Some places just get it right – Martin Way Diner is serving up Washington’s best chicken fried steak in a setting that feels like coming home, even if it’s your first visit.

Hidden away in the heart of Cayce, South Carolina, George’s Southside Restaurant stands as a monument to what happens when exceptional food is served without pretension, fuss, or unnecessary frills.

Here are 21 options for eateries with pleasant environments for dining, with a focus on places open for dinner in the area ...