Thanks to a mixture of creativity, immigration, business headquarters, colleges and universities, and some X-factor awesomeness, restaurants in downtown Columbus, Ohio are plentiful—and serve up some seriously great bites. Fortunately, you will only need to take a few steps off Columbus College of Art & Design’s campus to explore some of the best of Columbus’ killer restaurant scene. To get you started, here are 14 places you can find in and around the downtown Discovery District neighborhood with standout bites and beverages:
Enjoy international flavors at these restaurants in downtown Columbus, Ohio
Los Potosinos
Pollo al Carbon (aka Grilled Chicken) Dinner Plate
695 E. Long St.
Formerly a favorite food truck around downtown Columbus, Los Potosinos recently landed a brick-and-mortar location in the King-Lincoln-Bronzeville District, a short walk from CCAD’s campus. Los Potosinos’ dinner plates include beans, rice, a small salad, corn tortillas, salsa and, in the case of the Pollo al Carbon ($15), smoky, lightly charred meat that falls right off the bone.
Second helping: Get three Mexican-Style Tacos ($10) with your choice of meat, plus onion, cilantro, lime, and cucumber, and keep an eye out for taco discounts on Thursdays. (Yes, Thursdays!)
The Hills Market Downtown
Beef Shish Kebabs with Saffron Rice (Charmy’s Persian Taste)
95 N. Grant Ave.
In addition to all the foods you might expect from a specialty grocery store, the Hills Market Downtown is also home to Charmy’s Persian Taste, a pop-up restaurant that offers catering and prepared foods such as Beef Shish Kebabs with Saffron Rice ($18.50). Meat is halal and ground in-house; gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan choices also are available.
Second helping: Killer Brownies (in the Hills Market bakery case) live up to their name.
Pierogi Mountain
Potato Cheddar Pierogi
105 N. Grant Ave.
You can’t mess with a classic, and Pierogi Mountain’s Potato Cheddar Pierogi ($2.25) is a classic for a reason—although you’ll definitely want to try the more unusual fillings (which change weekly, and include vegan options), such as Ghost Pepper Grits or Tomatillo Chile Verde. Pro tip: Head to the Mountain on Tuesdays, when one of the dumplings will set you back only $1.50.
Second helping: Chicken Paprikash, a filling Hungarian chicken stew over egg noodles ($9.50), is irresistible comfort food.
Best places for breakfast in downtown Columbus, Ohio
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing
Toad in the Hole
215 N. Fourth St.
Executive Chef Kristopher Ludwig serves up an elevated take on Midwestern comfort food at this downtown restaurant-brewery. But one item stays on the brunch menu, week in and week out—for good reason. The Toad in the Hole ($18) is an amped-up version of what you ate as a kid. Here, an egg is fried in a hole cut in a fat slice of buttery brioche, and the concoction is drizzled with porter cheese sauce. Fingerling potatoes and applewood smoked bacon sidle up alongside.
Second helping: Jalapeño Hotcakes, served with maple syrup ($5) provide a sweet-spicy kick to your meal.
Goood Friends
Up the Street Bagel
171 N. Fourth St.
Think of Goood Friends as an eatery supergroup, created by the founders and chefs behind some of Columbus' favorite restaurants, including Paulie Gee's, and Wario’s. Located at Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery, Goood Friends’ brunch offerings like the Up the Street Bagel ($15), served Wario’s Way with Wario’s sauce-whipped cream cheese and a McMuffin-style egg on a sesame bagel from Lox, are worth waking up for.
Second helping: Goood Friends’ menu leans carnivore, with sandwiches like the Juicy Jackie ($13), which features mushroom-blended beef, American cheese, griddled and crispy onions, “good sauce,” Duke’s mayo, and dill pickle on a semolina roll.
Broad Street Bagels and Deli
Bagel with Cream Cheese
66 E. Broad St
Sometimes you just want the classics. Broad Street Bagels and Deli delivers—at a discount—with a traditional bagel and cream cheese ($3.50)
Second helping: Want something with a bit more heft? Broad Street's Homestyle Sandwich ($6) features two eggs, ham, bacon or sausage, and your choice of cheese on a bagel or toast.
Coffee, tea, and more in downtown Columbus, Ohio
Roosevelt Coffeehouse
Black Tonic
300 E. Long St.
What are coffee and tonic water doing in a cold drink ($5.25) together? Making bitter-sweet happy bubbles, that’s what. Roosevelt combines its own Roosevelt Coffee Roasters Griffin Espresso with crisp, barely sweet Fever Tree tonic in its version, which boosts the citrus notes in the coffee and tames any threat of syrupy texture.
Second helping: The pastry case is a veritable tour of Columbus bakeries. Whether you choose a vegan take on Pop-Tarts or a New York-style bagel from Sammy’s, you’ll be satisfied with good eats.
Brioso Roastery & Coffee Bar
House Chai
329 E. Long St.
Set aside the boxed stuff for Brioso’s House Chai ($3.50), made in-house with steamed milk. Need an extra kick? Ask them to throw in a shot of espresso.
Second helping: Petal to the Metal ($5) sounds tough, but this rose vanilla latte is made with Brioso’s housemade, delicate rose petal and vanilla bean syrup and is available hot or iced.
Best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in downtown Columbus, Ohio
Tiger + Lily
DanDan Mazemen Tofu
19 E. Gay St.
Tiger + Lily’s twist on the most popular noodle is not to be missed! Enjoy a hearty and spicy dish of thick ramen, tofu, sunny side up egg, house special tahini based sauce, chili oil, nori, and Szechuan peppercorn.
Second helping: Enjoy a sweet pick-me-up with a Thai Tea ($5).
4th & State
Vegan milkshakes
152 E. State Street
Crave a milkshake but don’t do dairy? The whipped cream-and-cherry-topped vegan milkshakes at plant-based diner 4th & State are udderly delicious—and free of cow’s milk. Select from classic dinner styles like vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry ($9) or amp things up with specialty milkshakes in flavors like strawberry cheesecake, cookies & cream, or salted caramel ($11).
Second helping: Loaded fries ($11)—seasoned fries topped with queso, tempeh bacon, ranch drizzle, and green onion—are perfect to share with friends. (And they’re not just vegan, but gluten-free, too!)
Find salads that satisfy at these restaurants in downtown Columbus, Ohio
Matt and Tony's
Roasted Chicken Salad
340 E. Gay St.
Don’t forget to bring your appetite when you head to Matt and Tony’s, where you’ll find traditional bar fare like pretzel bites and chicken wings alongside “Big Bowl Salads”—oversized salads such as the Roasted Chicken Salad ($12.79) served up in large stainless steel mixing bowls.
Second helping: The House-Made Tots ($9.69) are huge—and not to be missed.
Market 65
Custom Salad or Wrap
65 E. State St.
Get fresh with one of Market 65’s generously sized salads or wraps, which include local and organic produce, a variety of protein options, and house-made dressing. While there are plenty of salads to choose from on the menu, you can also customize your meal ($9.95 base price) as you select among options such as Tuscan kale, grilled sweet corn, baked Parmesan cheese crisps, blackened chicken, and more.
Second helping: Scratch-made soups and stews ($4.50) change daily to reflect the flavors of the season.
Take a date to one of these restaurants in downtown Columbus, Ohio
Schokko Art Café
Good Italian Boy
480 E. Broad St.
Executive Chef Laura Richmond brings a farm-to-table approach to cooking at Schokko, located inside the Columbus Museum of Art, just steps away from CCAD’s campus. In addition to breakfast served all day, loads of lights bites, salads and sides, the cafe boasts tasty sandwiches to choose from, including the Good Italian Boy ($18), which is loaded up with capicola, mortadella, and salami, romaine lettuce, tomato, provolone, nduja, and banana pepper jam on house ciabatta.
Second helping: Schokko’s Quiche of the Day ($12) serves up hearty, seasonal flavors year round.
Degrees, Blend Bakery and Cafe at Columbus State
Bourbon & Brown Sugar Salmon
250 Cleveland Ave.
Students in Columbus State Community College’s award-winning culinary arts program cook up something special at Degrees (an upscale restaurant) and Blend Bakery and Cafe (a coffee shop with scratch-made baked goods), both of which are located on the Columbus State campus. For a nice night out, enjoy Degrees’ Bourbon & Brown Sugar Salmon ($20), which serves up marinated salmon alongside mashed sweet potatoes, Haricot vert, and an onion straw garnish. Or if you’re meeting a friend for a quick bite, swing by Blend for a revolving selection of cinnamon rolls, scones, whoopie pies, donuts and other baked delights.
Second helping: Enjoy a cold brew ($3.75) at Blend and tip generously—gratuities go to the Mid-Ohio Market at Columbus State, which provides food and other necessities for individuals in need.
Header image: From dining al fresco at Schokko Art Café to cozying up with coffee at Roosevelt Coffeehouse, you’ll find loads of options among the restaurants in downtown Columbus, Ohio.
Learn more about things to do in Columbus, Ohio—and why Columbus is a great city for young creatives—on our Columbus is Calling webpage.
