In the heart of South Carolina, a quiet culinary revolution is underway—one that’s steadily transforming Columbia into a must-visit destination for curious diners and those with discerning palates. This capital city has flown under the radar, but now, thanks to a wave of innovative chefs, global flavors, and deep-rooted Southern tradition, Columbia’s food scene is getting the attention it deserves.
Start with one of the members of the 2024 class of James Beard Award winners: Lula Drake Wine Parlor. Tucked just steps from the State House, this cozy, low-lit café has earned national acclaim for its outstanding wine program, pairing exceptional varietals with unexpected international fare—think gluten-free Korean fried chicken with a glass of orange wine. It’s the kind of refined-yet-relaxed experience that perfectly captures Columbia’s evolving identity: steeped in tradition, but never afraid to surprise you.
That spirit is alive and well at A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen, where chef Folami Geter is redefining what Southern comfort food can be—plant based, full of soul, and utterly satisfying. Her fried “chicken” has turned skeptics into believers, including one critic who declared, “I’m not vegan, but I would be if I could cook like this.”
Perhaps it’s the city’s laid-back, college-town vibe that nurtures this kind of creativity. Whatever the catalyst, both locals and visitors are reaping the benefits. You’ll find it in the meticulously crafted cocktails at Coa Agavería y Cocina, in the smoky brilliance of City Limits Barbeque, where James Beard Award finalist Robbie Robinson turns smoked meats into an art form, and at The Gourmet Shop in Five Points, a Columbia mainstay for over forty years. To dine here is to taste the city’s history—and its future.
Even Columbia’s grab-and-go culture punches above its weight. Just ask fans of Spotted Salamander, where chef Jessica Shillato takes the humble deviled egg or old-fashioned shrimp salad and turns it into something celebration-worthy. It’s a testament to how seriously this town takes even its most casual bites.
The city’s culinary canvas is rich with international brushstrokes, blending global and Southern traditions. At Il Giorgione, ham and eggs with funeral potatoes share a menu with pappardelle alla Norma. At Terra, a decadent “Quack” Madame sits alongside soft-shell crab atop a throne of Carolina Gold rice.
And the innovation doesn’t stop there. At Private Property, Cajun and Creole flavors shine in Lowcountry-meets-Louisiana dishes, while The Dragon Room delivers an East-meets-South mash-up of Vietnamese, Thai, Laotian, Cambodian, Burmese, and Korean cuisines—paired with playful tiki cocktails.
The rumors about Columbia’s culinary potential have simmered for decades. Now they’re finally rising to a full, flavorful boil. Come hungry. Columbia is ready to be tasted.
Map out your Columbia visit at ExperienceColumbiaSC.com
