Where to Eat in Columbus: A Local's Guide to the Best Restaurants
The restaurants worth your time and money in Columbus, OH
The Refectory: French fine dining in North Columbus
The Refectory has been Columbus's premier fine-dining destination for over four decades, housed in a beautifully converted 1830s church with soaring ceilings, stained glass windows, and a wine cellar that's one of the best in the Midwest. The French-inspired menu features impeccable technique — the foie gras, the Dover sole, and the seasonal game preparations are all extraordinary. The Sunday brunch is a Columbus institution.
Pro Tip
The five-course tasting menu with wine pairings is the best way to experience the kitchen. The church setting makes every meal feel like an occasion.
Schmidt's Sausage Haus: German in German Village
Operating in Columbus's historic German Village since 1886, Schmidt's serves hearty German fare — bratwurst, schnitzel, sauerbraten, and sauerkraut — in a festive, beer-hall atmosphere. But the real star is the cream puff, a half-pound of house-made choux pastry filled with vanilla custard cream that's become a Columbus icon. The Bahama Mama sausage is the signature link.
Pro Tip
The Bahama Mama sausage sampler lets you try multiple varieties. Save room for the cream puff — it's massive. The German Village neighborhood is worth exploring on foot after lunch.
North Market: Various in Short North
Columbus's public market since 1876, North Market is a food hall featuring over 30 vendors selling everything from Jeni's Ice Cream (which started here) to Somali cuisine, Vietnamese pho, and local produce. The market is the most diverse food experience in the city and anchors the Short North neighborhood.
Pro Tip
The Saturday morning market is the most vibrant. Jeni's Ice Cream originated here — try the Salty Caramel. Hot Chicken Takeover's Nashville-hot chicken is some of the best outside Tennessee.
Watershed Kitchen & Bar: American farm-to-table in Brewery District
A thoughtful farm-to-table restaurant in the Brewery District that showcases Ohio's agricultural bounty. The seasonal menu features local meats, produce from regional farms, and a craft cocktail program built on house-made syrups and infusions. The brunch is excellent, with creative takes on Midwestern comfort food.
Pro Tip
The seasonal tasting menu ($65) changes frequently and is always worth it. The Ohio bourbon selection is deep and the bartenders know their stuff.
Los Guachos: Mexican in Multiple locations
Columbus has a thriving Mexican food scene thanks to its large Latino population, and Los Guachos serves some of the best tacos in the Midwest. The al pastor is carved from a proper trompo and is extraordinary — juicy, spiced, with charred pineapple. The tacos de tripa, cabeza, and lengua are excellent for adventurous eaters. Prices are remarkably low.
Pro Tip
The al pastor is the must-order, but the gringa (a quesadilla with al pastor meat) is the sleeper hit. The salsa bar is self-serve and serious — the green tomatillo is the best.
Beyond the Usual: Exploring Columbus's Food Scene
Columbus's dining scene extends far beyond these highlighted restaurants. The city's neighborhoods each bring their own culinary personality, from ethnic enclaves serving family recipes passed down through generations to ambitious young chefs redefining what Columbus food means. The best strategy for eating well in Columbus is to stay curious, ask locals where they eat (not where they take visitors), and be willing to follow a recommendation into a strip mall, a food truck, or a hole-in-the-wall that doesn't look like much from the outside but serves food that stops you mid-bite. The restaurants listed above are proven starting points, but they're doors into a much larger world. Every neighborhood has its own food story, and the best meals in Columbus are often the ones you discover by accident — turning down a side street because something smelled incredible, or sitting at a counter because the only table was taken. Trust your instincts, tip generously, and eat with the kind of open-minded enthusiasm that Columbus's best chefs bring to their kitchens every day.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We earn a commission at no additional cost to you when you purchase through our links.