Pitas

For years I've heard my sister rave about her absolute favorite restaurant and in Columbia. And…read moreafter years of never being able to catch the Mediterranean Tea Room during its open hours the day finally came to see if the hype was worth it. And update: it totally was. We came in a bit later in their dinner service and had no issue being sat and were even able to park in their small adjoined parking lot rather than hunting for street parking. I went with the grilled chicken kebabplate and subbed the Greek Salad for a small side of pita and hummus instead. I also wanted to try the kofta so was able to order one piece à la carte to try. It didn't take long for the generously portioned meal to come out....and it also didn't take long for my plate to be scraped clean. Everything was fresh, tasted excellence and seasoned to perfection. I preferred the chicken to the kofta but was glad I tried both. Pro tip - make sure to ask for a side of the yummy salad dressing to mix into your rice to really lake the flavor over the board with the chicken! Between the great food and service I see what the hype is a about for this little Columbia long-time staple.

Wow, this is my new favorite Mediterranean spot! Went on a Friday night, and the parking lot was…read morepacked, so had to find street parking. There was a slight wait, but everyone was very friendly. Started with the baba ganoush and tried the kofta medallion entree. Absolutely loved everything. Tasted fresh made. Kofta was super juicy and had a nice chargrilled scent. The yellow rice sopped up the seasoned meat juices. Salad was crisp and plenty. Best part was how affordable everything was! Bang for your buck! Definitely a hidden gem.

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Grilled Chicken Breast Platter

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe - Columbia

Everything about this place is amazing! The food, the cooks, the service, the management...shall I…read morego on? I eat here at least 4 times a month. I have never had a bad experience. The Salmon with basmati rice and the Mediterranean salad is the BEST meal you can treat yourself. I like my salmon well done, but the cooks are the best, they can prepare it like YOU like it! The tea is always sweet, but not too sweet. The servers are always on point and the place is neat and clean. I ate there yesterday and my Salmon was cooked perfectly. I have also had the Kypelos with quinoa and cooked veggies...so good and so healthy. If you eat here once, you will be hooked.

All week I had been planning to fly over to Taziki and order the Greek Salad with a Salmon on the…read moreside. Today was that day. Of course my hubby had to place an order as well! The Greek salad was so good! The onions, olives, cucumbers and all the great ingredients tasted so wonderful with the grilled salmon. All I can say is, I am ready for more! My hubby ordered the Turkish Meatballs with Basmati Rice. By the looks of it no crumbs to be found anywhere, which means he loved it:) Great meal, awesome customer service and clean establishment means repeated customers right here! We will be back for more soon.

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Arianas Greek Restaurant

4.0(170 reviews)

3.8 mi

My family just started using Ariana's every week for the last 6 weeks. The food, service, ambience,…read moreand the prices are consistently excellent. It's our new "go to" place for Greek food!

NOT a genuine Greek restaurant - seems like a front for something else. Only about 10 tables. No…read morebread came with the entrées, nor salad. The spanakopita was not real spanakopita. It was horrible. The potatoes were three chunks on the plate as a full serving. Ordered the salads extra and they were very small. There were two specials listed on the board and neither one had a price posted. The price was $24. This was lunch. Out of four people, only one enjoyed their food. Keep going. Looks like there's a genuine, good, busy well rated Greek restaurant down the street

Table lamp

Lamb Souvlaki Gyro

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Lovely ambiance! Great for an affordable date night!

Greek Boys

3.6(75 reviews)

0.5 mi•Downtown

Popular downtown lunch spot for many professionals. Serving up fresh Greek and Italian dishes…read more Friendly staff who make you feel welcomed immediately upon arrival. Portions were generous and food was prepared quickly. The pasta was well sauced, next time I think I will add shrimp. The Spanakopita was tasty but a bit heavier on cheese than I prefer. Casual environment with ample indoor seating.

My husband and I have eaten here a few times and have always enjoyed the food and relaxing…read moreatmosphere. I am really sold on their fries. We went this past week and I was going to try something different but couldn't resist getting souvlaki again. I think the ac was not working well that day as it was a bit warm inside. But the food was good and quickly served. It seems to be packed every time we go but by the time we had ordered, a table was available.

Order at the counter

Spanakopita

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Italy at Greek boys (minus the mushrooms)

Ambrosia Taverna

3.5(50 reviews)

0.6 mi•Downtown

I am extremely disappointed with the service and hospitality our group received at this restaurant…read more This past weekend, we reserved a private dinner for approximately 31 adults to celebrate a 50th birthday. Upon arrival, the restaurant itself appeared beautiful, and our group was seated in a private dining room with water already placed on the tables. Unfortunately, the level of service that followed did not match the atmosphere or the upscale prices we paid. Our entire party appeared to have only one server, whom I later learned was named Sarah. She did not introduce herself, welcome the group, explain how dinner service would work, or tell us what was being served. We were divided among four tables, which already made communicating our needs more difficult. A fifth table was designated as the "food table," where we were expected to serve ourselves both appetizers and entrées. I have attended many group dinners and celebrations, and I have never experienced this type of setup at a restaurant presenting itself as an upscale establishment. The process felt disorganized and lacked the level of hospitality we expected. If guests are paying upscale prices, the service should reflect an upscale dining experience. One of the most concerning moments occurred when it was time to serve the birthday cake. As our dinner plates were being cleared, we expected to receive clean forks for dessert. Instead, Sarah told us that the restaurant was "short on forks" because she believed people were stealing them, and we were told to keep our dinner forks to use for cake. This explanation was both surprising and inappropriate. I later encountered the chef and asked him directly about the restaurant being short on forks. He appeared genuinely confused, told me there was no shortage that he was aware of, and immediately asked whether we needed clean forks. After I explained what we had been told, he brought our group clean forks. That interaction was especially troubling because it left me questioning why our server gave us an explanation that the chef himself did not recognize as true. As a group of predominantly Black guests, the inconsistency in what we were told and the overall way our party was treated unfortunately left some of us wondering whether we were being treated differently because of our race. I do not make that statement lightly, but the experience made the concern difficult to ignore. As for the food itself, it was okay overall, although several items were a bit too salty for our taste. There were also significant issues with the amount of food provided. We initially ordered based on the quantity recommended for our group size when making the reservation, yet we ran out of food during dinner. We then had to wait nearly an hour for additional food to be prepared. After that lengthy wait, we were ultimately unable to take the remaining food with us, despite the amount of money our group had paid. For what we spent on this celebration, the quality of service simply did not justify the cost. This was an important 50th birthday gathering, and several members of our party were veterans. It was disappointing to see our guests receive this level of service during what should have been a special and memorable evening. A beautiful restaurant and upscale pricing are only part of the dining experience. Hospitality, organization, communication, professionalism, and the way guests are made to feel matter just as much. I sincerely hope management takes this feedback seriously and provides additional hospitality and professionalism training to its staff, particularly regarding large private parties. This restaurant has the potential to provide a wonderful experience, but our group unfortunately did not receive one.

Ambrosia was the perfect place for a birthday dinner!…read more Upon arrival we were greeted and seated. Reservations were made on resy. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful with amazing service to match. For appetizer, we enjoyed the calamari. The bread was served with a delicious balsamic vinegar and oil. Our entrees included lamb shank, roasted Greek potatoes, vegetables medley and shrimp and scallops pasta! Highly recommended if you enjoy Greek cuisine

Dining area

Calamari

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Nicks Gyros & Subs

3.6(78 reviews)

5.8 mi

Do not eat here very disgusting very very, very dirty. The cook in the back was smoking a cigarette…read morewhile cooking my food and the cashier was scratching her vagina while sitting down watching her phone thinking nobody can see her Very disgusting people food was garbage.

They got the orders wrong, the food felt undercooked, and the tv playing loudly while trying to…read morehear the cashier was annoying, overall the ambiance wasn't great.

Inside

Crab plate

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Fridge with desserts and drinks

Ambrosia Cuisine and Travel

5.0(1 review)

4.0 mi

We ordered gyros, she did a excellent job. They were juicy the whole way through. Definitely…read more going to be a repeat customer. Thank you for taking the time, you took me not only to Pittsburgh Pa. But all the way to Greece. Thanks

From the owner: Authentic Greek cuisine, home made from farm fresh and organic ingredients and delivered to your…read morehome or office for breakfast, lunch, dinner or special events. Dishes are made using extra virgin olive oil, herbs and feta imported from Greece and due to the wide range of Greek cuisine with a rich tradition in vegetable and legume dishes, menus can be tailored to any dietary needs or restrictions. Ambrosia offers not only popular Greek dishes, cooked as they do in Greece, using fresh herbs, spices and produce, such as: spanakopita, moussaka, Pastitsio, Lemon roasted chicken, tzatziki and home made pita bread, souvlaki, stuffed vegetables, dolmas, baklava, etc. but also lesser known regional cuisine, including a variety of vegetarian dishes, home made phyllo or pizza creations, appetizers and various Greek and Southern pastries and desserts. Ambrosia is also available for cooking classes or demonstrations on subjects such as: legume dishes and preparation, making phyllo and vegetable p

Grecian Gardens

3.5(182 reviews)

4.5 mi

Incredible. I've…read morebeen looking for a good Greek spot since moving to Columbia, and baby I've FOUND it. Every person working there, top down, was super nice and accommodating. The food was incredible (literally some of the best pita, Greek potatoes and Souvlaki I've had in forever). It feels very family-owned, family-oriented, and.. well, Greek. lol fr though, this is how I felt when eating at my Greek friends houses growing up. I will definitely be back. Shout out to the server with the accent (it sounded Aussie or Kiwi, but i could just be lying) for attention to detail and service. Thanks Grecian Gardens!

I have eaten here for over 20 years. I even worked here a little bit in high school and college…read more They have an amazing white pizza. I absolutely love the house salad. My kids love the shrimp meal. Their bread is absolutely amazing. They can accommodate small or large parties. We had a couple of huge family dinners here. The service was great considering we were a large party and they were pretty busy in the dining area as well. I love how the bar is in completely different side of the dining area. A definite must try if you haven't.

Dining area

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George's Southside Restaurant

3.9(57 reviews)

5.1 mi

I'm delighted to have this diner right in my neighborhood. We eat there 3 to 4 times a week and…read morehave never been disappointed. The business is classified as Mediterranean but is actually an American Diner, serving breakfast and lunch. The decor is very plain, but we don't go there for the ambiance. We go for good food, fast service, and fair priced. One tip... if you love carrot cake, George's has the best that I've had in this area. Good job, Peter!

Local as local gets. Some of the best fried chicken I've had in a while. Don't expect much for…read moredecor but the food was delicious - even with mashed potatoes out of a box. My friend also liked the heaping plate of shrimp and grits.

1.28.2026

Veggie Omelette & Grits

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1.28.2026

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

5 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Kelly G.

0

9

0

13 years ago

I went here for the first time at lunch the other day and it was so disappointing. I love greek food and this is probably the worst.The food that I ordered was cold, and the meat tasted like it was old. The floors and the place was just really dirt and I am just not a big fan of the decoration of this place. It just looks tacky. I honestly just don't recommend this place. read more

Frank A.

0

29

1

11 years ago

Great Lebanese food, run by folks who enjoy what they do. Most importantly, THEY MAKE THEIR OWN PITA BREAD. yeah... they don't bring it in - it's done right there. Only place I know in Columbia.... Decor is rather sparse and plain, but it works. I get the gyro or falafal - both are great.... read more

David Y.

1

147

4

8 years ago

Food is delicious! Short wait time, perfect for lunch and reasonably priced. Can't wait to go back and try something new:)

Kimberly B.

0

9

0

4 years ago

I love it! Food is always fresh and tastes good! One of my favorite places to go. Staff is always so friendly!

Bobby J.

0

1

0

7 years ago

The best!!! they catered a family reunion for us, everyone satisfied

Pitas - greek - Updated September 2026

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Greek Boys

3.6

(75 reviews)

Popular downtown lunch spot for many professionals. Serving up fresh Greek and Italian dishes…read more Friendly staff who make you feel welcomed immediately upon arrival. Portions were generous and food was prepared quickly. The pasta was well sauced, next time I think I will add shrimp. The Spanakopita was tasty but a bit heavier on cheese than I prefer. Casual environment with ample indoor seating.

My husband and I have eaten here a few times and have always enjoyed the food and relaxing…read moreatmosphere. I am really sold on their fries. We went this past week and I was going to try something different but couldn't resist getting souvlaki again. I think the ac was not working well that day as it was a bit warm inside. But the food was good and quickly served. It seems to be packed every time we go but by the time we had ordered, a table was available.

Green Olive Restaurant

3.8

(130 reviews)

Lamb and chicken kabobs were excellent. Good helping of rice and veggies. Service and staff were…read morenice and helpful. Would go again if in the area.

Came here for dinner. It was completely empty. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it was something…read moreto keep in mind. Ordered the chicken and lamb shawarma. It's was ok. It honestly lacked some flavor, and the rice itself was basically flavorless. Adding salt to the dish helped. Overall, there are better spots to get Arabic/Mediterranean food.

George's Southside Restaurant

3.9

(57 reviews)

I'm delighted to have this diner right in my neighborhood. We eat there 3 to 4 times a week and…read morehave never been disappointed. The business is classified as Mediterranean but is actually an American Diner, serving breakfast and lunch. The decor is very plain, but we don't go there for the ambiance. We go for good food, fast service, and fair priced. One tip... if you love carrot cake, George's has the best that I've had in this area. Good job, Peter!

Local as local gets. Some of the best fried chicken I've had in a while. Don't expect much for…read moredecor but the food was delicious - even with mashed potatoes out of a box. My friend also liked the heaping plate of shrimp and grits.

Bellis House of Pizza

4.0

(95 reviews)

First time here and tried the Hawaiian pizza along with the cheesy bread. The cheesy bread was…read morepretty good, along with the marinara it came with! Our pizza though was so floppy and impossible to pick up and eat. Flavors are on point with great sauce, but having everything mushy on the bottom and slide off is a deal breaker for us finding our pizza place! Could be because we got the Hawaiian and the toppings caused it to be too heavy to cook through all the way? No clue, but if other places can get a solid crust, then hopefully they can find a way. Still in search for the best pizza place in Lexington!

Always the best pizza. And their house made Greek dressing is so good. On crackers or a salad. I've…read morebeen a customer of Bellis House of Pizza long before they came to Lexington from Orangeburg. Great folks and great food!

Ambrosia Taverna

3.5

(50 reviews)

I am extremely disappointed with the service and hospitality our group received at this restaurant…read more This past weekend, we reserved a private dinner for approximately 31 adults to celebrate a 50th birthday. Upon arrival, the restaurant itself appeared beautiful, and our group was seated in a private dining room with water already placed on the tables. Unfortunately, the level of service that followed did not match the atmosphere or the upscale prices we paid. Our entire party appeared to have only one server, whom I later learned was named Sarah. She did not introduce herself, welcome the group, explain how dinner service would work, or tell us what was being served. We were divided among four tables, which already made communicating our needs more difficult. A fifth table was designated as the "food table," where we were expected to serve ourselves both appetizers and entrées. I have attended many group dinners and celebrations, and I have never experienced this type of setup at a restaurant presenting itself as an upscale establishment. The process felt disorganized and lacked the level of hospitality we expected. If guests are paying upscale prices, the service should reflect an upscale dining experience. One of the most concerning moments occurred when it was time to serve the birthday cake. As our dinner plates were being cleared, we expected to receive clean forks for dessert. Instead, Sarah told us that the restaurant was "short on forks" because she believed people were stealing them, and we were told to keep our dinner forks to use for cake. This explanation was both surprising and inappropriate. I later encountered the chef and asked him directly about the restaurant being short on forks. He appeared genuinely confused, told me there was no shortage that he was aware of, and immediately asked whether we needed clean forks. After I explained what we had been told, he brought our group clean forks. That interaction was especially troubling because it left me questioning why our server gave us an explanation that the chef himself did not recognize as true. As a group of predominantly Black guests, the inconsistency in what we were told and the overall way our party was treated unfortunately left some of us wondering whether we were being treated differently because of our race. I do not make that statement lightly, but the experience made the concern difficult to ignore. As for the food itself, it was okay overall, although several items were a bit too salty for our taste. There were also significant issues with the amount of food provided. We initially ordered based on the quantity recommended for our group size when making the reservation, yet we ran out of food during dinner. We then had to wait nearly an hour for additional food to be prepared. After that lengthy wait, we were ultimately unable to take the remaining food with us, despite the amount of money our group had paid. For what we spent on this celebration, the quality of service simply did not justify the cost. This was an important 50th birthday gathering, and several members of our party were veterans. It was disappointing to see our guests receive this level of service during what should have been a special and memorable evening. A beautiful restaurant and upscale pricing are only part of the dining experience. Hospitality, organization, communication, professionalism, and the way guests are made to feel matter just as much. I sincerely hope management takes this feedback seriously and provides additional hospitality and professionalism training to its staff, particularly regarding large private parties. This restaurant has the potential to provide a wonderful experience, but our group unfortunately did not receive one.

Ambrosia was the perfect place for a birthday dinner!…read more Upon arrival we were greeted and seated. Reservations were made on resy. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful with amazing service to match. For appetizer, we enjoyed the calamari. The bread was served with a delicious balsamic vinegar and oil. Our entrees included lamb shank, roasted Greek potatoes, vegetables medley and shrimp and scallops pasta! Highly recommended if you enjoy Greek cuisine

Angelo's Greek & Italian Restaurant

3.7

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I love pasta and it was very great pasta. They had there. The service was great. The atmosphere was…read morealso great. I recommend it very highly for pasta.

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Di Prato's

4.5

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This place is special. I love the old diner vibe (larger than a traditional diner but my statement…read morestill stands). The service could be hit or miss. You having a server or not all depends on how busy it is that day. The food is fairly consistent and you know how good it'll be every time you go. Side note: the Cannoli was actually really good. As a person who doesn't enjoy sweet things that much it was very pleasant.

I've only tasted their pimento cheese at the festival and the original is phenomenal! I'd purchase…read moreagain. Friendly staff! I'd definitely check out their restaurant/deli soon!

CAVA

3.8

(50 reviews)

Cava is a great spot for a healthy and delicious meal! I've always enjoyed their fresh and…read moreflavorful ingredients. The ability to customize your bowl or salad exactly how you want it is a huge plus. What makes Cava even better is their military discount - a nice way to show appreciation for those who have served. And let me tell you, the harissa sauce with the meatballs is an absolute must-try. It's a flavor explosion that keeps me coming back for more. I've never dined in but there's plenty of space at all times and lots of parking. There's music playing, but it's not loud to where conversations are difficult to hear. The staff have always been helpful and professional, I always left with a great impression of the establishment. Highly recommend Cava for a quick and satisfying meal that won't break the bank!

Great "build it yourself " bowls and pita combos. Wide variety of greens, veggies, mix ins and…read moretoppings. Better than expected taste that is healthy for you. A bit pricey but worth the extra money. Quick processing through the assembly line and ample portions of each ingredient. Nice, clean modern eat in areas with an excellent variety of beverages, both fountain and bottled drinks. Well lighted and airy, not too loud when we visited, a bit quieter than usual. I had the chicken bowl with power greens and my partner had the lamb meatball bowl with arugula, both were excellent and fresh. This place reminds me of a Chipotle on steroids. Kinda out of the way for us but I think it's worth a drive to eat such a great meal now and then.

The Loopy Lemon Cafe

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The food is refreshing, light, and satisfying. Portions are medium to large. Of special note is…read morethe Lentil soup. It is creamy, savory, and delicious! It's a must-have when you visit. Fattoush salad is light and lemony. Our server remembered us from our last visit two months ago and what we enjoyed-- friendly, helpful, and attentive. The facility is decorated well and clean, especially the restroom. Loopy Lemon does not disappoint-- plan a meal here when you visit Camden.

We came to Loopy Lemon on Christmas Eve and had such a great time. The food was amazing--super…read morefresh, flavorful, and so good! Everything we ordered was delicious, and the dips were especially yummy. The kids loved the grilled chicken and potatoes. It's always nice finding a place where the kids also enjoy!! The lemon bar dessert was so good and the perfect way to end the meal. Eating at Loopy Lemon really made our Christmas Eve feel extra special. We'll definitely be back and highly recommend it!

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