It's hard for us to go a week without stopping into Lula Drake's wine bar. This gorgeous place specializes in small-batch, organic wines and its staff includes some of the loveliest people in town. If you go, don't forget to ask how the place got its name!
If you're looking for a wider menu variety, it's hard to go wrong at Cola's. Tip: when they ask if you want bread, say yes! The oil spread is amazing. We recommend making a reservation as this place draws the crowds.
We love ice cream! The flavors change weekly and incorporate local ingredients so who knows what December 15th will bring, but Morgan loves the lavender flavor and Ben is a big fan of cinnamon.
Home to Morgan's favorite chai latte in town. Warning: it's on the sweeter side. Get a thumbprint cookie for later!
We love kicking off the weekend at the outdoor market that takes place on Main Street from 9am-1pm every Saturday. While you may not find many fresh vegetables in December, you could still stumble on some lovely locally made crafts!
You can't come to Columbia and not visit Bourbon for some Southern grub! Get here a little before 11am to snag a table!
This is such a fun place to spend a few hours! After brunch, stick around to bowl, play board games, or beat Ben on the Buck Hunter video game in the tap room downstairs.
This a tough call! If you don't like cold weather, we suggest going for a movie at the Nicklodean, our local non-profit arthouse theater. If you don't mind braving the elements and a short drive, we suggest the pop-up beer garden at Riverfront Park on Columbia's canal. A local German beer enthusiast has started hosting pop-up beer gardens at the park once a week throughout the fall -- they're great and he really prides himself on the authenticity of his beer. We're told the Christmas-themed garden on December 15 will have mulled wine in addition to beer!
Okay, Morgan is not a morning person so she stops into this coffee house's Five Points location entirely too often as she drags herself into work. Try a scone!
This is a delicious farm-to-table restaurant with lots of local eats. Their menu is on the smaller side, but we have never had a bad meal here. We recommend making a reservation as this small place gets slammed.
This is a small (but mighty!) art museum that was recently renovated. They have lots of special events so it's a good idea to stay in the loop on their calendar to see what December brings! :)
If you're driving home towards the Lowcountry or Charlotte, we suggest picking up some healthy snacks at Rosewood Market on your way to I-77. This is a precious, locally-owned market that leads a number of initiatives to promote healthy living in our community. If you're heading to the Upstate or the airport, stop in to Mast General Store on Main Street for some decidedly unhealthier snacks! :-)