Columbia runs on flavor that feels familiar. Step inside nearly any neighborhood diner, and the smell of seasoned chicken and simmering greens wraps around you like a welcome.
Plates arrive heavy with creamy mac and cheese, sweet yams, and cornbread still warm from the oven. Conversations flow easy, laughter fills the room, and everything tastes like it was made with care.
These South Carolina spots don’t rush the process, they just let the food speak in that unmistakable Southern way.
1. Kiki’s Chicken & Waffles, Harbison/Columbia
Sweet meets savory in the most spectacular way at this Harbison favorite. Crispy chicken thighs rest atop fluffy Belgian waffles, creating a combo that makes your taste buds do a happy dance…