Guidebook for Columbia
Food Scene
Fantastic (albeit pricy) food, best shrimp & grits I've ever hard.
35 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cola's Restaurant
1215 Assembly StFantastic (albeit pricy) food, best shrimp & grits I've ever hard.
My favorite Starbucks in town... I'll tell you about the secret outdoor patio if you promise not to tell anyone.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Starbucks
831 Gervais StMy favorite Starbucks in town... I'll tell you about the secret outdoor patio if you promise not to tell anyone.
Awesome local coffee shop, really great food menu too. Does pour-over style - brews to order. Takes a little longer, but great spot if you want more atmosphere than Starbucks.
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Drip Coffee
729 Saluda AveAwesome local coffee shop, really great food menu too. Does pour-over style - brews to order. Takes a little longer, but great spot if you want more atmosphere than Starbucks.
Definitely my favorite coffee shop for the atmosphere, but not for the coffee. Cool hardwood floors and basement area, close to the west side of campus, just south of the State House.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Immaculate Consumption
933 Main StDefinitely my favorite coffee shop for the atmosphere, but not for the coffee. Cool hardwood floors and basement area, close to the west side of campus, just south of the State House.
This place is truly nothing special, but for $5 you can get a burger, fries, and soda cooked fresher than the chains and served in a styrofoam box. Shakes and hot dogs, too.
Edna's Drive In
3609 River DriveThis place is truly nothing special, but for $5 you can get a burger, fries, and soda cooked fresher than the chains and served in a styrofoam box. Shakes and hot dogs, too.
Cafe Strudel
300 State StYummy brunch - hangover hashbrowns are great!
Drinks & Nightlife
Best food in Columbia, in my experience. New menu daily, phenomenal chef, intimate patio despite being right downtown. Supposedly an incredibly creative & talented bartender.
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Motor Supply Company Bistro
920 Gervais StBest food in Columbia, in my experience. New menu daily, phenomenal chef, intimate patio despite being right downtown. Supposedly an incredibly creative & talented bartender.
Yummy fish tacos, really chill jazz bar upstairs for after dinner or drinks.
41 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pearlz Oyster Bar
936 Gervais StYummy fish tacos, really chill jazz bar upstairs for after dinner or drinks.
Essentials
Best (though not closest) grocery store within 10 minutes. Great fresh produce and deli area with prepared foods.
36 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Publix Super Market at Gervais Place
501 Gervais StBest (though not closest) grocery store within 10 minutes. Great fresh produce and deli area with prepared foods.
Great spot to pick up something to throw on the grill, at my house or for a tailgate! Fresh meat, seasonings and marinades, and frozen veggies.
Ole Timey Meats Columbia
3718 Rosewood DrGreat spot to pick up something to throw on the grill, at my house or for a tailgate! Fresh meat, seasonings and marinades, and frozen veggies.
The local version of Whole Foods... pricey but great organic/natural food store. They also have an awesome deli - eat there or take out.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rosewood Market & Deli
2803 Rosewood DrThe local version of Whole Foods... pricey but great organic/natural food store. They also have an awesome deli - eat there or take out.
Everything Else
Pretty area to walk, swing, relax in the city. Free concert series during the summer. Take a blanket or lawn chair and cash for vendors. No meters on weekends.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Finlay Park
930 Laurel StPretty area to walk, swing, relax in the city. Free concert series during the summer. Take a blanket or lawn chair and cash for vendors. No meters on weekends.
North end entrance is about 1.5 miles from home. 2.5 mile running/biking trail along the river. BEAUTIFUL. Stay up top for a flat, paved path or drop down on a trail to run a paved path thru the woods
64 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park
312 Laurel StNorth end entrance is about 1.5 miles from home. 2.5 mile running/biking trail along the river. BEAUTIFUL. Stay up top for a flat, paved path or drop down on a trail to run a paved path thru the woods
Great park with trails, apparently a really good disc golf course, though I've never played. A mile from home (walkable).
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Earlewood Park
1113 Recreation DrGreat park with trails, apparently a really good disc golf course, though I've never played. A mile from home (walkable).
IStadium yase-Williams-Brice
1125 George Rogers BlvdBest tailgate in the south!
Home of the Columbia Blowfish, a minor league baseball team. Tickets are $6 general admission, $7 for box seats. See blowfishbaseball.com for more info
Capital City Stadium
301 Assembly StHome of the Columbia Blowfish, a minor league baseball team. Tickets are $6 general admission, $7 for box seats. See blowfishbaseball.com for more info
Shopping
It's only the best fried chicken in the universe, no big deal. Take your lowest expectations for decor and then drop them another few notches.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Zesto of West Columbia
504 12th StIt's only the best fried chicken in the universe, no big deal. Take your lowest expectations for decor and then drop them another few notches.