Columbia was among those named to global travel company Skyscanner’s 2025 report of hidden culinary gems across the country. Soda City earned its spot on the list through its distinctive local dishes, its rising national visibility and the quality of its dining scene.
According to the report, one reason Columbia stood out is the strength of its everyday food culture, meaning dishes that are strong examples of regional dishes are incorporated into the day-to-day life of locals.
Pimento cheese, mustard-based barbecue with hash and rice, fried chicken, shrimp and grits and meat-and-three plates continue to anchor menus across the city and define daily eating. Spots like Lizard’s Thicket exemplify how these dishes remain an integral part of everyday life, rather than fading into a tourist attraction…