Columbia is a college town with serious burger opinions. Ask around in Five Points, the Vista, or near USC, and these names will come up fast.
1. Pawleys Front Porch
In Five Points, Pawleys has been a Columbia burger institution for years. It feels like a beach shack crossed with a college bar, and the burger list is stacked.
The patties are thick, juicy, and cooked to order, with each burger named after a South Carolina beach or town and topped accordingly—pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes, jalapeños, bacon, specialty sauces, and more.
The “Isle of Palms” and “Folly Beach” burgers are local legends. Hand‑cut fries and onion rings seal the deal.
2. Rockaway Athletic Club
A neighborhood bar that looks low‑key from the outside but is absolutely central in local burger lore.
The Rockaway burger is simple on paper—juicy patty, American or Swiss, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles—but it’s the execution that wins people over: perfect sear, soft bun, gooey cheese, and a balance of salty, tangy, and rich. It’s the kind of burger you crave at 10 p.m. on a weeknight.
3. Burger Tavern 77
Right on Devine Street, Burger Tavern 77 is built around the idea of doing burgers and beer properly.
You get a big list of specialty burgers alongside the option to build your own.
Patties are nicely charred yet still pink inside if you want, and toppings range from classic bacon‑cheddar to more adventurous combos with fried eggs, avocado, blue cheese, and spicy sauces.
The beer list is deep enough that you can easily turn a quick bite into a full hang.
4. Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint
Small, loud, and completely focused on burgers and beer—Columbia’s Jack Brown’s feels like it was built for people who obsess over smashburgers.
They use 100% Wagyu beef and keep the menu tight: a few core burgers plus rotating specials.
Expect thin patties with crispy edges, melty cheese, and fun toppings like cream cheese and jalapeño jelly, mac and cheese, or bacon and egg. It’s indulgent in the best way.
5. Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Alehouse
Known first as a craft brewery and neighborhood pub, Hunter‑Gatherer also turns out a very respectable burger that regulars rave about.
The house burger usually features a thick patty on a toasted bun with cheddar or Swiss, lettuce, tomato, and onion, plus optional bacon or mushrooms.
It’s classic, pairs perfectly with their house‑brewed ales, and fits the cozy, wood‑and‑brick pub vibe perfectly.
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