in all, everyone enjoyed their meal. My only issue was that the kimchi came on top of the waffle which made it extremely soggy and kimchi flavored. So I couldn't eat the whole waffle. It also had some of the sauce from the plantains on the waffle as well. So I would say to serve the waffle on a different plate in the future.

    shrimp poke bowl

    the food was so terrible. Our bao buns were burnt, and you truly can't call them poke bowls if they have just two pieces of shrimp in it... really disappointed and even the prices weren't justifiable for the experience. Nice atmosphere though and staff were kind.

    4x2$ Medeteranian Tofu )delight)
    Jack R.

    Taco Monday, chef special: Medeteranian Tofu. Vegetarian & Vegan Heaven right here in river city. First rule of best places - see Fight Club.

    Manchurian Scorpion taco
    Donnie F.

    Sunday Funday in full effect so I decided to take the wife to Publico ... unfortunately the air wasn't working and the wife was not to thrilled ... for my app I ordered the Spicy Turkey Gyoza ... they were bomb .. wish they had a dipping sauce but they were fresh and very flavorful and they weren't over fried and they aren't spicy lol ... for my meal .. I ordered the Manchurian scorpion that has real scorpion ... the Bang Shrimp ... and the Hot Honey Yuzu .. it came with a side I got the plantain from my wife's order and personally ordered fries... didn't plan on drinks but order the Spicy Cantaloupe Cooler because of the mezcal ... Up first the Scorpion taco .. first and foremost if you don't like spicy don't order lol .. not season as much as I wouldn't liked but it's not bad ... up next the HotHoney ... once again no wow factor .. the honey was good but it was missing the hot :( .. they say 3rd time the charm .. and it was the bang shrimp was AWESOME.. flavorful and seasoned .. my personal favorite.. our waitress was also very good considering the air wasn't working lol ... lunch DT is always good over being able to see 5 points in the day time lol iykyk... I will be bacc now that I know to order ... till next time

    Tostada salad
    Amanda P.

    This was the first time I came back to publico in over a year and I had a great experience! There was a 30-45 minute wait on a Sunday night when we came, but it went faster than I thought. I honestly forgot about how wide of a range the menu is, there really is something for everyone here. I had the trio and tostada salad. The salad was amazing, super filling and I loved the salsa. However, I do think there is better queso in town, so next time I'd love to try a new appetizer. All in all I think this is definitely a great place to come to with a group of friends, especially this time of year since they are all decked out with christmas decorations and have fun christmas cocktails!!

    Fried cauliflower
    Adrianna S.

    Great spot in 5 Points. Large outdoor area with some games like Jenga and Connect 4. Service was great- friendly and fast. On Thursdays, they have pitchers of beer for $15. You get about 4 beers out of it. Food was good. Not amazing but good. They have some fun tacos. Salad and cauliflower bites were lacking in flavor. Could have used more dressing or seasoning on the salad. But lots of outdoor seating and a great spot to spend a nice afternoon or evening.

    Nacho fries and Santa!
    Raymond M.

    Great atmosphere! Next, the food we had today tasted wonderful! Finally, Mia was a WONDERFUL server which was helpful since we stopped by today for our first ever visit to Publico. She made sure to explain all of the food and drink options to us, had a great attitude, and made sure we had everything we needed. Here is a picture of the Nacho Fries next to a lovely Santa mug. The picture doesn't do justice. I was dipping jalepeños in the base because it was so tasty!

    Bar area
    Tania M.

    We were thrilled when we stopped into to Publico to check it out for dinner. The decor and ambience is awesome. We were greeted and sat right away. Everyone we encountered was so friendly and welcoming. Our server was fantastic. We ordered a couple of tacos and a burrito. Delicious! The menu is full of drink specials and lots of yummy options. We will definitely be back!

    Tsai-Anne J.

    Any place that has a server that is super aware of what is gluten free is a win for me. I love the atmosphere here. The tacos I had were good especially the birria. The margarita was also great. My friend really enjoyed her ramen but not the seltzer she chose.

    Birria quesadilla and House Kimchi

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    10 months ago

    College crowd spot. Have cheap drink specials the micheladas are decent especially when on sale. Food is just there would skip.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Been several times now. Good and service are both excellent. Brunch and dinner were great!

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great atmosphere and the food was good. Love the themed times and Christmas time was fun!

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    2 years ago

    The Publicó Burger and the brisket Bao bun was so good. Also the churro ice cream dessert. Amazing!

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Tacos were great. The drink I had the Yippie Ki yay M...fr was the best! Nothing like a good meal and good drink!

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    1 year ago

    Good portion and great atmosphere/service. Food's a tad salty for me but overall, we enjoyed the good.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Publico has brunch options in the weekend. They had good drinks and good service also.

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    7 years ago

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    Page 2 of 16

    Ask the Community - Publico

    Where can you buy the coconut ghost chile sauce? Or, does anyone know the brand since they don't make it in-house?

    you can buy it at publico! they have packaged hot sauces you can buy individually.

    Hi! Is there a kids menu? Or will the kitchen accommodate making a plain burger or taco?

    There are some kid options. When we went my kid got a cheese quesadilla.

    View All 4 Questions

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    Goat's

    4.5(197 reviews)
    0.1 mi
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    The bar is everything I look for from a cocktail bar - spacious yet cozy, dark with enough light to…read moreread what's in front of you, and quality drink. The cocktails were the star of the night - ranging from $11 to $13 - both their classics and house creations were well balanced and worth trying. Table service was provided with attentive wait staff who weren't overbearing. The only miss for the night was the food. While certain items like the fries and the Brussels sprouts were great, other items like the burger and duck tacos didn't hit the mark with a burger that was too dry and overly charred and the tacos which were too gamey and could have used a some more acid. For a drink I'd certainly visit again, but would likely pass on food.

    We came here for dinner and drinks on a date night. The environment is nice and cozy and when you…read morewalk in you see a beautiful dessert display! We of course had to try a slice of peanut butter cake. My husband loved it (he picked the dessert). I picked our drinks and they have an excellent drink variety. We started our meal with the queso tots and they were delicious! Wiped them out! I ordered the lobster mac and cheese and he got the philly cheesesteak. He absolutely raved about his sandwich and said it was the best he ever had. I wouldn't order the lobster mac again but it was presented beautifully. I look forward to going back and trying the mussels. I saw many of those orders coming out and definitely looked so good! Great spot to check out for drinks, desserts, and a bite!

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    Saluda's - Sweet Tea Pork Chop

    Saluda's

    4.1(366 reviews)
    0.0 mi
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    Saluda's Restaurant -…read more Hands-down my favorite restaurant in Columbia. Saluda's never misses. The menu strikes the perfect balance: an excellent selection of small plates (the crab cakes and fried green tomatoes are addictive) and truly outstanding entrées. Whether you're craving a perfectly cooked filet, fresh seafood specials, or one of their thoughtful vegetarian options, everything comes out flavorful and beautifully presented. Portions are generous without being overwhelming. The bar program is top-tier; cocktails are creative, balanced, and made with premium spirits every single time. The wine list is equally impressive and fairly priced. Service is the gold standard: attentive and knowledgeable without hovering, genuinely warm, and quick to offer great recommendations. They make you feel like a regular even on your first visit. On a nice evening, grab a table on the patio overlooking Five Points. People-watching, string lights, and that lively-but-not-chaotic energy make it one of the best outdoor dining experiences in town. Saluda's is always my answer when someone asks where they should eat in Columbia, whether it's date night, celebrating something special, or just a really good meal with friends. Consistently excellent.

    Birthday dinner for my boo, located in 5 points, limited parking or I just don't know where to…read morelook. The only signage is on the door that leads up the stairs for 2nd level dining. The ambiance is modern elegant with indoor or outdoor seating balcony view below/around 5 points. Our server and service was good although drink refills could have been more swift. We had appetizer Pork Cheeks, entrees braised pork chop & scallops. Dessert pumpkin cheesecake. The appetizer was really enough to fill both of us, it was slow roasted tender pork with a potato base. My wife really enjoyed her pork chop because it had the flavor of jerk chicken, full of meat very little fat with large shell macaroni light cheese. I had 4 scallops with rice and peas in middle, the scallops tasted salty to me would have preferred less salt. The pumpkin cheesecake was the perfect blend of each without overwhelming flavor. A great option for a special occasion or stopping in for lunch/drinks.

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    Backstreets Grill - Sauteed Mussels

    Backstreets Grill

    4.4(378 reviews)
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    I've been here twice and both times service has been great and food was delicious. Ive always been…read moreseated promptly since you can make reservations or call and get added to the waitlist. Theres seated my both inside and outside and the vibes are great. I've heard that their food is always great and you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Though I couldn't remember what I got last time I decided to go with something totally different and try the flounder wrap which was simple but out of this world! Soooo good, and with my wrap I did the truffle fries with a side of ranch and blue cheese. Everything was a hit and our server too was great. 10/10 great find for Columbia! Oh and I almost forgot, the peanut butter pie slice was like eating a big snickers the perfect amount of peanut butter, chocolate and crunch! It was phenomenal- so rich.

    Thankful for another trip around the sun and this year instead of heading out of the country I…read morecelebrated in SC with family. The only downside about my born day is the close proximity to Valentine's day. Which can sometimes make the planning around the commercialized love day tricky... especially when it comes to restaurant reservations.... Womp womp. Backstreets Grill said they could accommodate a party of 8. They were clearly busy and with our party size we could understand. Nonetheless, we had a very loonnngggg wait, which was frustrating and deflating. We waited 4x the time the young ladies initially told us upon arrival. However, once we were finally seated things started to turn around slightly. I say slightly because we were seated on the enclosed patio, with a portable heater but several people were cold. Just to think they kept asking us and others if we wanted to sit outside. (It's February @ night). Now the food: Some of the dishes were more favorable than others and I must admit all of my personal choices were great. Appetizers: -Mussels - White Wine (My Order) -Fried Oysters (I tried) -Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna -Lump Crab Dip (I tried) -Tomato Parmesan Soup (My Order) -Side House & Caesar Salads (I tried) I personally had the Mussels, which were perfect, and the tomato parmesan soup and both made you want to lick the bowl. The broths were so good. I tried the fried oysters, they were also very good, but the presentation was a little messy. The Lump Crab Dip and the Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna completely fell short and were not memorable at all and both of the side salads were sad. Entrées: -Cajun Chicken Pasta w/ Blackened Shrimp (My order) -Buffalo Chicken Pizza (I tried) -House-made Meatloaf w/ mashed potatoes & vegetables -Pork-chop w/ mashed potatoes & green beans -Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla w/ Fries -Ribeye w/ Truffle Parmesan Fries My sister and I both ordered the Cajun Chicken pasta, I added the blackened shrimp to my order, we were both extremely happy. The dish was not spicy but it was well balanced. The recipients of the Meatloaf, Buffalo Chicken Pizza and the Quesadilla were all also pleased with their dishes. The folks that ordered the ribeye and the two pork-chops were not impressed... the dishes were just ok. Our server Adrian, was pleasant, but you can tell he was very overwhelmed which sometimes didn't translate well. As the night went on we understood he was being pulled in multiple directions at once and he did good despite of it. Overall I enjoyed my celebration and experience @ Backstreets Grill. Just A Note: I notice that they can get busy so be ready to wait. Even smaller parties were forced to stretch their patience.

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    Mr Friendly's New Southern Cafe - Fresh Bread with herb butter

    Mr Friendly's New Southern Cafe

    4.4(418 reviews)
    0.1 mi
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    This is my FAVORITE restaurant in all of Columbia, SC. I always receive spectacular service and…read moredelicious food here. If you haven't tried Mr. Friendly's, you are indeed missing out. P.S. When you come, get the fried chicken with tasso gravy, mashed potatoes and collard greens. You will NOT regret it.

    Peanut Butter Fudge Pie (5/5): The best part of the meal. The crumbly crust was delicious and the…read morepie itself tasted like a Reese's cup. Buttermilk Fried Chicken (4/5): Decent fried chicken. I didn't expect it to be a boneless breast. Dark meat would've given it more flavor. The potatoes were flavorful and creamy. The collard greens were too acidic for me. Cornmeal Fried N.C. Catfish (3/5): The catfish wasn't anything special but the grits were very good. Lots of flavor and good texture. The collard greens were too acidic for me. Fried Adluh Yellow Grit Cakes (3/5): Would've been a lot better if it was fried more and had a crispier exterior. The herb goat cheese was good, but there was a little too much of it. Loved the roasted garlic (great for spreading on the complimentary bread!) Buttermilk Fried Shrimp (2/5): Only came with 4 shrimp. The shrimp itself wasn't very meaty and it also wasn't fried long enough. RATING SYSTEM 5 - Great (Need to get this again) 4 - Good (Would get this again) 3 - Ok (Might give this another shot) 2 - Not Good (Won't get this again) 1 - Bad (Telling people to avoid this)

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    Cola's - Black cod

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    4.2(450 reviews)
    1.1 mi
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    The braised beef was perfect. 10/10 perfect. It was extremely tender and I surprisingly didn't…read moreexperience palette fatigue. The Strawberry Mojito was great too. Not dangerous great but it hits. I just added a picture of the bread because I liked the presentation. The bread itself was a little under done so it wasn't really breaking as well. Service was good and the restaurant itself is a vibe. Would take a group or SO here for sure.

    Love this place! From the cool sign out front to the amazing interior and the exceptional food. I…read moreenjoy everything this place has to offer. Everyone in our group raved about their food. I highly recommend starting with the pimento cheese board and the Brussels sprouts. Word of caution on the Whole Crispy Flounder- they can vary drastically in size. Two of us in our group ordered this entry and they were very different in size. One looked plump and full of meat and the other looked emaciated. When I brought it up to the manager he told me that's how they come. Having a menu item at Market Price being a roll of the dice is unacceptable to me. They did end up making it right by bringing another one that looked like the other person in my group which I appreciated. Not sure why they made me feel like I was in the wrong. This experience won't detract me from coming back and everything else about the service was acceptable for a busy Saturday night.

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    Great spot in downtown Columbia

    Publico - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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