Melrose Market officially opens, bringing a new full-service restaurant to Melrose Heights

Lunch available on a walk-in basis; dinner reservations required

Melrose Market is now open in Columbia’s Melrose Heights neighborhood, introducing a new full-service restaurant built around exceptional food, thoughtful hospitality and genuine neighborhood connection. Melrose Market fills a long-standing need for a neighborhood gathering place in one of Columbia’s most established residential areas. Lunch is available on a walk-in basis, while dinner service is currently offered by reservation only. Guests can learn more or reserve dinner at www.melrosemarketsc.com.

“We wanted one place that felt just as natural for a morning coffee as it did for dinner and drinks. Somewhere you could meet a client for lunch, grab a bottle of wine on your way home, or settle in for a martini with friends,” says Chad Elsey, owner and managing partner of Melrose Market. “As longtime neighborhood residents, we felt there was a real need for a place like that in this part of Columbia. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the community embrace it, and we’re excited to finally welcome everyone through our doors.”

Photo credit: Lynn Luc for Melrose Market

Melrose Market was created to fill a need in one of Columbia’s most established neighborhoods, where residents have long hoped for a full-service restaurant they could call their own. Rooted in thoughtful hospitality and genuine care, the restaurant reflects the way people actually live — offering exceptional food in a welcoming setting that’s just as suited for a celebration as it is an easy weeknight dinner. Every decision, from the menu to the atmosphere, was made with one goal in mind: creating a place people want to return to again and again.

At the heart of Melrose Market is Executive Chef Josh Rogerson’s menu, built on familiar dishes prepared with exceptional ingredients, careful technique and an unwavering commitment to doing things the right way. Rather than taking shortcuts, the kitchen grinds its own burger blend, shaves deli meats in-house and butchers’ whole rib loins and slow roasts them to prime ribs before slicing it to order for the restaurant’s French Dip.

Photo credit: Lynn Luc for Melrose Market

The result is a menu that celebrates familiar favorites prepared with uncommon care — from the signature French Dip and Lobster Avocado Salad made with Maine lobster to the Sweet & Savory Sandwich layered with crispy pancetta, whipped goat cheese and fig jam on grilled sourdough. Guests will also find a selection of ultra-thin flatbreads, including the Sausage & Tater topped with house-made sausage, roasted potatoes and fresh herbs, alongside comforting classics like Chicken Piccata and naturally gluten-free chicken tenders.

Working alongside Rogerson is Sous Chef Alex Runyan, whose longtime partnership and collaborative approach have helped establish a kitchen culture built on consistency, trust and a shared commitment to excellence.

“I’ve been fortunate to have the trust to build a menu the way I believe food should be cooked, and that means taking the extra step where it matters most,” says Rogerson. “Some things are worth doing the hard way because those details shape the experience our guests have. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created, but I’m even more proud of the team that’s bringing it to life every day.”

The same intentionality carries behind the bar, where Bar Manager Eboni Page leads a beverage program rooted in quality, consistency and genuine hospitality. Working alongside Front of House Manager Caroline Brigman, who helped develop the cocktail menu, Page has created a collection that feels both timeless and approachable. From the educational “My Way Martini” menu — which guides guests through different styles of the classic cocktail — to bright seasonal spritzes featuring Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto and estate-grown prosecco, the beverage program encourages guests to discover new favorites while remaining rooted in familiar classics.

General Manager Kaitlin Broome McCrackin curated Melrose Market’s wine program around small-production wines from family-owned vineyards, with an emphasis on organic and biodynamic producers whenever possible. Designed to balance familiar favorites with bottles guests may not have tried before, the list includes sippers like a declassified Sancerre — an approachable introduction to one of France’s most beloved wine regions — to an organic, grower Champagne and an effervescent Gragnano from Naples that’s become a natural pairing for the restaurant’s flatbreads. Guests will also find a rare Bordeaux blend by the glass, along with an expanded retail wine selection that invites them to take home unique bottles to enjoy beyond the restaurant.

Complementing the restaurant is a thoughtfully curated retail market featuring a mix of distinctive wines, local favorites and everyday conveniences. Guests will find South Carolina products like R&C Lowcountry Bees raw honey and Olde Colony Bakery Benne Wafers alongside grab-and-go essentials, making it just as easy to pick up a local gift as it is to grab a snack or chocolate milk after an afternoon at Melrose Park.

Inspired by the timeless charm of European neighborhood cafés, Melrose Market pairs black-and-white tile, bentwood café chairs, layered greenery and rich textures with an open, energetic dining room designed for lingering conversations. Cozy lounge seating, a lively bar, outdoor patio and thoughtfully curated market give guests multiple ways to experience the space, whether stopping in for a quick lunch or settling in for the evening. Melrose Market is located at 2710 Gervais Street Suite 300 in Columbia’s Melrose Heights neighborhood.

During opening weeks, lunch is available on a walk-in basis while dinner service is currently offered by reservation. Guests can learn more, view menus or reserve dinner at www.melrosemarketsc.com.

All Photos: Lynn Luc for Melrose Market

About Melrose Market

Melrose Market is a locally owned neighborhood restaurant in Columbia’s historic Melrose Heights community. Designed to become the kind of place guests return to again and again, it pairs exceptional food with caring hospitality and a welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant features indoor and outdoor dining, a lively bar, cozy lounge seating and a thoughtfully curated market, blending the comfort of a Southern corner store with the charm of a European café. Whether stopping in for lunch, meeting friends for cocktails or enjoying dinner with family, Melrose Market was created to become part of the rhythm of everyday life. Follow @MelroseMarketSC on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok, and find more information at www.melrosemarketsc.com.

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