You might know Columbia, SC as the capital city of South Carolina. Or, as the home of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.
There’s so much to see and do in Columbia, SC. That includes checking out the food scene!
Columbia is home to some amazing breakfast and brunch spots. Take a look at our list of the ten best breakfast and brunch spots to visit on your next trip.
| Type of Cuisine | Website | Rating | |
| Gourmet Shop Cafe | -American -Cafe -Vegetarian Friendly -Brunch/lunch | Link Here |  /768 Google reviews |
| The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli | -American -Cafe -Breakfast/lunch -Dessert | Link Here |  /315 Google reviews |
| smallSugar | -Cafe -Healthy -Brunch/lunch | Link Here | / 306 Google reviews |
| Crepes et Croissants | -French -Cafe -Vegetarian Friendly -Breakfast/lunch | Link Here | / 503 Google reviews |
| Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles | -American -Southern -Breakfast/lunch | Link Here | / 2,574 Google reviews |
| DiPrato’s Delicatessen | -American -Deli -Vegetarian Friendly -Brunch/lunch | Link Here | / 1,317 Google reviews |
| Cafe Strudel | -American -Cafe -Gastropub -Brunch/lunch | Link Here | / 2,085 Google reviews |
| Carolina Cafe and Catering Company | -Quick bites -Cafe Vegetarian Friendly -Breakfast/lunch | Link Here |  /137 Google reviews |
| Eggs Up Grill | -American -Vegetarian Friendly -Breakfast/lunch | Link Here | / 1,379 Google reviews |
| Drip Coffee | -Quick bites -American -Cafe -Vegetarian Friendly -Breakfast/lunch | Link Here | / 723 Google reviews |
1. Gourmet Shop Cafe
The Gourmet Shop is a European-style cafe located in the Five Points District of Columbia. It has an outdoor patio along the sidewalk and indoor seating.
Brunch and lunch are available here 7 days a week.
The brunch menu has some French influence, with dishes like the brie and bacon croissant. There are also sweet options like the Belgian waffle or a yogurt and berry bowl.
You can’t forget about the cocktails. The Gourmet Shop has a mimosa and a peach bellini on the menu with the option for a single glass or bottle for the table.
Inside the Gourmet Shop, you can find a market. The market sells cookware and specialty foods, like spices, coffee, tea and more.
Check out the brunch menu here.
2. The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli
If you like the option of something sweet or savory for breakfast, this is the spot for you. The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli is a hidden gem in Columbia. They serve breakfast all day.
The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli is best known for its cinnamon rolls. Here are some of the flavors you can get:
- Black pepper bacon
- Strawberry cheesecake
- Apple cobbler
- Coconut cream
- Banana foster
They also serve some delicious breakfast sandwiches and grit bowls! There are 16 sandwiches on the menu, but you can also build your own.
Plus, every breakfast entree comes with a mini cinnamon roll on the side.
Check out their website and view the menu here.
3. smallSugar
smallSugar is a cafe located in Columbia’s Vista arts district. It’s best known among locals for its pastries, which they make fresh every morning.
smallSugar is also known for using quality, local, and farm-fresh ingredients. Almost every dish on the menu uses some type of fresh, seasonal fruit or vegetable.
You’ll find lighter breakfast foods like overnight oats and a granola and yogurt bowl on the menu. They also serve different “tartines”, which are like toast.
The tartines are unique and delicious! Below are a few of the different options.
- Avocado with radish, lime, and herbs
- Ricotta and honey
- Scrambled eggs and chives
The cafe also serves classic coffee and tea beverages. There is outdoor and indoor seating available.
4. Crepes et Croissants
Crepes et Croissants is a delicious French-owned eatery in Downtown Columbia. It has a casual atmosphere for quick dining, but it is also great to go!
For savory breakfast lovers, try a croissant sandwich. There are options like the bacon, egg and cheese or smoked salmon, egg and spinach. All sandwiches come on a fresh, buttery croissant.
For sweet breakfast lovers, try a crepe.
A crepe is a very thin type of pancake with a filling. Check out some of the delicious filling options below:
- Nutella and strawberries
- Bananas, honey and almonds
- Cinnamon apples
- Lemon curd and strawberries
They also have French toast and omelets on the menu. Plus, French pastries and macarons near checkout for a treat to go.
5. Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles
Chicken and waffles is a Southern treat, and you’ll find some of the best at Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles.
There are indoor seating and to-go options available at the two Columbia locations.
Kiki’s serves all types of soul food, but they’re best known for the chicken and waffles. This classic dish comes with four crispy chicken wings on top of a Belgian waffle.
You can even upgrade your waffle to one of these fun options:
- Blueberry
- Walnut
- Sweet potato
- Chocolate chip
- Red velvet
If chicken and waffles aren’t for you, try their breakfast combo. It comes with grits, eggs, bacon or sausage and a buttermilk biscuit.
Kiki’s also serves lunch and dinner, so check out those offerings when you stop by! There’s a huge menu with Southern favorites, seafood, a kid’s menu and more.
Check out Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles website.
6. DiPrato’s Delicatessen
DiPrato’s is a staple brunch and lunch restaurant in Columbia, SC. It’s located close to the University of South Carolina.
The location makes it a top spot for students and their families to dine. The atmosphere is a little more upscale, and they’re known for having great service.
DiPrato’s serves brunch every Saturday. The brunch menu has classic brunch options, both sweet and savory.
One popular dish is the Charleston Eggs Benedict with crab cakes and poached eggs. There are also sweet options, like sweet potato pancakes.
The number one local tip is to try the pimento cheese!
Any local will tell you that DiPrato’s has some of the best pimento cheese. The flavors are classic, sharp white cheddar and gouda with bacon. It comes with fresh, homemade pita chips.
You also won’t want to leave without checking out the dessert and pastry case. By the checkout, you’ll see homemade pies, cakes and more. Grab something to-go as a special treat!
Check out DiPrato’s menu here.
7. Cafe Strudel
Cafe Strudel is a cafe and gastropub in West Columbia. They serve American-style cuisine and brunch classics.
Pro tip: try to place a reservation for brunch in advance! Cafe Strudel is often busy on weekends.
The menu is full of your classic brunch options, like a breakfast bagel or French toast. They also have lighter fare like a Greek yogurt parfait with fresh fruit and granola.
If you can’t decide on something from the menu, they have a large a la carte menu for you to build your own breakfast. I recommend adding a single slice of Hawaiian French toast a la carte to your order!
On top of the delicious food, there are some great brunch cocktail options. The go-to here is a classic mimosa, made with fresh-squeezed orange juice. They make it fresh daily!
Fun fact: Cafe Strudel even has a food truck that you’ll find around Columbia during the week. You can even book it for events!
Check out Cafe Strudel’s website and menu here.
8. Carolina Cafe and Catering Company
For delicious bagels in Columbia, SC, look no further than Carolina Cafe. Carolina Cafe is on the University of South Carolina campus. It’s been around since 1998!
Carolina Cafe is great for a quick bite, or you can order to go. They bake the NY-style bagels fresh daily.
Check out some of the different flavors available:
- Plain
- Poppy seed
- Sesame seed
- Everything
- Jalapeno
- Blueberry
- Cinnamon raisin
They have all sorts of spreads for the bagels. Like flavored cream cheese (I love the honey walnut!), peanut butter, jam, butter, and more.
You can also make any bagel into a breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, and your choice of meat.
Carolina Cafe even offers catering or bagel trays for large groups.
Check out the menu and learn more about Carolina Cafe here.
9. Eggs Up Grill
Eggs Up Grill is a classic breakfast eatery with a few locations in Columbia.
It has a casual atmosphere and most locations have a large dining room. This means it is easy to dine here without reservations!
Eggs Up has a large menu with many breakfast favorites. Like various breakfast platters, omelets and dishes “from the griddle”.
The menu here is affordable and the dishes are large! Most dishes at Eggs Up come with sides like eggs, bacon or sausage and your choice of bread.
Customers love Eggs Up Grill for its great and quick service. The waiters are friendly and you’ll never wait long for your food.
Check out the Eggs Up Grill menu here.
10. Drip Coffee
Drip is a local coffee shop and cafe in the Five Points district of Columbia.
This is a go-to spot for locals to hang out, work or catch up with friends. The atmosphere here is warm and inviting.
Before ordering breakfast at Drip, you’ll want to grab a cup of coffee. They source high-quality beans and make a great pour-over! Plus, they make flavored syrups in-house for a nice added touch to your coffee.
The breakfast menu is creative and delicious! Drip switches up the menu from time to time, but you’ll always find a unique breakfast sandwich option.
One of my favorites is the brie and apple butter on cinnamon raisin bread. For a savory option, they have prosciutto, egg, and fontina cheese on a homemade biscuit.
Drip sells breakfast all day, but they also have a lunch menu available.
Fun fact: there’s a side room at Drip with vinyl records for sale. Check it out when you stop by!
Check out the Drip coffee and breakfast menu.
Other Breakfast and Brunch Options
You’ll never run out of delicious breakfast and brunch options in Columbia, SC! Hungry for more? Check out some related blogs on the website.
Best Breakfast in Savannah, GA
Also, check out these recipes for the days you want to make your own delicious breakfasts.
Or check out The Breakfast Bible on Amazon for a cookbook.
Also, I use Lodge Cast Iron or a Carbon Steel pan for most of my cooking, including breakfasts!
