Restaurants Near the Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Columbia, South Carolina

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The Columbia Metropolitan Airport serves more than 1.2 million passengers each year serving Columbia, South Carolina's state capital and largest city. As home to such attractions as the Botanical Garden, Carolina Coliseum, and several golf courses, Columbia is a choice destination for travelers, and whether visiting for business or leisure, there is certainly no shortage of restaurants in proximity to the airport.

Maurice's Gourmet Barbeque

For more than 60 years, Maurice's Gourmet Barbeque has served Columbia. Maurice's use of all-natural ingredients are what make Maurice's patrons coming back. Choose from dinner plates like small rib (two large ribs, Carolina hash over rice, cole slaw, hushpuppies and a dinner roll) or a chicken tender basket (four chicken tenders, Idaho french fries, cole slaw, and honey-mustard sauce), among several others. Maurice's sandwiches include burgers, chili hot dogs and rib variations. Side dishes include pork skins, baked beans and chicken tenders. Complete your meal with dessert selections like banana pudding, strawberry shortcake and pecan pie.

Maurice's Gourmet Barbeque
2450 Augusta Road
West Columbia, SC 29169
803-796-4777
mauricesbbq.com

Lizard's Thicket Restaurant

Lizard's Thicket first opened in 1977 and has been serving authentic Southern cuisine in the Columbia area ever since. Open daily, Lizard's Thicket serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fried chicken, salmon patties, baked ham, fried catfish, and country fried steak are among Lizard Thicket's main meat selections. Pair those with side dishes like potato salad, squash casserole, collards, candied yams or macaroni & cheese. Salads, soups, and chili are also on the menu in addition to sandwiches like the flounder, BLT on Texas toast or fried bologna sandwiches.

Lizard's Thicket Restaurant
2240 Airport Blvd.
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803) 796-7820
lizardsthicket.com

The Backyard Cafe

The Backyard Cafe offers lunch and dinner selections in nearby West Columbia, South Carolina. Starters include appetizers like loaded cheese fries, artichoke spinach dip and nachos supreme, as well as a number of salads like salmon Caesar, Greek, and the signature backyard salad which includes roast beef, turkey, ham, bacon, and egg with basil vinaigrette. For entrees, patrons can choose among burgers and specialty sandwiches as well as main course plates like teriyaki salmon, fried flounder dinner, roast beef, spaghetti and meatballs, and pasta alfredo. Side dishes like fries, rice pilaf, pasta salad, and mashed potatoes are also on Backyard's menu. Beverages include imported and domestic bottled beer as well as wines, and Backyard has a selection of ice cream flavors to choose from for dessert.

The Backyard Cafe
940 Old Barnwell Road
West Columbia, SC 29170
803-951-0405
thebackyardcafe.net

Article Written By Melissa Cole

Melissa Cole began writing as a local newspaper reporter in 2008. Her work also appears on various websites. Cole is a public-television producer and media professional, as well as a vegan and former varsity track-and-field MVP and team captain. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and politics from New York University.

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