Best Bakery and Cake Shops in Columbia

"Savor every moment of your morning with ooey-gooey bacon and brie croissants, fluffy Belgian waffles covered in pools of butter and all the bubbles your heart desires at The Gourmet Shop in Five Points. One of the most beloved brunch spots in Columbia, the Gourmet Shop doubles as a specialty foods market—where you can buy freshly baked bread, locally sourced preserves and honey + to-go containers of the shop’s famous chicken salad and pimento cheese. Artisan cheeses, fine wines, quality confections and professional cookware line the market shelves, so you can get some shopping done while you anticipate your mimosa kit."

"This place has it all.Wine shop, cafe, cooking store, and (my favorite) amazing purveyor of fine cheeses. Dennis and Linda Hiltner owned and operated this gem in the heart of Five Points for 40 years – until selling to current owner Amy Beth Franks in 2019. And you can’t call yourself a Soda Citizen unless you’ve at least tried their famous chicken salad."

"The Gourmet Shop in Columbia’s Five Points District is #BrunchGoals, #AestheticGoals—all the goals, really. The food is simple, yet elegant. The atmosphere is relaxed, yet welcoming."

"From Coconut Cream Pie to Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake to Snickerdoodle Cake, you’ll be sorry if you don’t check it out for yourself. With a rotating selection of desserts, the only disappointing thing is that you won’t have room to try them all. We promise you’ll already be planning your next visit before you’ve even left."

"If you’re out in The Vista for dinner, swing by Kaminsky’s for a delicious dessert or drinks. They have a full bar and alcohol infused dessert drinks, but my favorite is the milkshakes or Sundays. They are perfect for splitting and enjoying one another’s company."

"This little delight on Devine Street is the sweetest bakery in town. They’ve got everything from mini cupcakes, to croissants and cookies. A definite crowd pleaser if you’re wanting to pick up a dessert tray for any occasion, or just pop in for a treat for yourself."

"Blue Flour Bakery is one of the city’s most well-known sugar factories. While the make-you-drool menu includes the bakery basics—muffins, cookies, cakes, etc.—the folks at Blue Flour create “what the dawn hours inspire”, so come prepared for daily and seasonal specials that’ll knock your socks off. Oh, and be sure to snag a signature latte on your way out."

"Not your grandmother’s oatmeal raisin cookie… it’s even better. Blue Flour Bakery sits on Main St. directly across from the State House serving a variety of delicious treats to the people of Soda City. Must-trys: Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie, Lemon Honey Ginger Cookie and the Toffee Bar."

"You can sate your coffee and big cookie cravings at Blue Flour’s original location in Irmo. Seasonal beverage options mean you’ll just have to keep coming back to see what’s new."

"Named after the owner’s nickname and her beloved French bulldog, Ally and Eloise serves all things sweet to Columbia visitors on Main Street and Forrest Acres. While famous for its “baby cakes”—a creative spin on petit fours—and swoon-worthy macarons, the menu is endless with cakes, cupcakes and cookies of all varieties. Grab whatever suits your fancy, to-go, and stroll along Main Street for the perfect afternoon in Columbia SC."

"Ally & Eloise Bakeshop claims to be using only the highest quality ingredients that the market has to offer. The Ally & Eloise Bakeshop team also prides themselves on being capable of crafting and serving the finest cookies, cakes, pastries, and breakfasts."

"Chocolate Nirvana Bakery focuses its business on Godiva Chocolate Cakes which are known to be perfect for all types of special occasions. Two of their most popular selections are the Chocolate Grand Marnier and Pumpkin Cheesecake. Chocolate Nirvana Bakery also offers cupcakes and petit fours."

"For over 40 years Tiffany's Bakery and Eatery has been baking sweet treats from delicate petit fours to rich frosted brownies. While they serve up some delightful sandwiches as well, we wouldn't blame you for skipping right to dessert."

"Sweet Cake House promises its customers quality, attention to detail, and friendly personalized service. They specialize in cakes and pies but they are also currently featuring a wide selection of French, Greek and Italian desserts made fresh daily."

"Columbia’s cultural center has matured rapidly in the 20 years since it moved to Main Street. With 22,000 square feet of gallery space, the CMA has a custom-made Chihuly chandelier hanging at its main entrance and has hosted impressive traveling exhibits, including ones by Henri Matisse, Imogen Cunningham, and Salvador Dali. The permanent collection shows a timeline of American and European history from antiquity to modern times."

"Abundant with immaculate paintings and sculptures, a museum date through Columbia Museum of Art is always guaranteed success. Founded in 1950, Columbia Museum of Art is home to internationally renowned art pieces, some of which come from ancient Meditteranean times and showcases early Greek culture. Recently, the museum also opened galleries that feature modern artists such as Andy Warhol and Van Gogh."

"EdVenture is the largest children's museum in the Southeast, located in Columbia. It opened to the public in 2003 and has 8 galleries covering 67,000 square feet (6,200 m2), plus hands-on exhibits, 2 resource centers, and a 200-seat theater. 40,000 square feet (4,000 m2) of the total 67,000 square feet (6,200 m2) is devoted to exhibit galleries, laboratories and visitor amenities."

"EdVenture is one of the best children’s museums in South Carolina. You kids will have a blast while learning. All their exhibits are hands-on and allow them to role play and explore the world around them."

"What it commemorates: The first museum dedicated to the Palmetto State's military tradition opened in 1981, thanks to the vision of South Carolina National Guard Col. Hugh McLaurin III. It originally was located in Sumter in a small space. By 2007, the location was moved to Columbia and into a much larger area for displays. A second building was christened June 7, 2014, making this museum the largest land-based, military museum in South Carolina and one of the premier U.S."

"This collection focuses on Civil War artifacts but also exhibits an overview of regional history from colonial years up through the modern era. See military garb, weapons, and portraits and learn about military figures like Robert E. Lee, Francis Marion and Wade Hampton. Books and records allow visitors to look up any ancestors that served in the military."

"Military Museums301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201MoreLess Info. Founded in 1896, the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum is the third oldest museum in the state. The collection focuses on the military history of South Carolina with emphasis on the Civil War period."

"Seven Oaks Park offers a lot of amenities to the Irmo community, including a full-service recreation complex with fitness, athletics, instructional, and cultural arts programs. The 30,000 square-foot facility also offers Irmo-area residents three gymnasiums, dance and art studios, nine athletic fields, picnic shelters, and playgrounds. It can very easily become your family’s new favorite place!"

"Kayaking on the Saluda River is on the top of the list of fun dates in Columbia. Just imagine, you are sailing along the spectacular coastline, enjoying the views and pleasant company. Such a joint experience usually brings people very close and gives a lot of positive impressions."

"Greenview Park is a multi sport complex that offers recreational amenities inside and outside of the park. The park consists of multiple ball fields, 9-court tennis facility, outdoor swimming pool, water slides, walking trail, playground area and a picnic shelter. Indoor amenities consist of a game room, multiple meeting rooms that include a ceramics room, computer room, teen room, three meeting rooms, full-size kitchen, fitness room and a gymnasium that seats 299 persons."

"Greenview Park is a multi-sport complex that offers recreational amenities inside and outside of the park. The park consists of multiple ball fields, 9-court tennis facility, outdoor swimming pool, walking trail, playground area and a picnic shelter. Indoor amenities consist of a game room, multiple meeting rooms that include a ceramics room, computer room, teen room, three meeting rooms, full-size kitchen, fitness room and a gymnasium that seats 299 persons."

"A peaceful destination in the Vista, Memorial Park is perhaps best known as the site of monuments commemorating local military men and women who served in the Vietnam and Korean Wars and WWII. It's an ideal spot for relaxing with a picnic, taking a leisurely stroll or tossing pebbles into the creek. Read more about Memorial Park →"

"The park has a pond, two tennis courts, youth baseball field, full-size basketball court and a spray pool. The facility has a sun porch for a relaxing outdoor experience with lots of shade and no flying insects. The facility is heavily used to house summer camp and after school programs."

"The Harbison State Forest is only about nine miles away from the heart of Columbia and, as far as tourist attractions go, it’s among the top options for nature-lovers. The forest park covers 2,137 acres of land, bordering the Broad River and packed with over thirty miles of hiking trails and roads for bikers. The forest is made up of hardwood and pine, interspersed with lush glades and relaxing streams."

"Encompassing over 2,000 acres, Harbison State Forest is an educational expanse of land. The forest is used as a getaway and venue for learning for children and adults alike."