Best Restaurants in Columbus (2025)
Agni
Fine dining restaurant · Brewery District
Top Chef alum Avishar Barua’s live-fire tasting menu channels Columbus’ multicultural energy with storytelling plates. Recognized by national outlets like Bon Appétit and Food & Wine, and named a 2025 Restaurants of the Year pick by USA Today. Reservations essential.
The Refectory Restaurant
French restaurant · Olentangy
Columbus fine-dining royalty inside a former 19th‑century church. French technique, polished service, and a deep cellar have earned long-running praise from Wine Spectator and AAA. A rite of passage for special evenings.
Veritas
Restaurant · Uptown District
Chef Josh Dalton’s downtown flagship delivers themed tasting menus in a sleek, underground space with an all‑glass kitchen. Frequently cited by local critics and national dining guides for creativity and service.
Speck Italian Eatery
Restaurant · Uptown District
A lively downtown room for house‑made pastas and Italian classics with personality. Praised by The Infatuation and spotlighted by Axios for its fresh pasta program and spirited vibe.
Barcelona Restaurant and Bar
Spanish restaurant · Schumacher Place
A German Village institution since 1996 where paella, tapas, and a strong wine list meet one of the city’s most beloved patios. Often recommended by local critics for consistent cooking and hospitality.
HARU Omakase
Sushi restaurant · Columbus
A polished omakase with a chef’s counter and five curated “tours” of pristine seafood. Lauded by The Infatuation and local writers for quality fish, smart pairings, and engaging chefs. Reserve the counter if you can.
Hoyo's Kitchen
Restaurant · Arena District
Family‑run Somali cooking that’s helped define Columbus’ African food scene—spiced rice, goat, sambusas, and bright juices. A favorite of local food writers and North Market regulars for fast, flavorful plates with heart.
Xi Xia Chinese Cuisine
Chinese restaurant · Olentangy
Hand‑pulled noodles, beef shank stirred noodles, and hearty bone‑broth soups anchor this Kenny Centre favorite. The Infatuation calls it some of the city’s best Chinese—order wide noodles and extra chili oil.
Bonifacio
Filipino restaurant · Fifth by Northwest
Modern Filipino cooking and warm hospitality, from lumpia to adobo ribs. The Infatuation highlights its communal kamayan feasts on banana leaves—an only‑in‑Columbus experience that spotlights the city’s Filipino community.
Service Bar at Middle West Spirits Distillery
American restaurant · The Short North
Inside the acclaimed local distillery, Service Bar pairs inventive cocktails with a focused menu from Chef James Tuckey. Profiled by Ohio Magazine; a go‑to for spirited dinners and date nights.
Wolf's Ridge Brewing
Restaurant · Uptown District
A brewery where the kitchen matters: polished seasonal dinners and one of the city’s best brunches. The Infatuation recommends it for beer, cocktails, and refined comfort food in a handsome downtown space.
Metsi's
Italian restaurant · Short North
New for 2025 from the team behind Chapman’s and Ginger Rabbit: live‑fire Italian plates, radiatori alla Roma, and a Negroni‑forward bar. Covered by Columbus Underground and praised by local writers for craft and atmosphere.
