A new Mediterranean restaurant is officially coming to the Scioto Mile.
Amara, the latest concept from Columbus chef and restaurateur Josh Dalton, is set to open at 229 S. Civic Center Drive along the riverfront. The Mediterranean restaurant is slated for a spring 2026 debut, bringing a warm, culture-driven dining experience to one of Downtown’s most visible locations.
Designed as a place for gathering and shared meals, Amara takes its name from two roots: Sanskrit, meaning “immortal” or “eternal,” and Greek, meaning “unfading.” The name reflects the heart of the restaurant’s philosophy — food meant to nourish both body and soul, inspired by the coastal regions of the Mediterranean.
The menu will draw from Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Eastern Mediterranean, focusing on vibrant vegetables, olive oils, fresh herbs, grains, seafood, and thoughtfully prepared meats. Guests can expect a rotating selection of housemade dips, spreads, and warm, fresh-baked breads — a classic meze-style approach meant for sharing. The restaurant is also designed to be flexible, with handheld pitas for casual lunches near the Scioto Mile Fountain and shareable plates for relaxed evening meals.
The idea for Amara grew out of Dalton’s years of travel throughout the Mediterranean, where meals are unhurried and hospitality is inseparable from food and place.
“Every time I travel through the Mediterranean, I’m reminded of how good food can make you feel, physically and emotionally,” Dalton said. “It’s not just about the flavors; it’s about the people, the ease, the generosity. With Amara, we want to bring that feeling back home to Columbus.”
Inside, Amara is expected to seat about 70 guests, with additional patio seating overlooking the Scioto Mile Fountain. The space is designed to feel refined yet approachable, anchored by the river and shaped around the idea that hospitality matters just as much as what’s on the plate.
Amara will also feature Dalton’s signature wine and cocktail program, including drinks designed for the Center City DORA, making it easy to sip and stroll along the riverfront.
A natural next step for a familiar Columbus name
For anyone who has followed Dalton’s career, Amara feels like a thoughtful evolution. From Veritas’ precise tasting menus to Speck Italian Eatery’s approachable handmade pasta, Dalton’s restaurants tend to reflect both technique and a strong sense of place. Rather than repeating concepts, each project is shaped by its setting and the experience he wants to create.
“With a premier location situated along the Scioto Mile, Amara will complement the many successes already in place along the Downtown riverfront,” said Amy Taylor, president of Downtown Columbus, Inc. “This restaurant will be a new gem in the growing Downtown restaurant scene.”
When Amara opens in spring 2026, it will add a long-anticipated dining anchor to the Scioto Mile — one centered on connection, generosity, and the simple pleasure of sharing a meal by the water.
