Southern Restaurants

If you’re looking to get the real Columbia SC experience, dining on Southern food is a must. In kitchens across the city, chefs pair traditional recipes with local ingredients and a bit of a modern flair that will keep you coming back for more.

Mr. Friendly’s New Southern Café serves fresh takes on Southern classics like fried green tomatoes and a Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon topped with pimento cheese. For a bit of a spice, make your way to Bourbon where crafted cocktails and Cajun bites fill your table. If it’s a more casual outing you seek, try Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles, self-proclaimed the “hands down best soul food in town.” You’ll be hard-pressed to disagree once you take a bite of their melt-in-your-mouth red velvet waffle. Speaking of soul food, we’d be remiss to not mention A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen. Now if you’re thinking vegan doesn’t go with soul food, one bite of the Fried “Chicken” Sandwich with a side of black-eyed peas will soon have you singing a different tune.

Find classics from chicken bog to boiled peanuts at the War Mouth where they welcome guests with quirky decor and an inventive rotating cocktail menu. At Spotted Salamander, order the deviled egg of the day and whichever salad or sandwich tickles your fancy. Just be sure to save room for dessert.

Dig into this local fare get to know the heart of SC.


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