American/Southern
Burger Tavern 77
burgertavern77.com. Shandon/Rosewood: 2631 Devine St., 803-667-9608. facebook.com/Burger-Tavern-77-384395894919737/ twitter.com/btav77. Make the most unique burger combo imaginable, or order one of their flavorful menu options. There’s also chicken burgers, salads, and gourmet bar food apps. ¢-$
California Dreaming
californiadreaming.rest. Downtown: 401 S. Main St., 803-254-6767. facebook.com/CDcolumbia/ instagram.com/cdrestaurant twitter.com/dreamingbyusc. Located in a historic railroad station, California Dreaming has been popular ever since it opened in 1984. Serves large salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, pasta, chicken and steaks. Excellent mixed drinks, and the honey croissants always are a hit. $
Compton’s Kitchen
comptonskitchen.com. West Columbia/Cayce: 1118 B Ave., 803-791-0750. facebook.com/ComptonsKitchen/. With most everything made from scratch, you can’t go wrong at this classic Southern meat-and-three. Lunch menu changes daily, with offerings including fried chicken, fish, pork chops, livers and gizzards and more, plus plenty of classic and healthy sides. Hearty breakfast menu, too. ¢
Drake’s Duck-In
drakesduckin.com. Downtown: 1544 Main St., 803-799-9290. facebook.com/drakesduckin instagram.com/drakesduckin/ twitter.com/theduckin. Not by any means a fancy place, but home to a damn fine chicken sandwich. Breakfast, fried chicken, burgers, fried bologna sandwiches, more, since 1907. ¢
The Market Restaurant
facebook.com/themarketrestaurantsc. West Columbia/Cayce: 3483 Charleston Hwy., 803-509-5641. Located at the South Carolina State Farmers Market, this restaurant serves breakfast and lunch made with fresh produce from the market itself, so you know it’s fresh and local. ¢-$
Eggs Up Grill
eggsupgrill.com. Shandon/Rosewood: 2930 Devine St., 803-661-9174. facebook.com/eggsupcolumbia/ Lexington: 205 Columbia Ave., 803-490-2028. facebook.com/EUGLexingtonSC. Northeast: 961 Roberts Branch Pkwy., 803-626-1695. facebook.com/EUGKilliansCrossing. Forest Acres: 4711 Forest Dr. 803-820-0742. facebook.com/EUGForestAcres. A South Carolina chain devoted to breakfast foods, from waffles to omelets to loaded home-fry platters, plus lunch foods like burgers, sandwiches and wraps. Especially popular on the weekends. ¢
Flight Deck
flightdeckrestaurant.net. Lexington: 109-A Old Chapin Rd., 803-957-5990. Family-owned restaurant with an extensive collection of WWII-themed memorabilia and photographs. Menu ranges from burgers and sandwiches to ribs, pizza and Greek specialties. Blue-plate special includes one meat, two veggies, dessert and a drink. ¢
Food Gallery
facebook.com/foodgallerycolumbia. North Columbia: 3702 River Drive, 803-771-0790. Soul food favorites from ox tails to fried turkey wings to mac and cheese, and homemade cakes, with a flavorful meat and three plate. $
Granby Grill
granbygrill.com. Whaley: 612 Whaley St. Suite C., 803-834-6717. facebook.com/thegranbygrill/ instagram.com/granbygrill/. Bar food meets diner food at Granby Grill. From bacon, egg and cheese to shrimp and grits, it’s a greasy spoon with Southern touches that isn’t just for college students. ¢
The Grand
thegrandonmain.com. Downtown: 1621 Main St., 803-726-2323. facebook.com/theGRANDonMain instagram.com/thegrandonmain twitter.com/EatDrinkBeGrand. It’s a boutique bowling alley, dessert bar, regular bar and restaurant all in one. High end bar food — think Southwestern Loaded Waffle Fries — meets classy entrees like pork osso buco in the heart of Main Street. $-$$
Greedy Rascals
greedyrascalsllc.com. Rosewood: 1900 Rosewood Drive, 803-977-3356. facebook.com/Greedy-Rascals-Aka-The-Hot-Dog-Bar-101986477901028 This walk-up hotdog shop offers up classic slaw and chili dogs, along with creative fare like a waffle wrapped dog with shimeji mushrooms and a port wine reduction. ¢
Griffin Chophouse
griffinchophouse.com. Lexington: 924 East Main St. 803-957-0863. facebook.com/griffinchophouseSC/ The rebranded, reopened and renovated former Kingsman Que and Brew is now reborn as Griffin Chophouse. With the same chef but new ownership, it’s now a bastion of aged steaks and barbecue. $-$$
Grill Marks
grillmarks.com. Vista: 711 Gervais St., 803-661-8932. facebook.com/marksburgerscolumbia instagram.com/grillmarkscola. Fancy burgers, fancy shakes (with or without booze) and a great view for watching the goings-on of the Vista from their expansive covered porch. $
It’s a Wrap Cafe
facebook.com/itsawrapcafeatl/. Lexington: 5341 Sunset Blvd. 803-490-1000. instagram.com/itsawrapcafe. Now in Lexington, this former Atlanta restaurant serves wraps, smoothies, salads and dishes that have a Jamaican flair. ¢
Just Us Café
facebook.com/pages/Just-Us-Cafe/2361771457377925. West Columbia/Cayce: 1208 Knox Abbott Dr., 803-791-5162. Corned beef hash, omelets, pancakes and other classic breakfast foods in a diner-style atmosphere. Also serves hot country lunches, sandwiches and more. ¢
Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles
kikischickenandwaffles.com. Northeast: 7001 Parklane Rd., 803-699-5422. Harbison/Irmo: 1260 Bower Pkwy., 803-834-5816. facebook.com/KikisChickenAndWaffles/ instagram.com/kikischicken twitter.com/kikischicken. Chicken and waffles! And not just any old iteration of this soul food classic — Kiki’s offers a red velvet waffle if you’re feeling fancy. Also offers shrimp and grits and various soul food classics. Bonus trivia: Both Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton have eaten here. ¢
Kingsman Restaurant
thekingsmanrestaurant.com. West Columbia/Cayce: 936 Axtell Dr. (Parkland Shopping Center), 803-796-8622. This longtime Cayce favorite offers everything from fried appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, pizza and wings to salads, lasagna and even liver and onions. Known for its grilled rib eye, which is one of the city’s best. Serves liquor. Busy lunch, lots of atmosphere. ¢-$
Liberty on the Lake
libertytaproom.com. Harbison/Irmo: 1602 Marina Rd., 803-667-9715. instagram.com/libertyonthelake/ facebook.com/LibertyontheLake. With sweeping, scenic views of Lake Murray from its multiple decks, Liberty on the Lake is a gorgeous place to knock back a few beers and some tasty, fresh-caught fish or a burger. Some of the same great salads, sandwiches and apps you’ll find at the Liberty in the heart of Columbia. $
Liberty Tap Room & Grill
libertytaproom.com. Vista: 828 Gervais St., 803-461-4677. facebook.com/LibertyTapRoomColumbia. Liberty begins with sturdy American fare but doesn’t end there. It’s known for its delicious salads, and you’ll also find an array of appetizers, soups and colorful entrees, plus a weekend late-night atmosphere. $
Lizard’s Thicket
lizardsthicket.com. Downtown: 818 Elmwood Ave., 803-779-6407. Blythewood: 711-1 University Village Dr., 803-451-8400. Forest Acres: 3147 Forest Dr., 803-787-8781. Garners Ferry/Southeast: 7938 Garners Ferry Rd., 803-647-0095. Harbison/Irmo: 7569 St. Andrews Rd., 803-732-1225. Lexington: 621 W Main St., 803-951-3555. Lexington: 4616 Augusta Rd., 803-785-5560. Northeast: 10170 Two Notch Rd., 803-419-5662. Northeast: 7620 Two Notch Rd., 803-788-3088. St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 1824 Broad River Rd., 803-798-6427. West Columbia/Cayce: 501 Knox Abbott Dr., 803-791-0314. West Columbia/Cayce: 2234 Sunset Blvd., 803-794-0923. twitter.com/LizardsThicket instagram.com/lizardsthicket. Meat loaf, fried chicken, mac and cheese, fried okra, it’s all a vegetable here. A true local institution that thrives on the meat-and-veggies formula in whatever combination your heart desires. This is what Southern cooking is all about. ¢
Mack’s Cash Grocery
Downtown: 1809 Laurel St., 803-779-9858. Hole-in-the-wall burger joint, usually known as Mack’s on Laurel, is beloved by locals. Thin, juicy burgers and a low-key vibe make this a hidden treasure. ¢
Main Street Public House
mainstreetpublichouse.com. Downtown: 1556 Main St., 803-834-3409. facebook.com/mainstreetpublichouse/. Downtown hangout offers a well-stocked bar and assorted eats — salads, sandwiches, steaks, pastas and more. The pizzas are a good bet. $
Mathias Sandwich Shop
mathiassandwich.com. Harbison/Irmo: 7235 St. Andrews Rd., 803-781-4002. Founded in 1946, this sandwich shop is one of the early homes of the pimento burger. Serves breakfast and lunch. ¢
Midlands’
marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/caemh-marriott-columbia/. Downtown: 1200 Hampton St., 803-771-7000. This restaurant’s nice, casual feel is something you might come to expect during your time at the Marriott Hotel. Features New Southern classics like shrimp and grits. Stop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner after a long day (or night) in downtown Columbia. $
Momma Rabbit’s
mommarabbits.com. Lexington: 5082 Sunset Blvd., 803-356-1330. facebook.com/MommaRabbits instagram.com/mommarabbits. Fresh soups, salads and sandwiches, plus prepared suppers to take home. Also offers a catering service. $
Original Pancake House
originalpancakehousencsc.com. Forest Acres: 4840 Forest Dr. (Trenholm Plaza), 803-782-6742. facebook.com/originalpancakehousecolumbia/ twitter.com/PancakeHouseSC. Pancakes as you like them. Offering a full menu including cinnamon-glazed apple pancakes, dutch babies, freshly squeezed juices, homemade fruit syrups and more. And if you’re not in the mood for pancakes, try the meat-lovers omelet. The lines are long for a reason; get there before church lets out and you’ll be in better shape. ¢
Pawleys Front Porch
pawleysfrontporch.com. Five Points: 827 Harden St., 803-771-8001. facebook.com/PawleysFrontPorch/ instagram.com/pawleysfrontporch5pts/ twitter.com/pawleys5pts. Fancy a fried egg, apple-cured ham, pineapple or a pair of onion rings stuffed between a half-pound patty and a ciabatta bun? Crowds have been lining up outside Pawleys Front Porch ever since its fantastic burgers were featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives back in 2010. $
Rambo’s Fat Cat Biscuits
Fatcatcolumbia.com. Cottontown: 2430 Main St., 803-881-9060. facebook.com/FatCatColumbia/ instagram.com/fatcatcolumbia/. The immensely popular biscuit food truck and Soda City stand opened a brick and mortar in the north Main Street area. It slings their signature biscuits in the form of breakfast sandwiches and lunchtime offerings. ¢
Ray’s Diner
raysdiner.net. Northeast: 3110 Two Notch Rd., 803-661-8175. The downhome breakfast joint and meat-and-three lunch you’ve been looking for. ¢
The Root Cellar
therootcellarsc.com. Lexington: 420 Columbia Ave.; 803-359-5436. facebook.com/rootcellarsc/ Fresh Southern ingredients form the backbone of this carefully curated menu, with classic dishes like fried chicken livers and meatloaf given a modern flair. Salads and sandwiches, too. ¢-$
Roy’s Grille
roysgrillesc.com. Lexington: 711 W Main St., 803-359-0994. facebook.com/RoysGrille/ instagram.com/roysgrille/. Situated inside an Exxon station, this hidden gem barely takes up any space. The grill serves a variety of food including barbecue, which is smoked out back; a variety of breakfast sandwiches, many of which come with their house-smoked bacon; and fish and grits, served every morning. ¢
Sound Bites Eatery
toasttab.com/sound-bites-eatery-1425-sumter-street. Downtown: 1425 Sumter St. facebook.com/soundbiteseatery. instagram.com/soundbiteseatery. Columbia restaurant veterans came together to open this lunch-time sandwich and salad spot in downtown Columbia. A well curated menu includes things like a smoked salmon salad and a Grilled Pblano Cheese. Plus, a small menu of morning eats too. ¢-$.
The War Mouth
thewarmouth.com. Downtown: 1209 Franklin St., 803-569-6144. facebook.com/thewarmouth/ instagram.com/thewarmouth/. South Carolina food done right, from chicken bog to mustard-fried venison to deviled eggs, with a fine dining flair but no pretensions. The barbecue is out of this world, and there’s a big comfy bar with nice cocktails. $