If there is one thing we all know about Columbus, it’s that the food scene here is ever-changing.
With influences from all around the world, Columbus is quickly becoming a foodie capital in the Midwest. From restaurateurs leaving larger cities like Los Angeles and New York in favor of Columbus to local superstars building up their own amazing menus, we really are so lucky when it comes to the talent pool here in our city.
These are the Columbus rooms that earn the special occasion.
Lindey’s
German Village | 169 E Beck St | Website
A German Village institution, Lindey’s has held down the corner of Beck and Mohawk since 1981. The dining room still feels like a New York bistro, and Columbus Monthly had it on the Best Restaurants list again in 2025. Four decades in, it’s the safest special-occasion bet in the city.
Martini Modern Italian
Short North | 445 N High St | Website
This modern Italian marvel is perhaps one of the best places to grab Italian food in the whole city. Their fine-dining flair and attention to traditional flavors are what make Martini special. Although it’s part of the Cameron Mitchell powerhouse, Martini stands on its own. A top-to-bottom renovation in early 2025 freshened the room without losing the white-tablecloth feel. Don’t forget to enjoy a delicious cocktail while you’re there.
The Refectory
Northwest Columbus | 1092 Bethel Rd | Website
If I only had two words to describe The Refectory, I’d choose elegant and refined. But hey, I’m running this show, so I’ll say a few more. The food, directed by Chef Richard Blondin of Lyon, France, is an inspiration. If you’re looking for amazing french cuisine here in the capital city, you don’t want to miss The Refectory.
The Top
Bexley | 2891 E Main St | Website
Dining at The Top isn’t an experience I’m likely ever to forget. From the insane quality of the food, to the fantastic service, it’s one place I can honestly say that I felt like a million bucks. Walking into The Top is like taking a step back in time. They first opened in 1955, and not much has changed. But if it isn’t broken, then why fix it?
The Keep
Downtown | 50 W Broad St | Website
If you’re going to The Keep, you might as well go all in and order their extravagant Seafood Tower. Yes, it costs a lot. Yes, it’s a little extreme. But my, oh my, is it worth it. If the mountain of ceviche, crab, shrimp, and oysters isn’t enough for your crew, the raw bar can size things up from there. The Keep is great for a chic night out and it’s inside of one of Columbus’ most glamorous hotels, Hotel LeVeque, to boot.
ROOH
Short North | 685 N High St | Website
Rooh has been rethinking Indian fine dining in the Short North since 2019, and Columbus Monthly put it on its Best Restaurants list in 2025. The kitchen reworks classic Indian dishes into small and large plates meant for the whole table, so don’t be shy about inviting your friends.
Mitchell’s Ocean Club
Easton | 4002 Easton Station | Website
When it comes to achieving seafood perfection, no one does it quite like Mitchell’s Ocean Club. The menu runs deep on seafood and backs it up with prime steaks. This is a fantastic place to take a larger group, with plenty of shareable menu items and beef, pork, chicken and veggie options to accommodate all of your friends.
Agni
Brewery District | 716 S High St | Website
At Agni, Chef Avishar Barua runs a tasting menu ($165 as of 2026) built from his Bengali-American cooking, playful, technical, and unlike anything else in the city. Barua is a two-time James Beard Award semifinalist (2024 and 2025), and the Brewery District room books up fast. Go hungry and trust the kitchen.
Veritas
Downtown | 11 W Gay St | Website
Chef Josh Dalton’s tasting-driven flagship at High and Gay has been the city’s modern-fine-dining benchmark for years, inventive small plates, a serious beverage program, and a room that feels like the occasion. His team’s Mediterranean follow-up, Amara, gets its own entry below.
Cento
German Village | 595 S Third St | Website
Cameron Mitchell’s 100th restaurant is a German Village Italian room built around handmade pasta. It’s newer than most of this list and already books like a veteran. Get the reservation early.
The Avenue Steak Tavern
Grandview & Dublin | 1307 Grandview Ave / 94 N High St | Website
Cameron Mitchell’s neighborhood steakhouse plays it looser than Ocean Club: white-tablecloth food without the stuffiness. The Grandview original and the Dublin location both take the classics seriously, from wedge salads to a properly charred filet.
Amara
Scioto Mile | 229 S Civic Center Dr | Website
Chef Josh Dalton followed Veritas with a Mediterranean room in Bicentennial Park, right on the Scioto Mile. The kitchen cooks from across the Mediterranean, heavy on vegetables, olive oil, herbs, and seafood, and the patio looks straight at the fountain. It’s the newest room on this list, so book ahead.
