Columbus has spent the last decade cementing itself as a food city.
Columbus has so many places worth trying that staying home feels like a waste. This isn’t all white-tablecloth date spots, either. We’ve split it into the categories people actually argue about: brunch, American, tacos, international, seafood, BBQ, pizza, breweries, burgers, fried chicken, steakhouses, and fast-casual. It runs from taco trucks to tasting menus, so pick a craving and a budget and go.
Our top pick in each category (tap a category to jump):
| Category | Our Pick | Neighborhood |
| Brunch | Northstar Café | Short North |
| American | Sycamore | German Village |
| Tacos | Los Guachos Taqueria | Northwest Side |
| International | Veritas | Downtown |
| Seafood | The Pearl | Short North |
| BBQ | Ray Ray’s Hog Pit | Clintonville (+ more) |
| Pizza | Harvest Pizzeria | Multiple locations |
| Breweries & Brewpubs | Wolf’s Ridge Brewing | Downtown |
| Burgers | Preston’s | Clintonville |
| Fried Chicken | The Eagle | Short North |
| Steakhouses | The Top Steakhouse | East Side |
| Fast-Casual | Bibibop | Grandview |
Brunch
Brunch is the meal Columbus argues about most, and the argument has gotten harder as the options have multiplied. These nine run from Grandview biscuits to campus hangover cures that open at 7 a.m. on weekdays.
Northstar Café
Location: 951 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201 (plus four more around central Ohio)
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Short North
About: The ricotta-filled Cloud Nine Pancakes have probably ruined regular pancakes for half this city. Northstar sources locally, bakes everything in house, and somehow keeps the line moving even when it’s out the door on a Sunday morning. If pancakes aren’t your thing, the Big Burrito has rescued plenty of rough mornings, and the beet-based Northstar Burger converts skeptics every week.
Website | Phone | Directions
Joya’s
Location: 657 High St, Worthington, OH 43085
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: Worthington
About: Chef Avishar Barua is one of the best things that’s ever happened to this city. His Worthington cafe, Joya’s, is such a bright light. The menu is exciting and filling, and the cafe has immaculate vibes.
There’s a lot to love about the menu, but if you’re looking for a suggestions, you really can’t go wrong with the breakfast sandwich. Of course, the chef’s signature item is the cheesy double crunch. You can learn more about Joya’s and the innovative menu at the link below.
Website | Phone | Directions
Third and Hollywood
Location: 1433 W 3rd Ave, Grandview Heights, OH 43212
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: Grandview Heights
About: Third and Hollywood does a proper Grandview brunch, and the cheddar biscuits are the reason to show up. Get them even if you don’t think you want a side. The rest of the menu’s good, but the biscuits are what I’m still thinking about on the drive home.
They’re the perfect addition to any dish, or you can make them the main focus of your meal by ordering biscuits and gravy. Of course, if you’ve got a sweet tooth and you’re fortunate enough to catch the cinnamon rolls on the menu, you have to order them. For a taste of what’s in store, explore their offerings at their website below.
Website | Phone | Directions
South of Lane
Location: 1987 Guilford Rd, Upper Arlington, OH
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: Upper Arlington
About: South of Lane is the quintessential neighborhood diner that has mastered the art of the perfect brunch. If you’re a fan of omelets, the Greek Omelet will give you something to shout about. Bursting with flavors from spinach, tomato, onions, peppers, and feta cheese, this dish has all of the good vibes you’d expect from a satisfying brunch.
Beyond the menu, South of Lane exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere that invites you to linger over your meal. It’s the kind of place where you can meet up with your girls for a brunch or enjoy a breakfast date with your significant other. Plan your visit by visiting their website below.
Website | Phone | Directions
Lindey’s
Location: 169 E Beck St, Columbus, OH 43206
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: German Village
About: Lindey’s is the dressed-up German Village classic. You walk over the brick streets to get there and leave feeling a little fancier than when you showed up. The brunch sticks to the classics and nails them. It’s where I’d take my parents.
Of course it’s a great visit at any time of the day, but the brunch experience is unparalleled. Explore more about Lindey’s and its offerings on their website below.
Website | Phone | Directions
Katalina’s
Location: 1105 Pennsylvania Ave, Columbus, OH
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Harrison West
About: Katalina’s made its name on the pancake balls: stuffed spheres with fillings that rotate through the year, and there’s nothing else like them on a Columbus brunch table. The weekend line says everybody else knows it too.
Website | Phone | Directions
Hang Over Easy
Location: 1646 Neil Ave and 51 Parsons Ave.
Price: $ · Neighborhood: University District & Olde Towne East
About: Hang Over Easy is exactly what the name promises, with two locations for a rough morning. Get the chicken and waffles, buttermilk waffles under seasoned tenders, and a milkshake to go with it, boozy if you’re a ‘hair of the dog’ kind of person.
Website | Phone | Directions
Tupelo Honey
Location: 1678 W Lane Ave, Columbus, OH 43221
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Upper Arlington
About: Tupelo Honey does Southern comfort up in Upper Arlington, and the biscuits are the move. They’re tall and fluffy, and the money from them goes to the chain’s relief fund for its own employees, which makes the second basket easier to justify.
Website | Phone | Directions
MORE Brunches: The Best Brunch Spots In Columbus
The Lox Bagel Shop
Location: 772 N High St, Ste 106, Columbus, OH 43215
Price: $ · Neighborhood: Short North
About: The Lox Bagel Shop hand-rolls and boils a bagel that lands between New York and Montreal styles, and both Bon Appétit and Food & Wine have put it on their national best-bagel lists. The Lox (capers, onion, cucumbers) is $12.50, and the pastrami with mustard, pickled onion, and Swiss is $11. It’s counter service and closes at 2 p.m. every day.
Website | Phone | Directions
American
Looking for the perfect, American meal? That can mean different things to different people, but one common thread is that all of these restaurants will be serving up food that feels familiar, flavorful, and comforting.
Agni
Location: 716 S High St, Columbus, OH 43206
Price: $$$$ · Neighborhood: Brewery District
About: Agni is what happens when a Top Chef alum gets a wood fire and total creative freedom. Chef Avishar Barua (the same guy behind Joya’s up in Worthington) runs childhood staples through a live-fire fine-dining filter, and the results have earned national press. The Midwest Nostalgia tasting menu is a splurge at $165 a head, so save it for a night that deserves it. If you want a lower-key taste of what he’s up to, grab a seat at the bar and order à la carte.
Website | Phone | Directions
Cap City Fine Diner
Location: 1299 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43212
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Grandview
About: Cap City Fine Diner is a Cameron Mitchell diner with a little polish on it, and the 24K Carrot Cake is the reason a lot of people walk in. It’s seriously one of the best cakes in Columbus. The carrot cake is adorned with pineapple, golden raisins, and walnuts, all crowned with white chocolate cream cheese icing. The rest of the menu runs from French toast at breakfast to Southern fried chicken at dinner, in a room that feels casual with a little glamour to it.
Website | Phone | Directions
Kitchen Social
Location: 8954 Lyra Dr. Columbus, Ohio 43240 and 6791 Longshore St Suite 110 Dublin, Ohio 43017
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Polaris & Dublin
About: Kitchen Social’s got a loyal crowd, and the cheddar and scallion biscuits are why. They come with honey butter and taste like somebody actually made them that morning, because they did. The rest of the menu is solid; the biscuits are what people come back for.
Website | Phone | Directions
Sycamore
Location: 262 E Sycamore St, Columbus, OH 43206
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: German Village
About: The Sycamore has been such a fun spot to watch evolve over the years. It’s a quiet restaurant that acts as a European-inspired cafe during the day and a romantic, restaurant at night. Parking can be a little tricky, but I promise, it’ll all be worth it once you take your first bite. For more info, you can visit their website.
Website | Phone | Directions
Lincoln Social
Location: 711 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Short North
About: Lincoln Social is the Short North rooftop move. The draw is the view, then the cocktails, then the small plates, roughly in that order. It’s a setting-first kind of place, and it’s honest about it.
Among the standout offerings, the fusion of pizza and sushi represents the spirit of adventure that defines Lincoln Social. You can pair anything you eat with an incredible cocktail and a panoramic view of Downtown Columbus. For an extraordinary dining experience that ignites the senses, explore Lincoln Social Rooftop.
Website | Phone | Directions
READ MORE: The Best Rooftop Bars In Columbus
Matt and Tony’s Kitchen x Tavern
Location: 340 E Gay St, Columbus, OH 43215
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Downtown
About: Matt and Tony’s blends a neighborhood pub with a modern American kitchen, and downtown regulars have been keeping it busy on Gay Street since 2017. Everything comes out generous and unfussy, the beer list holds its own, and the Sunday brunch is one of downtown’s better-kept secrets.
Website | Phone | Directions
SoCal Kitchen + Bar
Location: 705 North High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Short North
About: The restaurant formerly known as Del Mar picked up a new name in 2024, but the sunshine never left the menu. SoCal Kitchen + Bar keeps the coastal California thing going with fresh fish, an expanded sushi list, and cocktails built for the patio. When the Short North is buzzing on a warm evening, this is one of the best seats in the neighborhood.
Website | Phone | Directions
Gene’s
Location: 91 S High St, Dublin, OH 43017
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: Historic Dublin
About: Gene’s is a small New American restaurant in a Historic Dublin house, the sister spot to Coast Wine House a few doors down. The menu changes with the season and is posted only as a sample, so read it as a mood rather than a promise. Columbus Monthly named it a Best New Restaurant for 2025, and The Infatuation opens its current Columbus list with it. Reservations are the way in.
Website | Phone | Directions
Service Bar
Location: 1230 Courtland Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: Italian Village
About: Service Bar is the restaurant inside the Middle West Spirits distillery, which makes the whiskey list the house list. Chef James Tuckey’s menu changes by season. The winter 2026 version ran to a pastrami smoked trout ($17) over crispy potatoes and beet pierogis, and there’s a Middle West Burger for anyone who wants the safe order. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Website | Phone | Directions
Comune
Location: 677 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43206
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: Schumacher Place
About: Comune is the plant-forward restaurant on Parsons Avenue, and it’s the place to send someone who thinks they don’t want a vegetable dinner. Dishes are built to share and the menu follows the season. Dinner only, closed Sunday, and reservations are worth making.
Website | Phone | Directions
Wario’s Beef & Pork
Location: 111 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215, and 4219 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Arena District & Clintonville
About: Wario’s is an East Coast style sandwich shop, and The Steak, 8 oz of shaved ribeye with house whiz and grilled onions on a semolina sesame stick, runs $18. The roasted pork and the chicken cutlet with broccoli rabe are the other two worth knowing. Both shops are closed Monday and Tuesday, and Clintonville closes at 7.
Website | Phone | Directions
Isla
Location: 116 E Moler St, Columbus, OH 43207
Price: $$$$ · Neighborhood: Merion Village
About: Isla is a communal tasting menu in Merion Village: eight courses at one long table for $180 a head, prepaid through Tock, with a six-seat chef’s counter at $240. Columbus Monthly put it on the 2026 Best New Restaurants list. There’s no walk-in.
Tacos
Tacos might just be the best food ever invented. Seriously, what could be better than marinated meat (or meat substitute!), some fresh veggies, an out of this world, sauce, and a perfectly fried tortilla? I would argue that there’s nothing better, but you don’t have to take my word for it. You can go try any of these epic spots and find out for yourself.
Los Guachos Taqueria
Location: 5221 Godown Rd, Columbus, OH
Price: $ · Neighborhood: Northwest Side
About: Los Guachos is where I send people who want the real thing without the markup. The al pastor, marinated pork on corn tortillas with pineapple, onion, and cilantro, is worth the drive on its own. It’s cheap, it’s fast, and it’s better than it has any business being.
Los Guachos embraces the spirit of simplicity and authenticity, crafting tacos that honor tradition and elevate taste. It doesn’t have to be Tuesday to enjoy these bad boys. For a taste of these flavors, explore their offerings on Los Guachos Taqueria.
Website | Phone | Directions
Bakersfield
Location: 733 N High St, Columbus, OH
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Short North
About: Bakersfield does tacos and tequila, and the bistec is the one: grilled short rib with chipotle slaw and cilantro. Chase it with something off the long tequila list. It’s the spot when you want tacos to feel like a night out.
At Bakersfield, every bite deserves to be washed down with some of the tastiest margaritas in town. If your mouth is already watering, go ahead and click that link below and start planning your next visit.
Website | Phone | Directions
Dos Hermanos
Location: 3946 Morse Crossing, Columbus, OH 43219
Price: $ · Neighborhood: Easton
About: Dos Hermanos started as a taco truck and grew into a small local chain. The Easton location is the one listed here. Pick a meat and order the tacos by the pair. The menu also runs to burritos and quesadillas if tacos alone won’t do it.
Website | Phone | Directions
Agave & Rye
Location: 1295 Grandview Ave. (380-226-8226) and 479 N High St. (380-229-3742)
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Grandview & Short North
About: Agave & Rye isn’t the cheapest taco on this list, and the menu leans loud on purpose. The Crown Jewel piles garlic butter lobster, shiitake mushrooms, mac and cheese, and truffle onto one tortilla, and it’s the one people come in for. The tequila and bourbon lists run long, which explains the name.
The restaurant challenges conventional taco norms, inviting you to embrace the unexpected and experience tacos in a whole new light. You can check out the menu at the link below.
Website | Phone | Directions
International
Columbus eats well beyond its borders. Spanish tapas in German Village and Nepali dumplings at North Market are a few minutes apart, and the twenty-three spots below cover a lot more ground than that.
Veritas
Location: 11 W Gay St, Columbus, OH 43215
Price: $$$$ · Neighborhood: Downtown
About: Over the years, Veritas as cemented itself as one of, if not the, best restaurant in Columbus. The food is superb, the service is exemplary, and a meal at Veritas will definitely be one you remember for a long, long time.
The menus are available to peruse online, but each guest has the option of the 5 course tasting menu or the tasting menu with wine pairings. It’s high end, it’s glamorous, and it’s worth every penny, and then some.
Website | Phone | Directions
Barcelona
Location: 263 E Whittier St, Columbus, OH
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: German Village
About: Barcelona brings Spanish tapas to German Village, and the patio’s one of the better ones around. Work through the small plates, but don’t skip the calamares fritos, cornmeal-dusted and fried right. The wine list runs deep, and the patio makes it easy to lose a whole evening.
Website | Phone | Directions
La Tavola
Location: 1664 W 1st Ave, Grandview Heights, OH
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Grandview Heights
About: La Tavola is Grandview’s handmade-pasta spot. Get the gnocchi al forno: potato pasta baked with artichokes, onion, garlic, and herbs in a white wine and fontina sauce. It’s the kind of Italian dinner that makes you slow down.
Website | Phone | Directions
The Keep
Location: 50 W Broad St, Columbus, OH
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: Downtown
About: The Keep sits inside the LeVeque Tower, and the room’s worth the trip on its own. The coq au vin, red wine-braised hen with bacon, mushrooms, carrots, and whipped potatoes, is the comfort order. It’s a date spot where the room does half the work for you.
Website | Phone | Directions
Momo Ghar
Location: 59 Spruce St, Columbus, OH
Price: $ · Neighborhood: North Market (Downtown)
About: The jhol momo at Momo Ghar, chicken dumplings sitting in a spicy, complicated sauce you’ll want to drink, draws a permanent line at the North Market. It’s a tiny Nepali stall, and the line is right.
Website | Phone | Directions
The Refectory
Location: 1092 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH
Price: $$$$ · Neighborhood: Northwest Side
About: The Refectory is the fine-dining constant in Columbus, serving contemporary French cooking in a converted church on Bethel Road since 1976. The menu changes with the seasons, so read it online before you book.
Website | Phone | Directions
Ampersand Asian Supper Club
Location: 32 W College Ave, Westerville, OH 43081
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: Westerville
About: Ampersand packed up its Short North supper club in 2025 and moved to Uptown Westerville, where the ramen is as soul-warming as ever. The menu roams across Asia with donburi rice bowls, small plates, and broths they clearly take personally. Worth the drive.
Website | Phone | Directions
Pelino’s Pasta
Location: 245 King Ave, Columbus, OH
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Fifth by Northwest
About: Pelino’s changes its pasta with the seasons, so trust your server and take the three or four-course option. Every meal ends on dessert, which is how you know they’ve got their priorities straight. I’ve never ordered the same thing twice there, mostly because you can’t.
Website | Phone | Directions
Amul India
Location: 5871 Sawmill Rd, Dublin, OH 43017
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Dublin
About: Amul India in Dublin does the best chicken tikka masala I’ve found in town, and the samosas aren’t optional. The menu runs north to south India, and the portions assume you brought friends.
Website | Phone | Directions
Alqueria Farmhouse Kitchen
Location: 247 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Fifth by Northwest
About: Alqueria Farmhouse Kitchen cooks meat-and-potatoes food with more care than the phrase suggests, and the menu shifts with the season, so what’s on the plate depends on the month. Dinner service starts at 4 Monday through Saturday, and it’s closed Sunday.
Website | Phone | Directions
Speck Italian Eatery
Location: 89 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Downtown
About: Speck does modern Italian downtown without the white-tablecloth stuffiness. The pasta is made in house, the menu shifts with what’s good, and weekday lunch service makes it a legit midday option if you work anywhere near High Street. Go at dinner for the full experience and don’t skip whatever seasonal starter they’re running.
Website | Phone | Directions
MORE ITALIAN: The Best Italian Restaurants In Columbus (2022)
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus
Location: 240 E Kossuth St, Columbus, OH 43206
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: German Village
About: Schmidt’s has fed German Village since 1886, and the Bahama Mama, their fat house sausage, is what you order. Come hungry, because the sausage platter’s all-you-can-eat and you’ll still want room for a cream puff the size of a softball. No reservations, so there’s usually a wait on weekends. It’s worth it.
Website | Phone | Directions
Rooh
Location: 685 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: Short North
About: Rooh is modern Indian in the Short North, and the Rooh Butter Chicken ($30) and the Lamb Shank Nihari ($38) are the plates the room is built around. The Always Changing Biryani does what the name says. Dinner is reservation territory, and the Mornings by Rooh cafe pop-up runs walk-in only on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Website | Phone | Directions
Bonifacio
Location: 1577 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43212
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Fifth by Northwest
About: Bonifacio is modern Filipino on King Avenue, and the menu runs to classics like the sisig and lechon meals over garlic rice, plus boodle boxes built for a group. Weekend hours start at 10 a.m. Closed Monday.
Website | Phone | Directions
Osaka Ton Katsu
Location: 194 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Downtown
About: Osaka Ton Katsu does one thing on South High downtown: a panko-crusted pork cutlet, fried golden, served with house-made sauce and shredded cabbage over rice. Lunch runs 11 to 2 and dinner 4 to 7 on weeknights (until 8 Friday and Saturday), and it’s closed Sunday. Columbus Commons garage is the parking.
Xi Xia Western Chinese Cuisine
Location: 1140 Kenny Centre Mall, Columbus, OH 43220
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Northwest Side
About: Xi Xia makes hand-pulled noodles from western China in a Kenny Road strip mall, and the Signature Beef Noodles are where Columbus Underground’s review landed. There’s a second shop in Pickerington.
Website | Phone | Directions
Chilispot
Location: 1178 Kenny Centre Mall, Columbus, OH 43220
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Northwest Side
About: Chilispot is Sichuan cooking in the same Kenny Centre strip as Xi Xia. Columbus Monthly’s review made the point that the food is more than heat, with green peppercorn and fermented bean paste running under the chili. Order rice.
Website | Phone | Directions
Metsi’s
Location: 36 E Lincoln St, Columbus, OH 43215
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: Italian Village
About: Metsi’s is wood-fired Italian on the Italian Village side of the Short North, and Chef Greg’s Famous Bolognese is the name on the menu for a reason. Columbus Monthly named it a Best New Restaurant for 2026, and reservations are worth making.
Website | Phone | Directions
Riziki Swahili Grill
Location: 1872 Tamarack Cir S, Columbus, OH 43229
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Northland
About: Riziki cooks Swahili food from the spice island of Zanzibar, and everything is cooked to order, so the restaurant asks that you call ahead. Open Wednesday through Sunday from noon.
Website | Phone | Directions
Novella Osteria
Location: 170 W Olentangy St, Powell, OH 43065
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: Powell
About: Novella Osteria took Columbus Monthly’s Best of Columbus 2026 reader poll for Italian restaurant, cocktails, and chef, which is a lot of hardware for a spot in downtown Powell. Chef Phelan’s own advice for a first visit is the Novella Meatballs ($18) and the pappardelle with lamb Bolognese ($31). Open Tuesday through Saturday, and reservations are recommended.
Website | Phone | Directions
Basi Italia
Location: 811 Highland St, Columbus, OH 43215
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: Victorian Village
About: Basi Italia is a tiny Italian restaurant tucked into a Victorian Village alley, with a patio Columbus Monthly’s current best-restaurants list calls out first. The pan-seared branzino and the Rigatoni Salumeria (sweet Italian sausage, fennel, golden raisins, toasted pine nuts) are the anchors. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 5, and the room is small enough that reservations matter.
Website | Phone | Directions
Flour Modern Pasta Bar
Location: 1540 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: Polaris
About: Flour is a pasta bar at Polaris Fashion Place, and the Butter Chicken Alla Vodka ($21.50, built on Rooh’s red pepper and cashew makhani) is the plate that put it on Columbus Monthly’s 2025 Best New Restaurants list. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Website | Phone | Directions
NE Chinese Restaurant
Location: 2620 N High St, Columbus, OH 43202
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Old North Columbus
About: NE Chinese cooks northeastern Chinese food on North High near campus and made The Infatuation’s current Columbus list. Most entrees land between $15 and $18. Closed Tuesday.
Website | Phone | Directions
Seafood
Nothing says “let’s pretend like we’re somewhere coastal and beautiful” quite like an evening at a spectacular seafood restaurant. I’m personally a sucker for scallops, but Columbus eateries have everything from squid to salmon, just waiting for you to stop by and treat yourself.
Mitchell’s Ocean Club
Location: 4002 Easton Station, Columbus, OH
Price: $$$$ · Neighborhood: Easton
About: Mitchell’s Ocean Club is the Easton special-occasion room, and the Dutch Harbor King Crab Legs with drawn butter are what the occasion is for. Prices run high and the dining room is built for anniversaries. It’s a Cameron Mitchell restaurant, so the service is the polished kind.
Website | Phone | Directions
Kai’s Crab Boil
Location: 839 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Northwest Side
About: Kai’s Crab Boil is a roll-up-your-sleeves kind of seafood spot. Pick your combo and get it tossed in the Kajun sauce, which is the whole reason you’re here. It’s fast-casual and a little messy, exactly how a crab boil should be.
Website | Phone | Directions
The Pearl
Location: 641 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: Short North
About: The Pearl is the Short North seafood spot to bring a group to. The Shellfish Tower is the centerpiece: a dozen oysters and clams, peel-and-eat shrimp, colossal crab, and the sauces for all of it. It’s built for four people and gone in twenty minutes.
Website | Phone | Directions
Haru Omakase
Location: 2027 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240
Price: $$$$ · Neighborhood: Polaris
About: Haru is Columbus’s first real sushi omakase, and it eats like a special-occasion splurge. You sit at the counter and the chef feeds you a set course of nigiri built around seasonal, sometimes unusual fish. It landed on Columbus Monthly’s Best Restaurants list in 2025. Reserve ahead, because it seats just a handful of people and it’s only open Wednesday through Saturday.
Website | Phone | Directions
BBQ
We might not be Texas or Kansas, but we’ve still got some fantastic barbeque options. Slow cooked meat might seem like it’s easy to get right, but there’s a real science to it. And no one does it better than the restaurants below.
B & K Smokehouse
Location: 1114 E Main St, Columbus, OH
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Near East Side
About: B & K Smokehouse is where rib dreams come true. Their fall-off-the-bone pork ribs, served with B & K’s sweet, special sauce, are the stuff of legends. But don’t worry if you’re not famished, you can also go for a half-order or Rib tip. B & K Smokehouse is the epitome of authentic barbecue, offering a smoky, saucy, and satisfying experience that will keep you coming back for more. For a taste of true barbecue bliss, visit B & K Smokehouse.
Website | Phone | Directions
Smoked on High
Location: 755 S High St, Columbus, OH 43206
Price: $ · Neighborhood: Brewery District
Note: Smoked on High is takeout and food-truck only these days. There’s no indoor dining room anymore, but the patio and porch are open when the weather cooperates, so grab a tray and post up outside.
About: Smoked on High is takeout barbecue in the Brewery District. Try the pulled pork with the sweet whiskey sauce. Don’t skip the coleslaw, even if coleslaw isn’t usually your thing. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11 to 8, or until they sell out.
Website | Phone | Directions
Ray Ray’s Hog Pit
Location: 4214 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 (Clintonville flagship); also 424 Town St in Franklinton, 5755 Maxtown Rd in Westerville, and 1256 Columbus Rd in Granville
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Multiple (Clintonville flagship)
About: Ray Ray’s is the Columbus barbecue name, run out of a smoker the way good barbecue should be. Everything’s worth ordering, so don’t overthink it. They sell out most days. That’s the review.
Website | Phone | Directions
Hoggy’s
Location: 830 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43214
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Northwest Side
About: Hoggy’s, a Columbus BBQ staple since 1991, offers an authentic taste of Southern barbecue. With roots tracing back to Linworth, Ohio, Hoggy’s is now located at 830 Bethel Road and the restaurant prides itself on crafting dishes from scratch with the freshest ingredients. Meats are hand-rubbed with special seasonings and slow-smoked to perfection, resulting in a rich, smoky flavor that embodies true Southern BBQ. Must-tries include their Pulled Pork and Pulled Chicken, while their Award-Winning Mac & Cheese adds a delicious twist to traditional sides. Ribs, Wings, Brisket, and an array of Traditional Southern Recipe sides complete their menu. Hoggy’s is where Columbus locals come to satisfy their BBQ cravings. Discover this Columbus classic at Hoggy’s.
Website | Phone | Directions
Pizza
Are you ever too old to name pizza as your favorite food? I hope not because pizza in Columbus is absolutely deserving of that place in your heart. Columbus style is cracker-thin and cut in squares, but the New York style crowd is well served here too. The six below cover the spread.
Mikey’s Late Night Slice
Location: 268 S 4th St, Columbus, OH 43215
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Downtown
About: When it comes to pizza, Mikey’s Late Night Slice is a local legend. This lively pizzeria is known for its unconventional and delectable slices. If you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser, the spicy pepperoni pizza rarely misses. It’s a simple pleasure that can’t be beaten and pairs perfectly with a cold beer and great company. Experience the joy of a perfect slice at Mikey’s Late Night Slice.
Website | Phone | Directions
Rubino’s Pizza
Location: 2643 E Main St, Bexley, OH 43209
Price: $ · Neighborhood: Bexley
About: Rubino’s is a Bexley institution that’s barely changed in decades. Cash only. Thin, cracker-style crust you can’t get anywhere else. Extra cheese helps, and it tastes better in the room than out of a box.
Website | Phone | Directions
Adriatico’s New York Style Pizza
Location: 1618 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
Price: $ · Neighborhood: University District
About: Adriatico’s near campus is where you go for a thick, doughy Sicilian slice, ideally after a night out. There are other crusts, but the Sicilian’s the one. It’s college-town pizza done right.
Website | Phone | Directions
Hounddog’s Pizza
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Location: 2657 N High St, Columbus, OH 43202
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Old North Columbus
About: Hounddog’s does a hand-tossed pie on a garlic-butter crust called the Smokin’ Joe’s, finished with a sweet tomato-basil sauce. It’s a late-night High Street staple, and it’s the kind of pizza that tastes best after midnight.
Website | Phone | Directions
Harvest Pizzeria
Location: Multiple locations
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Multiple (five around Columbus)
About: Harvest Pizzeria is up to five locations (Bexley, the Brewery District, Clintonville, Dublin, and Granville), with New Albany and Hilliard on the way. The wood-fired menu is built around what’s in season from Ohio farms, so the toppings change through the year. Happy hour runs Tuesday through Friday, 4 to 6.
Website | Phone | Directions
Paulie Gee’s Short North
Location: 1195 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Short North
About: Paulie Gee’s is the Columbus outpost of the Brooklyn wood-fired pizza name. Start with the Hellboy (red sauce, hot soppressata, fresh mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, hot honey). Detroit-style squares are on the menu too. They don’t take reservations or call-ahead seating, and it’s closed Monday.
Website | Phone | Directions
Want more Pizza options? Where To Find The Best New York Style Pizza in Columbus and The Best Pizza In Columbus By Style
Breweries & Brewpubs
Columbus has no shortage of exceptional breweries and brewpubs. There so many brewpubs really pushing the boundaries of food, beer, and their relationship to one another. Have a drink for me and pair it with something delicious.
Gemüt Biergarten
Location: 734 Oak St, Columbus, OH 43205
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Olde Towne East
About: Gemüt turned an old Olde Towne East fire station into a proper German biergarten, brewing its own lagers and backing them up with schnitzel, wursts, and giant soft pretzels. The biergarten out back is one of the most pleasant places in the city to lose track of an afternoon.
Website | Phone | Directions
Jackie O’s on Fourth
Location: 171 N Fourth St, Columbus, OH 43215
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Downtown
About: Athens’ most beloved brewery finally gave Columbus a home of its own in 2023. Jackie O’s on Fourth pours the classics like Mystic Mama and Firefly Amber alongside taproom-only releases, and the in-house Goood Friends kitchen turns out over-the-top Midwest sandwiches that hold their own against the beer. Weekend brunch here is a sneaky-good move.
Website | Phone | Directions
Forbidden Root
Location: 4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Easton
About: Forbidden Root tucks a real kitchen into a brewpub at Easton. The small plates are built for sharing, but the duck and dumplings, ricotta gnocchi with duck confit and mirepoix, is the sleeper hit. Not many brewpubs bother cooking like this.
Website | Phone | Directions
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing
Location: 215 N 4th St, Columbus, OH 43215
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Downtown
About: Wolf’s Ridge is a brewery with a kitchen that takes itself seriously, which is rarer than it ought to be. If you’re hungry, book the chef’s menu; there are vegetarian and gluten-free versions if you ask. It’s the spot when you want the beer and the food to both matter.
Website | Phone | Directions
Want to take a closer look at Columbus breweries? The Best Breweries In Columbus
Burgers
While some could argue that burgers joints could have technically found a home amongst the American food section, we thought they deserved a category of their own. People get really fanatic about a good burger and to be honest, I get it. It’s one of those dishes that can go from good to great at just the right place.
Preston’s: A Burger Joint
Location: Various locations
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Clintonville
About: Preston’s does a smash burger and does it right: American cheese, lettuce, red onion, pickles, and a special sauce that carries the whole thing. It’s cheap, and there’s more than one location, so you’re never far from one. It’s my default burger rec.
Website | Phone | Directions
The Thurman Cafe
Location: 183 Thurman Ave, Columbus, OH 43206
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: German Village
Note: The Thurman Cafe is temporarily closed while the Suclescy family repairs damage from an April 2026 fire. They’ve promised they’ll be back. Check their Facebook for reopening news before you make the trip.
About: The Thurman Cafe is the burger everyone tells visitors about. Their Thurman Burger isn’t for the faint of heart; it’s massive, satisfyingly overwhelming, a tad greasy, and absolutely worth it. This burger is reserved for special, hungry occasions. Get ready to conquer the beast at The Thurman Cafe.
Website | Phone | Directions
Pat and Gracie’s
Location: 138 Graceland Blvd, Columbus, OH 43214
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Graceland
About: Pat and Gracie’s serves up burger perfection. The Chimi Burger steals the spotlight, featuring two smashed patties crowned with Monterey Jack cheese, avocado, caramelized onions, bacon, and a house-made chimichurri sauce. Don’t overlook their unique house-made tots; they’re unlike any tater tots you’ve ever had. Dive into burger innovation at Pat and Gracie’s.
Website | Phone | Directions
Johnnie’s Tavern
Location: 3503 Trabue Rd, Columbus, OH 43204
Price: $ · Neighborhood: West Side
About: Johnnie’s Tavern on the West Side is a no-frills place that nails the one thing you came for. The cheeseburger’s the classic tavern build, juicy and unfussy, the kind nobody’s improved on because nobody needs to.
Read more: Johnnie’s Tavern Is The Best Kept Secret In Columbus
Want more Burger options? The Best Burgers in Columbus
Fried Chicken
Getting the perfect fried chicken isn’t as easy as your mom made it look. Luckily, if like myself you didn’t inherit the skill required, you can pop into any of these Columbus restaurants for some of the best fried chicken of your life.
The Eagle
Location: 790 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Short North
About: On the bustling streets of the Short North, you’ll find fried chicken heaven at The Eagle. When you dine here, the fried chicken is a must-try, no questions asked. Whether you prefer dark or white meat, every bite will leave you stuffed and superbly happy. Savor the crispy goodness at The Eagle.
Website | Phone | Directions
Modern Southern Table
Location: 1086 N 4th St (inside Budd Dairy Food Hall), Columbus, OH 43201
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Italian Village
About: Modern Southern Table runs a stall inside Budd Dairy Food Hall, and the Alabama Fried Chicken is the signature. The Low Country version gets a baste of barbecue spices for a dollar more, and the collards and mac and cheese show up in reviews about as often as the chicken does. Budd Dairy is closed Mondays, and the stall doesn’t open until 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. There’s also a carryout-only spot on N High St in Clintonville.
Want more Fried Chicken options? The Best Fried Chicken Places In Columbus
Steakhouses
Steakhouses cost more than most of this list, and the ones below earn the bill. If the budget is tight this month, this isn’t the section to start with.
The Top Steakhouse
Location: 2891 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43209
Price: $$$ · Neighborhood: East Side
About: The Top Steakhouse is a haven for steak enthusiasts. When you dine here, the Dry Aged Kansas City Strip is a must-try. This steak is the epitome of perfection, perfectly seasoned to “melt in your mouth.” The Top is one of those iconic spots here in Columbus that feels like a “must visit” spot to both tourists and locals. It’s got old school vibes and food that you’ll be dreaming of long after you leave.
Website | Phone | Directions
The Avenue Steak Tavern
Location: 1307 Grandview Ave Ste 3013, Columbus, OH 43212
Price: $$$$ · Neighborhood: Grandview Heights
About: For a more indulgent steak experience, head to The Avenue Steak Tavern in Grandview. While their menu offers a variety of sumptuous options, the Porterhouse is a standout. This steak is big, juicy, flavorful, and yes, a little expensive. If you’re in the mood for an unforgettable meal, The Avenue is the place to be. Discover more at The Avenue Steak Tavern.
Website | Phone | Directions
J. Gilbert’s Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood Columbus
Location: 1 E Campus View Blvd, Columbus, OH 43235
Price: $$$$ · Neighborhood: North Columbus
About: J. Gilbert’s does wood-fired steaks and seafood, and it’s a solid call for a real steakhouse night. The multi-course prix-fixe is the value play, and the service is a big part of why people keep going back. It’s an occasion spot that holds up its end.
Website | Phone | Directions
Want more Steak options? The 7 Best Steakhouses In Columbus
Fast-Casual
I think the birth of fast-casual food is one of the best things ever. Maybe that sounds hyperbolic, but the truth is that sometimes you want something quick and easy, but you don’t just want to eat fast food. That’s when these spots come in particularly handy. Fast Casual restaurants tend to encompass a variety of food types, from the Mediterranean to Africa.
Bibibop
Location: 1270 W 5th Ave, Columbus, OH 43212
Price: $ · Neighborhood: Grandview
About: Bibibop is the Columbus-born Korean bowl spot, and you build your own. Get the purple rice, add kimchi for the kick, load it however you want, meat or not. The whole menu’s gluten-free, which makes it an easy group pick.
Website | Phone | Directions
6-1-Pho
Location: 4386 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: Clintonville
About: 6-1-Pho does customizable pho, your choice of protein and broth, meat or veggie. It’s quick Vietnamese that doesn’t cut corners on the bowl. Good for a cold day or a fast, cheap lunch.
Website | Phone | Directions
FUSIAN
Location: 855 W 5th Ave, Columbus, OH 43212
Price: $ · Neighborhood: Grandview
About: I couldn’t choose one if you made me. I love sushi. FUSIAN has a pre-made menu that you can choose from if you need suggestions, but you can also customize just about everything in your sushi roll, from the type of wrap to the internal components, to the sauces. Go crazy!
Website | Phone | Directions
Hoyo’s Kitchen
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Location: North Market, 59 Spruce St, Columbus, OH 43215, and North Market Bridge Park, 6750 Longshore St, Dublin
Price: $$ · Neighborhood: North Market (Downtown) & Bridge Park
About: The dishes at Hoyo’s Kitchen are made to order. You get to choose whether you’d like a bowl, wrap, or salad topped with your choice of protein and veggies. Don’t forget to order a Somali chai tea!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most iconic restaurant in Columbus?
The names locals send visitors to first are The Thurman Cafe (home of the Thurmanator, though it’s been closed for fire repairs since April 2026), The Top Steakhouse, and Schmidt’s Sausage Haus in German Village.
Where should I eat in German Village?
Lindey’s for a dressed-up bistro night, Sycamore for seasonal New American, and Barcelona for a patio dinner.
What are the best restaurants in the Short North?
The Eagle for fried chicken, Speck for pasta, Bakersfield for tacos and margaritas, and Lincoln Social for rooftop drinks and small plates.
What is a good date-night restaurant in Columbus?
Veritas, Agni, and The Refectory for a splurge; Wolf’s Ridge or Third and Hollywood for something more relaxed.
Now that we’re all a little hungrier, let’s make some plans! Who’s buying?
