Guidebook for Columbia
Food Scene
Blue Flour Bakery
Food & Wine chose Indah (meaning "beautiful" in Indonesia) the best coffee shop in South Carolina! A short drive down North Main in the Cottontown neighborhood.
https://indahcoffee.com
39 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Indah Coffee
2238 Sumter StFood & Wine chose Indah (meaning "beautiful" in Indonesia) the best coffee shop in South Carolina! A short drive down North Main in the Cottontown neighborhood.
https://indahcoffee.com
Not just a restaurant but great bar too! It's one of those places with dark paneling. Booth, counter and bar seating. Great burgers.
http://www.bourboncolumbia.com
60 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bourbon
1214 Main StNot just a restaurant but great bar too! It's one of those places with dark paneling. Booth, counter and bar seating. Great burgers.
http://www.bourboncolumbia.com
Pearlz has a great happy hour and pricing on house wines and raw oysters. Live music on certain evenings as well!
https://www.pearlzoysterbar.com/location/pearlz-columbia-sc/
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pearlz Oyster Bar
936 Gervais StPearlz has a great happy hour and pricing on house wines and raw oysters. Live music on certain evenings as well!
https://www.pearlzoysterbar.com/location/pearlz-columbia-sc/
http://cafestrudel.com/
Great food just across the Congaree River via Gervais Street. Busy at peak hours -- Sunday brunch always packed -- might best to call ahead and find out what kind of wait you'll be in for. Outdoor covered seating.
59 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cafe Strudel
300 State Sthttp://cafestrudel.com/
Great food just across the Congaree River via Gervais Street. Busy at peak hours -- Sunday brunch always packed -- might best to call ahead and find out what kind of wait you'll be in for. Outdoor covered seating.
If you're vegan, this one is for you. Just drive down North Main Street to downtown Columbia. Outdoor street-side seating too.
http://goodlifecafe.net
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Good Life Cafe
1216 Main StIf you're vegan, this one is for you. Just drive down North Main Street to downtown Columbia. Outdoor street-side seating too.
http://goodlifecafe.net
This is my go-to sushi restaurant simply because it's reasonably priced. It's not downtown but out Forest Drive which Taylor Street turns into as you head into a more residential part of the city.
http://miyos.com/location-forest/
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Miyo's
3250 Forest DrThis is my go-to sushi restaurant simply because it's reasonably priced. It's not downtown but out Forest Drive which Taylor Street turns into as you head into a more residential part of the city.
http://miyos.com/location-forest/
This is a top-notch sushi restaurant. It's got quiet ambience and is a bit pricey, but food is always superior in my opinion.
Camon Japanese Restaurant
1332 Assembly StThis is a top-notch sushi restaurant. It's got quiet ambience and is a bit pricey, but food is always superior in my opinion.
Award-winning bakery, breakfast-all-day and great sandwich restaurant rolled into one. No alcohol served.
https://www.thecinnamonrolldeli.com
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli
2617 Devine StAward-winning bakery, breakfast-all-day and great sandwich restaurant rolled into one. No alcohol served.
https://www.thecinnamonrolldeli.com
This is a combo bar, sundae and espresso bar down in the Vista. I've not been, but everyone says it's great. Pricey.
https://www.kaminskys.com/menus/columbia
35 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Kaminsky's
930 Gervais StThis is a combo bar, sundae and espresso bar down in the Vista. I've not been, but everyone says it's great. Pricey.
https://www.kaminskys.com/menus/columbia
Another short drive down North Main Street, Warmouth gets rave reviews for its food and ambience. This is another that I haven't yet tried, but my friends and its thousands of likes on FB suggest it's worth patronizing.
https://www.facebook.com/thewarmouth
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The War Mouth
1209 Franklin StAnother short drive down North Main Street, Warmouth gets rave reviews for its food and ambience. This is another that I haven't yet tried, but my friends and its thousands of likes on FB suggest it's worth patronizing.
https://www.facebook.com/thewarmouth
Tombo's has great food, wine, bar, ambience and live music every Monday and Wednesday. Tombo's t is located in Forest Acres -- a short drive heading east on Taylor Street into a more residential part of the city. Probably best for mature patrons who prefer not to be surrounded by university students!
http://www.tombogrille.com
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tombo Grille
4517 Forest DrTombo's has great food, wine, bar, ambience and live music every Monday and Wednesday. Tombo's t is located in Forest Acres -- a short drive heading east on Taylor Street into a more residential part of the city. Probably best for mature patrons who prefer not to be surrounded by university students!
http://www.tombogrille.com
I love Mediterranean food and Columbia has lots to choose from. This is a casual local place with consistency in quality and service. Open for lunch and supper (check hours b/c it's not open straight through). Closed Sunday.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mediterranean Tea Room
2601 Devine StI love Mediterranean food and Columbia has lots to choose from. This is a casual local place with consistency in quality and service. Open for lunch and supper (check hours b/c it's not open straight through). Closed Sunday.
This is a great little place for breakfast or lunch near the foot of Main Street and the state capitol building. Or if you're looking for some yummy sweets, this is a great place to find them.
https://blueflour.com/
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Blue Flour Bakery
7703 St Andrews RdThis is a great little place for breakfast or lunch near the foot of Main Street and the state capitol building. Or if you're looking for some yummy sweets, this is a great place to find them.
https://blueflour.com/
Drinks & Nightlife
A remake of Columbia's beloved Goatfeathers, Goat's has won numerous awards for best specialty drinks, best neighborhood bar (Five Points) and best veggie burger. During academic year can be crowded with students, so depending on your preferences, it may or may not be for you! Great ambience either way.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Goat's
2017 Devine StA remake of Columbia's beloved Goatfeathers, Goat's has won numerous awards for best specialty drinks, best neighborhood bar (Five Points) and best veggie burger. During academic year can be crowded with students, so depending on your preferences, it may or may not be for you! Great ambience either way.
While I'm not a craft beer person, I'm told that this is the one to go to while in Columbia!
http://huntergathererbrewery.com
29 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Alehouse
900 Main StWhile I'm not a craft beer person, I'm told that this is the one to go to while in Columbia!
http://huntergathererbrewery.com
Because it's just one of the city's favorite. In the Vista.
https://www.tinroofcolumbia.com
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tin Roof Columbia
1022 Senate StBecause it's just one of the city's favorite. In the Vista.
https://www.tinroofcolumbia.com
The city's favorite for live music. In the Vista.
https://www.thesenatecolumbia.com/calendar
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Senate
1022 Senate StThe city's favorite for live music. In the Vista.
https://www.thesenatecolumbia.com/calendar
Parks & Nature
Congaree is the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland forest in the southeast United States, nourished by the waters of the Wateree and Congaree rivers, two of my favorite of our state's many rivers. For a period of 3-4 weeks (mid-May to early June), a large population of synchronous lightning bugs appear, providing a stunning display of light.
https://www.nps.gov/cong/index
110 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Nacional Congaree
100 National Park RdCongaree is the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland forest in the southeast United States, nourished by the waters of the Wateree and Congaree rivers, two of my favorite of our state's many rivers. For a period of 3-4 weeks (mid-May to early June), a large population of synchronous lightning bugs appear, providing a stunning display of light.
https://www.nps.gov/cong/index
The Columbia Riverwalk extends for four miles along the Broad River to its merging with the Saluda to form the Congaree. My house is a 5 minute drive down Broad River Road to one of its entry points. Plenty of parking. Here's the map:
https://www.sctrails.net/trails/trail/riverfront-park
Riverwalk Vista
100 Bryton TrceThe Columbia Riverwalk extends for four miles along the Broad River to its merging with the Saluda to form the Congaree. My house is a 5 minute drive down Broad River Road to one of its entry points. Plenty of parking. Here's the map:
https://www.sctrails.net/trails/trail/riverfront-park
Columbia's zoo is a jewel and has had a year of welcoming newly born gorillas (2) and lions (3). Very close to my home.
https://www.riverbanks.org
268 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zoológico y Jardín Riverbanks
500 Wildlife PkwyColumbia's zoo is a jewel and has had a year of welcoming newly born gorillas (2) and lions (3). Very close to my home.
https://www.riverbanks.org
Essentials
The best near-by grocery is Publix on the edge of the Vista. Also has a full-service pharmacy with nice deli and desert counters. Very clean and great staff.
https://www.publix.com/locations/1095-gervais-place
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Publix Super Market at Gervais Place
501 Gervais StThe best near-by grocery is Publix on the edge of the Vista. Also has a full-service pharmacy with nice deli and desert counters. Very clean and great staff.
https://www.publix.com/locations/1095-gervais-place
No description necessary!
https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/columbia
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Whole Foods Market
702 Cross Hill RdNo description necessary!
https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/columbia
No description necessary!
On Forest Drive with a lots of other retail and restaurants.
https://locations.traderjoes.com/sc/columbia/753
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Trader Joe's
4516 Forest DrNo description necessary!
On Forest Drive with a lots of other retail and restaurants.
https://locations.traderjoes.com/sc/columbia/753
If you need something done with your hair, I highly recommend Wesley's. Ask for Nola.
Wesley's Salon & Spa
2710 Gervais StIf you need something done with your hair, I highly recommend Wesley's. Ask for Nola.
Just a short drive Elmwood Avenue from my home. By far the most reasonably priced dry cleaner in the city.
Lexington Dry Cleaning
Just a short drive Elmwood Avenue from my home. By far the most reasonably priced dry cleaner in the city.
Getting Around
The airport has the only rental car counters that I know of.
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Columbia Metropolitan Airport
3250 Airport BlvdThe airport has the only rental car counters that I know of.
Arts & Culture
Theater as in movies. Nickelodeon is a Columbia institution right on Main Street near some of the restaurants I've recommended. Indie films, festivals and reprisals are its reason for being.
http://nickelodeon.org
51 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Nickelodeon Theatre
1607 Main StTheater as in movies. Nickelodeon is a Columbia institution right on Main Street near some of the restaurants I've recommended. Indie films, festivals and reprisals are its reason for being.
http://nickelodeon.org
Trustus has become the venue for excellent performance of new works and reprisals. Its space is not only beautiful but includes two stages, one larger and the other more intimate.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Trustus Theatre
520 Lady StTrustus has become the venue for excellent performance of new works and reprisals. Its space is not only beautiful but includes two stages, one larger and the other more intimate.
The Koger Center is Columbia's premier center for performances whether ballet, modern dance, symphony or theater.
http://kogercenterforthearts.com
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Koger Center for the Arts
1051 Greene StThe Koger Center is Columbia's premier center for performances whether ballet, modern dance, symphony or theater.
http://kogercenterforthearts.com
Home to permanent exhibits that trace South Carolina's complex history, the Museum also has a great planetarium, exhibition openings and special events.
http://scmuseum.org
125 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
South Carolina Military Museum
1 National Guard RdHome to permanent exhibits that trace South Carolina's complex history, the Museum also has a great planetarium, exhibition openings and special events.
http://scmuseum.org
Shopping
Trenholm Plaza is not really a mall per se, but an outdoor "community" of shops that includes Anthropologie, The Loft, J. Crew & Luluemon (to name a few), Starbucks, Fresh Market, Publix, the excellent eateries of BLD diner and Rosso Italian restaurant, a post office and several banks. Nice landscaping and comfortable outdoor seating
http://properties.edens.com/property/output/document/view/id:882
http://www.bld-diner.com/Menu.aspx
https://rossocolumbia.com/menu/
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Trenholm Plaza
4840 Forest DrTrenholm Plaza is not really a mall per se, but an outdoor "community" of shops that includes Anthropologie, The Loft, J. Crew & Luluemon (to name a few), Starbucks, Fresh Market, Publix, the excellent eateries of BLD diner and Rosso Italian restaurant, a post office and several banks. Nice landscaping and comfortable outdoor seating
http://properties.edens.com/property/output/document/view/id:882
http://www.bld-diner.com/Menu.aspx
https://rossocolumbia.com/menu/