Southern Living Names Ladder 13 Restaurant of the Month
The Columbia eatery earned the August 2026 distinction for its quality dining and unique historic firehouse setting.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Dining Out
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Southern Living selected Ladder 13, located in Columbia's Lantern Hotel, as its Restaurant of the Month for August 2026. The publication chose the venue for its high dining quality and its creative use of a repurposed fire station.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the restaurant's rising influence in the local culinary scene since its opening. Southern Living editors evaluate establishments based on their design, dining quality, and overall impact on the local community.
Ladder 13 opened in February 2026 and currently holds a high booking volume on OpenTable. The restaurant features a wood-burning oven for pizza preparation and offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu.
The players
Kevin Johnson
He is the chef who curated the initial Mediterranean menu for the restaurant.
Joseph Wolfson
He serves as the current executive chef at Ladder 13.
The details
Housed within the historic former central fire station of the Lantern Hotel, the restaurant blends culinary history with contemporary Mediterranean fare. Executive chef Joseph Wolfson leads the kitchen, continuing the menu curation style established by Kevin Johnson at the restaurant's launch.
Timeline
Ladder 13 opened for business in February 2026.
Southern Living named the restaurant Restaurant of the Month in August 2026.
Culture Shift
The recognition follows a broader trend of repurposing historic civic buildings into high-end dining destinations that anchor urban revitalization projects. This shift reflects a growing consumer preference for venues that offer a distinct sense of place alongside traditional culinary excellence.
Residents may see an increase in wait times or booking difficulty as the national recognition often drives higher foot traffic to the venue. Diners planning to visit the Lantern Hotel site should consider booking in advance via platforms like OpenTable to guarantee availability.
The takeaway
Ladder 13 serves as a successful example of how historic preservation can enhance the modern dining experience. Visitors can enjoy a unique atmosphere while sampling a menu that balances traditional wood-fired techniques with contemporary Mediterranean flavors.
Further reading
Explore the local culinary landscape in our Columbia Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MyrtleBeachOnline.
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Do you prioritize a restaurant's historical setting or atmosphere when choosing where to eat?
