By Maria Rodriguez
Columbus may have a reputation for college football and big-box shopping, but this city is having a quiet culinary renaissance. After years of chowing down on Buckeye candies and Jeni’s ice cream (no shade, Jen), we’re finally getting restaurants that make you forget you’re in the Midwest—if only for the duration of a tasting menu.
The Best Restaurants in Columbus
1. Chapman’s Eat Market
This cozy spot in German Village isn’t just a neighborhood joint. Run by James Beard-nominated chef BJ Lieberman, Chapman’s turns out inventive plates with global influences—think hot chicken bao buns and Japanese curry poutine. If you can’t decide on just one dish, the tasting menu will take you on a wild ride without leaving your seat. It's the kind of place where you can get both comfort food and something that feels like it came straight out of a food critic’s fever dream.
2. Veritas
Veritas was Columbus’s first restaurant to go full-on fine dining, and Chef Josh Dalton hasn’t taken his foot off the gas. The menu is a beautifully unpredictable parade of courses that might include anything from foie gras with blueberry to lamb belly tacos. The Michelin-star whisper might be in the air, but for now, you’ll just have to settle for thinking you’re the coolest person in the city for snagging a reservation.
3. Service Bar
If you want elevated without pretentious, Service Bar is the spot. Here you’ll find playful dishes that will leave you questioning why you didn’t think of eating them together before. The Cheesy Brisket Crunch, for example, makes you rethink the taco. The cocktail program is equally creative, though no one's judging if you stick to a bourbon neat.
4. Wolf’s Ridge Brewing
Sure, it’s a brewery, but don’t think for a second that means you’ll be stuck with pretzels and beer cheese. Wolf’s Ridge has built a strong rep for dishes like scallops paired with pork belly or a killer brunch menu featuring maple-glazed pork chops. The beer’s great—especially if you like your sips with a side of innovation—but the food is what has locals coming back.
5. Lola & Giuseppe’s Trattoria
While it’s a bit more old-world Italian, Lola & Giuseppe’s feels like a hidden gem in a sea of red sauce and pasta joints. With portions that could feed an army, this family-run spot in Grove City serves dishes that are both soulful and full of flavor. It’s as if your Italian grandma ran a secret underground supper club, but it’s perfectly legal—and everyone’s welcome.
6. Alchemy Kitchen
Health food might not be the first thing you think of in Columbus, but Alchemy Kitchen is here to change that. Focused on fresh, organic ingredients, this fast-casual spot is for those days when you need to hit the reset button after one too many heavy meals. The smoothies, grain bowls, and toasts will make you feel virtuous, even if you top it off with a cold brew or their highly addictive cashew cacao truffles.
7. Watershed Kitchen + Bar
Watershed Kitchen does more than just craft award-winning spirits—it also has a restaurant that makes the most of those house-made elixirs. With a seasonal menu, Chef Jack Moore's dishes pair perfectly with Watershed’s cocktails. The fried chicken here is legendary, but it’s the whiskey flights that seal the deal, making this the perfect place for a long, lazy dinner.
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