Brunchin’ ain’t always easy but it is necessary. Whether you’re on the hunt for fluffy eggs, fried chicken and waffles, or mind-blowing bloody marys at The Woody, the options can get as overwhelming as the lines at times.
Luckily, you have us to scout things out. With help from our readers, we’ve compiled a whole bunch of brunch options, along with menu recs, pro tips, and an interactive map to track ‘em. Plan your weekend and pour those mimosas. Note: All times listed are brunch-only.
Weekday wonders
Breakfast at Ruiz | Daily, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | The shrimp and grits dish is made with local Palmetto Farms grits, pan-seared shrimp, white wine garlic cream sauce, smoked Gouda cheese, and scallions, making it a go-to favorite.
Crêpes & Croissants | Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Choose between making your crêpe sweet or savory. Pro tip — take a friend and split so you can have a little bit of both.
Cafe Strudel | Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Enjoy the hangover hashbrowns featured in Southern Living’s September 2006 edition.
Creekside Restaurant | Monday-Saturday, 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Dig in toomestyle breakfast staples like pancakes, omelets, and biscuits served in a casual atmosphere.
The Gourmet Shop | Daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Snag a breakfast panini on grilled ciabatta or keep it quick with a chocolate croissant from the pastry counter.
The Toasty Hot Spot | Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Indulge in smothered biscuits with shrimp or sausage.
Rambo’s Fat Cat Biscuits | Tuesday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. | You can’t go wrong ordering the Blue Corn Grits with Chipotle Pimento Cheese or the Cheesy Hashbrown Bake.
Sandwich Depot | Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Order the Western breakfast wrap, made with ham, onion, green pepper, scrambled egg, provolone cheese + Hollandaise sauce on a white wrap.
For the family
Another Broken Egg Cafe | Daily, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. | Check out the lineup of unique brunch cocktails, like the cranberry cocktail mimosa and pumpkin spiced cold brew.
First Watch | Daily, 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Order a Tropical Sunshine to drink and sit back and enjoy your family time as you wait for your Hacienda Hash.
Flying Biscuit Cafe | Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-3p.m. | Order something off of its Fantastic Favorites menu — we recommend the Egg-stravaganza dish.
Original Pancake House | Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m-3 p.m. | Do we really need to give you a recommendation for the Original Pancake House? Order the Apple Pancake — made with fresh Granny Smith apples and premium Saigon cinnamon glaze.
Ruby Sunshine | Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Weekends, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Whether you’re craving sweet or savory, Ruby Sunshine has you covered. Start out with the seasonal beignets, order a mimosa flight, and choose between the Eggs Blackstone “The O.G.” or the Migas.
Weekend musts
Di Prato’s Delicatessen | Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Indulge in classics like fresh chocolate chip pancakes or try something new like the Eggs Charleston – a twist on Eggs Benedict with crab cakes.
Henry’s Restaurant and Bar | Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Get the Breakfast Chonga which comes with pimento cheese and jalapeno.
Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles | Monday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. | If you’re not really a chicken and waffles kinda person, the Kiki’s Soul Food Plate is a great substitute. It wasn’t James Beard award nominated for nothin’.
Publico at BullStreet | Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | We recommend the Plantain Pancakes, made with fluffy Tres Leches pancakes with plantains and syrup — served with a side of bacon. Pro tip: Don’t forget about the $5 brunch libations.
Publico Kitchen and Tap | Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | It doesn’t get better than churro french toast.
Tazza Kitchen | Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Who says you can’t have pizza for brunch?
Transmission Arcade | Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Enjoy freshly made entrees and shareables with a side of classic arcade games. We’re big fans of the Resting Steak Face biscuit with smoked ribeye and fried banana peppers.
Tupelo Honey | Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m.-11 a.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. | Start with fried green tomatoes before moving on to signature dishes like mac-n-cheese waffles with Asheville hot fried chicken.
The War Mouth |Tuesday-Saturday,1:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | The War Mouth busts out fresh biscuits for its brunch menu. Pro tip: Try the fried chicken biscuit with the housemade pimento cheese.
Daytime party
Chayz Lounge | Sunday, 12-3 p.m. | Columbia’s premiere jazz spot serves a Sunday meal with all of your brunch favorite items.
The Cock and Bull Pub | Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | The neighborhood bar and grill off Rosewood is now serving brunch and lunch. Get your day started off hot with the Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich or stay traditional with the French Toast.
The Grand | Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Don’t miss out on the mimosa flight which includes flavors like blackberry spice, blueberry, and peach.
Tin Roof | Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Chicken and Donuts are the star of the show, but you can’t go wrong with the Chonky Donkey burrito with steak and tots wrapped in a tortilla.
Savage Craft Ale Works | Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Brunch and brew with a spicy chicken biscuit or chorizo hash.
The Woody | Saturday + Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | More than just Cola’s best dance club, The Woody serves a wicked brunch, often with a side of entertainment. Keep an eye on its calendar and try not to drool when you read the menu. We suggest the Crab Cakes and Grits.
Za’s | Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Split a mimosa bucket and a breakfast pizza with your brunch buddies.
Try a little bit of everything at The Hollow. | Photo via thebearydeliciousduo + Columbia Foodies
For a special occasion
Blue Fin | Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Enjoy upscale food service with a laid-back atmosphere.
Hall’s Chophouse | Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Get fancy with french toast made with lavender-scented brioche or a filet mignon — or both.
The Hollow | Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. | Start with the deviled duck eggs and move on to the Beast Burger made with a mix of boar, bison, and elk. Pro tip: try a variety of items when you order the Breakfast Tier.
Il Giorgione | Saturday, 11-2 p.m. | Pasta goes great with an egg. Try the patate alla carbonara.
Motor Supply Co. Bistro | Saturday, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Share a house-smoked salmon board or hoard the shrimp and grits made with Beaufort-caught shrimp and Adluh grits.
The Retreat | Sunday, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. | This family restaurant on Lake Wateree serves a special brunch every Sunday. Try the Redneck Benedict with pimento cheese and sausage gravy or the Day Boat Shrimp and Grits with Anson Mills grits.
Smoked | Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Have the Proper Southern Breakfast, made with eggs, bacon, grits, and buttermilk biscuits.
Top of Carolina | Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Make reservations in advance and enjoy eight stations of brunch offerings with soaring views of downtown Columbia.
Quick and easy
Bubba’s Biscuits | Friday-Sunday, 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | If you’re more of a lunch bruncher, order The Boss — Bubba’s Biscuits’ take on a Philly Cheese Steak served over a biscuit.
Lizard’s Thicket | Various locations | The Midlands breakfast, lunch, and dinner staple is as reliable as the sun coming up each day. Have you ever ordered a Carolina Wrap? It’s a simple Southern delicacy made of white bread, yellow mustard, and sausage.
Great outdoors
Hampton Street Vineyard | Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | If you’ve never had a niçoise salad for brunch, now is your chance.
Market on Main | Tuesday-Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Thursday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. | Elevate your brunch with a wagyu burger made with yuzu mayo and togarashi vinaigrette.
Poogan’s Southern Kitchen | Served daily until 3 p.m. | Poogan’s serves up delectable Southern staples like fried catfish nibbles, biscuits and gravy, and country fried steak.
Steel Hands Brewing | Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Each brunch menu item has a suggested beer pairing. How does a half pound of Cajun fried shrimp with a juicy hazy IPA sound?
Tavern on 6 | Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Start by ordering the Deviled Eggs of the Week and then branch out by ordering the benedict burger, the house-made biscuits and gravy, or the Adluh Grits bowl.
Pastry paradises
The Hideout in WECO | Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | If you’re in a hurry, grab your avocado toast from the counter or eat some macarons on the patio.
The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli | Wednesday-Sunday, 7 a.m.- 2 p.m. | Grab a cinnamon roll—or a dozen mini ones. We won’t stop you.
smallSUGAR | Daily, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | We love the Shakshouka-ish dish — made with marinated eggplant + soft-boiled egg, paired with an herb salad.
DIY brunch
Prefer to stay in? Host your own brunch with crowd-pleasing spreads + supplies good enough for a chef.
- Yellow French press | Bring some cheer to brunch + make coffee for a group with a sunny 34 fl oz. French press.
- 3-tier wood serving tray | Arrange pastries, sandwiches, or treats on a stunning three-tier display that will be the centerpiece of your table.
- Fancy espresso cups | Upgrade your mugs with some orange glazed ceramic cups.
- Fried egg spoon rest | A cute kitchen addition that screams “brunch.”
- 24-piece black silverware set | A highly-rated silverware set in a sleek, stylish black finish.
- Elite Gourmet four-slice toaster | Make toast for a crowd with this best-selling toaster.
- Clear drinking glasses with bamboo lids | Iced coffee can now be served at your brunch, thanks to cute and convenient drinking glasses.
