Restaurants in Columbia,SC

[Kerri]

I am traveling to a wedding in Columbia, SC in a couple of weeks and wanted to try to find some good restaurants to eat at while we are there. We will be staying in the historical district and are looking for a good lunch spot in particular to meet up with friends. My DH and I are from SC, but either spend our time in the low country or the upstate. This will be my first time actually in Columbia, and not just passing through it. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Beth H]

When you say historic district, I assume you mean you're staying in the Vista, which is a neat area of restored warehoues, etc. (Don't expect Charleston, though! :)). In that area, Motor Supply Company is one of my favorite restaurants - really inventive, creative food. Their menu changes daily. I *think* they're open for lunch on Saturday - they definitely are during the week. Also in the Vista are Blue Marlin (seafood) and a great dessert place called Nonnah's. I also love Gervais and Vine, which is a wine bar/tapas place - great appetizers/spreads if you want a bite/glass of wine before the wedding.

Other areas: Devine Street has a lot of cute shops and restaurants. I like Za's pizza (wood-oven fired stuff, good food) and the Mediterranean Tea Room (middle-eastern food, very casual).

Edited to add: Motor Supply is open for lunch on Saturday. (and brunch on Sunday)

[Kerri]

Thank you so much! I knew there was someone from Columbia on this board. For some reason I think we are staying on Devine, but I could be wrong.

[Beth H]

If you're staying on Devine Street, you're probably staying at the Whitney Hotel (which is nice). If you're at that hotel, you're across from a cute and good Greek restaurant (although not fancy) called Devine Foods and are right across the street from another fun little burrito/Mexican place. You're also w/n walking distance of Za's (mentioned above) and several other places. It's a good location.