Food

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Food
Restaurant Roundup: New and coming-soon restaurants in Columbia
Dining in Columbia is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
February 24, 2026 11:29 AM
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David Stringer
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Small Business
Local love: COLAtoday’s guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.
February 12, 2026
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Laura Figi
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Events
First look: Columbia Food & Wine 2026
Columbia Food & Wine returns with chef-driven events across town, plus Tastemakers early ticket access and a new USC scholarship.
February 2, 2026
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David Stringer
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Sponsored
East Bay Deli is turning 25 — and the celebration is on
Join the community for family-friendly events, delicious food, and exclusive offers all year long.
Sponsored by
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Food
The Taste of Lake Murray returns
Tickets are on sale now for Taste of Lake Murray, supporting Lake Murray’s Independence Day fireworks.
January 26, 2026
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David Stringer
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Food

Wine and dine around Columbia for Restaurant Week South Carolina
Get your calendars out and start booking your reservations at these Midlands eateries offering special dishes, menus, and deals for a limited time during Restaurant Week South Carolina.
January 8, 2026
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David Stringer
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Events
12 New Year’s Eve events in Columbia to ring in 2026
Block parties, early ball drops, free games — whatever your vibe, there’s a Columbia-area New Year’s Eve for you.
December 16, 2025
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David Stringer
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Food
Columbia Food & Wine Festival adds new initiatives
Columbia Food & Wine Festival returns with new Tastemakers memberships and a USC hospitality scholarship added to its five-day lineup.
December 11, 2025
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David Stringer
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Business
Slip 53 to open in Five Points in spring 2026
Slip 53, a coastal-inspired oyster and seafood spot, will open in the former Pecknel Music Co. building.
December 2, 2025
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David Stringer
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Food
Where to pre-order your Thanksgiving dinner
Allergic to your stove? No problem — here’s where to go.
November 12, 2025
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David Stringer
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Food
Gather COLA set to open in December
Gather COLA officially opens Friday, Dec. 5 with a day long celebration that’s even bringing Santa out.
November 10, 2025
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Arts
Columbia arts leader Larry Hembree to receive Visionary Award
Columbia arts leader Larry Hembree will receive One Columbia’s 2026 Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award, honoring decades of cultural leadership.
March 10, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
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Fitness
Free fitness classes launch at Finlay Park
Nearly 200 free wellness classes — from yoga to Zumba — launch at Finlay Park starting Monday, March 16.
March 9, 2026
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New COLAtoday readers share their favorite restaurants
We asked new COLAtoday subscribers their favorite restaurant in the Columbia area. These 10 spots were mentioned the most.
March 5, 2026
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David Stringer
An acrobat in a metallic outfit shoots a bow and arrow with her feet as a crowd of basketball fans looks on.
Sports

Event Spotlight: ESPN’s College GameDay will broadcast live from Bon Secours Wellness Arena
It’s free to attend as the sports network spotlights Greenville and the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament.
March 5, 2026
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Danielle Johnson
NCAA WOMENS BASKETBALL: MAR 05 2023 Southeastern Conference Women’s Basketball Championship - Tennessee vs South Carolina
Sports
Gamecocks begin SEC Tournament run in Greenville
South Carolina opens the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament on Friday, March 6, in Greenville, with fan deals, downtown events, and the Gamecock Club headquarters.
March 4, 2026
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David Stringer
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Outdoors
5 spring plant sales to shop around Columbia
Presales are open and spring temps are rising — here’s where to stock up on natives, heirlooms, and blooms before they sell out.
March 3, 2026
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David Stringer
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Arts
Design & Shine fashion show heads to Camp Cole
Camp Cole collaboration brings inclusive fashion, local artists, and a sold-out runway show to Eastover.
March 2, 2026
Cottontown Art Crawl
Festivals
215 artists take over Cottontown’s front porches this Saturday
Cottontown’s front porches transform into an open-air gallery with art, live music, and food trucks on Saturday, March 7.
March 2, 2026
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David Stringer
Musicians on a stage in the daylight. The stage reads "ColaJazz Fest" and there are rows of seated people. The group on the right have lawn chairs while the people on the left sit at tables.
ColaJazz Fest heads to Finlay Park with international jazz talent
The free May 15–16 festival features Martin Bejerano, Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso, Endea Owens, and more at Finlay Park.
February 26, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
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Arts
Rodney McMillian returns for major CMA spring exhibition
Columbia-born artist Rodney McMillian debuts a wide-ranging solo exhibition at the Columbia Museum of Art this spring.
February 26, 2026
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David Stringer