18 Essential Destinations, All at Your Fingertips
You’ve just finished touring campus, and now you’re ready to explore the city. Freshmen are allowed to have cars their first semester, but many come to college without them. Here are just some of the restaurants and businesses you can walk to from campus.
Coffee:
Cool Beans
Address: 1217 College Street
Distance from campus: 0.1 miles
Perfect place to stop in between class for some coffee. The shop is decorated with art by UofSC students and Columbia locals. Head upstairs if you’re interested in a specialty coffee. If you’re hungry, check out their food menu. I highly recommend the black bean wrap.
Carolina Café & Catering Co
Address: 925 Sumter Street
Distance from campus: 0.1 miles
Best frozen coffee in Columbia. Located right in the heart of campus, Carolina Café is a great option to start your day or as an afternoon pick-me-up. And if that wasn’t enough, they also deliver.
Drip Coffee
Address: 729 Saluda Avenue
Distance from campus: 1.0 mile
If you are looking for more intricately crafted coffee, head down to Drip. They handcraft each of their coffees and offer their customers a unique palate experience. Its relaxed atmosphere makes it a prime location to get some work done while you sip.
Immaculate Consumption
Address: 933 Main Street
Distance from campus: 0.2 miles
Immaculate Consumption has been a staple in the community for nearly 20 years. They serve coffee and small bites in a clean and relaxing setting. Great place to meet up for group projects.
Food:
Salty Nut Cafe
Address: 2000 A Greene Street
Distance from campus: 0.9 miles
My all-time favorite place for catching a game or just going out to dinner with friends. They serve burgers, wraps and bar food. I’m a big fan of the nachos or anything with buffalo sauce. #MeetMeAtTheNut
The Gourmet Shop
Address: 724 Saluda Avenue
Distance from campus: 1.2 miles
One of many dog-friendly brunch locations in the Five Points area. You can sit inside or outside right in the heart of downtown. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but make sure you check out the shop inside. You’ll never know what you might stumble upon.
Home Team BBQ
Address: 700 Harden Street
Distance from campus: 1.3 miles
This is the newest addition to Five Points, which opened in May. It is part of an expanding Charleston chain and offers mouthwatering southern food. If you like barbecue, you have to give Home Team the old college try.
Hibachi House
Address: 937 Main Street
Distance from campus: 0.2 miles
Enjoy delicious hibachi style food for a fraction of the price. They do not cook in front of you, but the food tastes just as good. And don’t forget to ask for an extra white sauce.
The Corner Blend
Address: 601 Main Street
Distance from campus: 0.6 miles
For a healthier option, stop by the Corner Blend. They have Instagram-worthy acai and smoothie bowls, and are one of the few places to get bubble tea in Columbia.
Quick Bites:
Russell House
Address: 1400 Greene Street
Distance from campus: 0.1 miles
Russell House is the main dining hall on campus, which was renovated just last year. It is stacked with many well-known food options, like Einstein’s Bros. Bagels and Panera Bread, and some unique options like Sushi with Gusto and Oath, which serves pizza. There will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Chick-fil-A
Address: 901 Harden Street
Distance from campus: 1.2 miles
If you’re a northerner and haven’t been to Chick-fil-A, do yourself a favor and go. The food is out of this world and the service is unmatched.
Cook Out
Address: 1109 Harden Street
Distance from campus: 1.1 miles
If you’re new to Cook Out, order a Cook Out tray and treat yourself to one of their 40+ milkshakes. Unlike most places in the city, they are open late-night.
Tropical Smoothie Café
Address: 650 Lincoln Street
Distance from campus: 1.0 miles
This smoothie joint is more than just smoothies. They have wraps, sandwiches and flatbreads. Perfect post-gym or post-tour snack.
Pita Pit
Address: 2002 Greene Street A
Distance from campus: 0.9 miles
With fresh quality ingredients, you’ll feel energized and ready to take on the “famously hot” Columbia. Grab a pita or try fork-style (salad).
Shopping:
Sid & Nancy
Address: 733 Saluda Avenue
Distance from campus: 0.9 miles
Anytime you’re in Five Points it is always a good idea to pop into this thrift store and see what you can find. There are a ton of great pieces and they even have a vintage section.
Vestique
Address: 631 Harden Street
Distance from campus: 1.1 miles
If you’re looking for trendy a boutique, you’ve come to the right place. Vestique has something for every occasion. Don’t forget to check their sale section upstairs.
Papa Jazz Record Shoppe
Address: 2014 Greene Street
Distance from campus: 0.9 miles
Self-proclaimed as one of the largest record shops in the southeast, Papa Jazz has built a reputation for having the coolest and rarest records around. It is an interesting place to browse, even if you aren’t looking for anything in particular.
ColaKicks
Address: 902 Harden Street
Distance from campus: 1.1 miles
This buy, sell and trade sneaker haven was founded by two UofSC students. They guarantee the authenticity of their shoes and to have the best price around.
The Oops! Company
Address: 601 Harden Street
Distance from campus: 1.2 miles
Oops! originally started as a way for factories to get rid of irregular or misprinted name brand clothing items. From a big night out on the town to a casual night in, Oops! has something for everyone at any budget.
