Columbus might not be the first place that comes to mind for foodies, but after visiting three times, I can tell you it’s a hidden gem worth exploring. This city’s dining scene blends Midwest comfort with creative, modern twists, making it a playground for anyone who loves to eat. From rooftop bars in the Short North to eclectic cafes in German Village, Columbus has a lot to offer.
You’ll find incredible craft beer, farm-to-table spots that highlight local produce, and some of the best brunch places around. The food scene here is all about mixing the familiar with the unexpected, whether it’s fusion dishes, global flavors, or classic Ohio comfort food done right. Having explored over 70 countries, I can confidently say Columbus stands out as a unique and underrated foodie destination. Here are 22 of the most fun and unique restaurants in the city that you’ve got to check out!
- 👉 Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend exploring Columbus aboard the Trolley Pub. This mobile pub brings you to the best spots in the city, including the Short North and Downtown areas. You’ll get to enjoy some drinks in the process!
22 Most Unique Restaurants in Columbus at a Glance
Columbus is kind of a sleeper hit in the Midwest food scene. It strikes that sweet spot between laid-back neighborhood hangouts and genuinely impressive dining destinations.
To make it easier to find the places that really stand out, I pulled together this quick guide to 10 of the most unique spots that capture what Columbus is all about.
| Restaurant | Best For | What Makes It Unique | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. RH Rooftop Restaurant | Glamorous Brunch | A glass atrium dining room with chandeliers and trellised trees on top of a design gallery. | Easton |
| 2. Katalina’s Café | Quirky Breakfast | Home of the original Pancake Balls, first served in a 100-year-old former gas station. | Harrison West |
| 3. The Refectory | Fine Dining | Classic French cooking inside a restored 1850s church, now in its 50th year. | Northwest Columbus |
| 4. The Top Steak House | Vintage Vibes | A 1955 supper club with nightly live piano and steaks from its original broiler. | Bexley |
| 5. Agni | Culinary Innovation | A Bengali-American live-fire tasting menu named one of Bon Appétit’s best new restaurants. | Brewery District |
| 6. Lincoln Social Rooftop | Cocktails with a View | A ninth-floor rooftop lounge with a retractable roof and fire pit for guests 21 and over. | Short North |
| 7. The Boat House at Confluence Park | Skyline Views | Riverfront dining where the Scioto and Olentangy rivers meet, reopened in 2025 after a renovation. | Confluence Park |
| 8. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus | German Classics | Bahama Mama sausages, the Autobahn buffet and half-pound cream puffs. | German Village |
| 9. Gemüt Biergarten | Craft Beer | House-brewed German beers in an 1897 firehouse with stained-glass panels. | Olde Towne East |
| 10. North Market | Food Lovers | A 150-year-old public market with about 30 local merchants. | Downtown |
These ten spots really show off the city’s creativity, from hidden entrances to dining in restored church pews. If any of them caught your attention, keep reading for the full guide, where we share what to order and why these 22 restaurants are helping reshape Ohio’s food scene.
1. RH Rooftop Restaurant at RH Columbus
- 📍 Location: 4120 Worth Avenue, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: $31 to $50 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Contemporary American/Wine Bar
- 🔥 Standout Features: Glass atrium dining room, chandeliers, trellised London plane trees
- 🎯 Perfect For: Weekend brunch, special occasions, Instagram photos
RH Rooftop Restaurant is one of the prettiest places to eat in Columbus, set on the third floor of the RH design gallery at Easton Town Center. You dine under a glass-and-steel atrium with chandeliers hanging over trellised London plane trees. Chicago restaurateur Brendan Sodikoff developed the concept, and the menu sticks to polished American classics.
I always order the lobster roll and share a side of truffle fries with the table. The burger and the salmon are both reliable mains, and the burrata is a great starter to split. Mains come without sides and drinks cost around $18 to $20, which means you should plan on about $50 per person for dinner with a glass of wine.
Weekend brunch is my favorite time to go, when daylight pours through the glass roof and the room has a lively buzz. RH opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and 11 a.m. on weekdays, with dinner until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Book a table on OpenTable, and email columbushospitality@rh.com for group dinners with prix fixe menus.
The dress code is smart casual, and Easton’s garages offer free parking outside a few paid ground-level sections. RH stays open on many holidays, which makes it a great pick for Christmas Eve 2026 or Mother’s Day 2027. I recommend booking those dates a few weeks ahead because they fill up fast.
2. Katalina’s Café
- 📍 Location: 1105 Pennsylvania Avenue, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: $15 to $25 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Latin and Southern-inspired breakfast and lunch
- 🔥 Standout Features: Original Pancake Balls, sweet and spicy bacon, patio at a former gas station
- 🎯 Perfect For: Brunch lovers, pancake fans, casual breakfast with friends
Katalina’s is home to the original Pancake Balls, and they’re the first thing I tell friends to order in Columbus. Owner Kathleen Day opened the first café in a 100-year-old former gas station on Pennsylvania Avenue in Harrison West. Food Network named the Pancake Balls the best pancakes in Ohio, and Guy Fieri later featured Katalina’s on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
The Pancake Balls are made with stone-ground Fowler’s Mill flour and filled with Nutella, dulce de leche or pumpkin-apple butter. Every order comes with bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup and a side of bacon, and I always choose the sweet and spicy version. For something savory, the Mazatlan pork and egg sandwich with avocado and roasted peppers is my favorite lunch here.
Katalina’s now has three locations, all open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Harrison West original has only a handful of tables and a lively patio, and weekend waits are common. For more seating, I head to Katalina’s, Too! at 3481 N. High Street in Clintonville or Katalina’s Tres at 2741 E. Main Street in Bexley.
Bexley has its own parking lot and a Shakshuka Brekkie Sammy that debuted at that location. Clintonville has far more room than the original, and it’s my pick for groups. If you’re visiting in 2026 or 2027, go on a weekday morning for the shortest wait.
- Visit the Katalina’s Café website
- Read reviews of Katalina’s Café
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3. The Refectory Restaurant
- 📍 Location: 1092 Bethel Road, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: $50 and up per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic French/Contemporary American
- 🔥 Standout Features: 1850s church setting, 700-plus selection wine cellar, monthly jazz dinners
- 🎯 Perfect For: Anniversary dinners, wine lovers, special celebrations
The Refectory is my top pick for a special-occasion French dinner in Columbus. It sits inside a renovated 1850s church and schoolhouse on Bethel Road, with soaring beamed ceilings and stained-glass windows. The restaurant marks its 50th year in 2026, and owner Kamal Boulos, who started here as a line cook in 1976, still oversees the dining room.
Executive chef Richard Blondin, a Lyon native who studied under Paul Bocuse, leads the kitchen. The menu changes often, with French classics like duck confit and butter-poached lobster alongside full tasting menus, including a vegetarian version. I recommend letting the sommelier pair your courses from a cellar of more than 700 selections that has earned Wine Spectator honors since 1991.
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👉 Send me cheap 2026–2027 flightsFor a lower-cost night, I book the bistro side, where the three-course bistro menu at the bar is one of the best fine-dining deals in town. In winter, ask for a table near the bistro’s original fireplace. The Refectory Jazz Dinner Club also hosts a four-course dinner with a live jazz show every month.
Plan on $50 or more per person before wine, and reserve on OpenTable for Friday and Saturday nights. Dinner service runs Wednesday through Saturday, and three private rooms seat groups of up to 50. Anniversary celebrations continue through the end of 2026, including a commemorative champagne made for the restaurant in France.
- Visit The Refectory Restaurant website
- Read reviews of The Refectory Restaurant
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4. The Top Steak House
- 📍 Location: 2891 E. Main Street, Bexley
- 💲 Price range: $31 to $50 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic Steakhouse/Supper Club
- 🔥 Standout Features: 1955 supper club decor, nightly live piano, charbroiled steaks
- 🎯 Perfect For: Date nights, steak lovers, Mad Men fans
The Top Steak House has served charbroiled steaks and gin martinis in Bexley since April 1955, and walking in feels like visiting a 1950s supper club. Dark wood paneling and deep booths set the mood while a pianist plays at the piano bar every night. The Adkins family, only the third owners in the restaurant’s history, runs it today with Denver Adkins as head chef.
The steaks are aged for up to six weeks and cooked in the same broiler the restaurant has used since 1955. I order the filet or the rib-eye, and each steak comes with two sides. Start with a salad and ask for the house blue cheese dressing, which regulars love.
Grab a seat at the piano bar before or after dinner because spots fill up fast and the live music makes the night. The bar pours stiff classic cocktails, and the tiramisu milkshake is a fun after-dinner drink. You can also bring your own bottle of wine for a corkage fee.
Book ahead by phone, since The Top doesn’t take OpenTable reservations and even weeknights can be packed. Dinner is served nightly with a casual dress code, and the restaurant has its own parking lot. Watch for 614 Restaurant Week each January and July, when The Top has offered a four-course menu for $50.
5. The Guild House
- 📍 Location: 624 N. High Street, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: Dinner entrées $23 to $59
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Contemporary American/Globally Inspired
- 🔥 Standout Features: Repurposed wood and local art, all-day dining, seasonal local menu
- 🎯 Perfect For: Business lunches, date nights, weekend brunch
The Guild House is a Cameron Mitchell restaurant in the Short North Arts District, and it’s one of my favorite all-day spots in Columbus. The dining room mixes repurposed wood with local artwork, and the kitchen sources local ingredients whenever possible. Executive chef Sonny Pache, a former Ocean Prime Executive Chef of the Year, leads a seasonal menu inspired by regional and global flavors.
At dinner, I start with the house milk rolls and herbed local butter, then share the burrata on sourdough toast. For mains, I order the scallops with parsnip purée for $46 or the salmon with couscous and marcona almonds for $43, and the $59 filet is the splurge. The Guilded Hour happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.
Breakfast is served daily from 7 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on weekends, with weekend brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Order the smoked chicken hash, a specialty that has stayed on the menu since the restaurant opened in 2015. The pastry chef’s house-made doughnuts are a fun starter to share with the table.
Book on OpenTable, and reserve early for Friday and Saturday nights when the Short North gets busy. All seating is indoors, and a private dining room seats up to 10 guests. If you’re planning a 2026 or 2027 trip, the attached Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph hotel makes an easy base, and The Guild House handles its room service.
6. Mozart’s Bakery & Piano Cafe
- 📍 Location: Clintonville
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $35 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: European Cafe / Austrian Pastry / Afternoon Tea
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic European pastries, live classical piano, elegant tea room, beautiful desserts.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Afternoon tea dates, classical music fans, and pastry lovers.
Step inside Mozart’s Bakery & Piano Cafe and you’re instantly transported to a grand cafe in Vienna. The air is thick with the incredible smell of butter and sugar, and the space is filled with the sound of a live pianist playing classical music. The gleaming pastry case is a work of art, a dazzling display of cakes and tortes.
You absolutely must try a slice of their famous, decadent Sachertorte or a flaky, warm apple strudel. It’s a pastry lover’s dream come true. For a savory meal, their traditional Wiener Schnitzel is fantastic, and their quiche is always a perfect lunch. It’s an elegant, charming escape from the everyday.
7. Agni
- 📍 Location: 716 S. High Street, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: $165 tasting menu per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Bengali-American/Global live-fire cooking
- 🔥 Standout Features: Live-fire tasting menu, grillside chef’s counter, à la carte bar menu
- 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous diners, special occasions, food lovers
Agni is my top pick in Columbus for a creative tasting menu, and you’ll find it in the Brewery District on South High Street. Chef Avishar Barua, a Columbus native and Top Chef alum, cooks over live fire and named the restaurant after the Hindu god of fire. Bon Appétit named Agni one of the best new restaurants of 2024, about a year after it opened.
The Midwest Nostalgia tasting menu costs $165 per person and blends Barua’s Bengali-American roots with dishes inspired by his team’s travels. Courses change often, but recent menus have included a Midwestern chaat, Agni’s curry, Bengla duck and a doi brûlée for dessert. I recommend adding the $90 wine pairing, and the kitchen can serve vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian and gluten-free menus every night.
For a closer look at the cooking, book the Grillside Chef’s Counter at $250 per person for parties of one or two. On a smaller budget, sit at the bar and order from the à la carte menu, like the Bulgogi Pierogi for $17 or the Bengali Shrimp Taco for $19. Groups of six to 10 can reserve the private dining chalet.
Agni serves dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 5 to 10:30 p.m. Reservations open on Tock on the 1st of the month before, and weekend tables go fast. If you’re planning a December 2026 celebration or a 2027 trip, set a reminder for the 1st of the prior month.
8. Ampersand Asian Supper Club
- 📍 Location: Short North
- 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Asian / Japanese / Izakaya
- 🔥 Standout Features: Speakeasy vibe, hidden entrance, stylish decor, creative cocktails.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Impressive date nights, cocktail lovers, and fans of hidden gems.
Don’t let the bodega storefront fool you; it’s a front for one of the coolest spots in the city. To get into Ampersand Asian Supper Club, you walk through a fake convenience store into a dark, neon-lit dining room. The vibe is pure speakeasy chic, buzzing with a trendy crowd and a great playlist. It feels like you’ve discovered a true secret.
The menu is a fantastic tour of modern Asian flavors, perfect for sharing. You absolutely have to start with the spicy tuna crispy rice—it’s an explosion of flavor and texture. Another can’t-miss dish is the soft, pillowy pork belly buns. It’s inventive, delicious food that perfectly matches the cool, hidden-gem atmosphere of the place.
9. High Bank Distillery Co
- 📍 Location: 1051 Goodale Boulevard, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: Mains $15 to $25
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern American distillery pub
- 🔥 Standout Features: Working distillery behind glass, house-made spirits, weekend brunch
- 🎯 Perfect For: Groups, whiskey fans, Ohio State game days
High Bank Distillery is a working distillery and restaurant on Goodale Boulevard near Grandview, and I love seeing the copper and steel stills through the glass wall from my table. It opened in 2018 as the first Ohio distillery built from the ground up with a full restaurant. In 2026, its Whiskey War blends took two Best in Class awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Start with the $15 nachos or the sticky chicken wings, and try the wings with the white barbecue sauce. The High Bank grilled cheese with five cheeses and a cup of tomato bisque is my go-to lunch for $15. Pair it with the Smoked Old Fashioned, made with Whiskey War and cherrywood smoke.
Weekend brunch is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Hot Honey Chicken and Biscuits were featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, takes $3 off High Bank spirits and cocktails. On Whiskey War Wednesdays, every Whiskey War cocktail and pour is half off all day.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with later closings on Friday and Saturday and brunch only on Sunday. Book a table online for weekend dinners, since the room gets loud and busy during Ohio State games and events. High Bank also has locations in Gahanna and Uptown Westerville if you’re staying outside the city.
10. The Boat House at Confluence Park
- 📍 Location: 679 W. Spring Street, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: Entrées $24 to $58
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: New American/Seafood/Steakhouse
- 🔥 Standout Features: Skyline views, riverside patio, raw bar
- 🎯 Perfect For: Sunset dinners, weekend brunch, special occasions
The Boat House at Confluence Park sits where the Scioto and Olentangy rivers meet, and it has my favorite skyline view of any restaurant in Columbus. The restaurant reopened in summer 2025 after a full renovation, with a brighter dining room and a riverside patio. I book a table about 30 minutes before sunset, when downtown lights up across the water.
The new menu mixes seafood and steakhouse classics. I order the miso-marinated Chilean sea bass for $42 or the 24-hour herb-roasted prime rib for $45, and the $89 seafood tower with lobster tail and snow crab is great for a group. For something lighter, the dry-aged burger with bacon-onion marmalade costs $26.
Weekend brunch is from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the Berry Boujee French Toast is a fun pick. Happy hour is Wednesday through Friday from 4 to 6:30 p.m., which pairs well with a Columbus Crew game at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field a short drive away. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and serves dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. the rest of the week.
Join the free VIP Club before you go to get a complimentary appetizer and a $35 birthday credit. In July 2027, watch for the annual Red, White & BOOM! party, which comes with premium seats for Columbus’ biggest fireworks show. The Boat House also hosts weddings and private events, and its event rooms share the same skyline views.
- Visit the The Boat House at Confluence Park website
- Read reviews of The Boat House at Confluence Park
11. Lincoln Social Rooftop
- 📍 Location: 711 N. High Street, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: Shareable plates $14 to $27
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Sushi, pizza and shareable plates
- 🔥 Standout Features: Ninth-floor city views, retractable roof, fire pit
- 🎯 Perfect For: Cocktails with a view, date nights, guests 21 and over
Lincoln Social is my favorite rooftop bar in Columbus, set on the ninth floor of the Lincoln building in the Short North. A retractable roof and a fire pit make it a good pick in winter 2026 and 2027, and the flower wall is the go-to photo spot. It’s a Cameron Mitchell concept, and guests must be 21 or older at all times.
Cocktails are the main draw, and house drinks cost $16 to $21. I like the Mangorita with reposado tequila and mango, while whiskey fans can order By the Book, a $35 cocktail finished with apple, mesquite or pecan smoke. Non-drinkers get a full spiritless menu, including an espresso and tonic.
For food, I share the L.S. Roll with shrimp tempura and beef carpaccio for $27 and the Nashville pizza with fried chicken and spicy pickles for $17. Happy hour, Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., takes $5 off house cocktails and select plates and cuts oysters and wine bottles to half price. The kitchen closes one hour before the bar.
Lincoln Social is closed on Mondays and opens at 4 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. on weekends, staying open until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Reserve on OpenTable for a weekend sunset, and park at the Lincoln Garage on Pearl Street or at a metered spot on High Street. The bar adds a new features menu every month, which keeps repeat visits interesting.
12. Bossy Grrl’s Pin Up Joint
- 📍 Location: Old North
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per cocktail
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Cocktail Bar / Performance Venue / Burlesque
- 🔥 Standout Features: Burlesque and drag shows, pin-up theme, inclusive atmosphere, variety acts.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Unique nights out, bachelorette parties, and fans of alternative entertainment.
This is not a bar; it’s a glitter-fueled celebration of burlesque, drag, and all things fabulous. Bossy Grrl’s Pin Up Joint is an intimate, inclusive spot where the main event is the incredible show on stage. The vibe is pure fun, with a retro pin-up theme and an energy that’s all about cheering on the amazing performers.
You’re here for the entertainment, but the drinks keep the party going. The cocktail list is creative and fun, perfect for sipping while you watch a show. This is the spot to grab your friends, get a round of drinks, and enjoy a night of boundary-pushing, body-positive performance art that you won’t forget.
13. Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse Columbus
- 📍 Location: 125 W. Nationwide Boulevard, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: Full Rodizio $48.99 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Brazilian churrasco
- 🔥 Standout Features: Tableside meat carving, 30-plus item salad bar, grilled pineapple
- 🎯 Perfect For: Groups, celebrations, Blue Jackets game nights
Rodizio Grill sits in the Arena District across from Nationwide Arena, and it’s my top pick in Columbus for an all-you-can-eat Brazilian feast. The chain calls itself America’s first Brazilian steakhouse, and servers carve rotisserie-grilled meats tableside throughout the meal. Rodizio started in Denver in 1995 and opened in downtown Columbus more than a decade ago.
The Full Rodizio costs $48.99 at dinner and includes unlimited grilled meats, Brazilian sides and gourmet salads. My favorites are the garlic sirloin and the bacon-wrapped chicken, and I always save room for the caramelized grilled pineapple. For a lighter meal, the unlimited salads and sides option costs $29.99.
Pace yourself at the 30-plus item salad bar, since the meat keeps coming. Kids ages 7 to 11 eat for $15.99, ages 3 to 6 eat for $12.99, and children 2 and under eat free with a paying adult. Rodizio also hosts large groups and private events, which makes it an easy choice for birthdays.
The restaurant is closed on Mondays and opens at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 p.m. on weekends, with last seating at 9 p.m. I book a 5 p.m. table before Columbus Blue Jackets games during the 2026-27 season, since the Arena District gets busy on game nights. Reserve online or call (614) 241-4400.
- Visit the Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse Columbus website
- Read reviews of Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse Columbus
14. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus und Restaurant
- 📍 Location: 240 E. Kossuth Street, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: Autobahn buffet about $25 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: German sausage house
- 🔥 Standout Features: Autobahn buffet, Bahama Mama sausage, jumbo cream puffs
- 🎯 Perfect For: German food fans, big appetites, first-time visitors
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus is the first stop I recommend in German Village, and it has been a Columbus favorite for generations. The Schmidt family started as meatpackers here in 1886 and opened the restaurant in 1967 inside a historic brick livery stable on Kossuth Street. Its spicy, smoked Bahama Mama sausage was even voted the official food of Columbus in 2014.
The Autobahn buffet returned in 2025 for the first time since the pandemic, and it costs about $25 per person. You can try four sausages, including the Bahama Mama, plus a spicy sausage stew and a tangy, vinegar-based German potato salad. Save room for a jumbo cream puff, which costs about $5 and comes in a new special flavor every month.
Schmidt’s doesn’t take reservations, and you should expect a wait of 30 minutes or more on busy nights. Pass the time at Schmidt’s Fudge Haus across the street, then order a German beer flight once you’re seated. Live polka music plays Thursday through Saturday and adds to the beer hall feel.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday and Monday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Mid-afternoon is the quietest time to visit if you want to skip the line. In 2027, time your trip for the Arnold Sports Festival in March, when Arnold Schwarzenegger stops in for a cream puff, or for Schmidt’s Columbus Oktoberfest each September at the Ohio Expo Center.
15. Gemut Biergarten
- 📍 Location: 734 Oak Street, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: Casual dining $$
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: German/European brewery
- 🔥 Standout Features: 1897 firehouse, stained glass, house-brewed German beers
- 🎯 Perfect For: Beer lovers, groups, dog owners
Gemüt Biergarten brews German-style beer inside Engine House No. 12, an 1897 firehouse in Olde Towne East. The building later housed the Columbus Music Hall, and Gemüt opened here in August 2019. I love the stained-glass panels behind the bar, each tied to a house beer named after Germanic mythology.
Start with the Helheim Helles or the Woden’s Hunt Dunkel, and try the seasonal Sow of Sunna Märzen in the fall. The giant pretzel is a must for the table, though dipping sauces cost extra. The pastrami wings are a surprise hit, and the kitchen also serves schnitzel, including a vegan version.
Weekend brunch is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the kitchen pauses for an hour before dinner starts at 3 p.m. Happy hour is Monday through Friday until 6 p.m., with doors opening at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 2 p.m. on Friday. The back biergarten has string lights and plenty of room, and well-behaved dogs are welcome on the patio.
Gemüt has its own parking lot at the corner of Oak Street and Parsons Avenue. Families will find a kids’ play area along the patio. Columbus made USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice list of beer cities in 2026, and Gemüt is my favorite stop for an Oktoberfest visit in fall 2026 or 2027.
16. Lindey’s Restaurant & Bar
- 📍 Location: 169 E. Beck Street, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: Dinner entrées $24 to $61
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: New American bistro
- 🔥 Standout Features: Award-winning patio, copper-topped bars, complimentary valet
- 🎯 Perfect For: Romantic dinners, special celebrations, weekend brunch
Lindey’s has anchored the corner of Beck and Mohawk streets in German Village since 1981, and it’s my pick for a classic special-occasion dinner. The dining rooms feel like an Upper East Side bistro, with white tablecloths and copper-topped bars. Columbus Monthly named it one of the city’s best restaurants again in 2025.
The lobster bisque with sherry crème fraîche is a must, and a cup costs $10. For dinner, I order the $52 tournedos of beef, two filets on baguette with béarnaise, or the $40 lobster risotto. Don’t leave without a loaf of house-made sourdough from Lindey’s Bakery for $8.
The brick courtyard was voted one of OpenTable’s top 100 patios in America, and its tables are first come, first served. I aim for weekend brunch on the patio from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Expect a wait for patio seats on warm weekends.
Reserve indoor tables on OpenTable, and use the complimentary valet, since street parking in German Village is tight. Lunch is served weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner goes until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Lindey’s also takes part in 614 Restaurant Week, which returns each January and July.
17. Huli Huli Tiki Lounge
- 📍 Location: 26 W. Olentangy Street, Powell
- 💲 Price range: Casual dining $$
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Polynesian/Hawaiian-inspired
- 🔥 Standout Features: Kahiki moai, tiki cocktails, non-alcoholic tiki drinks
- 🎯 Perfect For: Cocktail lovers, date nights, tiki fans
Huli Huli Tiki Lounge is the tiki bar I send friends to in Columbus, and it now has two locations. Owner Dustin Sun opened the original in Powell in 2019 to bring tiki culture back to central Ohio after the famous Kahiki Supper Club closed in 2000. In 2023, Huli Huli acquired and restored one of the Kahiki’s original moai sculptures.
The cocktail program centers on classic and original rum drinks, and the Blue Hawaii and the Shipwreck Shirley are two of my favorites. Non-alcoholic versions of the house cocktails are on the menu, which makes it a great pick for mixed groups. For food, I share the Huli Huli wings and coconut shrimp, then order the kalua pork sandwich.
In 2026, Huli Huli opened a smaller second lounge downtown at 22 E. Mound Street, near the Ohio Statehouse. It has about a dozen bar seats and a front patio, and nearby parking is free after 5:30 p.m. I stop downtown before a show and save Powell for a full evening on its Hawaiian-themed back patio.
The Powell location is closed on Mondays and opens at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 p.m. on weekends. Food last call is 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Downtown hours are expanding, and Huli Huli’s Facebook page posts the latest schedule.
18. Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace
- 📍 Location: 248 S. Fourth Street, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: $10 to $20 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Creative hot dogs/bar fare
- 🔥 Standout Features: Dozens of specialty dogs, vegan dogs, Thom Lessner pop art
- 🎯 Perfect For: Hot dog lovers, late-night eats, casual groups
Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace has served creative hot dogs in downtown Columbus since 2009, and it’s my go-to for a cheap, fun meal. The original Palace on South Fourth Street is covered in bright pop art by local artist Thom Lessner. You can choose all-beef Vienna dogs or vegan and vegetarian dogs, with dozens of specialty combinations on the menu.
I always order the Ohioana with spicy corn relish and celery salt, plus a Classy Lady topped with cheese sauce and crushed potato chips. The Chicago dog is a solid classic, and the loaded tater tots are a must for the table. Wash it down with Frostop root beer on tap or a cocktail from the full bar.
Dirty Frank’s now has a campus shop at 2036 N. High Street and a location next to the Ace of Cups music venue at 2619 N. High Street. You’ll also find stands at Ohio Stadium and Huntington Park, plus a dine-in spot at Hollywood Casino Columbus. A carryout-only shop serves Worthington.
The downtown Palace is open until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, which makes it a great late-night stop. It opens at 11 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday and at 4 p.m. on Monday. If you’re heading to an Ohio State game in fall 2026 or 2027, grab a dog at the stadium stand before kickoff.
19. Wolf’s Ridge Brewing
- 📍 Location: 215 N. Fourth Street, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: Upscale casual $$$
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Contemporary American brewery dining
- 🔥 Standout Features: Award-winning house beers, seasonal dining room menu, separate taproom
- 🎯 Perfect For: Beer and food pairings, weekend brunch, date nights
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing has paired house-brewed beer with chef-driven food downtown since 2013, and it’s still one of my favorite brewery meals in Columbus. The father-and-son team of Alan and Bob Szuter runs a casual taproom and a separate dining room with exposed brick and a tin ceiling. Executive chef Kris Ludwig changes the dining room menu with the seasons.
Start with a taproom flight that includes Daybreak, a coffee vanilla cream ale with gold and silver medals from the Great American Beer Festival. Dire Wolf, a barrel-aged imperial stout, is the one I save for colder nights. Weekday lunch returned in late 2025, and the beef and lamb burger with IPA-pickled onions is my pick.
Brunch is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends, and dinner is served Tuesday through Sunday. Weekday lunch is Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The taproom opens at 3 p.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends, and everything is closed on Mondays.
Reserve ahead for weekend brunch and dinner, and use the pay lots around the building or street meters. In 2026, the team reopened the historic 1831 Worthington Inn as Wolf’s Ridge at Worthington Inn, about 20 minutes north. Its events space, Understory, sits in Old North Columbus near the Olentangy Trail.
20. The Thurman Cafe
- 📍 Location: German Village
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Burgers / Dive Bar
- 🔥 Standout Features: Legendary giant burgers, The Thurmanator, neighborhood dive feel, featured on TV.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Burger fanatics, huge appetites, and experiencing a local legend.
This isn’t just a burger; it’s a challenge. The Thurman Cafe is a legendary Columbus dive bar famous for its ridiculously massive burgers. The place is small, always packed, and has that perfect, no-frills neighborhood vibe with dollar bills tacked to the walls. You’ll probably have to wait in line, but that just builds the anticipation for the beast you’re about to eat.
While all their burgers are huge, you’re here to witness The Thurmanator, a 1.5-pound monster of a burger that was featured on Man v. Food. Even their regular Thurman Burger is a two-handed masterpiece. Come very, very hungry, and prepare to be defeated by the best burger of your life. It’s an absolute institution.
21. North Market
- 📍 Location: 59 Spruce Street, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: Varies by vendor
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Food hall/global market
- 🔥 Standout Features: 150-year-old public market, local merchants, global food stalls
- 🎯 Perfect For: Foodie groups, indecisive eaters, first-time visitors
North Market celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026, and I take every first-time visitor here to taste a lot of Columbus in one stop. Opened in 1876, the market is the last of the city’s four original public markets, and about 30 local merchants fill the hall on Spruce Street today. Fresh grocers sit alongside ready-to-eat stalls run by cooks from around the world.
My go-to is the Tibetan and Nepali dumplings at Momo Ghar, which caught Guy Fieri’s attention on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” I also like a bowl at Satori Ramen Bar and a pastry from Omega Artisan Baking for later. Grab a few dishes to share and find a seat in the hall.
Big changes are underway, with the 32-story Merchant Building rising next door and a 15,000-square-foot expansion adding room for new vendors, a bar and an outdoor plaza. Work is expected to wrap up by late 2026, and the downtown farmers market will return once the plaza opens. The merchants stay open throughout construction.
Downtown hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday and Monday. Park in the Vine Street Garage and get a validation slip from any merchant, which drops the first hour to $2 and makes the second hour free. For evening plans, North Market Bridge Park in Dublin stays open until 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
22. Fox in the Snow Cafe
- 📍 Location: 1031 N. Fourth Street, Columbus
- 💲 Price range: $10 to $20 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Bakery/Cafe/Coffee Shop
- 🔥 Standout Features: Souffléd egg sandwich, scratch pastries, seven Columbus-area cafés
- 🎯 Perfect For: Coffee and pastry lovers, casual breakfast, weekend mornings
Fox in the Snow is my favorite coffee and pastry stop in Columbus, and it started in 2014 in a renovated garage in Italian Village. Founders Lauren Culley and Jeff Excell have grown it to seven cafés, each with a bright, airy room and a full case of scratch pastries. Food & Wine named it among the best breakfasts in every state, singling out the souffléd egg sandwich.
The egg sandwich is the reason I keep coming back, and I pair it with a latte or a pour-over. Add a cinnamon roll or a morning bun to share, and grab a blueberry galette for later if the case still has one. The Clintonville café, which opened in May 2026, also brought back the doughnuts from the original shop.
Every location is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends. Besides Italian Village, you’ll find cafés in German Village, Clintonville, Upper Arlington, Historic Dublin, New Albany and Uptown Westerville. The German Village shop sits inside the old Thurmania Theatre on Thurman Avenue, a short walk from Schmidt’s.
Weekend mornings bring long lines, and I find weekdays before 9 a.m. the easiest time to grab a table. The Upper Arlington café on Lane Avenue opened in July 2026 and seats about 74 guests, which helps on busy days. For groups or office breakfasts, order catering online ahead of time for pickup.
Global Viewpoint is a personal blog. All content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, medical, or legal advice.
