Best of Carolina
Best Local Coffee Shop: Cool Beans Coffee Co.
Ever want to feel like you are in the show “Friends?” Cool Beans is the hangout spot for you!
Best Breakfast/Brunch: The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli
What looks to be a little house on Devine Street is actually home to some of the best cinnamon rolls in South Carolina!
Best Consignment Shop: Sid & Nancy
Sid & Nancy, downtown Columbia’s only buy-sell-trade store since 2007, is the perfect place to shop. With high-quality clothing, jewelry, shoes and more, there is something everyone will enjoy!
Best Consignment Shop: Goodwill
Goodwill Industries is a nationally and globally recognized consignment shop.
Best Gamecock Gear: Barefoot Campus Outfitters
Barefoot Campus Outfitter is the place to go for anything UofSC-related. They have T-shirts, hats, stickers, jewelry, masks and just about anything else you can think of.
Best Clothing Store: Messie's Closet
No matter what you purchase from Messie’s Closet, you can rest assured that you look amazing, it was a great price and that you’re supporting a Columbia business owner!
Best Clothing Store: Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters is a retailer known for their unique products, creativity and trendy pieces. While routinely updating their collections and holding on to their staple pieces, Urban Outfitters is the place to go to find the perfect outfit.
Best Bookstore: UofSC Barnes and Noble Bookstore
Located in Russell House, the UofSC Bookstore has everything you could want, from water bottles and dog collars, to “UofSC Parent” stickers and textbooks.
Best Grocery Store: Trader Joes
Read about the Trader Joes highlights and my personal favorites!
Best Soda City Vendor: Mary's Arepas
Mary’s Arepas is a popular Latin American vendor present at Soda City Market on Saturdays.
Best Soda City Vendor: The Belgian Waffle Truck
If you find yourself at Soda City on a Saturday morning take a quick trip to Liege, Belgium, by stopping by the Belgian Waffle Truck — guaranteed to satisfy your cravings!
Best Pizza: Village Idiot Pizza
Craving Pizza? Don’t be an idiot, go to Village Idiot!
Best Local Musician: Mia Green
Mia Green, a third-year student at the University of South Carolina, has been singing since she was little — simply singing along with friends for hours to a Wii game. This simple fun turned into a passion for Green, and she is now a well-known performer across Columbia and UofSC.
Best Local Musician: Hootie and the Blowfish
Hootie and the Blowfish have certainly not forgotten the people of Columbia and the people of Columbia have not forgotten them after voting them best local musician again for 2021!
Best Vista Bar: Tin Roof
With Tin Roof’s notable specials and enjoyable atmosphere for all, it’s no surprise they were voted the 2021 best Vista bar!
Best Place for Trivia: Village Idiot Pizza
Every Wednesday at 8 p.m., Village Idiot holds a trivia night — the perfect opportunity to show off those random trivia facts you’ve picked up over the years and to have some friendly competition with your friends!
Best Place to Buy Fresh Produce: Soda City Market
Produce stands at the Soda City Market will definitely change the way you look at the sad bagged broccoli at the grocery store!
Best Local Festival: Soda City Market
Soda City happens every single Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, and stretches down Main Street.
Best Place for Fresh Air: The Cayce/West Columbia Riverwalk
Some days a walk was all that was saving my sanity, one of the main things I looked forward to. I looked away from my screens, took in what was around me and breathed in the fresh air.
Best Place for Fresh Air: The Horseshoe
On any given day, you can expect to see students enjoying the fresh air and the beautiful scenery on the Horseshoe. It's the perfect place to have a picnic or study session with friends, no matter the time of year. If you own a hammock, there are plenty of trees to hang around in. Another plus: there are always dogs!
Editor's Picks
Best Auto Repair: Broad River Auto Repair
Best Late Night Eats: Eddie's Calzones
Best Lunch: Big Bull's Bangin' BBQ
Best Consignment Shop: Sid & Nancy
Best Clothing Store: Messie's Closet
Best Soda City Vendor: Mary's Arepas
Best Local Musician: Mia Green
Best Place for Fresh Air: The Cayce/West Columbia Riverwalk
Best On-Campus Eats: Colloquium Cafe