Dishing on Downtown Dining

If ‘healthy’ makes you hesitant, consider these scrumptious selections.

When it comes to downtown dining, there are plentiful options for a variety of palates. But are there enough choices for people with food allergies or specific diets such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free? Happily the answer is “yes,” and they’re served alongside a healthy helping of community spirit.   

Say ‘Hello’ to Healthy  

Kalle LeMone, owner of Nourish Café and Market, says that people who are hesitant to try Nourish because it’s known as a “healthy food place” are pleasantly surprised. The café cooks with ingredients made from scratch, a lot of fresh herbs, and plenty of seasonings. For those looking for healthful, environmentally friendly dishes, Nourish sources all organic ingredients, including organic, single-origin olive oil. It buys local products from over 30 different farmers and vendors and even makes its almond milk in house.   

LeMone’s favorite dishes are the avocado toast and the sunshine bowl with curry chicken salad. What makes Nourish’s avocado toast so special is that it uses organic, gluten-free sourdough bread with zero preservatives. The toast is topped with organic avocados, drizzled with lemon tahini sauce, then sprinkled with cilantro and pasture-raised local feta. Organic, nutrient-dense food is important to LeMone because she has experienced firsthand how much it benefits her hormones, mood, skin, and energy.   

Even beyond the food, Nourish pays close attention to every detail of its practices, using eco-friendly containers and paying for food scraps to be composted back into the soil. Nourish boasts natural light in its restaurant and a comfortable, pet-friendly patio. Parking can be a concern for some interested in dining downtown. However, parking decks are free for the first hour, and there is one located only fifty feet behind the restaurant.  

LeMone appreciates the people-centered vibe of having a business downtown, adding, “I love being downtown — there is something special about being in a city. People downtown are out walking more, and it feels more like a community.”  

Want Delicious and Nutritious? Ask the Expert   

Dieticians consider Nourish a good option for people with dietary restrictions and food allergies. “You don’t have to compromise taste for nutrition,” says local dietitian Ashley Van Doren.  

When it comes to a delicious, nutrient-dense choice downtown, Van Doren recommends the Thai peanut chicken salad from Addison’s. The salad starts with a bed of mixed greens, tomatoes, and carrots, which packs a lot of vitamins and minerals. The greens are then topped with crispy chicken strips laced with a sweet-and-spicy peanut sauce that Van Doren finds to be a fun source of protein with a crunch.   

Van Doren’s favorite place to eat downtown is Thai Express. It is a smaller restaurant tucked back off the Ninth Street alley. She’s a fan of the restaurant’s yellow curry and pineapple fried rice. “I want them to stay open for forever, so please go,” she urges. Van Doren also frequents Hokkaido because of the “amazing ramen and sushi.” Hokkaido has selections that work for people with food allergies.   

If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a good slice of pizza, she recommends Pizza Tree. They have the most unique flavors,” Van Doren says, such as kimchi pizza and mac and cheese pizza. The restaurant offers pizza by the slice and a rotating menu to keep things fresh and interesting.   

Van Doren says that a good lunch spot for those with dietary restrictions is Main Squeeze, which recently restarted its food service. The restaurant’s menu, packed with organic and locally sourced ingredients, caters to those with vegan and vegetarian diets. For good date night spots, she recommends Endwell Taverna or Sycamore. For a good spot to hang out with friends, she recommends Delia’s Mexican Grill because they have really good margaritas. Günter Hans is another place she suggested for having a night out with friends because of their delicious apps such as their pretzels, and they offer bingo and trivia nights.  

“We have a really unique downtown given the size of Columbia; a really thriving downtown and a lot of small businesses,” Van Doren notes. “We are really fortunate in Columbia to have so many places that cater to so many different cultures, food allergies, etc. Instead of getting Domino’s or another chain, go try a downtown small business instead.”  

Come for the Chow, Stay for the Community Feels  

That’s a suggestion Mark Sulltrop, owner and executive chef of 44 Canteen, would no doubt endorse. Like LeMone of Nourish, he says he enjoys having a location downtown. Sulltrop is grateful to be right next to The Blue Note and has good neighbors, which gives downtown such a great community feel.  

“We try to have a good variety and have something for everybody when they come — our focus is craft beer/cocktails and casual food,” he says. The eatery is also expanding its mocktail menu to offer more interesting drinks for people who don’t consume alcohol. While it does not have a separate frier or kitchen for those with food sensitivities, 44 Canteen does make adjustments if requested.  

The top sellers are typically the fish tacos and the walking steak taco; instead of being in a bag, it is in taco form. The walking steak taco is generally offered seasonally, as the restaurant uses only fresh, local tomatoes — along with Boulevard Brewery IPA-marinated steak, seasoned tortilla strips, and house-made crema sauce — to craft the dish.  

44 Canteen’s tacos are not your typical Tex-Mex fare. While the restaurant serves street tacos with some classically authentic ingredients, its chefs put their own spin on tacos as well. For example, they do a Philly steak taco made with their IPA -marinated steak and house-made queso. Sulltrop says they try to add a twist to everything they do while utilizing as many local products as possible.  

Amanda Elliott, co-owner, chef, and “vibe check operator” of Beet Box, is another restaurateur who loves the energy of being downtown.  

“When you group businesses and dining options into a walkable distance from one another, it creates a whole experience and vibe that is more interactive and lively,” she says. While Beet Box doesn’t claim to specialize in dietary restrictions, many of its staples can be made gluten-free by just swapping out a wrap for a bowl. The hummus bowl and the falafel are good choices for a vegetarian or vegan diet. The specials are usually their most popular dishes, followed by the hummus bowl and the chicken shawarma.  

Downtown Columbia boasts a wide variety of locally owned and operated dining options. The hospitality pros at these establishments know that part of creating an inviting atmosphere for everyone is making sure patrons with dietary restrictions don’t miss out. Because as much as local restaurant owners appreciate having regular customers, they’re always looking to welcome new ones into the family.