Restaurants You Need to Try in Aiken
For a relatively small town, Aiken has some great food and restaurant options. These restaurants have been around for a long time, and are proven, consistent performers. Here’s a list of my go-to restaurants in Aiken along with some of my favorite dishes.
Try them all and let me know what you think! If you have suggestions to add my list, feel free to leave them in the comments at the bottom.
1. Linda’s Bistro – 135 York Street SE, Aiken SC
photo via Linda’s Bistro’s website
Linda’s Bistro never disappoints. Delicious food, carefully prepared by Linda Rooney; racetrack exercise jockey-turned chef/owner. Delightful, intimate setting in restored historic Victorian home with beautifully tended gardens lends itself to a romantic dinner for two, or a big table of foodie friends. My husband loves the grilled dry aged New York strip steak with frites and I like the wild mushroom ravioli or the risotto a la Linda. Linda’s Bistro also hosts special wine dinners – details, hours and more may be found on the Linda’s Bistro website.
2. Malia’s Restaurant – 120 Laurens Street SW, Aiken SC
photo via Malia’s Facebook
For 30 years, Malia’s has consistently ranked at the top of Aiken’s great restaurants. Open for lunch, drinks and dinner, Malia’s is known for using fine, fresh, ethically produced ingredients. Mother and son Malia Koelker and Matthew Shackleton are chef/ owner/ partners of Malia’s and along with executive chef Michael McFadden, the trio produces excellent, consistent, innovative dishes. If the weather is nice, ask to sit outside in the courtyard, with fairy lights, reclaimed brick patio and a bubbling fountain. I often choose the specials here, and have been presented with some outstanding meals. Locals swear by the steak salad for lunch and the raspberry pie with homemade ice cream for dessert. Find the menu, operating hours and more on Malia’s website.
3. The Restaurant at The Willcox – 100 Colleton Avenue, SW Aiken, SC
photo Via The Willcox Facebook
The Willcox does everything top notch – and their restaurant is no exception. My favorite way to experience The Willcox is dining in the lobby with friends and a nice glass of pinot noir. I love their bites menu; the chicken liver pâté with port wine gelée is superb, the New Zealand lamb chops and the truffle fries are decadent, sinful and delicious. Talented, New Zealand born chef Regan Browell is constantly incorporating seasonal, sustainable ingredients for a made from scratch menu free of processed and chemically preserved foods. Experience the relaxed ambiance in the historic, landmark Willcox Hotel in Downtown Aiken.
4. Casa Bella – 120 Chesterfield Street SE, Aiken SC
photo via Casa Bella’s Website
The first time I went to what is now Casa Bella, it was a ladies clothing store. I facilitated the sale of the property to the current chef and owners, Arlene and Joe Ianelli, who turned this lovely historic Victorian into the wonderful restaurant it is today. Chef Joe prepares traditional Italian dishes like zuppa di pesce, osso buco, and my favorite – eggplant rollatini. Eat in one of the indoor dining rooms, in the lovely brick courtyard garden, at the bar, or on the porch. If you love Italian food, you will love Casa Bella. For a look at their menu, visit the Casa Bella website.
5. The Stables at Rose Hill Estate – 245 Greenville Street NW, Aiken SC
photo via Rose Hill Estate’s website
The Stables at Rose Hill Estate is one of the most charming settings for dining in Aiken. This fine dining experience takes you inside a re-purposed horse stable on an estate property in the middle of downtown Aiken. Owners Eva and Stephen Mueller purchased the Rose Hill Estate in 2002. After an extensive restoration project, the Stables Restaurant opened in 2009. Enjoy your meal inside the stables, or outside in the courtyard listening to live music. The food is a mash-up of German – Southern fare with dishes like Jagerschnitzel, Low Country Boil, and fried green tomatoes. Personally, I like the German cucumber salad, shrimp and grits and collard greens. For more information, visit The Rose Hill Estate’s website.
I’m not done yet…
Check back again soon as I continue eating my way around Aiken. Next up…newcomers to the restaurant scene.
What’s your favorite restaurant/dish in Aiken? Feel free to make your own recommendations and suggestions in the comments, I’d love to hear from you!
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I agree with the selection of Casa Bella, but
your missing the The Red Pepper Cafe, 4 stars food, very good choices on the menu and weekly specials. 4 stars bar (we’ll stocked good selection of scotch, whiskeys & bourbon plus a good selections of wines. Live music usually every Thursday and every other Friday of course with all places there are some exceptions.
Overall **** Stars
The Red Pepper Cafe may certainly make my next list. I love the live music!
Your marketing ideas are amazing Robyn. You be good kid.
Why thank you Dallas! I appreciate that.
I agree! They have wonderful food.
What are your favorite things to eat at The Red Pepper?
I love the salmon and the filet is superb! The chicken pasta is a favorite of my daughter. I also like the grouper over risotto!
I second that thought. Plus great music every Thursday night and sometimes Friday. Often Jazz, my fav.
Great choices….. I adore the atmosphere and food at The Stables Restaurant is southern fabulous!
The atmosphere at The Stables is magical. I always feel transported to Europe when I am there. I love it.
The Variety is awesome. It doesn’t look like much from the outside but the food is FABULOUS!
What are your favorite things to eat there? I’ll bet the last time I was there was over 15 years ago!
Rib eye! Beef tips w/onions,! Hamburger steak! Or the handmade hamburger and those yummy homemade fries!
Seafood is the freshest in Aiken!
You’re making me hungry! 🙂
Doesn’t look like much on the inside either. Desperately needs a makeover. The carpet smells and its dark , dingy and dated in there. A shame for certain as it’s the best place in Aiken for steaks and seafood. Screams renovation.
Great list!
Thanks! We’re fortunate to have some really nice restaurants in Aiken.
The Red Pepper and the Variety!
I haven’t been to The Variety in years. My recollection is HUGE steaks!
PRIME should be on the list for sure. Consistently some of the best food our family has ever had !
You know…I have only ever been to PRIME a couple of times. I need to put it on my list to revisit. Maybe this week! Good suggestion.
I’ve been to Prime twice. Both times I came home with food poisoning. Would never recommend it.
Uh oh…that’s unfortunate.
IMO
1. Prime
2. Red Pepper
3. Casa Bella
4. Wing Place
5. Wilcox
Linda’s was really disappointing when my wife and I visited last year… maybe we should give it another shot. Did enjoy the Stables Restaurant though
That settles it. I am going to Prime this week.
Thanks for your list…I love it!
Definitely Prime and The Red Pepper!
Apizza di Napoli certified real Italian through Naples Italy. Top 10 Yelp and Trip Advisor
The Bradley blows all of these places out of the wateR! Chef Katie produces the best food in Aiken, by far!
Haven’t been, but I hear their beet salad is awesome!
We love Aiken Brewing Company, love the Carolina Q ribs but everything we have had there is so good plus Thoroughbred Red!!
I like it too… it’s a fun place to sit outside and people watch!
Reasonable choices though no list ever seems to be perfect in everyone’s opinion. Some will want Prime added while others have had disappointing experences. Suggest moving down a bit to highlight some of the special places that, while not so fancy, offer a good experience. For example, barbecue, Mexican, southern fried chicken, breakfast, delis, etc.
Apizza di Napoli Silver Bluff Rd. True Neapolitan Pizza
Since I wrote this post, I have visited your restaurant. The pizza was delicious.
I enjoyed the thin crust! Thank you!