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A Beginner’s Guide To Gettin’ Down In Olde Towne East

Located in the historical Near East Side of Columbus, Olde Towne East is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods.

With a variety of architectural styles, historical homes, and different industries, OTE has a unique look and vibe that you can’t find anywhere else in the city.

The area is home to some of the city’s earliest high-end homes and today, it’s an eclectic neighborhood with bars, restaurants, cafes, and more.

The official neighborhood boundaries can get a little confusing and in general, we’ve tried to stay true to only including places on this guide that are specifically located in Olde Towne East. That being said, there are some nearby features that may technically lie outside of OTE’s border, but they’re just too great to not include them.

Let’s dive in and see what there is to do in Olde Towne East!

The Best Restaurants & Bars In Olde Towne East

Gemüt Biergarten

Photo by Chelsea Wiley

A German-style beer garden offering deliciously brewed beer and food, perfect for visiting with groups of friends or family.
Where: 734 Oak St, Columbus, OH 43205
Website: Gemüt Biergarten

East Market

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Sure, it’s not technically in Olde Towne East, but it is as close as you can get. East Market offers a variety of food vendors to choose from. You can learn more about it here.
Where: 212 Kelton Ave Columbus, OH 43205
Website: East Market

Upper Cup Coffee


This charming little coffee shop offers delicious caffeinated beverages as well as some pretty awesome deli sandwiches. Come for the coffee, stay for all the great art on the walls.
Where:  79 Parsons Avenue
Website: Upper Cup Coffee

Lifestyle Cafe

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This plant-based cafe serves up delicious vegan food for both breakfast and lunch.
Where: 891 Oak St, Columbus, OH 43205
Website: Lifestyle Cafe

Feed Me Sandwich Kings

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There’s a delicious simplicity on the menu at Feed Me Sandwich Kings. Their sandwiches are flavorful without being overly complicated, plus, they’re on every delivery platform so you can treat yourself to a sandwich without having to leave home.

Where: 1053 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43205
Website: Feed Me Sandwich Kings

Hangover Easy

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Start your morning off with some yummy breakfast and maybe a boozy milkshake or mimosa. If you are looking for the perfect hangover cure, you can find it in the BEC sandwich, aka one of the best breakfast sandwiches in the city.

Where: 51 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Hangover Easy

Olde Towne Tavern

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In addition to great food, this pub also serves as the community’s watering hole, drawing in a varied and diverse crowd. Plus, they’ve got a Monday-Friday Happy Hour that includes $1.25 soft pretzels!
Where: 889 Oak St, Columbus, OH 43205

A.W.O.L. Bar

A.W.O.L. has been serving the local gay community for the last two decades. It’s a great place for karaoke, dancing, and craft beers.
Where: 49 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
Website:A.W.O.L. Bar

The Best Things To Do

Corner Stone Craft Beer and Wine

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Your one stop shop for wine and obscure craft beers. Beer sure to see what they have on tap to fill your growler or build your own six pack from their bottle/can selection.
Where: 61 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Corner Stone Craft Beer and Wine

Headies Hideout

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This glass pipe and vape store features work by local glass blowers and artists.
Where: 114 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Headies Hideout

Franklin Park Conservatory

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Located just east of Olde Towne East is Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden, aka one of the most peaceful and beautiful places to visit in the entire city. Get lost in these beautiful gardens and forget your troubles for a few.

Where: 1777 E. Broad Street Columbus, OH 43203
Website: Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

Edin Birkin

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Need a self care kind of day? Edin Birkin has everything you need to put a little pep back in your step.

Where:78 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Edin Birkin

A.J. Soseby


Life is a little easier when you’ve got shops like A.J. Soseby to help you curate your esthetic. From gifts to home goods, this charming little shop is definitely worth a visit.

Where: 85 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: A.J. Soseby

Where To Live

Whether you are looking to rent or buy, Olde Towne East has some beautiful options.

For renters looking to be in the heart of OTE’s food and bar scene, The Yardley could be just the ticket. This newer construction mixed use building offers studios, one, two, and three bedroom apartments for rent, starting at 1,015. There is a wide range of price points available for rentals in Olde Towne East, and you can view current available listings right here.

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If you are on the hunt to purchase a house, OTE is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods to find your forever home. Much like rental prices, the price points for real estate in the neighborhood has a wide range. Single family home prices start around the mid $200,000s and can climb to a million dollars.

Want to know more?

If you want to learn more about Olde Towne East, there’s no better place to head than the Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association. The association holds regular events throughout the year, like garden tours, concerts, and other gatherings where you can really get a feel for the incredible spirit of the neighborhood. For more info, please click here.