Bites & Sights Columbia SC Visitors Guide

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DINING

African

Harambe Ethiopian Restaurant

facebook.com/HarambeEthiopianRestaurantandLounge.

FIVE POINTS: 2006 Senate St., 803-764-5510. Wonderful stews, veggies and curries are served atop injera, a sourdough flatbread made from teff, a North African grain. A warm and inviting restaurant with a large bar that’s slightly out of the main Five Points area, in a good way. $

Mimsy’s

mimsysrestaurant.com NORTHEAST: 494-1 Town Center Pl., 803-708-5636. This West African, mostly-vegan spot sits in the former location of Asanka and its sister restaurant andCHICKEN, which were also African cuisine restaurants. They focus on mostly vegan cuisine and offer items once sold by Asanka like peanut goat soup and fufu. $$

American/Southern

Bubba’s Biscuit

LEXINGTON: 115 W. Main St., 803-834-4095. What’s quickly become a cult classic among folks both in and out of Lexington, Bubba’s Biscuit has all the fixins’ for a good ole southern breakfast — shrimp and grits, monumental biscuits and gravy and a hearty helping of other options. Be prepared for a wait on weekends. $

Burger Tavern 77

burgertavern77.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2631 Devine St., 803-667-9608. Make the most unique burger combo imaginable, or order one of their flavorful menu options. There’s also chicken burgers, salads, and gourmet bar food apps. ¢-$

California Dreaming

Cash’s Chicken

Chapin: 145 Chapin Rd. Suite F, 803-575-8811. From the owners of multiple other locations of J.R. Cash’s Grill & Bar, this fast casual chicken spot is like a homegrown version of Chick-fil-a. It’s closed on Sundays and serves up reasonably-priced chicken entrees. The Chapin location is in a spot where restaurant options are sparse. ¢

Compton’s Kitchen comptonskitchen.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 1118 B Ave., 803-791-0750. With most everything made from scratch, you can’t go wrong at this classic Southern meat-and-three. Lunch menu changes daily, with offerings including fried chicken, fish, pork chops, livers and gizzards and more, plus plenty of classic and healthy sides. Hearty breakfast menu, too. ¢

Drake’s Duck-In drakesduckin.com. DOWNTOWN: 1544 Main St., 803-799-9290. Not by any means a fancy place, but home to a damn fine chicken sandwich. Breakfast, fried chicken, burgers, fried bologna sandwiches, more, since 1907. ¢

The Market Restaurant

facebook.com/themarketrestaurantsc. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 3483 Charleston Hwy., 803-5095641. Located at the South Carolina State Farmers Market, this restaurant serves breakfast and lunch made with fresh produce from the market itself, so you know it’s fresh and local. ¢-$

Eggs Up Grill

californiadreaming.rest. DOWNTOWN: 401 S. Main St., 803-254-6767. Located in a historic railroad station, California Dreaming has been popular ever since it opened in 1984. Serves large salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, pasta, chicken and steaks. Excellent mixed drinks, and the honey croissants always are a hit. $$

2022

eggsupgrill.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2930 Devine St., 803-661-9174. facebook.com/eggsupcolumbia/ LEXINGTON: 205 Columbia Ave., 803-4902028. facebook.com/EUGLexingtonSC. NORTHEAST: 961 Roberts Branch Pkwy., 803-626-1695. facebook. com/EUGKilliansCrossing. FOREST ACRES: 4711 Forest Dr. 803-820-0742. facebook.com/EUGForestAcres. A South Carolina chain devoted to breakfast foods, from waffles to omelets to loaded home-fry platters, plus lunch foods like burgers, sandwiches and wraps. Especially popular on the weekends. ¢

Flight Deck

flightdeckrestaurant.net. LEXINGTON: 109 Old Chapin Rd., 803-957-5990. Family-owned restaurant with an extensive collection of WWII-themed memorabilia and photographs. Menu ranges from burgers and sandwiches to ribs, pizza and Greek specialties. Blue-

Bubba’s Biscuit

plate special includes one meat, two veggies, dessert and a drink. ¢

Food Gallery

facebook.com/foodgallerycolumbia. NORTH COLUMBIA: 3702 River Drive, 803-771-0790. Soul food favorites from ox tails to fried turkey wings to mac and cheese, and homemade cakes, with a flavorful meatand-three plate. $

Granby Grill

granbygrill.com. WHALEY: 612 Whaley St. Suite C., 803-834-6717. Bar food meets diner food at Granby Grill. From bacon, egg and cheese to shrimp and grits, it’s a greasy spoon with Southern touches that isn’t just for college students. ¢

The Grand thegrandonmain.com. DOWNTOWN: 1621 Main St., 803-726-2323. It’s a boutique bowling alley, dessert bar, regular bar and restaurant all in one. High end bar food — think Southwestern Loaded Waffle Fries — meets classy entrees like pork osso buco in the heart of Main Street. $-$$

Griffin Chophouse

griffinchophouse.com. LEXINGTON: 924 East Main St. 803-957-0863. The rebranded, reopened and renovated former Kingsman Que and Brew is now reborn as Griffin Chophouse. With the same chef but new ownership, it’s now a bastion of aged steaks and barbecue. $-$$

Grill

Marks

grillmarks.com. VISTA: 711 Gervais St., 803-6618932. Fancy burgers, fancy shakes (with or without booze) and a great view for watching the goings-on of the Vista from their expansive covered porch. $

Higher Ground Char House

highergroundcharhouse.com. CHAPIN: 211 Chapin Rd., 803-575-8470. An impressive combination of burgers owned by a local family. They’re dedicated to great service and good food. $

It’s a Wrap Cafe

facebook.com/itsawrapcafeatl/. LEXINGTON: 5341 Sunset Blvd. 803-490-1000. Now in Lexington, this former Atlanta restaurant serves wraps, smoothies, salads and dishes that have a Jamaican flair. ¢

Just Us Cafe

WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 1208 Knox Abbott Dr., 803791-5162. Corned beef hash, omelets, pancakes and other classic breakfast foods in a diner-style atmosphere. Also serves hot country lunches, sandwiches and more. ¢

Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles

kikischickenandwaffles.com. NORTHEAST: 7001 Parklane Rd., 803-699-5422. HARBISON/IRMO: 1260 Bower Pkwy., 803-834-5816. Chicken and waffles! And not just any old iteration of this soul food classic — Kiki’s offers a red velvet waffle if you’re feeling fancy. Also offers shrimp and grits and various soul food classics. Bonus trivia: Both Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton have eaten here. ¢

Kingsman Restaurant

thekingsmanrestaurant.com. WEST COLUMBIA/ CAYCE: 936 Axtell Dr. (Parkland Shopping Center), 803-796-8622. This longtime Cayce favorite offers everything from fried appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, pizza and wings to salads, lasagna and even liver and onions. Known for its grilled rib eye, which is one of the city’s best. Serves liquor. Busy lunch, lots of atmosphere. ¢-$

Liberty on the Lake

libertytaproom.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 1602 Marina Rd., 803-667-9715. With sweeping, scenic views of Lake Murray from its multiple decks, Liberty on the Lake is a gorgeous place to knock back a few beers and some tasty, fresh-caught fish or a burger. Some of the same great salads, sandwiches and apps you’ll find at the Liberty in the heart of Columbia. $

Liberty Tap Room & Grill

libertytaproom.com. VISTA: 828 Gervais St., 803461-4677. facebook.com/LibertyTapRoomColumbia. Liberty begins with sturdy American fare but doesn’t end there. It’s known for its delicious salads, and you’ll also find an array of appetizers, soups and colorful entrees, plus a weekend late-night atmosphere. $

Lizard’s Thicket

lizardsthicket.com. DOWNTOWN: 818 Elmwood Ave., 803-779-6407. BLYTHEWOOD: 711-1 University Village Dr., 803-451-8400. FOREST ACRES: 3147 Forest Dr., 803-787-8781. GARNERS FERRY/SOUTHEAST: 7938 Garners Ferry Rd., 803-647-0095. HARBISON/ IRMO: 7569 St. Andrews Rd., 803-732-1225. LEXINGTON: 621 W Main St., 803-951-3555. LEXINGTON: 4616 Augusta Rd., 803-785-5560. NORTHEAST: 10170 Two Notch Rd., 803-419-5662. NORTHEAST: 7620 Two Notch Rd., 803-788-3088.

ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE: 1824 Broad River Rd., 803-798-6427. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 501 Knox Abbott Dr., 803-791-0314. WEST COLUMBIA/ CAYCE: 2234 Sunset Blvd., 803-794-0923. Meat loaf, fried chicken, mac and cheese, fried okra, it’s all a vegetable here. A true local institution that thrives on the meat-and-veggies formula in whatever combination your heart desires. This is what Southern cooking is all about. ¢

Mack’s Cash Grocery

DOWNTOWN: 1809 Laurel St., 803-779-9858. Holein-the-wall burger joint, usually known as Mack’s on Laurel, is beloved by locals. Thin, juicy burgers and a low-key vibe make this a hidden treasure. ¢

Mathias Sandwich Shop

mathiassandwich.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 7235 St. Andrews Rd., 803-781-4002. Founded in 1946, this sandwich shop is one of the early homes of the pimento burger. Serves breakfast and lunch. ¢ Midlands’ https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/caemh-marriott-columbia/.

DOWNTOWN: 1200 Hampton St., 803-771-7000. This restaurant’s nice, casual feel is something you might come to expect during your time at the Marriott Hotel. Features New Southern classics like shrimp and grits. Stop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner after a long day (or night) in downtown Columbia. $ Momma Rabbit’s mommarabbits.com. LEXINGTON: 5082 Sunset Blvd., 803-356-1330. Fresh soups, salads and sandwiches, plus prepared suppers to take home. Also offers a catering service. $

Original Pancake House

originalpancakehousencsc.com. FOREST ACRES: 4840 Forest Dr. (Trenholm Plaza), 803-782-6742. Pancakes as you like them. Offering a full menu including cinnamon-glazed apple pancakes, dutch babies, freshly squeezed juices, homemade fruit syrups and more. And if you’re not in the mood for pancakes, try the meat-lovers omelet. The lines are long for a

reason; get there before church lets out and you’ll be in better shape. ¢

Pawleys Front Porch

pawleysfrontporch.com. FIVE POINTS: 827 Harden St., 803-771-8001. Fancy a fried egg, apple-cured ham, pineapple or a pair of onion rings stuffed between a half-pound patty and a ciabatta bun? Crowds have been lining up outside Pawleys Front Porch ever since its fantastic burgers were featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives back in 2010. $

Poogan’s

Southern Kitchen

pooganskitchen.com FOREST ACRES: 4605 Forest Dr., 803-745-8220. This Charleston-based southern food restaurant opened in August of 2022 and has popular southern classics like country fried steak and shrimp and grits. $-$$

Rambo’s Fat Cat Biscuits fatcatcolumbia.com. COTTONTOWN: 2430 Main St., 803-881-9060. The immensely popular biscuit food truck and Soda City stand opened a brick and mortar in the north Main Street area. It slings their signature biscuits in the form of breakfast sandwiches and lunchtime offerings. ¢

Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles

Ray’s Diner

raysdiner.net. NORTHEAST: 3110 Two Notch Rd., 803-661-8175. The downhome breakfast joint and meat-and-three lunch you’ve been looking for. ¢

RF’s Corner Grill facebook.com/RFSCORNERGRILL. LEXINGTON: 712 W. Main St. 803-490-7800. From the same owners of Bubba’s Biscuit, there’s RF’s Corner Grill just a stone’s throw away. They serve American food and southern classics with a twist. $

The Root Cellar therootcellarsc.com. LEXINGTON: 420 Columbia Ave., 803-359-5436. Fresh Southern ingredients form the backbone of this carefully curated menu, with classic dishes like fried chicken livers and meatloaf given a modern flair. Salads and sandwiches, too. ¢-$

Roy’s

Grille

roysgrillesc.com. IRMO: 7971 N. Woodrow St., 803359-0994. The hidden gem, once situated inside an Exxon station, made the move this year to Irmo, in a bigger location that once held Fire and Spice. The grill serves a variety of food including barbecue, which is smoked out back; a variety of breakfast sandwiches, many of which come with their house-smoked bacon; and fish and grits, served every morning. ¢

Sound Bites Eatery toasttab.com/sound-bites-eatery-1425-sumterstreet. DOWNTOWN: 1425 Sumter St. Columbia restaurant veterans came together to open this lunchtime sandwich and salad spot in downtown Columbia. A well curated menu includes things like a smoked salmon salad and a Grilled Poblano Cheese. Plus, a small menu of morning eats too. ¢-$.

The War Mouth thewarmouth.com. DOWNTOWN: 1209 Franklin St., 803-569-6144. South Carolina food done right, from chicken bog to mustard-fried venison to deviled eggs, with a fine dining flair but no pretensions. The barbecue is out of this world, and there’s a big comfy bar with nice cocktails. $

Asian

Boku Kitchen and Saloon bokukitchenandsaloon.com VISTA: 916 Gervais St., 803-708-8577. A pan-Asian fusion restaurant in the heart of the Vista, this restaurant opened in early 2022 from the same folks who own Publico Kitchen + Tap, a Latin restaurant in the Five Points neighborhood. Boku has a handful of well-known Asian dishes and an impressive and unique cocktail list. $$

JJ Tea House

facebook.com/JJTeaHouseColumbia. DOWNTOWN: 601 Main St., Suite D, 803-834-6666. A Taiwanese street food hub on the first floor of a campus-adjacent apartment, JJ Tea House is a warm little spot. It’s got an extensive bubble tea selection, dumplings, stir fried noodles, and a wide selection of rice and protein plates. ¢

M Vista

miyos.com. VISTA: 701-C Lady St., 803-255-8878. Just like the other Miyo’s locations, M Vista features upscale Chinese cuisine and sushi, but in nicer digs. Besides stir-fries, noodle soups and special sushi rolls, there’s a well-stocked bar. Company also has a space for private events nearby. ¢-$

Miyo’s miyos.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 1220 E-2 Bower Pkwy., 803-781-7788. Winner of many Best of Columbia awards for its Shanghai and Sichuan cuisine, Miyo’s features both traditional and innovative dishes served in a comfortable, elegant atmosphere. Also features a sushi bar. ¢-$$

BBQ/Wings/Ribs

Big-T Bar-B-Que

bigtbbq.com. Gadsden: 2520 Congaree Rd., 803353-0488. GARNERS FERRY/SOUTHEAST: 7535 Garners Ferry Rd., 803-776-7132. NORTHEAST: 1061 Sparkleberry Lane Ext., 803-788-4295. Big T’s turns out some of the best barbecue in town. Pit-cooked pulled pork is the standout, served with hot or mild, slightly sweet mustard-based sauce. The sides are first-rate. Friendly people, generous portions. Top it all off with some homemade chocolate cake. ¢

JJ Tea House

Carolina Western Pub carolinawesternpub.com. VISTA: 920 Lady St., 803401-5379. Country music venue and down-home restaurant in the Vista. It’s spread out across two floors — including a dance floor — if that’s your thing.

D’s Wings Dswings.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 415 Meeting St., 803-791-4486. Newly moved to Meeting Street, D’s still serves up the same fare they’re known and loved for — wings. So many flavors of wings. They are a neighborhood favorite that also serves up bar apps, salads, sandwiches, desserts, and a surprisingly well-rounded craft beer selection. ¢-$

Doc’s

Barbeque and Southern Buffet

docsbarbeque.com. GARNERS FERRY/SOUTHEAST: 1601 Shop Rd., 803-799-1532. Barbecue buffet with famed fried chicken and delicious catfish bites. Order off the menu for tailgating or simply to take home some quality barbecue. ¢

Home Team BBQ

hometeambbq.com. FIVE POINTS: 700 Harden St. facebook.com/hometeambbqcola/ instagram.com/ hometeambbqcola. The popular Charleston-area barbecue empire’s — whose only other satellite location is in the posh ski town of Aspen, Colorado — outpost in the Five Points neighborhood has been a hit with its smoked wings and daily specials. Features a strong bar program and a nice patio. ¢-$$

Hudson’s Smokehouse BBQ

hudsonssmokehouse.com. LEXINGTON: 4952 Sunset Blvd., 803-356-1070. LEXINGTON: Hudson’s Classic Catering, 931 Old Two Notch Rd., 803-3561070. In a town full of barbecue joints, Hudson’s distinguishes itself with outstanding ribs — but the pulled pork is great, too. It’s a barbecue buffet and offers mustard-based, ketchup-based and vinegar-and-pepper options. ¢

Hite’s Bar-B-Que

hitesbbq.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 240 Dreher Rd., 803-794-4120. Don’t let the plain cinder-block building deter you. No-frills tasty pulled pork barbecue, roasted chicken, ribs and ham, all slow-cooked using wood and it’s affordable. Meats and the usual fixin’s available to go by the pound or the pint. Takeout only on Friday and Saturday. ¢

Little Pigs

littlepigs.biz. NORTHEAST: 4927 Alpine Rd., 803788-8238. Amazing spread of lunch buffet offerings including yams, corn, baked beans, fried okra, onion rings, hush puppies, green beans and more. The three varieties of barbecue are equally served with love and care. Just stellar local barbecue beloved by regulars that fills up quickly at lunch time. ¢

Maurice’s

Piggie Park

piggiepark.com. DOWNTOWN: 800 Elmwood Ave., 803-256-4377. HARBISON/IRMO: 1141 Lake Murray Blvd., 803-732-5555. LEXINGTON: 766 W Main St., 803-359-8789. LEXINGTON: 1010 S Lake Dr., 803356-1909. NORTHEAST: 252 O’Neil Ct., 803-8650608. NORTHEAST: 107 Clemson Rd., 803-788-5661. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 4411 Devine St., 803-7829547. ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE: 622 St. An -

drews Rd., 803-772-6999. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 1600 Charleston Hwy., 803-796-0220. This multi-location Midlands barbecue institution pit-cooks its juicy pork, ribs, beef and chicken over hickory coals, and its Carolina Gold mustard-based sauce is legendary. The children and grandchildren of the controversial founder now run it without the social issues of the past. ¢

Midwood Smokehouse

midwoodsmokehouse.com. GARNERS FERRY/ SOUTHEAST: 702 Cross Hill Rd., 803-764-1231. The Charlotte-based barbecue spot slings the same ribs, burgers and pulled pork and chicken at its Columbia spot. It all comes with your choice of mustard, vinegar or spicy habanero sauce. When you get to the sides, don’t miss the barbecue baked beans. $

Palmetto Pig

palmettopig.com. DOWNTOWN: 530 Devine St., 803733-2556. All-you-can-eat buffet featuring pulled pork barbecue, hash, green beans, slaw and crispy fried chicken is located conveniently close to USC spots. Be sure to arrive early or late to beat the rush. Discount available for USC students. $

Peebles

peeblesbbqwings.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 1332 Rosewood Dr., 803-569-6631. Very large and well-loved chicken wings lead the way in this easy-tomiss building, but Peebles also has bar bites, burgers, seafood and more. $

Railroad BBQ

railroadbbqsc.com. DOWNTOWN: 2001 Hampton St., 803-708-5801. Activist Kevin Gray’s longtime coming barbecue joint is open and it’s smokin’. From ribs to pulled pork, it’ll fill your barbecue cravings.

Publick House publick-house.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2307 Devine St., 803-256-2625. A Devine Street icon, Publick House is beloved for its hot wings. It also offers three types of buffalo wings, as well as a number of other flavors, along with salads, burgers and pasta to round out the menu. Billiards and beers on tap bring regulars back often. ¢

Shealy’s Bar-B-Que House

shealysbbq.com. LEESVILLE: 340 E. Columbia Ave., 803-532-8135. Big buffet spread. The pork is lovingly pulled from slow-cooked whole hogs and served with a thick and tangy mustard sauce. Among the best-loved barbecue places in the state, many say it’s worth the drive there. ¢

Southern Belly southernbellybbq.com. FIVE POINTS: 819 Harden St., 803-764-3512. Lots of sauces distinguish this barbecue joint, which offers a small but tasty selection of barbecued meat sandwiches. The D’jango is one to keep an eye on, if you’re into eating it spicy. Fries and coleslaw round out your meal. ¢-$

True BBQ true-bbq.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 1237 D Ave., 803-791-9950. This well-loved and regarded barbecue shop serves pork ribs and classic chopped pork barbecue, smoked on site; hash and rice; barbecue chicken; barbecue sandwiches; and the usual slew of sides and

desserts. Choose between Pretty Lady, Sexy Lady or vinegar-based sauce. ¢

Bakeries and Desserts

Ally & Eloise Bakeshop

allyandeloise.com. FOREST ACRES: 5209-B Forest Dr., 803-708-2982. DOWNTOWN: 1332 Main St., 803851-7005. Eloise is a French bulldog and Ally is a heck of a baker. She turns out fancy cookies, cupcakes, muffins and scones, not to mention fancy layer cakes and bundt cakes galore. Both locations are currently offering order-one-hour-ahead “express menus” or 24-hour-in-advance pre-orders. ¢

Always Original Bakery

alwaysoriginalbakery.com, WEST COLUMBIA: 501 Meeting St., 803-977-0034. New bakery offering special order decorated cakes, cupcakes, cookies, dog biscuits. Has lots of gluten-sensitive and vegan options too. ¢

Breakfast at Ruiz breakfastatruiz.com. WEST COLUMBIA: 116 State St., 803-550-9681. While this spot can be classified as a brunch spot most of the time, the newly opened restaurant also hosts an evening dessert bar featuring a handful of specialty cakes and dessert cocktails. $

Blended Bakery

theblendedbakery.net LEXINGTON: 5076 Sunset Blvd. Suite A., 803-957-5129. Lexington’s bakery, breakfast and lunch spot cooks up a variety of food to pair with its Euro-style bakery items. ¢

Blue

Flour

blueflour.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 7703 St. Andrews Rd., 803-407-3603. One of those hybrid coffee and bakery shops that earns top marks in both categories. Offers up custom-made sugar cookies, other cookies, and bars. ¢

The Cake House Casa de Pastel facebook.com/thecakehouse20. WEST COLUMBIA: 323 North 9th St., 803-386-1459. Impressive custom decorated cakes and other desserts that can be ordered in advance, plus daily bakery offerings of sweets and breakfast pastries — some with a Hispanic flair. Try the tres leches cake. ¢

Crust Bakehouse

crustbakehouse.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2701B Rosewood Dr. Crust offers daily menus with cookies, scones and other sweet pastries, not to mention delectable breads: focaccias, ciabattas, sourdough, levains and more. They do not have a phone, so just stop by. The goods go fast so check them out on Facebook to reserve something before supply runs out. ¢

Cupcake Down South

freshcupcakes.com. VISTA: 1213 Lincoln St., 803212-4949. instagram.com/cupcakedownsouth/ facebook.com/FreshCupcakes. This Charleston import does one thing and one thing only: cupcakes. Of course, they also do them supremely well. They range in size and flavor — from a mega sized chocolate cupcake for birthdays to a host of daily made regular cupcakes. Also offers ice cream, cookies, and cake pops. ¢

Crumbl Cookie crumblcookies.com/Lexington. LEXINGTON: 5135 Sunset Boulevard Suite J. 803-756-3294. It’s a cookie shop with a capital B brand. The Lexington outpost of this cookie chain opened recently and the company claims to have the “world’s best cookies.” A sleek, minimal space pairs the cookies with branded water, milk and more. ¢

Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli

thecinnamonrolldeli.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2617 Devine St., 803-465-4947. Big ol’ cinnamon rolls are the major draw here — and not just the classic kind, but eccentric ones too, from bananas foster rolls to coconut cream rolls. The deli also serves lunches that always include a mini cinnamon roll that pairs with hot dogs, sandwiches and more. $

The Donut Guy

thedonutguysc.com. VISTA: 1215 Lincoln St., 803-807-9372. What started as a food truck for a Winnsboro family grew into a brick and mortar location in early 2022. The eccentrically decorated donut shop sells a handful of specialty donuts as well as funnel cakes and donut balls from the city’s art and restaurant district. $

Duck Donuts duckdonuts.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 702 Cross Hill Road, 803-888-7424. Much-hyped doughnut chain serves up tasty cake-style rings adorned with fancy frostings and sprinklings while you wait. Seasonal offerings and flavors too. ¢

Insomnia Cookies insomniacookies.com. FIVE POINTS: 2013 Devine St., 877-632-6654. Set among the college kids, Insomnia’s Columbia outpost bakes fresh cookies for the late-night crowd. What’s better after a night of drinking than a freshly made chocolate chip cookie? Get some ice cream smashed between two of their cookies, if it suits you. Delivery is available for a $6 minimum (plus tip, of course). ¢

Kaminsky’s Dessert Café

kaminskys.com. VISTA: 930 Gervais St., 803550-9979. Charleston-based dessert bar features milkshakes, spiked coffees, dessert martinis and cocktails, cakes, cider and more. ¢-$

Kudzu Bakery and Market

kudzubakery.com FOREST ACRES: 4600 Forest Drive. 803-550-9927. The popular bakery opened its Columbia location recently. It’s got everything that people love it for, from the giftshop-like food offerings to the signature cheese biscuits. The shop recently announced an expansion of its space. $

Luscious & Delicious Sweets

lusciousanddelicious.com ONLINE-ONLY. 803-7672614. An online-only delivery service in the Carolina offering a range of baked goods. Cakes, cupcakes, pies and plenty more, from the comfort of your computer. $

Main Street Bakery

mainstreetbakery3307.com. NORTH MAIN: 3307 N. Main St., 803-563-5009. Cozy bakery housed in a brick home serves fresh-made cinnamon rolls, sweet potato pie, cupcakes and more, plus specially made-

to-order cakes. Also has a lunch menu with well-regarded hot dogs. ¢

Pelican’s SnoBalls pelicanssnoballs.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 6165 St. Andrews Rd., 803-413-5369. HARBISON/IRMO: 1600 Dutch Fork Rd., 803-920-2394. LEXINGTON: 517 N. Lake Dr. 803-206-7710. NORTH MAIN: 2404 Main St., 803-770-3009. NORTHEAST: 202 Graces Way, 803-201-9652. NORTHEAST: 2768 Decker Blvd. Unit M, 919-614-2080. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 1912 Rosewood Dr., 803-770-3009. WEST COLUMBIA: 442 Meeting St., 803-917-1316. New Orleans-style shaved ice. Yes, it is frozen sugar water, but what else could you be looking for in Columbia’s summer heat? Openings and hours are seasonal. Visit the website for more locations. Call for hours. ¢

The Robinson Room

thegrandonmain.com/therobinsonroom. DOWNTOWN: 1621 Main St., 803-726-2323. The Middleton family’s latest venture is a swanky cocktail and dessert lounge in the basement of their popular bowling alley-bar The Grand on Main. The Robinson Room opened with some serious cred, with pastry chef Rory Macdonald helping spearhead the menu. $

Scoopy Doo

FIVE POINTS: 725 Saluda Ave., 803-765-6999. Sister business to the next door coffee shop Drip, Scoopy Doo offers up housemade gelato and sorbetto incorporating some excellent local ingredients. ¢

Silver Spoon Bake Shop

silverspoonbakeshop.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2507 Devine St., 803-673-6374. Housemade pastries, cakes, pies and delicious cookies, plus a coffee bar. Does weekly pre-orders Wednesdays, with pickup on Fridays, check their social media for updates. $

smallSUGAR

smallsugarsc.com. VISTA: 709 Gervais St., 803-7227506. A bakery and sandwich/salad shop with topnotch service and lots of fresh food, chef/restaurateur Sarah Simmons’ smallSUGAR is a treasure in the heart of the Vista. $

The Strudel Shop

thestrudelshop.com. DOWNTOWN: 1237 Washington St., 803-995-6127. The Charlotte-based bakery and strudel spot opened just off of Columbia’s Main Street in early 2022. They’ve got handmade strudels and breakfast options. ¢

Sweet Cream Company sweetcreamcompany.com. DOWNTOWN: 1627 Main St., 803-251-3311. Fancy some handcrafted ice cream or sorbet? Sweet Cream Co. does it best with a frequently shifting rotation of flavors that run the gamut of classics to experimental. Coffee, too. ¢

Sweet Temptations Bakery

facebook.com/sweettemptationsbakeryonmain. NORTH MAIN: 2231 Main St., 803-728-0245. Main Street bakery rolls out cupcakes, traditional and creative cakes and bars. ¢

Bar, Club and Pub Food

Bang Back Pinball Lounge

bangbackpinball.com FIVE POINTS: 741 Saluda Ave. 803-834-4462. A strictly pinball focused joint opened in Five Points recently and it’s headed up by an owner and staff that seriously knows their flipper facts. A full kitchen of unique fried bites and a bar with a range of local and domestic taps rounds out the experience. ¢

Bar Gran Sasso

enzoscolumbia.com. FIVE POINTS: 2002 Greene St. Thanks to his success at Enzo’s Delicatessen next door, owner Joe Cardinale opened a new Italian wine bar in the college neighborhood in 2022. The spot has an impressive selection of small plates, as well as incredibly tasty meatballs and pasta, but their speciality is Italian cocktails and wine. $

Bar None

FIVE POINTS: 620 Harden St., 803-254-3354. Loved neighborhood bar, Bar None serves food into the wee hours of the morning — including, on certain Tuesdays, the finest smoked chicken wings you’ve ever tasted. Large selection of beers on tap. ¢

British Bulldog Pub

thebritishbulldogpub.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 1220 E10 Bower Pkwy., 803-227-8918. A British pub with a real British pub menu: everything from roast beef and Yorkshire pudding to meat pies and Scotch eggs to crispy samosas, plus plenty of burgers and salads for the anglophobes. Breakfast is served all day. Extensive soccer and rugby viewing schedule, too. $

Chubby’s Burgers and Brewhouse

chubbysburgersandbrew.com. BLYTHEWOOD: 420 McNulty St., 803-445-1409. What began as a food truck during the COVID-19 pandemic has morphed into a full-service restaurant in Blythewood. Right after opening, a kitchen fire put the restaurant out of business for a few weeks, but they’re back and business and thriving. $

Cock N’ Bull Pub

thecocknbullpub.net. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 326 S. Edisto Ave., 803-251-4474. The Cock N’ Bull is an English-style pub with football (that’s soccer, you American) matches a-plenty on the tube. Pub food and daily specials include shepherd’s pie, fish-n-chips, pot roast and more, plus the always amazing shrimp burger. ¢-$

Goat’s goats2.com. FIVE POINTS: 2017 Devine St., 803-7084495. Rising from the figurative ashes of Goatfeathers is Goat’s, a swanky bar run by one of the top bartenders in town. The menu runs the gamut from philly cheesesteak to finer fare. $

Henry’s Grill and Bar

henrysgrillandbar.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2865 Devine St., 803-708-4705. NORTHEAST: 111 Sparkleberry Crossing, 803-563-5674. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 2108 State St., 803-661-8494. A comfortable neighborhood bar with tasty burgers, fried pickles and tons of drink specials. Try the Big T burger: a huge, juicy double cheeseburger between two grilled cheese sandwiches. The Sunday brunch rocks and Cayce’s outpost has it on Saturday, too. ¢-$

Higher Ground Char House

SIP AWARD-WINNING COCKTAILS at our splendid bar.

SIP AWARD-WINNING COCKTAILS at our splendid bar.

If you are in the mood to elevate your lunch, try our Happy Hour Menu. Or relax a er work with our hand-cra ed Dinner Menu at our beautiful seafood bar. Make your reservation at Smoked today.

If you are in the mood to elevate your lunch, try our Happy Hour Menu. Or relax a er work with our

DINE ON FRESH OYSTERS at our seafood bar.

Lula Drake Wine Parlour

Columbia wine experts talk growth in wine interest:

By Hannah Wade hannahw@free-times.com

As restaurants emerge from over two years of COVID-19 pandemic related shut downs and protocols, many are reintroducing a concept that was just starting to gain popularity before the pandemic began — ticketed wine dinners.

“I feel like I can’t throw a rock without hearing about another wine dinner, but I think it’s kind of interesting because I think everyone finds their base of people who are devoted to their specific topics and themes and wine dinners that they do,” Jonathan Lopez said.

Lopez owns Hampton Street Vineyard, the longstanding French restaurant off of Main Street that’s known for its wine offerings. He’s the only advanced sommelier in the city.

While Columbia isn’t considered a wine destination, it’s increasingly becoming a spot that wine makers and winery owners have visited — mostly thanks to local sommeliers like Lopez and Tim Gardner, who owns Lula Drake Wine Parlour just a few blocks from Hampton Street Vineyard.

Since opening his wine bar, Gardner has hosted a series of wine makers from around

the world — like Baptiste Cuvelier of Cuvelier Wines based in Argentina and Etienne Calsac of Champagne Etienne Calsac, an organic wine maker just outside of Paris — in a series he markets as a guest winemaker series. Occasionally, he also hosts guest bartenders. “There’s so much wine out there to be discovered,” Gardner said. “The more we (try new wines), individually, and together, the more that Columbia is going to want to experience that. Word spreads pretty quickly when you’re doing something that’s interesting.”

And Gardner, along with other wine leaders in the area, is doing something interesting. Organic wines from smaller, international winemakers are Gardner’s bread and butter at Lula Drake.

Gardner and Lopez are a small part of a group of local restaurateurs that have turned to creating dining and drinking experiences that differ from their typical offerings — from ticketed dinners with drink pairings at Hampton Street to guest winemaker appearances at Lula Drake.

And while Gardner and Lopez — along with other leading chefs like Ratio’s Javier Uriate, Hendrix’s Frank Bradley and Bourbon/ Black Rooster’s Kristian Niemi — have led

‘There’s so much wine out there to be discovered’

the movement to creating unique food and drink experiences, they’re drawing inspiration from a trend that’s long been budding in the city.

Wine dinners have been around the area since the late ‘90s at more upscale restaurants, according to Mr. Friendly’s New Southern Cafe owner Ricky Mollohan. Mollohan used to host events at his spot, Solstice Kitchen & Wine Bar, which is now closed.

“Mr. Friendly’s brought wine dinners to Columbia. Back in the day, we were the ones doing them and when we opened Solstice, we did it there too. It used to be a thing that you could do on a slower night and I certainly hope to get back to doing those,” Mollohan said.

Hendrix

The trend has taken off over the last year or two as a slew of restaurants that opened right before or during the pandemic have started participating.

Across the Columbia area, there’s been a handful of speciality ticketed dinners with drink pairings at spots like The War Mouth, Ratio, Hampton Street Vineyard and Hendrix. The dinners often feature guest chefs or bartenders from other restaurants around the city and they are often unique to the restaurants that host them.

“A lot of the dinners follow our passion or (what’s seasonal), just trying to keep it new and interesting and seeing what other people are doing in town and making sure we’re not repeating different things,” Lopez said.

This isn’t a wine dinner, right?: At an upcoming dinner at The War Mouth, Chef Pierce Bowers, who owns Dorsia Pasta Company, will take over the kitchen for a four-

course meal. The dessert option, Tiramisu, will feature ladyfingers soaked in Curiosity Coffee’s cold brew.

Behind the chefs and restaurateurs that host the wine dinners, are the wine distributors who provide and often facilitate wine pairings to go with the set menu. Most of the upscale spots in Columbia have a handful of wine distributors that they work with to figure out which wines are available and in what quantities.

They also help bring big names in the wine industry to Columbia if the opportunity arises, according to Mike Wreyford, also known as “Mike the Wine Guy” on social media and around town.

“I do a pretty good job of putting together good events. Within my company whenever I get word like ‘Okay, in March so-and-so is going to be close to town,’ I say ‘Hey, can we get over here?’” Wreyford said of trying to bring in wine makers visiting bigger cities like Charleston. n

Lula Drake owner Tim Gardner | Heather Marie/Provided

Smoked

Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint

jackbrownsjoint.com. FIVE POINTS: 711 Harden St., 803-708-6049. The burger franchise that just opened up a new location in the Five Points neighborhood serves up a variety of fresh burgers, bar food and a hearty selection of craft beers — including some local ones for easy sipping. $

Jake’s jakesofcolumbia.com. FIVE POINTS: 2112 Devine St., 803-708-4788. The bar is called Jake’s and dogs are welcome in its relatively easy-going patio. The kitchen serves bar bites, while the bar side’s got a great patio that welcomes dogs — they even have a dog whisperer come every so often to keep things cool with the pups. $

Keg Cowboy

facebook.com/KegCowboy. LEXINGTON: 108 E. Main St., 803-957-2337. Pretty awesome craft beer bar and eatery in downtown Lexington. Rotating specials include house-smoked meats, homemade bread, a weekly pizza night and more. $

O’Hara’s Public House oharas-public-house.com. LEXINGTON: 131 E Main St., 803-785-4025. Robust pub menu features traditional Irish fare, American bar food and more. Frequently has live music and it recently debuted outdoor seating. $

Players Club

playersclubsc.com. DOWNTOWN: 1626 Main St., 803-608-7692. Like golf, but hate the outdoors? This indoor golf simulator on Main Street is the perfect solution for you then. The spot has various golf simulators and a full bar. $$

Rockaway Athletic Club

SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2719 Rosewood Dr., 803256-1075. For years, locals have been flocking to Rockaway’s for its revered pimento cheeseburgers and excellent bar food. ¢-$

Thirsty Fellow

thirstyfellow.com. VISTA: 621 Gadsden St., 803-7991311. Pub food and fresh specials include wings, fish ’n chips, sandwiches, soups, appetizers and an array of stone-fired pizzas. Pizzas are build-your-own style and have a host of options. $

Tin Roof

tinroofcolumbia.com. VISTA: 1022 Senate St., 803771-1558. Tin Roof is a music focused joint but also has a bar menu with flair, from the chicken-and-waffle nuggets (served with syrup for dipping) to the awesome quesadillas. The Candy Pig Mac and Cheese is beloved as well. $

Transmission Arcade

transmissionarcade.com. DOWNTOWN: 1712 Main St., 803-667-9140. This arcade bar on Main Street has become a hit with locals pretty quickly since opening a few years ago. The most exciting part of the venture isn’t the games, though. Smokey Loggins of occasional Bar None fame head up the kitchen and serve up what may be the best smoked wings you’ll ever have, plus they’ve branched out with a host of sides and other meals. $

Vella’s Restaurant & Tavern vellasonline.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 829 Knox Abbott Dr., 803-796-4629. Vella’s is down-home cooking, with wings, hamburger steak and fried catfish. There’s also bar classics and even a kids’ menu. ¢-$

Bistro/New American

1801 Grille

1801grille.com. VISTA: 700 Lincoln St., 803-7771801. A University of South Carolina-themed restaurant that’s fairly swanky. “American tavern-inspired” menu runs the gamut from oysters to burgers to wildboar-and-bison meatloaf. Classy bar, too. $$

The Aristocrat

thearistocrat803.com. VISTA: 1001 Washington St., 803-708-3393. This lowkey hangout has a strong wine selection, craft cocktails and good bites too. Often has live jazz. $

Bistro on the Boulevard

bistroontheblvd.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 1085-D Lake Murray Blvd., 803-369-1332. Upscale New American bistro food like salmon oscar and chicken romano meets new Southern classics like shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes. $

B.L.D. Diner

facebook.com/blddinerforestdrive. FOREST ACRES: 484 Forest Drive, 803-931-3595. A made-fromscratch neighborhood diner that offers brunch, dinner and more. $ 2022

Black Rooster

blackroostersc.com. WEST COLUMBIA/ CAYCE: 201 Meeting St., 803-724-2853. Bourbon chef and owner Kristian Niemi crossed the river to found his long-hoped for “French-ish” bistro concept. With French-Southern fare to a rooftop bar with a fine view of the Congaree River and Columbia skyline, it’s been a hotspot since opening. $-$$

Cafe Strudel cafestrudel.com. LEXINGTON: 309 S. Lake Drive, 803-490-0895; WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 300 State St., 803-794-6634. Casual restaurant is a West river favorite that offers soups, salads, sandwiches, grill items and coffees. Also hosts a legendary Sunday brunch. ¢

City Grit

citygritmarket.com. VISTA: 707 Gervais St., 803-8289489. From the folks behind Il Focolare and smallSUGAR, there’s City Grit. It sits right in front of smallSUGAR and serves Spanish-inspired small plates, while doubling as an impressive wine bar and retail shop with cook books and grab and go options. $-$$

Cola’s

colasrestaurant.com. DOWNTOWN: 1215 Assembly St., 803-451-0051. High-end American bistro with diverse influences. Robust seafood selection, plus steaks, salads and more, plus a lovely bar. Features a large window wall that opens to Assembly Street. $-$$

Columbo’s columbos.net. ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE: 2100 Bush River Rd. (inside the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel), 803-744-2200. Fine steaks and Southern favorites in this hotel restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring local farms’ ingredients. Offers desserts and happy hour specials. $-$$

Mr. Friendly’s

Gervais

&

Vine gervaisandvine.com VISTA: 620-A Gervais St., 803-799-8463. Mediterranean wine and tapas bar with many wines by the glass and a wide selection of appetizers. Dishes prepared in an open kitchen and are a fusion of Greek, Italian and Spanish cuisine with Southern influences. A favorite among those in the culinary scene for its quality and value. ¢-$

Hampton

Street Vineyard

hamptonstreetvineyard.com. DOWNTOWN: 1201 Hampton St., 803-252-0850. A new ownership group has taken over the longtime restaurant and remade it as an American brasserie with the same focus on the wine list. Hosts frequent wine dinners and a strong brunch, too, on Sundays. ¢-$$

Hendrix hendrixsc.com. DOWNTOWN: 1649 Main St., 803834-5132. Upscale restaurant in the historic Hennessey’s building is an ever popular spot in downtown Columbia, with its excellent rooftop views and bar. Main floor kitchen has new leadership, with a shift towards American and Southern cuisine. $-$$

Lula

Drake

luladrake.com. DOWNTOWN: 1635 Main St., 803606-1968. This wine bar offers a small but excellent menu that lets its unique and adventurous wine shine through. Handmade pastas, nightly specials, a topnotch charcuterie and more. On Wednesdays, local pasta maker Pierce Bowers showcases a specialty pasta. $

Motor Supply Co. Bistro

mrfriendlys.com. FIVE POINTS: 2001-A Greene St., 803-254-7828. Mr. Friendly’s has been serving New Southern cuisine since 1995 — sometimes innovative, sometimes comforting and always at reasonable prices. In addition to its daily menu, Mr. Friendly’s offers nightly specials. A good higher end lunch choice, too. $-$$ Saluda’s saludas.com. FIVE POINTS: 751 Saluda Ave., 803799-9500. This casual fine-dining establishment stands out among its Five Points peers with its cutting-edge culinary styles that blend Italian, French and Lowcountry influences. Serves seafood, beef, chicken and vegetarian entrees. Also hosts wine dinners. $$

Silk Restaurant & Lounge instagram.com/silkloungevista. VISTA: 902 Gervais St., 803-995-5909. This new upscale fusion restaurant came to the Vista in 2022 in the former space of the Carolina Strip Club which closed in 2019. They serve brunch and dinner. There’s a strict dress code for customers and after the kitchen’s closed, hookah is offered. $

Sky Bistro Lounge skybistrolounge.com. DOWNTOWN: 1120 Washington St., 803-851-0308. This Veteran-owned spot opened just off of Main Street in 2022 and offers New American cuisine and a full list of cocktails for a reasonable price. $

Smoked

smokedsc.com. DOWNTOWN: 1643 Main St. 803-567-5599. Yet another new spot from the Middleton family, a prominent family known for reshaping much of Main Street, comes through Smoked. It’s a combination oyster bar and microbrewery in a large, historic space on Main Street. $$

2022

Spotted Salamander

2022

motorsupplycobistro.com. VISTA: 920 Gervais St., 803-256-6687. An early pioneer of fine dining in the Vista, Motor Supply’s eclectic menu reflects a classic bistro mentality and changes every day. Still regarded as a top eatery in town, it has an upbeat, cosmopolitan atmosphere and excellent food that focuses on local produce. Especially popular for Sunday brunch. $-$$

spottedsalamandercatering.com. DOWNTOWN: 1531 Richland St., 803-546-0249. Chef-owner Jessica Shillato and her team offer up Southern lunches and a robust catering service. Spotted Salamander has something for everything between its daily specials — from a cheeseburger day to a fried chicken sandwich day — to oft-changing deviled eggs. They’ll soon add a new location on Columbia’s Main Street. $

Black Rooster

Tazza Kitchen

tazzakitchen.com. FOREST ACRES: 4840 Forest Dr. 20, 803-782-0760. This small regional chain avoids franchisee fatigue. It’s a modern but comfortable bistro that features wood-fired pizzas, salads and entrees and apps borrowing from a variety of cuisines. Sports a strong bar program, too. $

Terra terrasc.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 100 State St., 803-791-3443. Chef-owner Mike Davis brings together top-quality Southern ingredients and classic European techniques to make creative, original fare in an oft-rotating menu — truly one of the region’s best restaurants. Fantastic view of downtown Columbia from the upscale Vista West location. Looking for something a little simpler? Sit at the cozy bar and try out a brick-oven pizza. $$

Tombo Grille tombogrille.com. FOREST ACRES: 4517 Forest Dr., 803-782-9665. They call themselves “THE neighborhood bar” in Forest Acres. And whether you’re looking for a great burger, steak or just a snack and a beer, Tombo is a solid choice. Live music several nights a week. $

Twin

Peaks

twinpeaksrestaurant.com. VISTA: 600 Gervais St. 803-602-3667. This chain spot in the Vista is similar to Hooters in that it has waitresses in skimpy outfits and serves American food.

The Venue

thevenuesc.com. DOWNTOWN: 1626 Meeting St., 803-393-7915. In a space that was already being used as a restaurant and entertainment venue, Columbia’s well-known Middleton family turned their restaurant into a dueling piano bar and restaurant in 2022. It sits on Main Street, right next to their other new restaurant, Hanabi Hibachi. $

Breweries/Brew Pubs

Angry Fish Brewing Co.

angryfishbrewingco.com. LEXINGTON: 106 Fabrister Lane, Suite C, 803-520-7470. Well-brewed IPAs, sours, lagers and more from this hospitable Lexington spot. Food trucks visit often. Started serving up food recently, too. ¢

Bierkeller Columbia

bierkellercolumbia.com. Bierkeller is a nomadic operation that has no true home. The German-style brewery hosts frequent events featuring its astoundingly good brews. They plan to open a brick and mortar spot at the beginning of 2023. We’re partial to the Kellerbier and the Rauchbier, but most any craft beer-loving Columbian has their own favorites. ¢

Columbia Craft Brewing Co.

columbiacraft.com. VISTA: 520 Greene St., 803-7996027. Shiny, professional brewery is turning out some great beers and has quickly become a top brewery in town. A jam-packed beer board offers up several sours at any given time and a lager that’s making waves. They just opened an outdoor, upstairs patio. ¢

Hazelwood Brewing Company

hazelwoodbeerco.com. LEXINGTON: 711 East Main St., 803-785-3947. Matt Rodgers owns and brews at his Lexington brewer. It’s quickly gained the reputation for some of the better beers in town, along with some unique options, too. Large outdoor space makes it an ideal hang. ¢

Hunter-Gatherer

huntergathererbrewery.com. DOWNTOWN: 900 Main St., 803-748-0540. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 1402 Jim Hamilton Blvd. The oldest brewery in the city, Hunter-Gatherer slings good brews and awesome food from its Downtown spot. ¢-$

Krafty Draft

kraftydraft.com. LEXINGTON: 269 Charter Oak Rd., 803-567-2812. This Lexington-area brewpub serves up plenty of other folks’ beer as well as its own. Good and big ol’ food menu, too. ¢

Old

Mill Brew Pub

oldmillbrewpub.net. LEXINGTON: 711 E. Main St., 803-785-2337. It’s a brewery in a former cotton mill in downtown Lexington with some fine bar fare, too. Do you need to hear more? Don’t miss their famed 12Mile Oatmeal Porter. $

River Rat Brewery

riverratbrewery.com. STADIUM/FAIRGROUNDS: 1231 Shop Rd., 803-724-5712. River Rat produces excellent and original craft beers that are as well regarded at competitions as they are locally. Features a lovely outdoor deck, grassy area with cornhole and swank taproom, and a new rooftop area. It’s the oldest production brewery in town, and its location has positioned it as a go-to destination. ¢-$

Savage Craft Ale Works

savagecraftaleworks.com. WEST COLUMBIA: 430 Center St. Savage Craft is the newest, shiniest brewery in the area. Offers a robust food selection that differs through its rooftop, biergarten and taproom. In-house brews and a full bar make it a complete package. ¢-$$

Steel Hands Brewing

steelhandsbrewing.com. CAYCE: 2350 Foreman St. Massive, professional new brewery in Cayce has it all, from outdoor spaces with live music to a stacked menu to a canning line. ¢

Swamp Cabbage Brewing Co. swampcabbagebrewing.com. STADIUM/FAIRGROUNDS: 921 Brookwood Dr., 803-939-2589. Modest brewery near Williams-Brice Stadium boasts a small but strong catalog of beers, from dunkel to red IPA. ¢

Twisted Spur Brewing

twistedspurbrewing.com. VISTA: 705 Gervais St., 803-764-0203. Vista brewery features a West Coast-influenced menu, from nachos to burgers to oysters on the half shell and much, much more. The beers are brewed on site, they range from rotating sours to a hefeweizen. $

WECO Bottle & Biergarten

wecobeer.com. WEST COLUMBIA: 626 Meeting St., 803-851-1279. This biergarten with a large outdoor patio space and plenty of hearty picnic tables has quickly become a West Columbia favorite. Owners from The Whig, Phill Blair and Will Green, opened the spot a few years ago and feature a large selection of local and regional beers on tap, as well as plenty cans available for purchase. Food trucks set up regularly. ¢

Café/Coffee House

Azalea Coffee

facebook.com/azaleacoffeebar. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2700 Devine St. 803-851-0694. From the owner of the popular wedding coffee/cocktail trailer 77 Co., comes Azalea Coffee, a brick-and-mortar shop focused on highlighting women. That focus comes from its coffee providers to the menu of offerings that are named after influential women. $

Blūm Coffee blumsc.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2824 Devine St., 803-931-3421. This earthy spot comes from a College of Charleston graduate who decided to bring her coffee shop concept to the capital city. She opened a Charleston location of the spot in 2022, but still serves teas, coffees and specialty drinks from Columbia. $

Blūm Coffee

Brickhouse Coffee & Tea

brickhousecoffeeandtea.com. WEST COLUMBIA: 725 Meeting St. What started as a wholesale coffee job and tent at the Meeting Street Artisan Market has become a brick and mortar location inside of the former Primal Gourmet space in West Columbia. They offer a handful of specialty coffee drinks as well as wholesale coffee beans. $

Carolina Cafe

carolinacafeandcatering.com. DOWNTOWN: 925 Sumter St. 803-799-6676.. For over 20 years Carolina Cafe has slung what many consider to be the best bagels in town. There’s plenty more too, with soups, coffee, salads and plenty more that fits the “cafe” niche. ¢

College Grounds Café

collegegroundscafe.com. DOWNTOWN: 1217 College St., 803-708-9476. Think of it as the younger sister to established upstairs coffeehouse, Cool Beans. College Grounds Café serves sandwiches and other healthy breakfast and brunch foods — bagels, fruit, grits and more — as well as fresh doughnuts made in-house daily. Lots of vegetarian-friendly options. ¢

Cool Beans Coffee Company

coolbeanscoffeecompany.net. DOWNTOWN: 1217 College St., 803-779-4277. This near-campus coffee shop offers plenty of space for studying or socializing — but it’s not just for students. Great menu of sandwiches (the curry chicken salad is a longtime favorite), wraps, soups and salads, plus all the coffee drinks you’d expect. It even offers vegan options, a vegan hot cocoa, for instance. ¢

Curiosity Coffee Bar

curiositycoffeebar.com. DOWNTOWN: 2327 Main St., 803-357-2889. This Elmwood Park coffee spot brews great coffee too with an eclectic selection to try. A robust food menu, too, that continues to grow. ¢-$

Drip

Coffee

dripcolumbia.com. FIVE POINTS: 729 Saluda Ave., 803-661-9545. Even though the Main Street location of this popular coffee shop closed during COVID, Drip in the Five Points neighborhood is still bustling with college students and longtime regulars. Specializing in the pour-over method of brewing, Drip brews some fabulous coffee. Besides being a great place for a meeting or first date, it’s a go-to lunch and breakfast spot with surprisingly creative and tasty biscuit sandwiches and pastries. ¢-$

The Haven Coffee House thehavencoffeehouse.com. LEXINGTON: 121 E. Main St., 803-356-1402. Downtown Lexington has a hangout and new ownership has recently adapted it into a late night dessert bar. It now serves tasty breakfast and lunch, desserts, while its night time menu has boozy drinks and more. ¢-$

Higher Grounds

DOWNTOWN: 1430 Sumter St., 803-217-3247. One of the few remaining locally owned coffee shops on Main Street (after Drip and Indah shut their doors during the pandemic), this spot opened in 2008 and operates as a ministry program through First Baptist Church near Main Street.

Immaculate Consumption

immaculate-consumption.com. DOWNTOWN: 933 Main St., 803-799-9053. As a fine brewer and roaster of coffee, it’s perhaps better regarded for its wide range of sandwiches and fresh salads. ¢

Indah Coffee

COTTONTOWN: 2238 Sumter St., 803-708-0275. Cozy, airy Cottontown-based coffee roaster has excellent coffee and a recently-revamped menu. It’s a good spot for a quick meeting or to do some work and it’s a well-known spot for local Bible studies. ¢

Loveland Coffee

lovelandcoffee.com. ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE: 7001 St. Andrews Rd., 803-466-7168. IRMO: 7475 Carlisle St. Tasty local coffee, served out of a kiosk in a variety of ways, from creative lattes to house-roasted drip coffee to the famous cold brewed coffee concentrate. Loveland recently opened a full sized, beautiful coffee house too. ¢

Madrigal Café

madrigalcafe.com. DOWNTOWN: 1128 Devine St. 803-451-0892. This coffee shop and lunch spot opened in late 2022 near the University of South Carolina campus. They offer a handful of sandwiches and salads, along with coffee and charcuterie offerings. ¢

Piecewise Coffee Company

piecewisecoffee.com. CAYCE/WEST COLUMBIA: 2001 State St., 803-594-2106. Cozy coffee shop is bringing finely prepared coffee beverages to Cayce in a relaxed atmosphere. ¢

Sweetwaters

Coffee & Tea

sweetwaterscafe.com. DOWNTOWN: 1002 Park St., 803-253-1711. A college coffee shop right near the School of Music and Darla Moore School of Business, this modern coffee shop offers a clean atmosphere for studying or meeting a friend for a coffee. ¢

Cajun

Bourbon

bourboncolumbia.com. DOWNTOWN: 1214 Main St., 803-403-140. Go for the bourbon, stay for the whiskey and one of the best happy hour deals in town. Serves higher-end Cajun-Creole cuisine like squash jambalaya, bayou burgers, seared duck breast, steaks and more. A recently opened cocktail lounge expansion may just be one of the best spots to sip on a fancy drink in town. $-$$

2022

Vegetarian diners find growing options at casual restaurants

By Hannah Wade hannahw@free-times.com

Kelly Sharpe first decided to go vegetarian around six years ago as a freshman in college. At that time, her options for plant-based eats at local restaurants were limited to side items like macaroni and cheese and fries.

“It’s gotten so much better. In the six years that I’ve been vegetarian, like in the beginning, all of my food at restaurants was just like side items ... and that’s still the case in a lot of restaurants, but there are a lot of new places that have come up with actually, good vegetarian food,” Sharpe said.

Now, Sharpe, 25, said she feels like she has more options in Columbia for vegetarian cuisine — from long-standing spots like A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen on North Main to newer restaurants like 929 Kitchen & Bar and Flying Biscuit Cafe in Five Points.

Spots like these — more hip spots focused on typically more casual dining, unique atmospheres and out-of-the-box menu items — have outpaced more traditional, fine dining

Publix, add plant-based alternatives to staple products — an indicator that could reflect the increasing desire for plant-based alternatives among young people.

“I think that we are getting closer to it being more universal. It’s become easier and easier for us to get (vegan ingredients),” Slattery said. His coffee shop, which has been open a little over five years, has sold mostly vegan cuisine since it opened.

At both Publico locations, one in the Five Points neighborhood and one that recently opened in the BullStreet District, there are around 20 vegan options, including things like a tofu poke bowl and cauliflower bites.

“Obviously the trends are showing that people are much more interested and they’re more educated and they want to go toward this type of diet,” said owner Mike Duganier. “We recognize that and want to make sure we have options for people.”

Publico in Five Points opened in 2015 and has built a name for itself as a reasonably affordable, casual spot for mostly college students. Its impressive vegan menu has garnered the attention of local vegans and vegetarians.

But before spots like Curiosity and Publico jumped on the plant-based craze, people like Folami Geter and her family paved the way as the first fully vegan restaurant in the city — Geter’s father opened Lamb’s Bread in 2005. In 2020, months before the COVID-19 pandemic began, she rebranded the restaurant and opened A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen on North Main Street.

“Columbia has a larger access to vegan restaurants than some other cities that are around the same size. Charleston doesn’t have as many as we do ... Greenville has a handful, but I definitely think Columbia is kind of at the forefront of that,” Geter said.

restaurants in Columbia when it comes to offering plant-based menu items.

For the majority of the time that Greg Slattery has run Curiosity Coffee Shop, he’s had to drive across town to Trader Joe’s, a grocery store known for usually having more plant-based options, to purchase vegan chocolate chips.

In the last three months, he’s seen the availability go up as more grocery stores, like

While vegans and vegetarians are still in the minority in more conservative states like South Carolina, there is a growing trend of consuming less meat, especially among young people. A 2016 Pew Research survey found that 12% of 18-29 year olds ate a primarily plant-based diet, compared to 9% of all adults in America.

Despite the increasingly popular plantbased diet making its way into Columbia culture, there are a handful of more upscale restaurants that haven’t yet jumped on the trend in the same way that newer, fast casual spots have. Most of the fine-dining restaurants in the city have very few, if any,

Greg Slattery of Curiosity Coffee Shop, which offers mostly vegan cuisine.

options for plant-based eaters outside of a salad or side items.

At Motor Supply Bistro Company, one item on the current entree menu, which is updated regularly, is vegetarian and can be modified to be made vegan. The restaurant has a handful of salads and roasted vegetables as side items, but lacks a hearty amount of plantbased options.

“I can appreciate (the vegan lifestyle). I’m not necessarily going to have tofu or seitan in the restaurant, but I can see where it’s going. I’m not ready to totally get rid of the ribeye for an ‘impossible’ sirloin just yet,” said Wes Fulmer, the executive chef at Motor Supply.

He said most plant-based meat substitutes are more difficult to get good flavor out of and commended restaurant owners like Geter who have been able to make delicious food from those ingredients. Fulmer has used vegetables to make unique dishes like the Roasted Purple Sweet Potato “Steak,” which is meatless.

Other more upscale spots — like Saluda’s in Five Points or the recently opened Smoked, an oyster bar and smoked meats focused restaurant on Main Street — have one or two vegetarian options.

“I think that a lot of chefs rely on the meat. It’s just slapping something on the grill and pouring a fatty sauce over it is a little bit quicker and easier, but to actually pay attention to vegetables and highlight their natural beauty and flavors takes skill, and it’s more difficult,” said Amanda Bremseth, who’s been a vegan since the mid ‘90s. “I think that those high-end restaurants honestly need to evolve and get with the program.”

And while most vegans and vegetarians might struggle to find hearty options on the menus of fine-dining spots, Geter said she doesn’t blame upscale restaurants run by

more classically trained chefs for not having those options on their menu.

“There are several restaurants in Columbia that are completely plant-based. Let’s support those if you’re plant-based because they have gone out of their way to make the distinction,” Geter said. “Perhaps that’s a better way to go about it as opposed to demanding that someone who, this isn’t their wheelhouse, this isn’t what they do, this isn’t their customer base — asking them to have something.”

At Hendrix, a more upscale restaurant and rooftop bar on Main Street, the growing plant-based trend inspired a vegetarianfriendly ticketed wine dinner in June. The idea stemmed from the desire to do something more creative with seasonal vegetables, the restaurant’s executive chef Frank Bradley said.

The dinner was a success for the restaurant, selling out with close to 40 tickets on a Monday evening. Bradley said the restaurant hopes to host another at some point next year, again utilizing seasonal vegetables.

A big part of what makes plant-based restaurants a success is word-of-mouth marketing and reviews from other vegans and vegetarians. Sue Doran, who founded Let’s Meat Less two years ago, started using social media to educate people about plant-based diets and encourage local restaurants to offer meatless selections on Mondays.

Her social media brand played a part in promoting the ticketed dinner at Hendrix, which she said benefits both local restaurants and local plant-based eaters.

“It’s a way to feature the creative cooking styles and recipes of their chefs,” Doran said. “It’s really creative and lovely and more complex than just throwing a slab of flesh on the grill and adding some salt and pepper. It really allows for a lot of creativity.” n

A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen’s Fried “Chicken” Sandwich.

The Bistreaux by Fleur de Licious

facebook.com/eatfleurdelicious. BROAD RIVER: 2700 Broad River Rd., 803-205-1785. What started as a food truck concept from Louisiana-native Gregg Barthé is now a fully-operating restaurant on Broad River Road. The spot is meant to emulate the vibes, cuisine and experience of New Orleans. $

Luzianna Purchase

luziannapurchase.com. HARBISON/ IRMO: 7011 St. Andrews Rd., 803-7089991. A New Orleans-inspired sandwich shop that offers a handful of Cajun-creole dishes like po-boys. Also offers charcuterie. $

2022

Private Property

privatepropertysc.com. LEXINGTON: 220 West Main St., 803-399-8085. Cajun and Creole food in the heart of Lexington, from gumbos to jambalayas — plus big tasty burgers and a few fun extras like Cajun egg rolls. Set in a former home, it’s got a unique vibe and a white aesthetic. $

Caribbean/Latin

A Fuego 100x35

facebook.com/afuego100x35. IRMO: 7320 Broad River Rd., 803-764-3007. This relatively new restaurant comes a native of Puerto Rico who discovered her passion for cooking when her son’s lunches were catching the attention of coworkers at work. The Irmo restaurant has found success with its large selection of authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. $

Cabañas Restaurant

cabanasrestaurantsc1.com WEST COLUMBIA/ CAYCE: 825 Sunset Blvd., 803-851-1189. Flip to the back of the menu for the Honduran specialties, which are the shining stars of this restaurant, from baleadas (homemade tortillas stuffed with beans, meat and more) to yuca con chicharron (fried or boiled yuca and fried pork rinds) to pupusas. Also features classic TexMex combination plates, tacos and more. $

La Isla Bonita facebook.com/laislabonitasc. NORTHEAST: 1701 Percival Rd. 803-569-6244. Quaint, Puerto Rican restaurant that serves mofongo, Cuban sandwiches, empanadas and a pastry of the day. ¢

Ratio

ratiorestuarant.com NORTHEAST: 566 Spears Creek Church Road. 803-900-0081. Chef-owner Javier Uriarte’s solo venture is off to a hot start in its first year, building off his well-earned reputation from stints at Hendrix and Motor Supply. With a host of delicious and well-priced tapas, the chef is proving Columbia is ready and eager for trendy cuisine that goes beyond typical expectations. The bar menu offers a range of inventive cocktails and piscos, a Peruvian liquor.

Chinese

Egg Roll Chen

eggrollchen.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 715 Crowson Rd., 803-787-6820. A longtime favorite, it gets packed at the dinner hour with everyone from lawyers to construction workers. Egg Roll Chen makes a range of Chinese and other Asian favorites: Spicy Taiwan Beef, Hot and Nutty Chicken, lo mein and the famous Mamasan’s Beef Noodle Soup. It has a drive through pickup window as well. ¢

Egg Roll Station

WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 135 Sunset Blvd., 803-7914060. Beloved by generations of Columbians, Egg Roll Station prepares inexpensive, fresh Chinese-American standards to order while you watch. Go Cocks; go Egg Rolls. ¢

Main Moon

mainmooncolumbia.com. ROSEWOOD: 2800 Rosewood Dr., 803-251-8990. This cramped Chinese takeout spot just beside the Publix on Rosewood provides late-night take out for families and college students living around the area. $

Sun Ming

sunmingrestaurant.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 7509 St. Andrews Rd., 803-732-4488. For some of the best Chinese dining in the Midlands, order off the traditional Chinese menu, which features such dishes as chicken feet with black mushrooms and spicy chicken ding. Like most Chinese restaurants, it’s more than able to fill your Chinese-American cravings for Mongolian beef and sweet and sour chicken. $

Tea Pot

teapotcayce.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 829 Knox Abbott Drive. 803-796-5888. A snug Chinese eatery in Cayce. Offers the usual suspects, but also offers up a tidy menu of traditional Chinese dishes. ¢-$

Deli

5th Avenue Deli

5thavenuedeli.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 3000 Rosewood Dr., 803-722-4100. What doesn’t this spot have? They’ve got a plethora of sandwiches, salads and even some pastas. They’re on Rosewood and they’re worth stopping by. $

Andy’s Deli

andysdelisc.com. FIVE POINTS: 2005 Greene St., 803-799-2639. Five Points mainstay enjoys a well-deserved reputation for prompt service and consistent quality in its wide range of deli sandwiches. Andy’s Special, which features roast beef, turkey and bacon bits on a hoagie roll, and which comes with that tantalizingly tangy dip, ought to qualify as the official sandwich of the Midlands. Thank you my friend, indeed. ¢

DiPrato’s

Delicatessen

dipratos.com. FIVE POINTS: 342 Pickens St., 803779-0606. A stone’s throw from Maxcy Gregg Park, DiPrato’s brings a New York attitude to its gourmet deli selections. Choose from its signature sandwiches, build your own or explore the paninis and salads. A fabulous and well-loved brunch spot, too. ¢-$ Enzo’s Deli enzoscolumbia.com. FIVE POINTS: 2002 Greene St. Suite H., 803-764-7104. OLYMPIA: 600 Heyward St. Foodies take note: Enzo’s Deli is here and already getting a stellar reputation among many in the food community. It pairs an East Coast-style deli with Italian ingredients to make standout sandwiches. From a hot sandwich with grilled vegetables, mozzarella, pesto and balsamic to a cold cut sandwich, it’s hard to go wrong. Enzo’s Spuntino in the Olympia neighborhood offers up breakfast, in addition to a more streamlined lunch. $

Luzianna Purchase

The Gourmet Shop

thegourmetshop.net. FIVE POINTS: 724 Saluda Ave., 803-799-3705. A Five Points icon because of its coveted sidewalk seating and its signature and oft-raved chicken salad. The store offers a varying selection of coffees, wines, breads, cured meats, cheeses, kitchen gadgets and more. ¢-$

Groucho’s grouchos.com. BLYTHEWOOD: 730 University Village Dr., 803-754-4509. FIVE POINTS: 611 Harden St., 803-799-5708. FOREST ACRES: 4717 Forest Dr., 803790-0801. HARBISON/IRMO: 800 Lake Murray Blvd., 803-749-4515. HARBISON/IRMO: 700 Columbiana Drive Suite B. 803-749-4515. LEXINGTON: 117 1/2 East Main St., 803-356-8800. WEST COLUMBIA/ CAYCE: 2265 Sunset Blvd., 803-796-7826. NORTHEAST: 111 Sparkleberry Crossing, 803-419-6767. Open since 1941, Groucho’s is a beloved lunchtime meeting place for the students and business people of Columbia. Across its numerous locations it serves up tasty sandwiches like The Apollo and the STP Dippers. Both are locally famous for good reason. ¢

No Name Deli

nonamedelisc.com DOWNTOWN: 2042 Marion St., 803-252-0480. This popular downtown lunch spot is anything but anonymous. Grab a tray and line up for sandwiches (hot or cold), salads, daily specials and soup. Separate counter for to-go order pickup helps long lines disappear quickly. ¢

Distilleries and Wineries

Enoree River Winery

enoreeriverwinery.com. Newberry: 1650 Dusty Rd. Offers wine tastings and tours, with a view of the vineyards. Wines run the gamut from fruit (pomegranate, mango, cranberry) to muscadine wines to traditional dry varietals and blends. The wine gets fun too, with wine slushees and their hosted events.

Hollow Creek Distillery

hollowcreekdistillery.com. LEESVILLE: 112 Rocky Ridge Rd. Makes small batch, handcrafted, award-winning moonshine. Offers tours and free tastings.

Mercer House Estate Winery

mercerhouseestatewinery.com. LEXINGTON: 397 Walter Rawl Rd. Twelve-acre vineyard and winery in Lexington specializes in small-batch muscadine wines, offering tastings and tours. Makes wine jellies and blended wine vinegars, too. Great spot for parties and weddings. Some of their bottles are eclectic — like a 2016 fruit spiced coffee wine.

Food Trucks/ Mobile Eateries

Belgian Waffle Truck

thebelgianwaffletruck.com. FOOD TRUCK: 803-6066780. Serves Liege waffles — a dense, browned version of the Belgian waffle — with toppings both sweet and savory. They sling other waffle-based goods too, like a Croque Monsieur Waffle, a waffle sandwich with smoked ham, mustard and melted swiss cheese. ¢-$

City Limits Q

citylimitsq.com. FOOD TRUCK: 803-260-7469. From the Texas-style brisket to the St. Louis-style ribs, this stuff is addictive and rightfully is considered some of the best artisan barbecue around. Once you know City Limits will be at an event, pre-ordering is recommended, as they plan to — and do — sell out. $

Los Chicanos

facebook.com/chicanoscomida. FOOD TRUCK: 803397-7102. A Soda City staple and now a brewery-barbeer garden roving favorite. They offer breakfast at the weekend market, but stick to lunch and dinner options during the other stops. That means quesadillas, nachos, tacos and a whole lot more. ¢

El Guapos Tacos

Elguapostacos.org. FOOD TRUCK: 803-537-3005. A former chef at Columbia’s The Grand restaurant launched this food truck amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It slings a range of tacos, from the trendy birria to al pastor to butter-and-jalapeno-braised shrimp. ¢

Hott Mess

facebook.com/hottmesscolumbia. FOOD TRUCK: 803-915-6288. Hot Mess has burgers, chicken sandwiches and a number of pairable items like mac-andcheese balls and fried pickles. It’s not good for you, but it’s good for you, you dig? ¢

Groucho’s

Island Noodles

islandnoodles.com. MOBILE EATERY. Island Noodles operates in multiple states, but has a significant presence in South Carolina. They’re regulars at Columbia Craft Brewing Company, Soda City Market and other spots around town. Stir-fried Yaki-Soba noodles served in a Hawaiian style — ginger, garlic and plenty more. ¢

Lobster Dogs

lobsterdogsfoodtruck.com. FOOD TRUCK: 704-3011573 A popular food truck that frequents events in South Carolina, North Carolina and surrounding states. It offers, you guessed it, lobster dogs. But there’s more, too, with crab rolls, shrimp rolls and various stuffed avocados. $

Mary’s

Arepas

facebook.com/marysarepas.com. MOBILE EATERY: 803-465-6628. A longtime favorite around Columbia with its handful of arepas, all made fresh and on the spot. They range from all cheese to a chorizo arepa. They come with a selection of salsas and, while simple, they’re as tasty an option as is around. ¢

The Wurst Wagen thewurstwagen.com. FOOD TRUCK: 803-463-6637. They claim it’s “the most authentic German Food and Sausages in town” and with a German-trained master butcher who are we to disagree? They serve a whole lot of delicious German sausages, not to mention occasional doner kebab. There are specials every now and then, so visit them often to get the best prices. ¢

French

Crêpes & Croissants

crepesandcroissants.com. DOWNTOWN: 1465 Sumter St., 803-462-4779. A real French crêperie in the heart of downtown Columbia? Oui. Choose from a variety of creative savory and sweet crêpes, in addition to savory tarts, croissants, macarons and a few French desserts. The Nutella-filled crêpe is rather amazing, and the Paris crêpe is a classic. ¢

The Hideout in Weco

The-hideout-in-weco.square.site. WEST COLUMBIA/ CAYCE: 118 State St., 803-881-1044. It’s more coffee shop than French cafe, but The Hideout in Weco offers up a fair number of French-leaning goods. Food options range from avocado toasts to French apple pie.

German

Julia’s German Stammtisch

NORTHEAST: 120 Sparkleberry Crossing Rd., 803738-0630. Old-fashioned, homestyle German comfort cooking, now in a new location. From bratwurst to schnitzel, Julia’s has you covered. Cash only. ¢

Greek/Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern

Al-Amir on Main

DOWNTOWN: 2431 Main St., 803-401-5882. Wellloved and well-prepared Middle Eastern cuisine from Al-Amir includes hummus, falafel, lamb kabob, mujadara and shawarma. Pizzas, salads, subs and daily dessert specials round out the menu. ¢-$

Arabesque facebook.com/ArabesqueSC. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2930 Devine St., 803-779-6299. All your Middle Eastern favorites, from shawarma to tabouli to falafel, not to mention pizzas and — for lunch, at least — wraps and burgers. Also serves alcohol. $

Ariana’s

Greek Restaurant

arianasofwestcolumbia.com. WEST COLUMBIA/ CAYCE: 1720 Sunset Blvd., 803-796-4430. A Greek restaurant with an international flair. Along with the gyros, souvlaki, pastichio and moussaka on the menu, you’ll also find Indian samosas and a lamb pilaf that’s considered the national dish of Afghanistan. Plenty of

vegetarian options too. Serves out of a to-go window, too, for those interested in dining in. $

Boeshreen

facebook.com/pg/boeshreen1925. NORTHEAST: 2630 Decker Blvd., 803-788-2100. An enticing combination of Mediterranean, Libyan and American dishes make up the menu at this cafe and bakery — burgers, wings, falafel sandwiches, gyros, baba ganoush, shakshuka — and some Libyan favorites, including pastries. ¢

Falafel King

falafel-king.com. FIVE POINTS: 2020 Gervais St. 803888-7844. From the same owner of Al-Amir on Main comes Falafel King. It opened up in 2022 at the corner of Five Points, next to a gas station. They serve up Mediterranean favorites and many of the same menu items from Al-Amir. $

Green Olive

greenolivesc.com. USC/SOUTH MAIN: 922 Main St., 803-764-3740. Middle Eastern favorites done right, from the mezze to the baklava. Soups, breads, salads and grilled meats offer something for everyone. $

Mediterranean Tea Room

SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2601 Devine St., 803-7993118. Wide selection of Middle Eastern food like hummus, baba ganoush, falafel and tabbouleh. Specialty dish is kofta kebab, a combination of lamb and beef mixed with parsley, celery and spices. Entrees include chicken, lamb, beef and vegetarian dishes, plus nightly specials. ¢-$

Pitas

pitascolumbia.com. DOWNTOWN: 1800 Taylor St., 803-343-3454. Tasty, consistent Mediterranean/Middle Eastern fare. Yes, pitas are on the menu, but so are some delicious salads, wraps and more. ¢

Sahara on Main

facebook.com/Saharaonmain/. DOWNTOWN: 629 Main St., 803-851-1118. Moroccan and Mediterranean food near the USC campus. Features freshbaked Damascus bread and a range of Middle Eastern favorites. Caterers to students with lots of cheap deals ¢-$

Showmars

showmars.com/locations. LEXINGTON: 5318 Sunset Blvd., 803-520-0047. This Charlotte based Greek chain pairs pita sandwiches and pita burgers with entrees like chicken Santorini. Lexington’s Showmars is the first of what is supposed to be multiple in the area.

Indian

2Gingers

2-gingers.com. ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE: 245 Bush River Rd., 803-772-5121. Featuring a range of South and North Indian dishes, 2Gingers, located in the Boozer Shopping Center, satisfies vegetarians and omnivores alike. Its space was recently renovated and the Indian favorite opened back up in August. ¢-$

Delhi Palace

delhipalacesc.net. ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE: 542 St. Andrews Rd., 803-750-7760. This much-loved Indian restaurant offers a buffet as well as traditional menu items including rich curries, biryani and a range of Indian breads. Savvy enough to please aficionados and newcomers alike. Next door to a farm fresh Indian and Middle Easter grocery that they frequently advertise. ¢-$

Persis Biryani Indian Grill

persisindiangrillcolumbia.com. ST. ANDREWS/ DUTCH SQUARE: 1728 Bush River Rd., 803-851-3687. The Indian restaurant on Bush River offers South Asian cuisine and also has a buffet. ¢-$

bitesandsightscolumbia.com

Italian Alodia’s Cucina Italiana

Alodias.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 2736 North Lake Dr., 803-764-0275. LEXINGTON: 101 W. Main St., 803-520-4493. Classy Italian dining, from favorites (fettuccine alfredo, manicotti, veal piccata) to the fancy (seafood risotto, filet mignon). $-$$

Al’s Upstairs

alsupstairsitalian.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 304 Meeting St., 803-794-7404. Italian fine dining on the second floor since 1979. An ideal date night spot specializing in northern Italian cuisine, check out their lobster bisque. It is served with a popular puff pastry dome that locks in flavors and aromas. $$

Bellacino’s

Pizza & Grinders

HARBISON/IRMO: 1085 Lake Murray Blvd., 803-4074884. LEXINGTON: 5339 Sunset Blvd., Hwy. 378, 803-957-6767. As the name suggests they got Italian pizza and grinders, or very very large subs. Affordable prices, friendly staff and consistent quality keep this popular local restaurant duo full. ¢

DeLucca’s deluccas.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 1720 Sunset Blvd., 803-926-5255. This Italian eatery has all the goods you want, from fettuccine Alfredo to ravioli to lasagna. $

Di

Vino Rosso

Very’s Great Philly Food

verysrestaurant.com. NORTHEAST: 6729 Two Notch Rd., 803-788-6254. The self-proclaimed “Southern king of steaks,” Very’s serves up delicious Philly cheesesteaks, plus old-school Northeastern cuisine from Italian subs and lasagnas to pizzas. ¢-$.

Villa Tronco villatronco.com. DOWNTOWN: 1213 Blanding St., 803-256-7677. A Columbia favorite since 1940, Villa Tronco serves generous portions of traditional Italian fare such as veal parmigiana, manicotti and linguine with clams. Make sure to leave room for the cheesecake. $

Japanese/Sushi

Camon Japanese Restaurant camonsushi.com. DOWNTOWN: 1332 Assembly St., 803-254-5400. One of the few sushi spots in Columbia’s downtown business district attempts to emulate what you’d find in Japan. Its excellent sushi should get you there, if the digs don’t. Previous employees have recently purchased the restaurant from its longtime owners. $

FuruSato Bento

toasttab.com/furusato-bento-748-harden-street/ v3. FIVE POINTS: 748 Harden St., 803-758-3115. This new restaurant and grocery store sells a handful of bento boxes as well as other popular Asian snacks. They’ve got a variety of pre-made meals or grocery items to fit your fancy. $

2022

divinorossosc.com. VISTA: 807 Gervais St., 803-550-9699. The reborn Ristorante Divino has a new space, a partially new ownership group and the same great chefs. Expect high end Italian dishes with creative tweaks from their kitchen. $$

Pasta Fresca pasta-fresca.net. FOREST ACRES: 4722 Forest Dr., 803-787-1838. This local favorite is family-owned and features pasta dishes with fresh, made-from-scratch sauces and pastas. There’s nightly seafood dishes and a strong wine list too. ¢-$

Ganbei ganbeirestaurants.com. LEXINGTON: 5580-F Sunset Blvd., 803-808-1618. A chic Japanese restaurant and bar that features plenty of classics — hibachi cuisine, potstickers, stir frys, fried rice, sushi, donburi, plus some curveballs like baked mussels and spring rolls. $

Hanabi

Hibachi

Travinia

Italian

Kitchen traviniaitaliankitchen.com. LEXINGTON: 5074 Sunset Dr., 803-957-2422. NORTHEAST: 101 Sparkleberry Crossings Rd., 803-419-9313. A small chain of fine dining Italian eateries has a shop in Lexington. Its menu offers up everything from big, fluffy crab cake to entrees like a filet steak with a Madeira wine demi glace. The soups are particularly good. $-$$

hanabihibachi.com. DOWNTOWN: 1624 Main St., 803-766-0128. One of the latest restaurant ventures for the Middleton family, a prominent group of restaurant owners in the city, is their newly opened Hanabi Hibachi restaurant. In the former space of Main Course, this spot serves hibachi classics under the culinary direction of Chef Mike Ellis. $$

Cucinella’s Pizzeria and Italian Ice

Hibachi House

hibachihousesc.com. DOWNTOWN: 937 Main St., 803-728-0616. Just steps from the South Carolina State House, this mostly take-out hibachi spot is popular with USC students given its proximity to the campus. They serve hearty entrees for a reasonable price, be prepared for a wait as they’re almost always busy. $

Hokkaido

Ramen House

hokkaidoramenlexington.kwickmenu.com/index. php. LEXINGTON: 205 Columbia Ave., 803-756-0166. This relatively new spot in Lexington serves moderately priced ramen and other popular Asian cuisine.

Inakaya

Japanese Restaurant

inakaya.restaurantwebexpert.com. NORTHEAST: 224 O’Neil Ct., 803-699-2626. Elegant seating where outstanding sushi, sashimi and other Japanese cuisine take center stage. Popular with families and large groups for their spectacular Inakaya Boat Specials. $

Inakaya Watanabe facebook.com/InakayaWatanabe. ST. ANDREWS/ DUTCH SQUARE: 655-C St. Andrews Rd., 803-7312538. Excellent sushi, sashimi and traditional Japanese dishes. $

Menkoi Ramen House menkoiramenhouse.com. VISTA: 1004 Gervais St., 803-708-1569. NORTHEAST: 493-1 Town Center Pl., 803- 828-3908. Traditional ramen in various forms, from spicy pork based soups to miso ramen. Great gyoza, onigiri and more, too. ¢.

SakiTumi Grill & Sushi Bar sakifresh.com. VISTA: 807 Gervais St., 803-9310700. Upscale Vista hotspot includes a popular bar area and a separate sushi bar. Extensive sake list complements beer and wine offerings. Plenty of non-sushi items on the menu, including grilled items and tasty appetizers such as the lotus root chips. $

Sakura Japanese Restaurant

SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 4430 Rosewood Dr., 803776-4747. A longtime Columbia institution, Sakura opened in a new location after its Forest Acres spot was destroyed by the historic 2015 flood. Serves up sushi and more Japanese goods. $

Saky

Sakyrestaurant.wixsite.com. GARNERS FERRY/ SOUTHEAST: 4963 Jackson Blvd. 803-787-5307. Saky serves great sushi as well as soups, noodles and other Japanese favorites right outside the Fort Jackson gates. A cozy and chill spot for a drink and a roll or two. $

TakoSushi

tako-sushi.com. DOWNTOWN: 1332 Main St., 803708-1604. A new restaurant in Main Street’s Arcade building, Georgia-based TakoSushi offers a handful of both popular Asian cuisine like sushi and potstickers and Latin-inspired cuisine. The restaurant also has happy hour offerings. $

Tsunami

HARBISON/IRMO: 1290 Bower Pkwy., 803-407-3873. VISTA: 700-C Gervais St., 803-312-9911. Trendy, chic sushi bar and restaurant with elegant, contemporary atmosphere and ample seating areas to complement extensive sake, wine and beer selection. The happy hour offerings are worth it. $

Korean

929 Kitchen 929kitchen.com. VISTA: 929 Gervais St., 803-7643825. Korean gastropub offers traditional and other eclectic cuisine in a beautiful space. Swanky bar with a solid cocktail program, unique desserts too. The owners are plotting a second location that will specialize in Korean BBQ. $

Arirang

NORTHEAST: 1943 Decker Blvd., 803-790-5506. You’ll feel right at home in this Korean restaurant. It serves up such delights as pork belly grilled right at your table, plus Korean classics and banchan — and beer, of course. ¢-$

Hero Korean Steak House

columbiahero.com. NORTHEAST: 6634 Two Notch Rd., 803-699-9922. Yes, those are live, glowing coals in the middle of your table and, yes, much of the food will be cooked right there. Specializes Korean dishes such as gal bi (short ribs in a house sauce) and hwe dup bob (mixed raw fish and spicy sauce atop rice). ¢-$$

Korea Garden

facebook.com/koreagarden.sc. NORTHEAST: 2318 Decker Blvd., 803-760-3888. Traditional Korean foods, from spicy stews to bi bim bap, they have drinks too. $

O Bok Korean Restaurant

NORTHEAST: 1616 Decker Blvd., 803-787-1100. O Bok doesn’t compromise when it comes to its food. Its Korean dishes include the traditional barbecued beef and stir-fries as well as more unique offerings. Meals are served with a big assortment of banchan, or Korean-style small dishes. ¢

Seoul Restaurant and Grocery

NORTHEAST: 1717 Decker Blvd., 803-790-0090. This charming restaurant and grocery offers homestyle Korean fare in a casual setting. $

Inakaya Watanabe

Mexican/Southwestern

7 Mares

LEXINGTON: 4360 Augusta Rd., 803-520-0067. That’s mar-es, as in Spanish for oceans, not English for girl horses. Serves up the oceans’ bounty, featuring Mexican favorites like red snapper Veracruz-style, lobster soup, ceviche, spicy shrimp, octopus salad and more. Also serves Mexican-American classics like fajitas and carnitas. $

Boca Grande Burritos

has tasty tacos and burritos, plus more, and a robust breakfast menu packed into a small space. ¢

La Estrella

facebook.com/laestrellacayce. WEST COLUMBIA/ CAYCE: 1921 Airport Blvd., 803-739-6520. Grocery store and restaurant. Serves assorted tacos with all the classic fixins: cilantro, lime, corn tortillas and more. Tortas, too. Other items include short ribs served with queso fresco, beans and rice. Includes a butcher and a deli counter. ¢-$

Manny’s Chamoyadas/ Manny’s Shaved Ice

2022

FOREST ACRES: 4525 Forest Drive Suite 2-A., 803-834-4076. Longtime Cantina 76 chef David Grillo has staked out on his own with a fast-casual burrito spot. With a focus on ingredients and quality, Grillo’s new spot offers a handful of burritos and the ability to build your own, plus sides like street corn and frito pie. ¢-$

Cantina 76 cantina76.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2901 Devine St., 803-708-6004. DOWNTOWN: 1301 Main St., 803-764-1769. Cantina 76 and its various locations draw everyone from singles at the bar to couples and families. The Tex-Mex gets them in the door, the excellent margaritas and deals keep ‘em there. $

Casa Oaxaca Mexican Restaurant

facebook.com/CasaOaxacaMexicanRestaurant.

WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 2410 Augusta Rd., Suite H, 803-497-6945. An array of tasty Mexican food with options like huaraches, sopes and tlayudas. $

Chapala Mexican Restaurant

LEXINGTON: 1792 S. Lake Dr., 803-957-0840. IRMO: 7001 St. Andrews Rd., 803-749-7071. Mexican-American specialities, from fajitas to chilaquiles, plus the combination platters you’d expect. Lots of tortas if you’ve got a big lunch appetite. $

Coa Agaveria y Cocina

coaagaveria.com. VISTA: 823-A Lady St., 803-8515965. Tucked under the hip Aloft Hotel, this tequila bar offers upscale Latin food, from grilled octopus to bone marrow to high-end tacos. The bar offerings are can’t miss libations when you’re there. $-$$

Family Fresh Mex

facebook.com/sodacitytacos. DOWNTOWN: 1200 Main St. 803-518-8339. A popular Soda City Market food truck has followed what is now a somewhat common path: a brick and mortar. Family Fresh Mex

facebook.com/mannysShavedIce. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 1228 Augusta Rd., 803-828-9914. Though it specializes in raspados and chamoyadas — sweet-and-savory drinks in a variety of refreshing flavors — Manny’s also has snacks like elote and other desserts like banana splits and milkshakes. ¢

Supermercado El Mariachi

WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 1078 Sunset Blvd., 803794-3493. It’s a Mexican store complete with groceries, a bakery and a butcher shop on one side and a beloved Mexican eatery on the other.$

Moctezuma’s Taqueria

facebook.com/MoctezumasTaqueria. GARNERS FERRY/SOUTHEAST: 506 Beltline Blvd., 803-8887498. A bounty of Mexican antojitos like tacos, sopas, huaraches and tortas, plus some Mexican-American restaurant favorites like fajitas and chiles poblanos. They have margaritas, too. A cozy, friendly spot near Shandon, Heathwood, Rosewood and more. $

Publico Kitchen and Tap

publicokitchenandtap.com. FIVE POINTS: 2013 Greene St., 803-567-5738. BULL STREET: 2180 Boyce St., 803-726-6525. A long row of craft beer taps sets the stage for the fun, fresh flavors of Publico. Tacos and other meals are inspired by a host of other countries, all to be had inside or out on their patio. They recently opened a second location in Columbia in the ever-growing BullStreet District. $

Real Mexico

ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE: 2421 Bush River Rd., 803-750-8990. A beloved Mexican restaurant by many, Real Mexico has plenty of Mexican and Southwestern foods, from tortas to carne asada to fajitas to chimichangas to fish tacos. Full bar with margarita specials. $

Boca Grande Burritos

Tacos Nayarit

facebook.com/tacosnayaritmexicangrill. NORTHEAST: 1531 Percival Rd., 803-814-0727. The folks behind the Decker Boulevard food truck have brought their tasty tacos to a sit-down restaurant. It adds to the truck’s menu with a hybrid between a traditional Mexican taco stand and the Americanized made-to-order fast-casual eateries, think a piping hot quesadilla — plus they griddle their own tortillas right behind the counter. ¢-$

Taqueria Jalisco

facebook.com/TaqueriaJaliscoColumbia. ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE: 612 St. Andrews Rd., 803731-5546. A Mexican joint bursting with flavor across its menu of tacos and burritos. Its lunch specials are a great bang for your buck. ¢-$

Tex Mex texmexcolumbia.com WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 1215 Augusta Rd., Suite H. 803-995-5445. A young Mexican restaurant that carries that standard, but also offers an expansive hybrid menu. That means things like hot dogs, which range from a chorizo dog to a Carolina-style dog, to burgers and more.

Tio’s

Mexican Cafe

tiossc.com. DOWNTOWN: 921-A Sumter St.,803-2527229. Locally owned Tex-Mex café distinguished by its extensive and eclectic salsa offerings to pair with its tacos, burritos and other Mexican bites. A full bar features tequilas and beers galore. Open late, and they deliver late, too. ¢

Pizza

Il Bucato

Il-bucato-pizza-square.site. FOREST ACRES: 1615 N Beltline Blvd., 803-708-3500. From the owner of Five Point’s Saluda comes a decidedly different concept. Il Bucato is a take out only pizza, sandwich and salad joint conceived before the pandemic, but is tailor made for it. The food? So far, so good, say diners. $

Cucinella’s Pizzeria & Italian Ice cucinellaswestcola.com. WEST COLUMBIA: 2250 Sunset Blvd., 803-888-6465. A New York style spot in West Columbia, Cucinella’s has you covered with specialty pizza pies, stromboli and calzones. Round out your meal with some Italian ice for dessert. $

Dano’s Pizza danosdelivers.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 3008 Rosewood Dr., 803-254-3266. New York-style and gourmet pizzas sold by the pie or slice. If you’ve got a little extra time, the Sicilian crust is special. Dinner menu also offers veal parmesan, manicotti and stuffed shells. Not a bad place to drink a beer and watch the game, either — don’t worry it’s also a family-friendly spot. ¢-$

Tacos Nayarit

Eddie’s Calzones

eddiescalzones.com. FIVE POINTS: 817 Harden St., 803-764-3669. Has more than 60 variations to choose from including the unique Diablo and cheesecake calzones, while normal options include a chicken bacon ranch and straight cheese calzone. Delivery is open until 4 a.m. which means you’ll have something to soak up the alcohol any day of the week. ¢

Il Focolare

ilfocolarepizzeria.com. DOWNTOWN: 2150 Sumter St., 803-563-5052. Culinary minds behind smallSUGAR and The Cafe at Richland Library bring pizza to Cottontown, often with delicious, eclectic options. They weathered the pandemic, closing indoor dining periodically throughout, and now they’re open again for indoor seating as well as takeout. $

Il Giorgione

ilgiorgione.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2406 Devine St., 803-521-5063. Pizzas and pastas, plus nice touches like an Italian cheese plate and lovely arugula salads are served in a warm space and a charming patio area. Good selection of affordable Italian wines. $

LaBrasca’s Pizza facebook.com/Labrascas. GARNERS FERRY/SOUTHEAST: 4365 Fort Jackson Blvd. LaBrasca’s has been serving great pies in Columbia since 1966. While its owners have changed over the years, this humble pizzeria continues in its tradition of offering tasty pizzas at prices that haven’t seemed to change much since they opened. ¢

Lil’ House of Pizza lilhouseofpizza.com. 6903 St. Andrews Rd., 803-4407332. What started (and still continues to operate at different events like Soda City) as a food truck has recently expanded to offer take out only from its brick and mortar commissary kitchen. It’s New York-style pizza in Columbia, South Carolina. Often offers up calzones and other goodies, too, like tiramisu. The ‘za comes in a number of flavors and is offered by the pie or slice. ¢-$

Mellow Mushroom mellowmushroom.com. VISTA: 1009 Gervais St., 803-933-9201. LEXINGTON: 5364 Sunset Blvd., 803-359-0778. A popular lunch and dinner spot, Columbia’s two outposts of Mellow Mushroom serve gourmet hand-tossed pies, along with huge calzones,

hoagies and salads, all with fresh ingredients. Pizza toppings range from jerk chicken and pineapple to plain-old pepperoni. Large beer selection, with more taps upstairs at the Vista location. $

Nicky’s Pizzeria

nickyspizzasc.com. LEXINGTON: 102 E. Main St., 803-490-0048. Choose between a traditional New York-style thin crust pizza and a Sicilian-style thick crust — or just pick one of the tasty calzones, subs (warm and cold) or salads on offer. Bottled and draft beer, too. ¢-$

Old

Chicago Pizza & Taproom

oldchicago.com/locations/columbia. VISTA: 802 Gervais St., Ste. 100C, 803-252-3100. This chain specializes in beers and pies. Combine your barbecue chicken, Hawaiian or Thai pizza with a beer, glass of wine or cocktail. Also offers mac n’ cheese, fish and burgers. They’re everywhere for a reason. ¢-$

Tony’s

Pizzalicious

tonyspizzasc.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 975 Knox Abbott Dr., 803-794-5469. A venerated pizza joint in Cayce that offers lots of Italian faves. Its Gyro Pizza has been well received by many. ¢-$

Village Idiot

villageidiotpizza.com. FIVE POINTS: 2009 Devine St., 803-252-8646. FOREST ACRES: 4517 Forest Dr., 803252-8646. OLYMPIA: 612 Whaley St., 803-252-8646. Offering New York-style hand-tossed pizza by the pie or slice for lunch, dinner and delivery, the offshoots of the original Five Points location are go-tos for many who seek pizza. Other featured menu items include sandwiches (Jersey Cheesesteak), wings, calzones and strombolis, pasta (baked ziti), salads and wings. ¢

Za’s Brick Oven Pizza zasbrickovenpizza.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2930 Devine St., 803-771-7334. Pizzas of all sorts, plus salads, sandwiches, pastas, calzones and more round out the menu at this chic Shandon eatery. $

Seafood

Blue Fin Seafood Restaurant and Bar bluefinrestaurantandbar.com. NORTHEAST: 461-4 Town Center Place, 803-865-7346. Currently, offering late lunches and dinner with a marine focus, from the lovely crab dip to the lobster ravioli and many fresh

Halls Chophouse

fish options. Steaks, chicken and the like will keep the non-seafood-loving happy. $

Blue Marlin

bluemarlincolumbia.com. VISTA: 1200 Lincoln St., 803-799-3838. Specializing in creative seafood dishes with a decidedly Lowcountry flair, Blue Marlin also serves hand-cut steaks and prime rib. Shrimp and grits is a top seller, with the grits coming from right across the street, at Adluh Flour. Well priced for the quality they offer. Private dining facility available. $

Bonefish Grill

bonefishgrill.com. FOREST ACRES: 4708 Forest Dr., 803-787-6200. HARBISON/IRMO: 1260 Bower Pkwy., 803-407-1599. Based out of St. Petersburg, Florida, Bonefish Grill specializes in fresh seafood and boasts an oak-burning grill and a wide range of sauces. They have a little something for everyone between their pasta, chicken, pork and steak dishes. ¢-$

Oak

Grove Fish House

oakgrovefishhouse.com. LEXINGTON: 309 Oak Drive, 803-821-9006. From the owners of Blue Marlin comes this casual Lexington-area fish eatery. Grilled and fried seafood platters, shrimp and grits, catfish stew, salads and much more. $

Oyster Bar

oysterbarcolumbia.com. VISTA: 1123 Park St., 803799-4484. A true, old-fashioned oyster bar, and the Vista’s first. Sit at the bar and let your server shuck you some steamed or raw Gulf oysters. Also serves steamed shrimp and scallops, plus shrimp and grits, crab legs and lots of drinks and beer. ¢-$

Palmetto Seafood

DOWNTOWN: 2200 Gervais St., 803-254-2503. Part seafood market, part fried seafood counter, Palmetto Seafood will serve you up some fresh, hot, fried fish to go at a heck of a value. A Columbia institution. $

Pearlz

Oyster Bar

pearlzoysterbar.com. VISTA: 936 Gervais St., 803661-7741. Pearlz specializes in fresh oysters, regional seafood and Lowcountry recipes. Oyster bars may be a concept from yesteryear, but Pearlz’ hip, trendy ambience and signature martinis make it a hotspot for Columbia’s young, urban professional crowd. $

Wild Crab

wild-crab.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 275 Park Terrace Dr. Suite 200, 803-661-8888. Cajun- and Creole-style seafood, fried seafood baskets, and combo meals pairing half pounds with sides. $

Steakhouse

Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse

cowboybraziliansteakhouse.com. DOWNTOWN: 1508 Main St., 803-728-0887. Churrascaria-style steakhouse with what you love them for — the enormous salad bar and the never-ending parade of sizzling grilled meats being carried around the dining room. Come hungry. $$

Halls Chophouse

hallschophousecolumbia.com. DOWNTOWN: 1221 Main St., 803-563-5066. The Charleston-based high-end steakhouse features a fabulous view of the Statehouse. Since opening in Columbia, it has become a favorite among the white collars who work Downtown. $$

Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse

rioz.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 410 Columbiana Dr., 803708-3151. Giant skewers stacked with meat and a massive salad bar — and you can eat as much as your belly can handle. $$

Ruth’s

Chris Steak

House

ruthschris.com. VISTA: 924-A Senate St. (Hilton Hotel), 803-212-6666. What can you say, it’s Ruth’s freaking Chris. Among the most fabled steaks on planet Earth, hands down. Just get your wallet ready. $$

Thai

Baan Sawan baansawanthaibistro.com. FIVE POINTS: 2135 Devine St., 803-252-8992. Baan Sawan is a family operation that serves expertly prepared Thai standards like pad thai and curries, but also offers dishes you won’t find elsewhere — the tom kha matz features duck fat matzo balls — and inventive seafood creations. Spectacular, intimate beer and wine program; well trained staff; classy setting. It’s been temporarily closed for close to a year following the COVID-19 pandemic. $-$$

Bodhi Thai

Basil Thai Restaurant

eatatbasil.com. GARNERS FERRY/SOUTHEAST: 702 Cross Hill Rd., 803-782-0716. Housed at the upscale Cross Hill Market, this Charleston import features Thai classics and approachable twists thereupon. The kitchen is rounded out by a nice cocktail selection from the bar. $

Bodhi Thai bodhithaidining.com. LEXINGTON: 126 E. Main St., 803-957-1994. Classy, high end Thai in downtown Lexington. Pad thai with shrimp and green papaya salad are joined by items like a filet mignon in red curry or pork belly steamed buns. Immaculate presentation; carefully crafted food; daily specials. Take-out lunch menu, too. $

Duke’s Pad Thai dukespadthai.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 904 Knox Abbott Dr., 803-661-6455. facebook.com/dptnoodles/. This “street food and noodle bar” recently expanded its menu to offer much more pan-Asian flavors, from ramen to pho to pad Thai, plus shrimp dumplings and Asian-esque tacos. Plenty of vegan options too. Popular takeout spot; call your order in ahead of time. $

Kao

Thai Cuisine

kaothaicola.com. VISTA: 1001 Senate St. Suite 300, 803-569-6881. Kao Thai blends Thai dishes with items from other Asian cuisines, like shumai and roti & curry. Full bar with fancy cocktails. The restaurant will soon move to 1307 Main St. in early 2023. $

Lotus Thai Dining

lotus-thai-dining.business.site. GARNERS FERRY/ SOUTHEAST: 7546 Garners Ferry Road Unit 280B, 803-995-7039. A new Thai restaurant in the Southeast offers more than just Pad Thai and other go-tos. A wide ranging menu offers Lao, Chinese and sushi. Frequent specials offer up fresh seafood in a variety of preparations. $

Mai Thai Cuisine

WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 2249 Sunset Blvd., 803939-4795. Not just a great Thai restaurant, but also a bubble tea cafe and Asian bakery. Restaurant features Thai classics such as spring rolls and a host of noodle and rice dishes. Entrees such as rainbow duck, whole red snapper and a host of curries round it out. Its lunch specials are reasonably priced, too. $

New Bangkok Restaurant

newbangkokcolumbia.com. GARNERS FERRY/ SOUTHEAST: 7509-H Garners Ferry Rd., 803-8515559. Go-to Thai restaurant offers all the basics — plus a robust takeout business. ¢-$

Thailand Restaurant

ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE: 6024 St. Andrews Rd., 803-731-7715. This aptly named spot serves up delicious Thai food. Serves numerous entrées, soups and salads, with choices of mild, medium or hot. $

Vegetarian

Good Life Café

goodlifecafe.net. DOWNTOWN: 1614 Main St., 803-726-2310. It’s vegan and it’s awesome. The raw menu and specials feature a tasty and ever-rotating array of mock foods: tacos, tostadas, wraps, sandwiches, tarts and more. It also has a cooked menu with everything from grilled wraps to bean-and-grain bowls. Large selection of fresh squeezed juices and herbal tonics, and some scrumptious desserts. A full bar rounds it all out. $

2022

A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen

apeaceofsoul.com. DOWNTOWN: 2338 Main St., 803-253-7889. With a new brick-and-mortar location, this popular food truck has become an instant hit in the Cottontown neighborhood. Its entire soul food menu is vegan and uses locally grown and organic produce. Mock meats, sandwiches, vegetable dishes and fresh fruit juices available. They operate as takeout only. ¢

The Reizod Vegan Experience

facebook.com/TheReizodVeganExperience. NORTHEAST: 9300 Two Notch Rd., 803-862-0045. All vegan food from a variety of cultural traditions. It’s an experience, as the restaurant often says. ¢

Rosewood Market & Deli

rosewoodmarket.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2803 Rosewood Dr., 803-765-1083. A natural-foods grocery featuring fresh organic produce, herbs and spices, but a not-so-well-kept secret (it’s in the name after all) is that the deli puts out great food. It serves a diverse selection of hot gourmet meals, salads, breads, pastries and desserts. The daily grain bowl is a standout. ¢

Vietnamese Golden Chopstix

WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 1505 Charleston Hwy., 803791-0206. Serves Thai and Vietnamese dishes. This low-key restaurant is a delight; the decor is tasteful and simple, and the service is excellent. Dishes are prepared fresh upon ordering — even the curry. Also serves sushi. ¢

Pho

Viet

phovietsc.wixsite.com. NORTHEAST: 9308 Two Notch Rd., 803-699-5959. Though it specializes in pho — the fragrant Vietnamese beef soup served with fresh herbs, bean sprouts and more — Pho Viet also serves much more. From spring rolls, to chicken and seafood soups to rice bowls and noodle bowls, it has a little of everything. Also serves jelly pearl drinks and Vietnamese coffee. ¢

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Welcome to the events calendar of Bites and Sights, where we’ve curated some of the biggest events in town to keep track of. Let’s place special emphasis on “biggest events” as plenty of the city’s smaller clubs and other venues have exciting performances each month as well. So Keep your eyes peeled to free-times.com and our weekly print edition for updates on event announcements, and any cancellations or postponements that might occur.

YEAR-ROUND

Arts and Draughts

Columbia Museum of Art, columbiamuseum.org. Drink beer. See art. Hear music. Repeat quarterly.

First Thursday on Main Main Street, downtown Columbia, firstthursdayonmain.com. Eclectic monthly arts series. A loose collaboration between the merchants and galleries on Main Street.

Soda City Market Mainstreet, downtown Columbia. Weekly food and craft market is pretty much packed week in, week out — which also makes it one of the area’s best people-watching hangs.

NOVEMBER

Baker & Baker presents Zion: A Composition

Nov. 17. Columbia Museum of Art. columbiamuseum.org. Local musicians banded together for an intense odyssey of instrumental rock and will perform it here..

Soda City Jazz Festival featuring Boney James Nov. 27. Koger Center for the Arts. kogercenterforthearts.com. It’s a new jazz festival in, well, Soda City. Legendary jazz saxophonist Boney James headlines the inaugural iteration.

DECEMBER

Fantasia

Dec. 2. Township Auditorium. Thetownship.org. R&B star Fantasia comes to Columbia.

More Than Rhythm: A Black Music Series Featuring Nicole Neely and The Black Exchange

Dec. 8 . Columbia Museum of Art. columbiamuseum.org. The local museum’s Black music series offers free concerts of diverse musicians, like composer/producer Nicole Neely and The Black Exchange. S.C. Philharmonic presents Holiday Pop Dec. 11. Harbison Theatre. Scphilharmonic.com. It’s classical, but also holiday time. The South Carolina Philharmonic brings these two things together.

Yacht Rock Revue Dec. 16. The Senate, thesenatecolumbia.com. It’s a cover show, just really really good. Known as YRR, they’re perhaps the biggest tribute show around.

JANUARY

An Evening with Neil deGrasse Tyson

Jan. 11. Koger Center for the Arts. kogercenterforthearts.com. Stars are cool, but do you know how cool? Neil deGrasse Tyson will fill you in.

Tom Papa

Jan. 20. Harbison Theatre. Harbisontheatre.org. Have a laugh and settle in for Tom Papa’s show in Columbia.

Cody Johnson

Jan 27. Colonial Life Arena. coloniallifearena.com. A country star comes to Columbia for an arena show. What else do you need to know?

FEBRUARY

More Than Rhythm: A Black Music Series Featuring The Mahoganëë Xperience

Feb. 3. Columbia Museum of Art. columbiamuseum.org. The local museum’s Black music series offers free concerts of diverse musicians continues on, this time with the vocalist The Mahoganëë Xperience.

Soul II Soul

Feb. 3. Colonial Life Arena. Coloniallifearena.com. R&Bers Kem and Ledisi play an arena show with Musiq Soulchild backing them up.

Journey

Feb. 10. Colonial Life Arena. coloniallifearena.com. Legendary rock outfit Journey comes to town for its 50th anniversary show. Supporting them? None other than Toto.

Awadagin Pratt

Feb. 4. USC School of Music Recital Hall. sc.edu. The Southern Exposure series continues with acclaimed pianist Awadign Pratt.

Hairspray

Feb. 15-16. Koger Center for the Arts. broadwayincolumbia.com. Broadway in Columbia brings the Tony Award-winning musical to town. Embrace the ‘60s, baby. Riverdance

Feb. 22-23. Koger Center for the Arts.broadwayincolumbia.com. Another Broadway in Columbia shindig, this time bringing the 25th anniversary performance of “Riverdance the Show.”

MARCH

St. Pats in Five Points

TBA. Five Points. Stpatsincolumbia. com. Annual St. Patrick’s Day festival held every year in March. Brings live music and vendors to the collegiate neighborhood.

The Mahoganëë Xperience performs at columbia Museum of Art on Feb. 3.

Jesus Christ Superstar

March 7-8. Koger Center for the Arts. broadwayincolumbia.com. The legendary and heavenly musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” comes to Columbia.

Reba McEntire

March 10. Colonial Life Arena. Coloniallifearena.com. You only need to know one word to know what we’re talking about — and that’s Reba.

Legally Blonde

March 28-29. Koger Center for the Arts. broadwayincolumbia.com. More musicals by way of Broadway in Columbia, this time with “Legally Blonde.”

APRIL

Katt Williams

April 7. Colonial Life Arena. Coloniallifearena.com. The legendary comedian Katt Williams comes to Columbia for his “2023 and Me Tour.”

“A Forest Unfolding: Featuring Novelist Richard Powers”

April 14. University of South Carolina School of Music Recital Hall. sc.edu. The Southern Exposure music series brings a new twist — Pulitzer Prizewinning novelist Richard Powers working in collaboration with several composers from USC.

Styx

April 21. Township Auditorium. Thetownship.org. Chicago’s Styx plays Columbia. Expect hard rock from the ‘70s and ‘80s legends.

MAY

THUNDERFEST ’23

May 6. Harbison Theatre. Harbisontheatre.org. This local music festival highlights the region’s and Columbia’s jazz musicians across a variety of niches.

ATTRACTIONS

Columbia is full of history — and historical attractions. The Articles of Secession were signed here, and Gen. Sherman occupied the city at the end of the Civil War. Even the Publix in the Vista carries a whiff of Civil War history, occupying a building that once printed Confederate currency and later housed the state liquor dispensary.

But it’s not just war sites that you need to see: Statewide, South Carolina has 1,300 sites on the National Register of Historic Places.

The city has several notable historic homes, including the Robert Mills House & Gardens (Mills designed the Washington Monument), the Mann-Simons Site (an important center of the African-American community) and the Woodrow Wilson Family Home (the only presidential site in the state, and the only museum in the country dedicated to the history of the Reconstruction era).

Columbia also has an often-overlooked civil rights history that includes three major Supreme Court rulings. Signs along Main Street commemorate key local events and people.

Our attractions aren’t all ancient, either. See, for example, the monument to Hootie & the Blowfish in Five Points.

Columbia’s biggest attraction is the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, which draws more than a million visitors per year. Opened in 1974, the zoo occupies 170 acres along the Lower Saluda River and houses more than 2,000 animals in natural habitat exhibits; 70 of those acres are devoted to Riverbanks Botanical Garden, which features woodlands, gardens, historic ruins, plant collections and Waterfall Junction, a three-acre play area for children.

Other top destinations in the city include the South Carolina State Museum (with a planetarium, observatory and 4D theater), EdVenture Children’s Museum, Congaree National Park, the Columbia Museum of Art, Three Rivers Greenway, Colonial Life Arena and the Township Auditorium.

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

Art for your ears

The CMA’s Binder podcast uses art as a catalyst to talk about big ideas, bringing people together through complex conversations and personal stories to create connections that lift our entire community.

Columbia Museum of Art

Downtown / USC / South Main

Columbia’s Main Street is booming these days. The Hub at Columbia has brought a major influx of young residents to the area. Restaurants such as Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse, Good Life Café, Lula Drake, Smoked and Ambrosia Taverna have given Main Street a big daytime boost. The Soda City market is bustling on Saturday mornings. Columbia’s lone arthouse cinema, the Nickelodeon Theatre, is on the 1600 block of Main Street. The well-liked local eatery Spotted Salamander is set to fill the former Drip Coffee space. The Whig is one of the hippest bars in town, though it’s set to close soon. In recent years, spots like The Joint and Transmission Arcade have helped spread things to do further north, too. And the Columbia Museum of Art, long the area’s cultural anchor, provides a steady stream of exhibitions and events. Bottom line: Things are happening downtown.

Just south of the State House is a string of establishments catering largely to university types and state employees. Among the options within a few-block radius: coffee, sandwiches, frozen yogurt, pizza, ice cream, and locally brewed beers at Hunter-Gatherer.

African-American History Monument

State House grounds, east side. The backstory of this monument goes back to 1994, when then-state Sen. John Courson put forward a grand bargain that would link removing the Confederate Flag from the State House dome (but keeping it on State House grounds) with creating an African-American history monument. That initial proposal didn’t pass, but eventually a compromise came together. Dedicated in 2001, this 12-panel sculpture represents key aspects of the African-American experience.

Busted Plug Plaza

1400 Block of Taylor St. It’s a giant metallic fire hydrant. What else can we say?

2022

Main and Hampton streets, 803-7992810, columbiamuseum.org. Exhibitions! Concerts! Beer! The museum’s traveling exhibitions span a range of art history, while its permanent collection emphasizes European fine and decorative arts. Of course, the art is a key draw, but there are also a ton of other events happening here: the young adult-oriented Arts & Draughts series, the acclaimed Chamber on Main series, plus lots of lectures, films and other programs.

Elmwood Cemetery

501 Elmwood Ave. OK, so maybe hanging out in a cemetery isn’t your idea of fun. But this cemetery is full of history — and Civil War history in particular. Established in 1854, Elmwood Cemetery covers 168 acres and includes an area dedicated to Confederate soldiers. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

Finlay Park 930 Laurel St., 803-545-3100. Truth be told, Finlay Park (opened in 1991) has seen better days. Nonetheless, it can still be a good place for a walk amid the hustle of downtown. It could also get a boost soon as the city is considering major renovation plans. Also hosts occasional concerts and festivals. Located behind the Assembly Street post office.

Governor’s Mansion

800 Richland St., 803-737-1710, scgovernorsmansion.org. Built in 1855 as a residence for officers of the Arsenal Military Academy, Gen. Sherman’s troops spared the building at the end of the Civil War and it became the official Governor’s Mansion in 1868.

Hampton-Preston Mansion

1615 Blanding St., 803-252-7742, historiccolumbia. org. Built in 1818, the Hampton-Preston Mansion opened for tours in 1970; its rooms reflect the Federal period to the early postbellum years.

Koger Center

1051 Greene St., 803-777-7500, koger.sc.edu. The Koger Center is operated by USC and has served as Columbia’s primary facility for the performing arts since 1989. Hosts the Broadway in Columbia series, South Carolina Philharmonic concerts, ballet performances and more. Seats just over 2,000.

African-American History Monument

Mann-Simons Cottage

1403 Richland St., 803-252-7742, historiccolumbia. org. One of only a few houses in South Carolina owned by free blacks in antebellum days and preserved as a historic house museum. Celia Mann and her descendants owned the house from the mid-19th century until 1970. The house serves as the focal point for the annual Jubilee Festival.

McKissick Museum

816 Bull St., USC Horseshoe, 803-777-7251. Offers exhibits relating to the cultural, political and natural history of South Carolina and the southeastern United States.

Modjeska Monteith Simkins House

2025 Marion St. Built between 1890 and 1895, this one-story cottage was the home of Modjeska Simkins, a leader in South Carolina’s civil rights movement and the first woman to serve as state secretary of the state NAACP. At a time when African-Americans could not stay at city hotels, Simkins’ home offered a gathering space and lodging for many civil rights figures, including future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Nickelodeon Theatre

1607 Main St., 803-254-8234, nickelodeon.org. Specializing in foreign and independent films, the Nickelodeon moved into the spot of the former Fox Theatre on Main Street in 2012 and opened a second screen in 2015.

Palmetto Trail palmettoconservation.org. Conceived in 1994 as a statewide series of linked trails, the Palmetto Trail features 350 miles of completed paths thus far. In the Midlands, the Capital City Passage is an urban section of the trail going from Riverfront Park to Fort Jackson.

Randolph Cemetery

Elmwood Ave. at I-26, historicrandolphcemetery. org. Founded on land purchased from Elmwood Cemetery in 1872, Randolph Cemetery is the first cemetery established specifically for Columbia’s black community. Prior to the cemetery’s founding, AfricanAmericans were buried along with poor whites near the river in a potter’s field. But in 1871, 19 local black leaders came together to establish a respectable place for burial for African-Americans; it is named in honor of S.C. Sen. Benjamin Franklin Randolph.

Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden

I-126 at Greystone Blvd., 803-779-8717, riverbanks. org. From reptiles to birds and everything in between, Riverbanks Zoo is by far Columbia’s biggest tourism draw. Home to more than 2,000 animals and a 70-acre botanical garden, Riverbanks also sports a zipline canopy tour, a ropes course and hosts popular annual events such as Boo at the Zoo, Brew at the Zoo and Lights Before Christmas.

Robert Mills House and Garden 1616 Blanding St., 803-252-7742, historiccolumbia. org. The Robert Mills House is best known for its namesake architect, who also designed the Washington Monument. Open for tours, it is one of only five National Historic Landmarks in the city.

Soda City Market

Main Street at Hampton Street, sodacitysc.com. Downtown Columbia’s weekly street market has become an incubator of sorts for local eateries. From Thai cuisine and other Southeast Asian fare galore to the delicious hot corn cakes at Mary’s Arepas, the constantly evolving vendors offer something for everyone. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday.

South Carolina State House Main Street at Gervais Street, scstatehouse.net. More than 50 years after its original inception in 1851, architect Charles C. Wilson finally completed the building, calling it “one of the most notable buildings of the world.” Others disagreed, with one legislative observer calling the dome “nothing short of a miserable fraud.” Now you can gape at the expanse of lawn on the north side where the Confederate flag flew until July 2015.

Getting Around

The COMET

The Midlands’ bus system has nearly 30 routes, a slick new fleet of buses and a handy app, and the downtown transit station was recently remodeled. Visit catchthecomet.org for all the info you need.

Columbia Museum of Art

Seibels House

1601 Richland St., 803-252-7742, historiccolumbia. org. Built in the late 18th century, the Seibels House now serves as the Historic Columbia Foundation office and is a popular spot for weddings. Historic Columbia was chartered in 1961 to prevent the loss of the Robert Mills House and now is involved in many aspects of historic preservation in Columbia.

J. Marion Sims Monument Main Street at Gervais Street. As a debate has erupted nationwide over monuments to Confederate generals and other divisive figures, this bronze bust tucked away in the shady northwest corner of the State House grounds has gotten some attention. 19th century physician J. Marion Sims, a South Carolina native, is credited as the father of gynecology; he developed many of his techniques by experimenting on enslaved women without anesthesia.

Segra Park columbiafireflies.com, 803-726-4487. Segra Park is the anchor of the BullStreet development and the home of Columbia’s minor league baseball team, the Columbia Fireflies. It’s also a multi-use entertainment venue that hosts various events.

Sylvan Building

1500 Main St. Where’s the Sylvan Building? Just look for that old clock at the corner of Main and Hampton streets. Built between 1868 and 1870, The Sylvan Building was the first large building constructed in Columbia after Union soldiers burned the city on Feb. 17, 1865 Now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Town Theatre

1012 Sumter St., 803-799-2510, towntheatre. com. Built in 1924, Town Theatre is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is the oldest continuously operating community theater building in the country; presents family-friendly musicals and other productions.

Three Rivers Greenway riveralliance.org, 803-765-2200. Designated in 2013 as a National Recreation Trail, the Three Rivers Greenway provides several miles of linked riverside pathways in Columbia, Cayce and West Columbia. The completed Cayce and West Columbia portions of the Greenway are already popular for walking and running, and the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheatre hosts outdoor concerts and more.

Township Auditorium

1703 Taylor St., thetownship.org. First opened in 1930, the 3,000-plus-seat Township Auditorium has hosted such artists as Elvis Presley, Duke Ellington, Pink Floyd, The Clash and Bob Dylan. Reopened in 2010 after a $12 million facelift, the Township brings everything from R&B, country, rock and EDM acts to wrestling, comedy and dance.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral & Cemetery

1100 Sumter St. Originally dedicated in 1814, Trinity Episcopal grew into a new building in 1847, one designed by Edward Brickell White and modeled after York Cathedral in England. Today, it’s one of the 20 largest Episcopal churches in the country. Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice James F. Byrnes and six governors are buried in its cemetery.

Tunnelvision

Taylor and Marion streets. A 1975 wall mural of a road running through a tunnel, Tunnelvision is an iconic piece of local public art. Don’t drive by this thing when you’re stoned unless you feel like totaling your car.

USC Horseshoe

900 block of Sumter St., 803-777-8161. Little do most of the frolicking young college students on the gorgeous USC Horseshoe know — or care, probably — that Robert Mills, the nation’s first federal architect, designed several buildings there, as well as the Maxcy Monument, named for the first president of the college, Jonathan Maxcy.

Woodrow Wilson Family Home 1705 Hampton St., 803-252-7742, woodrowwilsonhome.com. The Wilson family moved to Columbia in 1870, moved into the home in 1872 and left two years later following a dispute between Wilson’s father and the Presbyterian Theological Seminary where he taught. After years of renovations, the home re-opened in February 2014, focusing on Reconstruction-era history.

Vista / Riverfront State Street / Vista West

This converted warehouse district is largely known for its many dining and nightlife options and art galleries, but it also sports some key attractions such as the Colonial Life Arena, EdVenture Children’s Museum and the

Soda City Market

South Carolina State Museum, as well as a theater and a grocery store (converted from a former Confederate printing plant). Home to such popular annual events as Vista Lights (a holiday season kick-off party) and Artista Vista (a threeday gallery crawl in the spring), the Vista also has an increasing number of residential options. Just across the Gervais Street bridge sits an eclectic mix of nightspots, galleries, gift shops, restaurants and antique shops, many of them on State Street in West Columbia.

Adluh Flour Mill 804 Gervais St., 800-692-3584, adluh.com. The neon Adluh Flour sign in the heart of the Vista points to a cultural icon of Columbia. Founded in 1900, Adluh is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Flour and cornmeal products sold on-site.

The Big Apple 1000 Hampton St., 803-518-6147, bigappledance. com. A debate still rages as to whether the phrase “The Big Apple” came to New York City from jazz or from horse racing (a 1930s N.Y.C. sports column was called “Around the Big Apple”). For Columbia’s sake, let’s go with the jazz theory: Once a local synagogue, The Big Apple later was turned into a juke joint where, in 1936, African-Americans invented a new dance, the Big Apple. Now popular for weddings, receptions and dance events.

Colonial Life Arena

801 Lincoln St., 803-576-9200, coloniallifearena. com. The 18,000-seat Colonial Life Arena is the largest arena in South Carolina, hosting major concert and entertainment acts and serving as the home for USC men’s and women’s basketball.

Columbia Marionette Theater

401 Laurel St., 803-252-7366, cmtpuppet.org. Located near Riverfront Park, the Columbia Marionette Theater was founded in 1988 and presents children’s productions ranging from traditional fairy tales to educational shows. In 2009, founder Allie Scollon received a top national puppetry award.

EdVenture Children’s Museum 211 Gervais St., 803-779-3100, edventure.org. The South’s largest children’s museum, with more than 70,000 square feet of cool stuff to keep the kids occupied.

Riverfront Park

Laurel at Huger Street, 803-545-3100, columbiasc.net. Separating the Historic Columbia Canal and the Congaree River, Riverfront Park is a popular jogging and walking trail encompassing 167 acres just west of Huger Street.

South Carolina State Confederate Relic Room & Museum 301 Gervais St., 803-737-8095, www.crr.sc.gov. The Confederate Relic Room actually has much more than Civil War memorabilia, with artifacts dating from the Revolutionary War to World War II. Located in the former mill that also houses the South Carolina State Museum.

South Carolina State Museum 301 Gervais St., 803-898-4921, southcarolinastatemuseum.org. The State Museum opened a major expansion space in 2014 featuring an observatory, planetarium and 4D theater (which was recently updated.) Housed in the historic Columbia Mill building (built in 1893), the South Carolina State Museum has permanent and rotating exhibitions covering South Carolina’s cultural history, natural history, science, technology and art. The museum also brings in non-South Carolina-related blockbuster exhibitions.

Three Rivers Greenway riveralliance.org, 803-765-2200. The completed portions of the Greenway are popular for walking and running, and the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheatre hosts outdoor concerts and more.

Trustus Theatre 520 Lady St., 803-254-9732, trustus.org. A popular and well established theater in the Vista, Trustus offers contemporary works alongside popular musicals and mainstream plays.

Five Points / Rosewood / Olympia / Southeast

Five Points is a college student’s playground, but it’s also much more. Home to the annual St. Pat’s festival — which draws thousands of music fans and partiers every year — Five Points offers an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and bars where you’ll find everything from coffee, hip clothes, books and records to deli sandwiches,

South Carolina State Museum

burritos and ice cream. And with the coveted treelined bungalows of Shandon just up the street, Five Points and Devine Street also have options for the post-college crowd, including numerous locally owned clothing stores and other retail spots.

Not far away in Rosewood, you’ll find a burgeoning residential and retail area anchored by Publix and sprinkled with eclectic spots to grab a drink such as Cock ‘N’ Bull Pub and Rockaway Athletic Club. Rosewood has its own signature events, too, among them the Rosewood Crawfish Festival, the Rosewood Arts Festival and the Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival.

Over in the historic mill village of Olympia, you’ll find a dynamic community space at 701 Whaley — which houses the 701 Center for Contemporary Art and hosts numerous local events — and Founders Park, home of the Gamecock baseball team. Olympia’s big annual events are Olympia Fest and the Quarry Crusher Run.

701 Center for Contemporary Art 701 Whaley St., 803-779-4571, 701cca.org. Opened in the fall of 2008, the 701 Center for Contemporary Art is an integral part of the local arts scene, hosting cutting-edge visual arts exhibitions, artist talks and more.

Founders Park

431 Williams St. Home stadium of the two-time national champion Gamecocks men’s baseball team, this 9,000-seat stadium is a bang-up place to watch the Gamecocks. Has been named the best college baseball stadium in America in past years.

City Roots

1005 Airport Blvd., 803-254-2302, cityroots.org. In the heart of lower Rosewood, City Roots is a working urban farm, with classes, volunteer opportunities, parties and other events.

Congaree National Park nps.gov/cong, 803-776-4396. No, Congaree National Park is not in Rosewood, but if you head out Rosewood Drive to Bluff Road and keep going for 18 miles, you’re there. This 22,000-acre park boasts the largest oldgrowth, floodplain forest on the continent. It’s also an International Biosphere Reserve, a Globally Important Bird Area and a National Natural Landmark. Activities include hiking, boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, nature walks and more. Located in Hopkins,

southeast of Columbia (S.C. 48 from Bluff Rd. or exit 5 off I-77).

Five Points Fountain

Harden Street and Saluda Avenue. The Five Points Fountain is a nice place to hang out with your coffee or lunch; it’s also ground zero for numerous events, including the annual JerryFest.

Five Points Retail

Five Points is for strolling, dining and shopping. Retail options are wide, encompassing everything from unique gifts at Portfolio Art Gallery or Finleaf Gallery to hip clothing at Sid and Nancy and skateboards at BlueTile. When night falls, there are plenty of places to get your groove on, too (see Nightlife).

Hootie Monument

Remember that band with the song “Hold My Hand” that came out in the mid-’90s and sold an ungodly number of records? Those guys were from Columbia. Head to Santee Avenue, look at the big metal sculpture and read all about the many musical exploits of Hootie & The Blowfish.

Shops on Devine

Just up the hill from Five Points on Devine Street are a string of high-quality, locally owned shops. From craft beer at Craft & Draft to ultra-cool furniture at Bohemian Home and high-end fashion at Pout and Brittons, Devine Street merchants specialize in some of the most unique and eclectic offerings in the city.

Tapp’s Outpost

713 Saluda Ave., 803-988-0013, outpostartspace. org. While Tapp’s organization is effectively no more, their name still sits atop this Saluda shop, which now houses a few artists and their retail offerings.

South

Carolina Military Museum

1225 Bluff Rd., 803-806-4440, scmilitarymuseum. com. Dedicated to honoring South Carolina’s National Guard and its citizen soldiers throughout history, from the late 17th century to the wars of the 21st century.

Williams-Brice Stadium

1125 George Rogers Blvd., 803-777-4271, gamecocksonline.com. Situated close to both Rosewood and Olympia, 80,250-seat Williams-Brice Stadium is party central during USC football season, with fans spilling into both Five Points and the Vista after games. Since being built in 1934, Williams-Brice has served as the site of lots of drunken football revelry, as well as hosting Pope John Paul II, the Rolling Stones, U2, Kenny Chesney, Beyoncé and Jay-Z

Five Points

and then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign.

Northeast / Forest Acres / Fort Jackson /

Blythewood / Camden

Home to the wonderful Sesquicentennial State Park, the Northeast also sports the 600-acre Sandhill Research and Education Center, the annual Sparkleberry Country Fair, the enormous Village at Sandhill retail complex (and in it, the popular Plex Indoor Sports), the expansive Lake Carolina residential development, several golf courses and farmers markets, and top-notch schools that keep residents coming. Just a few miles away in Camden is the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, which commemorates the 1780 Battle of Camden.

Camden Archives & Museum 1314 Broad St., 803-425-6050, cityofcamden.org. Offers genealogical research facilities and maintains a diverse collection to aid visitors in their research. Collects material pertaining to the north-central section of South Carolina formerly recognized as the old Camden District.

Columbia Children’s Theatre 3400 Forest Dr., 803-691-4548, columbiachildrenstheatre.com. A nonprofit, professional theater offering educational and entertainment opportunities to children and families.

Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County 810 Lyttleton St. (Camden), 803-425-7676, fineartscenter.org. Presents community-oriented theater, music, dance and exhibitions, as well as the annual Carolina Downhome Blues Festival.

Goodale State Park 650 Park Rd. (Camden), 803-432-2772, southcarolinaparks.com. Cypress trees, a pond, fishing, picnic spots, kayaking and canoeing all make this a popular spot to visit.

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site historic-camden.net. We’ll spare you the suspense: The Americans got their asses handed to them at the 1780 Battle of Camden. Some 233 years later, though, we’re over it. Hosts a Battle of Camden Remembrance

Day each August, Revolutionary War Field Days each November and other events throughout the year.

Lake Wateree Winnsboro, 803-482-6401, southcarolinaparks. com. Hosts fishing tournaments and offers a publicly accessible boat ramp, tackle shop and refueling dock.

Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden 145 Broad Acres Rd. (Bishopville), 803-484-5581, pearlfryar.com. A true South Carolina icon, Pearl Fryar has made his incredible topiary garden his life’s work — and invited the public to see it.

Sandhills Farmers Market 900 Clemson Rd., 803-788-5700. Open each Tuesday from 2 to 7 p.m. through late November. Farmers from around the region bring fresh local produce, meat, fish, eggs, butter, milk, cheese, honey, plants, flowers, shrubs and baked goods. Across from the Village at Sandhill.

Sandhill Research and Education Center 900 Clemson Rd., 803-788-5700. Clemson University’s agricultural research facility and nature preserve on 600 acres. Wildlife is abundant; guests are advised to stay on designated trails.

Sesquicentennial State Park 9564 Two Notch Rd., 803-788-2706, southcarolinaparks.com. This 1,419-acre park features a 30-acre lake surrounded by trails, picnic areas and campsites. Also offers boating, fishing, swimming, meeting facilities and trails. Trails include a 61-mile mountain bike trail, a 19-mile nature trail, and a 35-mile walking and jogging trail. Located 13 miles northeast of Columbia on Two Notch Road.

South Carolina Railroad Museum 110 Industrial Park Rd. (Winnsboro), 803-712-4135, scrm.org. Everybody loves trains, right? Take an hourlong ride, stroll through historic train cars and check out the hats, whistles and other train paraphernalia in the gift shop.

U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum 4442 Jackson Blvd., 803-751-7419, jackson.armylive. dodlive.mil/post/museum. Commemorates Fort Jackson’s prominent role in training American soldiers by acquiring and exhibiting artifacts dating to the fort’s founding in 1917 Public access is limited; call ahead for details.

Village at Sandhill 481 Town Center Pl., 803-419-0235, villageatsandhill. com. Located off I-20 (Exit 80, Clemson Road), the

Sesquicentennial State Park

Village at Sandhill is a testament to the growth of Columbia’s Northeast region. Primarily a massive retail development, the Village at Sandhill also boasts a movie theater, numerous dining options and community events, including outdoor concerts.

Lake Murray / Lexington / Harbison / Irmo / West Columbia / Cayce

For visitors to the area, the key draw in this part of town is Lake Murray, a 50,000-acre man-made lake with 650 miles of shoreline. Lake Murray offers a wide range of seasonal recreation options — including sailing, fishing (especially striped bass), camping and hiking — and a huge Fourth of July fireworks display. Public access is limited to the few parks and marinas scattered around the lake, so keep that in mind as you make your plans.

There’s more to the area than the lake, however. Among your options: Saluda Shoals Park, which features a wetlands preserve; Harbison State Forest, a great place to bike; and Seven Oaks Park, with a full-service recreation complex.

If you’re looking for cultural offerings, among your options are the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra and the Chapin Theatre Company, which has been serving the area for more than 25 years. For Columbians from all areas of town, the Columbiana Centre mall and its surrounding big-name retailers make it a necessary stop. Good schools and neighborhoods round out the package for residents.

Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center 1120 Fort Congaree Tr., 803-227-3030, lcrac.com. A massive and well-kept modern tennis complex hosting tournaments and offering year-round lessons. Also has a gym.

Chapin Theatre Company PO Box 360, Chapin, 803-404-0015, chapintheatre. org. What originated informally in the late ‘70s as a few friends staging no-frills plays has become a staple of Lexington County’s cultural life. Shows at Harbison Theatre.

Congaree Creek Earthworks Monument

Situated along the Timmerman Trail portion of the Cayce Riverwalk, this monument marks the site of earthworks built during the Civil War by more than 750 enslaved African-Americans. Parking at Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center.

Congaree Riverwalk riveralliance.org, 803-765-2200. A partnership between local governments, the River Alliance has spent years building segments of the Three Rivers Greenway, a linear park along the Saluda, Broad and Congaree rivers. Popular for walking, biking and jogging. Key sections include Columbia’s Riverfront Park, the Cayce Riverwalk and the West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater.

Crooked Creek Park 1098 Old Lexington Highway, Chapin, 803-345-6181, icrc.net. “Crooked Creek” makes this park sound like it’s a dirt path next to a trickle of water. Actually, it’s got a 53,000-square-foot community center with a full gym and racquetball courts, along with tennis courts, athletics fields, picnic areas and walking trails.

Dreher Island State Recreation Area 3677 State Park Rd., Exit 91 off I-26, 803-364-4152, southcarolinaparks.com. Located 30 miles northwest of Columbia in Prosperity, the Dreher Island recreation area consists of three islands encompassing 12 miles of shoreline on Lake Murray. Especially popular for fishing and boating (Lake Murray is a top destination for striped and largemouth bass), Dreher Island also offers lakefront camping, cabin and villa rentals, water skiing and picnicking.

First Responders Wall of Remembrance

205 W. Main St., Lexington, scremembers911com. Dedicated in 2008, this memorial to 9/11 was made from steel from Ground Zero in New York City.

Frankie’s Fun Park 140 Parkridge Dr., 803-781-2342, frankiesfunpark. com. Kids’ stuff? Hardly. This Harbison-area entertainment center packs three go-kart tracks, three 18-hole mini-golf courses, batting cages, bumper boats, an arcade, a 5,000-square foot multi-tiered laser tag arena and an super-tall drop zone that says “In your face, gravity!” into 14 acres filled with fun for all ages. What, do you hate fun or something?

Gibson Pond Park

241 Gibson Rd., Lexington, 803-359-1027, scgreatoutdoors.com. These 15 acres in the Town of

Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden

Lexington offer walking trails, kayaking, picnic tables and a scenic overlook.

Harbison State Forest state.sc.us/forest/refharb.htm, 803-896-8890. If you didn’t know it was there, you’d never expect to find 2,177 acres of forest along the sprawling mess that is Broad River Road. But there it is — one of the largest public green spaces inside the city limits of a metropolitan area in the eastern United States. Features more than 16 miles of roads and trails (popular for biking) and a canoe landing.

Harbison Theatre

7300 College St., Irmo, harbisontheatre.org. Info: 803-407-5003, Tickets: 803-407-5011. The 400-seat Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College presents a high-quality and eclectic array of performing arts events that diversify Midlands Tech’s offerings and strengthen its relationship with the local community. Also serves as a rental facility for local arts organizations.

Icehouse Amphitheater

107 W Main St., Lexington, 803-358-7275, icehouseamphitheater.com. Lovely outdoor venue in the heart of downtown Lexington entertains local groups, touring bands and community events.

Lake Murray lakemurraycountry.com, lakemurray.com. Located a few miles northwest of downtown Columbia, Lake Murray is a 50,000-acre lake offering boating, camping and other recreational activities. Lakemurraycountry. com lists public access points, as well as marinas and landing spots. Good striped bass fishing during the season.

Lake

Murray Symphony Orchestra

Lmso.org, 803-400-3540. Think there’s no culture when you get outside downtown? Think again. Led by artistic director Einar Anderson, the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra was conceived in 2001 and held its first concert in 2004.

Lexington County Museum

U.S. Highway 378 and Fox St., Lexington, 803-3598369, facebook.com/lexingtoncountymuseum. Founded in 1970, the museum complex encompasses seven acres and features 36 historic structures focusing on the early history of Lexington County, from 1770 until the Civil War.

Peachtree Rock Nature Preserve scgreatoutdoors.com/park-peachtree.html, 803-254-9046. Sadly, the geological wonder known as Peachtree Rock — a triangular-shaped top-heavy sandstone formation that had stood on its pointed base for millions of years — fell in December 2013, likely due to rain and years of vandalism. The good news? You can see the formation lying on its side, as well as Little Peachtree Rock and the rest of this beautiful 460-acre preserve, which has the only waterfall in the coastal plain. Located off S.C. 6 in southern Lexington County near Swansea.

Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden riverbanks.org. If you live downtown, you’ll likely enter the zoo from its Greystone Blvd. entrance off I-26 But if you live west of the Congaree River, you can enter from Sunset Boulevard (Highway 378) in West Columbia. This entrance will take you right to the zoo’s beautiful 70-acre botanical garden.

Saluda Shoals Park icrc.net, 803-731-5208, 803-213-2050 (weekends). Situated on 270 acres downstream from the Lake Murray Dam, Saluda Shoals features a popular water park, an environmental education center, canoe trips, nature hikes, biking trails, fishing spots, picnic shelters, art exhibits, summer camps, health and wellness programs, meeting facilities and more. Good trout fishing if you like to wade.

Seven Oaks Park 200 Leisure Ln., 803-772-1228, icrc.net. Built in 1973 and located in the St. Andrews area, Seven Oaks Park is a full-service recreation complex offering fitness, athletics and cultural arts programs. Features a dance studio, art gallery, picnic areas, tennis courts, walking trails and more.

State Farmers Market

Exit 115 off I-26, scstatefarmersmarket.com. Relocated to Lexington County from Richland in 2010, the South Carolina State Farmers Market has a lot more space than it used to — space for vendors, shoppers and parking. Open Mon-Sat 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sun noon to 6 p.m.

Village Square Theatre

105 Caughman Rd., Lexington, 803-359-1436, villagesquaretheatre.com. Community theater from the Lexington County Arts Association.

Saluda Shoals Park

NIGHTLIFE

The Senate

DOWNTOWN / NORTH MAIN

Bourbon

1214 Main St., bourboncolumbia.com. There are tasty high-end takes on Southern and Creole cuisine. There’s an impressively creative cocktail program. And yes, there’s a whole hell of a lot of bourbon on offer.

Cantina 76

1301 Main St., cantina76.com. Like its sister location on Devine Street, this taqueria offers good tacos and good drink specials, especially at happy hour. Draws the urban professionals looking for something less gritty than The Whig.

Curiosity Coffee Bar

2327 Main St., curiositycofeebar.com. Yeah, it’s a coffee shop, but it offers a surprisingly solid amount of craft beer, sake and wine. Plus, some all day breakfastand-lunch bites.

The Grand 1621 Main St., thegrandonmain.com. The Grand has a bowling alley. The Grand has a bar. The Grand has food. Welcome to the new Main Street.

Hendrix

1649 Main St., hendrixsc.com. With its expansive white marble bar and rooftop views, this restaurant in the historic Hennessey’s building is the new hotspot for downtown Columbia.

The Joint 1710 Main St., thejointsc.com. Jazz club is a musical hotspot on Main Street’s 1700 block.

Lula Drake 1635 Main St., luladrake.com. A smart, cozy bar for people who really love wine. Great craft beer selection, too.

The Robinson Room

1621 Main St., 803-726-2323, thegrandonmain. com/therobinsonroom. The Middleton family’s latest venture is a swanky cocktail and dessert lounge in the basement of their popular bowling alley-bar The Grand on Main. Conceptual cocktails meet fancy desserts. $

Sheraton Roof Top Lounge

1400 Main St., 803-988-1400. With a fine panoramic view of the city, the Sheraton’s hip Rooftop Lounge offers a classy clientele, fine libations and desserts.

Sheraton Vault Martini Bar

1400 Main St., 803-988-1400. Nestled within the bank’s original safe, the Vault Martini Bar is a hotspot for those seeking sophistication.

Smoked

1643 Main St., 803-567-5599, smokedsc.com. From the owners of the Robinson Room and The Grand (and more) comes a very upscale bar and restaurant, complete with its own microbrewery.

Transmission Arcade

1712 Main St., 803-667-9140, transmissionarcade. com. Much-hyped arcade bar set up shop this year on Main Street. Just as exciting as the well-stocked game selection, though, is the fact that Smokey Loggins, known for impeccable smoked wings among other smoke-centric creations, is running the kitchen.

Vino Garage

2501 Main St. A, thevinogarage.com. This bar and bottle shop is a fine place to sip a wine or beer, or to pick up either to take home and enjoy.

The War Mouth 1209 Franklin St., 803-569-6144, thewarmouth.com. Though more renowned around town for its profoundly good Southern cooking, this Cottontown hangout doubles as one of the best bars in town. Late-night menu.

The Woody 1649 Main St., 803-608-3384, facebook.com/ TheWoodyonMain. Having shut down its Vista location, this long-standing dance club is reborn on Main Street’s booming 1600 block.

SOUTH MAIN / USC

Hunter-Gatherer

900 Main St., 803-748-0540, huntergathererbrewery. com. More than the token local brewpub, H-G offers awesome bartenders, scrumptious entrées and an excellent liquor selection.

FIVE POINTS /SHANDON

Bang Back Pinball Lounge

741 Saluda Ave. 803-834-4462, facebook.com/ bangbackpinball. This strictly pinball-focused joint is headed up by an owner and staff that seriously knows their flipper facts. A full kitchen of unique fried bites and a bar with a range of local and domestic taps rounds out the experience.

Bar Gran Sasso

2002 Greene St. instagram.com/gran__sasso. This new classy wine, cocktail and small plate joint comes from the owner of the next-door Enzo’s Delicatessen. It’s a new gem in Columbia’s collegiate neighborhood.

Bar None

620 Harden St., 803-254-3354. Typically open from happy hour until sunrise, Bar None is the last refuge of the late-night lush and the service industry worker.

The Bird Dog

715 Harden St., 803-799-0611, facebook.com/ BirdDogBarCola. The drinks are served in mason jars. There are mounted deer heads and paintings of hunting dogs. It’s a Southern bar, through and through, and people seem to like it.

Breakers

801 Harden St., 803-771-6360, breakerslive.com. Outdoor patio offers an ideal Five Points peoplewatching spot. The adjoining Breakers Live hosts bands on the weekends.

Cantina 76

2901 Devine St., 803-708-6004, cantina76.com. Draws everyone from singles at the bar to couples and families, all of whom come for the Tex-Mex cuisine — and some of whom also go for the excellent margaritas, made in all shapes, flavors and sizes with top-shelf tequilas.

CJ’s

749 Saluda Ave., 803-748-8694, cjsfivepoints.com. Its retractable exterior wall opens to reveal the Five Points fountain plaza, making CJ’s a great spot for taking in this colorful corner of Columbia.

Craft and Draft

2706 Devine St., 803-764-2575, craftanddraftbeer. com. Craft beer is booming, and Craft and Draft is on it. Grab a six-pack, pick up a growler or take a seat at the bar.

Goat’s

2017 Devine St., 803-708-4495, goats2.com. A lush, sexy vibe complements the well-curated wine and beer lists and tasty desserts at this relaxed restaurant and lounge.

Henry’s

2865 Devine St., 803-708-4705, henrysgrillandbar. com. Henry’s champions the traditional neighborhood bar — and, equally importantly, brings terrific bar food. Comfortable and classy.

The Hookah Spot

617 Harden St., 803-661-8337, hookahsnobs.com. Grab a couch, sidle up to a hookah and get your smoke on.

Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint

711 Harden St., 803-708-6049, jackbrownsjoint.com. As the name suggests, this burger-and-beer chain has both. There’s an emphasis on craft beer and wagyu beef.

Jake’s

2112 Devine St., 803-708-4788, jakesofcolumbia. com. Friendly Five Points institution with craft beer, live music, televised sports, multiple bar stations, spacious patio and locally sourced food.

Lucky’s 2100 Devine St., 803-929-1118. This spot on the namesake corner of Five Points has the college bar basics down pat.

Molto Vino 2822 Devine St., 803-873-1197. molto-vino.com A new-ish wine bar offers a slick space with pours to match.

Nightcaps

2722 Devine St., 803-771-6575. An out-of-the-way place with respect to Five Points, Nightcaps has a pool table, a big-screen television, comfy lounge chairs and a good late-night atmosphere. A popular haven for those not ready to let the night end.

Pawleys Front Porch

827 Harden St., 803-771-8001, pawleysfrontporch. com. Primarily known for its behemoth specialty burgers, but it also caters to a late-night crowd on weekends. Especially good for game days, as it shows football games on its huge screen on its even huger deck.

Publick House

2307 Devine St., 803-256-2207, publick-house.com. Good beer selection, great wings and the best raw fries around.

Publico Kitchen & Tap

2013 Greene St., 803-661-9043, publicokitchenandtap.com. A diverse array of gourmet tacos highlights the food menu at this hip hangout that also boasts an expansive tap selection.

Rooftop Bar

638 Harden St. Affectionately known by college students as simply “Rooftop,” this college bar and club in the Five Points neighborhood is a great place for sweaty dancing and cheap drinks. It’s a stop for most college students, though, so avoid it if you prefer an older, less rambunctious crowd.

Transmission Arcade

Salty Nut Cafe

2000 Greene St., 803-256-4611, saltynut.com. Varied menu includes everything from hearty salads to tasty cheeseburgers. Comfortable setting … so comfortable, in fact, that you can throw your peanut shells on the floor.

Taneyhill’s Group Therapy

2107 Greene St., 803-256-1203. Columbia’s quintessential college bar, with cheap drinks, loud music and an outdoor oasis to escape the crowd — owned by former USC quarterback Steve Taneyhill.

Village Idiot

2009 Devine St., 803-252-8646, villageidiotpizza. com. Columbia’s quintessential college-town pizza joint in a pub atmosphere. Enjoy delicious fare, cold beer, wallet-friendly weekly specials and a heaping helping of revelry. Serving New York-style pizza since 1990.

ROSEWOOD / OLYMPIA

Cock N Bull Pub

326 S. Edisto Ave., 803-251-4474, thecocknbullpub. com. As British as you’ll get in Rosewood. Popular and laid-back, this neighborhood favorite has a small but stellar beer menu, and lots of soccer on TV.

Foxfield Bar and Grille

406 Howard St., 803-728-0420, facebook.com/ foxfieldbar. Cozy Rosewood neighborhood spot offers a reliable selection of beers and spirits at affordable prices, plus frequent live music.

Rockaway Athletic Club

2719 Rosewood Dr., 803-256-1075,facebook.com/ rockawayathleticclub. Exquisite burgers, low-key atmosphere and a nice, amply stocked bar. Plus, lots of sports on TV and a corner nook with arcade games.

THE VISTA

The Aristocrat

1001 Washington St., 803-708-3393, facebook.com/ thearistocrat. A classy, cocktail-focused bar away from the bustle at the heart of the Vista. Good eats, too.

Art

Bar

1211 Park St., 803-929-0198, artbarsc.com. Art Bar’s been around for more than 20 years now, but it still hasn’t grown up. It’s still the same eclectic, noncorporate nightspot it’s always been. Cool but never pretentious.

Boku

916 Gervais St., 803-708-8577, bokukitchenandsaloon.com. A new pan-Asian eatery and bar from the owner of Publico. A bit higher end,

but certainly nothing posh as it slings fried rice and cocktails like a Thai Lemongrass Martini.

Capital Club

1002 Gervais St., 803-256-6464, capitalclubsc.com. The oldest gay bar in the state is a private club that’s also welcoming to people of other stripes.

Carolina Western Pub

920 Lady St., 803-550-9990. carolinawesternpub. com. Country bar in the Vista promises “great food, great drinks, great times,” and hosts frequent live music.

City Grit

707 Gervais St., 803-828-9489. Citygritmarket.com. From the owners of smallSUGAR and il Focolare come a wonderful wine bar with wonderful food to match. Nestled in a retail outpost that offers a range of goods — from plates to grab-and-go bites to cookbooks.

Coa Agaveria y Cocina

823-A Lady St., 803-851-5965, coaagaveria.com. Tucked under the hip Aloft Hotel, this tequila bar has a lovely cocktail menu to match the Latin-influenced fare.

Columbia Craft Brewing Company

520 Greene St., 803-799-6027, columbiacraft.com. One of Columbia’s best breweries, the Downtown-Vista watering hole offers some snacks to apir with their in-house bites. A long coming upstairs patio recently opened, too.

Craft Axe Throwing

700 Gervais St., 803-281-3803, craftaxethrowing. com. Per the website, this bar centers around “a game anyone can play (and win)” — namely knocking back a few drinks and throwing a few axes at a target.

Gervais & Vine

620A Gervais St., 803-799-8463, gervaisandvine. com. Solid wine selection, tapas menu and a cozy, classy vibe deep in the Vista.

Hickory Tavern

907 Senate St., 803-765-9260, thehickorytavern. com. Burgers, wings, sandwiches and other basic sports bar fare, along with some seafood favorites, all matched with an expansive beer selection and available to enjoy on a lovely deck.

Kaminsky’s

930 Gervais St., 803-550-9979, kaminskys.com. Popular Charleston dessert bar has a spot in Columbia complete with multiple sweet martinis, alcoholic milkshakes and coffee drinks — all available late into the night.

Jake’s

Liberty Tap Room

828 Gervais St., 803-461-4677, libertytaproom.com. Whether you’re after a nice meal or just a tasty drink, you’ll find much to enjoy here considering the muchacclaimed menu and massive beer list.

The Oyster Bar

1123 Park St., oysterbarcolumbia.com. Serves fresh Gulf oysters — steamed or raw — in a dressed-down atmosphere. Best of all: They shuck, you eat. Also serves up steamed shrimp and scallops.

Pearlz

936 Gervais St., 803-661-7741, pearlzoysterbar. com. Pearlz specializes in oysters, but its hip ambience and signature martinis also make it a hotspot for Columbia’s young, urban professional crowd.

PT’s 1109 1109 Assembly St., facebook.com/Pts1109. Fun, lowkey gay bar hosts frequent drag shows.

SakiTumi

807 Gervais St., 803-931-0700, sakifresh.com. Don’t miss this hip sushi bar just because it’s down an alley. Its signature cocktails feature muddled mint leaves, cucumbers, blueberries and more.

The Senate

1022 State St. 803-252-9392, thesenatecolumbia. com. The city’s marquee rock club attracts an impressive selection of country, hip-hop, metal and indie rock.

Social 918 Gervais St., 803-603-4313, socialcolumbiasc. com. A hot Vista night spot, Social gets weird on the weekends, hosting paint parties, ice parties, inflatable wonderland parties, foam parties and all manner of events at which to get turnt.

Thirsty Fellow

621 Gadsden St., 803-799-1311, thirstyfellow.com. Super-popular spot serving up eclectic, delicious pizzas (and much more) and offering a full bar.

Tin

Roof

1022 Senate St., 803-771-1558, tinroofcolumbia. com. A favorite bar for everyone from USC students to young professionals. Its calling cards: live music, good food and a laid-back atmosphere.

Tsunami

700 Gervais St., 803-312-9911. Tsunami’s elegant, contemporary atmosphere and ample seating area complement its extensive sake, wine and beer selection.

Twin Peaks

600 Gervais St., 803-602-3667, twinpeaksrestaurant. com. Kinda like Hooters, but with a different doubleentendre-based name.

Twisted Spur

705 Gervais St., 803-764-0203, twistedspurbrewing. com. Vista brewpub offers a classy atmosphere, some nice beers, and tasty eats — including a daily happy hour special on oysters.

Uncle Fester’s

522 Devine St., 803-748-9897. While most of the Soda City’s bars are closing up shop on Sunday morning, this watering hole between Palmetto Pig and Todd & Moore keeps the party going. Always packed with a diverse clientele.

Vista Union

700 Gervais St. 803-764-6125, vistaunion.com. Sets as its goal to be “a fun and exciting social gathering spot with quality food and cocktails.”

Wet Willie’s

800 Gervais St., 803-779-5650, wetwillies.com. Specializes in frozen daiquiris with names ranging from Strawberry and Mango to White Russian, Weak Willie and Shock Treatment.

Wild Wing Cafe

729 Lady St., 803-252-9464, wildwingcafe.com. Sure, Wild Wing Cafe has sandwiches, salads and soup, but the obvious draw is its 33 flavors of wings. If you can’t decide on one, get the sampler platter. Also boasts a ton of TVs, and a party atmosphere.

WEST COLUMBIA / VISTA WEST

Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor

710 Meeting St., 803-796-6477, billsmusicshop.com. Instrument store hosts bluegrass jams, Opry-style country jams and occasional concerts featuring topflight bluegrass and old-timey musicians.

Bowlero

900 Axtell Dr., 803-796-6300, bowlero.com. Partytime bowling alley features cocktails, black lights, arcade games and a decent menu.

Calloway’s Bar & Grill

2410 Augusta Rd., 803-926-1199, callowaysbarandgrill.com. Pool tables, big-screen TVs and food: What more do you want from a sports bar?

Chayz Lounge

607 Meeting St., 803-563-8375, chayzlounge.com. Comfortable little room hosts a frequently sold-out slate of smooth jazz concerts.

Coa Agaveria y Cocina

Henry’s

2108 State St., 803-661-8494, henrysgrillandbar. com. Like the Henry’s on Devine, this bar offers a cozy combination of traditional bar eats and reliable drinks.

New Brookland Tavern

122 State St., 803-791-4413, newbrooklandtavern. com. New Brookland Tavern is Columbia’s most storied rock club, but it’s a damn fine bar, too, offering a fine array of specials and a bar stocked with much more than Pabst Blue Ribbon served up by friendly staff. Serves food now, too, including weekend brunch.

Platinum West 1995 Old Dunbar Rd., 803-794-6277, theplatinumplus.com. Watch ladies take off their clothes and dance on poles.

Rooster’s Den 1215 Augusta Rd., 803-794-8200, roostersden.org. A members-only bar in Triangle City.

Savage

Craft Ale Works

430 Center St., 803-888-6005, savagecraft.com. The newest brewery (for now) in Columbia, Savage Craft Ale works is big and shiny and fancy. Full bar pairs with inhouse brews, a full restaurant and frequent live music.

Skyline Club 100 Lee St., 803-995-5220, skylineclubsc.com. Airport-area country bar is reborn. Hosts a smattering of pretty big touring acts amid local and regional talent.

State Street Pub 136 State St., 803-796-2006. An across-the-bridge institution, State Street Pub wins its crowd with pool, cheap beer, sports, live music and plenty of charm. Loads of beers on tap. You’ll need to be a member, but you should be.

Steel Hands Brewing

2350 Foreman St., 803-708-9864. A popular destination for live music and craft beers, this Cayce brewery has been a hit since its inception in WECO Bottle & Biergarten

626 Meeting St., 803-851-1279. wecobeer.com. New sister joint to The Whig pairs a large green space and large covered patio with a well-curated bar and bottle shop, leaning heavily into adventurous American craft beer and dependably excellent European imports.

We’s on Meeting

735 Meeting St., facebook.com/meetatwes. A new Gay bar in Columbia feature pool tables, events and a full bar. Members-only, but admission is reasonable.

FOREST

ACRES / DENTSVILLE

Comedy House

2768 Decker Blvd., 803-798-9898, comedyhouse. us. Regional and national comedy acts stopping by regularly. Offers a full menu with steak, shrimp, chicken, burgers, sandwiches and appetizers.

IRMO / HARBISON / DUTCH FORK / CHAPIN

British Bulldog Pub

1220 E10 Bowers Pkwy., 803-227-8918, thebritishbulldogpub.com. A British pub in the middle of Irmo’s suburban sprawl? Rad. A dinner menu of traditional U.K. cuisine is augmented with specials on Guinness and Irish whiskeys, but the Bulldog doesn’t forget us Yanks, offering basketball (and soccer, too) on big-screen televisions along with craft beer and multiple, cold domestics.

Carolina Ale House

277 Columbiana Dr., 803-407-6996, carolinaalehouse.com. Southeastern chain grille-andgrog offers good eats, a good beer selection and plenty of televised sports.

Dave and Buster’s

100 Columbiana Circle (Columbiana Mall), 803576-4800 daveandbusters.com/columbia. Massive arcade for adults — combined with a bar? Why are we not there?

Tsunami

1290 Bower Pkwy., 803-407-3873. Like its sister Vista location, Tsunami’s elegant, contemporary atmosphere and ample seating area complement its extensive sake, wine and beer selection.

LEXINGTON / LAKE MURRAY

Carolina Wings & Rib House

105 Northpoint Dr., 803-356-6244, carolinawings. com. What can we say about this Columbia institution? They carry a good selection of bottled beers, and the assortment of Buffalo wing flavors is enticing, too.

Goodfellas Grill & Bar

630 Hwy. 378, 803-951-4663, goodfellasgrillandbar. com. Classic Southern food and a laid-back atmosphere define this Lexington bar.

Keg Cowboy

108 E. Main St., 803-957-2337, facebook.com/ KegCowboy. “No crap on tap!” is the motto of this exceptional tasting room and eatery, pairing delicious sandwiches and soups with rotating beer selections that live up to its goal.

New Brookland Tavern

Krafty Draft

269 Charter Oak Rd., 803-567-2812, kraftydraft. com. Feast on daily specials while sampling a wide assortment of draft beers. Brews some of its own, too.

Liberty on the Lake 1602 Marina Rd., 803-667-9715, libertytaproom. com. Offers all the accoutrements of Liberty’s downtown drinkery with the added scenery of Lake Murray. Forty-eight beers on tap.

O’Hara’s Bakery Café

121 E Main St., 803-256-1402, facebook.com/ oharasBC. From the owner’s of O’Hara’s Public House comes a dessert cafe and evening bar on the weekends. Formerly known as the Haven, O’Hara’s ownership bought it in early 2020.

O’Hara’s Public House

131 E Main St., 803-785-4025, oharas-public-house. com. New Irish pub in downtown Lexington offers a wide selection of beer, wine and liquor.

Old Mill Brew Pub

711 E. Main St., 803-785-2337, oldmillbrewpub. net. Cozy, neighborhood-style brewpub in downtown Lexington makes some great beers and big ol’ burgers and hosts occasional live music, too.

Rusty Anchor

1925 Johnson Marina Rd., 803-749-1555, rustyanchorrestaurant.com. Sliding glass doors opened most of the year offer a great view of Lake Murray. And live entertainment on The Quarterdeck outside jazzes up the summer months.

Schooners

6226 Bush River Rd., 803-661-6138, schoonersbarandgrill.com. On the eastern shores of Lake Murray, Schooners is a simple unassuming bar and grill, offering daily specials, cheap wings, televisions and live music.

Wings ‘n’ Ale

154 Ellis Ave., 803-359-4475, wingsaleoflexington. com. Specializing in wings, beer and pool, Wings ‘n’ Ale has an ample supply of all three. If you’re looking for a place where the odds of getting a table are better than making a masse shot, this is it. Classic and modern rock flows as freely as the brew. Not your khaki and button-down crowd.

ST. ANDREWS

Hemingway’s Saloon

7467 St. Andrews Rd., 803-749-6020, hemingwaysmusicpub.com. A sports bar, a great

restaurant and a nice little music club all rolled into one.

McCary’s Sports Bar

851 Bush River Rd., facebook.com/McCarysBar. Typically places high in the annual Best of Columbia poll, and for good reason good selection, good atmosphere.

Wings & Ale

125 Outlet Pointe Blvd., 803-750-1700, wingsandalesc.com. Family atmosphere, live entertainment and wings. Features jukebox, pool tables, sporting events on large-projection TV and many other big-screen TVs. Live entertainment steers toward the classic rock crowd. Never a cover charge.

NORTHEAST COLUMBIA / CAMDEN

Baker’s Sports Pub & Grill

7167 Two Notch Rd., 803-419-2381. bakerssportspubsc.com. Outdoor deck, 16 highdefinition TVs, and low prices and domestic and imported beer. Yes, it’s all about the sports.

Henry’s

111 Sparkleberry Crossing, henrysgrillandbar.com. As with the other two Henry’s locations, a comfortable establishment that offers traditional neighborhood bar staples.

Polliwog’s

1025 Woodley’s Way., 803-736-5775, facebook.com/ Polliwogs. This sports bar offers an attractive selection of viewing and dining possibilities. And if you hate sports, there’s always karaoke.

Salud!

1011 Broad St., 803-425-4850, saludmexicankitchen.com. Taqueria and tequila lounge, and the place to catch live jazz in Camden.

Serenity

301 Rice Meadow Way. facebook.com/serenityincola. Serenity now! A country-ish restaurant by day and lounge by night.

Tsubaki

224 10 O’Neil Ct., 803-736-7474, tsubakikaraoke.net. Love karaoke? You’ll love Tsubaki, where the karaoke is as authentically Japanese as next-door Inakaya’s sushi.

Wild Wing Cafe

480 Town Center Place, Suite 2, 803-865-3365, wildwingcafe.com. Sure, Wild Wing Cafe has sandwiches, salads and soup, but the obvious draw is its 33 flavors of wings. Also boasts a ton of TVs and bands on the weekend.

Keg Cowboy