Highest-rated restaurants in Sumter by diners
Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to our morning routines, rewatch movies we've seen time and time again, and hit up the same tried-and-true restaurants when going out for a meal. In fact, 35% of Americans said they rarely, if ever, try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, and 5% say they never do, according to a survey of more than 2,600 diners from TouchBistro.
But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—56% of Gen Zers and 47% of millennials in the U.S. say they visit new restaurants once a month or more. When it comes to deciding which new restaurant to try, younger generations are also more likely to rely on online reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google or from social media. The TouchBistro survey found that 71% of Gen Zers and 72% of millennials have opted to try a new restaurant solely because of favorable reviews online.
Some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established spots that customers have been visiting for decades, but some may be brand new. More than 10,000 new restaurants opened in 2023, up 5.7% from 2022, according to a report from BentoBox. The states that saw the most new restaurants open up in 2023 were Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, but new locales are popping up all over the U.S.
To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Sumter, according to Yelp reviews from diners as of January 2024. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily reflect each restaurant listed.
#30. Leo's Wings
- Rating: 3.5/5 (41 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1961 McCrays Mill Road Ste B Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Mon Cafe Japan
- Rating: 3.5/5 (86 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1293 Broad St. Ste 400 Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Japanese
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Georgio's II Famous Pizza
- Rating: 3.5/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 344 Pinewood Road Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Italian, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Mr Teriyaki
- Rating: 3.5/5 (40 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1315 Peach Orchard Road Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Hibachi Grill
- Rating: 3.5/5 (31 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1003 Broad St. Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Japanese
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Lucky Corner
- Rating: 3.5/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 110 West Wesmark Blvd. Ste A Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Thai, Imported Food
- Read more on Yelp
#24. McAlister's Deli
- Rating: 3.5/5 (34 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1177 Broad St. Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Salad, Delis, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Yucatan
- Rating: 3.5/5 (101 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1316 Broad St. Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Thai House Buffet & Sushi Bar
- Rating: 4.0/5 (61 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 718 Bultman Drive Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Thai, Sushi Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Chick-fil-A
- Rating: 4.0/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1170 Broad St. Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Fast food, Chicken Shop, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Baker's Sweets Bistro & Bakery
- Rating: 4.0/5 (221 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1089 Alice Drive Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Bakeries, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Willie Sue's
- Rating: 4.0/5 (293 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3355 Patriot Pkwy Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Bars, American, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#18. El Paso Tacos & Tequila
- Rating: 4.0/5 (20 reviews)
- Address: 154 South Main St. Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Palmetto Oyster House
- Rating: 4.0/5 (173 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 415 West Wesmark Blvd. Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Seafood, American
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Sumter Cut Rate Drugs and Coffee Shop
- Rating: 4.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 32 South Main St. Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Ginza Japanese Grill
- Rating: 4.0/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 493 North Guignard Drive Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese
- Read more on Yelp
#14. J O'Grady's
- Rating: 4.0/5 (150 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5 South Main St. Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Sidebar On Main
- Rating: 4.0/5 (119 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 30 North Main St. Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Bars, Southern
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Tony's Pizza
- Rating: 4.0/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 301 North Main St. Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Sambino's
- Rating: 4.0/5 (46 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1305 Peach Orchard Road Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant & Bar
- Rating: 4.5/5 (43 reviews)
- Address: 1339 Peach Orchard Road Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#9. DeMara's
- Rating: 4.5/5 (28 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2070 Peach Orchard Road Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Italian, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Jeffrey Lampkin"s Country Boy Kitchen
- Rating: 4.5/5 (38 reviews)
- Address: 5642 Broad St. Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Soul Food, Breakfast & Brunch, Southern
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Gramma's Kitchen
- Rating: 4.5/5 (28 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2210 Peach Orchard Road Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Cafes, Breakfast & Brunch, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Kozi Italian Street Food
- Rating: 4.5/5 (41 reviews)
- Address: 1029 Broad St. Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Simply Southern Bistro
- Rating: 4.5/5 (180 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 65 West Wesmark Blvd. Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Southern, Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Hamptons
- Rating: 4.5/5 (136 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 33 North Main St. Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#3. China Chef
- Rating: 4.5/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2073 Wedgefield Road Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Eggs Up Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (104 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 105 East Wesmark Blvd. Ste 1 Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Happy Bowl
- Rating: 5.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 35 East Wesmark Blvd. Sumter, South Carolina
- Categories: Asian Fusion, American
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 331 metros.