Columbia SC locals and visitors get mighty attached to their favorite restaurants, and when a longstanding spot closes, it can be hard to find something to fill the void. While we know the hole in your foodie heart can only be filled by the original, we’ve done our best to help you find your next favorite restaurant or signature dish.
Missing Mac’s on Main? Try Chayz Lounge.
Mac’s on Main was truly one-of-a kind. With a distinctive menu mash up of BBQ, peach cobbler and jazz right on Main Street, it’s a tough one to replace. But Chayz Lounge in West Columbia checks the boxes for great live jazz and delicious food.
Missing River Rat Brewery? Try Bierkeller Brewing Company.
While the Bierkeller vibe is definitely its own, with a German Biergarten feel and menu to match in Canalside on the Riverfront, the picnic-style tables and kid-and-dog friendly atmosphere should land this one on your brewery rotation.
Missing Harper’s? Try Backstreets Grill.
You’re not sad, you’re just looking someplace that offers an extensive menu with flavorful food and outdoor seating to boot. The classic salad and fries combo of Backstreets Mandarin Chicken Salad and truffle parmesan fries is pretty darn close to the Chicken Oriental Salad paired with truffle fries from Harper’s we loved all those years ago.
Missing Rockaways Pimento Cheeseburger? Try Chubby’s Burgers and Brewhouse.
We’re singling this one out for its pimento cheeseburger. While we’ve yet to find a spot that offers exactly what Rockaways provided to generations of Columbians, if you have a craving for a pimento cheeseburger, Chubby’s will not disappoint. This one, dubbed the Southern Charm, has fried green tomato, bacon, pimento cheese, Duke’s mayo and lettuce. (Pro tip: It’s on the Pimento Cheese Passport, so it must be good.)
Missing Tallulah? Try The Hollow.
The intimate setting and chef-driven menu at Tallulah on Devine Street may have our memories, but The Hollow in the Vista takes creative dining in a bit of a new direction. Seasonal delicacies like fried pumpkin ravioli, a hearty elk bolognaise, and a wild game tasting board headline this sophisticated “forest to table” experience.
Missing Sandy’s Hot Dogs? Try Rebel Dogs.
Need a hot dog fix? Head to Rebel Dogs in the Vista for the Carolina Classic, a slaw dog with chili, diced onion and mustard if you are feeling nostalgic, or branch out with the decadent Mac & Cheeze Dog or the Cowbow Grub, complete with baked beans, bacon and fried onions.
If you’ve found a newer spot or menu item that replaces an old favorite, we’d love to know. Or search our list of restaurants around the region for some dining inspo.