South Carolina’s dining scene thrives in spaces where flavor collides with playfulness.
Transmission Arcade in Columbia blends retro gaming and craft beer with bold burgers, while Charleston’s The Peacock stacks live music, harbor vistas, and inventive dishes across three vibrant floors.
These spots prove unforgettable meals aren’t just about food—they’re about where you savor the moment.
🕹️ Transmission Arcade
Where joysticks meet juicy burgers and retro vibes fuel the fun.
Columbia’s Transmission Arcade isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a time machine with a side of craft beer.
This spot merges vintage arcade nostalgia with bold flavors, drawing gamers, families, and foodies into its neon-lit embrace.
Kids rule until 8 p.m., but after dark, it’s all about high scores, smoky dishes, and a rotating selection of local brews.
Food Highlights
- Smokey and the Burger: A 5oz cold-smoked patty piled with butter lettuce, tomato, and white BBQ sauce on brioche. Pair it with fried okra or collards for the ultimate Southern twist.
- Pork, Pork, Porkadelphia: Pulled pork meets spicy garlic collards and sharp gouda in this Philly-inspired sandwich. Pro tip: add shishito peppers for a kick. 🥪
- Smoked Wings: Dry-rubbed and sauced to order (try the tangy White BBQ or Abacus vegan option). Perfect for sharing—if you’re feeling generous. 🍗
- Beyond the Smoke Burger: A vegan standout with plant-based cheese and mushroom gravy fries. Even carnivores sneak bites. 🌱
- Banh Mi Fries: Vietnam’s iconic flavors reimagined as loaded fries with black curry chicken or five-spice jackfruit. Messy. Delicious. Worth it.
- Smoked Tikka Masala: Choose smoked eggplant or chicken, served with naan and cucumber raita. Comfort food with a global spin. 🍛
Atmosphere
Step into a 1980s arcade dream with Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat II, and skee-ball machines buzzing beside your table.
Exposed brick walls and neon lights set the mood, while communal tables encourage fist-bumps over fries.
Pro move: Challenge strangers to pinball while sipping Strawberry Sipper ale.
Bottom Line
Transmission Arcade delivers unapologetic fun—whether you’re here for killer vegan eats, craft beer flights, or dominating the high-score board.
It’s where first dates, family nights, and solo burger missions all feel equally epic.
Address: 1712 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201 | (803) 667-9140
The Peacock
Charleston’s King Street hides a retro-chic jewel where Southern charm shakes hands with bold flavors.
The Peacock slings creative twists on Lowcountry classics in a space that feels like a 1960s lounge got a modern makeover.
Think palm-print wallpaper, glowing amber lighting, and cocktails that arrive in vintage coupe glasses.
This spot doesn’t just feed you—it throws a flavor party where every dish wears sequins. 🦚
Food Highlights
Menu items are seasonal, these dishes may not be available during your visit, but there will certainly be something just as phenomenal in its place!
- Buttermilk Fried Quail: Crispy, juicy, and drizzled with hot honey—this dish turns backyard barbecue into high art. Pair it with a smoked peach margarita for a sweet-heat combo. 🔥
- Lowcountry Bouillabaisse: A coastal carnival in a bowl, packed with shrimp, clams, and sausage swimming in a saffron-tomato broth. Locals swear it’s Charleston’s best kept secret.
- Crab Beignets: Fluffy fried pillows stuffed with blue crab and dill. Dip them in remoulade and try not to order a second round. 🦀
- Bourbon Bread Pudding: Soaked in Kentucky’s finest and topped with praline crunch—it’s like dessert decided to put on a tuxedo. 🥃
Atmosphere
Mid-century furniture meets disco-era flair under exposed brick arches.
Velvet booths invite lingering, while the rooftop bar—The Roost—offers sunset views with champagne slushies in hand.
Live jazz on weekends turns dinner into a speakeasy experience. 🎷
Bottom Line
Go for the quail, stay for the rooftop vibes.
The Peacock masters the balance of playful innovation and Southern comfort, making it ideal for date nights or impressing out-of-town friends.
Address: 213 East Bay, Charleston SC 29401