A new restaurant has opened in one of Columbia’s most popular neighborhoods. Here’s where

There’s a new spot to sample the flavors of India in one of Columbia’s most enduring shopping and nightlife districts.

Aroma of India, which offers a host of Indian food, recently opened at 707 Harden St. in Five Points. It’s right next door to Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint. Aroma of India is located in the space that formerly was home to The Barn bar.

Aroma of India’s menu features, among other things, a host of Indian favorites, including various basmati rice dishes, Hyderabadi biryani offerings such as the south Indian chicken biryani, a host of naan breads, and traditional dishes such as tandoori chicken.

The new Indian restaurant’s opening comes at a time when Five Points, the more than century-old district just east of the University of South Carolina’s campus, has continued to evolve, with a host of restaurant openings or announcements in the past year.

For instance, Arroyo Tacos + Tequila Mexican restaurant, a new offering from the team behind Saluda’s, opened in August at 819 Harden St. Then there’s Cocky Rooster, a burgeoning chicken chain that announced it would be developing a new location in the 2000 block of Devine Street. Also, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks , a well known Atlanta-based franchise, recently announced it is bringing a location to the 900 block of Harden Street.

Meanwhile, a major $5 million construction project is underway to enhance pedestrian safety in Five Points. The work will eventually see Devine Street shrink from four lanes to three between Saluda Avenue and Harden Street, and Harden Street cut from four lanes to two between Devine and Blossom streets.