New West Columbia Brunch Restaurant Adds Dessert Bar

By Natalie Szrajer
Posted 9/19/22

A West Columbia brunch restaurant that has only been open for two and a half months is already adding another aspect to the business.

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New West Columbia Brunch Restaurant Adds Dessert Bar

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A West Columbia brunch restaurant that has only been open for two and a half months is already adding another aspect to the business.

Breakfast at Ruiz, located at 116 State St. in the increasingly bustling River District, added a dessert bar to its concept starting Sept. 16.

The dessert bar will be open 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, serving sweets and dessert cocktails, owner Iris Ruiz told the Chronicle. The offerings include an assortment of pies, cakes and brownies, which might seem familiar to some Lexington County eaters.

Ruiz’s daughter, Sharisa Boyle, owns the bakery Cake Collection Boutique at Murraywood Plaza, a staple in the Irmo/Columbia area for more than a decade. Ruiz and Boyle are now using the West Columbia restaurant as an extension of the bakery, offering custom sweets to people who might not make it out that way.

Breakfast at Ruiz — located in the spot previously occupied by Palate, near Terra and Café Strudel — honors its owner’s family name and Puerto Rican ethnicity at their brunch and dessert bar nestled by State Street staples Terra and Café Strudel.

Ruiz said the restaurant plays Latin music and includes custom décor picked out by her son, Joshua, who loves interior design and pieced everything together. Her son and other family members help out at the restaurant, making it a true family business.

The name, Ruiz, is a nod to her mother, who was a major influence in Iris’ life.

“The locals here have been very supportive and we appreciate that,” Ruiz said. “[West Columbia] is where we should be.”

People dine at Breakfast at Ruiz can expect traditional brunch and dessert items with distinct twists. It’s important to the food team that the food both taste good and look good.

Ruiz said the most popular items have been the shrimp and grits and French toast plates.


As for drink options, the restaurant offers alcoholic and nonalcoholic choices. Ruiz said the mimosa flights are popular, with the current seasonal flight consisting of apple cider, pear, cranberry and pomegranate for fall.

The restaurant is open Tuesday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for brunch.

west columbia restaurant, lexington county business, columbia brunchy, breakfast at ruiz

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