From quaint cafes to upscale restaurants, Thoroughbred Country serves a variety of mouthwatering options
THOROUGHBRED COUNTRY, SOUTH CAROLINA—FEBRUARY 2025—Located just east of Augusta, Georgia, and west of Columbia, South Carolina, Thoroughbred Country offers visitors a respite from the hustle and bustle with its sprawling countryside, wide open greenspaces, plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with equestrian experiences and a variety of culinary encounters, from quaint cafes offering breakfast and lunch delights to upscale locally owned establishments serving delicious dishes featuring local ingredients. Read on for a roundup of culinary standouts in Thoroughbred Country.
Breakfast
The Village Café in Aiken offers an upscale counter service dining experience serving specialty coffee, baked goods, sandwiches, salads and more. Open for breakfast and lunch. The Village Café, 110 Coach Light Way Southwest, Aiken, South Carolina, 29803; 803-640-0247
Satisfy a sweet tooth at Denmark’s Wee Bake Bakery. This Mennonite bakery features donuts, pies, cakes and various other baked goods. Serving breakfast and lunch, you don’t want to miss this local favorite. Wee Bake Bakery, 4767 Carolina Highway, Denmark, South Carolina, 29042; 803-383-0440
For a gracious plenty, head to Sunrise Grill in North Augusta. This traditional café offers generous sized omelets, malted Belgian waffles and so much more. There’s no chance you’ll leave hungry. Sunrise Grill, 404 East Martintown Road, #4, North Augusta, South Carolina, 29841; 803-202-9898
Rev up your day at Accelerator Coffee & Pastry, located in Barnwell—inside the Palmetto Innovation Center. Brewing up nothing but the best for coffee fanatics and serving handcrafted beverages and pastries every weekday, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., it’s easy to see why this spot is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Johnson and Wales-trained pastry chef and owner Dawn Snead brings over two decades of experience in creating tasty treats and beverages to Accelerator Coffee & Pastry. Accelerator Coffee & Pastry, 218 Main Street, Barnwell, South Carolina, 29812; 803-395-9244
For some of the best home cooking around, stop in Crossroads Café, located in Beech Island. A self-proclaimed small restaurant with plenty of love for the community, you’re sure to enjoy a delicious meal and meet a few new friends at this community favorite. Crossroads Café, 1738 Sand Bar Ferry Road, Beech Island, South Carolina, 29842; 803-827-1429
Other area breakfast favorites include Country Paradise Diner, located in Ehrhardt, C&C’s Caffeine & Chaos, located in Bamberg, Polo Grounds Café, located in Aiken and Sheila’s Baking Co., located in North Augusta.
Lunch
Paula’s Family Restaurant, located in Bamberg, is a fantastic choice for a hearty Southern lunch. From a variety of meats, veggies and sides, including country fried steak, fried chicken, sugar peas, cabbage, stewed tomatoes with okra, butterbeans, corn, green beans, rice and more, there’s no way you can go wrong at this local favorite. Paula’s Family Restaurant, 3308 Main Highway, Bamberg, South Carolina, 29003; 803-245-3351
Stop by The Little Bake Shoppe and Deli for lunch and experience some of the area’s best freshly baked goods, sandwiches, soups, coffee and more. Open for breakfast and lunch, this family-owned and -operated establishment is a favorite among locals. The Little Bake Shoppe and Deli, 135 Main Street N, Wagener, South Carolina, 29164; 803-564-3849
Step back in time and grab a bite at Sno-Cap Drive-In, a locally owned and operated favorite since 1964. This retro drive-in serves burgers, floats and weekly specials for lunch and dinner. Sno-Cap Drive In, 618 West Avenue, North Augusta, South Carolina, 29841; 803-279-4004
For lunch on the go, check out Redcrows Dining in Allendale. This locally owned take-out restaurant features menu items from creole gumbo and burgers to seafood, Italian subs and more—all inspired from their Indigenous American cultural roots. Open for take-out lunch and dinner. Redcrows Dining, 414 South Main Street, Allendale, South Carolina, 29810; 803-812-0010
Other popular lunch spots include McNeely’s Place located in North Augusta, Blue Top Grill located in Graniteville, Country Cupboard located in Barnwell, Frye Baby’s located in Hilda, Miller’s Bread Basket located in Blackville, La Parisienne located in Aiken and Willie Strick’s Farmhouse Kitchen located in Ehrhardt.
Dinner
For an upscale experience, check out Malia’s Restaurant in downtown Aiken. Sourcing fresh and ethically produced ingredients, this local favorite has been in business for over 30 years. Patrons can expect a top-notch dining experience featuring international dishes with a Southern flair. Menus change frequently to optimize a pallet of seasonal ingredients. Open for lunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, and 5 p.m.-until for dinner, Wednesday through Saturday. Malia’s Restaurant, 120 Laurens Street, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801; 803-643-3086.
Experience an authentic Italian dinner experience with warm ambiance, with a reservation at Casa Bella Italian Restaurant. Featuring old world northern Italian cuisine in a Victorian mansion, and located in historic downtown Aiken, Casa Bella is open for dinner only, 5-9 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday and until 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Outdoor seating available on the patio, reservations recommended. Casa Bella Italian Restaurant, 120 Chesterfield Street South, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801, 803-641-3107
For dinner with a view, head to Mr. B’s Food and Spirits. Located in Barnwell, Mr. B’s offers diners excellent cuisine accompanied with stunning views of Edgar Brown Lake. Featuring American cuisine as well as seafood, this lakeside restaurant also offers a full bar and a VIP Room. Mr. B’s Food and Spirits, 10132 Ellenton Street, Barnwell, South Carolina, 29812; 803-259-5071
Other top choices for dinner include Brinkley’s Chop House, located in North Augusta, adjacent to the SRP Ballpark, Meeting on Main located in Williston, Park Avenue Oyster Bar & Grill located in Aiken, Govan’s Sports, Blues & Soul Food located in Fairfax, The Wildemount located in Aiken and Whiskey Alley, also located in Aiken.
If you go
Thoroughbred Country offers a variety of lodging options from luxe to rustic. The Willcox offers a luxe hotel experience that is sure to make a lasting impression. Guest rooms are not only comfortable but also luxuriously appointed, offering a true retreat. Dine at The Willcox’s award-winning on property restaurant where meals are unpretentious and delicious. Don’t forget to book a spa day at The Willcox Salon and Spa. With a wide range of spa services delivered in serene, fire-lit rooms, guests are sure to melt their cares away with the help of expert spa therapists. Services are available for overnight guests as well as day visitors. The Willcox offers several hotel packages throughout the year. Click here for current package offerings. The Willcox, 100 Colleton Avenue, SW, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801; 803-648-1898
Offering three rooms designed to suit various weekend vacation styles ranging from rustic camping to sophisticated elegance, Lazy Dog Acres is just the place. Relax with a visit to the on-site spa featuring products made from lavender grown on property. Lazy Dog Acres, 6293 Ehrhardt Road, Ehrhardt, South Carolina, 29081; 803-824-9303
Whisper Farm is a restored, historic 100-acre farmstead set on a hilltop offering guests expansive views. Choose from a one-bedroom house with a sunrise view, a three-bed lodge with plenty of space to entertain, a two-bedroom restored farmhouse with a vintage library and loads of Southern charm or rent the whole farm. Each room is intentionally decorated to create a comfortable experience. Amenities are plentiful and are unique to each location. From a stable and trails to a clawfoot tub and a cozy fireplace, guests love the uniqueness of this horse- and pet-friendly property. Whisper Farm, 2300 Salley Road, Salley, South Carolina, 29137; 410-924-1790
For a more traditional type lodging experience, stay at Stable View Farm. Sprawling over 1,000 acres of gently rolling hills and bordered by canopies of forests, Stable View has become a popular spot for its broad appeal to those looking for a peaceful retreat among some of the area’s most beautiful wildlife. Stable View offers an array of cottages, barn residences, loft-like “hunt boxes” and cozy apartments available for short- or long-term stays. RV hook-ups are also available throughout the property. Stable View Farm, 117 Stable View Drive, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801; 484-356-3173
Stay among nature at Barnwell State Park. With multiple fully furnished cabins and villas available, guests will enjoy the comforts of home while waking up 100 yards from the park’s upper lake and just 300 yards from the park’s lower lake. For information on booking, click here. Barnwell State Park, 223 State Park Road, Blackville, South Carolina 29817; 803-284-2212