Great Columbus Restaurants and Cafes
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Columbus wasn’t on my radar as a food destination. Really, how good can the Columbus food scene be in a city famous for Ohio State University and Buckeye candy?
Let me cut to the chase: the emerging food scene in Columbus is vibrant and exciting. During my visit, I loved almost everything that I put in my mouth. I had no challenge in finding great food; instead, my problem was narrowing my choices based on time and stomach space.
My positive impression of Columbus started as I stepped out of the airport and into the friendly hands of my awesome host. Without a second thought, John invited me to join his friends for an outdoor happy hour in the happening German Village neighborhood.
Happy hour turned into appetizers and appetizers into dinner. Columbus may be the 15th largest city in the United States, but it also lives up to its reputation of being the biggest small town in America.
Planning a Columbus Trip?
Book these early. Columbus is a popular destination.
- Food Tours: Short North Walking Food Tour or German Village Walking Food Tour
- Local Experience: Take a ride on The Trolley Pub
- Places to Stay: Hotels at all price points or an Airbnb apartment with a kitchen
- Rental Car: Rent a car to get around Columbus and take a day trip to Hocking Hills.
Columbus Food Guide | Where to Eat in Columbus
My mission was to try as many of the best Columbus, Ohio restaurants in one long weekend for this Columbus restaurant guide, and I was up for the food adventure. I covered a lot of territory during my short time and checked out downtown Columbus restaurants as well as neighborhood cafes, coffee shops and brew pubs.
These were my favorite places to eat in Columbus, Ohio.
Breakfast
Columbus takes its food seriously, and breakfast is no exception. Start your weekend days early to avoid crowds at this popular breakfast spot:
Pistacia Vera
Also located in the German Village neighborhood, the team at Pistacia Vera is famous for their honey-lavender macarons (see photo at the top of the article), but the restaurant also serves a small menu of French-inspired breakfast options like smoked salmon tartare, croque monsieur and quiche. Eating food this good is well worth the inevitable wait.
Pro Tip
Katalina’s is another option for a fun Columbus breakfast. Located in a repurposed gas station, this funky eatery is famous for its Nutella Pancake Balls.
Pistacia Vera is located at 541 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215, United States.
Lunch
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, Columbus offers numerous lunch options at every price point.
North Market
It’s easy to graze through the centrally located North Market, an awesome public emporium where 35 lunch stalls serve up amazing local food. You can easily assemble a full-course meal where you can eat Columbus favorites including Vietnamese, Polish and Japanese all at the same time.
Save room for dessert. The original Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream shop opened at the North Market in 2002 and is still going strong today. If you’re looking for the best place to eat in Columbus, you very well may find it at North Market.
North Market is located at 59 Spruce St, Columbus, OH 43215, United States.
Brassica
Fully embracing the locavore movement, Brassica is a stylish, fast-casual restaurant in the bustling Short North, featuring healthy pita sandwiches served in metal ring molds. Colorful vegetables like green kale and purple beets star on this menu along with a wide variety of meat fillings. Once you pick your toppings and order a craft beer, you’re all set.
Pro Tip
Katzinger’s Delicatessen is another great lunch option. This Jewish deli serves huge sandwiches and “garlicky” pickles.
Brassica is located at 680 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, United States.
Dinner
Columbus offers a variety of dinner options from outdoor cafés to more formal restaurants. Be sure to make reservations. The popular Columbus OH restaurants fill up during the weekends.
The Guild House
Local restaurateur Cameron Mitchell’s hip and trendy Guild House serves farm-to-table cuisine in the equally trendy Joseph Hotel. The Short North restaurant has a cool vibe that begins with its shabby-chic decor (think funky green chandeliers and mismatched china) and ends with its upscale clientele.
The eclectic menu features popular small plates. Popular dishes include the prime rib caps served with sweet onion relish and Point Reyes blue cheese as well as the jarred smoked trout with avocado and caper vinaigrette.
The Guild House is located at 624 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, United States.
Lindey’s
Still relevant after a quarter century in the German Village neighborhood, Lindey’s charming outdoor patio comes alive in the spring. Its popular happy hour features half-price cocktails along with an excellent appetizer selection like ahi tuna tartare topped with pungent wasabi and a generous, shareable ‘farm board’ of artisan cheeses and charcuterie. Despite its age, Lindey’s is one of the best restaurants in Columbus.
Pro Tip
Harvest Pizzeria is another dinner option. This popular pizzeria prepares creative pizzas like the spicy Yuma pizza.
Lindey’s is located at 169 E Beck St, Columbus, OH 43206, United States.
Dessert
For a city of its size, Columbus has a surprising number of bakeries sprinkled throughout the city. Plan ahead if you want dessert after dinner, as most Columbus bakeries are closed at night.
Kittie’s Cakes
Proving that bigger isn’t always better, Kittie’s Cakes packs a punch of flavor. The German Village bakery sells a dazzling array of miniature cupcakes, scones, biscuits and cookies. They also serve Stumptown coffee along with a splash of pleasant conversation.
Pro Tip
Pattycake Bakery is another great dessert option. This bakery makes sticky buns and other vegan treats.
Kittie’s Cakes is located at 495 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH, United States.
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I purchased and ate the food featured in this article.
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Experience Columbus. Comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand. All opinions and text are mine.
