Long a city on the cusp of significant growth, Columbia today is flourishing, its resilience proven time and again. With an inviting mix of urban and suburban life, the Midlands continually attracts new residents. While still retaining the charm and flavor of a midsize city with a small-town heart, the Columbia metro area has almost doubled its population over the past 30 years.
With a bustling downtown and vibrant nightlife, Columbia is not only a favored entertainment hub for young people, it’s also home to welcoming neighborhoods that encourage folks to stick around and put down roots. In the 1990s, downtown launched an urban renewal with areas like the Vista, Five Points, Devine Street, and Main Street emerging as lively settings for restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques. These revitalization efforts paid off, retaining longtime residents and attracting newcomers from all over. U.S. Census data shows that about 30,000 people moved to the city of Columbia in 2018 — an incredible 20 percent of our current population.
Downtown is not the only area that’s experiencing new growth. Surrounding areas are also booming, with the Lexington and Lake Murray regions on the rise and new businesses and neighborhoods continually popping up in the Northeast. The people of the Midlands are actively enjoying the businesses, services, food, homes, and art that reflect the true essence of the area. Columbia’s art and music scene can be enjoyed at the Columbia Museum of Art, the Koger Center for the Arts, and the Township Auditorium, as well as at a variety of live music venues and galleries around town. With plentiful recreational offerings and attractions, as well as an impressive dining scene, it’s no wonder our city sees new growth year after year.
Columbia’s warm and welcoming hometown vibe is enjoyed by all who walk through the doors of its locally owned shops, restaurants, and offices. And the appreciation flows both ways. Columbia Metropolitan Magazine’s 100,000+ readers are excited each year to vote for their favorites, celebrating the best businesses around.
The 2023 Best of Columbia winners include the top restaurants, shops, service organizations, and entertainment as selected by our readers. Our categories include food, retail, home, recreation, service, and media and entertainment. Some of the winners in these categories have been making the cut for more than 5, 10, 15, or even more than 25 years! These perennial Columbia favorites are certainly not to be missed, but we’re also excited for you to discover and celebrate the businesses entering our winners’ circle for the very first time.
So, if you weighed in this year with the best barbecue spot, your favorite nail salon, the best place to shop, or your go-to choice to fix a flat tire, we thank you so much for taking the time to vote. Your opinion makes all the difference! Finally, heartfelt congratulations to all the winners — you are a big part of what makes Columbia such a special place for all of us to call home!
FOOD
Best Appetizer
Winner:
Tazza Kitchen
Runner Up:
Cantina 76
Best Barbecue
Winner:
Little Pigs Barbecue
Runner Up:
Home Team BBQ
Best Chicken Salad
Winner:
The Gourmet Shop
Runner Up:
Chicken Salad Chick
Best French Fries
Winner:
Chick-fil-A
Runner Up:
Five Guys
Best Hamburger
Winner:
Pawleys Front Porch
Runner Up:
Grill Marks
Best Fried Chicken
Winner:
Zesto of West Columbia
Runner Up:
Bernie’s Chicken
Best Hot Dog
Winner:
Crave Cafe and Market
Runner Up:
Jimmy’s Mart
Best Sandwich
Winner:
Groucho’s Deli
Runner Up:
Crave Cafe and Market
Best Pizza
Winner:
Il Giorgione Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Runner Up:
Za’s Brick Oven Pizza
Best Ribs
Winner:
Home Team BBQ
Runner Up:
Hudson’s Smokehouse BBQ
Best Shrimp and Grits
Winner:
Blue Marlin
Runner Up:
Mr. Friendly’s
Best Steak
Winner:
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Runner Up:
Hampton Street Vineyard
Best Biscuits
Winner:
Kudzu Bakery & Market
Runner Up:
Chick-fil-A
Best Iced Tea
Winner:
Groucho’s Deli
Runner Up:
Chick-fil-A
Best Wings
Winner:
D’s Wings
Runner Up:
Publick House
Best Bakery
Winner:
Tiffany’s Sweets, Eats, & Meeting Place
Runner Up:
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Best Cookies
Winner:
Tiffany’s Sweets, Eats, & Meeting Place
Runner Up:
Crumbl Cookies
Best Cupcake
Winner:
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Runner Up:
Tiffany’s Sweets, Eats, & Meeting Place
Best Dessert
Winner:
Kaminsky’s
Runner Up:
Tiffany’s Sweets, Eats, & Meeting Place
Best Milkshake
Winner:
Grill Marks
Runner Up:
Chick-fil-A
Best Health Food Store
Winner:
Earth Fare
Runner Up:
Rosewood Market
Best Supermarket
Winner:
Publix
Runner Up:
Trader Joe’s
RESTAURANTS
Best Restaurant in Columbia
Winner:
Motor Supply Co. Bistro
Runner Up:
Mr. Friendly’s
Best Restaurant in Irmo
Winner:
Liberty on the Lake
Runner Up:
Luzianna Purchase
Best Restaurant in Lexington
Winner:
Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
Runner Up:
Private Property SC
Best Restaurant in Northeast Columbia
Winner:
Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
Runner Up:
Tiffany’s Sweets, Eats, & Meeting Place
Best Restaurant in Forest Acres
Winner:
Tombo Grille
Runner Up:
Tazza Kitchen
Best Restaurant in West Columbia/Cayce
Winner:
Al’s Upstairs
Runner Up:
Cafe Strudel
Best New Restaurant
Winner:
Smoked
Runner Up:
Another Broken Egg
Best Happy Hour
Winner:
Cantina 76
Runner Up:
Tombo Grille
Best Bartender
Winner:
Jake Cooper / Smoked
Runner Up:
Spencer Shealy / Tombo Grille
Best Brewery
Winner:
Savage Craft
Runner Up:
River Rat Brewery
Best Wine List
Winner:
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Runner Up:
Lula Drake Wine Parlour
Best Coffee House
Winner:
Drip
Runner Up:
Indah Coffee
Best Bang for Your Buck
Winner:
Groucho’s Deli
Runner Up:
Eggs Up Grill
Best Business Lunch
Winner:
Di Prato’s Delicatessen
Runner Up:
Motor Supply Co. Bistro
Best Family Restaurant
Winner:
The Original Pancake House
Runner Up:
Lizard’s Thicket
Best Romantic Dinner
Winner:
Di Vino Rosso
Runner Up:
Terra
Best Fine Dining
Winner:
Halls Chophouse
Runner Up:
Motor Supply Co. Bistro
Best Outdoor Dining
Winner:
Il Giorgione Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Runner Up:
Market on Main
Best Sunday Brunch
Winner:
Di Prato’s Delicatessen
Runner Up:
The Woody on Main
Best Seafood
Winner:
Blue Marlin
Runner Up:
Smoked
Best Healthy Restaurant
Winner:
Good Life Café
Runner Up:
Crave Cafe and Market
Best Food Truck
Winner:
Pawleys Mobile Eats
Runner Up:
2 Fat 2 Fly
Best Wait Staff
Winner:
Mr. Friendly’s
Runner Up:
Tombo Grille
Best Atmosphere
Winner:
Motor Supply Co. Bistro
Runner Up:
The Woody On Main
Best Wine Shop
Winner:
Morganelli’s Party Store
Runner Up:
The New York Butcher Shoppe
Best Fast Food Restaurant
Winner:
Chick-fil-A
Runner Up:
Zesto of West Columbia
Best Chinese
Winner:
Miyo’s
Best Italian
Winner:
Il Giorgione Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Runner Up:
Villa Tronco
Best Japanese
Winner:
Inakaya
Runner Up:
TakoSushi
Best Mexican
Winner:
Cantina 76
Runner Up:
Boca Grande Burritos
Best Thai
Winner:
Basil Thai Cuisine
Runner Up:
Bodhi Thai Dining
RETAIL
Best Women’s Clothing
Winner:
Monkee’s of Columbia
Runner Up:
Mainstream Boutique
Best Women’s Business Wear
Winner:
Granger Owings
Runner Up:
Just the Thing
Best Women’s Evening Wear
Winner:
Coplon’s
Runner Up:
Revente
Best Women’s Shoes
Winner:
Just the Thing
Runner Up:
Scout & Molly’s
Best Men’s Clothing
Winner:
Granger Owings
Runner Up:
Brittons of Columbia
Best Men’s Formal Wear
Winner:
Brittons of Columbia
Runner Up:
BP Skinner Clothiers
Best Men’s Shoes
Winner:
Granger Owings
Runner Up:
BP Skinner
Best Children’s Clothing
Winner:
Duck Duck Goose
Runner Up:
Southern Children
Best Children’s Shoes
Winner:
Tootsies Children’s Shoes
Runner Up:
Duck Duck Goose
Best Bridal Wear
Winner:
Bella Bridesmaids
Runner Up:
Elizabeth Cole Bridal
Best Resort Wear
Winner:
Pink Sorbet
Runner Up:
Slate
Best Bridal Registry
Winner:
non(e)such
Runner Up:
Cottage & Vine
Best Women’s Clothing Designer
Winner:
831 MINHLE
Runner Up:
LaRoque
Best Weekend Wear
Winner:
Mainstream Boutique
Runner Up:
Monkee’s of Columbia
Best Jewelry Store
Winner:
Sylvan’s
Runner Up:
Carolina Fine Jewelry
Best Accessories
Winner:
Cottage & Vine
Runner Up:
Scout & Molly’s
Best Gift Store
Winner:
Gibson’s
Runner Up:
Uptown Gifts on Main
Best Stationery
Winner:
Gibson’s
Runner Up:
Cottage & Vine
Best Vision Wear
Winner:
Columbia Eye Clinic
Runner Up:
Folline Vision Centers
Best Sunglasses
Winner:
Folline Vision Centers
Runner Up:
Columbia Eye Clinic
Best Clothing Consignment Store
Winner:
Revente
Runner Up:
Roundabouts Consignments
Best Toy Store
Winner:
Be Beep
Runner Up:
Duck Duck Goose
Best Antique Store
Winner:
McIntosh Cottage Antiques
Runner Up:
Attic Fanatic
Best Frame Shop
Winner:
The Frame Shop
Runner Up:
Rob Shaw Gallery and Framing
Best Local Art
Winner:
OTM Gallery
Runner Up:
City Art
Best Local Art Supply Store
Winner:
City Art
Runner Up:
Michael’s
Best Local Pet Supply Store
Winner:
Mill Creek Pet Food Center
Runner Up:
Lazy Creek Pet Food Center
Best Hunting/Fishing Store
Winner:
Barron’s Outfitters
Runner Up:
Palmetto State Armory
Best Outdoor Store
Winner:
Half-Moon Outfitters
Runner Up:
Mast General Store
Best Running Specialty Store
Winner:
Fleet Feet
Runner Up:
Strictly Running
Best Bicycle Specialty Store
Winner:
Outspokin’ Bicycles
Runner Up:
Cycle Center
Best Gamecock Store
Winner:
Miss Cocky
Runner Up:
Garnet & Black Traditions
Best Mattress Store
Winner:
Best Mattress
Runner Up:
Michaelis Mattress
Best Shopping Venue
Winner:
Five Points
Runner Up:
Trenholm Plaza
HOME
Best Residential Community
Winner:
Mungo / Ascot
Runner Up:
Mungo / Palmetto Shores
Best Apartment Complex
Winner:
Devine District
Runner Up:
Brookland
Best Retirement Community
Winner:
Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community
Runner Up:
Lutheran Homes of South Carolina
Best Assisted Living
Winner:
Lutheran Homes of South Carolina
Runner Up:
Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community
Best Independent Living
Winner:
Lakeview Retirement
Runner Up:
Merrill Gardens at Columbia
Best Memory Care
Winner:
Watercrest Columbia
Runner Up:
Lutheran Homes of South Carolina
Best Skilled Care
Winner:
LMC Carroll Campbell Place
Runner Up:
Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina
Best Home Builder
Winner:
Mungo Homes
Runner Up:
Great Southern Homes
Best Home Remodeler
Winner:
Palmetto Construction & Renovation
Runner Up:
Capital Kitchen & Bath
Best General Contractor
Winner:
Cohn Construction Services
Runner Up:
Paradime Construction
Best Commercial Builder
Winner:
Hood Construction
Runner Up:
M.B. Kahn Construction
Best Disaster Restoration Company
Winner:
Pulliam Restoration
Runner Up:
Palmetto Commercial Services
Best Home Furnishings
Winner:
Strobler Home Furnishings
Runner Up:
Whit-Ash Furnishings
Best Outdoor Furniture Store
Winner:
Casual Living
Runner Up:
Tropic Aire Patio Gallery
Best Furniture Consignment Store
Winner:
Attic Fanatic
Runner Up:
Roundabouts Consignments
Best Custom Furniture
Winner:
Ethan Allen
Runner Up:
Marty Rae’s
Best Furniture Refinisher
Winner:
Alan Kinder Custom Woodwork
Runner Up:
Colonial Woodworks
Best Glass Store
Winner:
Ace Glass
Runner Up:
Sheppard’s Glass
Best Flooring
Winner:
Carpet One Floor & Home
Runner Up:
AAAA Flooring
Best Roofing Company
Winner:
The Red Shirt Guys Roofing
Runner Up:
Seawright Roofing
Best Wallpaper/Wall Covering Store
Winner:
Wallpaper Additions
Runner Up:
Coggins Wallcoverings
Best Home Specialty Store
Winner:
Southeastern Salvage Home Emporium
Runner Up:
Southern Custom Doors
Best Appliance Store
Winner:
Jeffers McGill Appliance and Furniture
Runner Up:
S&G Builder Appliance
Best Tile Store
Winner:
Palmetto Tile Distributors
Runner Up:
Tile Center, Inc.
Best Kitchen Specialty Store
Winner:
Capital Kitchen & Bath
Runner Up:
Gateway Supply
Best Bathroom Specialty Store
Winner:
Gateway Supply
Runner Up:
The Nest
Best Lighting Store
Winner:
Ferguson
Runner Up:
The Lite House
Best Gardening Store
Winner:
B. B. Barns
Runner Up:
Gardener’s Outpost
Best Fence Company
Winner:
Brabham Fence
Runner Up:
Ryan Brewer Fence
Best Swimming Pool Company
Winner:
The Clearwater Company
Runner Up:
Griffin Pools & Spa
RECREATION
Best Farmers Market
Winner:
Soda City Market
Runner Up:
S.C. State Farmers Market
Best Yoga
Winner:
Palmetto Yoga and Reiki Center
Runner Up:
barre3
Best Fitness Studio
Winner:
barre3
Runner Up:
Orangetheory Fitness
Best Wine and Paint Studio
Winner:
Mad Platter
Runner Up:
Studio Cellar
Best Golf Course
Winner:
Cobblestone Park Golf Club
Runner Up:
Spring Valley Country Club
Best Marina
Winner:
Lake Murray Marina
Runner Up:
Lighthouse Marina
Best Hotel
Winner:
Hotel Trundle
Runner Up:
The Graduate Columbia
SERVICE
Best Facial
Winner:
Urban Nirvana Salon & Day Spa
Runner Up:
Spa 131
Best Massage
Winner:
OCCO Luxury Spa
Runner Up:
Urban Nirvana Salon & Day Spa
Best Nail Salon
Winner:
The Nail barre
Runner Up:
Eva Skin Care
Best Hair Salon
Winner:
Salon 561
Runner Up:
Process Hair Salon
Best Spa
Winner:
OCCO Luxury Spa
Runner Up:
Spa 131
Best Counselor
Winner:
Jane Hemphill
Runner Up:
Jill Smith
Best Hospice
Winner:
Agape Care Group
Runner Up:
Heart of Hospice
Best Chiropractor
Winner:
Chiropractic Wellness Center / Shelly Jones
Runner Up:
Fields Chiropractic / Chapin Jennings
Best Florist
Winner:
Blossom Shop
Runner Up:
Cricket Newman Designs
Best Caterer
Winner:
Southern Way Catering
Runner Up:
Signature Catering
Best Event Planner
Winner:
Cricket Newman Designs
Runner Up:
By Invitation Only/Melanie Murphy
Best Wedding Planner
Winner:
By Invitation Only/Melanie Murphy
Runner Up:
Jessica Rourke Wedding Planning + Styling
Best Event Venue
Winner:
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
Runner Up:
Central Energy
Best Wedding Venue
Winner:
701 Whaley
Runner Up:
The Lace House
Best Conference Venue
Winner:
Central Energy
Runner Up:
Stone River
Best Pet Boarding
Winner:
Dog Daze
Runner Up:
Wescott Acres Luxury Pet Resort
Best Pet Grooming
Winner:
Carolina Paws Grooming Salon
Runner Up:
Mill Creek Grooming
Best Vet Clinic
Winner:
Dutch Fork Animal Hospital
Runner Up:
Four Paws Animal Clinic
Best Veterinarian
Winner:
Dr. Emily Johnson
Runner Up:
Dr. Tracy Wales
Best Animal Emergency Center
Winner:
CVETS
Runner Up:
SC Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care
Best Pet Specialty Clinic
Winner:
SC Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care
Runner Up:
CVETS
Best Animal Surgery Center
Winner:
Capital Animal Hospital
Runner Up:
CVETS
Best Dry Cleaner
Winner:
Tripp’s Fine Cleaners
Runner Up:
Lexington Dry Cleaning
Commercial Cleaning Service
Winner:
Palmetto Commercial Services
Runner Up:
Sincerely Yours, Inc.
Best Exterior Cleaning Service
Winner:
Trey Mathias
Runner Up:
Squeegee Clean
Best Carpet Cleaner
Winner:
Stanley Steemer
Runner Up:
Whitehall Carpet Cleaners
Best Chimney Sweep
Winner:
Top Hat Sweepers
Runner Up:
Clean Sweep Chimney Sweep
Best Heating/Air Service
Winner:
Cool Care Heating & Air
Runner Up:
Krantz Kooling & Heating
Best Pest Control
Winner:
Modern Exterminating
Runner Up:
Palmetto Exterminators
Best Mosquito Company
Winner:
Mosquito Squad
Runner Up:
Mosquito Joe
Best Hardscape Company
Winner:
Paradime Earthworks
Runner Up:
Hay Hill Services
Best Landscaping Company
Winner:
Hay Hill Services
Runner Up:
Blue Moon Landscaping
Best Lawn Maintenance Company
Winner:
Blue Moon Landscaping
Runner Up:
Michael Wayne’s Landscaping & Tree Service
Best Tree Service
Winner:
Sox & Freeman Tree Expert Company
Runner Up:
Palmetto Tree Service
Best Plumbing Company
Winner:
Superior Plumbing & Gas
Runner Up:
Meetze Plumbing
Best Outdoor Lighting
Winner:
Outdoor Lighting Perspectives
Runner Up:
Lightscapes of Columbia
Best Event Lighting
Winner:
Ambient Media
Runner Up:
Big Time Entertainment
Best Commercial Interior Designer
Winner:
Steven Ford / Steven Ford Interiors
Runner Up:
Veronica Russell / Veronica Russell Interiors
Best Residential Interior Designer
Winner:
Linda Burnside / LGB Interiors
Runner Up:
Meredith Hart / House of Birdie Interiors
Best Interior Design Showroom
Winner:
Verve
Runner Up:
The Houston House
Best Moving Company
Winner:
Two Men and a Truck
Runner Up:
Soda City Movers
Best Car Dealership
Winner:
Jim Hudson Automotive
Runner Up:
Jaguar/Land Rover Columbia
Best Pre-Owned Car Dealership
Winner:
Jim Hudson Automotive
Runner Up:
Dick Dyer
Best Auto Repair Company
Winner:
Midas Columbia
Runner Up:
Old School Automotive & Tires
Best Tire Store
Winner:
Old School Automotive & Tires
Runner Up:
Midas Columbia
Best Boat Dealer
Winner:
Mid-Carolina Marine
Runner Up:
Marine 360
Best Insurance Agent
Winner:
Gus Brabham / Brabham Griffin Insurance
Runner Up:
Anderson Bass / Lourie Life & Health
Best Insurance Agency
Winner:
Lourie Life & Health
Runner Up:
Turbeville Insurance Agency
Best Mortgage Bank
Winner:
AllSouth Federal Credit Union
Runner Up:
Guild Mortgage
Best Commercial Real Estate Agent
Winner:
Ben Kelly / NAI Columbia
Runner Up:
Peyton Bryant / Trinity Partners
Best Commercial Real Estate Agency
Winner:
Wilson Kibler
Runner Up:
NAI Columbia
Best Residential Real Estate Agent
Winner:
Jill Moylan / Home Advantage
Runner Up:
Bhavna Vasudeva / United Real Estate
Best Residential Real Estate Agency
Winner:
Home Advantage Realty
Runner Up:
The ART of Real Estate
Best Staffing Agency
Winner:
Roper Staffing
Runner Up:
AppleOne Employment Services
Best Travel Agency
Winner:
Forest Lake Travel
Runner Up:
Penyak Travel Company
MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT
Best Art Gallery
Winner:
City Art
Runner Up:
OTM Gallery
Best Art Studio
Winner:
Stormwater Studios
Runner Up:
The CLIMB
Best Museum
Winner:
South Carolina State Museum
Runner Up:
SC Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum
Best Live Music Venue
Winner:
Township Auditorium
Runner Up:
Koger Center for the Arts
Best Dance School
Winner:
Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet
Runner Up:
Columbia Ballet School
Best Dance Company
Winner:
Columbia City Ballet
Runner Up:
Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet
Best Performing Arts Company
Winner:
Columbia Classical Ballet
Runner Up:
Town Theatre
Best Live Theatre
Winner:
Koger Center for the Arts
Runner Up:
Town Theatre
Best Live Performance
Winner:
The Nutcracker / Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet
Runner Up:
Elton John / Colonial Life Arena
Best Radio Station
Winner:
WCOS 97.5
Runner Up:
The Big Redd Radio Show
Best Radio Personality
Winner:
Jonathon Rush / The Morning Rush
Runner Up:
Big Redd / The Big Redd Radio Show
Best TV Station
Winner:
WIS / NBC
Runner Up:
WLTX / CBS
Best TV News Anchor
Winner:
Dawndy Mercer Plank
Runner Up:
Judy Gatson
Best TV Sportscaster
Winner:
Rick Henry
Runner Up:
Mike Gillespie
Best TV Weatherperson
Winner:
Von Gaskin
Runner Up:
John Farley
Best Local Band
Winner:
Root Doctors
Runner Up:
Prettier Than Matt
