Guidebook for Columbia
Food Scene
Our FAVORITE local place to eat! If it's nice outside, sit on the patio. It is generally busy so go during off-peak hours. Luke recommends the flat branch burger (with creamy artichoke dip on top) and honey wheat beer (brewed in house). Alissa recommends the southwestern chicken taco salad and creme brûlée bread pudding.
https://www.flatbranch.com/menu/
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Flat Branch Pub & Brewing
115 S 5th StOur FAVORITE local place to eat! If it's nice outside, sit on the patio. It is generally busy so go during off-peak hours. Luke recommends the flat branch burger (with creamy artichoke dip on top) and honey wheat beer (brewed in house). Alissa recommends the southwestern chicken taco salad and creme brûlée bread pudding.
https://www.flatbranch.com/menu/
A staple for Columbia pizza eaters with a fun hippie vibe. There are 3 locations with the downtown location being the busiest....and where you will have to pay for parking. Lots of great toppings and a gluten free pizza crust if you like!
https://shakespeares.com/
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Shakespeare's Pizza - Downtown
225 S 9th StA staple for Columbia pizza eaters with a fun hippie vibe. There are 3 locations with the downtown location being the busiest....and where you will have to pay for parking. Lots of great toppings and a gluten free pizza crust if you like!
https://shakespeares.com/
Fresh, gourmet pies. Yummmmm.... They have fruit pies, cream pies, nut pies, specialty pies, and savory pies. They also have single serving pies in a jelly jar that comes with a tiny fork! http://pjpies.com/
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Peggy Jean's Pies
503 E Nifong BlvdFresh, gourmet pies. Yummmmm.... They have fruit pies, cream pies, nut pies, specialty pies, and savory pies. They also have single serving pies in a jelly jar that comes with a tiny fork! http://pjpies.com/
Award-winning BBQ located right here in Columbia. Alissa suggests the turkey sliders. Luke says try the BBQ Nachos and Como grilled mac and cheese (a grilled cheese with meat on one side and mac and cheese on the other!). http://comosmokeandfire.com/
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Como Smoke and Fire
4600 Paris RdAward-winning BBQ located right here in Columbia. Alissa suggests the turkey sliders. Luke says try the BBQ Nachos and Como grilled mac and cheese (a grilled cheese with meat on one side and mac and cheese on the other!). http://comosmokeandfire.com/
Sub Shop
209 S 8th StAlissa loves the Veggie sandwich! http://www.subshopinc.com/
From the website, "A Columbia institution since 1985, Murry’s brings good food and good jazz to Mid-Missouri. We began with a mission to create a restaurant and bar for adults, with little regard for protocol. That vision is furthered today with an eclectic menu, inviting atmosphere, and lots of jazz. We use many locally sourced products for both the restaurant and bar. Daily lunch and dinner specials are complemented with a wide ranging wine list and full bar. The concept has always been straightforward: Keep it simple and make it good." Luke and Alissa LOVE the green pepper rings!
http://murrysrestaurant.net/
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Murry's
3107 Green Meadows WayFrom the website, "A Columbia institution since 1985, Murry’s brings good food and good jazz to Mid-Missouri. We began with a mission to create a restaurant and bar for adults, with little regard for protocol. That vision is furthered today with an eclectic menu, inviting atmosphere, and lots of jazz. We use many locally sourced products for both the restaurant and bar. Daily lunch and dinner specials are complemented with a wide ranging wine list and full bar. The concept has always been straightforward: Keep it simple and make it good." Luke and Alissa LOVE the green pepper rings!
http://murrysrestaurant.net/
A local favorite in downtown Columbia! Lots of unique flavors that you'll have to learn more about upon your visit (they have no website). :)
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Sparky's Homemade Ice Cream
21 S 9th StA local favorite in downtown Columbia! Lots of unique flavors that you'll have to learn more about upon your visit (they have no website). :)
A favorite spot for locals and visitors alike, Ernie's is a small cafe with lots of great diner-style food options. Breakfast seems to be the favorite time to eat at Ernie's so if that's your meal, go early! Tables fill quickly. They open at 6:30am. http://www.erniescolumbia.com/
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Ernie's Cafe & Steak House
1005 E Walnut StA favorite spot for locals and visitors alike, Ernie's is a small cafe with lots of great diner-style food options. Breakfast seems to be the favorite time to eat at Ernie's so if that's your meal, go early! Tables fill quickly. They open at 6:30am. http://www.erniescolumbia.com/
Always busy so get there early to enjoy breakfast or lunch (or the weekend brunch!) made with local, organic food. They don't serve dinner, but they do serve up some tasty tunes at night! http://www.cafeberlincomo.com/
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Cafe Berlin
220 N 10th StAlways busy so get there early to enjoy breakfast or lunch (or the weekend brunch!) made with local, organic food. They don't serve dinner, but they do serve up some tasty tunes at night! http://www.cafeberlincomo.com/
The Boa and Buns are amazing! We also highly recommend Jina’s Nachos - comes with chicken or pulled pork, black bean salsa, house-pickled jalapeños, black bean aioli, & pepper jack cheese sauce. *mouth-watering*
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Le Bao Asian Eatery
1009 Park AveThe Boa and Buns are amazing! We also highly recommend Jina’s Nachos - comes with chicken or pulled pork, black bean salsa, house-pickled jalapeños, black bean aioli, & pepper jack cheese sauce. *mouth-watering*
Locally owned, delicious Thai-Burmese cuisine. You can customize the spice level of your authentic, freshly made meal.
Tiger Chef
907 Rain Forest PkwyLocally owned, delicious Thai-Burmese cuisine. You can customize the spice level of your authentic, freshly made meal.
Stop in for a fresh cup of coffee or buy coffee beans by the pound! A nice little place to relax with a friend, surf the internet, or read a book in a nook - or a Nook in a nook.... https://www.lakotacoffee.com/
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Lakota Coffee Company
24 S 9th StStop in for a fresh cup of coffee or buy coffee beans by the pound! A nice little place to relax with a friend, surf the internet, or read a book in a nook - or a Nook in a nook.... https://www.lakotacoffee.com/
Love Coffee has a full coffee bar and serves artisan baked goods, along with a small breakfast and lunch menu. Everything is made completely from scratch, and produced with the help of those who have intellectual and developmental differing abilities or other barriers to employment.
www.columbialovecoffee.org
Love Coffee
15 Business Loop 70 ELove Coffee has a full coffee bar and serves artisan baked goods, along with a small breakfast and lunch menu. Everything is made completely from scratch, and produced with the help of those who have intellectual and developmental differing abilities or other barriers to employment.
www.columbialovecoffee.org
Drinks & Nightlife
So many great beers (Luke likes the Snapper -India Pale Ale)! They have a large outdoor space with tables and room to run - kid and pet friendly. They don't serve food but if you go around dinner time most evenings, you can enjoy some local food truck cuisine! We recommend the Ozark Mountain Biscuit Company food truck there Thursdays and Saturdays from 4pm-8pm.
http://www.logboatbrewing.com/
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Logboat Brewing Company
504 Fay StSo many great beers (Luke likes the Snapper -India Pale Ale)! They have a large outdoor space with tables and room to run - kid and pet friendly. They don't serve food but if you go around dinner time most evenings, you can enjoy some local food truck cuisine! We recommend the Ozark Mountain Biscuit Company food truck there Thursdays and Saturdays from 4pm-8pm.
http://www.logboatbrewing.com/
Luke was a marketing intern here! A great venue for local and national acts throughout the year. Check out a show if you have a chance: http://thebluenote.com/.
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The Blue Note
17 N 9th StLuke was a marketing intern here! A great venue for local and national acts throughout the year. Check out a show if you have a chance: http://thebluenote.com/.
A great venue with indoor and outdoor space for concerts and other activities. Same owners as The Blue Note.
http://rosemusichall.com/
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Rose Music Hall
1013 Park AveA great venue with indoor and outdoor space for concerts and other activities. Same owners as The Blue Note.
http://rosemusichall.com/
"Trops" as the locals call it is a frozen drink bar. Served in styrofoam to-go cups, you can drink it there or take it to your party destination! Drink names include Toasted Almond (Alissa's fav), Tiger Paw, Brain Freeze, Silver Bullet (Luke's fav), Raspberry Lemonade, and many more! http://www.2trops.com/
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Tropical Liqueurs
515 E Broadway"Trops" as the locals call it is a frozen drink bar. Served in styrofoam to-go cups, you can drink it there or take it to your party destination! Drink names include Toasted Almond (Alissa's fav), Tiger Paw, Brain Freeze, Silver Bullet (Luke's fav), Raspberry Lemonade, and many more! http://www.2trops.com/
Sightseeing
The Columns on the University of Missouri campus. Check out the second-most photographed landmarks in the state of Missouri, next to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Learn the history here: http://missouri.edu/about/history/columns.php. Located just North of Jesse Hall: http://map.missouri.edu/index.html?bldg=37053.
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University of Missouri
The Columns on the University of Missouri campus. Check out the second-most photographed landmarks in the state of Missouri, next to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Learn the history here: http://missouri.edu/about/history/columns.php. Located just North of Jesse Hall: http://map.missouri.edu/index.html?bldg=37053.
Entertainment & Activities
Lots of cool independent films showing here. From their website - "Ragtag exists to champion independent film and media art and to serve film communities both locally and globally." https://www.ragtagcinema.org/
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Ragtag Cinema
10 Hitt StLots of cool independent films showing here. From their website - "Ragtag exists to champion independent film and media art and to serve film communities both locally and globally." https://www.ragtagcinema.org/
Alissa and Luke did this as an anniversary date and had so much fun! CoB does a different painting each night at varying price points. Have some spirits and paint the night away! You and your painting also get featured on their Facebook page the next day. https://www.thecanvasonbroadway.com/events/
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The Canvas On Broadway
706 E BroadwayAlissa and Luke did this as an anniversary date and had so much fun! CoB does a different painting each night at varying price points. Have some spirits and paint the night away! You and your painting also get featured on their Facebook page the next day. https://www.thecanvasonbroadway.com/events/
Alissa and Luke love taking their family here! This outdoor children's water park has slides, sprinklers, water cannons, and falls. Also has concessions.
http://www.como.gov/ParksandRec/Aquatics/facilities.php#TLRA
Little Mates Cove
2500 Chapel Hill RoadAlissa and Luke love taking their family here! This outdoor children's water park has slides, sprinklers, water cannons, and falls. Also has concessions.
http://www.como.gov/ParksandRec/Aquatics/facilities.php#TLRA
Essentials
Cheap groceries near the house. If you need a cart, don't forget your quarter!
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ALDI
807 Business Loop 70 WCheap groceries near the house. If you need a cart, don't forget your quarter!
Our favorite grocery store to shop in with a Starbuck's, salad bar, bakery, and a bar in the gourmet cheese section! They also have a gas station in the parking lot.
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Gerbes Super Market
1729 W BroadwayOur favorite grocery store to shop in with a Starbuck's, salad bar, bakery, and a bar in the gourmet cheese section! They also have a gas station in the parking lot.
Shopping
Lots of shopping with a food court, Panera, and Target too!
https://www.visitcolumbiamall.com
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Columbia Mall
2300 Bernadette DrLots of shopping with a food court, Panera, and Target too!
https://www.visitcolumbiamall.com
In addition to lots of great food and coffee shops, this shopping district has many locally owned shops to pick up the perfect CoMO souvenir.
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The District Downtown Columbia
11 S 10th StIn addition to lots of great food and coffee shops, this shopping district has many locally owned shops to pick up the perfect CoMO souvenir.
Arts & Culture
From Wikipedia: "The Museum of Art and Archaeology, in Columbia, Missouri, is the art museum of the University of Missouri. It is located at Mizzou North on Business Loop. The Museum's galleries are free and open to the public." Luke visited the museum once and thought it was great. It's also super close to their Airbnb! https://maa.missouri.edu/
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Museum of Art and Archaeology
1020 Business Loop 70 WFrom Wikipedia: "The Museum of Art and Archaeology, in Columbia, Missouri, is the art museum of the University of Missouri. It is located at Mizzou North on Business Loop. The Museum's galleries are free and open to the public." Luke visited the museum once and thought it was great. It's also super close to their Airbnb! https://maa.missouri.edu/