Diners' Choice: American restaurants in South Bend

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in South Bend? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Essence Restaurant + Bar

4.9

4.9 (392)

$31 to $50

American

Elkhart

About the restaurant

A culinary playground centered around unwavering hospitality and creatively curated cuisine, wine and spirits.

Welcome home.

Top review

Bill

Dined 5 days ago

Outstanding high quality restaurant, excellent and unique meals. A really extensive wine and liquor selection. We’ll be back!!!

Yesterday's Food & Spirits

4.8

4.8 (968)

$30 and under

American

Granger

About the restaurant

Starting December 1st our hours have changed to accommodate the early birds.

Tuesday through Thursday we open from 5:00 pm until 9:30 pm
Friday and Saturday we open from 4:00 pm until 10:30 pm
**We are open later for drinks and desserts**

We will be closed for a family holiday from December 22nd to January 1st. We will reopen January 2nd at 5:00 pm.

Until then join us for some Christmas cheer!
From our family to yours, have a Blessed and beautiful season.

Top review

Deanna

Dined 3 days ago

Had the baked brie, prime rib, and godfather, then the turtle cheesecake for dessert. Everything was phenomenal! I would come back again and again’

Cafe Navarre

4.8

4.8 (2776)

$31 to $50

American

South Bend

About the restaurant

Specializing in modern American cuisine, fresh seafood, and USDA prime steaks, Cafe Navarre is celebrating its 12th year in historic downtown South Bend. Located in a bank building in the heart of our city with the fusion of Old World architecture, natural light, and the contemporary furnishings. Join us for dinner or enjoy a cocktail in our bar or on our outdoor patio.

As a locally owned establishment, we strive for excellence in producing and serving the finest cuisine. We are excited to provide you with top-shelf service, world-class recipes, as well as local and fresh ingredients. Every part of your experience at Cafe Navarre is important to us, right down to the last detail.

Café Navarre brings you modern American cuisine with European influences, distinguished by its simplicity, flavor, and respect for ingredients. Cafe Navarre offers fresh seafood and steaks, along with dishes created with seasonal elements from local farms that are unmistakable in flavor and quality.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great service, great food and great ambiance. What else do I need to say?

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4.7

4.7 (1244)

$31 to $50

American

Elkhart

About the restaurant

The culinary team creates dishes that reflect the freshest in season ingredients. With hospitality that exceeds expectations, Artisan staff foster a space that is inviting and comfortable.

Top review

GraceVIP

Dined 2 days ago

We had a phenomenal time on a double date. Our server took excellent care of us from start to finish. The food was exquisite and the ambience was perfect!

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Ruth's Chris Steak House - South Bend

4.7

4.7 (1825)

$30 and under

American

South Bend

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House is a premier dining establishment renowned for its specialty in serving USDA Prime steaks. Each steak is expertly prepared and served sizzling on a 500-degree plate, ensuring a delicious and unforgettable dining experience. Located in Granger/South Bend, close to the University of Notre Dame, the Snite Museum of Art, Morris Performing Arts Center and the Hesburgh Memorial Library (one of the world's largest college libraries), Ruth's Chris Granger/South Bend has been recognized as the 2024 OpenTable Diner's Choice Winner. This is a testament to its commitment to exceptional quality and service. Whether you're a steak aficionado or simply looking for a remarkable dining experience, we invite you to join us and indulge in our award-winning cuisine.

Top review

Michael

Dined 4 days ago

This was our first time there- we were celebrating my moms 84th birthday- the restaurant was beautiful- the food was amazing and so hot you had to blow it (which is a good complaint) our server was outstanding! The only negative was that it’s so loud - we could here the other diners conversations- overall it was a great experience and we will be going back…

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4.7

4.7 (18)

$30 and under

American

Middlebury

About the restaurant

Family owned and operated, West on Warren Gallery + Grill is about more than just food and art -- every part of our restaurant is designed to build community. We are dedicated to providing a space where friends and family gather to enjoy the best food and drink in the most inspiring environment possible.

Located at 200 W. Warren Street (across the street from Old Hoosier Meats), in the newly renovated Filling Station Building (est. 1926). West on Warren Gallery + Grill graciously features clean urban design with original artwork, being in perfect harmony with the cuisine.

Top review

DonnaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We had a group of 10 for an early dinner. Service, food, ambiance were all great. Every bite was delicious! And, every plate was clean!

Rocky River Tap and Table

4.7

4.7 (330)

$30 and under

American

Granger

About the restaurant

Welcome to Rocky River Tap and Table!
ocated in Granger, Indiana and named for a tributary of the St. Joseph River in Michigan, Rocky River provides a farm-to-fork experience featuring sustainably farmed products from nearby growers and a casual atmosphere. Partnerships with local farmers, brewers and winemakers paired with culinary creativity yield brilliant results. From the table enjoy anything from small plates and unique bar snacks to entrees and a variety of handheld sandwiches.
And from our taps…Indiana and Michigan are home to some of the best breweries in the country. From these, we’ve handpicked a menu of over 30 draft beers to enjoy with a snack or accompany your meal. Our wine list, along with many organic West coast wines, includes carefully selected wines from Southwest Michigan and Indiana wineries, enjoyed by the glass or bottle

Top review

Daniel

Dined 4 days ago

I had the perch dinner, and I told our fantastic server, Dean, that growing up I had gone perch fishing countless times with my family. The perch I had tonight was by far the that I have ever had. My bride of 41 years had the chicken pot pie and said it was also extremely delicious! I can’t recommend Rocky River Tap and Table enough!

Kankakee Grille - South Bend

4.6

4.6 (1671)

$30 and under

American

South Bend

About the restaurant

Enjoy rustic cuisine, hearth baked pizza, a variety of craft beers, and live entertainment every weekend. Kankakee Grille South Bend is the hottest restaurant in Northeast Indiana and features a beautiful outdoor patio to enjoy during the warm weather season.

Top review

Jack

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was great. The menu has expanded with more offerings. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to enjoy a great meal.

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Popular dish

Caesar Salad

LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern

4.5

4.5 (161)

$30 and under

American

South Bend

About the restaurant

LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern is located on the Third Floor of LaSalle Grill. Join us, Pull up a chair and take your time to review our drinks menu. This could take a while, since we offer 120 whiskeys and scotches, dozens of craft brews, wines, and craft cocktails. Our selection is unparalleled, so tap into our staff’s expertise to help you choose. Settle in for some civilized refreshment and a break from the ordinary.
You probably noticed that this isn’t a brand-new building. That’s no coincidence. In fact, our twenty-first-century establishment is housed in the oldest commercial structure in South Bend, built in 1868 as the Second St. Joseph Hotel. No fake historical patina here–like everything we do, this is the genuine article.
At LaSalle Kitchen Tavern we take food and drink service seriously so you can keep the focus on what matters: relaxing with friends over drinks and a meal.

Top review

Pete

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

Nice atmosphere, the menu isn't large but has several delicious items. service was great and the live acoustic music was great.

Doc Pierce's Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (69)

$30 and under

American

Mishawaka

About the restaurant

Doc Pierce's Restaurant serves up quality American cuisine in the heart of historic downtown Mishawaka. Belly up to the bar or enjoy a meal on the scenic outdoor patio.

The menu at Doc Pierce's Restaurant offers up an assortment of hand cut steaks, fresh seafood, prime rib burgers, classic cocktails and craft beers. Locally owned since 1976, Doc Pierce's offers a truly one of a kind dining experience. Enjoy soft lighting, antique Tiffany chandeliers, and stained glass windows while nestled in one of our cozy booths. Named after the famed Medicine Man, Dr. Ray Von Pierce, Doc Pierce's is just what the Dr. ordered. Parties of 7 or more, please call the restaurant at 574-255-7737 to schedule a reservation.

Top review

Carol

Dined on Nov 25, 2024

I had 4 others in my party! My salmon dinner was good, burger was medium well, when asked for medium rare, the beyond patty was charred on one side, the fettuccine with chicken was a bit dry, the onion soup had no complaints, but not as good as some others! Service was just ok! But have been there many times over the years and always good! Maybe you had a less experience chef tonight, since Monday isn’t as busy! Thank you!

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