Some mornings in Columbia start with a line that wraps around the corner of a small building on Devine Street. People are waiting for warm, gooey cinnamon rolls, and many of them say the wait is worth every minute.
The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli has earned a 4.8-star rating from more than 1,800 reviews, which is a big deal for such a tiny spot. Here is what makes this little deli so special and how to plan your own visit.
A Small Deli on Devine Street
Tucked at 2617 Devine St in Columbia, South Carolina, sits a deli that punches far above its size. The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli is officially listed as a deli, but most people know it for one thing first: cinnamon rolls.
Out of all the topics visitors bring up, cinnamon rolls come up more than anything else, with over 230 mentions.
The menu goes well beyond sweets, though. Guests talk about breakfast sandwiches, grit bowls, soups, paninis, and hearty lunch sandwiches.
It works as a breakfast stop, a lunch spot, or a quick place to grab a sweet treat for later.
With a 4.8-star rating from 1,846 reviews, the place has clearly built a loyal following. Some visitors are locals who stop by often, while others are travelers who found it online or heard about it from a friend.
One person even said they drive 30 minutes just to eat here.
That mix of hometown regulars and curious out-of-towners gives the deli its buzz. It feels like a neighborhood secret that everyone somehow already knows about.
Ms. Jody and the Heart Behind the Counter
Ask regulars what keeps them coming back, and many will mention a name before they mention a single roll. The owner, Ms. Jody, shows up again and again in reviews as a warm, hands-on presence.
She walks the dining room, introduces herself, and checks in on tables.
One family shared how she brought their hungry son a cinnamon roll and juice before their meal even arrived. Another couple, who had been regulars from 2017 until a military move in 2022, came back years later and found her still working alongside her staff.
She made their young daughter feel like a princess, they said.
Visitors also describe a real sense of community inside. Flyers and artwork promoting dog adoptions hang on the walls, and guests mention a joyful vibe from the moment they walk in.
Staff members get plenty of praise for being sweet, kind, and friendly.
Small touches like these turn a quick breakfast into something people remember. Several reviewers said it felt less like a restaurant and more like being welcomed into a family kitchen.
The Famous Rolls, Soft and Shareable
Soft, gooey, warm, and delicious. That is how one early-morning visitor summed up the rolls, and plenty of others agree.
Travelers who sample pastries around the world have called these the best cinnamon rolls they have ever eaten.
Size matters here too. Guests describe the rolls as big enough for two people to share, topped with a thick, creamy sugar glaze.
Some call them hardcore, while one diner noticed they have a lighter touch than other rolls they were used to, yet still devoured every bite.
The original roll gets love as a sleeper hit, with one couple saying it was the perfect sweet ending to their day. Many people grab a roll or two to take home rather than eating it on the spot.
Not every review glows, to be fair. One first-timer felt their roll was too bready without enough icing throughout, though they liked the mini version better.
Still, the overwhelming majority of feedback puts these rolls in a league of their own.
Bananas Foster, Bourbon Caramel and Other Wild Flavors
Plain is just the starting point. The flavor lineup at this deli reads almost like a dessert menu, and reviewers love exploring it.
One guest said there is truly something for everyone, whether you lean classic or adventurous.
Bananas Foster and apple cobbler rolls both come up in reviews, along with a berry roll that one returning diner called amazing. Others mention blueberry rolls topped with fruit, a coconut cream roll, and a strawberry cheesecake roll that the owner shared with a visiting mother and daughter.
Seasonal choices like peach cobbler also appear, and one fan said it made them exclaim out loud.
A regular named Bourbon Caramel as the best roll they have tasted. That same person even suggested a tres leches roll for the future, which shows how much fun people have dreaming up new ideas here.
Fun fact: because flavors rotate, two visits can feel completely different. If you spot a seasonal option, grabbing it might be your only chance for a while.
Grit Bowls, Breakfast Sandwiches and a Mini Bonus
Here is a pleasant surprise for first-timers: order a breakfast sandwich, and a mini cinnamon roll comes along with it, served fresh and hot. That little bonus has its own fan club, with dozens of mentions in reviews.
Shrimp and grits ranks as one of the most talked-about dishes, with around 80 mentions. Pimento cheese grits also earn praise, and one visitor called the famous Grit Bowl fully deserving of its reputation.
One small wish from a happy regular was a plain grits option, since the grits of the day are flavored.
Sandwiches draw serious devotion. The Big Pig gets called everything you could want in a breakfast sandwich, especially with over-easy eggs.
Others rave about the Palmetto sandwich and custom sandwiches that come out right every time.
One family said it was hands down the best breakfast sandwich they had ever eaten. Don’t skip the homemade berry jelly either, which one guest ranked among the best they had ever tasted.
Lunch Worth Staying For
Cinnamon rolls may grab the headlines, but lunch quietly steals plenty of hearts. A Reuben here was described as perfectly grilled, loaded with flavor, and generously filled.
Pair it with the tomato basil Parmesan soup, and you get a cozy meal that tastes homemade.
Adventurous eaters should look for Matt’s Brazilian Steak sandwich on sourdough with garlic sauce. One husband called it unreal, praising the tender, well-seasoned steak.
His wife’s Irish Lassie was just as impressive, they said.
Other favorites include a Turkey Reuben with homemade chips, grilled cheese with soup, paninis, and even a hot dog with coleslaw and ketchup. Chili gets about 30 mentions too, so it is clearly a crowd pleaser.
Honest note: not every item lands for everyone. One guest felt their broccoli cheddar soup missed the mark, and another found the coffee and everything bagel just okay.
Sticking with the sandwiches and rolls seems to be the safest bet.
Cozy Quarters, Long Lines and Who Will Love It
Picture a small, comfy room buzzing with chatter, plus a little outdoor patio for nice weather. Seating is limited, and that is part of why the line spills out the door.
Wait time comes up in more than 50 reviews.
How long can it get? One couple waited about 45 minutes for a dine-in table, though they agreed the food explained the crowd.
Another group arrived at 9:30 on a Sunday and waited 10 minutes, but by 10 AM the line had grown a lot.
Families with kids seem to have a wonderful time, thanks to the friendly staff. Road trippers love it as a stop on the way through Columbia.
Groups can socialize indoors or outside, according to one visitor.
If crowds make you twitchy, consider takeout. Many people order ahead for pickup, and one reviewer said their Uber Eats orders arrived correct both times.
Planning Your Visit, Plus a Sweet Verdict
Timing is everything at this deli. Doors open at 7 AM and close at 2 PM, Wednesday through Sunday.
Mondays and Tuesdays are closed, so plan around them.
Prices land in the $10 to $20 range per person, which visitors call reasonable for what you get. You can find the deli at 2617 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205, or call +1 803-465-4947.
The website is cinnamonrolldeli.com.
Parking takes a little patience. The lot is small, but street parking out front helps, as one guest pointed out.
Arriving early is the best trick for beating the line.
So, is it worth the hype? Judging by nearly 1,850 reviews and a 4.8-star average, most people say yes.
Between the gooey rolls, hearty plates, and a kind owner who treats guests like family, this little spot earns its crowd. Just bring an appetite and maybe a box for leftovers.
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