There are hundreds of fantastically delicious restaurant in Columbus, and some will award you with an extra unique experience. Whether it’s an incredible view, local spirits, or creative flavors that you’re looking for, you can find a restaurant nearby to suit your cravings. They’re just part of what you’ll cross off of your Columbus bucket list. Here are 10 excellent unique restaurants in Columbus.
- Katalina’s Cafe
Evanes S./Yelp
Katalina’s/Facebook Home of the original pancake balls, Katalina’s has been serving fantastic food in Victorian Village for decades. It’s housed in a 100-year-old gas station and serves breakfast, brunch, and brunch. Katalina’s focuses on on local, organic, and ethical ingredients sourced from local business partners, and they create classic diner meals with a Latin twist. In addition to the food, you will love the environment of the cafe, which has walls filled with unique thrift store finds and graffiti.
Katalina’s is located at 1105 Pennsylvania Ave., Columbus, OH 43201. 1105 Pennsylvania Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, USA
- The Top Steak House
The Top/Facebook
The Top/Facebook Sure, plenty of restaurants serve steak… but if you’re really looking for a top notch intimate atmosphere, you’ll want to give The Top a try. The Top has been one of the best restaurants in Columbus for over 50 years. The restaurant has romantica venue, complete with piano music and lounge singers.
The Top Steakhouse is located at 2891 E Main St., Columbus, OH 43209. 2891 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43209, USA
- Mozart’s Bakery & Piano Cafe
Mozart’s/Facebook
Mozart’s/Facebook Mozart’s has been a Clintonville destination for over 20 years. Mozart’s brings Europe to Columbus through breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an incredible variety of decadent European pastries. This “taste of Austria” is accompanied by live piano music and jazz on select nights. Make sure you also check out the beautifully restored building, which was built in the 1920s.
Mozart’s Bakery and Piano Cafe is located at 4784 N High St., Columbus, OH 43214. 4784 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214, USA
- Eden Burger (temporarily closed)
Lynn C/TripAdvisor
mitchtrago/TripAdvisor With a mission to “save the f’n world,” Eden Burger serves modern, elevated fast food inspired dishes. The menu is organic, vegan, and delicious. Some of the favorites include the BBQ Western Burger with fries and a blood orange soda, the Buffalo Tempeh, and the incredible milkshakes.
Eden Burger is located at 1437 N High St., Columbus, OH 43201. Be sure to check and see if they’ve re-opened. 1437 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201, USA
- The Boat House
Owner/Yelp
The Boat House/Facebook The Boat House is a great restaurant that offers a modern seafood menu. You can enjoy a bottle of wine or a deliciously crafted cocktail with your meal. What makes this place extra special, though, is its incredible view. Sitting in Confluence Park at the meeting of the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers, the restaurants opens up to an incredible view of downtown Columbus.
The Boat House is located at 679 W Spring St., Columbus, OH 43215. 679 W Spring St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
- Cafe Istanbul on Riverside Drive
Cafe Istanbul of Dublin/Facebook
Cafe Istanbul of Dublin/Facebook Eating with a view is a favorite to many diners, so here is another restaurant that is both delicious and scenic. Cafe Istanbul serves high quality Turkish food, including all of your favorites, like baba ganoush, hummus, and kababs. Whether you dine inside or on the large patio, you will be able to enjoy a gorgeous view from the bank of the Scioto River.
Cafe Istanbul is located at 6125 Riverside Dr., Dublin, OH 43017. 6125 Riverside Dr, Dublin, OH 43017, USA
- Bossy Grrl’s Pin Up Joint
Ryan S./Yelp
Paul Y./Yelp How exactly does one describe Bossy Grrls? Words that come to mind: burlesque, exotic, rowdy, and trashy (I’m not being mean here, that one’s from the description on their own website). This place is a wild hidden gem. They offer burlesque shows every Monday at 10:00 p.m., and on other nights they feature dancers, musicians, and comedians. Delicious beers, whisky, coffee, and sandwiches are available for you to enjoy along with the shows.
Bossy Grrls Pin Up Joint is located at 2598 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43202. 2598 N High St, Columbus, OH 43202, USA
- Rodizio Grill
Rodizio Grill/Facebook
Al L./Yelp You know how sometimes you wish you could try “one of everything” on a menu? Well, at Rodizio Grill, that’s kind of the idea. Waiters walk around the dining room offering a variety of smoky flavorful meats just off the grill. Instead of ordering one dish, customers are able try the delicacies a few slices at a time.
Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse is located at 125 W Nationwide Blvd., Columbus, OH 43215. 125 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
- Schmidt’s Sausage Haus
Schmidt’s/Facebook
Schmidt’s/Facebook This famous German Village restaurant will give you an authentic taste of Germany - there are sausages galore! The best way to enjoy your meal here is to head straight for the German Autobahn Buffet. Schmidt’s does not take reservations and it tends to get a bit crowded, so arrive early you’re hungry, give your name to the hostess, and wander the cobblestone streets of German Village while you wait!
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus und Restaurant is located at 240 E Kossuth St., Columbus, OH 43206. 240 E Kossuth St, Columbus, OH 43206, USA
- Watershed Kitchen & Bar
Watershed Kitchen & Bar/Yelp
Watershed/Facebook For incredible, modern, and local food accompanied by amazing cocktails made with home spirits, try Watershed Kitchen & Bar. This restaurant was just opened earlier this year (and has already received rave reviews) as an addition to the Watershed Distillery. Already loved by locals for their delicious and carefully crafted spirits, they have approached their new restaurant with the same kind of attention to detail. Their flavors come from their respect for ingredients and their mission to reflect and improve the community around them.
Watershed Kitchen & Bar is located at 1145 Chesapeake Ave., Ste D, Columbus, OH 43212. 1145 Chesapeake Ave ste d, Columbus, OH 43212, USA
What is your favorite one-of-a-kind restaurant in Columbus? We’d love to know! Before you visit, learn some unique facts about Columbus!
Evanes S./Yelp
Katalina’s/Facebook
Home of the original pancake balls, Katalina’s has been serving fantastic food in Victorian Village for decades. It’s housed in a 100-year-old gas station and serves breakfast, brunch, and brunch. Katalina’s focuses on on local, organic, and ethical ingredients sourced from local business partners, and they create classic diner meals with a Latin twist. In addition to the food, you will love the environment of the cafe, which has walls filled with unique thrift store finds and graffiti.
Katalina’s is located at 1105 Pennsylvania Ave., Columbus, OH 43201.
1105 Pennsylvania Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, USA
The Top/Facebook
Sure, plenty of restaurants serve steak… but if you’re really looking for a top notch intimate atmosphere, you’ll want to give The Top a try. The Top has been one of the best restaurants in Columbus for over 50 years. The restaurant has romantica venue, complete with piano music and lounge singers.
The Top Steakhouse is located at 2891 E Main St., Columbus, OH 43209.
2891 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43209, USA
Mozart’s/Facebook
Mozart’s has been a Clintonville destination for over 20 years. Mozart’s brings Europe to Columbus through breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an incredible variety of decadent European pastries. This “taste of Austria” is accompanied by live piano music and jazz on select nights. Make sure you also check out the beautifully restored building, which was built in the 1920s.
Mozart’s Bakery and Piano Cafe is located at 4784 N High St., Columbus, OH 43214.
4784 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214, USA
Lynn C/TripAdvisor
mitchtrago/TripAdvisor
With a mission to “save the f’n world,” Eden Burger serves modern, elevated fast food inspired dishes. The menu is organic, vegan, and delicious. Some of the favorites include the BBQ Western Burger with fries and a blood orange soda, the Buffalo Tempeh, and the incredible milkshakes.
Eden Burger is located at 1437 N High St., Columbus, OH 43201. Be sure to check and see if they’ve re-opened.
1437 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201, USA
Owner/Yelp
The Boat House/Facebook
The Boat House is a great restaurant that offers a modern seafood menu. You can enjoy a bottle of wine or a deliciously crafted cocktail with your meal. What makes this place extra special, though, is its incredible view. Sitting in Confluence Park at the meeting of the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers, the restaurants opens up to an incredible view of downtown Columbus.
The Boat House is located at 679 W Spring St., Columbus, OH 43215.
679 W Spring St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Cafe Istanbul of Dublin/Facebook
Eating with a view is a favorite to many diners, so here is another restaurant that is both delicious and scenic. Cafe Istanbul serves high quality Turkish food, including all of your favorites, like baba ganoush, hummus, and kababs. Whether you dine inside or on the large patio, you will be able to enjoy a gorgeous view from the bank of the Scioto River.
Cafe Istanbul is located at 6125 Riverside Dr., Dublin, OH 43017.
6125 Riverside Dr, Dublin, OH 43017, USA
Ryan S./Yelp
Paul Y./Yelp
How exactly does one describe Bossy Grrls? Words that come to mind: burlesque, exotic, rowdy, and trashy (I’m not being mean here, that one’s from the description on their own website). This place is a wild hidden gem. They offer burlesque shows every Monday at 10:00 p.m., and on other nights they feature dancers, musicians, and comedians. Delicious beers, whisky, coffee, and sandwiches are available for you to enjoy along with the shows.
Bossy Grrls Pin Up Joint is located at 2598 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43202.
2598 N High St, Columbus, OH 43202, USA
Rodizio Grill/Facebook
Al L./Yelp
You know how sometimes you wish you could try “one of everything” on a menu? Well, at Rodizio Grill, that’s kind of the idea. Waiters walk around the dining room offering a variety of smoky flavorful meats just off the grill. Instead of ordering one dish, customers are able try the delicacies a few slices at a time.
Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse is located at 125 W Nationwide Blvd., Columbus, OH 43215.
125 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Schmidt’s/Facebook
This famous German Village restaurant will give you an authentic taste of Germany - there are sausages galore! The best way to enjoy your meal here is to head straight for the German Autobahn Buffet. Schmidt’s does not take reservations and it tends to get a bit crowded, so arrive early you’re hungry, give your name to the hostess, and wander the cobblestone streets of German Village while you wait!
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus und Restaurant is located at 240 E Kossuth St., Columbus, OH 43206.
240 E Kossuth St, Columbus, OH 43206, USA
Watershed Kitchen & Bar/Yelp
Watershed/Facebook
For incredible, modern, and local food accompanied by amazing cocktails made with home spirits, try Watershed Kitchen & Bar. This restaurant was just opened earlier this year (and has already received rave reviews) as an addition to the Watershed Distillery. Already loved by locals for their delicious and carefully crafted spirits, they have approached their new restaurant with the same kind of attention to detail. Their flavors come from their respect for ingredients and their mission to reflect and improve the community around them.
Watershed Kitchen & Bar is located at 1145 Chesapeake Ave., Ste D, Columbus, OH 43212.
1145 Chesapeake Ave ste d, Columbus, OH 43212, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Columbus: A Midwestern Gem That You Can’t Miss October 04, 2022 Will Suphan As a current resident of Columbus, I can tell you that there’s a lot to love here. Quaint, beautiful neighborhoods with lovely houses, a vibrant college scene, and a ton of culinary experiences to be had. What are the foods one must try while in Columbus? Columbus is a testing center for many national chains but also boasts some foods that are all its own. The Thurman Cafe has a simply massive burger called the Thurmanator that stands about a foot high! Two huge patties, ham, bacon, onions, mushrooms, three cheeses, and more. You’ll need to be rolled out the door if you manage to eat it all! Columbus style pizza is packed tightly with toppings all teh way to the edge and then cut in squares. Tommy’s is one of the best places for it. Of course, you have to sample a Buckeye, which is a ball of peanut butter dipped in chocolate that is way better than a Reese’s. What are the can’t-miss attractions in Columbus? Columbus isn’t just food and football. There are many wonderful things to see. The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are a simply gorgeous collection of a vast array of different kinds of foliage. It’s also home to some splendid art. Science buffs will love the Center of Science and Industry, locally known as COSI, where there’s a planetarium, several amazing exhibits, and so much to learn and interact with. The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium is a rather impressive zoo with a collection of animals from all over the world to learn about. Where are the best places for hiking in Columbus? Columbus is home to a wide collection of metro parks full of excellent hiking trails. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park covers 7000 acres, has a pet trail, and even its own herd of bison. It has woods and prairies alike. Highbanks Metro Park is perhaps the most popular one as it is thickly wooded, has views of the Olentangy River, and is great for cross-country skiing once the snow falls. One of my favorites is Sharon Woods Metro Park, which is great for adults and kids alike. The nature preserve here is a joy to walk through and 5K races are held here often.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Columbus: A Midwestern Gem That You Can’t Miss
October 04, 2022
Will Suphan
As a current resident of Columbus, I can tell you that there’s a lot to love here. Quaint, beautiful neighborhoods with lovely houses, a vibrant college scene, and a ton of culinary experiences to be had. What are the foods one must try while in Columbus? Columbus is a testing center for many national chains but also boasts some foods that are all its own. The Thurman Cafe has a simply massive burger called the Thurmanator that stands about a foot high! Two huge patties, ham, bacon, onions, mushrooms, three cheeses, and more. You’ll need to be rolled out the door if you manage to eat it all! Columbus style pizza is packed tightly with toppings all teh way to the edge and then cut in squares. Tommy’s is one of the best places for it. Of course, you have to sample a Buckeye, which is a ball of peanut butter dipped in chocolate that is way better than a Reese’s. What are the can’t-miss attractions in Columbus? Columbus isn’t just food and football. There are many wonderful things to see. The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are a simply gorgeous collection of a vast array of different kinds of foliage. It’s also home to some splendid art. Science buffs will love the Center of Science and Industry, locally known as COSI, where there’s a planetarium, several amazing exhibits, and so much to learn and interact with. The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium is a rather impressive zoo with a collection of animals from all over the world to learn about. Where are the best places for hiking in Columbus? Columbus is home to a wide collection of metro parks full of excellent hiking trails. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park covers 7000 acres, has a pet trail, and even its own herd of bison. It has woods and prairies alike. Highbanks Metro Park is perhaps the most popular one as it is thickly wooded, has views of the Olentangy River, and is great for cross-country skiing once the snow falls. One of my favorites is Sharon Woods Metro Park, which is great for adults and kids alike. The nature preserve here is a joy to walk through and 5K races are held here often.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
What are the foods one must try while in Columbus?
Columbus is a testing center for many national chains but also boasts some foods that are all its own. The Thurman Cafe has a simply massive burger called the Thurmanator that stands about a foot high! Two huge patties, ham, bacon, onions, mushrooms, three cheeses, and more. You’ll need to be rolled out the door if you manage to eat it all! Columbus style pizza is packed tightly with toppings all teh way to the edge and then cut in squares. Tommy’s is one of the best places for it. Of course, you have to sample a Buckeye, which is a ball of peanut butter dipped in chocolate that is way better than a Reese’s.
What are the can’t-miss attractions in Columbus?
Columbus isn’t just food and football. There are many wonderful things to see. The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are a simply gorgeous collection of a vast array of different kinds of foliage. It’s also home to some splendid art. Science buffs will love the Center of Science and Industry, locally known as COSI, where there’s a planetarium, several amazing exhibits, and so much to learn and interact with. The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium is a rather impressive zoo with a collection of animals from all over the world to learn about.
Where are the best places for hiking in Columbus?
Columbus is home to a wide collection of metro parks full of excellent hiking trails. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park covers 7000 acres, has a pet trail, and even its own herd of bison. It has woods and prairies alike. Highbanks Metro Park is perhaps the most popular one as it is thickly wooded, has views of the Olentangy River, and is great for cross-country skiing once the snow falls. One of my favorites is Sharon Woods Metro Park, which is great for adults and kids alike. The nature preserve here is a joy to walk through and 5K races are held here often.
