Columbia Guidebook!

Megan
Columbia Guidebook!

Lunch

Tazza is perfect for a lunch or dinner: great drinks, great food, and cool atmosphere! Do get a reservation, if possible! Apps: shishito peppers, guac, and meatballs Mains: woodfired chicken thighs, any mix of tacos, cheeseburger, or the black pepper and honey sausage pizza
27 locals recommend
Tazza Kitchen Trenholm Plaza
4840 Forest Dr
27 locals recommend
Tazza is perfect for a lunch or dinner: great drinks, great food, and cool atmosphere! Do get a reservation, if possible! Apps: shishito peppers, guac, and meatballs Mains: woodfired chicken thighs, any mix of tacos, cheeseburger, or the black pepper and honey sausage pizza
You truly can't go wrong at Cafe Strudel for breakfast or lunch, but go on a weekday if possible- the weekend wait is usually very long! We love the Duck Nachos, most of the sandwiches, and the pancakes! The cheese grits at Cafe Strudel are always a winner, too. Plus, my favorite antique mall is right next door! walk off breakfast with a lap around Old Mill Antiques.
59 locals recommend
Cafe Strudel
300 State St
59 locals recommend
You truly can't go wrong at Cafe Strudel for breakfast or lunch, but go on a weekday if possible- the weekend wait is usually very long! We love the Duck Nachos, most of the sandwiches, and the pancakes! The cheese grits at Cafe Strudel are always a winner, too. Plus, my favorite antique mall is right next door! walk off breakfast with a lap around Old Mill Antiques.
For a light and delicious breakfast or lunch, or to nibble while you work in a cool space. The avocado tartine, ricotta tartine, and mushroom tartine are our favorites, and the side salads have a great vinaigrette. The pastry case is usually full of many delicious things!
11 locals recommend
smallSUGAR
709 Gervais St
11 locals recommend
For a light and delicious breakfast or lunch, or to nibble while you work in a cool space. The avocado tartine, ricotta tartine, and mushroom tartine are our favorites, and the side salads have a great vinaigrette. The pastry case is usually full of many delicious things!
Sassy tex mex and delicious margaritas! Cantina has a really vibrant atmosphere and stays busy. So much so that there are two locations! The ancho bbq quesadilla and chip dip trio are our favorites.
58 locals recommend
Cantina 76
2901 Devine St
58 locals recommend
Sassy tex mex and delicious margaritas! Cantina has a really vibrant atmosphere and stays busy. So much so that there are two locations! The ancho bbq quesadilla and chip dip trio are our favorites.
**Within walking distance of Casa Verde and The Rainbow Room. BBQ and drinks, fun atmosphere, and plenty of parking! We love the Gamechanger drink and smoked wings the best. Macaroni and cheese is also so good!
16 locals recommend
Home Team BBQ
700 Harden St
16 locals recommend
**Within walking distance of Casa Verde and The Rainbow Room. BBQ and drinks, fun atmosphere, and plenty of parking! We love the Gamechanger drink and smoked wings the best. Macaroni and cheese is also so good!
**Within walking distance of The Rainbow Room and Casa Verde. A Columbia classic: soups, salads, and sandwiches! I love the "CPA" panini. After you're done with lunch, head over to the deli counter and grab a bag of the spicy roasted almonds.
45 locals recommend
The Gourmet Shop
724 Saluda Ave
45 locals recommend
**Within walking distance of The Rainbow Room and Casa Verde. A Columbia classic: soups, salads, and sandwiches! I love the "CPA" panini. After you're done with lunch, head over to the deli counter and grab a bag of the spicy roasted almonds.
Simply some of the best lunch you can find! Weekdays only, 11-2; try the deviled egg special and of course take an oatmeal cream pie to go!
12 locals recommend
Spotted Salamander Cafe And Catering
1531 Richland St
12 locals recommend
Simply some of the best lunch you can find! Weekdays only, 11-2; try the deviled egg special and of course take an oatmeal cream pie to go!
**Within walking distance of The Rainbow Room and Casa Verde. Enzo's has incredible meatball subs and chicken farm sandwiches. The cannolis are great, too!
Enzo's Delicatessen
2002 Greene Street
**Within walking distance of The Rainbow Room and Casa Verde. Enzo's has incredible meatball subs and chicken farm sandwiches. The cannolis are great, too!
Easy lunch, always busy! Crave does weekly specials and posts those on their Facebook Page. Their curry chicken salad is great, and most of the specials are a favorite!
14 locals recommend
Crave Market
2843 Millwood Ave
14 locals recommend
Easy lunch, always busy! Crave does weekly specials and posts those on their Facebook Page. Their curry chicken salad is great, and most of the specials are a favorite!
Vegan soul food that everyone loves!
22 locals recommend
A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen
2338 Main St
22 locals recommend
Vegan soul food that everyone loves!

Bars & Breweries

Fun bar with great food and arcade games! Check their website or instagram for special events and specials!
Transmission Arcade
1712 Main Street
Fun bar with great food and arcade games! Check their website or instagram for special events and specials!
A favorite rooftop bar in Columbia! Food is also available, as well as access to tons of other places in walking distance.
23 locals recommend
Hendrix Restaurant
1649 Main St
23 locals recommend
A favorite rooftop bar in Columbia! Food is also available, as well as access to tons of other places in walking distance.
22 locals recommend
Lula Drake Wine Parlour
1635 Main St
22 locals recommend
Great drinks, great food, perfect atmosphere for hanging out and enjoying a beautiful day or night!
24 locals recommend
Savage Craft Ale Works
430 Center Street
24 locals recommend
Great drinks, great food, perfect atmosphere for hanging out and enjoying a beautiful day or night!
Lively outdoor space with live performances sometimes, great bar food, and beer of all kinds.
34 locals recommend
Steel Hands Brewing
2350 Foreman St
34 locals recommend
Lively outdoor space with live performances sometimes, great bar food, and beer of all kinds.
43 locals recommend
River Rat Brewery
1231 Shop Rd
43 locals recommend

Shopping

If you feel like shopping some more recognizable names, Trenholm Plaza is the spot. There's a Lululemon, Anthropologie, Kendra Scott, and some local favorite shops, like Scout and Molly's.
9 locals recommend
Trenholm Plaza
4840 Forest Dr
9 locals recommend
If you feel like shopping some more recognizable names, Trenholm Plaza is the spot. There's a Lululemon, Anthropologie, Kendra Scott, and some local favorite shops, like Scout and Molly's.
Devine Street is one of the premier shopping areas of downtown Columbia. Take a walk down the street and pop into all of our favorites! (Nonesuch, Pout, Just the Thing, Monkee's, Pink Sorbet, Slate, Craft and Draft)
6 locals recommend
Devine Street
Devine Street
6 locals recommend
Devine Street is one of the premier shopping areas of downtown Columbia. Take a walk down the street and pop into all of our favorites! (Nonesuch, Pout, Just the Thing, Monkee's, Pink Sorbet, Slate, Craft and Draft)
If you love a thrifty find or a huge warehouse full of wild antiques, this is for you. I love this antique mall!
Old Mill Antique Mall
310 State St
If you love a thrifty find or a huge warehouse full of wild antiques, this is for you. I love this antique mall!
**within walking distance of Casa Verde and The Rainbow Room Gourmet Shoppe is FULL of great little gifts, as is Gibson's. There are other clothing shops as you walk down, as well.
73 locals recommend
Five Points
73 locals recommend
**within walking distance of Casa Verde and The Rainbow Room Gourmet Shoppe is FULL of great little gifts, as is Gibson's. There are other clothing shops as you walk down, as well.
PlantHouse
702 Cross Hill Road

Activities

Saturday mornings starting at 9 am, Main Street shuts down for local food vendors, artists, and farmers to sell their wares! We love The Arepa Chef, sourdough cinnamon rolls, and donut truck. Also look for Modern Companion if you have a pet! She sells such cute things!
133 locals recommend
Soda City Market
1300-1600 Main St
133 locals recommend
Saturday mornings starting at 9 am, Main Street shuts down for local food vendors, artists, and farmers to sell their wares! We love The Arepa Chef, sourdough cinnamon rolls, and donut truck. Also look for Modern Companion if you have a pet! She sells such cute things!
Our beautiful National Park! Take some bug spray if it's warm out, and pack some water and snacks. It's can be a long walk, but so lovely! (Use the bathroom before you go- the public ones are touch and go!)
110 locals recommend
Congaree National Park
100 National Park Rd
110 locals recommend
Our beautiful National Park! Take some bug spray if it's warm out, and pack some water and snacks. It's can be a long walk, but so lovely! (Use the bathroom before you go- the public ones are touch and go!)
Flour, Carolina Gold rice, and grits of all kinds milled right in downtown Columbia! Retail space (check the website for hours) sells all of the above directly.
Adluh
804 Gervais Street
Flour, Carolina Gold rice, and grits of all kinds milled right in downtown Columbia! Retail space (check the website for hours) sells all of the above directly.
Take a walk on the grounds or a quick tour of the inside of this beautiful building. After you're done, head over to the USC Horseshoe!
104 locals recommend
South Carolina State House
1100 Gervais St
104 locals recommend
Take a walk on the grounds or a quick tour of the inside of this beautiful building. After you're done, head over to the USC Horseshoe!
Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden
1300 Botanical Pkwy
26 locals recommend
My personal workout studio and one of the best spots to workout in Columbia! The mornings are less crowded for the Forest Acres location.
Orangetheory Fitness
4708 Forest Drive
My personal workout studio and one of the best spots to workout in Columbia! The mornings are less crowded for the Forest Acres location.
Great children's museum in downtown, right across from the state museum!
121 locals recommend
EdVenture Children's Museum
211 Gervais St
121 locals recommend
Great children's museum in downtown, right across from the state museum!
Home to the Columbia minor league team, the Fireflies. During the summer, the games end with fireworks; restaurants are also located on the campus!
25 locals recommend
Segra Park
25 locals recommend
Home to the Columbia minor league team, the Fireflies. During the summer, the games end with fireworks; restaurants are also located on the campus!

Coffee & Tea

**Within walking distance of Casa Verde and The Rainbow Room. Columbia finally has boba tea, and we love it!
Columbia Gong cha
701b Santee Avenue
**Within walking distance of Casa Verde and The Rainbow Room. Columbia finally has boba tea, and we love it!
Some of the best coffee in town! Great spot for working and sipping, too. All of the coffee is great, but the chai is one of my favorites.
39 locals recommend
Indah Coffee
2238 Sumter St
39 locals recommend
Some of the best coffee in town! Great spot for working and sipping, too. All of the coffee is great, but the chai is one of my favorites.
6 locals recommend
Azalea Coffee Bar
2700 Devine St
6 locals recommend

Desserts

Now available on Devine street! Love the little baby cakes!
Ally & Eloise Bakeshop
5209 Forest Drive
Now available on Devine street! Love the little baby cakes!
Delicious cookies and pastries!
Kudzu Bakery & Market Columbia
4600 Forest Drive
Delicious cookies and pastries!
Best ice cream in Columbia! The waffle cones are made in house and so good. Come here after Warmouth!
19 locals recommend
Sweet Cream Co.
1627 Main St
19 locals recommend
Best ice cream in Columbia! The waffle cones are made in house and so good. Come here after Warmouth!
If you're out and about after dinner and you're looking for a drink and dessert, this is the place.
35 locals recommend
Kaminsky's
930 Gervais St
35 locals recommend
If you're out and about after dinner and you're looking for a drink and dessert, this is the place.

Dinner

**Within walking distance of Cottontown Cottage. The Warmouth is one of our favorite places in Columbia! It's comfortable and cozy, the drinks are great, and they specialize in local, southern food with a twist. We love the steak, deviled eggs, grits, collards... Frankly, we've never chosen something from the menu we didn't like! The drinks are great too. My favorite drink is the margarita, but I ask for it spicy!
42 locals recommend
The War Mouth
1209 Franklin St
42 locals recommend
**Within walking distance of Cottontown Cottage. The Warmouth is one of our favorite places in Columbia! It's comfortable and cozy, the drinks are great, and they specialize in local, southern food with a twist. We love the steak, deviled eggs, grits, collards... Frankly, we've never chosen something from the menu we didn't like! The drinks are great too. My favorite drink is the margarita, but I ask for it spicy!
**Within walking distance of Cottontown Cottage. Best pizza in town! Il Focolare is tiny but amazing- a sister to Small Sugar! Favorites are the brussels and chèvre pizza, spicy pepperoni, and plain cheese. Also: GET THE RANCH. Check in on their instagram for updates on indoor seating/takeout ahead of time. If you'll be taking out, plan for a longer wait time (usually 30 minutes to an hour because of how busy they are!).
9 locals recommend
Il Focolare Pizzeria
2150 Sumter St
9 locals recommend
**Within walking distance of Cottontown Cottage. Best pizza in town! Il Focolare is tiny but amazing- a sister to Small Sugar! Favorites are the brussels and chèvre pizza, spicy pepperoni, and plain cheese. Also: GET THE RANCH. Check in on their instagram for updates on indoor seating/takeout ahead of time. If you'll be taking out, plan for a longer wait time (usually 30 minutes to an hour because of how busy they are!).
Sassy tex mex and delicious margaritas! Cantina has a really vibrant atmosphere and stays busy. So much so that there are two locations! The ancho bbq quesadilla and chip dip trio are our favorites.
58 locals recommend
Cantina 76
2901 Devine St
58 locals recommend
Sassy tex mex and delicious margaritas! Cantina has a really vibrant atmosphere and stays busy. So much so that there are two locations! The ancho bbq quesadilla and chip dip trio are our favorites.
**Within walking distance of Casa Verde and The Rainbow Room. BBQ and drinks, fun atmosphere, and plenty of parking! We love the Gamechanger drink and smoked wings the best. Macaroni and cheese is also so good!
16 locals recommend
Home Team BBQ
700 Harden St
16 locals recommend
**Within walking distance of Casa Verde and The Rainbow Room. BBQ and drinks, fun atmosphere, and plenty of parking! We love the Gamechanger drink and smoked wings the best. Macaroni and cheese is also so good!
Tazza is perfect for a lunch or dinner: great drinks, great food, and cool atmosphere! Do get a reservation, if possible! Apps: shishito peppers, guac, and meatballs Mains: woodfired chicken thighs, any mix of tacos, cheeseburger, or the black pepper and honey sausage pizza
27 locals recommend
Tazza Kitchen Trenholm Plaza
4840 Forest Dr
27 locals recommend
Tazza is perfect for a lunch or dinner: great drinks, great food, and cool atmosphere! Do get a reservation, if possible! Apps: shishito peppers, guac, and meatballs Mains: woodfired chicken thighs, any mix of tacos, cheeseburger, or the black pepper and honey sausage pizza
Always delicious! The crispy red curry duck is so good, but the pad thai never misses. As for a spice tray on the side!
11 locals recommend
Basil Thai Cuisine-Columbia, SC
702 Cross Hill Rd
11 locals recommend
Always delicious! The crispy red curry duck is so good, but the pad thai never misses. As for a spice tray on the side!
High end dinner and drinks; reservation is usually needed. Polenta fries and BLT salad are delicious!
35 locals recommend
Cola's Restaurant
1215 Assembly St
35 locals recommend
High end dinner and drinks; reservation is usually needed. Polenta fries and BLT salad are delicious!
60 locals recommend
Bourbon
1214 Main St
60 locals recommend
Bar and grill; great grilled wings and wraps! The cauliflower pizza crust is the best I've had by far. You'd never know it's cauliflower!
Backstreets Grill
2400 Devine Street
Bar and grill; great grilled wings and wraps! The cauliflower pizza crust is the best I've had by far. You'd never know it's cauliflower!
6 locals recommend
929 Kitchen & Bar
929 Gervais St
6 locals recommend
Delicious pastas and toasted garlic bread. Love the outdoor patio! (Do get a reservation!)
20 locals recommend
Il Giorgione
2406 Devine St
20 locals recommend
Delicious pastas and toasted garlic bread. Love the outdoor patio! (Do get a reservation!)