Your votes are in. Congratulations to all of the COLAtoday’s Best nominees. We’re excited to announce our roundup of local winners who truly shine and make Columbia a better place to live.
From high-level dining experiences and accommodations to places to unwind and relax, here are your top choices in each of our categories.
Psst — Scroll to the bottom of this article for a map view.
Food & Beverage
Breweries + Distilleries
Your locally crafted haven of small-batch spirits with a focus on quality and community roots.
🏆 First place: Savage Craft Ale Works | A specialty beer menu, delicious chicken sandwiches, and outside, kid-friendly tables make this a No. 1 brewery in Soda City.
🥈 Runner Up: Steel Hands Brewing
Honoree: Bierkeller Brewing Company
Brunch
Your favorite place for a mid-morning weekend indulgence.
🏆 First place: Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar | This brunch favorite serves up classic Southern dishes with friendly service in a warm atmosphere.
🥈 Runner Up: Cafe Strudel West Columbia
Honoree: The Original Pancake House
Coffee Shop
Your go-to spot for the perfect latte, cold brew, or tea.
🏆 First place: Piecewise Coffee Co. - Columbia | Savor an espresso drink or spread out to work at this local favorite for coffee.
🥈 Runner Up: Loveland Coffee
Honoree: Curiosity Coffee Bar
Fine Dining
A place to savor exquisite dishes where every detail is designed to impress.
🏆 First place: Saluda’s Restaurant | You’ll find everything that’s elegant at Saluda’s, from the white linen tablecloths to the lobster mac and cheese.
🥈 Runner Up: Motor Supply Company Bistro
Honoree: Il Giorgione
Food Trucks
Your fave mobile food businesses offering diverse, convenient, and freshly prepared meals.
🏆 First place: Los Chicanos Food Truck | Our mouths start watering when we spot this family-run food truck serving up tacos, nachos, and quesadillas.
🥈 Runner Up: Kona Ice of Sumter/West Columbia
Honoree: La Cochinita Mexican
Happy Hour
Your relaxing choice for the best deals on drinks and appetizers.
🏆 First place: Cantina 76 | Indulge in $5 house margaritas and different specials every week night at this local favorite for happy hour drinks and bites.
🥈 Runner Up: Goat’s
Honoree: The War Mouth
Ice Cream + Desserts
A sweet spot for all ages, dishing out locally inspired ice cream made with fresh ingredients.
🏆 First place: Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream | Handel’s has been making ice cream since 1945 — it’s always worth stopping in for a fresh waffle cone.
🥈 Runner Up: Sweet Cream Co.
Honoree: IceCream Taco
Lunch Spot
Your midday choice for a good sandwich, soup, or salad for a quick light bite.
🏆 First place: The Gourmet Shop | This cute and cozy market offers lunch daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., making it the perfect grocery + snack run in one.
🥈 Runner Up: Groucho’s Deli
Honoree: No Name Deli
Outdoor Dining
The best rooftops and patios for enjoying a meal while soaking up the sun.
🏆 First place: Market On Main | Sprawling outdoor seating right on Main street makes this spot a favorite for outdoor dining — not to mention truffle fries.
🥈 Runner Up: Publico at BullStreet
Honoree: Hendrix
Sports Bar
Where you head to for the next sports game, a wide menu of drinks, and game-day cravings.
🏆 First place: Home Team BBQ | Soda Citizens prefer to pair our game watching with a tray of barbecue, making Home Team BBQ a No. 1 sports bar.
🥈 Runner Up: Carolina Ale House
Honoree: Publico at BullStreet
Tap Rooms
A spot guaranteed to deliver a delicious, locally crafted beer.
🏆 First place: WECO Bottle and Biergarten | With a large beer selection, knowledgeable bartenders, and plenty of food trucks, this biergarten earns its spot as No. 1 tap room.
🥈 Runner Up: Craft And Draft
Honoree: Old Mill Brewpub
Winery or Wine Bar
Your spot to enjoy crafted wine, offering a taste of the area’s unique flavors and traditions.
🏆 First place: Lula Drake Wine Parlour | This James Beard Award winner delivers on atmosphere, cocktails, and small plates.
🥈 Runner Up: The Vino Garage
Honoree: Hampton Street Vineyard
Community
Apartment Complex
Apartment complexes with features, designs, and amenities that make you feel at home.
🏆 First place: Sola Station Canalside Apartments | Studios to three-bedrooms are offered at this modern build along the Columbia Canal.
🥈 Runner Up: Granby Crossing
Honoree: Devine District
Coworking Location
The best place in town to be productive and collaborate.
🏆 First place: SOCO | Leave your dreary bedroom desk behind and get inspired working at SOCO, offering flexible workspace, dedicated desks, and private offices.
🥈 Runner Up: Venture X
Honoree: Boyd Innovation Center
Dentist
Helping you smile brighter with gentle care and expert treatment.
🏆 First place: 32 Dental | Your smile is in good hands at this dedicated dental practice offering cleanings, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontic treatment.
🥈 Runner Up: Forest Acres Dentistry
Honoree: Diamond Dental Studio of Forest Acres Columbia
Gym + Fitness Center
Your favorite place to pump iron and get a sweat in.
🏆 First place: Jeep Rogers Family YMCA | Group classes, pickleball courts, and a basketball gym make this YMCA a local favorite.
🥈 Runner Up: Downtown YMCA
Honoree: EQ Fitness and Physical Therapy
Home Service Provider
Your go-to for carpentry, flooring, and all things home improvement + repair.
🏆 First place: H.P Construction & Realty | This trusted family-owned company can take your remodel or new build from concept to completion, for residential and commercial projects alike.
🥈 Runner Up: ProLift Garage Doors of Lake Murray
Honoree: Ace Glass Co
Local Influencer + Celebrity
Your passionate leaders and trendsetters who are driving community awareness.
🏆 First place: Jemia Williams | Fellow Soda Citizen readers always bookmark Jemia Williams’ next silent book club date — there’s no one else you’d rather quietly read next to.
🥈 Runner Up: Dawndy Mercer Plank
Honoree: Hotel Trundle
Local Nonprofit
Local organizations going above and beyond to fuel positive community impact.
🏆 First place: Pawmetto Lifeline | Our area’s animals wouldn’t be as cared for without this non-profit’s mission to help healthy, adoptable pets find a home.
🥈 Runner Up: United Way of the Midlands
Honoree: Oliver Gospel
Medical Center
Facilities offering a range of healthcare services, including diagnostics and specialized care.
🏆 First place: Lexington Medical Center - Main Campus | Compassionate care and quick, comprehensive medicine characterize your No. 1 choice of local medical centers.
🥈 Runner Up: Vista Vision
Honoree: Roots Integrative Medicine
Photographer
High-level creatives who knock how to capture compelling images through artistic vision.
🏆 First place: Sean Rayford | With work featured in publications including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, every Sean Rayford photograph documents a different story of South Carolina.
🥈 Runner Up: Jeff Blake Photography
Honoree: ShotsbyGrace
Real Estate Agent + Group
Nominate the real estate agent or group that helped secure your dream home.
🏆 First place: Casey Sharpe - Golden Gate Mortgage | Golden Gate Mortgage’s loan process makes buying a home stress-free — turn to Loan Officer Casey Sharpe to answer all of your mortgage questions.
🥈 Runner Up: The ART of Real Estate
Honoree: Zach Kirby - NextHome Specialists
Spas + Salons
The best option for hair care or a spa-day to unwind and treat yourself.
🏆 First place: Rest & Replenish Bodywork | This local spa’s massages go the extra mile, providing an unforgettable, comprehensive healing experience.
🥈 Runner Up: Wax Therapy Brazilian and Body Waxing
Honoree: Urban Nirvana Spa & Salon - Columbia
Sports Medicine
Expert care for athletes of all levels—helping you recover, perform, and stay in the game.
🏆 First place: Carolina Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine | A welcoming environment and expert physcial therapists make this spot your No. 1 sports medicine pick.
🥈 Runner Up: Forged Physical Therapy
Honoree: Jeffrey Alan Guy, MD
Veterinary Clinics
Where pets are treated like family—offering gentle, comprehensive care for your furry pals.
🏆 First place: CVETS - Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty | Your pets are in good hands at this specialty clinic offering 24-hour emergency services.
🥈 Runner Up: Four Paws Animal Clinic
Honoree: Shandon-Wood Animal Clinic
Entertainment & Retail
Arts + Craft Store
From projects to crafts, find everything you need to create and make memories together.
🏆 First place: If it’s Paper! | Rainbow-fied party supplies await around every corner at this one-stop paper product shop.
🥈 Runner Up: City Art Art Supplies
Honoree: New Brookland Railroad & Hobby
Bookstore
Your curated selection of literature, cozy reading nooks, and a community for curious minds.
🏆 First place: All Good Books | Grab your new favorite paperback, sip on coffe and wine, or attend a community literary event at this iconic local destination.
🥈 Runner Up: The Book Dispensary
Honoree: Ed’s Editions
Golf Course
A little birdie told us that this is your favorite golf course.
🏆 First place: Cobblestone Golf Club | The natural beauty of this 27-hole course makes it a favorite for local golf lovers.
🥈 Runner Up: Charwood
Honoree: The Spur at Northwoods
Museum
The places to explore history, culture, art, and science through curated exhibits.
🏆 First place: South Carolina State Museum | The history of South Carolina comes alive at this downtown museum with interactive displays including a planetarium.
🥈 Runner Up: Columbia Museum of Art
Honoree: EdVenture
Music Venue
A vibrant hub for live performances showcasing local and touring artists.
🏆 First place: Township Auditorium | The shows began in 1930, and they haven’t stopped dazzling the community since.
🥈 Runner Up: Koger Center for the Arts
Honoree: The Senate
Party Venue
A dedicated space designed for hosting celebrations, events, and gatherings.
🏆 First place: 701 Whaley | Expansive ballrooms, stunning windows, and historic features make this spot the perfect backdrop for your wedding or event.
🥈 Runner Up: The Exquisite Pour
Honoree: EdVenture
Pet-Friendly Venue
Your favorite place to eat, drink, play, or stay with your furry friend.
🏆 First place: Soda City Market | Saturday mornings wouldn’t be the same without Soda City Market — and browsing stands and vendors is most fun with your dog in tow.
🥈 Runner Up: Jake’s
Honoree: Publico
Theater + Performance Venue
Your venue of choice for live artistic performances and award-winning shows.
🏆 First place: Koger Center for the Arts | Ballet, Broadway, and orchestras find a home at University of South Carolina’s performing arts center.
🥈 Runner Up: Trustus Theatre
Honoree: Town Theatre
Vintage + Resale Shops
Where to shop sustainably and stylishly with handpicked pieces that celebrate the past.
🏆 First place: REFIND | Incredible home decor and furniture are waiting to be found at this favorite local vintage store.
🥈 Runner Up: Once Upon A Child
Honoree: Sid and Nancy
