The downtown area of Columbia is near and dear to our heart, but sometimes its hustle and bustle can lead you to venture a little out of the heart of the city for things to do and places to eat + drink.
Enter: Forest Acres – only ~10 minutes from downtown.
We went to our readers and asked for their help in putting together a guide to Forest Acres, based on their recommendations. Here are the top answers.
But first, a few Forest Acres quick facts:
○ Home to 11,162 residents as of July 2019
○ Average household income is $104,896
○ Median home value is $238,286
○ 4.6 square miles in size
○ Zoned for Richland School District One schools
Where to Eat + Drink
Ally & Eloise Bakeshop | 5209 Forest Dr.
“...ally & eloise for the best macarons!”– @denae_pearson
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar | 4623 Forest Dr. | Menu
“We’ve started going to Bad Daddy’s Burgers. We can actually hear each other there.”– @pottsmarilyn
BLD Diner | 4840 Forest Dr. | Menu
“BLD!!!!😋🥂”– @jp_scurry
Bruegger’s Bagels | 4601 Forest Dr. | Menu
“Going to Bruegger’s Bagels is like walking in to Cheers. Friendliest people.”– Sam Agee
Pasta Fresca | 4722 Forest Dr. | Menu
“@pastafrescasc is a true gem! The food is wonderful, but the staff is even better. Excellent experience every time!”– @jamesrichter
Tacos Nayarit | 1531 Percival Rd. | Menu
“Best place to eat in forest acres is a Mexican taco place called Naryarit”– angelica quinn
Tazza Kitchen | 4840 Forest Dr. | Menu
“Tazza brioche rolls = life.”– @mkkorpita
The Other Store | 4130 Bethel Church Rd. | Menu
“The Other Store is a hidden gem in the heart of @FANeighbors with great lunch and soups.”– @MirandaLattimor
Tombo Grille | 4517 Forest Dr. | Menu
“Tombo for dinner- classic standards like chicken livers and collard greens and good variety in specials.”– Margaret Anne DuBose
Where to Shop
Anthropologie | 4840 Forest Dr.
“Anthropologie for clothes...mostly dreaming, but still good stuff.”– Amber G.
Granger Owings | 4840 Forest Dr.
“@grangerowings (Jimmy is the man!)”– @colesa87
“Lowes Foods for all my grocery needs! Their produce is always fresh and being able to drink a beer while you shop is a huge plus.” –Lauren D.
“@lululemon Trenholm Plaza! They have the BEST employees!”– @michelle_w_barnes
Trader Joe’s | 4516 Forest Dr.
“Trader Joe’s for reasonable & healthy food options & flowers”– @denae_pearson
Where to Play
Quinine Hill Park | Groggy Lane and N. Beltline Blvd.
“The hidden gem is at our busiest intersection (Forest & Beltline), yet tucked onto a hill above the traffic with a great view to the west. It’s Quinine Hill Park. It’s underutilized, and the best of what an urban pocket park can be.”– John Barnes
Where to Take Care of Yourself
Club Pilates | 4605 Forest Dr.
“My go to work out is @clubpilatesforestacres that I love so much.”– @colesa87
Eva Skin Care | 3924 Forest Dr.
“Before or after you eat, shop or exercise at all the great Forest Acres places already listed, treat yourself to some self-care love at Eva Skin Care Clinic, also home to Soda City Lashes, where Monika, Eva & her staff will take care of you from head to toe! Their services are amazing! @sodacitylashes @evaskincarecolumbia”– @jillibean_sc
To see the full list of all the recommendations we received, see our posts on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
