Lizard’s Thicket biscuits pulled fresh out of the oven and ready to serve. | Photo by COLAtoday
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
Cafe Strudel | 300 State St., West Columbia | Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Sat., 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Sun., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Enjoy the hangover hashbrowns featured in Southern Living’s September, 2006 edition and a longtime local favorite.
The Flying Biscuit cafe caters both breakfast and lunch. | Photo by Mashburn Construction
For the family
Original Pancake House | 4840 Forest Dr., Columbia | Mon.-Fri., 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 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.
Weekend musts
Transmission Arcade | 1712 Main St., Columbia | Sun., 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | 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.
Daytime party
The Woody | 1649 Main St. Suite 100, Columbia | More than just Cola’s best dance club, The Woody serves a wicked brunch, often with a side of entertainment. Keep an eye on their calendar and try not to drool when you read the menu. We suggest the Crab Cakes and Grits.
Views from the top of Capstone. | Photo via USC
For a special occasion
Top of Carolina | Capstone House - 18th Floor, 900 Barnwell St., Columbia | Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Make your reservations ahead of time and choose from eight stations serving a variety of brunch items, all while getting soaring views of downtown Columbia.
Garden Asana Grass Roots Yoga | Thursday, March 28 | 8:15-9:15 a.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | $15 | This class is for everyone, is breath-centric, and in-person with opportunities for personal adjustments and alignment guidance.
Old Time True Crime: Appalachain Murder Ballads | Thursday, March 28 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | USCA in the Alley, 139 Newberry St. SW, Aiken | Free | This lecture series features a presentation from Dr. Amanda Warren on “Old Time True Crime: Appalachian Murder Ballads.”
Friday, March 29
The Night Shift at ReFind | Friday, March 29, Friday, April 26 | 6-9 p.m. | ReFind, 718 S. Edisto Ave, Columbia | Free | A monthly night market hosted at the new Re•Find location in the Rosewood neighborhood, featuring local goods, antiques, food, music, and more.
SHOWS, Alan Charmer, Rocco and his Bones | Friday, March 29 | 7-11 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 632 Harden St., Columbia | $10 | Local band SHOWS features members of Dear Blanca, Band of Horses, and more.
Saturday, March 30
Carolina Cup | Saturday, March 30 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Springdale Race Course, 302 Knights Hill Rd., Camden | $42+ | Head to Camden for the 89th running of The Carolina Cup Races — horse racing, tailgating, and more.
B.B. Barns Artisan Market | Saturday, March 30 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | B.B. Barns, 2840 Dreher Shoals Rd., Columbia | Price of purchase | Shop through a wide variety of plants and garden items on sale for spring.
March is the month of perks at the International African American Museum
History comes alive at the International African American Museum in downtown Charleston. | Photo by Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto
Ever wanted to explore the rich narratives behind African American history? At the International African American Museum in downtown Charleston, you’ll deep dive into a wealth of experiences you won’t find in textbooks.
The best part? Annual members get unlimited access for a year, exclusive event invites, and a 15% discount at the museum store and on additional tickets.
Bonus: March is Member Month, offering 10% off memberships with code IAAM24, plus member-only giveaways every Friday.
$895,000. That’s what this century-old, historic home at 1026 Gregg St. sold for. Listed on Feb. 22, the architectural gem, designed by Shand and Lafaye, was under contract in just two weeks. The five-bedroom house features six working fireplaces, marble kitchen countertops, and is part of the University Neighborhood Historic District. (The State)
Arts
“Taking Root: The ArtFields Collection,” showcasing winners from the regional ArtFields Competition, opens at 701 Center for Contemporary Art from 6-8 p.m. this evening. Featuring the work of three contemporary artists until Saturday, May 18, it sets the stage for next month’s ArtFields Festival in Lake City.
Plan Ahead
Tickets for the inaugural Southeastern BBQ Showdown at Segra Park are on sale now. The event features a wing competition, live music from Alabama, fireworks, and a BBQ contest judged by celebrities.
Learn
Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Bierkeller is launching a German Language Program this spring, offering basic conversation skills for diverse learners, including travelers to Germany and employees of German-owned companies. Classes will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting in late March or early April.
Kids
Discover summer fun at Richland County’s Summer Programs Unlocked event this evening from 6-7:30 p.m. in the County Administration Building, Room 4072. Explore youth programs filled with learning, sports, and community to heat up your child’s summer break.
Sports
Dawn Staley has been a rare pier of stability in the SEC. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Gamecocks with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Eat
Chefs — er, we mean Soda Citizens — we’ve prepared for you a new dish of Doctors’ Orders. Dine with us at Market on Main as Alvin Strasburger, MD shares his pick of plates from the one-stop shop for a quick bite to eat, a cocktail after work, or a leisurely dinner. Bon appétit.*
Therapy isn’t a luxury — it’s an essential tool for navigating life’s complexities. Invest in your wellbeing with 25% off your first month of BetterHelp.*
With so many brunch spots around the Midlands to highlight, we wanted to shine a light on a four newcomers to our list.
The Cock and Bull Pub, 326 South Edisto Ave., Columbia | Sunday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | The neighborhood bar and grill off Rosewood is now serving brunch and lunch.
The Hollow | 823 Gervais St. Unit 100, Columbia | Sat.-Sun. 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.
The Retreat | 83 Doe Run Ln., Ridgeway | Sun., 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.
O’Hara’s Bakery Café | 121 E Main St., Lexington | Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | A Bloody Mary and a Lemon Strawberry Muffin? Don’t mind if we do.
The Buy
Jenni Earle Bandanas. Try a new trend this spring with these bandanas – perfect to tie around your neck, hair, or handbag.
With so much grits and breakfast talk this week, I have to give a shout out to @gabriel_pryce_ + Rita’s (an American restaurant in London) for sharing an amazing post about Anson Mills here in Columbia.
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