10 Places in Columbia to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Taylor Carroll ‘19
If you’re like me, your sweet tooth has a mind of its own, but luckily Columbia has just the right places to satisfy that little bugger. From ice cream to cookies to cupcakes and more, here is the comprehensive Soda City dessert guide you didn’t know you needed until now. You know what they always say: Treat yo self!
1. Carolina Creamery | 1400 Greene Street
Located on the first floor of Russell House, the Carolina Creamery is the go-to on-campus sweet stop. Pick from hand-dipped, homemade ice cream, locally sourced from Wholly Cow in Charleston, SC. Open until 2 a.m. so you can satisfy that late-night craving after a rigorous study session at Thomas Cooper Library.
2. Cinnamon Roll Deli | 2617 Devine Street
Featured on the Food Network, Buzzfeed and People magazine, Cinnamon Roll Deli does not mess around when it comes to sweets. This cozy breakfast nook is nationally known for their CinnaMonster, a 12-pound cinnamon roll cake the size of a manhole cover enjoyed by cinnamon roll enthusiasts from all over. Some of their other well-known flavors include Coconut Cream, Wildberry Graham Cracker Crumble and Black Pepper Bacon Maple Glaze for those feeling adventurous!
3. Pelican’s Snoballs | 1912 Rosewood Drive
The best way to beat the summer heat is with Pelican’s Snoballs, Cola’s favorite colorful shaved ice. You have to try the Shark Attack, consisting of Sour Tsunami and Tiger’s Blood with a shark gummy on top. Mix and match with over 100 different flavors for a unique combo every time!
4. Sweet Cream Company | 1627 Main Street
You’ve had ice cream before, but not like this. Sweet Cream Co. on Main knows how to knock your socks off with their unique and one-of-a-kind ice cream flavors hand-made on location just for you! Be bold and try Madagascar Vanilla, Honey Sunflower with Micros and Seeds or Chamomile with Honeycomb.
5. Baked Bear | 631 Harden Street
Can’t decide between ice cream or cookies? Get the best of both worlds at Baked Bear! The little shop located in Five Points lets you build your own ice cream sandwich wedged between two cookies and covered in toppings of your choice. It’s so good it will make you question why you ever chose between the two desserts in the first place.
6. Cupcake DownSouth | 1213 Lincoln Street
With more than 50 homemade recipes baked fresh every day it’s no wonder why Cupcake DownSouth was voted best cupcakes in South Carolina! Go with The Standard, a fresh vanilla cake topped with chocolate buttercream icing, or if that isn’t enough chocolate you can amp it up a notch with Death by Chocolate, a rich dark chocolate cake with chocolate chips baked in and topped with chocolate buttercream icing dipped in chocolate ganache.
7. Scoopy Doo Gelato | 725 Saluda Avenue
If you love gelato and sorbet you will not want to miss out on Scoopy Doo. With over a half a dozen constantly changing flavors at any given time, this shop is the definition of funky fresh! My personal favorite is the Cranberry, Orange & Ginger sorbet, a homemade, family recipe perfect for enjoying on a hot summer day.
8. Blue Flour Bakery | 1210 Main Street
Not your grandmother’s oatmeal raisin cookie… it’s even better. Blue Flour Bakery sits on Main St. directly across from the State House serving a variety of delicious treats to the people of Soda City. Must-trys: Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie, Lemon Honey Ginger Cookie and the Toffee Bar.
9. Kaminsky’s | 930 Gervais Street
Kaminsky’s is hands down the BEST in Columbia. From Coconut Cream Pie to Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake to Snickerdoodle Cake, you’ll be sorry if you don’t check it out for yourself. With a rotating selection of desserts, the only disappointing thing is that you won’t have room to try them all. We promise you’ll already be planning your next visit before you’ve even left.
10. The Peanut Man Candy and Nut Company | 1215 Lincoln Street
The Peanut Man will have you feeling like a kid in a candy store… literally. Let your inner child go crazy by filling up a bag with goodies from the candy wall or sink your teeth into a delectable caramel apple. Your inner child will thank you and don’t worry… your dentist doesn’t need to know.
