The Short North has undergone many changes over the years.
But one thing that has remained consistent is that the neighborhood continues to be a go-to destination for some truly delicious spots to grab a bite to eat.
From fine dining to casual lunch, the restaurants in the Short North are innovative, exciting, and iconic all in one neighborhood.
There’s plenty of mouthwatering deliciousness ahead, so let’s stop chatting and start planning our next meal!
Arch City Tavern
Known for its tavern sandwiches, Arch City Tavern is a great place to grab a casual bite to eat and drink with friends. There are two must-try sides on the menu at Arch City, the parmesan fries and the brussels sprouts. So you’ll either have to visit when you’re very hungry or plan on sharing with your pals. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., and the full list of Arch City Tavern specials is right here.
Location: 862 N High St, Columbus
Website: Arch City Tavern
SoCal Kitchen + Bar
SoCal Kitchen + Bar opened as Del Mar SoCal Kitchen and took its current name in January 2024, when Cameron Mitchell moved the Del Mar name to a new restaurant at Easton. The menu still leans light and coastal, heavy on seafood and rice bowls, and the room matches it with chic, beachy decor. Dinner is the main event, but brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m., and happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.
Location: 705 N High St, Columbus
Website: SoCal Kitchen + Bar
Metsi’s
Metsi’s is chef BJ Lieberman’s wood-fired Italian restaurant, opened in June 2025 on East Lincoln Street, just east of High. Columbus Monthly named it one of the city’s Best New Restaurants of 2026. Everything comes off an open hearth, and the two-floor room gives you a choice between cozy and cavernous. Happy hour runs Wednesday through Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m.
Location: 36 E Lincoln St, Columbus
Website: Metsi’s
Mandrake Rooftop
Mandrake sits on the 10th floor of the Moxy hotel, and the view is the reason most people ride the elevator up. The kitchen bills its menu as organic and non-GMO, sushi is the signature, and the shareable plates pull from both Mediterranean and Asian cooking. Once the sun sets the room turns into a nightclub, and there’s a dress code, so check the site before you go.
Location: 810 N High St, Columbus
Website: Mandrake Rooftop
The Guild House
If it’s breakfast time in the Short North then you should drop what you’re doing and head to The Guild House. In my opinion, there is no problem in the world that can’t be made just a little bit better by the lobster toast on the brunch menu at The Guild House. Brunch runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends, and the dinner menu takes over in the evening.
Location: 624 N High St, Columbus
Website: The Guild House
The Eagle
Fried chicken on the brain? The Eagle is waiting. It’s the perfect place for gathering with friends or family or to just indulge in a little comfort food. The patio is huge, so there will be plenty of space for the whole crew to get together and enjoy fried chicken, mac and cheese, and all the fixings.
Location: 790 N High St, Columbus
Website: The Eagle
Forno Kitchen + Bar
Forno Kitchen + Bar cooks out of a custom stone-fired oven with a view of High Street, and the menu runs Italian: pizzas, pastas, and a weekend brunch. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.
Location: 721 N High St, Columbus
Website: Forno Kitchen + Bar
Bakersfield
Bakersfield’s tagline is “Tacos. Tequila. Whiskey.” and the menu follows it in that order: street tacos like the short rib and the pollo rojo, a queso topped with braised short rib, and a back bar of more than 100 tequilas and American whiskeys. This is the Columbus outpost, and the sister location is on Vine Street in Cincinnati.
Location: 733 N High St, Columbus
Website: Bakersfield
Marcella’s
Marcella’s has been a Short North institution for years and for good reason. The restaurant offers some exquisite Italian cuisine, from appetizers to desserts and everything in between. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. in the bar area, with half off selected food and drinks, sangria included.
Location: 615 N High St, Columbus
Website: Marcella’s
ROOH
ROOH opened in 2019 and made Columbus Monthly’s best-restaurants list in both 2025 and 2026. Executive chef Yash Kishinchand runs the family-owned kitchen, which pairs traditional Indian dishes with local ingredients and a serious cocktail list. In spring 2026 it added a breakfast menu, Mornings by ROOH, so check the site for current morning hours.
Location: 685 N High St, Columbus
Website: ROOH
READ MORE: Indian Fine Dining Has Arrived In The Short North At ROOH
The Rossi
The Rossi describes itself as Italian-inspired these days, and the menu is mostly pizzas and pastas, with a burger and a short list of salads still on it. It’s as good for a drink and a couple of appetizers as it is for a date night, and the happy hour menu is on the site.
Location: 895 N High St, Columbus
Website: The Rossi Kitchen + Bar
The Pearl
When you’re craving seafood in Columbus, The Pearl should definitely spring to the top of your list. With oysters, seafood, and even fish and chips, there’s something on the menu for everyone at The Pearl. Don’t worry if seafood isn’t your thing. They also have burgers, sandwiches, and salads on offer.
Location: 641 N High St, Columbus
Website: The Pearl
