The Ohio State University is home to tens of thousands of students, faculty, and staff. It also happens to turn into the hottest area in town every weekend in the fall. The area surrounding the university is home to some of the best restaurants in town.
Whether you’re hoping to go out for a nice meal with friends or family or you need a quick breakfast fix, the area surrounding OSU will have what you’re looking for.
Hangover Easy
About: Hangover Easy is a great place to swing in for breakfast or lunch. They’ve got everything you need to cure a hangover or just to start your day out right. There are lots of great option on the menu, including burgers, sandwiches, omelets, and various breakfast dishes.
Location: 1646 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
Website: Hangover Easy
The Original Pancake House
About: Parents coming into town? The Original Pancake House will never fail to impress. Although they’ve got pancakes in the name, they have so much more to offer on the menu. There are waffles, crepes, omelets, traditional breakfast dishes, and more.
Location: 1633 W. Lane Ave, Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Website: The Original Pancake House
Emmett’s Cafe
About: At Emmett’s Cafe, you can stop in for both breakfast and lunch. It’s a beautiful space to sit and enjoy a quiet meal, or to gather with friends and family. The menu includes sandwiches, salads, bowls, and one of the best breakfast sandwiches in the city.
Location: 2571 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH, 43202
Website: Emmett’s at Open Air
Katalina’s
About: When you’re trying to decide what you want to eat but one friend wants tacos, the other is craving breakfast, and someone else just wants to eat a salad, the answer is to head straight to Katalina’s. They have a menu that offers a lot of options, all of which are delicious, plus you really can’t go wrong with pancake balls!
Location: Two locations close to campus
Website: Katalina’s
Buckeye Donuts
About: Late night cravings at OSU can always be cured with a visit to Buckeye Donuts. It’s simple, it’s iconic, and it’s open 24 hours. Enjoy a Buckeye donut for me, pals.
Location: 1998 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201
Website: Buckeye Donuts
Iacono’s
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About: Pizza or pasta? You can find both at Iacono’s. This little gem of a restaurant has been serving up yummy food for decades, cementing itself as one of the more iconic spots near OSU. It’s a great spot for sit down dinner or to grab something to go.
Location: 4452 Kenny Rd, Columbus, OH 43220
Website: Iacono’s
Tommy’s Pizza
About: If you are (or were) a college aged kid in Columbus, there’s a decent chance you’ve had Tommy’s Pizza. You can swing by and grab a whole pie or just a slice.
Location: 174 W. Lane Ave, Columbus OH 43201
Website: Tommy’s Pizza
La Chatelaine French Bakery & Bistro
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About: This delicious French eatery is the perfect place for a romantic daytime date night or a celebratory lunch. They have a fantastic menu, full of delightful French dishes that will transport you straight to Paris.
Location: 1550 W Lane Ave, Columbus, OH 43221
Website: La Chatelaine French Bakery & Bistro
Pelino’s Pasta
About: Speaking of romantic dates, you’ve got to head over to Pelino’s Pasta. It will absolutely impress your date, but be warned, you’ll probably fall in love with this place. They have a seasonal, chef driven menu offering modern takes on traditional Italian dishes.
Location: 245 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
Website: Pelino’s Pasta
‘plas food + drink
About: There’s no better way to end a long week of studying or working than heading to plas’ for an impressive charcuterie board. They have both vegan and non-vegan options so everyone can enjoy. The rest of the menu is nothing to sneer at either. The restaurant offers approachable, seasonal fine dining.
Location: 21 E 5th Ave Suite 101, Columbus, OH 43210
Website: ‘plas food + drink
Varsity Club
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About: When you think of iconic OSU restaurants, there’s nothing that comes to mind faster than the Varsity Club. Located in close proximity to both Ohio Stadium and The Schottenstein Center, Varsity Club offers burgers, wings, pizza, and more. It’s a huge gathering space on OSU football home games and a great spot to visit if you have friends or family in town.
Location: 278 W Lane Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
Website: Varsity Club
Lupo
About: Lupo is a total hidden gem. Offering seasonally inspired pastas and small plates, Lupo is a great spot for a romantic date or a fun evening out with your squad. They also happen to offer fun happy hour deals Tuesday-Thursday.
Location: 2124 Arlington Ave, Columbus, OH 43221
Website: Lupo
Sushi Ten
About: It’s genuinely hard to choose just one place at Japan Marketplace to include here, but Sushi Ten is just too darn good to not include it. It’s fast, it’s affordable, and it’s freaking delicious. What’s not to love? They’ve got Nigiri sushi, California rolls, raw and cooked fish rolls, and more.
Location: 159 Old Henderson Rd, Columbus, OH 43220
Website: Sushi Ten
