Columbia is famously hot – and not just for the temperature ( although that’sdefinitelya broker ) . The capital city has a flock more to propose than just football tailgating ; it ’s a vibrant Ithiel Town with prospering fine art , culture , and culinary scenes , and a sustainable cost of support that makes it one of South Carolina ’s true hidden gem ( inasmuch as a state working capital can be hidden ) . The dining landscape in particular has taken off in the last few class , and from vegan somebody nutrient to smoke brisket , you may find pretty much anything you ’re craving here . We ’re highlight the best of the best in Columbia ’s restaurant scene , making your time in the Soda Cityeven moreenjoyable .
Best vegetarian:A Peace of Soul
2338 Main StreetFormerly live as Lamb ’s Bread Cafe , Peace of Soul caters primarily to vegetarian , but even carnivores can agree that the vegan soul food here is square , sapid , and stick - to - your - ribs good . Their mac & “ high mallow , ” curry Irish potato , candied yam , and BBQ “ unembellished rib ” are so scrumptious , you might find yourself dream about going vegan ( as long as you may eat here every day ) .
Best BBQ:Palmetto Pig
530 DevineBBQ in South Carolina is an artform that both producers and consumer take extremely seriously . While somewhat of a dive , Palmetto Pig more than relieve oneself up in smack what it lack in standard pressure . The pulled pork and fried chicken are both wonderful , but what really steals the show are the sides : the homemade mac & cheese , hush puppy , and hashish and rice are close to a spiritual experience . Do n’t draw a blank the banana tree pudding , if you really want to take thing up a notch .
Sweetest dessert:Sweet Cream Company
1627 Main StreetHandcrafted ice cream , anyone ? A few notable feel admit rose , olive oil & rosemary , and Aunt Cathy ’s courgette bread , but this shop debuts new ice cream and Italian ice varieties on a regular foundation . During the insensate winter months , taste the Cup of Awesome : it ’s half coffee , half hot drinking chocolate , and all awesome .
Best food truck:2 Fat 2 Fly
VariousIt ’s grueling to trust people are only just now figuring out how to reinvent the Gallus gallus extension . 2 Fat 2 Fly has not only reinvented it , but they ’ve completely perfected the poulet backstage as we eff it with englut wings ( that ’s right-hand : Stuffed . Wings . ) . Our favorites are the Sucka Punch – stuffed with jalapeño , bacon , and cheddar cheese – or the mac & Malva sylvestris - stuffed wings , which are just as tasty as the name connote .
Best coffee shop:Cool Beans
1217 College StreetCaffeine is important to much every group of masses in Columbia – from college students to business hoi polloi – and Cool Beans definitely return the goods . They provide both brewed and espresso drinks and have a rotating list of specials to opt from , as well as costless Wi - Fi for those needing to get some body of work / studying done , plus delicious snacks and pastry dough for that 3 postmortem examination peck - me - up . Plus , the staff are warm and approachable , which , if you ’re plan on posting up here for hours on end , is moderately important .
Best breakfast:Just Us
1208 Knox Abbott DriveYou know a breakfast place is legit when there ’s already a line to be seated by 8 am . Not only is Just Us reasonably priced , but their food is also on point ; we ’re talk serious southerly fare without any flair or pretension . Case in point : All their menu category start with “ Just , ” as in “ Just Breakfast , ” or “ Just Biscuits . ” Your best stakes are standard breakfast fare ( egg , bacon , abode fries ) paired with a side of gold rush , because gravy gain everything better .
Best place when someone else is paying:Motor Supply Company
920 Gervais StreetFine dine in a chill atmosphere , with local art on the walls , and topically sourced ingredient on your shell : that ’s Motor Supply in a nutshell . The carte changes daily , highlighting whatever ’s fresh and in time of year , but this slur also has a repute for cocktails . During brunch , you ’ll see quite a few bacon - infused Bloody Marys .
Best bar food:The Whig
1200 Main StreetBar intellectual nourishment can often be kind of a let down , but The Whig – an award - winning dive measure – is doing things a bit otherwise , putting a grown enough emphasis on their bar cuisine that you do n’t really have to be potty to enjoy their menu . We ’re lecture thing like smoked Gouda mac & cheese , chipotle pimento cheese fries , and palmetto cheesesteak , all of which pair perfectly with an ice - frigid beer from their giant beer inclination .
Best Chinese:Sun Ming Chinese
7509 St. Andrews Road , IrmoIf you ’re look for some greasy , quick - in-10 - minutes takeout Formosan intellectual nourishment , this ai n’t the seat ; if , however , you ’re looking for some of the highest - caliber Taiwanese food in the integral country , then you ’ve got ta try Sun Ming . They ’ve got all the standards , like fried rice , lo mein , and General Tso ’s Gallus gallus , in addition to more traditional Cantonese cuisine like the Great Compromiser bay window beef brisket , pickled cabbage soup , acid melon vine , and Cantonese knock duck’s egg . Is your stomach growling yet ?
Best date night:Cellar on Greene
2001 Greene StreetCellar on Greene is insert away from the noisy parts of the Five Points amusement territorial dominion , and with its cozy atmospheric state and extensive wine list , it ’s a perfect bit to begin your evening . For a first date or a dark out with friends , you may split a medley of minuscule plates and not recede your shirt over it . And for you winos out there , take a gander at their $ 90 weekly closed book case , where you pick five wine and they add together seven random bottles to your list , arrive at you face like a truthful vino aficionado .
Best cheap eats:Egg Roll Chen
715 Crowson RoadWhen you ’re feeling piteous , lazy , or both , head up to Egg Roll Chen . Standouts include honey sesame chicken , pork wontons with a rush , and yen su jee ( Taiwanese popcorn volaille ) . Not only will your dinner party be inexpensive , but you ’ll also have enough for luncheon the next day , as the portions here are truly Brobdingnagian .
Best hangover cure:Menkoi Ramen House
1004 Gervais StreetThere are very few ailments a good sports stadium of Ramen ca n’t heal , so when you ’re trying to recover from a night of debauchery , we recommend heading straight to Menkoi to permit their magic stock play you back to life . Although each of their ramen options are delicious , some of our favorite are the Cha Shu Men ( soy stock with pork barrel and a boiled egg ) , or the Spicy Ramen ( spicy pork broth with porc and a moil egg ) . You ’ll be back to normal in no clip !
Best pimento cheese:DiPrato’s
342 Pickens StreetSouth Carolina does n’t wager around when it add up to pimento cheese , and DiPrato ’s is the place to go for the stuff . Demand is eminent enough that it ’s now available at some grocery stores , but the best way to enjoy it is at the eating house , where it comes with puffy fry pita splintering – and you’re able to get a variation of it made with sharp Vermont cheddar , too . Be disposed to ingest your full daily allowance of salt and grease , and then some .
Best late-night eats:Beezer’s
919 Sumter StreetSure , you could hit up the bustling grease joints that are Waffle House or Cook Out , but Beezer ’s is your proficient wager if you do n’t need to have more ruefulness than necessary in the break of the day . This basic sub shop proffer new - baked bread , but more importantly , it ’s cheesy , delectable , and open until 3 am . You ’ll wanna catch yourself a T - bird ( turkey , lettuce , tomato , provolone , and mayo ) , but be fain to link up a prospicient line of descent of undergraduates .
Best brunch:Cafe Strudel
300 State StreetWhen it comes to brunch , there are few places guaranteed to make your stomach happier than Cafe Strudel . Whether you ’re nurse last dark ’s holdover , attempt to get a little day intoxicated , or just await for a badly good breakfast , The ‘ Strude ’s got you covered . Some things to love about this place : the self - serve coffee taproom with coffee arranged in fiat of caffein strength , the fancy mimosas with freshly - squeezed OJ and cinnamon stick , and the Hangover Hashbrowns ( with onions , banana tree pepper , tomatoes , cheddar cheese , and two eggs ) .
Best fast food:Drake’s Duck-In
1544 Main StreetDrake ’s has been around forever , and in that meter it ’s reached the height of the deep-fried chicken sandwich experience . The chicken is a little greasier , the hole more plentiful , and the companion sweet tea ( you were become to order Camellia sinensis , were n’t you ? ) is even sweeter .
Best sushi:Camon
1332 Assembly StreetThe best sushi in town can be found on the ground floor of a parking service department . gravely . you’re able to take your non - sushi - fuck friends here , too , because the teriyaki is not your fair overly sweet stuff ; it ’s subtle and beautifully plated . Dining at Camon also usually comes with a bonus : while you ’re waiting for the main event , you might be treated with a veggie roll or a crunchy Cancer coil . Yes to free food , and blaze yes to free , high - quality sushi .
Best (pimento cheese or otherwise) burger:Rockaway Athletic Club
2719 Rosewood DriveFor a beer and a beefburger that may or may not be top with gooey pimento cheeseflower , head to this unmarked brick building where the Bayeux Tapestry line the wall in the bar surface area and the Molson is always in stock . If pimento just is n’t your thing , opt for one of the 10 other Warren Earl Burger on offering , topped with everything from American to Monterey Jack .
Sign up herefor our daily Charleston email and be the first to get all the food / drink / fun in townsfolk .
Motor Supply Co
A Peace of Soul
Forrest Clonts and Sweet Cream Co.
Cool Beans
Motor Supply
Cellar on Greene
DiPrato’s
Drake’s Duck In
