Our favorite brunch spots in Columbia, SC
There are many great places to brunch in Columbia, SC. Whether you are looking for an upscale brunch in Columbia to celebrate something special or maybe just want a bloody mary and a waffle, we’ve got you covered!
This guide will help you find the perfect spot for brunch in Columbia. It covers everything from fine-dining restaurants with brunch to a dim sum brunch, where to get a spiked coffee and who makes a perfect vegan chicken biscuit.
From fancy, special occasion spots to dependable favorites, our picks for where to have brunch in Columbia are definitely worth the hype.
There are so many great eateries in the area worth trying, so be sure to check out our list of over 20 awesome restaurants in Columbia. But if you’re specifically looking for brunch restaurants in Columbia, read on!
What You’ll Find In This Article
Map of Where To Brunch in Columbia, SC
Restaurants with a weekend brunch in Columbia, SC
The first part of our brunch list includes restaurants with weekend-only brunches. Most offer brunch on both Saturdays and Sundays, but a few have brunch on Sundays only.
We have noted the dates and times that each offers brunch. Make sure to check with the establishment to confirm before making plans, though!
Fine-dining brunch in downtown Columbia, SC
If you are looking for a fine-dining brunch restaurant in Columbia, look no further than Hall’s Chophouse.
With Charleston roots, this steakhouse serves gourmet Lowcountry specialties in a white tablecloth setting. It’s the perfect spot for a special occasion brunch in Columbia.
Hall’s offers hearty brunch entrees including filet mignon, omelets and eggs benedict. They also have pancakes, french toast and waffles for those with a sweet tooth.
Their brunch drink menu includes coffee, tea, bloody marys, mimosas and bellinis.
You’ll find metered parking along Main Street and Assembly Street. Brunch at Hall’s Chophouse is offered on Sundays only beginning at 10 am.
A French-inspired brunch at a charming restaurant downtown
If a croque monsieur with a mimosa is your brunch love language, then you should definitely not miss brunch at Hampton Street Vineyard. They have a great brunch menu and it includes some of the best french toast in Columbia.
Not only do they have excellent food, but the ambiance at Hampton Street Vineyard is also perfect. We especially love dining on the sidewalk out front. It’s the best outdoor brunch spot in Columbia, SC!
Hampton Street Vineyard brunch is available Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-3pm.
Sunday brunch with a side of arcade games in downtown Columbia
What’s not to love about an arcade with a Sunday brunch in downtown Columbia!? You’ll find everything from a great food menu at Transmission Arcade to craft beer, wine, cocktails, pinball, skeeball and arcade games.
Not only is Transmission Arcade a really fun place to visit, but their food is seriously amazing. You will love their huevos rancheros and their chicken biscuit with poblano pimento cheese. And make sure to get one of their cinnamon rolls! The flavor changes but it’s always 10/10.
And yes, you can play arcade games too! You’ll find everything from Frogger to Mortal Kombat. Games are typically 1-2 tokens, and you get 4 tokens per dollar. Check out their full game lineup here.
Brunch at Transmission Arcade is only available on Sundays from 10:30-4.
Upscale brunch in the Vista with farm-to-table Southern dishes
For a more upscale brunch restaurant in Columbia, head to Motor Supply in the Vista. It’s a farm-to-table restaurant that sources ingredients locally.
Motor Supply is such a great spot for a fancy brunch out in Columbia. They always win the ‘top place for your rich aunt to take you‘ award in the Free Times ‘Best of Columbia’ awards. I love that. It’s so true!!!
Their farm-to-table menu changes daily but you can always count on a great brunch. You’ll find everything from shrimp and grits to a classic breakfast plate. We love their brioche french toast and sausage, egg and cheese biscuit.
Their extensive beverage menu includes their famous Bacon-infused Bloody Mary aka “Columbia’s Best Bloody Mary”, mimosas, Spiked Arnold Palmer, gourmet sodas and fresh South Carolina peach Bellinis.
Brunch is served at Motor Supply on Saturdays (11-2) and Sundays (10-2). Reservations are recommended.
There’s a small parking lot out front. Otherwise, you’ll have to find street parking nearby.
Delicious Dim Sum brunch in The Vista (with an epic bloody mary!)
Boku Kitchen in the Vista is the perfect destination if you are looking for a unique brunch experience in Columbia.
Their Dim Sum brunch menu includes a Yuzu sticky puffle, banh mi avocado toast, wontons, egg rolls, wings and Singapore street noodles. It’s such a fun change of pace from the usual chicken and waffles.
In addition to the fun food menu, you’ll also find an excellent brunch drink menu! Boku has a mimosa carafe and a mimosa sampler that includes 4 of their delicious mimosas. They also have a sake-based brunch drink and a jalapeno-infused tequila drink.
In addition to the fun food menu, you’ll also find an excellent brunch drink menu! Boku has a mimosa carafe and a mimosa sampler that includes 4 of their delicious mimosas. They also have a sake-based brunch drink and a jalapeno-infused tequila drink.
And we can’t leave out the 64oz Boku Bloody Mary! It includes soju, half honey chicken, char siu pork bao buns and pork potstickers. It’s as wild and delicious as it sounds!
Boku Kitchen brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm.
Fun spot for a delicious brunch in Five Points
Publico is a great spot if you’re looking for casual gourmet food with a twist. Their dishes are Latin and Asian inspired, often taking a traditional dish and adding their own spin to it. The upbeat vibe makes it a great place to enjoy a Sunday brunch!
Publico offers a unique spin on traditional brunch dishes like their Plantain Pancakes, Churro French Toast, and Chicken & Puffles.
Publico offers a wide variety of brunch cocktails, as well as mimosas (including by the pitcher!), bloody marys, and other popular brunch drinks.
Brunch at Publico is available on Sundays from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm. We love their large outdoor patio — it’s a particularly perfect spot for a Sunday morning.
Metered street parking is available in Five Points. There is also a paid public lot across the street near the Five Points fountain.
Columbia Brewery with a Sunday brunch
If you are looking for a family-friendly brunch in Columbia, we can highly recommend Steel Hands Brewing. Yes, a brewery! While it’s not the fanciest brunch in Columbia, it’s the perfect casual way to start your Sunday.
Steel Hands has an awesome outdoor space and an extensive brunch menu with everything from chicken and waffles to mac & cheese bites. Not just your plain ‘ol mac & cheese bites, though. These have smoked gouda and bacon bits!
Brunch at Steel Hands is available every Sunday from 10am to 2pm.
Brunch with live Jazz music
Did you know that River Rat Brewery turns into a fun brunch spot on Sunday mornings, complete with live music? It’s true! And it’s awesome.
Their Sunday brunch menu is pretty great and honestly very reasonable compared to other places. You’ll love Zan’s Chicken & Waffles topped with sriracha honey and their Beermosa. They also have their house burger and wings on the brunch menu, as well as options for kids.
River Rat’s brunch is held every Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm. It’s a fun option for the whole family (and they have cool misting fans for those hot summer days!)
A delicious outdoor brunch in downtown Columbia
Located in the heart of the Main Street District, you cannot beat brunch at Market on Main. They have a wide-ranging brunch menu with sweet and savory options.
Check out their Reuben Hash or Korean Fried Chicken Salad for a unique option. They also have brunch classics like steak & eggs, spicy bacon egg + cheese, an everything bagel sandwich and even a breakfast quesadilla.
Apart from brunch entrees, Market on Main has several small plates like truffle frites and roasted red pepper pimento cheese available. They also have a few brunch desserts like griddled banana bread and funnel cake fries. Market on Main has a full bar.
We love sitting outside in their patio area, especially during spring and fall when the weather is slightly cooler.
Metered street parking is available along Main Street. There’s also a parking garage around the corner on Washington and another on Lady.
Brunch at Market on Main is available Saturdays and Sundays beginning at 10am. We recommend making a reservation in advance.
Keep in mind that the Soda City Market is every Saturday morning on Main Street so it can get a bit hectic in the area.
Fantastic weekend brunch with great outdoor seating
Tazza in Trenholm Plaza is such a great spot for brunch in Forest Acres. They have indoor seating and an awesome outdoor patio area to the side.
Tazza’sbrunch menu includes the most amazing sweet brioche rolls with vanilla sugar, hazelnuts and whipped mascarpone. If you prefer something more savory, try their wood oven avocado!
Don’t miss the bread platter if you are brunching with a group. It includes their drop biscuits, broiche rolls and coffee cake.
They also have several brunch plates, like huevos rancheros, quiche, crab cake benedict and a classic breakfast plate. What I really love is that Tazza has a kids menu for brunch. It includes french toast, scrambled eggs, a quesadilla and cheese pizza.
Brunch at Tazza Kitchen is available 11:30-2:30 on Saturday and 10:30-2:30 on Sunday.
Brunch, bowling and a bucket of bubbly!
The Grand is the perfect place to escape after a morning at the Soda City Market. This bowling alley and restaurant is just down Main Street and is such a fun place to spend a few hours.
Order a mimosa flight or a bubbly bucket and sit back with a cinnamon toast crunch waffle. And if sitting back isn’t your style, book a lane and spend an hour bowling! Bowling is $45 an hour and available all day starting at 9am. They have 7 lanes available and you can reserve a lane online.
Apart from delicious waffles, you’ll also find shrimp and grits, a loaded bacon waffle and a bacon scrambler bowl. If you are dining with a group, order their charcuterie board!
The Grand on Main’s brunch is available Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm.
Casual setting on Devine Street for brunch fare and pizza
If you’re looking for a pizza brunch, Za’s is the place for you! Their brunch menu and mimosa carafe is the perfect addition to your weekend. Za’s has nice outdoor seating on their patio out front.
In addition to their regular menu items, Za’s offers some brunch-ier items on the weekends. You’ll find a breakfast pizza as well as a classic scrambled egg plate, breakfast sandwiches + bowls, and shrimp and grits.
Za’s brunch menu is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 2 pm. They have a large parking lot out front.
Small deli with a southern brunch and delicious pimento cheese
For a taste of classic Southern comfort food, head to DiPrato’s Delicatessen.
Their brunch menu includes classic favorites like pancakes and french toast, omelets and eggs benedict. They also have fun specialties like eggs charleston with crab cakes, quiche, breakfast sandwiches, and hash & eggs.
I especially love their pancake menu because you’ll find everything from peaches & cream pancakes to banana pecan pancakes. Our kids’ favorites are the chocolate chip pancakes. Diprato’s has a kid’s section on the brunch menu.
DiPrato’s is tucked away a little off the beaten path and is a quintessential neighborhood deli and cafe. It’s located very close to USC’s campus, so it’s a great spot for parents to treat their college kids while visiting.
You’ll find classic brunch beverages like mimosas and peach bellinis, as well as a bloody mary and screwdriver. You can get mimosas by the glass or pitcher. DiPrato’s also has coffee, tea, beer, wine and soda.
Diprato’s serves brunch on Saturdays & Sundays from 10 am – 2 pm.
Restaurants with a Daily Brunch in Columbia, SC
We get it– sometimes you want to kick back for a long brunch but it’s a Tuesday. Luckily there are several restaurants with a daily brunch in Columbia! See below for our top picks.
Charming brunch spot in Five Points with delicious food
Brunch at The Gourmet Shop is such a treat! And the best part is that it’s daily. The Gourmet Shop’s brunch menu includes an egg and cheese croissant as well as a brie and bacon croissant. Both are delicious! We also love their Belgian waffle and the breakfast grit bowl.
For brunch drinks, The Gourmet Shop offers a bloody mary, mimosa and a peach bellini. You can order the mimosa and the bellini by the glass or the bottle.
If the weather is nice, grab a table on the sidewalk. It’s such a great spot in Five Points to enjoy a mimosa and people-watch. Make sure to bring home chicken salad and a baguette from the deli section.
Brunch is available daily at The Gourmet Shop. It is 9 am to 12 pm Monday through Friday and 9 am to 2 pm Saturdays and Sundays.
The perfect place for a southern brunch every day of the week
If you want a classic brunch but it’s a Monday, hop over to Poogan’s in Forest Acres! They have great breakfast drinks, delicious brunch entrees and a dog-friendly outdoor patio.
Poogan’s has several brunch classics like a 2 egg breakfast plate, buttermilk pancakes and brioche french toast. They also have corned beef hash & eggs and a country-fried steak on the menu.
As far as breakfast drinks go, choose from a spiked iced coffee with espresso vodka, Bailey’s and Kahlua, bloody mary and a mimosa.
Poogan’s is located in Cardinal Crossing next to several other restaurants. There is a parking garage nearby if the spots outside the restaurant are full.
Self-serve coffee, mimosa pitchers and the best hashbrowns in town
Cafe Strudel is the perfect neighborhood cafe with a delicious all-day breakfast.
My go-to order is their famous hangover hashbrowns. It comes topped with tomatoes and banana peppers and it’s just such a great combination of flavors.
We also like their sunrise burrito. The menu includes classic breakfast plates, avocado toast, a chicken biscuit, french toast and cinnamon pancakes.
They have self-serve coffee, as well as espresso drinks, soda, tea and breakfast cocktails. The cocktail menu includes several different types of mimosas available by the glass or pitcher. Cafe Strudel also has a few bloody mary varieties, one of which is their signature bacon-infused bloody mary.
Brunch fare is served daily and all-day at Cafe Strudel.
Treat yourself with daily brunch at Another Broken Egg Cafe
If eggs benedict, omelets, shrimp & grits, chicken & waffles and indulgent french toast piled with whipped cream sounds like the perfect brunch, head to Another Broken Egg Cafe stat!
It’s located just across from the Whole Foods shopping area in Columbia.
Not only do they have a great breakfast menu, but their cocktails are also noteworthy. You’ll find a blueberry margarita, a tequila sunrise and even a NOLA-style house-made punch on the menu, as well as several spiked coffees, a full bloody mary list and lots of champagne-based drinks.
Another Broken Egg’s brunch menu is available daily from 7am to 2pm.
Laid-back diner vibes with a great all-day, everyday brunch menu
Eggs Up is a breakfast and brunch franchise with locations all over the southeast. They have two locations in the downtown Columbia area. One is on Devine Street and the other is in Forest Acres. There’s also an Eggs Up toward Blythewood / near Killian road.
Eggs Up has quite the brunch variety, with everything from eggs benedict and breakfast burgers to pancakes and french toast.
For drinks, Eggs Up has drip coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks and even a few breakfast cocktails. Their cocktail menu includes a classic mimosa, a cranberry mimosa and a ‘Good Morning Sunrise’ with orange juice, club soda and a splash of grenadine.
Eggs Up Grill is open daily from 6am to 2pm.
Brunch Restaurants Opening Soon in Columbia, SC
It’s always exciting when new brunch spots open up in Columbia. Several brunch restaurants have opened here over the past few years, and there are more on the way!
- Ruby Sunshine has an anticipated opening date of May 2023 in Five Points. They’ll are going in the old Yesterday’s location!
- Vicious Biscuit is opening a Columbia, SC location in 2023 in Forest Acres by Richland Mall.
- Tupelo Honey of Asheville announced plans in March 2023 to open a Bull Street location.
