Lazy Daisy Coffee Co.’s bright, plant-filled space is ready to welcome Forest Acres neighbors. | Photo by City Social | Interior of Lazy Daisy Coffee Co. with natural light, rattan chairs, white tables, and leafy plants by the windows.
Looking for the next new restaurant hitting Cola’s food scene? Check out these buzzy places to eat and drink in Columbia — plus, some spots coming soon. Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the culinary curve. And don’t forget to bookmark it.
May openings
Bibimbox + Kumo Kumo Café, 275 Park Terrace Drive, Suite #800
This two-in-one concept brings Korean comfort food and playful sweets to Harbison.
June openings
Granby Burger, 2100 Devine St., Columbia
This no-frills burger joint brings hand-pattied burgers with crowd-pleasers like the Mr. Knozit burger with pimento cheese.
Thai Delicacies, 1213 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia
Taking over the former Olde Country Buffet, this spot serves up an eclectic lineup of Thai and Burmese favorites.
Coastal Crust will anchor the new Lawn at BullStreet. | Rendering by 4240 Architecture
Coming soon
Coastal Crust, The Lawn at BullStreet District
The SC-based pizzeria chain will open in the revitalized Williams Building, the centerpiece of The Lawn — a new community plaza in BullStreet.
Morning Blend: A Jazz, Soul, and Coffee Series | 7:30-10:30 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | Free | Relax with jazz music, local coffee from Curiosity Coffee Bar, and vegan breakfast options from Drake’s Duck-in.
Comedy + Beer | 7-9 p.m. | Old Mill Brewpub, Lexington | $15 | Laugh along with rising comedians from the Southeast and get there early to order pre-show food.
Discover the State Library | 1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Discover SC’s natural beauty in this virtual webinar featuring digital and print resources on parks, trails, wildlife, and more.
Friday, June 27
Yoga on the Plaza | 8-9 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | Free | This class focuses on the shapes and general alignment of basic yoga poses along with variations of sun salutations.
Saturday, June 28
South Carolina Video Game & Pokémon Exchange | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Marketplace Vendor Mall, West Columbia | Free | Shop from vendors from all over SC that have everything from Pokémon, toys, plush, trading cards, video games, and more.
Burnsville is open and has things to do for all kinds of weekend getaways. | Photos provided by Explore Burnsville
Burnsville, NC is buzzing with new openings + Blue Ridge beauty as it rebounds from Hurricane Helene.
This cozy mountain town nestled at the foot of Mt. Mitchell (the highest peak east of the Mississippi) has an itinerary for every type of weekend away, from family fun to romantic escapes.
If we only had 48 hours in Burnsville, here’s how we’d spend it:
Friday
Check in at Nu Wray Hotel, a recently refreshed historic landmark originally built in the 1800s
Beat the heat with a froyo treat. Columbia’s first 16 Handles opens Saturday, June 28 in Trenholm Plaza with free frozen yogurt for the first 100 guests, half-price scoops till 5 p.m., and 25% off all weekend.
Festival
Tacos, tequila, and turnbuckles return to Segra Park Saturday, Oct. 4 for the Taco & Margarita Festival. Expect artisan tacos, live wrestling, music, and fun for the kids. Early bird tickets go on sale tomorrow.
Development
USC plans to replace McBryde dorm with two new residence halls, adding 1,036 student beds by 2028. The project includes a wing for the Honors College dorm and awaits city approval tomorrow. Demolition is scheduled for spring 2026. (The Post and Courier)
Pets
Say cheese, Lassie. The Paws for Preservation Calendar is back, pairing Columbia’s cutest pets with historic backdrops to support local preservation. Entries are due Friday, July 25, with a cover model contest closing Wednesday, July 9.
Cause
United Way of the Midlands’ “Ready, Set, Supply!” drive is back to equip 11 partner schools across five counties. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday, July 14–18 at 1818 Blanding St., or made online.
Community
The Salvation Army of the Midlands has been selected as a Lowe’s Hometowns project. The grant will transform its Columbia courtyard into a garden-based learning and wellness space for youth and case workers.
Try This
POV: You’re in a bind trying to fill an important role for your local biz. We can help. Post your job on COLAtoday Job Board and get connected to top local talent. Psst — it’s completely free.
Printer ink that’s shipped to your house when you’re running low (yes, it’s a thing). HP Instant Ink makes printing worry-free by delivering ink before you run out automatically. Save up to 50% compared to buying cartridges the old-fashioned way.*
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
If you’re hungry for a burger, this “Double Mo” from Mo’s Dairy Bar — snapped with Meta glasses — is getting attention on Reddit. One user claimed the cheese melt and bun shape were AI-generated. Internet drama aside, I need to find out if it tastes as good as it looks.
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