We can’t all jet off to Asia or Europe, but we can fill our bellies and satisfy our wanderlust without a flight plan.
We’ve all got that one Instagram buddy or Facebook friend. You know the one, blowing up our newsfeed with, what can only be described as, an unreasonable amount of vacation photos. One minute they’re doing duck-lip selfies in a Korean karaoke bar, the next they’re doing the “O-H-I-O” arm thing in front of Westminster Abbey with some very confused British nationals. Where do they work that they can travel overseas three times a month and pay for it? We may not all have jobs that hand out vacation time like inspirational rubber wristbands, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get our own international tour de force going.
That’s right Columbus, we can have our own little stay-cation in the city and still be internationally cultured. The Capital City is fortunate to have tons of diversity and with that comes tons of delicious foreign foods. So leave those bags unpacked and forget about the passport, let’s take a look at all the exotic local locales and the foods they have to offer. Soon, we’ll be posting enough chic meal pics and foodstagrams to make Travel Blog Becky or Jetsetter Caleb quake with jealousy in their oversized floppy sun hats (as far as I’m concerned only Lord Raiden can pull those off without coming off as insufferably boujie anyway). Here are all the restaurants you want to hit up if you want to travel around the world without ever leaving good old Cbus.
Thai Grille
This little restaurant front hidden in Westerville has some of (if not the) best Thai food in the city. You even get your own little hand crafted teapot to pour yourself for that authentic feel.
What to get: Crispy Duck
Where: 15 E College Ave, Westerville, OH 43081
Sushi En
Sushi En has a ton of authentic Japanese stuff to choose from. Their sushi is great but if you’re in the mood for something else the noodle selection is pretty on point too. They even have mochi ice cream!
What to get: Sushi Boat
Where: 1051 Gemini Pl, Columbus, OH 43240
Wycliff’s Kitchen
African food can be hard to find in any city, luckily Columbus has a few to choose from. Wycliff’s Kitchen is an excellent choice though. If you’ve never had authentic Kenyan food, this is a great place to start, though it may spoil you.
What to get: Karanga Mbuzi (Goat stew)
Where: 2492 Home Acre Dr, Columbus, OH 43231
Cafe Illyria
A small Albanian and Mediterranean cafe near the heart of the city, Cafe Illyria is one of the best places to go for a quick bite to eat or for a great breakfast.
What to get: The Albanian Breakfast Plate
Where: 214 E State St, Columbus, OH 43215
Amul India
For a genuine taste of Indian food in Columbus, I highly recommend Amul India. The service is great and pleasant and their food is off the chain. If you like a good Indian spice, this is the way to go. If not, no worries, they can tame it down for you.
What to get: Chicken Tikka Masala
Where: 5871 Sawmill Rd, Dublin, OH 43017
Texas De Brazil
The way Brazilian steakhouses work is just an amazing concept to begin with. Meat carvers bring huge hunks of meat to your table in rapid succession until you basically tap out and say no more. If you’re anything like me you won’t give up easily either. In which case, trust me, bring antacids.
What to get: Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
Where: 4040 Easton Station e, Columbus, OH 43219
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant
Schmidt’s has some pretty old roots here in the Capital City, dating all the way back to when they were a meat packing house in 1886. Now Schmidt’s serves some of the best sausages in town. Seeing all the servers in funny German get ups is pretty much worth the trip alone.
What to get: The Bahama Mama
Where: 240 E Kossuth St, Columbus, OH 43206
Si Senor
This Peruvian sandwich restaurant uses fresh cooked meats and ingredients, none of that frozen pre-packaged stuff. Their dedication to foods made from scratch makes them one of the best sandwich shops in the city. Period.
What to get: Criollo Fish Sandwich
Where: 72 E Lynn St, Columbus, OH 43215 and 1456 West 5th ave Columbus, OH 43212
Momo Ghar
Rated the number one place to eat in Columbus by Yelp, this Nepalese dumpling restaurant is located inside the Saraga International Grocery Store with another location opening up soon in the North Market.
What to get: Jhol Momo Dumplings
Where: 1265 Morse Road, Inside Saraga International Market, Columbus, OH 43229
La Chatelaine French Bakery And Bistro
A family owned restaurant specializing in baking and French cuisine. Their pastries aren’t just beautiful, they’re delicious and they’ll satisfy just about any sweet-tooth hankering.
What to get: The Lobster Bisque en Croute
Where: 65 W. Bridge St.Dublin, OH 43017, 1550 West Lane Ave. Columbus, OH 43221, and 627 High Street Worthington, OH 43085
El Arepazo
This restaurant chain has been a South American staple in Columbus for nearly 10 years. Serving tapas and entrees of Columbian and Venezuelan origin, every dish is an authentic Latin American delicacy.
What to get: The Bandeja Paisa
Where: 93 N. High St. Gahanna, Ohio 43230, 47 N. Pearl St. Columbus, Ohio, and 515 S. High St. Columbus, OH 43215
Cafe Istanbul
Amazing Turkish food served by a friendly staff, each location has a lot of warmth and great ambiance. Any visit to Cafe Istanbul can feel like stepping off the tarmac and into Turkey itself.
What to get: Lamb Kebabs
Where: 3983 Worth Ave. Columbus, OH 43219, 6125 Riverside Dr, and 2455 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43209