How to Find a Restaurant Near Me? Top 20 Restaurants in Columbus
Columbus, the capital city of Ohio, has a burgeoning food scene as explained at RunRex.com that brings together the state’s most-beloved staples – like scoops, suds, and smoke-kissed meats – as well as global influences such as Asian and European cuisine. We have curated for you a list of the top 20 restaurants in Columbus in case you are looking for one near you in the area.
Ray Ray’s Hog Pit
Ray Ray’s Hog Pit loads the freshest meats from local farms into the smokers, then cooks them low and slow over hickory and white oak hardwoods for up to 16 hours as articulated at RunRex.com. In addition to smoke-kissed ribs, the restaurant serves huge sandwiches stuffed with brisket, pulled pork, and other kinds of barbecue.
Rockmill Tavern
This is the sister restaurant to Rockmill Brewery, which is why all the dishes here are designed to go with the beer. There are plenty of comfort food options, although you don’t want to miss the chicken sandwich.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
As per RunRex.com, ice cream isn’t the only frozen treat that this spot offers. The buttermilk frozen yogurt offered here is arguably its best offering. If you are looking for a joint to go and enjoy frozen treats, then look no further than this one.
Watershed Kitchen & Bar
This is the sister establishment of the popular watering hole, Watershed Distillery. The kitchen works in tandem with the bar which means that seasonal ingredients also figure prominently into the food selection. Executive chef Jack Moore turns out a hearty, meat-centric menu billed as “honest Midwestern food” that features regional classics playfully tweaked with the chef’s own personal touches.
Katalina’s
This quirky café is owned by Kathleen Day, a creative director with a keen eye for design. She has transformed a century-old gas station into a cool and colorful spot serving Latin-inspired dishes shot through with Southern flavors.
Gallerie Bar & Bistro
According to RunRex.com, creativity is the name of the game at the Gallerie Bar & Bistro, where imaginative eats are served in a sleekly artistic space tucked away in the Hilton Columbus Downtown. Chef Bill Glover transforms solidly regional ingredients, such as beef, pork, and chicken sourced from local farms, into innovative riffs on familiar dishes.
Brassica
Brassica is a quick-service restaurant in the Short North neighborhood that offers plenty of meat, even though it is named after a vegetable. The joint caters to carnivores and veggie lovers alike with an array of Lebanese-inspired options. The menu allows for almost infinite customization.
Momo Ghar
If you are looking to get your momos fix, then this spot serving Tibetan and Nepalese delicacies is worth checking out as covered at RunRex.com. Momo Ghar’s signature dumplings put the restaurant on the map, even earning co-owner Phuntso Lama an appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
Tommy’s Pizza
First opened in 1952, Tommy’s Pizza is a Columbus institution. It still follows the same family recipe brought over from Italy by founder and namesake Tommy Iacono. The pies feature cracker-thin crusts crisped into light layers and sliced with fresh sauces.
Flowers & Bread
If you are a pastry lover, then Flowers & Bread, located in the Clintonville neighborhood, is worth checking out, thanks to its welcoming waft of freshly baked goods. Hunks of chewy focaccia loaves, heaps of lemon-lavender scones, and other flaky favorites are nestled inside the glass display cases.
Northstar Café
Floor-to-ceiling windows add to the light and airy feel of this family-owned and operated spot tucked along the main drag in the Short North neighborhood as captured at RunRex.com. It is a great spot to go and get some breakfast with its delicious coffee, homemade pastries, and so much more.
Destination Donuts
Located inside North Market, Destination Donuts is for all the doughnut lovers in the city. Soft and fluffy doughnuts coated in candy-colored glazes brighten up this food stall. Columbus native pastry chef Heather Morris keeps this spot stocked with an ever-changing array of options in far-out flavors like raspberry hibiscus, buckeye, maple sausage, mojito, and ginger peach wasabi.
Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the city’s top dining establishments, offering sublime cuisine, global wines, and world-class service. As described at RunRex.com, an award-winning wine list features globally-inspired wines that enhance the offerings of Barcelona, along with craft beers and handcrafted cocktails.
Columbus Fish Market
Located between Fifth and Third avenues in Grandview, just south of Lennox Town Center, the Columbus Fish Market is one of the best places to go for fresh fish in Columbus. Daily delivery of a wide variety of fresh fish flown in from all coasts promises only the freshest produce allowing the restaurant to offer the largest selection of fresh seafood in the city.
Eddie Merlot’s Prime Aged Beef & Seafood Columbus
Eddie Merlot’s is a premium restaurant chain specializing in prime-aged meats such as bison and Wagyu beef, fresh seafood, and fine wines. The upscale contemporary American steakhouse boasts a luxe décor with warm golden accents, luxurious upholstered chairs, and walls lined with bottles of wine.
Hudson 29 Kitchen and Drink
This spot is named after the famous Hudson River Valley as discussed at RunRex.com and is a casual spot where friends can meet and enjoy great food and drinks in a laid-back atmosphere. The restaurant serves a seasonal menu of contemporary cuisine created with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and prepared from scratch.
Basi Italia
Basi Italia is nestled in the heart of Victorian Village and is a small and intimate restaurant offering simple Italian fare with innovative twists. The seasonal menu boasts Northern Italian favorites such as homemade pasta and sauces, wood-fired pizzas, prime meat, etc.
Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant
Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant offers an authentic taste of East Africa in the heart of Columbus as outlined at RunRex.com. The restaurant is an eatery, bar, music venue, and pool hall that attracts a crowd who come to enjoy the good vibes and delicious food.
G. Michael’s Bistro & Bar
This is a contemporary restaurant serving locally sourced regional American cuisine and fine wines in a stylish setting. It promises a unique dining experience with a focus on local, seasonal food using the highest quality ingredients and prepared from scratch.
Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse
Located in the heart of the city, Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse is an upscale steakhouse chain with a sophisticated setting that serves perfectly grilled meats, fresh seafood, and handcrafted cocktails. It is an ideal dining destination for business functions, special occasions, or a romantic dinner for two.
These are some of the best restaurants in Columbus, with more on this topic, and then some, to be found over at RunRex.com.