Hey Columbia. 👋 We don’t know about y’all but Lauren and I are seriously missing traveling this year. Fortunately, Columbia is a great place to experience the world through international cuisine – no airplane required.
So, we’ve compiled a list of the amazing international restaurants and markets in the Midlands, so you can add some global flavor to your palate. If you know of a place we missed, let us know.
Have you ever seen a recipe online that you really wanted to try, but the list of ingredients was so new + overwhelming that you just thought, “Let’s leave this to the professionals,” and ordered takeout instead?
Look no further than these local international markets to shop to help make those challenging recipes less daunting.
Bonus: You can often find inexpensive staples (like tortillas, spices, fruits + vegetables) at these markets, so they can complement your regular grocery haul. 🥬
Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions, some businesses may currently be closed or offering limited services. Check their websites or social media for possible changes.
Latin, Caribbean + South American
Grocery Markets
🌎 El Mariachi Supermercado | 1735 Decker Blvd.
🌎 Mercado Acapulco | 103 N 12th St., West Columbia
🌎 Tienda Latina Pasabien | 3254 Augusta Rd., West Columbia
Restaurants
🇲🇽 Cabana’s Restaurant & Bar | 1735 Decker Blvd.
🇲🇽 Casa Oaxaca | 2410 Augusta Rd., Suite H, West Columbia
🇧🇶 Caribbean Soul Grill | 901 Holland Ave., Cayce
🇲🇽 Coa Agaveria y Cocina | 823A Lady St.
🇲🇽 Coco and Beer | 4407 Ft. Jackson Blvd.
🇲🇽 Don Tequilas | 114 Afton Ct.
🇲🇽 El Salto | 1801 Decker Blvd.
🌎 Fusión Cocina Latina | 1945-6 Decker Blvd.
🇯🇲 Island Paradise | 4435 Hard Scrabble Rd., Ste. 101
🇲🇽 La Estrella | 1921 Airport Blvd., Cayce
🇵🇷 La Isla Bonita | 1701 Percival Rd.
🇧🇶 Legacy Caribbean Bar + Grill | 215 Oneil Ct.
🇲🇽 Moctezuma Taqueria | 506 Beltline Blvd.
🇲🇽 Real Mexico Restaurant Y Tienda | 2421 Bush River Rd.
🇯🇲 The Reggae Grill | 901 Holland Ave., Cayce
🇲🇽 Tacos Nayarit | 1531 Percival Rd.
🇲🇽 Taqueria Jalisco | 612 St. Andrews Rd., Ste. 110
🇻🇪 The Arepa Chef | Food Truck
🇧🇶 Tropical Breeze Bar and Grill | 1004 Zimalcrest Dr.
European
Grocery Markets
🌎 European Market | 163 Forum Dr. + 5483 Sunset Blvd., Lexington
Restaurants
United Kingdom
🇬🇧 The British Bulldog Pub | 1220 Bower Pkwy E-10
🇮🇪 O’Hara’s Public House | 131 E. Main St., Lexington
🇬🇧 The Cock N’ Bull Pub- Grille | 326 Edisto Ave.
Western Europe
🇫🇷 Black Rooster | 201 Meeting St., West Columbia
🇫🇷 Crepes and Croissants | 1465 Sumter St.
🇩🇪 Julia’s German Stammisch | 120 Sparkleberry Crossing Rd.
🇩🇪 The Wurst Wagen | Food Truck
Mediterranean
🇬🇷 Ariana’s Restaurant | 1720 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia
🌍 Boeshreen | 2630 Decker Blvd.
🌍 Grecian Gardens | 2312 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia
🇬🇷 Greek Boys | 1469 Sumter St.
🌍 Gervais and Vine | 620 Gervais St.
🌍 NoMa By Al Amir | 2431 Main St.
🇬🇷 Pita’s | 1800 Taylor St.
Southern Europe
🇮🇹 Al’s Upstairs | 200 Meeting St., West Columbia
🇮🇹 DeLucca’s Italian Grill | 1720 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia
🇮🇹 Enzo’s | 2002 Greene St., Suite H
🇮🇹 Il Focolare | 2150 Sumter St.
🇮🇹 II Giorgione | 2406 Devine St.
🇮🇹 Nick’s House of Pizza | 1082-A Sunset Blvd., West Columbia
🇮🇹 Travinia Italian Kitchen | 101 Sparkleberry Crossing Rd. + 5074 Sunset Blvd., Lexington
🇮🇹 Villa Tronco | 1213 Blanding St.
African
Grocery Markets
🌍 Fakord International | 7366 Two Notch Rd.
🌍 Oriental International Market | 2205 Decker Blvd.
🌍 Richway International | 5210 Two Notch Rd.
Restaurants
🌍 Asanka Kitchen | 10203 Two Notch Rd.
🇳🇬 Good Things Nigerian Cuisine | 200 E. Hampton Way
🇪🇹 Harambe Ethipian Restaurant | 2006 Senate St.
🇳🇬 LagosKitchen | Meal Delivery
Middle Eastern
Grocery Markets
🌏 Halal International | 1601 Broad River Rd.
Restaurants
🇱🇧 Arabesque on Devine | 2930 Devine St.
🌏 Mediterranean Tea Room | 2601 Devine St.
🌏 Sahara on Main | 629 Main St.
Asian
Grocery Markets
🌏 Asian Market | 1221 Bakersfield Rd.
🌏 Golden Asia Grocery Store | 1505 Charleston Hwy. B-3, West Columbia
🇮🇳 Spiceland Indian Groceries | 127 Dreher Rd., West Columbia
🌏 Hyundai Oriental Grocery & Gift | 1807 Decker Blvd.
Restaurants
🇮🇳 2 Gingers | 245 Bush River Rd.
🇰🇷 929 Kitchen and Bar | 929 Gervais St.
🇰🇷 Arirang Korean Restaurant | 1943 Decker Blvd., Suite C
🇹🇭 Bodhi Thai | 126 E. Main St., Lexington
🇯🇵 Camon Japanese Restaurant | 1332 Assembly St.
🇨🇳 China Kitchen | 2419 Forest Dr. + 8602 A Farrow Rd.
🇮🇳 Delhi Palace | 542 St. Andrews Rd.
🇹🇭 Duke’s Pad Thai | 904 Knox Abbott Dr., Cayce
🇯🇵 Hibachi House | 937 Main St.
🇯🇵 Inakaya | 655 St. Andrews Rd. + 224 Oneil Ct., Suite 9
🇹🇭 Kao Thai Cuisine | 1001 Senate St.
🇹🇭 Mai Thai Cuisine | 2249 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia
🇯🇵 Menkoi Ramen House | 1004 Gervais St.
🇰🇷 O-Bok | 1616 Decker Blvd.
🇮🇳 Persis Indian Grill | 245 Bush River Rd.
🇻🇳 Pho Viet | 9308 Two Notch Rd. + 2011 Devine St.
🇯🇵 SakiTumi Grill & Sushi Bar | 807 Gervais St.
🇮🇳 Shalimar Curry House | 631 Main St.
🇨🇳 The Eggroll Station | 135 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia
Still not sure how you feel about trying these spots? Check out Chloe’s review of her international food tour on Decker Blvd.
