Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Columbia

"Mr. Friendly’s calls itself “a new Southern café,” so naturally it serves New Southern Cuisine. What that really means is you of course find chicken and grits and fried green tomatoes on the menu, but the chef also offers his delightful daily special; you will adore his take on Southern Cuisine with dishes like Sesame Seared Yellowfin Tuna with salsa made of granny smith apples and ginger, glazed with yuzu-sweet chile, and served with wasabi-spiced mashed potatoes and sautéed veggies. The best time to visit this popular restaurant in Historic Five Points is Monday, when they serve their award-winning Moonpies, which are heavenly concoctions made of praline wafers baked and layered with mousse, made of white chocolate, and sprinkled with chocolate and raspberry sauce."

"In the early 80’s you may remember Mr. Friendly’s as a sandwich shop, but in 1995 it was revamped into the awesome restaurant it is today. Lunch or dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, you can enjoy new Southern cuisine with fresh ingredients and simple preparations. There is always fresh seafood featured to be enjoyed in the casual (but fancy) dining room (as well as meat, poultry, etc. features)."

"Mr. Friendly’s is one of the best spots in town to enjoy a more “grown-up scene”. It’s a popular spot to enjoy a private dinner along with your date. This restaurant does a fine job of creating a high-end environment for romantics and small formal gatherings."

"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."

"One of the only organic, vegan restaurants in South Carolina, Good Life Cafe is a truly unique and original spot in which to grab a quick bite in Columbia. Serving an assortment of fresh fruit juices and an exciting menu of burritos, sandwiches, burgers and salads, this restaurant has something for all tastes. With the food being both healthy and flavorsome, diners are free to browse the substantial list of cold-pressed cocktails without feeling too guilty."

"Good Life Cafe is one of the romantic places in Columbia that offers a wide variety of vegan options. Fresh fruit juices, salads, burritos and hamburgers – here everyone can choose their own food to taste. Because their food is both healthy and flavorful, visitors are free to browse the extensive list of cold-pressed cocktails without feeling overly guilty."

"One of the most reputable places to visit for such fare in South Carolina is the Good Life Cafe!. It serves organic food that is fully plant-based and is one of Columbia’s only eateries to do so. What’s the menu like?"

"Before the cafe opened, chef owner Jessica Shillato of Spotted Salamander had quite a following as a caterer for private parties and special events. Each delicious dish highlights Chef Shillato’s love for local ingredients and Southern cooking. Deviled eggs with special additions like bacon and blue cheese take the edge off of a mid-day appetite, but leave plenty of room for mains like the Spotted Salad, with sweet tea vodka barbecue chicken, bacon, cheddar, tomatoes, Adluh cornbread croutons, mixed greens, and buttermilk ranch dressing."

"I mean as if the photos don’t already make you drool… you should know that there are even more options than what they have on the menu. While this is a lunch only (11-2:30) & catering restaurant, the menu is limitless and always features something new. The Pulled Brisket Sandwich is out of this world, but you can also go lighter with the spotted salad and soup of the day."

"This unusual piece of artwork stands today as the world’s largest fire hydrant. Made of 675,000lb (306,175kg) of steel, it is over 40ft (12m) tall and is recognized for its artistic value all over the world. It was designed by South Carolina artist Blue Sky, whose other public artworks include the Levitating Dumpster and the Portable Parking Space mural."

"Busted Plug Plaza is one of the most fun and unusual tourist attractions in Columbia. Imposing and made of steel and concrete, the colossal sculpture depicts what is effectively the world’s largest fire hydrant. It weighs a shocking 675,000 pounds and is more than 40 feet in height."

"Richland Mall features Belk, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, TGI Friday's and Regal Cinemas. Richland Mall is centrally located right in the heart of Columbia, at the corner of Forest Drive and Beltline Boulevard."

"Generally regarded as Columbia's nicest mall, Columbiana Centre has four major department stores – Dillard's, Belk, JCPenney, and Sears – and more than 100 additional retailers, including Ann Taylor Loft, Body Shop, New York & Company, bebe, Williams-Sonoma, Yankee Candle Company, J. Jill, Banana Republic, The Limited, Gymboree, Coldwater Creek, Coach, Build-A-Bear-Workshop and Aeropostale. The food court features an antique carousel and free WiFi. Read more about Columbiana Centre →"

"Northwest Columbia residents are served by this large shopping mall anchored by four department stores. The mall is located at the Harbison exit 102 off I-26."

"In the heart of Forest Acres lies Tombo Grille, THE neighborhood restaurant. They are well-known for their creative comfort food without the drive downtown and parking headaches. Since 2002, Tombo Grille has become synonymous with incredible food, a great wine list and a staff that knows their wine-stuff, high-gravity beers and desserts too good to be missed."

"What it's known for: A favorite neighborhood bistro in Forest Acres, Tombo Grille is a favorite for date night or a girls night out. The menu features fresh, local ingredients prepared with an international flair. Nightly specials are particularly popular and stay consistent each week."

"The Crab Shack is home to some of the best blue crabs in South Carolina. A true must try is their Garlic Blue Crab and Shrimp Tray, perfect seafood harmony in one plate. You can amp it up by adding potato, sausage, corn, and egg."

"Tiffany’s Bakery & Eatery, strives to serve only the best quality pastries and cakes, made from scratch, with all natural ingredients. Because of their values and quality, Tiffany’s has been a Columbia tradition for over 30 years now."

"An excellent bakery case shows off a whole lot of yummy baked goods. Personal faves are the eclairs and cinnamon rolls. They also serve real food too, which is..."

"An excellent bakery case shows off a whole lot of yummy baked goods. Personal faves are the eclairs and cinnamon rolls. They also serve real food too, wh..."

"Cold Stone Creamery offers the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience. Ice Cream, Cakes, Shakes, Birthday Cake the Way You Want It"

"Baskin-Robbins, the world's largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, has created more than 1,000 different ice cream flavors and a variety of delicious treats. More flavors, more fun."