Guidebook for Columbia
Food Scene
Excellent Smokehouse BBQ. If you can handle a little spice, the bacon wrapped jalapenos are fantastic. It's right next to Wholefoods and on the way to town. Also Features a full service bar.
11 locals recommend
Midwood Smokehouse
702 Cross Hill RdExcellent Smokehouse BBQ. If you can handle a little spice, the bacon wrapped jalapenos are fantastic. It's right next to Wholefoods and on the way to town. Also Features a full service bar.
One of my favorite brunch places, but get there early cause there tends to be a line on weekends. It's a local favorite.
36 locals recommend
The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli
2617 Devine StOne of my favorite brunch places, but get there early cause there tends to be a line on weekends. It's a local favorite.
It's known for it's great brunch but their dinner/ lunch menu is my personal favorite. Duck fat fries, seafood mac and cheese, and duck grilled cheese are some of my favorites. The prices are reasonable too.
59 locals recommend
Cafe Strudel
300 State StIt's known for it's great brunch but their dinner/ lunch menu is my personal favorite. Duck fat fries, seafood mac and cheese, and duck grilled cheese are some of my favorites. The prices are reasonable too.
This is a market that takes place every Saturday morning on Columbia's main street. It started small with a few vegetable stands a few years ago and now spans multiple blocks and features many of the city's local restaurants, food trucks, artisans, and performers. It starts at 9am and goes till 1pm. It's one of my favorite ways to spend Saturday.
133 locals recommend
Soda City Market
1300-1600 Main StThis is a market that takes place every Saturday morning on Columbia's main street. It started small with a few vegetable stands a few years ago and now spans multiple blocks and features many of the city's local restaurants, food trucks, artisans, and performers. It starts at 9am and goes till 1pm. It's one of my favorite ways to spend Saturday.
If you're feeling fancy this is a great restaurant to go to. Perfect for anniversaries or special occasions. Be prepared to spend $40+ per person but it's honestly worth every penny.
10 locals recommend
Al's Upstairs Italian Restaurant
300 Meeting StIf you're feeling fancy this is a great restaurant to go to. Perfect for anniversaries or special occasions. Be prepared to spend $40+ per person but it's honestly worth every penny.
Rush's is a local chain of fast food restaurants specializing in fried chicken and hamburgers. You may have seen it driving in. It is very close by if you're looking for a quick bite to eat.
12 locals recommend
Rush's
201 Columbia AveRush's is a local chain of fast food restaurants specializing in fried chicken and hamburgers. You may have seen it driving in. It is very close by if you're looking for a quick bite to eat.
Tacos and Pizza are the main dishes here. Feels upscale but the prices remain reasonable for a sit-down meal.
27 locals recommend
Tazza Kitchen Trenholm Plaza
4840 Forest DrTacos and Pizza are the main dishes here. Feels upscale but the prices remain reasonable for a sit-down meal.
Traditional meat and three resturant. Cooking like grandma's (If your grandma is southern and insist on large portion sizes haha). This is another local chain great for a sit-down family meal but they also offer their menu via drive through. Both their breakfast and dinner menus are great.
29 locals recommend
Lizard's Thicket Restaurant
711 University Village DrTraditional meat and three resturant. Cooking like grandma's (If your grandma is southern and insist on large portion sizes haha). This is another local chain great for a sit-down family meal but they also offer their menu via drive through. Both their breakfast and dinner menus are great.
I'm not one to frequent all you can eat buffets but if you really want to get the full Carolina BBQ experience in one go, this is the place to go. It's very humble in appearance but the staff is incredibly friendly and the food is always excellent. They're are pretty popular and have even been featured in Southern Living. They can get crowded especially on weekends so plan accordingly.
Mustard Base BBQ=Best BBQ
10 locals recommend
Little Pigs Barbecue
4927 Alpine RdI'm not one to frequent all you can eat buffets but if you really want to get the full Carolina BBQ experience in one go, this is the place to go. It's very humble in appearance but the staff is incredibly friendly and the food is always excellent. They're are pretty popular and have even been featured in Southern Living. They can get crowded especially on weekends so plan accordingly.
Mustard Base BBQ=Best BBQ
Home Team BBQ
700 Harden StDelicious BBQ with a variety of meats, sauces, and sides!
Drinks & Nightlife
Located in the basement of a former bank and right across from the state house, this one is a bit more of a hidden treasure. It caters to a young artsy crowd and is a great place to sample all the local beers. Their food menu isn't extensive but very good.
30 locals recommend
The Whig
1200 Main StLocated in the basement of a former bank and right across from the state house, this one is a bit more of a hidden treasure. It caters to a young artsy crowd and is a great place to sample all the local beers. Their food menu isn't extensive but very good.
Sheraton Hotel Downtown has a rooftop bar that is open to the public. Just walk in and take the elevator all the way up. It's an excellent view of the Columbia skyline and state house. Drinks can be a bit pricey, $10+, but they've never stopped me from ordering a club soda and enjoying the view.
11 locals recommend
Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel
1400 Main StSheraton Hotel Downtown has a rooftop bar that is open to the public. Just walk in and take the elevator all the way up. It's an excellent view of the Columbia skyline and state house. Drinks can be a bit pricey, $10+, but they've never stopped me from ordering a club soda and enjoying the view.
Essentials
Walmart is about a 3 minute drive away, if you'd like to pick up any groceries or essentials you may have left at home.
39 locals recommend
Walmart Supercenter
7546 Garners Ferry RdWalmart is about a 3 minute drive away, if you'd like to pick up any groceries or essentials you may have left at home.
Target
6090A Garners Ferry Rd