Eats & Sweets in Columbia: Pastries, Sandwiches, and Coffee in One Stop

What Eats & Sweets offers

Eats & Sweets is a bakery and café in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood that combines fresh-baked goods with a lunch menu. You can walk in for a croissant or cinnamon roll with coffee, stay for a sandwich, and leave with a box of cookies or brownies. The space is small and casual—the kind of place where regulars know the staff by name and the pastry case changes daily.

The bakery side handles all baking in-house. Mornings bring croissants, Danish pastries, and muffins. The lunch counter serves sandwiches built to order, salads, and quiches that rotate with the season. A display case holds cookies, brownies, and layer cakes for takeout. Coffee comes from a local roaster, and they stock tea and cold drinks as well.

Hours tend to run early morning through late afternoon, closing before dinner service. The location sits walkable from the Five Points shops and restaurants, with street parking nearby. It's the kind of neighborhood spot that works for a quick breakfast, a working lunch, or an afternoon pastry break.

Key Takeaways

• Eats & Sweets bakes all pastries and desserts fresh daily in their Five Points location.
• The lunch menu includes made-to-order sandwiches, salads, and rotating quiches alongside the bakery counter.
• Coffee comes from a local roaster, and the space is small and casual with a neighborhood feel.
• You can buy individual pastries and sweets for takeout or sit down for a full meal.
• Street parking is available nearby, and the location is walkable from other Five Points businesses.

The pastry case and what to expect

The pastry selection changes based on what the bakers made that morning, so there's no may provide a specific item will be there when you arrive. Croissants, Danish varieties, and muffins are standard. Seasonal items—like pumpkin spice pastries in fall or berry Danish in summer—rotate in and out. The case also holds cookies, brownies, and bars that stay consistent.

Prices are typical for a neighborhood bakery: individual pastries run a few dollars, and a box of cookies or a small cake costs more. Paying cash or card both work. If you want something specific and know you're coming back, calling ahead to ask if they have it or to reserve a cake for a small gathering is worth doing.

Sandwiches and lunch items

The sandwich menu is built around fresh bread from the bakery itself. You order at the counter and tell them what you want: the protein, cheese, vegetables, and spreads. Fillings change with what's available, but expect options like turkey, ham, roast beef, or vegetarian choices. Prices are moderate for a made-to-order lunch spot in Columbia.

Quiches rotate daily—spinach and feta one day, broccoli and cheddar another. Salads are also available and come with dressing on the side. These items work well if you want something more substantial than a pastry but lighter than a full restaurant meal. Most people eat at one of the small tables inside, though takeout is common too.

Coffee and drinks

Coffee comes from a local roaster and is made fresh to order. You can get it black, with milk, or as a specialty drink like a latte or cappuccino. The staff knows how to make it, and the quality is noticeably better than chain coffee. Tea, hot chocolate, and cold drinks round out the beverage menu.

The coffee pairs naturally with the pastries—a croissant and cappuccino is the classic combination. Many people grab coffee and a pastry on the way to work or sit down with a coffee and newspaper for a longer morning.

The Five Points neighborhood location

Five Points is one of Columbia's oldest and most walkable neighborhoods, centered around the intersection of Devine Street and Harden Street. Eats & Sweets sits within this cluster of independent shops, restaurants, and galleries. The neighborhood has a local, established feel—not chain-heavy, and known for supporting small businesses.

Street parking is available on the surrounding blocks, and the walk from nearby shops is short. If you're already in Five Points browsing other stores or eating at nearby restaurants, Eats & Sweets is an easy stop. The neighborhood itself is worth exploring if you have time—there are vintage shops, bookstores, and other cafés within a few blocks.

When to go and what to bring

Early morning is the best time if you want the full pastry selection, since items sell out as the day goes on. Lunch hours (around noon to 1 p.m.) bring a crowd, so if you prefer a quieter visit, mid-morning or mid-afternoon works better. Weekends tend to be busier than weekdays.

If you're buying pastries or desserts to take home, bring a bag or ask for a box. For a sit-down meal, the space is small, so it's not ideal for large groups, but two or three people fit comfortably. Cash and cards are both accepted, though it's worth asking about payment methods when you arrive.

Similar bakeries and cafés nearby

Five Points and the surrounding neighborhoods have other bakeries and cafés if you want to compare. Some focus more on coffee and less on baking; others do more elaborate cakes and catering. Eats & Sweets' strength is the combination—fresh pastries, a real lunch menu, and good coffee all in one small space. It's the kind of place that works whether you're stopping for five minutes or staying for an hour.

If you're exploring Columbia's bakery scene more broadly, Five Points is a good starting point because several options sit within walking distance. Each has its own style and focus, so visiting a few gives you a sense of what's available across the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to order ahead or can I just walk in?

You can walk in anytime during business hours. For pastries and lunch items, ordering at the counter is standard. If you want a custom cake or a large order for an event, calling ahead is a good idea so they can plan the baking.

What time do they open and close?

Hours vary, but Eats & Sweets typically opens early in the morning and closes in the late afternoon. It's worth checking their current hours before you go, since neighborhood businesses sometimes adjust seasonally or for special events.

Can I get a custom cake for a birthday or event?

Yes, custom cakes are possible. Call ahead to discuss what you want, when you need it, and pricing. They'll let you know if the date works with their baking schedule and what flavors and designs they can do.

Is there seating inside, or is it takeout only?

There is seating inside, though the space is small. It works well for one or two people or a small group. Takeout is also common and convenient if you want to eat elsewhere or take pastries home.

What payment methods do you accept?

Both cash and card are accepted. If you have a preference or are planning a large order, it's worth confirming when you call or visit.