Megan's Downtown Columbia Guidebook

Megan
Megan's Downtown Columbia Guidebook

Food scene

Gorgeous patio from which to watch one of Columbia’s social districts, 5 Points. But don’t let the location fool you. This high end local gem tucked away above Starbucks has one of the best menus in the city.
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Saluda's Restaurant
751 Saluda Ave
23 personas de la zona recomiendan
Gorgeous patio from which to watch one of Columbia’s social districts, 5 Points. But don’t let the location fool you. This high end local gem tucked away above Starbucks has one of the best menus in the city.
Bourbon is an upscale, vintage restaurant and bar in the heart of downtown Columbia. Just steps away from the Statehouse, you can stroll all of Main Street right after your dinner.
60 personas de la zona recomiendan
Bourbon
1214 Main St
60 personas de la zona recomiendan
Bourbon is an upscale, vintage restaurant and bar in the heart of downtown Columbia. Just steps away from the Statehouse, you can stroll all of Main Street right after your dinner.
NoMa by Al Amir is a great casual Mediterranean food spot just blocks away. Try them for lunch or dinner. One of my personal favorites! Fun fact: NoMa is a local slag term for the North Main St area.
9 personas de la zona recomiendan
Noma Bistro
2431 Main St
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NoMa by Al Amir is a great casual Mediterranean food spot just blocks away. Try them for lunch or dinner. One of my personal favorites! Fun fact: NoMa is a local slag term for the North Main St area.
Southern lunch spot that is a local favorite. Spotted Salamander Cafe has unique dishes you won’t find anywhere else.
12 personas de la zona recomiendan
Spotted Salamander Cafe And Catering
1531 Richland St
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Southern lunch spot that is a local favorite. Spotted Salamander Cafe has unique dishes you won’t find anywhere else.
Located 5 minutes across North Main Street at Segra Park, this new restaurant is a great place for outdoor or indoor dining, as well as fun cocktails or brunch.
Publico at BullStreet
2180 Boyce Street
Located 5 minutes across North Main Street at Segra Park, this new restaurant is a great place for outdoor or indoor dining, as well as fun cocktails or brunch.
For a local dessert spot, check out Sweet Cream on Main Street for ice cream and coffee. Stroll down Main Street before or after and take in the historic and beautiful buildings and charm.
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Sweet Cream Co.
1627 Main St
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For a local dessert spot, check out Sweet Cream on Main Street for ice cream and coffee. Stroll down Main Street before or after and take in the historic and beautiful buildings and charm.
Super local Columbia spot. Ambiance is good, but their Southern Cuisine is unparalleled in Columbia
Mr. Friendly's New Southern Cafe
Super local Columbia spot. Ambiance is good, but their Southern Cuisine is unparalleled in Columbia
Excellent burgers, large patio, family friendly!
19 personas de la zona recomiendan
Pawleys Front Porch
827 Harden St
19 personas de la zona recomiendan
Excellent burgers, large patio, family friendly!
Wonderful lunch or weekend brunch options.
26 personas de la zona recomiendan
DiPrato's
342 Pickens St
26 personas de la zona recomiendan
Wonderful lunch or weekend brunch options.
Fun vibe on Main Street or Divine Street
Cantina 76
Fun vibe on Main Street or Divine Street
Delicious barbecue buffet
Palmetto Pig Bar-B-Q Restaurant
530 Devine St
Delicious barbecue buffet
Incredible Italian food at the oldest family owned restaurant in Columbia. It’s also steps away from the revitalized Main Street District.
7 personas de la zona recomiendan
Villa Tronco Italian Restaurant
1213 Blanding St
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Incredible Italian food at the oldest family owned restaurant in Columbia. It’s also steps away from the revitalized Main Street District.

Outdoor Activities

If you’re in the mood for some fresh air, these are great local options.
The Riverfront Park is laden with easy, paved walking trails along the Broad River and the Historic Columbia Canal. Great place to enjoy nice weather and a breeze from the chilly water. There are several entrances, but the easiest to access is Laurel Street, and there is plenty of parking.
64 personas de la zona recomiendan
Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park
312 Laurel St
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The Riverfront Park is laden with easy, paved walking trails along the Broad River and the Historic Columbia Canal. Great place to enjoy nice weather and a breeze from the chilly water. There are several entrances, but the easiest to access is Laurel Street, and there is plenty of parking.
Soda City Market is open 9am-1pm on Saturdays. Grab food, check out local vendors, and find some local talent all in the shadow of the beautiful Statehouse. Confused about the name? Locals have lovingly adopted the name “Soda” as a play on the abbreviated version of “Columbia,” which is “Cola.”
133 personas de la zona recomiendan
Soda City Market
1300-1600 Main St
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Soda City Market is open 9am-1pm on Saturdays. Grab food, check out local vendors, and find some local talent all in the shadow of the beautiful Statehouse. Confused about the name? Locals have lovingly adopted the name “Soda” as a play on the abbreviated version of “Columbia,” which is “Cola.”
Perfect activity for adults and kids.
268 personas de la zona recomiendan
Zoológico y jardines de Riverbanks
500 Wildlife Pkwy
268 personas de la zona recomiendan
Perfect activity for adults and kids.
Fireflies Baseball games are always a hit in season, and just a 5 minute drive across North Main Street. Check their website for schedule, including fireworks nights and Thirsty Thursdays!
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Segra Park
25 personas de la zona recomiendan
Fireflies Baseball games are always a hit in season, and just a 5 minute drive across North Main Street. Check their website for schedule, including fireworks nights and Thirsty Thursdays!
Explore Columbia’s beautiful rivers, from the rivers! Rent tubes and float on down some of the most beautiful places in the city here.
The Palmetto Experience
300 Candi Ln
Explore Columbia’s beautiful rivers, from the rivers! Rent tubes and float on down some of the most beautiful places in the city here.

Coffee

Looking for a cozy coffee nook in which to relax or to get some work done? Look no further than Indah Coffee. Modern, industrial, and rustic with all the best local coffee shop vibes.
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Indah Coffee
2238 Sumter St
39 personas de la zona recomiendan
Looking for a cozy coffee nook in which to relax or to get some work done? Look no further than Indah Coffee. Modern, industrial, and rustic with all the best local coffee shop vibes.
Perfect quick stop for local great coffee and light breakfast or lunch foods.
24 personas de la zona recomiendan
Curiosity Coffee Bar
2327 Main St
24 personas de la zona recomiendan
Perfect quick stop for local great coffee and light breakfast or lunch foods.

Dinner/Bar

Hendrix is a perfect upscale dinner or drink spot. There is gorgeous indoor space, but also the best rooftop view in Columbia. Just across from the historic Tapp’s building, Hendrix’s rooftop overlooks the Main Street district all the way down to the Statehouse.
23 personas de la zona recomiendan
Hendrix Restaurant
1649 Main St
23 personas de la zona recomiendan
Hendrix is a perfect upscale dinner or drink spot. There is gorgeous indoor space, but also the best rooftop view in Columbia. Just across from the historic Tapp’s building, Hendrix’s rooftop overlooks the Main Street district all the way down to the Statehouse.
Conveniently located on Main St, this is Columbia’s newest unique gem. Come here for high end, boutique atmosphere and delicious drinks.
Smoked
1643 Main Street
Conveniently located on Main St, this is Columbia’s newest unique gem. Come here for high end, boutique atmosphere and delicious drinks.
Closest Brewery to downtown Columbia!
15 personas de la zona recomiendan
Columbia Craft Brewing Company
520 Greene St
15 personas de la zona recomiendan
Closest Brewery to downtown Columbia!
The closest (and newest) brewery to the north main area.
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
The closest (and newest) brewery to the north main area.

Activities

Local movie theater that is home to many indie movies and blockbusters, and you can even purchase wine at concessions!
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Nickelodeon Theatre
1607 Main St
51 personas de la zona recomiendan
Got kids? Spend a day checking out this kid focused educational and interactive museum. They’ll love it!
121 personas de la zona recomiendan
Museo Infantil EdVenture
211 Gervais St
121 personas de la zona recomiendan
Got kids? Spend a day checking out this kid focused educational and interactive museum. They’ll love it!
Here, you’ll find great art exhibits, local events, and a beautiful public courtyard.
139 personas de la zona recomiendan
Museo de Arte de Columbia
1515 Main St
139 personas de la zona recomiendan
Here, you’ll find great art exhibits, local events, and a beautiful public courtyard.
The best indoor fun for toddlers! Each room is full of different themed Montessori toys. Starting at age 6 months, you’ll find plenty of entertainment and day passes are available.
PlayMatters SC
The best indoor fun for toddlers! Each room is full of different themed Montessori toys. Starting at age 6 months, you’ll find plenty of entertainment and day passes are available.

Consejos para los viajeros

Costumbres y cultura

Social Districts

There are 3 main social districts in Downtown Columbia. The Vista is the area located in blocks surrounding Gervais St and Lincoln St. Young professionals and adults usually flood this area. Main Street (from the statehouse up to Hendrix Restaurant) is a lively and growing social district with a similar demographic to the Vista. Five Points is where you’ll find the college aged crowd with cheaper drinks and the most lively bars.