Harpers Restaurant, Columbia

Two meals, two days. Both excellent. Server today was Nicole. Superb customer service and she made the day brighter for our party of four.

My daughter and I (both from Greenville, SC) dined at Harper's for the first time today following the recommendation of 2 different strangers we encountered at a nearby medical facility. We found both the service and the food to be excellent! Having said that I should note that we were there at an off time (about 3:00) so they were not busy and we ordered the luncheon specials. Serving sizes were appropriate and reasonably priced for the quality & quantity of the entrees. The desserts (apple cobbler and blackberry cheesecake) were also very good. I was concerned at first when my sweet tea was served in a small glass however our waiter replaced it promptly with a new glass 4 times during our dining experience before I depleted each one. The total bill was a little higher than I had expected based on the recommendations (lunch specials were $15 each) however I did not mind paying more because the taste was superb and I could find no fault with our server. We plan on returning next time we are in Columbia to see our MD specialist!

My wife and I were married last year on Valentines Day. Everything was rather last minute including out "reception dinner". We called Harpers to reserve a table for about 10 of us. They really took care of us!!! The food was great with service to match. We just had our first year anniversary and wanted to go back. Once again David and the team took care of us. We were early and they found us a place to sit with no waiting. The service was just how we had rememdered it and the food was outstanding. Thank you from James and Terry.

The people that eat here have no sense of taste. Truly, truly for those whose tongues lack all the buds an average human has. And they charge too much. Stays in business due to their location only.

just wanted to say that the review i read is not at all accurate...Harpers was voted runner up for best service in Columbia and there is no way someone waited 45 minutes for their meal because Harpers has very strict time standards. The longest you'll ever have to wait is 10-15 minutes unless you order a filet extra well done. Happy hour drinks are offered only in the bar and on the patio between 4-7P.M. and they include $1.50 Miller lite and Yeungling Draft and $2 house drinks (not specialty drinks!) If you've never been to Harpers and you want to make sure you get the best service possible, have a hostess take you to a section with a server who has lots of experience (but know that the training for waitstaff is VERY intense and that all servers will have complete menu knowledge) Sunday brunch is the best in town and nothing costs more than about $10...get there early or expect a wait, because everyone at Harper's is a regular...believe me! The best Ribs, Pork BBQ and Burgers in Columbia hands down. Lots of food (all made from scratch) for a good price, fine dining atmosphere, Hickory grilled chicken and steak, and homemade deserts are just a few highlights. All Juice is fresh squeezed, the ingredients are always fresh, and the staff is always consistent and friendly. If the weather is nice, the patio is perfect and they offer live music almost weekly during the summer. Harpers also has monthly wine diners and weekly pasta and entree features. Try it for yourself and you'll be glad you did.

My very first experience with Harper's was at lunch time, and the service and food were solid. Most of the times I have gone there with friends since then, though, the service has bordered on lousy and the food has been somewhere between OK and intolerable. Not my favorite place, particularly for dinner.

You have to catch Harpers on a good day, otherwise the service is really lacking. Its hard to get drink refills most of the time and the food takes awhile to come to the table as the servers hang out in the back. Its really disappointing as the tables are large, and the privacy is nice too. Would be great is the food and service was awesome! :(

We probably eat out a little too much and have frequented most of the restaurants in Columbia. Service is important to me and for the $ Harper's just doesn't meet my expectations. My most recent visit will probably be my last. First, it took a long time for the server to give us any attention, and they weren't that busy. When the server did attend to us he reached directly across my wife to set my drink if front of me, rubbing against her as he reached. This is a no no and since he was young she asked him if he knew that he wasn't to do that. He said that yes he did know, but he didn't apologize. Then after placing the order my food arrived first and we waited several minutes for my wife’s, and when a "different" server brought her plate it was totally wrong. So we had to wait for her order to be remade. The server did apologize, but snickered a little, and said that he must have been flustered because of the comment she made about reaching across her and touching her. The manager brought the correct order, but by then my order was cold, I didn't want to eat without my wife being served too. As I started to eat it, it was chicken; I realized that it was under cooked. At this point I just pushed it aside and boxed her meal and left after paying the bill. Good service is a simple thing, be polite, Never bring one persons meal without the other. If an order arrives totally wrong remaking it is not enough, especially when the others at the table have received their meals too. A good restaurant, take Mr. Friendly’s for example, would offer something immediately, like a cup of soup, a salad or glass of wine (on the house) while the person waits the additional time. Then they would reduce the cost of that person’s meal by half or not charge for it at all. I have dinned at restaurants in Atlanta and have placed orders for a specific beer that is on their list or an appetizer, and the server has returned to the table to inform me that they are out of what I requested, but if I would like to make a second selection it will be on the house because they regret that they have disappointed me. That is good service and I will be there again.

I have been to Harpers many times, yet I never know what to expect. Sometimes it is great, and other times it is just okay. The food is usually consistent, but the service is another thing. Really, your overall experience here is dependent upon your server. But if you are looking for a good restaurant in the Five Points area -- give Harpers a shot.

Harpers has great food and a great staff. It is a nice restaurant and a nice set up! I love eating at Harpers.