DiPrato&#x27;s

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Best Pimento Cheese in Columbia, South Carolina | Eater Carolinas

"DiPrato’s pimento cheese is the gold standard in Columbia. In addition to pimiento cheese (best shoveled into the face on the crispy fried pita chips), the deli offers an extensive menu for lunch and brunch." - Erin Perkins

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18 Essential Restaurants in Columbia, South Carolina

"Columbia is famous for pimiento cheese, and DiPrato’s version is the gold standard. In addition to pimiento cheese (best shoveled into the face on the crispy fried pita chips), the deli offers an extensive menu for lunch and brunch. DiPrato’s sandwiches are mouth-watering, and customers love options like panini with marinated and roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella, spinach, artichokes, fire-roasted tomatoes, basil leaves, and kalamata olive tapenade, served with a side of basil pesto mayonnaise. Daily specials like Tuesday’s bacon and pimiento cheeseburger with fries are a must. DiPrato’s is essential for tailgate takeout — the wings are unparalleled." - Anne Wolfe Postic

Best Restaurants in Columbia SC

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A USC-area institution known for pimento cheese with warm pita chips, stacked deli sandwiches, and bustling weekend brunch. Celebrated by Eater and The State; a rite of passage for Columbia eaters.

https://dipratos.com/

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While known for lunch, DiPrato’s transforms in the evening into a relaxed, inviting spot for couples who prefer a more laid-back date. The menu ranges from Mediterranean-inspired small plates to hearty sandwiches, with house-made pita and spreads that are perfect for sharing. Local press and recent visitor reviews praise the friendly, unfussy vibe and the sense of community that keeps regulars coming back.

Sara R

Google

Stopped in for lunch while visiting the Columbia area. Great food, service and prices. I added turkey to my Vegetable Garden Sandwich, it was HUGE!! I didn't even really need the turkey, but it was delicious. The pasta salad was 100% the best pasta salad I have ever had. I will be back next time I am in South Carolina.

Nancy N.

Google

We stopped in about an hour before closing time. The people there were very nice. I was intrigued when I saw a sharp white pimento cheese sandwich on the menu, and the waitress said I could get some with pita chips, even though that wasn't listed on the menu. It did not disappoint - I could taste the pimento and the pita chips were quite tasty as well. I ordered the caprese panini, which was served with a pesto mayonnaise on the side. It was delicious! The tomatoes were very fresh and tasty. My daughter ordered the meatball sub and the meatballs were huge! We were in a bit of a hurry, but we'll definitely go back again when we have more time. There are many Italian options on the menu that I'd like to try.

Kelly R.

Google

We have enjoyed dining at DiPratos for years, but very disappointed today. They were completely out of sauvignon blanc wine and unfortunately the eggs were cooked over easy vs. over hard, the hash was lukewarm at best, the rye bread was not toasted and the olive in the bloody mary was off. Our server was Holly and she was great ... if it wasn't for her, we probably would have walked out. Sure hope management addresses supply and quality issues promptly.

Sammi M.

Google

We used DiPrato's for an executive meeting and were very pleased. A few items were initially missed, but they were delivered quickly and handled with great customer service. The food was excellent and perfectly prepared. We will definitely use them again!

Maria H.

Google

We were very disappointed in the food. My salad was ok. Nothing special. It was lacking more variety vs just lettuce, tomatoes and chicken. My husband's sandwich on the other hand was missing the avocados and the alfalfa sprouts. It had too much cabbage and onions so the texture and flavor balance was very off. The waiting time was long. We got our Pimento side right away but we did not get our bowl of pita until 20-30 min later. By then, our food was also coming out. They were busy but even then, we wouldn't of minded snacking on the pitas and Pimento cheese had the pitas come out at the same time as the Pimento cheese. They tried to give us dessert but we are not really eating dessert and frankly, we got tired of just sitting out there waiting for check etc. Will probably not be back.

Chanda M.

Google

I chose Diprato’ as my first restaurant to eat at in Columbia and I am glad I did. Although it was crowded, there was no wait on a Sunday afternoon at 1 PM. We had the tuna and chicken salad sampler with balsamic dressing and were very pleased. It looked like they had a lot of wonderful brunch foods on their menu and I hope to return if I am in Columbia again.

Beth S.

Google

We visited on a Saturday around 1pm. Regular and Brunch menu were available. We had the Eggs Benedict, Corned Beef Hash, Meatball Sub, and Kid’s Grilled Cheese and a cup of tomato soup. The server was very kind and brought my daughter a slice of cake for her birthday. The food was good! While there were deli selections available, my NY Italian chef husband was a little bummed that it didn’t really seem like a deli that he would expect. 😂 For the size of the restaurant, owners may want to consider more restrooms if you expand in the future. Also, the tabletops are a little on the small side and very close together. Our plates were partially hanging off the table. Overall, a great spot for brunch!

Chelsea F.

Google

A delightful corner market full of flavorful dishes and a unique menu. We tried a few of their menu items including fresh deli and desserts and they do not disappoint. Their homemade pita chips are always a favorite. The kids chicken fingers were a little disappointing and overdone but otherwise no complaints.

Brian J.

Yelp

NY Deli with a southern flair and flavors. Daily Specials, Beer&Wine, Southern faves i.e Pimiento Cheese, Chicken Salad, Fried Green Tomato Stack, and an assortment of desserts. Fast and Friendly service. Casual Brunch

Bart S.

Yelp

Parking is a hassle in this area, but not here- they have a parking lot- went right at the peak of lunch hour- and had to wait a few minutes for a table. Not too bad really- The people that work here- work fast and are very efficient, They have a fantastic sandwich menu- and daily specials- I had the turkey special of the day- it was wonderful- did not have dessert here- but they had a lot of GREAT looking cakes and cookie in the case, My wife had the tomato soup, which was was one of the daily two soups of the day- it was thick and very good! They do have outdoor seating which would be nice if it wasn't raining when we were there.

Cheryl B.

Yelp

Hi! Dipratos is excellent in every aspect! Punctual friendly service. Yummy food. Good wine. Cozy cordial calming ambience. 5 stars!

Jeff B.

Yelp

We stumbled on Di Prato's after reviewing Yelp posts. The reviewers on Yelp got this one right. We enjoyed a Sunday lunch of sandwiches. Honestly the pimento cheese and pita triangles were some of the best I have ever eaten. The was a wait but well worth the time. This is a must stop if in Columbia.

Kathy E.

Yelp

Wonderful staff and fresh made delicious sandwiches!! Desserts are also outstanding! A must stop when near 5 points!

Asha E.

Yelp

This is the best pimento cheese in all of South Carolina - I'm convinced of it. This deli is affordable (maybe because it's so close to the university) and the pita chips are fresh, buttery and warm when they arrive to your table. No complaints. Get the jalapeño pimento cheese - all of the flavor without the heat!

Jade W.

Yelp

Stopped in for a late lunch, and just wow!! I was blown away by the interior, the variety, and the customer service, which is top-tier. The shrimp po boy is good. The shrimp are fried and seasoned well, and they are a good size. The bread on the sandwich was spot-on. The wrong bread can throw a po boy off, but this one was the right type of bread for a good po boy. It's definitely enough to get full and then have some leftovers. I did request to hold the ketchup, but it was on the sandwich, which took away from my fully enjoying the sandwich. The fries are pretty standard. They came out hot which was great. The Di Prato's combo, although I modified it so there was no ham or sprouts, was amazing as well. I will have to return for their brunch and mimosas. The cookies are good as well!

Tarhy A.

Yelp

We love coming here when visiting. It's a great spot overall & brunch is our golden hours. The pineapple mimosas will quench your thirst. We've tried a bit of everything here with their menus and it's good. It's a robust Italian / Jewish deli type menu. Service is always on point. They don't take reservations. The ambiance inside is a busy sit down deli (it's good). We love sitting outside on a nice day. They are dog friendly. Definitely will be coming back so we will see you next time....

Bruce K.

Yelp

On a Sunday at noontime, this place is super busy with brunchers. Expect a queue. I had a pretty good Reuben sandwich today. Plenty of corned beef and sauerkraut and swiss cheese and Thousand Island. Served on a proper grilled rye bread, it was quite tasty though very greasy. Too much butter made it messy. Side of potato salad was a bit bland. It needed pepper. [Review 18928 overall - 905 in South Carolina - 2451 of 2022.]

Zohra B.

Yelp

We had our work Christmas lunch here. We arrived around 1045 and am glad we did because it got crowded really fast. They gave us a table under a little alcove area. Was very cozy and great for us all to catch up privately. Everyone ordered their own dish off the menu. Shrimp po boy, Philly, chicken club, salad, and I had a bowl of tomato soup with a croissant. I was not able to taste everyone else's dishes, but they all enjoyed it. I thought the soup was spot on. Tomato soup, can sometimes be too acidic and give me heartburn. This one did not do that. So, in my book, that's a winner. It went perfectly with a warm croissant. Next time I'm in Columbia, I will be coming back to try dinner.

Victor G.

Yelp

Eh. 50/50 for breakfast here. Pancakes rubbery and tough. Hash fantastic. Hollandaise good, egg way overcooked. Service not bad but not great.

Brandon D.

Yelp

Overall it was a great experience. The pita chips with the white cheddar pimento cheese was amazing. I ordered the chocolate chip pancakes with turkey sausage. The pancakes were great and quite large so it was a good portion. The sausage also tasted very good. Service was great, our waitress was polite and attentive. The food did not take too long to be served either. It can get a bit loud and busy, try to get there right at opening on Sundays because it fills up fast. It is a bit expensive but it's worth it.

Charles M.

Yelp

Great pimento cheese and enjoy the pita crackers. Limited space so be prepared to wait.

Michael T.

Yelp

I had my first meal today at Di Prato's. I ordered their mouth-watering pastrami and corned beef sandwich. It was out of this world delicious. It reminded me of the great deli's in NYC when I lived there for several years. The service was impeccable and they made me feel like I had been a customer for years!! I will most definitely be a regular in the months to come. Michael T

Caitlin K.

Yelp

LOVE THIS PLACE! Amazing samdwhiches, service, and atmosphere. Could not recommend more for a family or friend lunch.

Christian S.

Yelp

10/10! This is a must visit. My mom talked about this place all the time and I finally got a chance to go. The pitta chips are so soft and buttery. Straight out of the oven! That pimento cheese was everything! Almost got full just off the appetizer. The shrimp and fish were seasoned good and were fried just right. We all enjoyed our meals! The waiter was very sweet and made sure to check on us often. Everyone behind the dessert bar and check in were very nice and helpful. The restaurant is large and offers a lot of seating inside and out! Can't wait to go back and try more food options!

Merilee P.

Yelp

The sandwiches are fantastic, fresh, and a good portion. Also they have the best pimento cheese in multiple flavors served with fresh hot pita chips, warm and chewy!

Mark H.

Yelp

Sometimes with a restaurant the service outshines the food. DiPratos menu is always fantastic however after having a slight issue with an Item they went above and beyond to correct it. I will always recommend DiPrato's

Leah J.

Yelp

This spot has been a long time favorite! Haven't gotten to visit in person in a while but met friends for lunch today, and as usual everything was amazing! To begin with, DO NOT leave without trying their pimento cheese and pita chips. My personal favorite is the bacon and smoked gouda, but you really can't go wrong. They offer specials throughout the week, which makes ordering even more difficult. Their fish tacos are amazing, and my other favorite is their "Thanksgiving Dinner on a bun." However, today I got their tomato basil soup with goat cheese, and a half a Reuben. It was delish. Service was excellent and the only thing I'm salty about is I was WAY too full for dessert! This place is a must try. Periodt.

Janette R.

Yelp

Excellent food. Great waitress. They were very crowded, but our food came out quickly. Two of us needed a correction made to our order, but it was quickly handled. I was disappointed in the lack of most of the desserts.

Robin W.

Yelp

Delicious salads and deli sandwiches. Pimento cheese is truly a southern delight. Service is great.

Andrew J.

Yelp

There are lots of food options here, and we had a nice little brunch in this family style restaurant. Super friendly staff, and while they did get a bit overwhelmed when really busy, we didn't have to wait long. Definitely not modern or upscale, but a really nice place grab and sandwich or quick lunch. I would go back next time I'm in Columbia.

Donnie F.

Yelp

Me and the wife decided to checc out a brunch spot downtown Columbia .... GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE... I ordered the Eggs Charleston (Crabcake Benedict) that was delicious .... The potato cheese casserole was different ... need a touch of salt and pepper but overall was good .... And of course the cheese grits ... The Mrs had BLT croissant (not pictured ) she also had a peach Bellini mimosa .... Overall dope spot ... we may try them later for lunch

Nakiba B.

Yelp

This reminded me of exactly why i chose to start bringing my lunch from home......Maybe I should have just gone with a sandwich because my Cobb salad was very disappointing. I ordered hours in advance and it's like they waited until the Uber driver was on the way to make it. I'm curious about who prepared my salad because as soon as I opened the container, I could already tell it was just thrown together and fresh vegetables were not used. I spent the beginning of my lunch picking out all the bad lettuce they had given me and the avocado was clearly going bad and turning brown. I also had a small corner of bacon, a small corner of tomatoes (also not fresh), and a corner of chopped cucumber. My salad consisted mostly of lettuce and 4 or 5 slices of boiled egg. I ended up dumping half of it out. If I had known my order would look like this, i would have saved my money and tried to see if I could make a quick trip home. On a good note, however, I also got the sharp cheddar pimento cheese and it is delicious. Too bad I didn't get pita chips to go with it. Also, no plastic utensils provided. Smh

Ron V.

Yelp

six of us went today. Absolutely great restaurant. We all ordered something different and everybody there said it was so good. We split an order of the pita chips and pimento cheese. It's the best I've had at any restaurant in Columbia. The pita chips are warm, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. I had the shrimp Poboy sandwich and it was great. The shrimp were nice size and very tasty. The menu has so many choices. It's hard to select some thing I do know that every time I go here I'm going to order the pita and pimento cheese. The Reuben sandwich was great, the open faced beef sandwich with fries and gravy on the beef was good. one person ordered the Doprsto's combo and he could only eat half of the sandwich, it was so large.

Tatyanna T.

Yelp

I love the pasta and lasagna. They only offer it as catered food so they def lost a consumer with that one .

Sam O.

Yelp

Waited over an hour on a fucking tomato soup and sandwich. Meanwhile their servers are jumping up and down like they won the lottery behind the counter. They try to look like all class, but that shit is a clown show at it's finest.

Lenore Z.

Yelp

Busy always but great food and friendly and efficient service Chicken salad is awesome and brunch cant be beat

Chad A.

Yelp

If you can beat the church crowd you will love their pimento cheese and fried pita chips (they fry everything down here). Sure.....,you have to say a prayer afterwards because of your gluttony, but its one of my favorite places to blow a diet on. Their panini is the best in town, but unfortunately, some days its not as consistent. I love their ambitious deli selection as well.

Macy C.

Yelp

So disappointed today. Ordered recommended panini. Chicken was overcooked dry tough. Couldn't cut it with knife. Gracious Server replaced it with requested egg salad sandwich. Not up to standard for this restaurant.

Mary C.

Yelp

Came here for lunch, place was packed and parking wasn't to great but we still managed to be seated quickly. Service was great and the food was delicious!! Although I can't speak on the cost because I did not pay the bill, the food was great!!

Cindy C.

Yelp

Best pimento cheese ever!!! Their signature salad is phenomenal too! They have daily specials as well that are always tasty!

Nick T.

Yelp

Excellent service, food was above average but nothing to rave about. Great spot for lunch and a very large menu selection.

Dawson L.

Yelp

Please Please call and make reservations. This place is pack and i see why the food is amazing. The bacon gouda pimentos with homemade pita was everything.

Elyse H.

Yelp

We went for brunch on a Saturday. There was no wait. The staff was super friendly. The food was absolutely amazing! We got two pitchers of mimosas...which I highly recommend. I ordered the Eggs Charleston. It was delicious. My husband got the specialty patty melt. The service was awesome. I can't wait to go back!

Antoine B.

Yelp

What can I say, this place is Great! We have been back within the last two weeks and still want to go back. There are some many items to try so I guess we will be back. The sandwiches and omelets are great and most of all the Blood Mary's. Service and staff are wonderful and friendly.

Holden C.

Yelp

Literally the best Reuben in town. Also several types of amazing pimento cheese. Order a side of two or three different pimento cheese flavors with delicious fried pita points. This place is a classic with all the right old school feels. They have bloodies too!

Jason C.

Yelp

Always fresh food mixed with friendly service. The atmosphere gives you a "comfy home " feel making you not only want to stay but to return. Oh but it must be for the brunch not to be missed always fresh !!! I always look forward to it and you will too!

Jacob M.

Yelp

I can't go long without having their homemade pimento cheese and the fried pita chips are fantastic (sadly not so diet friendly) You can't go wrong with their array of sandwiches and brunch menu - not usually on the menu, but ask for their biscuits and gravy for brunch!

ted k.

Yelp

Even though it was very busy the service was prompt and courteous. We each had something different from each other and we all enjoyed what we had. We sat in the side room and it seemed to be quieter than the big room

Jennifer B.

Yelp

Great service & food. The pita chips with pimento was an excellent appetizer. Nice ambiance and location!

Skylar D.

Yelp

I was so impressed I had to go home and make a yelp account specifically to give this place the best review ever. Everything about this place is quite literally perfect. Our waitress (Christy I think?) was the sweetest and was so on top of it. The ambiance, music, and overall vibes were fantastic. But the FOOD??? To die for. I am obsessed. Everything to a T was just so amazing. Their pimento cheese is better than Augusta National. Pita chips are the best I've ever had, fluffy and crunchy at the same time. I got one of the chicken paninis and it was delicious. My side of fries goes beyond just your average fries. These were the perfect crunchy to soft ratio and seasoned to perfection. Overall DiPrato's was everything I needed and more. I would like to personally speak with anyone who thinks this place is less than 5 stars because respectfully you're wrong.

Sarah J.

Yelp

I love DiPrato's. I've been doing here since college, and I've never had anything I didn't like. Their brunch is delicious as is their lunch. Also don't miss their pimiento cheese with house made pita chips. Chef's kiss!

Colleen L.

Yelp

Nice hometown restaurant with a bustling atmosphere, very friendly and courteous staff, good food. Indoor and outdoor dining available. My husband and I were both in the mood for deli sandwiches...we ordered the pa-try-me and the turkey reuben. Both were very good...not overwhelmingly large with tons of ingredients but very tasty. The fries were very good...hot and crispy. Definitely has a strong following in the community. A good find.

Danielle P.

Yelp

Wow this is the best kept secret in Columbia, off the beaten path for sure! They have been on my foodie bucket list for some yrs. I visited in a Sunday afternoon and the place was packed with people waiting, we were seated fairly quick. All the staff were friendly and made sure we were set for our dining experience. They do have plenty of parking and seating. Pack your patience and you wont be disappointed in your dining experience. They have a Sunday brunch menu as well as a regular menu. I ordered the turkey rueben $9.50, soup/sandwich combo $8.75. The turkey rueben sandwich was plentiful, it came with a side of pickles and potato casserole. The 1/2 sandwich had a large portion of meat, the tomato basil soup was seasoned and yummy. The cake was most and fresh, all the food here is delicious. This will be a regular stop for me when Im on this side of town. Give them a try!

Alicia J.

Yelp

If you haven't tried this place already you should defInitely stop in. I ate here for the first time when my coworkers and I stopped in for a late lunch. The dining room was still busy with plenty of people doing takeout orders. They have lots of delicious deli sandwiches, soups, and salads to choose from. All of the food we ordered was great but the real star was the pita chips! They're a delicious warm and fluffy treat. The plus is they give you a big portion that you can save as a snack for later. There is also a full service deli and great selection of desserts that can be ordered togo. You'll definitely be tempted as you stare at them from the table. This has become my new lunchtime favorite and I can't wait to come back to try the other specials and brunch!

Robby P.

Yelp

I mean wow. Such a great experience. Must admit I'm generally more of a subscriber than poster when it comes to Yelp but our experience was too good not to post. Note that it was a game day which should in any normal world translate to stressed out unhappy servers - not so here. Everyone from the hostess to the servers to the bartenders to the chef were not only pleasant but joyful to be around. The food (breakfast in this case) was amazing and reasonably priced. Don't miss Di Pratos!

Thomas S.

Yelp

Awesome food and service Not a bad dish in the house I highly recommend Best pimento in the world

Austina W.

Yelp

My office rotates who gets to pick lunch maybe once a month. One of my colleagues always chooses this place. Until I worked here, i'd never eaten here, but I'm glad she introduced me. I usually only build my own tuna salad sandwich and sometimes I get fries. They use Duke's mayonnaise, which is truly the reason for the 5 stars, what can I say? I'm picky. The fries are delicious as well and they give you a good amount for an order. On occasion, I order the pimiento cheese and pita and I'm telling you...I only order it on occasion because I could eat a family size portion myself. Very good and I usually do not like pimiento cheese. In addition to the food being yummy, they are very quick with our pick up orders. It's always ready and it's always the correct order and we rarely have to ask for utensils, ketchup, etc. Please go support Di Prato's, we need them post pandemic too!

Richard B.

Yelp

I had my first Reuben here today and had high expectations from previous reports of their Rueben. I finished about a third and was not impressed. I then opened up the sandwich and saw the problem immediately. They only scraped (not smeared) their thousand island dressing on about 1/4 of the sandwich. I immediately showed the waitress and she brought me extra dressing. After applying the dressing, it turned into a good sandwich but not top 10. They homemake the dressing and it has a somewhat different flavor than regular thousand island which I consider a mistake. Definitely not as great as thousand island or Russian dressing which is used in a lot of places, but it was good. BTW I got 2 small orders of their pimento cheese which will blow you away. Smoked Gouda PC and Jalapeño PC. They are fantastic!!! They have about 4 or so homemade varieties that proclaim them to be the pimento cheese capital!!!

https://carolinas.eater.com/maps/best-pimento-cheese-columbia

391,688 Postcards · 10,992 Cities

Best Pimento Cheese in Columbia, South Carolina | Eater Carolinas

Forrest Clonts

https://carolinas.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-columbia-south-carolina

391,688 Postcards · 10,992 Cities

18 Essential Restaurants in Columbia, South Carolina

Best Restaurants in Columbia SC

22,027 Postcards · 1,950 Cities

A USC-area institution known for pimento cheese with warm pita chips, stacked deli sandwiches, and bustling weekend brunch. Celebrated by Eater and The State; a rite of passage for Columbia eaters.

https://dipratos.com/

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Columbia SC Date Night Restaurants: Where Local Flavor Meets Romance

22,027 Postcards · 1,950 Cities