Indah Coffee owners dish on favorite Columbia places to eat, drink, play

For some, frequenting coffee shops is just part of a daily routine that results in a cup of fuel to go. For Nick and Stefanie Hauser, however, visiting coffee shops has always been more of a passion.

“We have frequented coffee shops wherever we have lived or traveled,” Stefanie said. “Coffee unites people and brings people together. We resonate with that aspect of it.”

So, in 2010, a decade after the couple moved to Columbia, they channeled that love for coffee into a successful business: Indah Coffee Co. The Indonesian word for “beautiful,” Indah first operated solely as a roasting company identified by its little red roaster each weekend at Soda City Market downtown.

After several years of success, the Hausers opened Indah’s first brick-and-mortar shop at 2238 Sumter St. in Cottontown earlier this year.

Nick and Stefanie live near downtown with their five daughters and their rambunctious labradoodle, Finn.

EAT

We love the restaurant selection in Columbia, and it’s difficult for us to name just a couple places. We love the fresh menu and neighborly atmosphere that Motor Supply offers. We frequently enjoy lunch at War Mouth, especially the duck confit with a side of raw fries. Tallulah and The Oak Table are also top on the list.

DRINK

It’s always fun to see what Josh Streetman with his wizardry behind the bar will mix up at Motor Supply. You can find Nick sitting at the bar from time to time sampling different beverages. War Mouth and Hunter-Gatherer are also go-to places of ours.

PLAY

When Nick isn’t busy roasting coffee, we enjoy spending time outdoors with our five daughters. We love to trek the Riverwalk, play in the splash pad at Roy Lynch Park, and explore the swamp at Congaree National Park. We also greatly enjoy frequent visits to Riverbanks Zoo. The new renovations are amazing, and we are really proud to have this attraction right in the heart of our city.

SEE

Soda City Market is a huge part of our week. Since our first market in 2010, we have spent almost all of our Saturdays there, both working at Indah and also just walking around and enjoying all the great food and local art. Our kids also have their favorite vendors that we make sure and visit most every time we go.

LISTEN

We enjoy live music at outdoor venues. It makes for a family-friendly activity. City Roots often hosts some of our local favorites at their various events. Soda City Market is also full of musical variety. We especially love it when the Flat Out Strangers make an appearance.

This story was originally published July 30, 2017 at 9:20 AM with the headline "Indah Coffee owners dish on favorite Columbia places to eat, drink, play."