East Market

🗣️ Let Jess Tell It 📍 East Market | Franklin Park, Columbus 🔹 Price per person: $15–30 🔹 Wait time for a table: No table service — grab a seat wherever you can 🔹 Noise level: Moderate to loud (it’s a food hall, so expect a buzz) 🔹 Seating options: Communal tables, bar seating, high-tops, outdoor patio 🔹 Vegetarian options: Yes — several stalls offer veggie choices 🔹 Dietary restrictions: Vendor-dependent; some gluten-free options available 🔹 Parking: Free lot + street parking (fills quickly on weekends or event days) 🔹 Kid-friendly: Yes, but keep an eye on them — very open and active 🔹 Wheelchair accessible: Yes, wide walkways & accessible seating ⸻ East Market stays booked and busy in the best way — a true Columbus-style food hall where you can wander, browse, and let your appetite pick the direction. Even though I grabbed my actual meal next door at Local Cantina Trolley Barn, I still walked through to get the vibe, take in the energy, and check out who’s serving what. Vendors you’ll spot inside: • Creole 2 Geaux — Cajun/Creole comfort dishes • Just Chicken — crispy chicken sandwiches & tenders • Koso — ramen, noodles, and rice bowls • The Pitt BBQ — smoked meats and sides • Hisham’s Bakery — Middle Eastern pastries • Reverie — cocktails & spirits • The Plant Gays, Poke Bowl, and dessert spots like The Cheesecake Girl (Perfect for groups that can’t agree on anything.) Good-to-know for first-timers: • There’s no single line — each vendor has its own counter. • You’ll order your food, grab your tray, and then find a seat anywhere in the building. • The bar inside stays active, especially evenings and weekends. • On busy nights, seats turn over fast but not instantly — be ready to do a little “table scouting.” • The building itself is renovated with a historic trolley barn feel — lots of natural light and exposed brick. • Great place to bring out-of-towners: you can sample multiple Columbus spots without driving all over the city. Even without eating inside this time, it reminded me why East Market works: It solves the “What are we eating?” standoff better than almost anywhere else in the city. 📌 Save this if you want a go-to Columbus spot with options, drinks, and an easy setup for groups. Question for the community: What vendor are you loyal to in here? I’ll try them on my next actual eating visit.

Wonderful place for the whole family or a date. Many restaurants to choose from. Many different cuisines, all very delicious !!!!! Historic buildings. A must see !!!

I ate at the soul food restaurant today , the food was phenomenal. It taste like it was cooked with love and seasoning. The dish I had could have been served in the best of restaurants my adjectives are hot , fresh and tasty. I did notice a plaque , own and operated by a black woman and she should be proud of her accomplishments. One critique and I won’t shed a spotlight on it but service. The young lady who waited on me today 7/24/25 could have been a bit more welcoming and friendly. I won’t elaborate but it was obviously worth mentioning. Anyway the food was great made with time and dedication , seasoned not too much not too little definitely a balance and worth the investment. My meatloaf platter was about 15 dollars and came with 3 delicious sides .

Such a great mix of diversity, culture, and cuisine! Lots of parking, seating and variety! More than worth the visit, offering something for everyone! I can't wait to go back!

We came to this market on Thursday. There were many restaurants and bars, but I felt the variety of cuisine here was not as many as other markets in Columbus. There were Mexican, Asian, Italian, and classic American dishes, but I was not interested in them. The room was kind of small. The patio was great but parking lots were limited.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting East Market in Columbus, and it was an absolute delight! This vibrant food hall and market is a fantastic addition to the city’s culinary scene. The variety of vendors offers something for everyone, from mouthwatering BBQ and fresh sushi to artisanal desserts and craft cocktails. I tried the hibachi chicke and egg roll. They had a sign that their food was made from scratch and would take 10 min. The yum yum sauce was great. It delivered bold flavors and high quality ingredients. The atmosphere is lively yet relaxed, we found a table big enough for our party of 10. The only downside was the smoke upstairs and the parking. I think going to the conservatory and then walking over for a lunch would be a fun day. I liked the historical information board and the trackslaid into the floor as a nod to the past history of the building. The market is clean, well-designed, and easy to navigate. East Market is a must-visit for foodies and anyone looking for a fun, flavorful experience in Columbus—I can’t wait to return!

I had a delightful time visiting my friend at the Beardy Baker. I also visited several other shops that I frequent. The atmosphere was lively, and there was a nice crowd view of the March Madness sports that were being broadcast. I was able to catch up on some basketball scores as well.

Update: as much as we go to the East Market, we should be members now. I like the market but they really need to do something about their ventilation systems. We shouldn't leave smelling like food, and it's not because it's small. Even when the doors are open the stench of multiple food vendors food is stuck with you when you leave. I do not like smelling like grill meat all day. We were so glad they put another market here (even though it's not as big as North Market, it's not even as big as Dublin North Market). Hopefully it will continue to grow and flourish! Parking is always a slight mess and the lot is so tight, unless you park behind the East Market in the Local Cantina parking lot. They also should add a hood over front part of the patio so that when it rains people can still sit outside.