Home Care In West Columbia, SC

Looking for the next new restaurant hitting Cola’s food scene? Check out these buzzy places to eat and drink in Columbia — plus, some spots coming soon. Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the culinary curve. And don’t forget to bookmark it.

The much anticipated food hall opened with nine restaurants, including Cocobowlz, Bull and Bread, Bessie’s Burgers & More, Gyromania Grille Express, Big Easy Seafood, Smoke It Up Express, Bahn Sai, Los Chicanos Jr., Kiki’s Chicken & Waffles, and Remedy.

Grab classic Chinese dishes for takeout or dine in.

The restaurant opened in the former Yamato spot on Columbiana Drive, bringing hibachi back to the building.

Try Cuban classics like the ropa vieja and churrasco, plus sandwiches and sides.

The shop makes fresh doughnuts daily, from classic glazed to a hot chocolate doughnut.

Hava Smoothie Cafe, 914 N. Lake Dr., Ste. A1, Lexington

Try a smoothie or bowl for a quick, lighter stop.

Rock N Pizza, 471-1 Town Center Place (Village at Sandhill)

A slice-or-whole-pie spot with specialty pizzas and build-your-own orders.

The new stylish wine bar opened one block from the State House in a developing area downtown.

This Soda City Market vendor opened a brick-and-mortar to grab ropa vieja or a Cuban sandwich all week.

Grab it by the slice or a whole pie at this spot with Big Apple-style ‘za.

The Greenville-based roaster opened a 3,400-sqft flagship café with a bakery, upstairs lounge, and a private “library” space.

Paninis and café-style lunch options for fast takeout.

Located across the street from The Township Auditorium, this is a smaller version of one of their typical spots that’s great for takeout or a cozy sit-down meal.

The locally run taproom from a Pennsylvania-based brewery is opening with 24 craft beers and pub bites.

The Yard, 1626 Main St.A Main Street sports bar and grill with big-game screens, drinks, and bar food.

This bar and grill has barbecue, hearty sandwiches, and some international spice influences.

Brunch favorite expanded to Elgin, bringing shrimp & grits, French toast, and more.

The downtown expansion of the local favorite is open in the former Pizza Hut location next to Greek Boys.

Five Points got a fresh taco + margarita bar from the Saluda’s crew, adding some late-night energy to the strip.

USC students who live in Gateway 737 now have a spot for espresso drinks, brewed coffee, and study breaks.

Lexington’s newest Mexican spot leans into seafood with shrimp and octopus towers, as well as plenty of quick lunch specials.

, 1211 Taylor St., Columbia | Hawaiian–Japanese fusion

This casual downtown lunch spot serves poke bowls, k?lua pork, and surf vibes.

Vedha Indian Cafe, 5076 Sunset Blvd., Lexington | Indian Expect classic Indian dishes like biryani, butter chicken, and dosas, plus plenty of vegetarian-friendly options.

The new café at Sola Station pours honey matcha lattes and chill frozen brews.

A sunny Cardinal Crossing café pouring espresso drinks, teas, and honey lattes, complete with a pet-friendly patio.

, 5594 Sunset Blvd., Lexington | Asian fusion

Plates of hibachi chicken and shrimp meet baskets of wings and Southern sides in this quick-service Lexington spot.

Northeast Columbia’s newest ice cream shop scoops more than 25 flavors with unlimited toppings in a playful, cow-themed space.

16 Handles, 4840 Forest Dr., Suite 19, Forest Acres | Frozen yogurt + ice cream

The NYC-based self-serve yogurt and ice cream shop — offering 16 rotating flavors (including vegan options) and a toppings bar — will hold its grand opening on Saturday, June 28 at Trenholm Plaza. The first 100 guests get free fro?yo, and there’ll be half-price treats midday.

The Champagne Restaurant & Lounge, 902 Gervais St. | Modern American + global cuisine

Opened in the historic Seaboard Railroad Station in the Vista, this upscale dining and lounge venue serves modern American cuisine in a space with a private dining room + outdoor patio.

Eatery 117, 117 Spears Creek Church Rd., Elgin | Breakfast + brunch

The new café serves loaded grits, classic breakfast plates, fresh salads, and espresso drinks.

This no-frills burger joint brings hand-pattied burgers with crowd-pleasers like the Mr. Knozit burger with pimento cheese. Don’t miss the double?fried, hand?cut fries — crispy, fresh, and perfect alongside your burger.

Ember, 101 W. Main St., Lexington | Steakhouse

The downtown Lexington steakhouse features hand?cut aged steaks, sustainably sourced seafood, house?made pastas, a signature wood?ember grill, along with a curated wine list.

A Soda City Market favorite turned brick-and-mortar, JJ’s Place now serves fresh-baked sweets while keeping its Saturday market presence.

Mel’s Dairy Bar, 3239 Forest Dr., Forest Acres | Fast casual

Now open in the former Zesto’s, Mel’s brings a classic counter-service vibe with burgers, fries, and soft-serve cones. Just look at this double burger going viral on Reddit.

Thai Delicacies, 1213 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia | Thai + Burmese street food

Taking over the former Olde Country Buffet, this spot serves up an eclectic lineup of Thai and Burmese favorites — from papaya salad and pad Thai to poke bowls, khao soi, mochi ice cream, and mango sticky rice.

Now open in the Don Luigi location, Enzo’s new spot blends deli vibes with Italian market options.

Bibimbox + Kumo Kumo Café, 275 Park Terrace Dr., Suite #800 | Korean

This two-in-one concept brings Korean comfort food and playful sweets to Harbison. Order up spicy tteokbokki and crispy wings, then head to Kumo Kumo inside for matcha desserts and specialty drinks.

Sumo Sushi & Hibachi Grill, 1100 Dutch Fork Rd., Irmo | Japanese + hibachi

This second area location serves up sizzling hibachi plates, sushi rolls, and deep-fried specialties, including the fan-favorite Godzilla roll.

If you’re a fan of crispy chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, and plenty of saucy condiment options, this one’s for you.

Taking over the former Barrio Tacos space, this new spot brings sizzling fajitas, queso-topped burritos, and a full bar.

Try the birria tacos or go for the al pastor — both come highly recommended.

Shark Tank–featured grilled dough cone ice cream shop opening its first Columbia location downtown.

Coastal Crust, The Lawn at BullStreet District | Wood-fired pizza | Projected opening: Late 2025

The SC-based pizzeria chain will open in the revitalized Williams Building, the centerpiece of The Lawn — a new community plaza in BullStreet. The pizzeria is planned for the historic façade space opening directly onto the green lawn.

Mother’s Oysters + Pies, Shoppes at Flight Deck, Lexington | Raw bar + pizza | Projected opening: September

This Riviera-inspired spot will offer a rotating raw bar, Neapolitan-style pizzas, pasta, and wine.

Moltó Vino, 128 State St., West Columbia | Self-serve wine bar

Dreaming of 24/7 wine on tap? This membership-based spot features wall-to-wall wine machines and stylish vibes.

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, 2151 Boyce St., BullStreet District | Seafood | Projected opening: TBD

Set to open across from Segra Park, this NC-based chain brings oysters, seafood baskets, and beach-town vibes.

The coastal-inspired oyster and seafood spot will open in the former Pecknel Music Co. building.

WEST COLUMBIA — When Amber Mullins introduces herself, she makes two things immediately clear — her love for her family and her love of her community.

So it is no surprise the former pediatric nurse and mom of four fell in love with IceCream Taco, a West Columbia dessert shop decked out in bright colors and kids toys that is as well known as a gathering spot as it is as an ice cream shop.

And as the new owner of IceCream Taco with her husband Ryan, Mullins is also pursuing another passion of hers — owning a mom-and-pop restaurant.

“My favorite line is, and I say it every time we go out of town, is, ‘I want to go eat at a mom and pop like that’ … I am a mom-and-pop girl,” Mullins said. “They're not under a franchise. They've put blood, sweat and tears —or someone put blood, sweat and tears — into making that an establishment, you know? And so it's what's meant to be, it's what I'm supposed to do.”

Mullins said she grew up with family-owned businesses. Her grandfather owned B&B Trucking and Country Kitchen in Eastover, and while she was grateful to carry on the legacy by starting Southern Solutions Heating and Air with her husband, her childhood dream of running a dessert shop was still in the back of her mind.

Mullins said her family even started the process to create an ice cream shop of their own until she saw former IceCream Taco owner Sonia Norman post about plans to retire and close the restaurant.

“This sweet lady has invested her time, her energy, it's established. And it literally breaks my heart to see mom-and-pop places close their doors. And so I just felt that the Lord led me to reach out to her, and that's what I did,” Mullins said.

The Mullins officially took over the business on Dec. 17.

“I literally could come out of my skin. I'm so excited,” Mullins said. “... it's almost like a fairy tale for me, because it is something that I've wanted for so long.”

What to expect

While running IceCream Taco in addition to their HVAC business is challenging, Mullins said she’s prepared to take it on. Her husband was a manager at Sonic for some time and she’s worked everywhere from Chick-fil-A to Zaxby’s to Lizard’s Thicket.

For customers worried about the change in ownership, Mullins said differences will be minimal, and anything new will only "be for the better."

“Of course, Miss Sonia will not be there, and everyone will miss her, but I hope to give the same energy,” Mullins said. “That is my goal, is to give the same energy, the same vibe.”

Mullins said she hopes to add some new food items like nachos with cheese and chili, grilled cheese sandwiches, corndogs and maybe french fries. Though any additions will stay “very simple” and embrace the concession-style food the shop currently offers.

She also plans to update the hours so they’re a little more consistent, with plans to only close on Mondays.

But she made sure to note that IceCream Taco’s chili cheese dogs are here to stay, though those who have tried them might notice they’re slightly different.

Mullins said she worked with Norman on creating her own version of the recipe, a process that she called almost therapeutic.

The result is a classic chili dog that is perfectly messy and has just a hint of spice. And although different than Norman’s recipe, Mullins said people seem to be enjoying it so far.

Future plans and legacy

Down the line, Mullins is eager for IceCream Taco to grow and plans to potentially launch an ice cream truck or trailer for events. She also hopes to do more promotions at the shop including meal deals and themed drinks for holidays.

But beyond growing the business, Mullins said she also wants to make sure IceCream Taco is there to support people. Southern Solutions recently gave away a free HVAC, and the Mullins are involved in their church’s service projects. Mullins said she plans to bring that same spirit of community service to IceCream Taco.

“I feel like we all need to work together and to help one another, because we are a community, and not everyone has it as well as everybody else,” Mullins said.

Her goal is that the ice cream shop will have a lasting positive impact well into the future.

“I'm so excited for my kids to grow up in this,” Mullins said. “I'm excited to leave a legacy for my babies, you know, even if they don't do anything with it, I'm excited to see my kids see us work hard for what we have.”

So her advice — bring your kids and come enjoy some ice cream. Or a chili cheese dog.

IceCream Taco is located at 2708 Emanuel Church Road in West Columbia and is open Tuesday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

COLUMBIA — Much of the Columbia area’s lengths of riverwalks have reopened to the public in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and other weather events, but longstanding recovery efforts have still limited access in other areas.

The riverwalks across Columbia, Cayce and West Columbia are some of the most popular public spaces in the metropolitan area. Local leaders have sought to capitalize on that appeal as the broader Three Rivers Greenway project — a vision of miles of interconnected river walks, trails and parks linking the three cities, the Riverbanks Zoo and beyond — still remains years away.

Here’s the latest on the riverwalks:

Cayce Riverwalk

The Cayce Riverwalk runs a length of seven miles of paved pathways and wooden boardwalks along the western bank of the Congaree River. The river walk links to a series of various city parks and greenspaces. It is a hallmark of the city’s marketing and popular with residents and visitors alike.

The riverwalk, like many in the region, closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene in September 2024. The wooden boardwalk portions of the trail had been undermined from the rising Congaree River, and mud had been deposited over the paved sections.

The riverwalk and adjacent parks reopened in their entirety in mid-May 2025. A sewer line break closed some portions again at the end of the month. The boardwalk reopened again in September, aside from a portion surrounding the Naples Avenue entrance, which has remained closed for construction of a new stormwater culvert since July.

Riverfront Park & Historic Columbia Canal

Because the majority of the Columbia Riverfront Park trails are paved on elevated dry land rather than carried by wooden boardwalks suspended over the riverbanks, the capital city’s trail system has been subject to less prolonged closures due to weather events than those across the river.

Construction work to repair lingering damage from the 2015 “thousand year flood” along the Columbia Canal is expected to cause intermittent closures of portions of the river walk for the next two years.

The northern end of the riverwalk accessed at 4122 River Dr. closed in August to make way for improvements to the canal’s headgates, which were prevented from closing properly during the 2015 floods due to a buildup of debris.

The $150 million work will also repair the still broken section of the canal levee that failed during the floods, and add new intakes that can pull water directly from the Congaree River rather than relying on a high water level in the canal itself.

Work has finally begun on the repairs and related improvements after ten years of trying to secure funding for the project, city officials have said.

The south end of the river walk is open from the entrance at 312 Laurel St. to the rail trestle, leaving around half-a-mile of trail open to the public.

Saluda Riverwalk

The Saluda Riverwalk runs for three miles along the north bank of the Saluda River, upstream from where it meets the Broad River to form the Congaree. It consists of paved and boardwalk sections and provides access to the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens.

The Saluda Riverwalk has remained largely open and accessible during the intermittent closures of other riverwalks and waterfront parks in the area. A small portion did close in January for construction of Riverbanks Zoo’s new gondola system, but it has since reopened.

West Columbia Riverwalk Park

West Columbia’s riverwalk stretches from Moffatt Street at the northern end to the beginning of the Cayce Riverwalk.

Large portions were closed after flooding from Hurricane Helene in September 2024 undermined the foundations of the boardwalk sections and the riverbank itself.

A small portion of the riverwalk surrounding Riverwalk Park and the Gervais Street Bridge reopened in the month after the storm. The stretch from Gervais Street to the Cayce Riverwalk entrance reopened in July 2025.

The remaining northernmost piece of the riverwalk returned to operation in August.

Lucky you. You just found COLAtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events taking place throughout Columbia each month.

Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading into December. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.

Opening Reception: “Colorful Memories” by Ija Monet | 6-8 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | Free | Monet’s new series ranges from portraits of ordinary people to a diverse sampling of symbols from our day-to-day culture.

One Columbia for Arts & Culture Hosts Festive Holiday Party and Open Studios Event | 6-9 p.m. | 1013 Duke Ave, Columbia | Free | Enjoy hors douvres and network with local artists.

First Thursday | 6 p.m. | Main Street District | Free | Head to the monthly celebration for local food trucks, live music, and a silent disco at 8 p.m.

Columbia Anime-Fest | Sunday, Dec. 28 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Columbia | $23 | Listen in to panels, cosplay contests, and an artist alley.

“Into the Woods” | Thursday, Dec. 4-Sunday, Dec. 14 | Times vary | Trustus Theatre | $40| James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone’s favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece… and a rare modern classic.

Columbia Classical Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” | Friday, Dec. 5 | 7:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. | Koger Center Auditorium | $20+ | Celebrate the magic of the holidays with this family favorite featuring Columbia Classical Ballet’s collaboration with SC Governor’s School for the Arts & Humanities, and El Camino Ballet.

“Elf Jr. The Musical” | Friday, Dec. 5-Sunday, Dec. 7 | Times vary | Broad River Arts Center | $10+ | Based on the beloved holiday film, Elf Jr. is a laugh-out-loud celebration of the power of connection.

Steve Ray Ladson Welcome Home Parade | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | St John Baptist Church Parking Lot, Hopkins | Free | After the Welcome Home Parade, the community will be invited to experience music, food, fun, and games.

Jazz in the Park | 4-7 p.m. | Finlay Park | Free | Bring the family, spread out on the lawn, and kick off the first weekend of December with great music, vendors, fresh air, and family and friends.

Plink, Rattle, Toot! Words Meet Music: Holiday Jazz Edition | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Richland Library Main | Free | Words Meet Music. Ms. Leslie from the Children’s Room and musicians from Cola Jazz come together to pair picture books with jazz for an unforgettable performance, especially for the holidays.

Lauren Daigle: The Behold Christmas Tour | 7:30 p.m. | The Township Auditorium | $70+ | Sing along to a night of holiday tunes with the host of “CMA Country Christmas” on ABC.

Gamecock Men’s Basketball | Through December | Times vary | Be extra loud in supporting the Gamecocks while the students are out of town on holiday break.

Gamecock Women’s Basketball | Through December | Times vary | Be extra loud in supporting the Gamecocks while the students are out of town on holiday break.

WWE Presents NXT Live | 7:30 p.m. | The Township Auditorium | $36+ | See the WWE NXT live with special appearances from Raw and SmackDown superstars.

Sippin’ Santa Holiday Pop-Up at Prohibition | Tuesday, Dec. 2-Sunday, Dec. 28 | Times vary | Prohibition | Free | Grab a drink in this floor-to-ceiling winter wonderland filled with holiday cheer.

Publico Holiday Pop Up | Through December | BullStreet + Five Points locations | The BullStreet location is turning naughty with a Grinch theme and Five Points is decked out with lights.

Holiday Market | Throughout December | Finlay Park | Free | This local artist holiday market will provide up to eight free vendor spaces in tented merchant areas for the first 3 weekends of December.

Historic Columbia’s Holiday Tours | Wednesday, Dec. 3-Saturday, Jan. 3 | Times vary | Robert Mills House | $0+ | Experience the holiday season with Historic Columbia on a guided holiday tour of the Robert Mills House and the Hampton-Preston Mansion.

Midlands Clay Arts Society 24th Annual Holiday Sale | Thursday, Dec. 4-Saturday, Dec. 6 | Times vary | Stormwater Studios | Free | Local ceramic artists will showcase their sculptural, functional, and whimsical wheel-thrown and hand-built ceramic art.

Holiday Planetarium Lighting | Thursday, Dec. 4 | 4-7 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum | Free | At the end of the evening, a very special guest will be on hand as we officially “light” the planetarium dome with a special holiday display for the season.

3rd Annual SC Gingerbread House Competition and Exhibition | Friday, Dec. 5-Saturday, Dec. 6 | Times vary | AIA of Columbia | Free | This event invites bakers, artists, and holiday enthusiasts of all ages to showcase their creativity in a celebration of community and craftsmanship.

2nd Annual Uptown Holiday Hop | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 4-8 p.m. | Uptown Columbia Businesses | Free | Enjoy the sounds of Sean Thomson’s annual Sitar Christmas and shopping from local businesses.

Junior League Holiday Market 2025 | Thursday, Dec. 4-Sunday, Dec. 7 | South Carolina State Fairgrounds | $10 | Nearly 160 merchants from across the country sell merchandise during a shopping extravaganza, which includes a ladies-only shopping event, a Holiday Ball, and a children’s event with the season’s biggest celebrity, Santa.

Santa’s Christmas Party | Saturday, Dec. 6, Saturday, Dec. 13, Saturday, Dec. 20 | 11 a.m. | Columbia Marionette Theatre | $15 | A holiday variety show with live music and puppets.

Meeting Street Artisan Markets - Holiday Edition | Saturday, Dec. 6, Saturday, Dec. 13, Saturday, Dec. 20 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Interactive Art Park, West Columbia | Free | Celebrate the season, find the perfect holiday gifts, and support local artisans at the Meeting Street Artisan Holiday Market, a can’t-miss event for the whole family.

Clara’s Winter Wonderland | Sunday, Dec. 7, Wednesday, Dec. 10 | Times vary | Lexington 2 Performing Arts Center, West Columbia | $30+ | Featuring dazzling choreography, festive music, and breathtaking performances, this enchanting production brings the joy and wonder of Christmas to life on stage.

Smoked’s Red Carpt NYE | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 9 p.m.-1 a.m. | Smoked | $155+ | Ring in 2026 on the 1600 Block under the downtown lights.

COLUMBIA — It turns out that West Columbia isn’t losing its favorite (and only) combination ice cream and taco shop.

Amber and Ryan Mullins announced they’ll be taking over the business in a Dec. 10 social media post. The couple introduced themselves and shared their excitement to take on the business. Over the years, IceCream Taco has become popular in West Columbia for serving mostly beef tacos and a variety of Hershey’s ice cream.

The Mullins own Southern Solutions Heating and Air, but Amber Mullins said running an ice cream parlor has been her dream since she was a child.

“I am truly looking forward to my dream coming true and having the opportunity to serve you and your family,” Amber Mullins said in a social media video.

Original IceCream Taco owner Sonia Norman first announced plans to move on from her combo eatery on Dec. 2 with a Facebook post referencing plans to start a new chapter living in Thailand.

“And for the first time in my life, I’m choosing me,” Norman said on Facebook. “I’m choosing FREEDOM. I’m choosing PEACE. I’m choosing to explore the world while I still have the strength and the chance to do it.”

While she will no longer be running IceCream Taco, Norman said she hopes to continue her journey with the community “even from afar” as she explores a new culture. She hopes to discover who she is “outside of work, stress, and survival.”

A date has not been announced for when Norman plans to officially step down or when the Mullins will start running the business.