Best Restaurants in Columbus GA (2025)

Chef Jamie Keating’s riverfront flagship delivers polished tasting menus and wine service. Recognized with AAA Four Diamond and honored by the Georgia Restaurant Association, Epic is the city’s fine-dining standard-bearer and still very much in its stride.

Set in a restored cotton warehouse by the river, 11th and Bay champions seasonal Southern cooking and local purveyors. Frequently praised by regional travel editors and featured by Georgia’s official tourism site, it’s a quintessential Columbus dinner.

A sleek seafood and steak spot from longtime local restaurateurs, Saltcellar is known for polished service, strong cocktails, and scratch desserts. Cited by travel media roundups and state tourism, it anchors Uptown’s date-night circuit.

This locally owned Italian steakhouse blends house-butchered steaks, throwback red-sauce comfort, and a lively Uptown vibe. Frequently recommended by Georgia travel editors and local critics, it’s a go-to for celebratory dinners.

Uptown’s stalwart for elevated Southern plates and one of the city’s most loved burgers. Its bacon pimento cheeseburger earned Garden & Gun readers’ acclaim and the restaurant is featured by Explore Georgia for classic comfort done right.

A downtown cafeteria line since 1986, Minnie’s serves fried chicken, salmon patties, and a changing slate of sides. Celebrated in Georgia’s 100 Plates Locals Love and praised by local press, it remains a lunchtime rite of passage.

Home of the iconic scrambled dog, this century-old neighborhood pharmacy still runs a lunch counter. Chronicled by Georgia Public Broadcasting and the Ledger-Enquirer, it’s pure Columbus food lore served with cherry Cokes and milkshakes.

A chef-driven neighborhood spot for locally sourced meats, seasonal produce, and a strong brunch. Covered by local news when it opened and sustained by a loyal following, it adds modern Southern flair to Uptown’s scene.

One of Georgia’s early brewpubs, housed in a historic Uptown building with a brick oven and house beers. Featured by Explore Georgia and regional travel writers, it’s a family-friendly standby for pizzas, burgers, and local history.

A fiercely local pizzeria using a New York–built brick oven and Italian ingredients. Its pies have placed at the International Pizza Challenge, and locals swear by the margherita, alla vodka, and mushroom cream sauce combinations.

A family-run diner since 1959 serving all-day breakfast, plate lunches, and house-baked sweets. Lauded by Georgia travel guides and beloved by locals, it’s the place for pancakes, biscuits and gravy, or a classic patty melt.

Downtown’s biscuit powerhouse from a local restaurant group, serving fried chicken, biscuit beignets, and scratch breakfasts. Frequently recommended by local guides and press, it’s a cheerful, quick-moving spot for breakfast or lunch.