Columbus has a food scene that’s way more exciting than most people expect. From tiny counter-service spots that will ruin you for all future sandwiches to fine dining that nails every detail, this is a city where you’ll never go hungry. If you’re trying to figure out where to eat in Columbus Ohio, here’s a guide to some of my favorite spots around town — where to go, what to order, and why they’re worth the stop.
If you want even more dining ideas, check out my full Ultimate Columbus Foodie Guide for tons of additional restaurant recommendations.
This tiny sandwich shop packs a big punch — and a big sandwich. The portions here are enormous, so bring a friend or a serious appetite. If there are two of you, I recommend splitting the Caesar salad and one of their massive sandwiches (try the steak sandwich or the Warrior’s Way if you really love cheese) and adding a side of potatoes. Unless you’re trying to win an eating contest, you don’t need one full sandwich per person — they’re that big.
The bread is perfection — crusty but soft inside — and the sandwiches are saucy and rich, so come hungry. This is a heavy lunch, so plan to walk it off afterward.
Pro tip: Park behind Wario’s on the road (last time it was $1.35 for an hour). From there, you can walk to North Market and make it a whole afternoon — bonus points if you cut through the Nationwide Arena area because it’s a fun walk.
North Market is an indoor food hall with dozens of vendors selling everything from spices and flowers to full meals. There are so many great options here, but my must-try is Mo Mo Ghar. Chef and owner Phinsto Lama is cooking up Tibetan and Nepalese specialties in the middle of Columbus, and it’s so good that Guy Fieri featured it on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Get the Johl Mo Mo (Tibetan steamed dumplings filled with chicken and covered in a spicy fenugreek tomato sauce) or the Choila Set (Tibetan chicken salad with rice, potatoes, and black-eyed peas) — Guy called it one of the most unique dishes he’s ever had.
Another solid choice is Barrel & Boar for BBQ. And no trip to North Market is complete without dessert — grab Jeni’s Ice Cream while you’re here (or at one of their other locations around town). Their flavors are inventive — Brown Butter Almond Brittle, Goat Cheese with Red Cherries, Wildberry Lavender — and the texture is ridiculously creamy. Do yourself a favor and get it in a butterscotch waffle cone.
Don’t let the unassuming exterior fool you — inside is a moody, romantic space perfect for a date night. It’s also a working distillery, so you can book a tour ahead of time and see where the magic happens before you sit down to dinner.
Portions here are generous, so if you’re coming with a friend, I recommend splitting one appetizer, one entrée, and one dessert (unless you’re both starving).
Here’s what I tried and how I rated it:
Crispy potatoes — 8/10
Caesar salad — 8.5/10 (flavorful but skip if you hate cabbage)
Mushroom pasta — 9/10 (add short rib for extra fun)
Pork chops — 8/10
Chocolate cream — 5/10
Peach cobbler — 5/10 (too savory for my taste)
Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.
Located in German Village, Lindey’s is a Columbus classic. The portions are perfect for a three-course meal, and everything I’ve ever tried here has been a 10/10. Make reservations two to three weeks in advance — by 5:30 or 6 pm, the dining room fills up and you’ll likely be out of luck without a booking. You can usually get a seat at the bar or on the patio if you’re flexible.
Their bread is baked fresh in Grandview, and it’s served with perfectly salted butter — simple but so good. If you happen to visit during Restaurant Week, it’s the best time to try a few extra dishes at a great price.
If you want a deeper dive into the menu and experience, I wrote a full review in my Unforgettable Dining at Lindey’s Columbus Ohio guide.
Speck feels like a big night out — in the best way. The vibe is modern and stylish, and everything is house-made, from the focaccia to the pasta. Start with the burrata (served like a little cheese plate), get the heritage tomato salad if it’s in season, and then go all in on the pasta.
This is a great date night spot or a special-occasion dinner when you want something a little elevated but still approachable.
The Woodbury — Candied bacon crepes, chicken hotcake tacos, and a vibe that’s casual but still special.
The Lox — Perfect bagels, but be prepared for a seed overload if you get the everything bagel. The bacon, egg, and cheese is my favorite. Locals also swear by the Italian or Cuban sandwiches for lunch.
Buckeye Donuts — Chocolate peanut butter donuts that aren’t too sweet, plus a solid selection of filled and cake donuts.
Columbus is a food city through and through. Whether you’re eating your way through a food hall, sitting down for a three-course meal in German Village, or trying to split one of the largest sandwiches you’ve ever seen, you’ll find something here to love. Bring an appetite, make a few reservations in advance, and leave time to wander — some of the best bites are found when you least expect them.
If you’re planning a trip, my Perfect 24 Hours in Columbus Ohio and Spend a Weekend in Columbus Ohio guides pair perfectly with this restaurant list.
Yes, it’s only July. Start planning anyway. Fall books faster than people expect, and a few of these destinations are worth getting ahead of. Here are five places worth putting on your radar right now.
Ireland: Cooler temps, moody skies, dramatic coastline fall was made for it. Tourist crowds drop, the green stays, and the whole country feels a little more like itself.
Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC: Fall foliage in the Smokies is the real thing. The color peaks mid-October and the views from the ridgelines are hard to argue with. It’s also one of the most visited national parks in the country, so going on a weekday makes a real difference.
New York City: Fall is NYC at its best comfortable temps, the energy of the city shifting into a new season, and every neighborhood doing something worth showing up for. It’s also just a great walking city when it’s not brutally hot.
Japan: Fall foliage season is as good as spring cherry blossoms and somehow less talked about. The colors are dramatic, the temples and gardens are stunning, and it’s worth planning around peak dates by region.
Mystic, Connecticut: Small, walkable, genuinely charming Mystic in fall feels like exactly what a New England autumn is supposed to look like. Easy to pair with a broader New England road trip if you want to extend it.
Full guides linked in bio 🍂
There are two kinds of travelers: people who plan a trip and then figure out where to eat, and people who book a restaurant and then build the rest of the itinerary around it.I am the second kind. I will not apologize for this.
The reservation gets locked in first. The hotel search happens within the same 24 hours. The flights get compared around the restaurant’s hours of operation. The rest of the trip exists to fill the days before and after the table I actually came for.
If this sounds unhinged, I completely understand. It has also resulted in some of the best meals of my life, so I’m going to keep doing it.
Drop a 🍽️ if you plan your trips around food too.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
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