This guide shares the best restaurants in the Forest Acres area of Columbia, SC. You’ll find everything from an upscale neighborhood eatery to a convenience store with excellent sandwiches.
Forest Acres offers some of the best options for dining in the Columbia area. You’ll find a diverse culinary scene on Forest Drive, including Trenholm Plaza, the Richland Mall redevelopment and the surrounding area. See below for our top picks on where to dine in Forest Acres.
Where To Dine In Forest Acres
The map below shares our top picks for where to dine in Forest Acres. The restaurants range from fast casual to upscale and cover several different cuisines.
Restaurants in Forest Acres
4517 Forest Drive | Forest Acres
Upscale neighborhood eatery with inspired fare
Tombo Grille is one of the Columbia area’s most beloved restaurants. Here you’ll find elevated cuisine in the heart of Forest Acres.
Tombo is the perfect date night restaurant or a celebration dinner. The ever-changing menu is full of delicious options including fried brussel sprouts, elevated meatloaf and usually a braised short rib or a steak special.
Be sure to check out their daily specials before you go!
What to order: The meatloaf is delicious and definitely try the short rib if it is a daily special!
4722 Forest Drive | Forest Acres
Local family-owned pasta restaurant
Pasta Fresca is a beloved family-owned restaurant located on Forest Drive. They offer classic and specialty pasta dishes with their pasta and sauces all made fresh in-house.
It’s a great place to dine indoors or outside on their patio. The casual vibe is perfect for the entire family. They have a kids menu with several pasta options.
What to order: Try their chicken parmesan or seared scallops served over pasta of your choice.
4525 Forest Drive | Forest Acres
Vibrant local burrito joint with a casual atmosphere
If you’re looking for a fun spot to enjoy a fresh burrito, look no further than Boca Grande. The atmosphere is colorful and vibrant and their burritos and tacos are packed with flavor.
Located in the Forest Village shopping center a few doors down from BeBeep Toy Store, it’s the perfect spot to stop for a bite to eat while making your way down Forest Drive.
What to order: All are great but we especially love their beef burrito. Make sure you try their street corn on the side!
4840 Forest Drive | Forest Acres
Upscale restaurant with wood-fired fare
Tazza Kitchen in Trenholm Plaza is the perfect restaurant for outdoor dining in Columbia. They have a diverse menu with everything from wood-fired pizza to flat iron steak.
The star of the show is their large patio on the side. They have heaters and a fire pit perfect for chillier nights. Tazza also has covered seating alongside the building.
What to order: Try their wood-fired pizza or their crowd-favorite crab cakes. Don’t miss dessert!
CO opened in January 2024
4840 Forest Drive | Forest Acres
Trendy Asian Fusion in Trenholm Plaza
CO is the spot in Columbia for trendy Asian fusion cuisine. Tucked away in Trenholm Plaza, CO’s beautifully designed interior is the perfect backdrop for a mouthwatering meal.
Grab a seat at the bar that serves as the cornerstone of the dining room or cozy up at a table. Their menu boasts a range of Asian cuisines including small plates, pho, bahn mi, and classic Asian rice and noodle entrees.
What to order: Their phos are a delicious choice on a cold evening, or try their Korean Rice Bowl for a flavorful combo.
4840 Forest Drive | Forest Acres
Traditional breakfast spot in Trenholm Plaza
The Original Pancake house is always abuzz. You’ll immediately smell their specialty pancakes and bacon as you step through their front door.
They offer a wide range of breakfast items including pancakes, waffles, french toast, meat and egg dishes, omelets and so much more.
The Original Pancake House is open daily for breakfast lunch and brunch.
What to order: Try their Dutch Baby pancake for a real treat!
Vicious Biscuit opened in May 2024
3246 Forest Drive | Forest Acres
Trendy breakfast spot serving hearty biscuits
Hailing from Charleston, Vicious Biscuit’s Columbia area location is right in the heart of Forest Acres. They offer breakfast, brunch, and lunch fare in the form of epic biscuits.
Whether you’re in search of a fried chicken biscuit with hot honey, a spicey flamethrower biscuit or shrimp and grits with a biscuit on the side, Vicious Biscuit has you covered.
What to order: The Fat Boy with fried chicken and hot honey is mouthwateringly good or if you’re looking for a taste of Charleston the shrimp and grits is amazing.
4130 Bethel Church Road | Forest Acres
Convenience store deli off the beaten path
This hidden gem hole in the wall deli is located in an old neighborhood corner convenience store. They offer a wide array of delicious deli sandwiches.
Most people order takeout, but they do have seating inside.
What to order: Try their Greek turkey sandwich!
4840 Forest Drive | Forest Acres
Casual spot for fresh salads and wraps
When you feel like eating out but want something fresh and healthy, Verde is your answer. With 12 signature salads and bowls, there is something for every taste. If you don’t see the perfect combination of ingredients, just build your own.
Verde is in the Trenholm Plaza shopping center with tons of shopping nearby. They have a minimalist fast-casual vibe in the dining room and have lots of outdoor seating in front of the restaurant.
What to order: Their Buddha Bowl is fantastic and you can’t go wrong with any of their fresh salads.
1615 North Beltline Boulevard | Forest Acres
Takeout-only pizza joint
Il Bucato is a takeout-only pizza restaurant that serves unique gourmet pizzas. Located on Beltline near Trenhold Road it’s easily accessible making for a great spot to pick up dinner.
They offer classic pizzas like pepperoni and supreme (The Bucato) as well as unique flavor combos like their Prosciutto Bianco and the Balsamic Bacon and Pear. If you’re not feeling pizza they also offer pasta, salads and sandwiches.
What to order: Try the Spicy Calabrese for a pizza with a kick or The Bucator for a classic supreme pizza.
3147 Forest Drive | Forest Acres
Casual local chain serving homestyle southern cooking
If you’re looking for casual downhome southern cooking look no further than Lizard’s Thicket. This southern chain is local to Columbia with one of its locations in the heart of Forest Acres
They offer hearty breakfast, lunch, and dinner options with everything from buttery biscuits to chicken fried steak as well as fried catfish and some of the best fried chicken in town.
What to order: Try their meat and three with fried chicken, fried okra, macaroni and cheese, and rice and gravy.
4839 Forest Drive | Forest Acres
Fast-casual Italian mainstay on Forest Drive
Schiano’s has been serving pizza and casual Italian fare in Columbia for over 30 years. They offer classic New York-style pizza as well as fast casual Italian entrees like calzones, pasta and subs.
The restaurant has a no-frills atmosphere and is a great spot to take kids. They also have outdoor deck seating.
What to order: Try a pizza or calzone or their delicious chicken parm sub!
3239 Forest Drive | Forest Acres
Classic drive-up burger and dairy bar
Zestos is a fixture in Forest Acres known for its fried chicken, burgers and ice cream. It’s the perfect spot to grab lunch or a sweet treat. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back to a simpler time as you order from their walk-up window.
They have some outdoor picnic tables on the side and a no-frills dining room inside.
What to order: Try their Zestoburger (double cheeseburger) Basket and a milkshake!
TakoSushi (Forest Acres) opened in May 2024
4711-27 Forest Drive | Forest Acres
Asian-Latin fusion on Forest Drive
TakoSushi melds Southwestern and Asian cuisine offering dishes packed with flavor for any taste.
Their menu includes entrees like a burger, burrito, ramen and bowls as well as a huge selection of tacos and rolls.
What to order: Mix it up with some tacos and a signature roll. Try the grilled steak taco and the red chile braised pork taco with their signature Augusta Roll.
