For months, you’ve likely devoured wings at sports bars, shared platters at backyard barbecues, and debated sauce rankings with friends. But now you’re craving that perfect spot where the wings are crisp, the sauces sing, and the atmosphere lets you focus on the feast. In Columbia, those gems exist—you just need to know where to find them.
Stoner’s Pizza Joint
$ | (803) 708-9333 | WEBSITE
Delicious pizza and cauliflower crusts don’t often overlap in this city. So you can imagine our excitement when we heard about this late-night spot near downtown. Stoner’s Pizza Joint operates out of an unassuming storefront with impressive branding, so you might not realize you’re at the right place from the outside. Inside, there’s a casual space with plenty of seating for those staying nearby.
In terms of ordering, we’d recommend the $24 meat lovers pizza on cauliflower crust that comes loaded with toppings and has become a hit with customers. Between the no-brainer deluxe pie on thin crust with its great taste and the white rhino bowl that satisfies with every bite, this is the kind of restaurant that will ruin regular pizza spots for you. But there are a couple of other options like calzones and strombolis if you want something for around $18.
American Deli
$ | (803) 401-5758 | WEBSITE
Maybe you’ve driven past American Deli and thought, “Just another basic fast-food joint.” If so, you were only partly correct. From the outside, this spot looks like a standard strip-mall eatery—but once you step inside, you’ll find a straightforward, no-frills space with bright lighting and simple tables that get the job done.
The place is clean and functional, with a straightforward counter setup and a few booths along the wall, and if you glance around, you’ll notice it’s usually filled with locals grabbing a quick, hearty meal. Grab a seat by the window and appreciate the fact this place isn’t trying to be fancy—just reliably good food at prices that won’t break the bank, with most dishes under $10.
Hickory Tavern
$ | (803) 638-4103 | WEBSITE
Hickory Tavern is a local restaurant, and there are a few different locations around the area. The one in Columbia feels like the kind of place where you’d sit down and watch a big game with a group of friends over wings and beers, and there’s also a well-maintained patio with plenty of TVs and seating you wish you had at home.
Not too many people know about their daily specials, like tacos and margaritas on Tuesday, so it’s great for a relaxed meal with someone, and you should order at least one plate of the Pow Pow shrimp when you come here. It’s very good. Even the manager, Josh, thinks so.
Touchdowns
$ | WEBSITE
Touchdowns is a popular spot in Columbia with authentic Philly cheesesteaks made with Cooper sharp cheese and Amoroso rolls. Also, it’s in a corporate-style bar setting. And, while it’s technically part of this corporate chain, it’s a surprisingly nice place to grab a drink. There’s a straightforward menu focused on those cheesesteaks with hot steak, melty cheese, and tender onion-and-pepper inside soft, toasted hoagie rolls, and they also serve cocktails.
The only catch is, you won’t sound very adventurous when you tell people that you’re hanging out at a corporate bar. But that’s why focusing on the food was invented. Touchdowns has a fun and friendly atmosphere with a bartender who is always nice, interactive, and friendly, making the experience enjoyable.
Bojangles
$ | (803) 788-9682 | WEBSITE
People sometimes ask us about quick, satisfying comfort food spots in Columbia, and our first instinct is to say something like, ‘Cook at home.’ Then we remember Bojangles on Two Notch Rd., a fast-food restaurant with fried chicken that doesn’t get as much attention as it should (considering the other options in the area). If you’re in the neighborhood, use this place as your default choice for a fast, friendly meal.
There’s excellent Southern food, with crispy fried chicken, buttery biscuits, and perfectly seasoned fries, and there’s a welcoming atmosphere with staff who seem to enjoy their work.
Wings Co.
$ | (803) 683-7151 | WEBSITE
If you’ve ever driven through Columbia looking for that perfect wing spot, you’ve probably seen some crowded parking lots and thought, ‘I should check that place out.’ But if you don’t have a friend who knows all the best local joints, go get some honey hot wings and chicken and waffles at Wings Co. It’s a welcoming restaurant in a clean, friendly space, and they’re serving up crispy wings prepared by Ernest until closing time.
Good Taste – Chinese Food & Wings
$ | (803) 736-0077 | WEBSITE
We only recently discovered that this reliable Chinese spot in Columbia has a surprisingly fresh and consistent menu that keeps exceeding expectations. So the next time you’re craving wings or Chinese food in the area (without having to settle for mediocre takeout), head straight here. It’s also a solid choice for families or groups with dietary restrictions, since many other local restaurants don’t accommodate allergies or vegetarian needs as thoughtfully.
Carolina Ale House
$ | (803) 407-6996 | WEBSITE
If you’ve spent any amount of time driving around Columbia’s dining scene, you’ve probably passed by this popular spot without even thinking about it. Unlike 95% of the sports bars in the area, it has a consistently lively and pleasant atmosphere inside. Whenever we’ve gone here, most of the people around us have been regulars enjoying a meal after work but that’s OK. Stop by for some wings and a drink in a reliably good spot in a busy area – the buffalo dip here is pretty good.
US Wings & Deli- West Beltline
$ | (803) 799-6777 | WEBSITE
This West Beltline wing spot has one of the more straightforward menus in Columbia. So even if you pride yourself in seeking out complex flavor combinations, it’s possible you haven’t tried their teriyaki wings yet. To get your order, you have to go past their friendly counter staff, through a sometimes-warm dining area, and wait through occasional longer service times. What you’ll find on the other side is a satisfyingly simple wonder.
We’d recommend it the next time you’re looking for someplace reliable downtown.
PEEBLES SPORTS PUB ROSEWOOD
$ | (803) 569-6631 | WEBSITE
If you didn’t know to look past the main bar area, you probably would never notice this sports pub’s cozy back section. They have plenty of tables up front, but you should do your best to grab a spot in the quieter back area here. Peebles specializes in some standout wings from their popular menu, including a flavor called Teri-Cajun.
It’s crispy and heavy on seasoning, and eating it in the back here will probably force your brain to associate sports bars with perfectly fried wings for years to come.
Chicki’s Wings House
$ | (803) 661-6808 | WEBSITE
This cozy wing spot in Columbia has both a straightforward takeout counter and a hidden dining nook that’s a perfect place to eat things like sweet and spicy wings or Philly cheese steaks. They’ve been serving up generous portions with impeccable presentation, so keep this in mind if you want flavorful food outside of fast food chains.
Mr. Seafood Northeast
$$ | (803) 708-0788 | WEBSITE
Mr. Seafood Northeast is a clean, straightforward seafood spot with both indoor and outdoor seating, and if you head straight for the patio, you’ll find a simple setup with basic tables and a no-fuss vibe. So if you’d like to grab some seriously addictive lemonades and hand-battered fried fish in a casual setting, try this place. Order the fried fish dinner with garlic shrimp, and you can temporarily forget that you’re not right by the ocean.
Top Tier Featuring The Genesis Room
$$ | (803) 599-0427 | WEBSITE
If you just stepped into Top Tier Featuring The Genesis Room without knowing where you were, you’d probably assume you were in another city where luxury makes up more of the landscape. This upscale restaurant is a great place to celebrate a birthday, enjoy a pre-concert dinner, or savor a date night with lamb chops and Top Tier Mac & Cheese. They create a jazzy and luxurious ambiance with attentive, professional service.
Dtown Wings Restaurant
$ | (803) 722-4078 | WEBSITE
Dtown Wings is one of those Columbia spots that’s mostly comprised of people who already know about the incredible wings here, and therefore people who already know to skip the chains. But you can be one of those people too. The next time you’re looking for crispy, hot crinkle-cut fries or lightly battered fried shrimp away from the madness of peak-hour parking, come here.