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Where to eat in Columbia

11 independent restaurants, bakeries and food spots in Columbia. Chains are left out.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Where to eat in Columbia

  1. Eat

    Beezer's

    Undergrad guilty pleasure, features cheap salads and variety of simple but decent subs. Open late, usually until 3AM, also delivers.

    under $10

  2. Eat

    Blue Marlin

    One of the better seafood restaurants in Columbia, Blue Marlin specializes in Lowcountry style seafood such as shrimp and grits as well as she-crab soup.

    Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM & 5PM-10PM, Sat 4PM-10PM, Sun 11AM-3PM

  3. Eat

    California Dreaming

    Good service; excellent salads and steaks, in addition to good desserts and a nice bar.

    Sun-Thu 11AM-10PM; Fri Sat 11AM-11PM

  4. Eat

    Delhi Palace

    Those in the know visit for the inexpensive but tasty Indian buffet.

    Sun-Thu 11:30AM-10PM; Fri Sat 11:30AM-10:30PM

  5. Eat

    Di Vino Rosso

    Fabulous Northern Italian cuisine. Wine cellar on premises. Jackets recommended. Reservations are suggested.

    Mon-Sat 4PM-10PM

  6. Eat

    Groucho's Deli

    Original store of the mainly S.C.-based chain, serves liberally decorated deli sandwiches with tart dipping sauces.

    around $10

  7. Eat

    Hampton Street Vineyard

    Outstanding food selection. Also has an excellent wine service and good service in general. Reservations are recommended for the restaurant is fairly small inside and is pretty popular.

    Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2PM, 6-10PM; Sat 6-10PM

  8. Eat

    Mr. Friendly’s

    People dress up to visit the celebrated (and busy) Mr. Friendly’s, known for its meaty Southern cuisine.

    Mon-Thu 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5:30-10PM; Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5:30-10:30PM; Sat 5:30-10:30PM

  9. Eat

    Pasta Fresca

    Large portions of superior Italian fare at reasonable prices make this one popular with people who dine out for food rather than linen tablecloths.

    Tue-Wed 4:30PM-9PM; Thu-Sat 4:30PM-9:30PM; Sun 4:30PM-9PM

  10. Eat

    Terra

    Winner 2008 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Makes a strong effort to support local farmers and uses as many locally grown ingredients as possible.

    Tue-Sat 5-11PM

  11. Eat

    Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe

    Quirky drinking establishment is famous for its desserts.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Columbia (CC BY-SA 4.0).