Columbia’s food scene runs the gamut, catering to everyone from state legislators and college students passing through to the steadfast locals. Restaurants like Coa and Menkoi Ramen House reflect the capital city’s international offerings, while Hendrix and Spotted Salamander display the deep Southern traditions of this agricultural state. With each of these elements, you end up with a dining scene that regularly impresses without taking itself too seriously.
18 Essential Restaurants in Columbia, South Carolina
Try award-winning barbecue, vegan soul food, and chicken bog in the capital city
Now, with its first James Beard Award under its belt and a handful of nominations over the past few years, the time has come to give the Columbia, South Carolina, Essentials map an update.
New to the list: the Original D’s Restaurant & Bar, Rosewood Dairy Bar, Hendrix, Menkoi Ramen House, City Limits Barbeque, Coa Agaveria y Cocina, the Dragon Room, A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen, Villa Tronco Italian Restaurant, and the Hoot. Locations are listed geographically, from north to south.
18 Essential Restaurants in Columbia, South Carolina
Try award-winning barbecue, vegan soul food, and chicken bog in the capital city
Columbia’s food scene runs the gamut, catering to everyone from state legislators and college students passing through to the steadfast locals. Restaurants like Coa and Menkoi Ramen House reflect the capital city’s international offerings, while Hendrix and Spotted Salamander display the deep Southern traditions of this agricultural state. With each of these elements, you end up with a dining scene that regularly impresses without taking itself too seriously.
Now, with its first James Beard Award under its belt and a handful of nominations over the past few years, the time has come to give the Columbia, South Carolina, Essentials map an update.
New to the list: the Original D’s Restaurant & Bar, Rosewood Dairy Bar, Hendrix, Menkoi Ramen House, City Limits Barbeque, Coa Agaveria y Cocina, the Dragon Room, A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen, Villa Tronco Italian Restaurant, and the Hoot. Locations are listed geographically, from north to south.
The War Mouth
Find just about every favorite Southern dish on this menu, along with a few unexpected items. Behind the red garage door, delight in a bar slinging strong drinks and the comfort food pouring from the kitchen. For a truly magical experience, head to the back patio during any season. The chicken bog and a slice of bourbon pie are a satisfying combo for a big appetite, or opt for an order of cheese straws and a seasonal cocktail for a light snack.
A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen
Owner Falomi Geter serves a fried “chicken” sandwich that makes even the most adamant carnivore consider vegan life. While this main dish has gotten many in the door, the sides should not be skipped, and the portions are large enough for two meals. Collards, purple cabbage, and black eyed peas are some of the best soul food offerings in the area. The restaurant doesn’t offer indoor dining, so either grab a spot on the patio or take the meal to go.
Spotted Salamander Cafe And Catering
There is no more highly contested table in Columbia than the Spotted Salamander porch in the spring. Jasmine climbs the porch columns and brings the most delicious scent throughout the meal. The deviled egg starter is a must, no matter how chef Jessica Shillato has decided to prepare them that day. Specials are served on a weekly schedule, with fried chicken sandwiches on Tuesday and burgers on Fridays. No matter the day of the week, the meal must be finished with a mile-high slice of cake.
Villa Tronco Italian Restaurant
Villa Tronco is credited with introducing pizza to Columbia, but there’s more to this historic restaurant than pies. Fill up on Italian classics like scallop picatta and pasta primavera that taste as good as they did when it opened in 1940. Sadly, the Tronco matriarch, Carmella recently passed, but her children and grandchildren are keeping South Carolina’s oldest restaurant alive.
Hendrix
There is no greater joy than spending a warm summer evening sipping a Hendrix Spritz on the rooftop bar before heading downstairs to grab a table for dinner. Homegrown and high-end come together under chef Frank Bradley. The menu is stacked with ingredients from local farms, and even the most simple-sounding dishes will dazzle. For example, the blistered shishito peppers — a fairly standard appetizer, but Bradley serves them over a rich and inventive street corn-inspired puree.
Hendrix
Lula Drake Wine Parlour
Though progressive dinners are a common dining method on the 1600 block of Main Street, it is worth dedicating an entire evening to Lula Drake. This winner of the 2024 James Beard Outstanding Wine goes beyond a great bottle selection. The wine menu is pure entertainment, making even the most novice sipper confident in their selection. As for food, there are no bad choices, but if you skip the cacio e pepe with jamon, you’ll be making a mistake. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, so show up early or be prepared to wait.
Coa Agaveria y Cocina
Coa has one of the most extensive tequila and mezcal selections in South Carolina. The entire restaurant, from the cocktail menu to the decor, is an homage to agave and the process of making spirits. Vibrant cocktails feature fresh ingredients and a true appreciation for tequila. Drinks are balanced with delicious shareables, making this a standout happy hour spot. The bright piña-habanero ceviche and empanadas de cangrejo are a delight. For a more laid-back, but equally delicious meal, check out the owners’ newest venture, Masa, over on Rosewood Drive.
Coa Agaveria y Cocina
Menkoi Ramen House
Insiders know Menkoi Ramen is one of Columbia’s best-kept secrets. While most local restaurants along Gervais Street trend more high-end, Menkoi is a humble hole in the wall with big flavor. The apps are standard, but save the majority of your stomach real estate for a gigantic bowl of Japanese ramen. Spicy pork clears out issues that the infamous pollen might be causing this time of year.
Motor Supply Company Bistro
You really can’t talk about Columbia’s food and beverage industry without mentioning Motor Supply Co. Bistro. Named for the engine supply business that originally occupied the space, Motor Supply was one of the very first farm-to-table restaurants in Columbia. Their focus on seasonal ingredients, listed on a large chalkboard in the center of the dining room, ensures freshness in each dish. Here, classics like wild-caught South Carolina shrimp and the New York strip steak served with asparagus and mashed potatoes are expertly prepared. Many big-name mixologists and chefs have called this place home, but now chef Thomas Hardenbergh (who actually cut his teeth in the same kitchen during his teenage years) carries on the restaurant’s 30+ year legacy.
Small Sugar
It’s hard to pick which of City Grit’s restaurants should be on this list, but the pastries at Small Sugar are truly unlike anything else you’ll find in Columbia. Flaky almond croissants and tightly wound morning buns go quickly, and it’s not uncommon for folks to call ahead and reserve them. Beyond the pastry case, the salad for breakfast is a truly righteous way to start the day. Keep your spare change, owners Sarah Simmons and Aaron Hoskins are on a mission to reform the hospitality industry by paying their workers a reliable living wage.
The Dragon Room
Kristian Neimi has created hit after hit in the Columbia restaurant scene, and the Dragon Room is his latest venture. The vibe strikes an intriguing balance between moody and energetic, with a glowing neon sign hanging behind the bar where famed mixologist David Adedokun shakes up inventive cocktails and mocktails. There’s truly nothing bad on the menu, but if you order the okonomiyaki, please add the pork floss.
The Dragon Room
The Gourmet Shop
Ask any Columbia local about their Gourmet Shop order, and chicken salad or tomato bisque will almost definitely come up. But this spot is more than what it puts on the plate. Squeeze into one of the back booths and enjoy an afternoon of watching wait staff bustle between crowded tables while listening to the sounds of champagne bottles popping for another round of mimosas.
This spot is popular, especially around brunch time on the weekends, so be prepared to wait. Fortunately, time flies by while shopping for home goods, cheese, and wine in the adjacent market.
City Limits Barbeque
Yes, it’s a drive from downtown, and yes, it’s only open two days a week. And still, City Limits Barbeque chef-owner Robbie Robinson has more than earned his spot as a James Beard Best Chef finalist in 2024 and 2025, among other impressive accolades. On Friday nights, the restaurant will send out an email with the weekend’s menu. Count on there being a line, but the Texas and Carolina-style barbecue is well worth the wait.
Erin Perkins
Terra Restaurant
Dive headfirst into local and regional ingredients at Terra. Chef Mike Davis has been churning out hyper-seasonal dishes for almost 20 years, and the creativity keeps on coming. Beyond the seasonal specials, there are a few can’t-miss mainstays on this menu, including the duck confit pizza, lamb mac, and a “Quack” madame.
Terra
The Original D’s Restaurant & Bar
Columbia is a sports town, and nowhere is that more evident than this dollar-bill-wallpapered wings bar in West Columbia. Moved from its original location, the chicken and home fries are still winning. The only thing longer than the list of wing flavors is the line of beer taps, and customers can’t go wrong with an order of citrus kick wings and a locally brewed beer. Be sure to ask about the seasonal cheesecake. Summertime is banana pudding, and it’s just as good as expected.
Rosewood Dairy Bar
Nostalgic appeal and classic fast food have kept Rosewood Dairy Bar in business for over 80 years. The menu isn’t groundbreaking, but a cheeseburger and peach milkshake have left customer after customer satisfied. Located right along the busy Rosewood Drive, it is a convenient spot to pick up food on the way to a Carolina tailgate.
The Hoot
Owners of the late, great dive bar the Whig opened the Hoot in the summer of 2023 to much fanfare from plant-based diners and fans of their former concept. The humble vegan restaurant and bar on Rosewood is notably not the Whig, but it still offers a cozy space and friendly bar. The Garden Party cocktail and the long spritz menu beg to be enjoyed out on the small patio. Pair these cocktails with the Hoot Sandwich, a crunchy and satisfying tofu sandwich, for a refreshing combo. Keep an eye on the Instagram page for events, including music bingo and trivia nights.
Duke's Pad Thai
Vibrant flavors and colors practically leap off the plate at Duke’s. The Thai chicken salad is both refreshing and filling, while the curries are comforting and warm (seriously, these folks don’t play when it comes to spice). Don’t skimp on the street eats for the table. Crispy tofu nuggets and shrimp dumplings are a great place to start. If banh mi is more your style, head to their restaurant next door, Little Bee Bun Mee, for a sandwich.
