Columbia Faves

I’ve been living in Charlotte for about four months now, and although it’s been so much fun, I’m really missing some of my Cola go-to’s. Don't count this as an exhaustive list (looking at all my old regular coffee shops), but here are some of my Columbia favorites from the past few years.

Columbia Craft Brewing

520 Greene St, Columbia

Admittedly, beer is not my top choice for a beverage - I'm usually more of a wine gal - but when I do drink it, sours are the best. Columbia craft always has a great variety of sour beers alongside their IPAs and such, so I wouldn’t be limited to a singular option. I like the options, the great deals on flights and the overall great taste of the beer. Their patio is a fun place to hang out too, and I think they even renovated it recently. Not staying a while? Their popular flavors are available to take home.

Transmission Arcade

1712 Main St, Columbia

Have you ever wanted to play skee-ball with a drink in your hand while also waiting on delicious food? Look no further than Transmission Arcade on Main Street! This is one of the only non-fast food places I could count on to be open late for takeout and be excited to order. Pictured here are the Bahn Mi Fries, and the only reason I couldn't snap a photo of my favorite Al Pastor Pork and Pineapple Quesadilla is because I always dig in immediately. Their selection of beer, wine and liquor is also impressive, though I usually stick to a gin and tonic.

Village Idiot Pizza

2023 Devine St, Columbia + 2 more locations

If you don’t love village idiot, did you really go to UofSC? Arguably the best pizza in Columbia (seriously, try to argue that) with a laid-back atmosphere. This is a place to take your parents when they're in town or split multiple pitchers of Blue Moon on a gameday. You can get a whole pie or just a slice, but don't ignore the wings on the menu - they'll impress you just as much. I usually liked to get pineapple on mine, though the Freshman Fifteen (pepperoni, extra cheese, side of ranch) is a true classic.

Drip Coffee

729 Saluda Ave, Columbia

Ah, Drip. The first local coffee shop I went to when I lived on campus, and I never stopped going. It's the first place I ever saw the pour-over method being used for a cup of coffee, and also the first place I was able to distinguish between flavors of different roasts. I have fond memories of getting several refills while studying for my political science final and changing my life with an espresso chip milkshake. Another bonus is you always leave the shop smelling like a perfect cup of coffee. My recommendation? House roast with oat milk.

Los Chicanos Food Truck

Multiple Locations in Columbia

Honestly, I wasn't always a huge food truck fan. I think sometimes I'd rather just go to a restaurant, but Los Chicanos exceeds any previous expectations. They're often parked at WeCo Beer Garden or the Soda City Market, so you get to experience multiple fantastic local spots in one venue. The nachos and Quesa Tacos (similar to birria, pictured) are to die for, but do yourself a favor and get the El Diablo Burrito - a spicy choice with shrimp and cilantro.

929 Kitchen

929 Gervais St, Columbia

I wish I had been more during my time in Columbia! They boast insanely good lunch deals, a dish that comes in a sizzling stone and as much or as little spice as you want. Before 929, I had only ever had Korean food once, but I'm glad I was able to try a variety of different dishes. I found out gimbap was one of the best things I'd ever eaten. Fun fact, this was actually the place where my boyfriend met my mom for the first time. The next time you're on Gervais, try the beef bulgogi Japchae noodles.

Minato

1314 Leesburg Rd, Columbia

I discovered Minato my sophomore year of college, I think shortly before COVID hit. I love love love sushi but didn’t get it frequently because it really puts a hit on my finances. Not Minato! For just $10.50 (pre-tip), I'd get two Cali rolls, two spicy tuna rolls, and one regular tuna roll. Everything tastes so fresh, and you can tell that the owner puts a lot of pride in her craft. I've yet to try anything like Minato in Charlotte!