smallSUGAR

Best Restaurants in Columbia, South Carolina | Eater Carolinas

"It’s hard to pick which of City Grit’s restaurants should be on this list, but the pastries at Small Sugar are truly unlike anything else you’ll find in Columbia. Flaky almond croissants and tightly wound morning buns go quickly, and it’s not uncommon for folks to call ahead and reserve them. Beyond the pastry case, the salad for breakfast is a truly righteous way to start the day. Keep your spare change, owners Sarah Simmons and Aaron Hoskins are on a mission to reform the hospitality industry by paying their workers a reliable living wage." - Helen Harrison

2022’s Top Restaurant Standbys for North and South Carolina | Eater Carolinas

"In Columbia I head straight to SmallSugar for the choc‑almond croissant." - Erin Perkins

South Carolina Restaurants Allowed to Open Dining Rooms | Eater Carolinas

"The Columbia bakery/restaurant operated by chef Sarah Simmons is not reopening and has kept its patio closed; Simmons says they are waiting until case numbers fall and testing becomes more available, will continue community feeding and take-away service, and have not laid off any staff because protecting employees is the top priority." - Erin Perkins

Chefs Sarah Simmons and Aaron Hoskins Launch All-Day Cafe in Columbia, South Carolina | Eater Carolinas

"I visited Small Sugar, which opened last week in Columbia, SC; it's a produce-centered cafe and bakery and a departure for Chef Sarah Simmons and her husband Aaron Hoskins, serving only breakfast and lunch. Driven by a love of seasonal vegetables — the restaurant’s name is a heirloom pumpkin varietal — the menu is built around tartines, bowls and sandwiches with produce from two small farms in nearby Sumter that Hoskins drives to weekly, and nearly every item can be ordered gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan by design. They hired personality over experience and are working toward offering a living wage, with Hoskins noting that while just over $11/hr can be a living wage in Columbia, closer to $15.50 is what a single parent needs. Standouts I noticed include a squarely flaky buttered brie danish and ingredient-driven tartines (including a soft-scrambled-egg version atop dressed greens); coffee is barista-certified Counter Culture and there are matcha lattes, golden milk and multiple dairy-free offerings. Bread by the loaf is beginning in earnest, private dining downstairs could allow pop-up dinners, the crowd ebbs and flows, and fans of Simmons as well as those starved for cafe dining in the Vista seem content to wait." - Stephanie Burnette

SmallSugar brings a fresh, modern sensibility to Columbia’s dining scene, focusing on seasonal, French-inspired dishes with a local twist. In the evening, the space transforms into a softly lit, effortlessly chic setting perfect for a relaxed yet special night out. The bakery’s pastries and inventive small plates have earned glowing reviews from Garden & Gun and The Post and Courier, making it an unexpected but memorable pick for couples who appreciate culinary creativity.