Bites and Sights 2025-e-edition

DINING

African

BKFT Nigerian Cuisine and Catering

LEXINGTON: 425 Riglaw Circle, 302-268-2392. Serving up Nigerian comfort food including soup, chicken and meat pies.

GT Nigerian Cuisine gtnigeriancuisine.square.site. NORTHEAST: 200 East Hampton Way, 803-629-4430. Casual restaurant serving Nigerian dishes like jollof rice and white rice with fried stew and plantain.

Le Bambou Restaurant Africain lebambourestaurantafricain.com. NORTHEAST: 10203 Two Notch Rd., 803-834-4364. This West African spot serves up jollof rice, egusi soup, okra soup, and other specialties.

American/Southern

Bubba’s Biscuit facebook.com/bubbasbiscuit. 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 californiadreaming.rest. DOWNTOWN: 401 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.

Cash’s Chicken cashschicken.com. 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.

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: 322 Little Brook Ln., 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

eggsupgrill.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2930 Devine St., 803-661-9174. LEXINGTON: 205 Columbia Ave., 803-490-2028. NORTHEAST: 961 Roberts Branch Pkwy. Suite 114, 803-626-1695. FOREST ACRES: 4711 Forest Dr. Suite 15-16, 803820-0742. IRMO: 1180 Dutch Fork Rd., 803-4902028. A South Carolina chain devoted to breakfast foods, from waffles to omelets to loaded home-fry bowls, plus lunch foods like burgers and sandwiches. Especially popular on the weekends.

Flight Deck

flightdeckusa.com. 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 pizza and Greek specialties. Blueplate special includes one meat, two veggies and a cornbread muffin.

The Flying Biscuit Cafe

flyingbiscuit.com. FIVE POINTS: 936 Harden St., 803828-9458. This national chain offers a wide variety of breakfast options, including a ton of crazy biscuits. It’s got plenty of vegan options, too.

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.

The Grand thegrandonmain.com. DOWNTOWN: 1621 Main St., 803-766-0151. 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.

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 selection of burgers owned by a local family. They’re dedicated to great service and good food.

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. Suite A8, 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., 803-796-8622. This longtime Cayce favorite offers everything from fried appetizers, sandwiches, burgers 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.

Liberty on the Lake libertytaproom.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 1602 Marina Rd. Suite D, 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 fill up on some tasty fish, a burger, salad or sandwich.

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., 803-7321225. LEXINGTON: 621 W Main St., 803-951-3555. LEXINGTON: 4616 Augusta Rd., 803-785-5560. NORTHEAST: 10170 Two Notch Rd., 803-419-5662. NORTHEAST: 7411 Nates Road, 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. Macaroni and cheese, fried okra, Jell-O, it’s all a vegetable here. A true local institution that thrives on the meat-andveggies 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.

Melting Pot

meltingpot.com/columbia-sc. ST. ANDREWS: 1410 Colonial Life Blvd. W, Ste 130, 803-731-8500. A national restaurant concept long hailed as a place to go to celebrate life’s big moment, Melting Pot’s experiential dining is as much fun as it’s delicious. Fondue your way, sweet or savory, at this Midlands’ favorite.

Midlands’

marriott.com/en-us/hotels/caemh-marriottcolumbia/dining, 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.

Momma Rabbit’s Nibbles and Sips 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

originalpancakehouse.com. FOREST ACRES: 4840 Forest Dr. , 803-782-6742. Pancakes as you like them. Offering a full menu including cinnamon-glazed apple pancakes, dutch babies, freshly squeezed juices and more. And if you’re not in the mood for pancakes, try the ham and cheese 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 an untraditional burger topping? Pawleys has fried egg, apple-cured ham, pineapple, onion rings and even grape jelly. 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.

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.

Ray’s Diner

facebook.com/raysdinercolumbiasc. 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

facebook.com/rootcellarsc, 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. Suite D, 803-359-0994. The hidden gem, once situated inside an Exxon station, made the move 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; nachos, burgers and all the go-to Southern sides.

Sound Bites Eatery

toasttab.com/sound-bites-eatery-1425-sumterstreet. DOWNTOWN: 1425 Sumter St, 803-708-3085. Columbia restaurant veterans came together to open this lunch-time sandwich and salad spot in downtown Columbia. The well-curated menu includes things like a smoked salmon salad and a prosciutto and fig sandwich.

Taste and See Soul Food Kitchen facebook.com/JustATouch1. NORTHEAST: 6820 N. Main St., Suite EF, 410-353-5989. Formerly named Just a Touch, this soul food hot spot rebranded and moved to a new location in October. Offering burgers, hot dogs, wings, ox tails, pork chops, ribs and more.

The Toasty Hot Spot

thetoastyhotspot.org. FIVE POINTS: 2002 Greene St., Unit A, 803-401-5501. Known for its shrimp and grits, The Toasty Hot Spot is a, well, hot spot for brunch. Also offers breakfast bowls, pancakes, wraps, cocktails and more.

The War Mouth

thewarmouth.com. COTTONTOWN: 1209 Franklin St., 803-569-6144. South Carolina food done right, from chicken bog to deviled eggs. 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

Alley Street Eats

alleystreeteats.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 4478 Rosewood Dr., 803-661-6834. This new Asian food spot is already making waves in Rosewood. Dishes inspired by umami flavors from night markets in China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Come for the tasty street food, stay for the chill atmosphere.

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.

The Dragon Room

thedragonroomsc.com. VISTA: 803 Gervais St., 803-988-9980. A pan-Asian cocktail bar from Kristian Niemi, owner of Bourbon and Black Rooster. The cocktail program is led by veteran bartender David Adedokun and the kitchen by executive chef Alex Strickland. Solid offerings of small plates, unique cocktails and incredible ramen.

JJ Tea House jjteahousecolumbia.com. 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 Lady St. Suite C, 803-2558878. 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. Miyo’s miyos.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 340 Columbiana Dr., 803-764-0558. FOREST ACRES: 3250 Forest Dr. Suite B, 803-743-9996. LEXINGTON: 5594 Sunset Blvd. Suite D and E, 803-957-9888. 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’s Bar-B-Que

GADSDEN: 2520 Congaree Rd., 803-353-0488. GARNERS FERRY/SOUTHEAST: 7535 Garners Ferry Rd., 803-776-7132. 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. Vice President Kamala Harris even stopped by for some barbecue in January 2024.

Carolina Western Pub

carolinawesternpub.com. VISTA: 920 Lady St., 803550-9990. 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.

City Limits Q

citylimitsq.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 1119 Methodist Park Rd., 803-260-7469. From the Texasstyle brisket to the St. Louis-style ribs, this stuff is addictive and rightfully is considered some of the best artisan barbecue around. James Beard Best Chef Southeast finalist in 2024.

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 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.

Transmission Arcade, pg. 10

Home Team BBQ

hometeambbq.com. FIVE POINTS: 700 Harden St., 724-3900. The popular Charleston-area barbecue empire’s 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 Two Notch Rd., 803-356-1118. 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 mustardbased, ketchup-based and vinegar-and-pepper options.

Hite’s Bar-B-Que hitesbbq.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 240 Dreher Rd., 803-794-4120. No-frills, tasty pulled pork barbecue, 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, pint or quart.

Little Pigs littlepigs.biz. NORTHEAST: 4927 Alpine Rd., 803788-8238. Amazing spread of lunch buffet offerings including yams, corn, baked beans, okra, 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. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 4411 Devine St., 803-782-9547. 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, tomato-based or spicy habanero sauce. When you get to the sides, don’t miss the barbecue baked beans.

Palmetto Pig

palmettopigbbq.com. DOWNTOWN: 530 Devine St., 803-733-2556. All-you-can-eat buffet featuring pulled pork barbecue, hash, green beans, slaw and crispy fried chicken is located conveniently close to USC’s campus. 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. DOWNTOWN: 902 Gervais St., Suite 902, 803-764-3009. Very large and well-loved chicken wings lead the way in this easy-to-miss building, but Peebles also has bar bites, catfish, cheesesteaks and more. The restaurant recently expanded to the Vista.

Railroad BBQ

railroadbbqsc.com. DOWNTOWN: 2001 Hampton St., 803-708-5801. The late Kevin Gray was an activist and a restaurateur. His longtime coming barbecue joint has everything from good meat to walls filled with Columbia’s history. 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 offers four types of buffalo wings, as well as a number of other additional flavors, along with salads, sandwiches and chicken tenders to round out the menu. Billiards and beers 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.

True BBQ

true-bbq.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 1237 D Ave., 803-791-9950. This well-loved 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 and Sexy Lady sauce.

Bakeries and Desserts

Ally & Eloise Bakeshop

allyandeloise.com. FOREST ACRES: 5209 Forest Dr. Suite B, 803-708-2982. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2833 Devine St., 803-661-6653. Eloise is a French bulldog and Ally is a heck of a baker. She turns out cookies, cupcakes and scones, not to mention fancy layer cakes and bundt cakes galore.

Always Original Bakery alwaysoriginalbakery.com. WEST COLUMBIA: 501 Meeting St., 803-977-0034. Bakery offering specialorder cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pies and more. Has lots of gluten-sensitive and vegan options too. Breakfast at Ruiz breakfastatruiz.com. WEST COLUMBIA: 116 State St., 803-550-9681. A brunch spot offering signature breakfast sandwiches and a full-service bar. What more can you ask for?

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.

The Cake House Casa de Pastel facebook.com/thecakehouse20. WEST COLUMBIA: 323 North 9th St. Suite B, 803-708-1459. 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 facebook.com/CrustBakehouse. SHANDON/ ROSEWOOD: 270 Rosewood Dr. Suite B. Crust offers daily menus with cookies, scones and other sweet pastries, not to mention delectable breads: focaccias, ciabattas, sourdough 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.

Crumbl Cookie

crumblcookies.com. FOREST ACRES: 4605 Forest Dr. Suite 3, 803-832-1551. HARBISON/IRMO: 150 Harbison Blvd. Suite C, 803-756-3632. LEXINGTON: 5135 Sunset Blvd. Suite J, 803-756-3294. It’s a franchise cookie shop with rotating flavors, wrapped up in an iconic pink box. 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 to pair with hot dogs, sandwiches and more.

The Donut Guy

thedonutguysc.com. NORTHEAST: 480 Town Center Pl. Suite 6, 803-451-0439. 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. Formerly in the Vista, The Donut Guy HQ is now at the Village at Sandhills.

Duck Donuts

duckdonuts.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 702 Cross Hill Road Suite 100B, 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.

Got Milk Cereal Bar

NORTH MAIN: 3730 N. Main St. Suite B, 803-6384668. Does cereal count as dessert? Either way, this unique new spot has pastries, cereal and milkshakes made with your favorite cereal. Also concocts creative mocktails.

Insomnia Cookies

insomniacookies.com. FIVE POINTS: 2013 Devine St., 803-937-3725. 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.

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 kudzucolumbia.com. FOREST ACRES: 4600 Forest Drive, Suite 10. 803-550-9927. This popular bakery has a bit of everything, from the giftshop-like food offerings to the signature cheese biscuits. The shop recently announced an expansion of its space.

Luscious & Delicious Sweets facebook.com/LusciousNDeliciousSweets. onlineonly: 803-767-2614. An online-only delivery service in the Carolina offering a range of baked goods. Cakes, brownies, 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 serving fresh-made cinnamon rolls, sweet potato pie, cupcakes and more, plus made-toorder cakes.

O’Hara’s Bakery Café facebook.com/oharasBC. LEXINGTON: 121 E. Main St., 803-356-1402. Just about two weeks after O’Hara’s Public house announced the closure of its sister café in late 2024, it announced that the bakery would reopen — and return to its roots.

O’hara’s Bakery Café now operates as a full-service coffee shop serving coffee, pastries and an elevated breakfast and lunch. Bagels are sourced from The Bagel Guys.

Pelican’s SnoBalls

pelicanssnoballs.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 6165 St. Andrews Rd., 803-807-7411. HARBISON/IRMO: 1600 Dutch Fork Rd., 803-862-7048. LEXINGTON: 517 N. Lake Dr., 803-807-7411. LEXINGTON: 1848 S. Lake Dr., 803-807-7411 NORTH MAIN: 2404 Main St., 803-770-3009. NORTHEAST: 202 Graces Way, 803-201-9652. NORTHEAST: 2774 Decker Blvd. 803-

770-3009. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 1912 Rosewood Dr., 803-770-3009. WEST COLUMBIA: 918 Center St., 803-770-300. 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, but catering is offered year round. Visit the website for more locations.

The Robinson Room

robinsonroomsc.com. DOWNTOWN: 1625 Main St., 803-714-3375. A swanky cocktail and dessert lounge that moved from The Grand on Main’s basement to a new location recently. The Robinson Room opened with some serious cred, with Michelinstar pastry chef Rory Macdonald helping spearhead the menu.

Scoopy Doo Gelato Shop

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., currently online-only, 803673-6374. Housemade pastries, cakes, pies and delicious cookies. Does weekly pre-orders Wednesdays, with pickup on Fridays, check social media for updates.

smallSUGAR

smallsugarsc.com. VISTA: 709 Gervais St., 803722-7506. A bakery and sandwich/salad shop with top-notch service and lots of fresh food from chefs Sarah Simmons and Aaron Hoskins, smallSUGAR is a treasure in the heart of the Vista.

The Strudel Shop

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

The War Mouth, pg. 4 | PHOTO BY JOHN A. CARLOS II

Sour and Salt Bakery

sourandsalt.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2761 Rosewood Dr. 803-816-0299. What started as a hobby, became a full-time business in late 2022. The bakery (which focuses on sourdough loaves, among other things) moved from just across the street in 2023 and offers fresh bread and sweet treats.

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 rolling out cookies, cupcakes, traditional and creative cakes and dessert 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 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 Bower Pkwy., 803-227-8918. A British pub with a real British pub menu: everything from roast beef to meat pies and Scotch eggs to crispy samosas, plus plenty of burgers and salads for the anglophobes. Extensive soccer and rugby viewing schedule, too. Chayz Lounge

chayzlounge.com. WEST COLUMBIA: 607 Meeting St., 803-563-8375. Comfortable little room hosts a frequently sold-out slate of smooth jazz concerts with an upscale, small plates menu. The elegant air and fancy dress code of the club extend to the menu, where petite creole shrimp and grits, crabstuffed mushrooms and apricot glazed wings are complemented by attentive service and a full bar with mocktail options.

Chubby’s Burgers

chubbysburgerssc.com. BLYTHEWOOD: 420 McNulty St., 803-445-1409. FOREST ACRES: 106 Percival Road, 803-638-4943. 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 — and even opened a new location in Columbia recently.

Cock N’ Bull Pub facebook.com/cocknbullpubcolumbia. 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. Offering pub food and daily specials.

Goat’s facebook.com/Goats2. FIVE POINTS: 2017 Devine St., 803-708-4495. Rising from the figurative ashes of Goatfeathers is Goat’s, a swanky bar run by one of the top bartenders in town.

Henry’s Restaurant and Bar

SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2865 Devine St., 803-7084705. NORTHEAST: 111 Sparkleberry Crossing Suite 1, 803-563-5674. A comfortable neighborhood bar with tasty burgers and tons of drink specials. The Sunday brunch rocks.

The Hoot instagram.com/hootcolumbia. ROSEWOOD: 2910 Rosewood Dr. Suite 1. From a former owner of The Whig (Columbia’s beloved and now-closed subterranean dive bar) and two established baristas and restaurant workers comes The Hoot. A neighborhood bar that opened in Rosewood in 2023, with plant-based fare and a fun cocktail menu along with a tap list. And yes, it is owl-themed.

Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint

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

Jake’s

jakesofcolumbia.com. FIVE POINTS: 2112 Devine St., 803-708-4788. A Five Points staple. The kitchen serves bar bites, while the bar side’s got a great patio that welcomes dogs.

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, pizza 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.

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.

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.

Thirsty Fellow

thirstyfellow.com. VISTA: 621 Gadsden St., 803-7991311. Pub food and fresh specials include wings, fish ’n chips, sandwiches, 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 Nashville hot chicken dip to awesome quesadillas.

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 heads up the kitchen and serves 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 and hamburger steak. There are also bar classics and even a kids’ menu.

Bistro/New American

The Aristocrat thearistocrat803.com. VISTA: 1001 Washington St., 803-708-8004. This lowkey hangout has a strong wine selection, craft cocktails and good bites too. Known for live jazz, too.

Bistro on the Boulevard

bistroontheblvd.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 1085 Lake Murray Blvd., 803-200-1006. Upscale New American bistro food meets new Southern classics like shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes.

Cafe Strudel

cafestrudel.com. LEXINGTON: 309 S. Lake Dr., 803490-0895. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 300 State St., 803-794-6634. Beloved West Columbia brunch spot serving up hearty, creative dishes like brisket hash. Coffee is self-serve. Prepare to wait for a table.

City Grit

citygritmarket.com. VISTA: 707 Gervais St., 803828-9489. From the folks behind Il Focolare and smallSUGAR, there’s City Grit. It sits right in front of smallSUGAR and serves small plates while doubling as an impressive wine bar and retail shop with cook books and grab-and-go options. The restaurant group was a finalist in 2023 James Beard awards in the category of Outstanding Restaurateur.

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. Offers desserts and happy hour specials.

Gervais & Vine

gervaisandvine.com. VISTA: 620 Gervais St. Suite A, 803-799-8463. Mediterranean restaurant and bar with many wines by the glass and a wide selection of tapas. A favorite among those in the culinary scene for its quality and value. Dishes are prepared in an open kitchen.

Hampton Street Vineyard

hamptonstreetvineyard.com. DOWNTOWN: 1207 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 wine tastings and a strong brunch, on Saturdays and Sundays, too.

Hendrix

hendrixsc.com. DOWNTOWN: 1649 Main St., 803-834-5132. 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 recently shifted towards American and Southern cuisine.

Lula Drake Wine Parlour

luladrake.com. DOWNTOWN: 1635 Main St., 803-606-1968. This wine bar offers a small but excellent menu that lets its unique and adventurous wine shine through. Handmade pastas, top-notch charcuterie and more. In 2024, the wine bar was a winner in the James Beard foundation awards in the category of Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program.

Motor Supply Co. Bistro

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.

Mr. Friendly’s mrfriendlys.com. FIVE POINTS: 2001 Greene St. Suite A, 803-254-7828. Mr. Friendly’s has been serving New Southern cuisine since 1995 — sometimes innovative, sometimes comforting. 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. Serves seafood, beef and vegetarian entrees.

Sky Bistro Lounge

skybistrolounge.com. DOWNTOWN: 1120 Washington St., 803-851-0308. This Veteranowned spot opened just off of Main Street in 2022 and offers New American cuisine and a full list of cocktails.

Smoked

smokedsc.com. DOWNTOWN: 1643 Main St. 803567-5599. 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 serving farm-to-table options in a large, historic space on Main Street.

Spotted Salamander

spottedsalamandercatering.com. DOWNTOWN: 1531 Richland St., 803-556-2197; 1441 Main St., 803-477-7343. Chef-owner Jessica Shillato (who was nominated for a 2023 James Beard foundation award for Best Chef - Southeast) and her team offer up inventive Southern lunches and a robust catering service. Spotted Salamander has something for everything between its daily specials — from a burger day to a fried chicken sandwich day.

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 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 local ingredients to make creative, original fare in an oft-rotating menu — truly

one of the region’s best restaurants. Looking for something a little simpler? Sit at the cozy bar and try out a wood-oven pizza.

Tombo Grille

tombogrille.com. FOREST ACRES: 4517 Forest Dr., 803-782-9665. They call themselves “THE neighborhood restaurant” 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.

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 and music trivia is a regular occurrence.

Bierkeller Columbia bierkellercolumbia.com. DOWNTOWN: 600 Canalside St. Suite 1009, 803-949-1869. Recently opened a permanent location along the riverside in the Canalside Apartments. The German-style brewery hosts frequent events featuring its astoundingly good brews. We’re partial to the Kellerbier.

Columbia Craft Brewing Co.

columbiacraft.com. VISTA: 520 Greene St., 803799-6027. Shiny, professional brewery turning out some great beers. A jam-packed beer board offers up several sours at any given time and a lager that’s

Chayz Lounge, pg. 9 | PHOTO BY JOHN A. CARLOS II

making waves. They also have an outdoor, upstairs patio.

Hazelwood Brewing Company

hazelwoodbeerco.com. LEXINGTON: 711 East Main St. Suite OS2, 803-785-3947. Hazelwood quickly gained a reputation for having 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, 803-764-1237. The oldest brewery in the city, Hunter-Gatherer slings good brews and awesome food from its downtown spot and the hangar.

Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant ironhillbrewery.com. BullStreet District: 945 Sabal St., 803-480-8200. One of the latest breweries to open in the area, and the first to hit the BullStreet District, Iron Hill has over 20 locations across the southeast, including one in Greenville. They’ve got an extensive menu of food, as well as fresh brews including the aptly named “Soda City Pilsner.”

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?

Peak Drift Brewing Company

peakdriftbrewing.com. DOWNTOWN: 1624 Main St. One of the latest ventures from Columbia’s Middleton family, the Peak Drift taproom is open daily. Its massive facility on North Main is producing cans of beer for shelves around Columbia.

Savage Craft Ale Works

savagecraft.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 430 Center St., 803-888-6005. Savage Craft 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. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 2350 Foreman St., 803-708-9864. VISTA: 705 Gervais St. Massive, professional brewery in Cayce has it all, from outdoor spaces with live music to a stacked food menu and rotating tap list. Since opening in 2018, Steel Hands has expanded to Greensboro, North Carolina, and recently opened a Vista location in the former Twisted Spur spot on Gervais.

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

azaleacoffeebar.com. 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.

Brickhouse Coffee & Tea

brickhousecoffeeandtea.com. WEST COLUMBIA/ CAYCE: 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. 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

coolbeanscolumbia.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 like bagels, fruit, grits. Lots of vegetarian-friendly options.

Cool Beans Coffee Company

coolbeanscolumbia.com. 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 Five Points 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.

Higher Grounds

fbccola.com. DOWNTOWN: 1430 Sumter St., 803217-3247. 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 coffee roaster has excellent coffee. 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. Also sets up at Soda City on Saturdays.

Loveland Coffee

lovelandcoffee.com. ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE: 7001 St. Andrews Rd., 803-851-6978. IRMO: 7475 Carlisle St., 803-769-3535. Tasty local coffee serving creative lattes to house-roasted drip coffee to the famous cold brewed coffee concentrate.

Loveland has a drive-thru location and a newer fullsized, beautiful coffee house too.

Piecewise Coffee Company

piecewisecoffee.com. Cayce/ WEST COLUMBIA: 2001 State St., 803-764-1044. 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., 803-403-1404. 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 gumbo, jambalaya and étouffée and more. It may just be one of the best spots to sip on a fancy drink in town.

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., 803-708-9991. A New Orleans-inspired sandwich shop that offers a handful of Cajun-creole dishes like po-boys. Also offers charcuterie.

Private Property

privatepropertysc.com. LEXINGTON: 220 W. Main St., 803-399-8085. Cajun and Creole food in the heart of Lexington, from blackened alligator 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.

Caribbean/Latin

A Fuego 100x35

facebook.com/afuego100x35, NORTHEAST: 7720 Claudia Dr., 803-550-9166. This 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.

Cabañas Restaurant

facebook.com/cabanasrestaurante1, WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 825 Sunset Blvd. Suite D, 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 Tex-Mex 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 and empanadas.

Ratio

ratiorestaurant.com. NORTHEAST: 566 Spears Creek Church Road. 803-900-0081. Chef-owner Javier Uriarte’s restaurant built 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.

smallSUGAR, pg. 8 | PHOTO BY BACH PHAM

Smoked, pg. 11

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

eggrollstation.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 135 Sunset Blvd., 803-791-4060. Beloved by generations of Columbians, Egg Roll Station prepares inexpensive, fresh Chinese-American standards to order while you watch.

Main Moon

mainmooncolumbia.com. ROSEWOOD: 2800 Rosewood Dr. Suite D, 803-251-8990. This cramped Chinese takeout spot just beside the Publix on Rosewood provides 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 and chicken ding. Like most Chinese restaurants, it’s more than able to fill your 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 plus traditional Chinese dishes.

Deli

5th Avenue Deli

fifthavedeli.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.

Andy’s Deli

andysdelicolumbia.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 with that tantalizingly tangy dip, ought to qualify as the official sandwich of the Midlands.

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.

East Bay Deli

eastbaydeli.com. DOWNTOWN: 1426 Main St., 803814-2277. NORTHEAST: 2708 Clemson Rd. Suite C, 803-708-7400. CAYCE: 917 State St., 803-830-4333. WEST COLUMBIA: 108 Sunset Ct., 803-791-1150. IRMO: 7688 Broad River Rd., 803-708-3188. A Charleston-based deli that made its way to the Midlands has multiple locations across the state. Serves popular sandwiches and sides.

Enzo’s Deli enzoscolumbia.com. Olympia: 600 Heyward St. Enzo’s Deli pairs an East Coast-style deli with Italian ingredients to make standout sandwiches. From a sandwich with grilled vegetables, mozzarella, pesto and balsamic to a classic Italian, it’s hard to go wrong.

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., 877-207-7113. FOREST ACRES: 4717 Forest Dr. HARBISON/IRMO: 800 Lake Murray Blvd., 803-226-

4838. LEXINGTON: 117 1/2 East Main St., 803-2128710. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 2265 Sunset Blvd., 803-205-0378. 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. The Forest Acres location is reopening in Q1 2025.

No Name Deli nonamedelisc.com. DOWNTOWN: 2042 Marion St., 803-252-0480. FOREST ACRES: 4712 Forest Dr. Suite A, 803-728-0077. This popular downtown lunch spot is anything but anonymous. Grab a tray and line up for sandwiches (hot or cold), salads and soup. Pay at the register when you get your food — and they finally accept credit cards and Apple Pay. Separate counter for to-go order pickup helps long lines disappear quickly.

Distilleries and Wineries

Enoree River Winery enoreeriverwinery.com. Newberry: 1650 Dusty Rd., 803-276-2855. Offers wine tastings and tours, with a view of the vineyards. Wines run the gamut from fruit (blackberry, cranberry) to muscadine wines to traditional dry varietals and blends. The wine gets fun too, with wine slushies and hosted events.

Hollow Creek Distillery

hollowcreekdistillery.com. LEESVILLE: 112 Rocky Ridge Rd., 803-470-6010. Makes small batch, handcrafted, award-winning Southern spirits. Offers tours and free tastings.

Mercer House Estate Winery

LEXINGTON: 397 Walter Rawl Rd., 803-957-7102. Twelve-acre vineyard and winery in Lexington thatspecializes 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

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.

Hott Mess

facebook.com/hottmesscolumbia, 803-915-6288.

Hott Mess has burgers, chicken sandwiches and a number of pairable items like mac-and-cheese balls and fried pickles. It’s not good for you, but it’s good for you, you dig?

Island Noodles

islandnoodles.com. 419-283-8487. 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.

Just Jonesin’ facebook.com/justjonesin143, 803-869-2136. With any kind of stuffed baked potato you can imagine, Just Jonesin’ offers something unique to Columbia’s food truck scene. Whether you prefer a traditional stuffed potato, or something a little different, this food truck has you covered.

Kusina Filipinia

facebook.com/PinoyGoodEats, 803-719-2034. Offering authentic Filipino food, this food truck is a staple at bars like WECO Bottle & Biergarten. They post their latest locations to their Facebook regularly.

Lobster Dogs

lobsterdogsfoodtruck.com. 704-301-1573. 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.

Los Chicanos

facebook.com/chicanoscomida, 803-397-7102. A Soda City staple and now a brewery-bar-beer 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.

Mary’s Arepas

facebook.com/marysarepas.co, 803-465-6628. A longtime Colombian favorite around Columbia with its handful of arepas, all made fresh and on the spot ranging 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.

Parabellum Mobile Eats

facebook.com/ParabellumMobile, 803-563-8269. From two former fine dining workers, one a manager and the other an executive chef, comes Parabellum Mobile Eats. With an elevated bar food approach, they’ve hit places like WECO and Craft and Draft since opening in late 2022.

The Wurst Wagen

thewurstwagen.com. 803-463-6637. Serving delicious German sausages, not to mention the occasional doner kebab. There are specials every now and then, so track them down to find more rare menu items.

French

Crêpes & Croissants crepesaetcroissants.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 french toast, croissants and macarons. 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 waffles.

German

Julia’s German Stammtisch NORTHEAST: 120 Sparkleberry Crossing Rd., 803738-0630. Old-fashioned, homestyle German comfort cooking. From bratwurst to schnitzel, Julia’s has you covered.

Greek/Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern

NoMa Bistro by Al-Amir nomabyalamir.com. DOWNTOWN: 2431 Main St., 803-401-5882. Well-loved and well-prepared Middle Eastern cuisine from Al-Amir includes hummus, falafel, lamb kabob and shawarma. Pizzas and salads round out the menu.

Arabesque arabesqueondevine.com. 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 arianasgreekrestaurant.com. WEST COLUMBIA/ CAYCE: 1720 Sunset Blvd., 803-796-4430. A Greek restaurant with international flair. Menu features gyros, souvlaki, pastitsio, kabobs and more. Plenty of vegetarian options too. Serves out of a to-go window, too, for those not interested in dining in.

Boeshreen boeshreen.co, 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. Suite A, 803-888-7844. 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. DOWNTOWN: 922 Main St., 803764-3740. Middle Eastern favorites done right, from the meze to the baklava. Soups, breads, salads and grilled meats offer something for everyone. Mediterranean Tea Room instagram.com/medtearoomdevine, SHANDON/ ROSEWOOD: 2601 Devine St., 803-799-3118. 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. Mediterranean food near USC’s campus. Features fresh-baked Damascus bread and a range of Middle Eastern favorites. Caterers to students with deals.

Showmars showmars.com. LEXINGTON: 5318 Sunset Blvd., 803-520-0047. This Charlotte based Greek chain pairs pita sandwiches and pita burgers with entrees like chicken souvlaki.

Indian

2 Gingers

ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE: 245 Bush River Rd., 803-772-5121. Featuring a range of South and North Indian dishes, 2 Gingers, located in the Boozer Shopping Center, satisfies vegetarians and omnivores alike.

Delhi Palace

delhipalacesc.net, ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE: 542 St. Andrews Rd., 803-750-7760. This muchloved 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 Eastern grocery that they frequently advertise.

Persis Biryani Indian Grill

persiscolumbia.com. ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE: 1728 Bush River Rd., 803-851-3687. The Indian restaurant on Bush River offers South Asian cuisine.

Italian

Bar Gran Sasso

FIVE POINTS: 2002 Greene St., Suite G. Thanks to his success at Enzo’s Delicatessen, 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.

Bellacino’s Pizza & Grinders

bellacinos.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 1085 Lake Murray Blvd., 803-407-4884. LEXINGTON: 5339 Sunset Blvd., 803-957-6767. As the name suggests, they have Italian pizza and grinders (or very, very large subs). Friendly staff and consistent quality keep this popular local restaurant full.

Black Rooster

blackroostersc.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 201 Meeting St., 803-724-2853. Bourbon chef and owner Kristian Niemi crossed into West Columbia to serve up Italian cuisine with sweeping views of the Congaree River and downtown Columbia. With a rooftop bar, approachable and delicious fare, and a great bar menu, Black Rooster has been a hotspot since opening

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 and lasagna.

Di Vino Rosso divinorossosc.com. VISTA: 807 Gervais St. Suite 100, 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.

Madrigal Café

madrigalcafe.com. DOWNTOWN: 1128 Devine St. 803-451-0892. A haven for wine and food lovers, Madrigal offers extensive pizza and wine lists and other bites.

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-fromscratch sauces and pastas. There’s a strong wine list too.

Travinia Italian Kitchen traviniacolumbia.com. travinialexington.com. NORTHEAST: 101 Sparkleberry Crossings Rd., 803419-9313. LEXINGTON: 5074 Sunset Dr., 803-9572422. A small chain of fine dining Italian eateries. Its menu offers up everything from a pine nut-encrusted salmon to lasagna bolognese. The soups are particularly good.

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

camonjapaneserestaurant.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.

Ganbei

ganbeirestaurantlexington.kwickmenu.com. LEXINGTON: 5580 Sunset Blvd. Suite F, 803-8081618. 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

hanabihibachi.com. 1624 Main St., 803-7403238. One of the latest restaurant ventures for the Middleton family is the Hanabi Hibachi restaurant. In the former space of Main Course, this spot serves hibachi classics under the culinary direction of Chef Mike Ellis.

Hibachi House

hibachihousesc.com. 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, but be prepared for a wait as they’re almost always busy.

Hokkaido Ramen House

hokkaidoramenlexington.kwickmenu.com/index. php, LEXINGTON: 205 Columbia Ave. Suite B, 803756-0166. This Lexington spot serves moderately priced ramen and other popular Asian cuisine.

Inakaya Japanese Restaurant

inakaya.restaurantwebexpert.com. NORTHEAST: 224 O’Neil Ct. Suite 9, 803-699-2626. Elegant seating where outstanding sushi, sashimi and other Japanese cuisine take center stage. Popular

Airirang, pg. 18 | PHOTO BY JOHN CARLOS II

with families and large groups for their spectacular Inakaya Boat Specials.

Inakaya Watanabe

inakayawatanabe.com. ST. ANDREWS/DUTCH SQUARE: 655 St. Andrews Rd. Suite 3, 803-7509392. Excellent sushi, sashimi and traditional Japanese dishes.

Menkoi Ramen House

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

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 nonsushi items on the menu, including grilled items and tasty appetizers.

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/japanese-columbia-sc.

GARNERS FERRY/SOUTHEAST: 4963 Fort Jackson Blvd. 803-787-5307. Saky serves great sushi as well as soups 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. Suite 100, 803-708-1604. FOREST ACRES: 4711 Forest Dr. Suite 27. 803-227-8724 LEXINGTON: 102 W. Main St., 803-307-4233. Georgia-based TakoSushi offers a handful of both popular Asian cuisine like sushi and potstickers and Latin-inspired cuisine.

Tsunami facebook.com/tsunamicolumbia. VISTA: 700 Gervais St., 803-312-9911. HARBISON/IRMO: 1290 Bower Pkwy., 803-407-3873. 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.

Arirang facebook.com/ArirangKoreanRestaurantSC. NORTHEAST: 1943 Decker Blvd. Suite C, 803790-5506. 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 in 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, and drinks too.

O Bok Korean Restaurant

NORTHEAST: 1616 Decker Blvd. Suite A, 803-9955008. 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., 803-661-6746. This charming restaurant and grocery offers homestyle Korean fare in a casual setting.

Mexican/Southwestern

7 Mares

LEXINGTON: 4360 Augusta Rd. Suite 7491, 803520-0067. 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 MexicanAmerican classics like fajitas and carnitas.

Boca Grande Burritos

bocagrandesc.com. FOREST ACRES: 4525 Forest Drive Suite 2A., 803-834-4076. A fast-casual burrito spot from longtime Cantina 76 chef David Grillo. With a focus on ingredients and quality, Grillo’s 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. Suite A, 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. Try the Peruvian shrimp tacos.

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 facebook.com/ChapalaMexicanResturant, LEXINGTON: 1792 S. Lake Dr., 803-957-0840. IRMO: 7001 St. Andrews Rd., 803-749-7071. MexicanAmerican 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 Lady St. Suite A, 803851-5965. Tucked under the hip Aloft Hotel, this tequila bar offers upscale Latin food, from grilled octopus to bone marrow and high-end tacos. The bar offerings are can’t miss libations when you’re there.

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 fixings: 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

facebook.com/mannysShavedIce. WEST COLUMBIA/ CAYCE: 1228 Augusta Rd., 803-828-9914. Though it specializes in raspados and chamoyadas — sweetand-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. Suite 8, 803-794-3493. 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: 402 Beltline Blvd., 803-8079399. A bounty of Mexican antojitos like tacos, sopas, huaraches and tortas, plus some MexicanAmerican restaurant favorites like fajitas and chiles poblanos. They have margaritas, too.

Publico Kitchen and Tap publicokitchenandtap.com. FIVE POINTS: 2013 Greene St., 803-661-9043. BullStreet District: 2180 Boyce St. Suite A, 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

realmexicorestaurant.com. 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.

Tacos Nayarit

tacos-nayarit.weeblyte.com. 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. Suite 10, 803-731-5546. 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

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 Sumter St. Suite A,803-252-7229. Locally owned Tex-Mex café distinguished by its extensive and eclectic salsa offerings to pair with its tacos, burritos and other Mexican bites — plus, plenty of vegan options. A full bar features tequilas and beers galore. Open late, and they deliver late, too.

Pizza

Il Bucato

ilbucatopizza.com. FOREST ACRES: 1615 N. Beltline Blvd., 803-708-3500. Il Bucato is a take out only pizza, sandwich and salad joint.

Cucinella’s Pizzeria & Italian Ice

cucinellaswestcola.com. WEST COLUMBIA/CAYCE: 2250 Sunset Blvd. Suite M, 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. Dinner menu also offers veal parmesan, manicotti and stuffed shells. Not a bad place to drink a beer and watch the game, either — but it’s also a family-friendly spot.

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. COTTONTOWN: 2150 Sumter St., 803-563-5052. Culinary minds behind smallSUGAR and The Cafe at Richland Library bring pizza to Cottontown with delicious, eclectic options.

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. 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., 803-7821098. 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. HARBISON/IRMO: 6903 St. Andrews Rd. Suite 3, 803-851-4081. 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. Offers up calzones and other goodies, too, like tiramisu. The ‘za comes in a number of flavors and is available 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, the Midlands’ 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

nickyspizzeriasc.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. Bottled and draft beer, too.

Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom

oldchicago.com. VISTA: 802 Gervais St., Suite. 100, 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 tonyspizzalicioussc.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. Olympia: 612 Whaley St., 803-2528646. Offering New York-style hand-tossed pizza by the pie or slice for lunch, dinner and delivery. 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 Pl., 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 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

Adluh Flour across the street. 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.

Oyster Bar

oysterbarcolumbia.com. VISTA: 1123 Park St., 803799-4484. A true, old-fashioned oyster bar, and the first in the Vista. 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, cocktails and beer.

Palmetto Seafood

palmettoseafoodco.com. 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., 803-661-7741. Pearlz specializes in fresh oysters, regional seafood and Lowcountry recipes. Pearlz’ hip, trendy ambience and signature martinis make it a hotspot for Columbia’s young, urban professional crowd.

NoMa Bistro by Al Amir, pg. 16 | PHOTO BY JOHN CARLOS II

Wild Crab

wildcrabseafood.com. HARBISON/IRMO: 275 Park Terrace Dr., 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.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House ruthschris.com. VISTA: 924 Senate St. Suite A (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.

Basil Thai Restaurant eatatbasil.com. GARNERS FERRY/SOUTHEAST: 702 Cross Hill Rd. Suite 300A, 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 restaurant 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. 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, but call your order in ahead of time.

Kao Thai Cuisine

kaothaicola.com. DOWNTOWN: 1307 Main St., 803569-6881. Kao Thai blends Thai dishes with items from other Asian cuisines, like shumai and roti and curry. Full bar with fancy cocktails.

Little Bee Bun Mee

littlebeebunmee.com. CAYCE: 904 Knox Abbott Dr., 803-828-3005. From the owners of Duke’s Pad Thai, this next door and connected restaurant, Little Bee Bun Mee opened in July 2023.

Lotus Thai Dining

facebook.com/lotusthaidining. GARNERS FERRY/ SOUTHEAST: 7546 Garners Ferry Rd. Suite 280B, 803-995-7039. A new Thai restaurant offering more than just Pad Thai and other go-tos. A wideranging menu offers Lao, Chinese cuisine and sushi. Frequent seafood specials.

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.

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

A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen

apeaceofsoul.com. COTTONTOWN: 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 take-out only.

The Reizod Vegan Experience

reizodvegan.com. NORTHEAST: 9300 Two Notch Rd. Suite L, 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 store 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. Suite B-4, 803-791-0206. 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

phovietdevine.com. SHANDON/ROSEWOOD: 2011 Devine St. 803-779-4077. 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

Soda City Market runs year-round on Saturdays |

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 eye on 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 biannually.

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

Main Street, downtown Columbia, sodacitysc.com.

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.

JANUARY

The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine’s Swan Lake

Jan. 14, Koger Center for the Arts, kogercenterforthearts.com. A full-scale, traditional performance of the ballet Swan Lake, featuring Tchaikovsky’s iconic score.

The Revolutionists

Jan. 17 through Feb. 1, Trustus Theatre, trustus.org. A new play about women who lived in France during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror.

Cockstock 2025 feat. Quavo

Jan. 29, Colonial Life Arena, coloniallifearena.com. USC’s annual homecoming concert featuring rapper Quavo. Tickets are $5 for students and $40 for the general public.

Joe Gatto: Let’s Get Into It Tour

Jan. 31, Koger Center for the Arts, kogercenterforthearts.com. See the comedian of “Impractical Jokers” fame perform stand-up at the Koger Center.

FEBRUARY

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show On Earth

Feb. 7-9, Colonial Life Arena, coloniallifearena.com. The famed traveling circus makes a stop in Cola. Ain’t Misbehavin’

Feb. 21 through March 12, Trustus Theatre, trustus. org. An evening of rowdy, raunchy and humorous songs that represent an era of debaucherous Manhattan nightclubs.

Six the Musical

Feb. 25 through March 12, Koger Center for the Arts, kogercenterforthearts.com. An installment of Broadway in Columbia, watch the ex-wives of Henry VIII perform a Tony-award winning score.

PHOTO BY JOHN CARLOS II

MARCH

Major League Fishing 2025 Bass Pro Tour

March 6-9, Dreher Island State Park, majorleaguefishing.com. Attend stage three of the world’s largest fishing tournament at Lake Murray, with free admission.

South Carolina Ballet’s Giselle

March 22, Koger Center for the Arts, kogercenterforthearts.com. A timeless classic ballet that tells the story of love, betrayal and redemption. SC Philharmonic’s Beethoven & Blue Jeans

March 29, Koger Center for the Arts, kogercenterforthearts.com. Classical music meets cool and casual.

APRIL

Music of Led Zeppelin

April 8, Koger Center for the Arts, kogercenterforthearts.com. The South Carolina Philharmonic will bring the music of Led Zeppelin to life, featuring world-class musicians and vocalists.

Artista Vista

April 11-13, The Vista, vistacolumbia.com. The weekend-long celebration of arts and culture celebrates its 33rd year.

The Book of Mormon

April 15-17, Koger Center for the Arts, kogercenterforthearts.com. The New York Times calls it “the best musical of this century.”

CLYDE’S

April 18 through May 3, Trustus Theatre, trustus. org. Formerly incarcerated individuals strive to make the perfect sandwich in this play set at a truck stop sandwich shop in Pennsylvania.

Kane Brown: The High Road Tour

April 24, Colonial Life Arena, coloniallifearena.com. The country singer stops in Columbia with Mitchell Tenpenny and Scotty McCreery.

Fantastique

April 26, Koger Center for the Arts, kogercenterforthearts.com. Berlioz’ Symphonie Fantastique with a brand new cello concerto from Andy Akiho, performed by the South Carolina Philharmonic.

MAY

A Case for the Existence of God

May 16-31, Trustus Theatre, trustus.org. A play that follows two people unexpectedly choosing to bring each other into their worlds, all unfolding in a cubicle.

South Carolina Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival

May 17, South Carolina State Fair, foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com. Dozens of regional and national beers, plus some of the area’s most popular food trucks.

Drink Pink Rosé Festival

May 18, Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens, drinkpinkfestival.com. One hundred types of rosé, three types of paella, a cheese tasting table and live music.

The Music of Hans Zimmer and others –A Celebration of Film Music

May 28, Koger Center for the Arts, kogercenterforthearts.com. Enjoy the Hollywood Film Orchestra performing music from Dune, The Dark Knight, The Lion King, James Bond, The Pirates of the Caribbean and more.

JUNE

TINA – The Tina Turner Musical

June 17-18, Koger Center for the Arts, kogercenterforthearts.com. A jukebox musical following legend Tina Turner from her beginnings in Flatbush, Tennessee, to her transformation into a superstar.

3rd Annual Dam Boat Run

June 20, Lake Murray, lakemurraypowerboatrun. com. The most impressive works of nautical beauty powerboating has to offer, bringing in boating enthusiasts from across the country.

Aida

June 20 through July 6, Trustus Theatre, trustus. org. Elton John and Tim Rice’s timeless love story, performed at the Trustus Theatre.

The Great Race 2025

June 29, Moore Park (Irmo), greatrace.com. Watch classic cars cross the finish line of their journey from St. Paul, Minnesota.

JULY

Lexington County Peach Festival

July 4, Gilbert Community Park (Gilbert), lexingtoncountypeachfestival.com. Did you know South Carolina produces more peaches than Georgia, the alleged peach state? Celebrate that fact by enjoying peach-flavored ice cream and other treats at this festival.

Fort Jackson Independence Day Fireworks Celebration

July 4, Hilton Parade Field, lakemurraycountry.com. Carnival rides, food and beer trucks and fireworks.

Midlands Women’s Day

July 26, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, columbiaconventioncenter.com. A free day of pampering, education and empowerment.

AUGUST

Freedom Festival International

Aug. 22-24, 316 Senate St., filmfreeway.com. Showcasing 65+ independent films by filmmakers around the world.

SEPTEMBER

Jubilee: Festival of Black History and Culture

Sept. 16, Mann-Simons Site, historiccolumbia. org. A decades-long tradition. Food, music, art and community.

SC Horror Convention 3D

Sept. 20-21, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, columbiaconventioncenter.com. Celebrity guests, artists, vendors and a live haunt experience for horror fanatics.

OCTOBER

SC State Fair

Oct. 8-19, Fairgrounds, scstatefair.org. The only time you can eat a funnel cake under the shadow of Williams-Brice Stadium.

Find more Columbia-area happenings of all kinds on the events calendar at free-times.com/events.

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 1,400 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 3,000 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.

African-American History Monument | FILE PHOTO

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 Hendrix, Lula Drake, Smoked and Halls Chophouse have given Main Street a big 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. 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 and ice cream.

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.

Anne Frank Center

1731 College St. The Anne Frank Center is an extension of the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, now on USC’s campus. The 1,060-square-foot museum that features original artifacts is the first of its kind dedicated to the Holocaust survivor.

Columbia Fire Department Museum

1800 Laurel St., colafire.net. The Columbia Fire Department Museum is a small, one-room exhibit honoring the heroism of firefighters. The exhibit includes artifacts dating back to the 19th century and a Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial. Tours are by request.

Columbia Museum of Art Main and Hampton streets, 803-799-2810, 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, 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 — 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.

Equitable Arcade Mall

1332 Main Street, (803) 779-1234, experiencecolumbiasc.com. The Arcade Mall was Columbia’s first indoor shopping center built in 1912. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places thanks to its architectural and cultural importance.

Finlay Park

930 Laurel St., (803) 733-8691. The new and improved Finlay Park is expected to reopen in fall 2025.

The park that opened in 1991 can be a good place for a walk amid the hustle of downtown and hosts occasional concerts and festivals. Finlay’s $24 million renovation will include a new band stage, strolling gardens, public art, a playground, central pond and repaired fountain. 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 for the Arts

1051 Greene St., 803-777-7500, kogercenterforthearts.com. 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 2,200.

Mann-Simons Site

1403 Richland St., 803-252-7742, historiccolumbia. org. Home to one of only a few houses in South Carolina owned by free Black people 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 American South.

Modjeska Monteith Simkins House

2025 Marion St., historiccolumbia.org. 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 AfricanAmericans 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 380 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.

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.

Randolph Cemetery

Elmwood Ave. at I-26, randolphcemetery.org.

Founded on land purchased from Elmwood Cemetery in 1872, Randolph is the first cemetery established specifically for Columbia’s Black community. Prior to the cemetery’s founding, African-Americans were buried along with poor white people 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 South Carolina 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 3,000 animals and a 70acre botanical garden, Riverbanks also sports a rock climbing wall, a ropes course and hosts popular annual events such as Boo at the Zoo, Brew at the Zoo and Wild Lights.

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.gov. 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 tour the building or gape at the expanse of lawn on the north side where the Confederate flag flew until July 2015.

Seibels House and Garden

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. J. Marion Sims, a 19th century physician and 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

1640 Freed St., 803-726-4487, segrapark.com.

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. It 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 12.5 miles of linked riverside pathways in Columbia, Cayce and West Columbia. The completed Cayce and West Columbia portions of the Greenway are 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., trinitysc.org. 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. 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., 803-777-0169. 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.

W. Gordon Belser Arboretum

4080 Bloomwood Road, (803) 563-8118, sc.edu.

The W. Gordon Belser Arboretum is a nature preserve spanning 6.5 acres on USC’s campus that opens for a monthly open house from 1 to 4 p.m. the third Sunday of each month. It features a botanical garden, waterfall and plant communities from 10 different biomes.

Woodrow Wilson Family Home

1705 Hampton St., 803-252-7742, historiccolumbia. org. 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 as a museum 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 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, flour and cornmeal products sold on-site.

The Big Apple

1000 Hampton St., 803-445-9400, 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 NYC 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 90,000 square feet of cool stuff to keep the kids occupied.

First Responders

Remembrance Memorial

1101 Lincoln St. Located at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, the First Responders Remembrance Memorial honors Midlands firefighters, law enforcement, EMS and military members who have served since Sept. 11, 2001.

Riverfront Park

312 Laurel St., 803-545-3100, sctrails.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, scmuseum.org. The State Museum opened a major expansion space in

The Vista | PHOTO BY JOHN A. CARLOS II

2014 featuring an observatory, planetarium and 4D theater. 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 nonSouth 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 amphitheater 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, tacos 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. Rosewood has its own signature event, too, the Rosewood Crawfish 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.

701 Center for Contemporary Art

701 Whaley St., 803-319-9949, 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.

City Roots

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

Congaree National Park

803-776-4396, nps.gov/cong. 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 and an Important Bird Area. 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

fivepointscolumbia.com

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

fivepointscolumbia.com

Five Points is for strolling, dining and shopping. Retail options are wide, encompassing everything from 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).

Founders Park

431 Williams St. Home stadium of the two-time national champion Gamecocks men’s baseball team, this 8,200-seat stadium is a bang-up place to watch the Gamecocks. Has been named the best college baseball stadium in America in past years.

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.

Olympia Mill Village Museum

1170 Olympia Ave., 803-719-7138, olympiamillvillagemuseum.org. A museum featuring the rich history of the Olympia and Granby mills, including historic village architecture, local businesses of the 1900s and other artifacts.

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 upscale cosmetics at Pout and high-end clothing at Brittons, Devine Street merchants specialize in some of the most unique and eclectic offerings in the city.

South Carolina Military Museum

1 National Guard Rd., 803-299-4440, 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, 77,529-seat Williams-Brice Stadium is party central during USC football season, with fans spilling into both Five Points and the Vista after games. Since its construction in 1934, WilliamsBrice 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 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 Sandhill Research and Education Center, 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.

Blythewood Farmers Market

171 Langford Rd. (Blythewood), 803-402-6864, blythewoodfarmersmarket.com. A producer-only market promoting agriculture in Blythewood with live music, food trucks and artisan crafts.

Camden Archives & Museum

1314 Broad St. (Camden), 803-425-6050, kershawcountychamber.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.

Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County 810 Lyttleton St. (Camden), 803-425-7676, artscenterkc.org. Presents community-oriented theater, music, dance and exhibitions.

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 803-432-9841, historiccamden.org. We’ll spare you the suspense: The Americans got their asses handed to them at the 1780 Battle of Camden. Some 244 years later, though, we’re over it. Hosts Revolutionary War Days each November with battle reenactments.

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

Palmetto Falls Water Park at Fort Jackson 6511 Strom Thurmond Blvd., 803-751-3475, jackson. armymwr.com. Located at Fort Jackson but open to the general public, the Palmetto Falls Water Park has two waterfalls, a lazy river, a kiddie pool and a splashdown pool.

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

Community Artisan & Farmers Market

168 Forum Dr., 803-807-3238. Open each Tuesday from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., offering handmade finds, fresh locally grown fruits, vegetables and more.

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 6.1-mile mountain bike trail, a 1.9-mile nature trail, and a 3.5-mile walking and jogging trail. Located 13 miles northeast of Columbia on Two Notch Road.

South Carolina Railroad Museum 110 Industrial Park Rd. (Winnsboro), 803-635-9893, 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, history.army. mil. 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.

U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Museum

10100 Lee Rd., 803-751-8827, history.army.mil. Established in 1957, the museum features an extensive artifact collection stemming from the creation of the Chaplain Corps in 1775, including a piece of the Pentagon wall from 9/11.

Village at Sandhill

481 Town Center Pl., (803) 973-0505, shopvas.com. Located off I-20 (Exit 80, Clemson Road), the 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 shops.

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.

Carolina Outdoor Adventures

PO Box 4262 (Irmo), 803-381-2293, carolinaoutdooradventures.com. Started in 2015, Carolina Outdoor Adventures offers guided kayak tours in Congaree National Park, Dreher Island State Park and Lake Murray.

Cayce Historical Museum

1800 12th St. (Cayce), 803-929-3951, caycesc.gov.

A replica of a trading post in the area built in 1765 that was seized by the British during the Revolutionary War and used as a fort, the Cayce Historical Museum displays artifacts from the Saxe Gotha and Granby communities. The museum also features thousands of Native American, Revolutionary War and Civil War artifacts.

Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center

1120 Fort Congaree Trail (Cayce), 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

830 Columbia Ave. (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. Some shows are performed at Harbison Theatre.

Columbia Children’s Theatre

1218 Batchelor St. (West Columbia), 803-6914548, columbiachildrenstheatre.com. A nonprofit, professional theater offering educational and entertainment opportunities to children and families

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 and free African-Americans. Parking at Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center.

Crooked Creek Park

1098 Old Lexington Hwy (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. (Prosperity), Exit 91 off I-26, 803-364-4152, southcarolinaparks.com. Located 30 miles northwest of Columbia, 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 E. 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 gokart tracks, three 18-hole mini-golf courses, batting cages, bumper boats, an arcade, a 5,000-square foot multi-tiered laser tag arena and a 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, lakemurraycountry.com. These 15 acres in the Town of Lexington offer walking trails, kayaking, picnic tables and a scenic overlook.

Harbison State Forest scfc.gov, 803-896-8897. 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 18 miles of roads and trails (popular for biking) and a canoe landing.

Harbison Theatre

7300 College St. (Irmo) 803-407-5011, harbisontheatre.org. 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.

Historic Columbia Speedway

2001 Charleston Hwy (Cayce), columbiaspeedway.com, 803-791-0520. Formerly a stock car race track, the Historic Columbia Speedway now hosts a variety of events, including concerts, festivals, corporate outings, cycling events, sporting events, trade shows, car shows, and more.

Icehouse Amphitheater

107 W Main St. (Lexington) 803-358-7275, icehouseamphitheater.com. An outdoor venue in the

heart of downtown Lexington that 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. Good striped bass fishing during the season.

Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra

803-400-3540, lmso.org. Think there’s no culture when you get outside downtown? Think again. Led by conductor and music director Andrew Gowan, 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 Street, Lexington, 803359-8369, lexingtoncountymuseum.org. 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 sctrails.net, 803-254-9049. Sadly, the geological wonder known as Peachtree Rock — a triangularshaped 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 306-acre preserve, which has the only waterfall in the coastal plain. Located off S.C. 6 in southern Lexington County near Swansea.

Saluda Shoals Park

5605 Bush River Road, 803-772-1228, icrc.net. Situated on 480 acres downstream from the Lake Murray Dam, Saluda Shoals features a popular water park, an environmental education center, canoe trips, picnic shelters, a disc golf course, a tennis complex, a ropes course, meeting facilities and more. Good trout fishing if you like to wade.

Seven Oaks Park

200 Leisure Ln., 803-772-3336, 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 studio, picnic areas, gymnasiums, walking trails and more.

State Farmers Market

Exit 115 off I-26, 803-734-2210, 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 Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Village Square Theatre

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

Sign up for Free Times Food & Dining and Weekend newsletters