The Yummiest New American in Columbus

Bodega

★★★★☆ 3.8 (227) • $$

"Updating to include my review of the tacos I had there recently! Loved the $3 taco Tuesday special. I got 2 tacos and chips and guac for $10.The jackfruit was pretty good but wasn't my favorite flavor profile. Loved the Carnitas though! I think next time I will skip the chips and guac because the guac was a little plain. Still a pretty legit meal for only $10."

Challah Food Truck

★★★★☆ 4.2 (48) • $

"When an establishment makes such bold proclamations like "BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH IN COLUMBUS," I have to investigate such claims. Between this and rumors of Chicken & Waffles ice cream, I was beyond intrigued when I approached the truck on a recent Sunday. Unfortunately, they were out of the aforementioned ice cream, but I was able to get my hands on the crispy chicken sandwich. Was it the best? I don't know, I haven't eaten every chicken sandwich in town (yet), but they're damn close. The chicken isn't weighed down with heavy breading, it's somehow light and crisp, with fresh tasting toppings, and a fluffy bun to boot. If you like dill, you will appreciate the herby sauce they use. My companions had the fried potatoes as well, and were in heaven. I still need to go back for the ice cream, but if this sandwich was any indication, it will be worth the trip."

Denmark

★★★★☆ 4.2 (162) • $$

"This is a pretty dope cocktail lounge. It's in a prime location, making it really easy to get to and I'm honestly surprised it took me so long to get here for a drink. It's located right off High St. across from the Convention Center and it's on the second floor. Once you make your way up the staircase, your greeted with a rather large, open space. The bar can be found directly ahead with plenty of seating to the right near the giant windows that face the street. The décor is modern and sleek and there's a mix of comfy lounge seating and tables. The lighting is somewhat romantic and you definitely get a good vibe while you're here. The cocktail menu is rather large and ranges from whiskey drink to vodka drink (gosh, now I'm singing chumbawamba in my head) and everything in between. They also made a lot of the syrups they use in house, which is pretty special. Both times I've visited Denmark the staff was extremely welcoming and helpful. I like to ask the staff for drink recommendations because after all, they're the experts, and they definitely pointed me in the right direction. The most recent drink I got had gin and concord grape. It wasn't too sweet and I really enjoyed it. I'll definitely be back!"

Cameron's American Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (214) • $$$

"We've been coming for thirty years and it's always a pleasure. Great menu, great food, great drinks and wine list. Always great service and always excellent bathrooms. Thanks for both!Prices are at a new level, but everything else remains constant. Dinner only. Make a Rez!"

Chelle's 33 Diner

★★★★☆ 3.7 (25)

"This was a fun little stop on a recent trip to the area. It's fashioned like an old train car. Shiny silver, like a Zephyr. Inside is warm, cozy and diner quaint. The owner greeted us at the door. All were friendly and warm to guests. Service was attentive and fast. We had their on premise made burger. Delicious. Just the right size to be juicy and not hard to eat. Made to order with fresh cut fries. Fabulous."

The Avenue Steak Tavern

★★★★☆ 4 (315) • $$$

"My wife & I love trying new (to us) places & this one did not disappoint.Grandview area of Columbus is rapidly becoming a favorite destination.The restaurant is charming & was cozy for our valentines dinner. Usef was our waiter & was absolutely one of the best we've ever had. His knowledge of the menu & confidence in answering all of our questions was rare to see in today's work ethic. He definitely cares about his restaurant.The spacing between check-ins for drinks/apps/entrees was perfect & a welcome change from the rush, rush, rush to turn tables that has become the norm.Everything was wonderful & surpassed our expectations. Drinks - Expresso Martini & a classic "Old Fashioned" - 10/10Apps - Crab Cakes - best we've had outside of New England Shore states - Steak Tartare - 11/10Entrees - Filet & Scallops w/creamed asparagus - Filet done Pittsburg style 10/10 - Lamb Chops med-rare w/ House Corn - The mint sauce made this a 10/10.We will definitely be back."

The Avalon

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (18) • $$

"Visited Avalon based on Yelp reviews, but was disappointed :( I was visiting Columbus for the night and I'm from the Tri-state area so Philadelphia/NYC clubs are very different, which may be why Avalon did not compare in my eyes. It may have been an off night, but the music wasn't good and neither were the drinks. DJ wasn't behind the table for a good portion of the night and just left a mix on! One thing I'd have to commend them on is their staff. From the bouncers outside to the bartenders, everyone was very kind and attentive. It was easy to get the bartenders attention and they did not rush you through your order. Asked us how our drinks were too!"

High Bank Distillery

★★★★☆ 4.3 (811) • $$

"This is a HAPPY HOUR STAPLE! My friends and I love coming here and getting some delicious drinks and tasty treats! The bartenders are so sweet and they love experimenting with new flavors with the cocktails. Get to know your bartenders they are some of the coolest people you will ever meet.We got a Smoked Old Fashion, End of Anxiety and 2 bartender specials. All were unique in their own way. Warning: the Smoked Old Fashion is BOOZEY. Definitely designate a driver for that one. We paired that with the Bravas potatoes for good measure."

SŌW Plated

★★★★☆ 4.3 (333) • $$

"The best vegetarian-oriented restaurant I've been to in Columbus, SOW plated is a must-visit. Service was nice and attentive, and the outdoor patio ambiance (especially sitting outside in November!) was delightful.But the food - what I ordered and loved:Cold-pressed pineapple cocktail: Pineapple Infused Aged Rum, Pineapple, Lime, Pineapple Gomme Syrup, Tiki Bitters, Allspice Dram SpritzAncient grain salad: Farro & Onion, Arugula, Roasted Acorn Squash, Roasted Sweet Potato, Golden Raisins, Feta, Pecans, Yogurt Dill Dressing -- took half home for lunch the next day and it was equally incredible in tasteSOW burger: Green Chickpea Pepper Plant-based Patty, Curry Aioli, Pickled Cabbage-Onion Slaw, Arugula, Vegan Seeded Bun -- packed with flavor and vegan! Breads & spreads: a few breads and a few dips / this was just ok comparatively to the meal, but if you go for drinks and dips, it'd be a delight.Edamame dumplings: Brussels Sprout Kimchi-Brown Rice & Quinoa-Edamame Bean Filling, Gyoza Wrapper, Thai Almond Sauce -- must try this starter!"

Overlook Restaurant - Virtues Golf Club

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (15) • $$

"It was a blustery April 17th in Ohio. A friend was taking us to wherever we wanted to go for lunch. We chose Overlook at Virtues Golf Club. Our server was amazing. Our table by the fire was quiet and warm. The views of the rolling countryside with high winds and spitting snow a perfect counterpoint.Our waitress was from "central casting". She was professional and personable, thoughtful and fun. The food was well presented and delicious. This venue is the best kept secret in central Ohio. The three of us were 100% happy from beginning to end."

Beano's

★★★★☆ 3.5 (8) • $

"Cool spot if your a Buckeye! Coming for games is a memorable experience but it wasn't easy finding a spot. Food was good and drinks were cold!"

Parlay Sporting Club + Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.7 (124)

"The food is amazing for a sports bar. We were blown away by the quality. We went for the Ohio state game. Plenty of tv's."

Over the Counter

★★★★☆ 4.3 (246) • $$

"We meet some friends here for dinner before going to a concert. It is located in a strip mall and has a little patio in front with some umbrellas. It does not have any heaters, so it would only be good in the warmer months. There was plenty of parking as the other businesses were closed by the time we arrived. On the inside it has some high tables with a bench on one side and high-top chairs on the other. The bar is located on the other side and has plenty of seats and televisions. Our server was nice and friendly. Big surprise, we started out with drinks. I got a whiskey sour with Makers Mark and a couple of cherries, to make it a wee bit sweeter. My man got a Yeungling draft, one of his regular beers. We shared the Beer Pretzel Bites, they were delicious. Oh, so crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, it even came with two ramekins of cheese. There was some cheese left over, which usually never happens. For my meal I got a cup of French Onion Soup and the Italian Chicken Sandwich. The croutons on the soup were large and crunchy, and there was a ton of melted cheese on top. I ordered the cup and it appeared to almost be bowl size. The chicken was grilled, with red peppers, lettuce, tomato, provolone cheese and some pesto aioli. The bread was something I had never seen before, grilled tomato swirl beard, like a marble rye. YUMMY!My man got the Counter Burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and red onion on a grilled bun, with a side of onion rings. It also came with a pickle spear on the side. Everything must have been good because he ate it all and did not even save me a bite, lol. We will definitely be back a couple of times. First for the brunch which is served on both Saturdays and Sundays. Second for the fish and chips and maybe a steak."

Surve

★★★★★ 4.5 (160) • $$

"We had a great experience at Surve! We're local to the area and had driven by a bunch of times - it always smelled so good when we passed by and we knew we had to give it a try. We stopped in for lunch and sat at the bar. The place is bright and welcoming and our bartender was so friendly.We had the cheese curds for an appetizer. I think I could have eaten two more plates of them - they were so delicious! For our mains I had the chicken salad sandwich and my husband had the cheeseburger. We both enjoyed our meals and had a really lovely time.We look forward to visiting Surve again soon."

CHOP5 Salad Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.1 (212) • $$

"Always great service and love the Mexican bowl. Great healthy choices for lunch or dinner."

New American Deli

★★★★★ 4.8 (8) • $

"While there are lots of terrific food trucks in town, there are not nearly as many good food CARTS. New American Deli helps to address this gap. The menu when I stopped by recently at the Pearl Alley Market was limited to just three sandwiches: turkey bahn mi, ham and swiss, and their 21 day reserve corned beef. I had been kind of in the mood for a ruben even before I saw the cart, so it was like a sign from above. Corned beef it was. And boy was it delicious. Cut fairly thick, the sandwich had a hearty (but not obnoxious) measure of meat. It was griddled so that the cheese melted and held everything together. I opted for a roll instead of the rye bread on the menu. I'm not sure where they source the bread, but it was excellent with a nice crust and softer interior bite. The quality of the corned beef was top notch, some of the best I've had recently. I wouldn't hesitate to get it again.Nor would I hesitate to seek them out elsewhere. According to the operator of the cart, they also have a breakfast menu which they're currently serving on Saturdays at the Clintonville Farmers market. Some of the things he described as on the menu were quite enticing. All in all? A fantastic new addition to Columbus."

Zeno's

★★★★☆ 3.7 (82) • $

"If you're looking for the quintessential neighborhood bar, this is it! So lucky it's my "local" as I live in the neighborhood. TBH I don't drink much so my bar-going days have super slowed down, but I will come for (or takeout) the food here allll day long! Pizza is crazy good (I'm looking at you, Spicy Italiano pizza), Turkey burger, 50/50 sliders and cheese curds are all amazing. It's a fun spot for watching sports or just hanging with friends. Be sure to tip your bartender and waitstaff - they're all great, hardworking people!"

Wolf's Ridge Brewing

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"Excellent Restaurant Week outing here. The dining experience was perfect from beginning to end - one of the best of the year for me. The service was on point. Our server checked in on us with each course, but was not obtrusive at all. The walleye entree was beautiful in its simplicity. Well grilled fish and creamy, cheesy corn grits. The lemon cheesecake was light, fluffy and slightly tart. Don't miss out on the mozzarella balls app - they were addictive. Unsurprisingly, the drink list is beer forward. They have a short list of specialty cocktails and a nice wine list. Parking is pay only in one of the surrounding city lots. The brunch menu looks really tasty and I cannot wait to return to check it out."

The Walrus

★★★★☆ 3.8 (602) • $$

"I kept hearing about this place, and hearing how good it was, but it didn't quite seem like my kind of place, and it wasn't quite in the neighborhoods frequent. Today, I figured what the heck, and stopped in when I was passing nearby. It's joined to a bar, and the inside has a very old-school bar feeling with brick walls, etc. I happened in on a Monday, which is burger day, and they talked me into trying one. And it was excellent. $5 burgers, all toppings a small extra charge. I ended up spending $7.50 for one with lettuce, tomato, sautéed onions, chipotle mayo, and queso fresco. It came out and looked pretty small, but also pretty tall, and paired with a side it was plenty for lunch. Nice meaty burger, excellent bun, perfect toppings. Just a really good burger all around. At a really good price. Get two if you're super hungry, although by the time I ate it and my side of excellent Brussels sprouts topped with a ton of bacon, I was full. Service was excellent. Prices were good, but of course it was a super deal so I'm not sure about the rest of the menu. And the rest of the menu is very interesting, with essentially upscale bar food. The beer and cocktail menus also look interesting. The place is cozy and comfortable; the restaurant area in the front doesn't seem that big, but in the back it is bigger, and there's a bar, and there's a whole 'nother side of the building. There's a pool table, a stage, an interesting booth/dining nook, and more. Excellent fast friendly service all around. I will definitely be back to try some of the other options, andheck, if I am hungry for a burger on a Monday."

Service Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (141) • $$$

"We celebrated my wife's birthday with the family here. Cocktails were very good and the food. We had the vegan special and it was amazing (watermelon on top of avocado smashed, with lime and almonds) the flatbread was good too. With our group I think we tried everything in the menu. Great ambiance."

Millie's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (13) • $

"Little place that I was pleasantly surprised with. Had the best chicken fingers. Filled with locals and small talk which was really cool vibe."

Meadowlark Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (390) • $$

"First visit. Dinner was delicious! Sat at the bar where we were completely entertained by the bartenders who meticulously buzzed about making beautiful cocktails. Menu choices were vast and all homemade, a rare treat today! Dessert topped off an amazing dinner. We'll definitely stop in again when in Dayton."

Fort Eighty Eight

★★★★★ 4.6 (13)

"Highly recommend. The staff are very, very friendly and helpful, the restaurant is clean, updated and trendy. The patio out back features fire pits, lounge chairs, and really nice wood picnic tables which makes for a really nice hangout spot. Cocktails are very tasty. I had one with bourbon and blackberry and really enjoyed. All the food and sauces are made from scratch. I had a great cheeseburger and fries. Fries were amazing and accompanied with homemade ketchup which was prob the best I ever had! Burger had an amazing toasted bun and two juicy Pattie's. Gf had the grilled cheese which she really enjoyed along with the amazing fries. Great place! Would go back many times more!"

The Madison On Paint

★★★☆☆ 2.6 (8) • $$

"Just had dinner here. The steaks are amazing. Also had the Gouda mac and cheese and corn creme brûlée. The service was exceptional!! Would highly recommend."

Shelli's Shack

★★★★☆ 3.9 (8)

"This was a bye week for my diet why not. Walked in with 3 hungry kiddos and we were seated right away. Buckets of peanuts on the tables along with condiments and much needed paper towels. Debated about sitting on patio but there were ashtrays so we stayed in. Our server was super friendly took our drink orders, we were able to buy a 2 liter of root beer for the table and they provided styrofoam cups. Then after little debate we ordered:Hot dogChili dogCheeseburgerFried Macaroni bitesFried Corn bites Fried Cauliflower sides of ranchEverything was freshly grilled cooked or fried nice and hot! Kids killed everything. I tried a tiny bite of everything (mom style) plus I like to make sure it taste good. Everything was on point! I would definitely recommend this diner/pub/Florida beach style shack in the middle of Bladensburg. Beer and wine available - prices seem great but did not partake this visit. On that note, I will be returning"

Chinatown Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.8 (38) • $$

"The seafood soup was the best I have ever had! Hearty broth with a lot of different things in it. I got the moo goo gi pan to go. It was fresh with a great thick broth. The service was decent. The atmosphere traditional chinese. It was comfortable seating and a full bar."

Bon-Aire Restaurant & Lounge

★★★★★ 4.8 (4) • $

"5 stars : great food; great service; great vibe; great music. I will definitely be coming here frequently."

Kraft House No. 5

★★★★☆ 3.6 (290) • $$

"ive been to kraft house 3 times, i work right down the street. This is my second time ordering food, and i have to say it is super good. the KH5 burger is amazing. the beef and cheese quality is second to none. if you are looking for a place to grab a fairly priced old fashioned and a burger, look no further."

Ghostwriter Public House

★★★★☆ 4.4 (243) • $$

"We came to check out GW2.0. It feels more like an upscale lounge than your typical restaurant. The Trifle game was a lot of fun and super easy to learn. The food came out fast once we ordered. I got the smash burger which was delicious! Though the menu is significantly smaller, everything on the menu looked great and wish I could have tried them all (including the cocktails!)We will definitely be coming back! I think it's a great alternative for a place to sit and relax (like a coffee shop, but more upscale)."

Jimmie's Ladder 11

★★★★☆ 4 (425) • $$

"It was our first time and we went to the third sitting of the Mother's Day brunch! The service was fast, the food was excellent and the mimosa was strong lol Definitely going again soon!"

Hungry Buffalo

★★★☆☆ 3 (209) • $$

"Had a decent experience here. Went in a Wednesday evening . Had decent food and good service. I heard a lot of mixed reviews that this place was hit or miss. This time it was a hit. Again food is decent and our service was good."

J Liu Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.6 (216) • $$

"We love this place. We ordered the spring rolls to start. Then the Mongolian Beef and sesame chicken. Max's service was great. We have been coming her for almost 16 years now. It looks great."

The Merchant House

★★★★☆ 4.2 (100) • $$

"We have dined at Merchant House many times since they opened, and have never had a poor meal or service...until tonight. To be fair, they were obviously understaffed and busy, so I can give the service a little break. But the food was not up to the usual standard at all on this visit. Our food took almost 45 minutes to arrive.Since our last visit, they have changed the chicken & waffles, and the change is not good. Instead of a nice piece of chicken breast, it is now two small strips with noticeably smaller waffles and a lot less Mac & cheese. Not to mention my waffles were burned almost black on the edges and one piece of the chicken was also burned. The Philly dip was also somewhat burned, and the bun very hard. Also had to ask the server for the Au Jus (it came out of the kitchen without it) and it took her over 5 minutes to bring it out.MH is usually very good, but this visit really bothers me because our meals were not only poor, but the portions so small. With 2 drinks the dinners the bill was over $60 (with small tip). Not worth it at all. MH needs to do better!"

JT's Brew & Grill

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (29) • $$

"We stopped in to try this place while visiting Greenville. We were seated immediately & the server took our drink order. The menu states their burgers are fresh/never frozen so I ordered the Quarterback burger with cheddar cheese which comes with kettle chips. I asked for a slice of onion since it didn't come with that. Hubby got the Pork Chop Medallions with 2 sides, mashed potatoes & green beans. Our food came out in about 15 minutes. My burger was served with 2 onion rings on top but they tasted a bit burned. My burger was delicious & had plenty of fresh toppings. Hubby really enjoyed his meal. I tasted it & it was divine. Hubby's Pepsi tasted flat but they quickly brought him another which was better. I liked that we paid our bill at the table on the server's hand held computer so my credit card doesn't leave my sight. (I've had at least 2 bad experiences with that.) I would return to this restaurant when in the area."

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant- Columbus

★★★★☆ 3.8 (975) • $$

"Everything from start to finish at Cooper's Hawk was delicious! The restaurant was nice inside with low lighting and simple decor but had a comforting vibe for the holidays. We made reservations for Christmas Eve and although it was busy, we did not have to wait long for our table to be ready (maybe 20 minutes). Our waitress was spunky and hilarious (she introduced herself as Oprah lol). She was lovely and did a wonderful job with our service. We started off with their over the boarder egg rolls and died at how amazing they are! The pretzel bread was also insanely delicious and we also enjoyed the bruschetta and Italian sausage and whipped vuestra flatbread. Everything was great! For dinner, we ordered a variety of items including the prime churrasco grilled steak, the jambalaya, braised short rib risotto, and grilled tenderloin medallions. We all thought our dishes were quite tasty. The only hiccup was three of us ordered the churrasco steak and they did not quite get our meat cooked as each of us requested but aside from that, the dish was great and the cilantro-lime aioli was awesome! For dessert we enjoyed the salted caramel crème brûlée and some of the house-made truffles. Highly recommend! Lovely experience here and looking forward to coming back!"