Café de Thyme

1421 Sumter St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
+1 803-445-1707
$$$ Cafe
(40 Reviews)
Price Range $1–10

Café de Thyme occupies a cozy corner in Columbia’s Sumter Street district, offering a calm, intimate space that feels more like a quiet retreat than a typical coffee stop. The café’s atmosphere is understated yet thoughtfully arranged, with a small footprint that makes it an ideal spot for solo visitors or pairs looking to slow down during the afternoon lull. It’s the kind of place where the hustle of downtown fades into the background, replaced by the gentle hum of conversations and the rustle of pages from nearby laptops and books.

This café caters particularly well to those who appreciate both quality and a touch of flair in their tea and coffee experience. Their menu leans into a subtle Thai influence, giving many traditional offerings a unique twist—whether it’s a Thyme Thai Tea or a blended Blue Sky drink with pea flower extract that provides a light, refreshing alternative to the usual café fare. Locals seem drawn to both the inventive iced teas and carefully crafted lattes, noting the balance of flavor without overwhelming sweetness, which makes their selections easy to enjoy over longer visits.

Patrons often come here to relax after work or to meet friends without the typical café rush. The staff’s approachable demeanor adds to the welcoming vibe, making it a good spot for people who want friendly service without being rushed. Pastries and desserts—particularly those with a lighter touch on sweetness—compliment the drinks well and invite repeated visits, especially in the mid-afternoon when the place tends to be quieter and seating easier to find.

Because the space is on the smaller side, peak times may feel a bit more cramped, but this intimacy also adds to its charm. The café’s aesthetic resonates with people who appreciate simplicity and subtle beauty, which ties into its broader appeal as a place that values thoughtful presentation as much as quality ingredients. If you’re in Columbia looking for a low-key place to unwind with a tea or a specialty coffee—especially if you enjoy trying something a little different—Café de Thyme fits the bill nicely.

Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for
Solo dining
What they serve
Coffee
Quick bite
Best for
Dessert
Seating
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Parking
Paid street parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Wednesday

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Thursday

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Friday

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Saturday

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Sunday

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

40 Reviews
William Brooks

30 Dec 2025

I have never experienced a place quite like this. I went in simply out of curiosity, and it was like I entered another world! (A calm one filled with sweet treats of course.). The lady at the front was incredibly friendly, and the pastries were outstanding. The affogato is worth a trip by itself.

Crystal Normand

26 Dec 2025

Friendly staff welcome it to this cozy coffee shop. Great place to relax and get some good coffees and desserts. I would really recommend the caramel cloud coffee I think it is seasonal get it while you can it’s was sooo good 10 out of 10 We share their tiramisu it was perfectly sweet, not overly sweet. Also had a refreshing peach iced tea. We really enjoyed it and for sure I’m gonna keep coming back!!

P T

23 Nov 2025

Cute cafe! Ordered a cream puff and blue sky smoothie and they were yummy and not overly sweet. The smoothie was not thick more of a milk ice slush texture which I enjoyed. My sister ordered butterfly-pea-coconut water. Definitely will come back to try different items on the menu . We arrived around 3:30pm on a Monday so it wasn’t busy, but it is a small space with I’m guessing enough seating for around 15-18 customers…just fyi if you plan to come with a group. Update: the lemon meringue cake was amazing as was the butterfly pea-passion fruit drink!

Emily Middleton

13 Nov 2025

Cafe & Thyme is truly a gem in Columbia’s coffee scene. As someone who visits every new coffee shop in town, I have to say this one stands out in all the best ways. The attention to detail and artistry is exceptional—every cup of coffee and every baked good feels thoughtfully crafted. The subtle Thai twist in their menu adds something unique and refreshing, and I especially appreciate that nothing is overly sweet. The atmosphere is just as impressive as the food and drinks: clean, minimal, and calm, creating the perfect space to slow down and really savor the experience. You can tell this café takes pride in quality and presentation at every level. If you’re particular about your coffee or just love a well-executed café experience, Cafe & Thyme is an absolute must-visit.

D Law

31 Oct 2025

I have been seeing post from this coffee shop for the last few weeks I knew I had to come visit. I am a visual eater and just by presentation alone they won me over. First parking was easy and upon entry to the restaurant we were greeted. Aesthetically this coffee shop is quaint yetbeautiful. I ordered the blue sky, which is the blended coconut drink with pea flower extract. it was refreshing and lightly sweetened. My partner got the pea flower coconut water drink, and thought it was nice and refreshing! My other friend wanted a blended coffee, which was not on the menu however they created something that was extra exceptional and beautiful. We also got some desserts to go my favorite Hokkaido cheesecake. It was absolutely delicious! Light and refreshing but not too sweet. This place has won my heart over and I’ll surely be back

Sky Praylow

14 Oct 2025

This is a cute little cafe, the atmosphere was very cozy, it was a nice place to study. The carrot cake and Thai tea cream puff were tasty. The matcha was pretty good quality.

Hana

06 Oct 2025

Cozy little cafe downtown with chill vibes. The staff were so kind and everything tasted great. I loved the matcha latte and the cheesecake I got. I will definitely be back.

grace

21 Sep 2025

amazing! i got carrot cake and hot chocolate. the atmosphere is nice and their food and drinks are presented beautifully and taste as good as they look. the woman working at the counter was very nice. they were sold out of many things when i went but i will definitely be back to try more.

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