Picture this: You’re tucked into a cozy booth in the Vista, a perfectly balanced old fashioned in hand, with the hum of conversation and clink of glasses setting the scene. This is an essential—and worthwhile—Columbia experience, but a night out here should mean more than just a great drink. You’ll find speakeasies hiding behind unmarked doors, rooftop lounges with skyline views, and bartenders crafting modern classics alongside Southern-inspired sips.
Room Service Bistro
$$ | (803) 636-4708 | WEBSITE
You’d think a place that’s become a go-to spot for special events and celebrations would be a stiff, formal affair—not the case at Room Service Bistro. This restaurant, known for its great vibes and music, has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that feels genuinely “for the culture.” Despite this, every dish on the menu—from the oxtails with grits to the fish with grits—is prepared with impressive attention to detail, as if each meal were a memorable occasion.
Always go for the perfectly seasoned fried salmon and grits, and their Blueberry mimosa carafe. Come for the impressive food at dinner and then stay for the good vibes and music.
Green’s Garners Ferry
Green’s Garners Ferry is a large discount beverage retailer with locations across the Southeast, so any visit will be conveniently stocked with options at value prices. The one to prioritize is the Columbia spot, a great option for time-honored drinks shopping at discount prices and a straightforward vibe.
It’s clean and well-organized, with helpful staff guiding visitors through the store, and everyone from casual buyers to serious shoppers typically fills this place, which becomes especially efficient when the employees assist with selections. For a refreshing start, the discount beer selection is the way to go, followed by a wide variety of wine and liquor options.
Goat’s
$$ | (803) 708-4495 | WEBSITE
Goat’s is the move for anyone who’s ever dreamed of a cozy bistro with a funky, intimate vibe. This charming spot offers a delightful array of options that celebrate eclectic flavors, like the unmissable Brussel Sprouts or the unique Philly sandwich featuring the restaurant’s namesake cheese. All that great food creates a lively mood that’s enhanced by a German beer selection and standout dishes, including the Beef Borguignon that’s been called one of the best meals in years.
The finale is the duck poutine and perfectly cooked mussels, which usually kick off around dinner time.
Don Tequilas Mexican Grill & Cantina
$ | (803) 764-3111 | WEBSITE
This is the closest you can eat to authentic Mexican flavors in Columbia. This welcoming restaurant, located in a clean and cute space, is the play for diners who want to have a meal with standout tastes without foregoing quality service or leaving with financial regret. You’ll find a varied menu of traditional Mexican specialities (think birria tacos with strong cilantro salsa and chile rellenos).
If you’re headed there for dinner, make sure to time your visit strategically to enjoy the nice atmosphere with good music, and then catch the amazing food from staff members like Santiago and Marco.
Seven Sports Bar & Lounge
$ | (803) 807-9201 | WEBSITE
If there is one place that’ll make you feel like you own the grown and sexy nightlife scene, it’s Seven Sports Bar & Lounge. While the vibrant main dining area with its hookah bar is where to be for lively evenings—or even that big game you’ve been building toward—there’s more relaxed seating with equally unreal energy on their patio a few steps outside, and lots of tables in the dimly lit lounge area.
Dishes off their praised dinner menu will dazzle you, too, such as the tender ribeye steak or the popular shrimp pasta. They have a simpler Tuesday special as well as bar snacks, like $2 wings or fried broccoli that customers rave about.
McCary’s Bar & Grill
$ | (803) 551-5680 | WEBSITE
Satisfying your craving for classic bar food has never felt so straightforward as it will when you walk into McCary’s Bar & Grill, deservedly a popular local spot in Columbia. Whether you stop in for a quick lunch, a post-work bite, or a casual dinner with friends, you’ll find yourself surrounded by excellent dive bar-style dishes that arrive hot and fresh, like perfectly crispy wings or a juicy burger.
When in doubt, trust the friendly staff—the owner is known to personally interact with customers, adding a warm, welcoming touch to the laid-back atmosphere. Grab a seat inside to enjoy the comfortable vibe or at the bar to soak in the local community feel while you eat.
Tazza Kitchen Trenholm Plaza
$$ | (803) 782-0760 | WEBSITE
At Tazza Kitchen, you’ll enjoy well-prepared food with the best glimpse of Columbia’s dining scene from a convenient location, with a clean, tasteful atmosphere framing all of the meals you’ll inevitably savor. This restaurant at Trenholm Plaza—also known for its prompt and friendly service—is the go-to place for dining on generous portions and not setting your wallet on fire.
If you need help choosing from the diverse menu options, know that the crab cakes, brick oven pizza, and Baja Bowl have stood the test of time. If you like the food here so much that you wish to recreate it for the rest of your life, turn to their brunch favorites like drop biscuits and jam, crab cake Benedict, and huevos rancheros.
Angell Bros. 1801 Grille
$$ | (803) 683-8873 | WEBSITE
Dining at Angell Bros. 1801 Grille feels like you’re in a family gathering rather than just another restaurant. It looks like it was designed for comfort thanks to warm lighting, cozy booths, and rustic wood accents, and is run by the Angell brothers in the same building that’s been part of the community for years (hence the restaurant’s name). Angell Bros.
pays homage to classic American fare while keeping things fresh, so look for a dining experience that spans from hearty steaks to lighter options—their menu has local favorites like the 16oz ribeye and teriyaki salmon, but also burgers and wings. Go for dinner if you want more satisfying combinations like the bacon burger with all the fixings, or the perfectly cooked wings with your choice of sauce.
The Dragon Room
$ | (803) 988-9980 | WEBSITE
The Dragon Room has been drawing crowds to Columbia’s cocktail bar scene, and a lot of that’s due to its dimly lit, upscale dining room and lively atmosphere full of date-night energy. Prepare to be tempted by the smell of caramelized pork, and distracted by their flavorful, Asian fusion-heavy menu. Go for their standout pork belly steam buns, the must-try dish on the menu starring melt-in-your-mouth pork.
Prioritize the Crunchwrap, then trade flirty banter with the one you’d share soup dumplings with forever. You’ll need to arrive early on weekends.
The Joint @ 1710 Main
$$ | (803) 814-2614 | WEBSITE
The Joint @ 1710 Main will make you feel at home, if home were a lively jazz club from a classic film. At this vibrant restaurant and entertainment venue, located on Main Street away from Columbia’s quieter corners, menus are printed on simple cards that rest on the tables, and musical instruments and vintage posters adorn the walls. Thursday nights spotlight your typical Latin rhythms, like a smooth performance by Mark Rapp or energetic sets by top local DJs.
This spot is a great option for nights out away from the usual haunts or on special occasions.
CO
$$ | (803) 956-4049 | WEBSITE
CO is a straightforward Asian fusion spot with a large bar area and genuinely attentive staff. It’s a pleasant, wallet-friendly place in Columbia’s cocktail bar scene that also serves in-house made dishes. One of their can’t-miss signature items is their flavorful Korean Rice Bowl with beef bulgogi and fresh vegetables. Also spring for their spicy udon and beef bulgogi tacos.
The specialty of the house is their shrimp curry, which regulars call a true palate experience, a rich coconut-based dish made with local ingredients. Here at CO you can have it alongside their popular sushi rolls during Happy Hour with a good selection of drinks.
One More Grill & Pub
$ | (803) 772-7711 | WEBSITE
At One More Grill & Pub, you’ll drink in a friendly neighborhood atmosphere, which more than makes up for the cheap but satisfying drinks. The welcoming vibe takes local standbys and elevates them with genuine hospitality, like the owner treating customers like family, or the occasional homemade meals served with great care. You can also choose from various affordable options ($5-$15) that are all about good times and one welcoming environment, but grabbing a seat at the bar is never a bad move.
Stop by if you want a comfortable spot where people feel like family.
Cocos & Beer Authentic Mexican Restaurant
$ | (803) 888-6914 | WEBSITE
Just off the main drag in Columbia’s Five Points district is Cocos & Beer Authentic Mexican Restaurant, a vibrant spot that delivers authentic flavors without pretense. Skip the fussy dining to embrace a lively, communal atmosphere where tables are packed so tightly you can practically taste your neighbor’s meal. Dishes arrive on vibrant platters, and you get the real Mexican experience in the form of generous portions with beautiful presentation.
Order their Carnitas, slow-cooked pork that falls apart with a fork, if you want a break from the usual tacos. Service is friendly though sometimes uneven, but at these honest prices—most plates under $18—it’s easy to overlook the occasional wait. The Pollo Loco arrives perfectly charred, and the Elotes come slathered in creamy sauce, making this a must-visit for anyone craving genuine Mexican fare in a spirited setting.
Arroyo Tacos + Tequila
$$ | (803) 683-6498 | WEBSITE
You’ll feel like you can almost taste Mexico at Arroyo Tacos + Tequila, a vibrant spot that offers a great dining experience. The main dining area is perfect for a casual evening out, although you don’t need a special occasion as an excuse to get a crafted margarita or top-notch cocktail and eat the must-try dip trio with salsa, guacamole, and queso.
After settling in, move to your table for dinner and choose from the regular menu (dishes $12–$24), which includes the excellent rice and beans served hot in a little crock, or the quesadilla with mushrooms and poblanos that could use more flavor. Give them a visit on Tuesday for the fantastic deal with 2 tacos and a margarita, in case you want to enjoy delicious food and outstanding drinks with friends.
Ruby Sunshine
$ | (803) 590-9600 | WEBSITE
Ask us what makes a classic Southern brunch spot, and we’d point straight to Ruby Sunshine. There’s the cozy diner atmosphere, the super friendly staff, and the designated parking that makes you feel like a regular from the moment you arrive.
This charming restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, and the fact that options like the Peacemaker—letting you choose any two of the perfectly seasoned bennie’s, from Eggs Cochon to Bayou Shrimp—are available is what sets this place apart from the standard brunch joints in the area. In the morning, the counter is where to post up for cold brewed coffee and bites like crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside French Toast Bites or shrimp and grits.
Those craving something heartier should turn to the sweet heat chicken or biscuit with sausage gravy. The homey vibe with happy staff and satisfied customers turns this place into a weekend destination.
Motor Supply Company Bistro
$$$ | (803) 256-6687 | WEBSITE
Let a master carpenter restore the inside of a 19th-century warehouse, and the result would look like Motor Supply Company Bistro in Columbia’s Vista district. Its rustic ambiance, exposed brick walls, and historic charm almost give the impression of stepping back in time.
More reasons to love this place: The farm-to-table creations are exceptional, and prices for the remarkable seasonal dishes are surprisingly reasonable, considering the restaurant’s prime location in a beautifully renovated building. Order their standout pork chop with sausage gravy, or anything, really, that catches your eye on the daily-changing menu. This place is great for romantic dinners or celebrations—the vibrant atmosphere and attentive service will make any evening memorable.
The Hollow
$$$ | (803) 722-4101 | WEBSITE
The Hollow is the go-to cocktail bar restaurant in Columbia. They’re right in the heart of the city, and have been serving both classic and creative dishes in an enchanting, Alice in Wonderland-inspired setting. It’s the best spot in town to savor the All American Beast Burger, which they enrich with premium beef and special sauces to add juiciness. During the evening, this spot is full of people in casual smart attire.
But as the night progresses, things turn slightly more magical, thanks to the dressed-up crowd who are here for craft cocktails like The Hollow and The Local Tourist or dinner featuring unique dishes like the Elk Filet with rich black garlic risotto.