OT: restaurants in and around Columbus

Submitted by Wendyk5 on

My husband and I are taking our son to college at the end of August. We'll have one night for dinner before he moves in, so I'd like to find a place with good food, maybe a steak place. We're staying in Newark, and he's going to Denison in Granville, so any recommendations in that area would be greatly appreciated. We're up for going to Columbus, too. 

Section 1.8

August 9th, 2018 at 12:26 AM ^

The obvious answer is to go to the Easton Town Center outdoor mall, in the northeast part of metropolitan Columbus.  All the Denison kids will be talking about it, and wanting to go there.  Plenty of places to eat there.

If you want to venture into Columbus, visit the Short North area and if great dining and a very fine restaurant is your thing, my personal favorite is Lindeys in German Village which is one of the nicer parts of town to visit and find restaurants.  You will go through downtown and past the capitol building to get there, most likely.

Eddie George's Grill on High Street is fairly near to the High St. - Lane Ave. intersection which gets you near Ohio Stadium, St. John Arena and the Schottenstein Center.

S5R48S10

August 9th, 2018 at 6:08 AM ^

Lindeys may the best restaurant in town, but the rest of German Village is no slouch.  Sycamore and Barcelona both feature excellent menus and Schmidt's and Thurman Cafe make for great dining experiences.

There are several Denison alums in my family.  Granville is, of course, a charming town with a couple of okay places to eat.  There is a lot of money there, so I'm always surprised there arent more good dining options.

Nothing worthwhile in Newark and you couldn't pay me enough to go to Easton on a weekend.

901 P

August 9th, 2018 at 9:00 AM ^

We used to go to Barcelona way back in the late 90s/early 2000s. I liked it a lot. I'm guessing a lot of other places from that era are no longer around because I haven't seen them mentioned--Handke's, the Refectory, Rigsby's. 

Is North Market still a good around? Kind of akin to Reading Terminal Market in Philly. Multiple options for people with different tastes. It was also the original home of Jeni's (had a different name back then). It was almost just a one-woman operation back then. Humble beginnings and all that!

S5R48S10

August 9th, 2018 at 9:13 AM ^

North Market is thriving and as good as ever.  It closes at 7 most nights (5 on Sun/Mon) so it'll have to be an early dinner to go there.  This is best though, because it is across the street from all of the Arena District frat bro bars which are absolutely obnoxious.  

If you're willing to brave the crowds and parking situation, the Arena District/Short North area has the highest concentration of good restaurants.  

That's right, I'm 35 and sound like a bitter old man.  Get off my lawn!

NatedoggGoBlue

August 9th, 2018 at 8:19 PM ^

Eddies is not on High St. anymore it’s off Goodale closer to Grandview. 

I currently live in CBus and as much as it pains me to say it, the city has some great food.

some personal favorites:

Happy Greek (Short North)

Marcella’s (Short North)

Schmidt’s (German Village)

Thurman’s (Great Burgers, was on Man v. Food) (German Village)

Katzinger’s Deli (German Village)

Hyde Park Steakhouse (Short North)

slimj091

August 9th, 2018 at 12:56 AM ^

The only place I can recommend is Schmidt's sausage haus. I try and avoid Cbus whenever I can, but I've ate there the few times I've been forced to go to Columbus. I would suggest the Autobahn buffet.

Jeldridge45

August 9th, 2018 at 1:10 AM ^

There are a ton of good places, I've lived here for 10+ years. Mohawk Lounge in German Village is my personal favorite.

If you're going to be in Granville, then you'll have to visit the Granville Inn at some point, along with Moe's original BBQ.

If you'd like to stay east of 270, I'd go to Hudson 29 or the Barn at Rocky Fork Creek (both in the New Albany/Gahanna area)

As stated above, Easton is a great place, yet is mostly chain places.

oriental andrew

August 9th, 2018 at 8:55 AM ^

My sister (UM alumna, husband is an MIT alum) lived in Powell and worked in Dublin for about 4 years. I also had a client in c'bus and had to travel there for work several times. Also went there a couple of times as a student, both times with men's Glee Club. Hated it, but at least they didn't boo us, lol. 

Honestly, if you avoid the campus, it's actually a pretty nice town. Campus, especially after football gamedays, is an absolute wreck. Do not like. 

Recommendations around Short North and German Village are excellent. I can't remember having a bad meal on any of my visits. 

Arinix

August 9th, 2018 at 2:43 AM ^

I’m from Granville, glad to see it mentioned on MGoBlog. For Granville itself, Snapshots, a sandwich shop is pretty good, as is Moe’s BBQ if that’s your thing. Whit’s is a Granville institution and a frozen custard shop, so for more casual fare that may be a good bet. 

ChicagoBigHouse

August 9th, 2018 at 4:53 AM ^

North Star is excellent. Great lunch brunch or dinner.  

The pearl on high street.  

Brassica

Staufs coffee

harvest pizza

jeni’s ice cream

third and Hollywood  

aki hana sushi 

martini’s is excellent   

 

 

Cw1lly33

August 9th, 2018 at 5:04 AM ^

Schmidts in german village is a favorite. There is really nice indian restaurant called haveli bistro downtown. Thurmans is a great burger place. Anymore questions let me know. Ive been living here since early 2015.

UMProud

August 9th, 2018 at 5:15 AM ^

If you have Michigan plates on your vehicle make sure to check your food for spit, goobers, rat shit, dingleberries or other associated Ohio condiments

outsidethebox

August 9th, 2018 at 7:21 AM ^

Just stop out at Plain City and eat some Amish/Mennonite fare. You can stop by Select Sires and look at the bulls...we used to take cows there for embryo transplant work-they are very good :) 

We worked a lot with MSU and OSU folks on our herd of Angus and Hereford cattle. 

MichiganFan1984

August 9th, 2018 at 8:02 AM ^

Upscale pizza that is awesome - Paulie Gees in Columbus

Greatest Pizza in the world, not exaggerating- Elms Pizza in Granville. Elms is a hidden gem especially if you like thin crust. I seriously consider driving 3 hrs sometimes to go get it, it’s that good! Anyone else on the board ever been there? 

S5R48S10

August 9th, 2018 at 9:16 AM ^

Yeah, Elm's is generally our go-to in Granville.  It's good Mom n' Pop pizza but far from the greatest I've had.  I'd save that one for a quick-bite kind of meal, rather than a send-your-son-off-to-college meal.  

Not been to Paulie Gees, will have to check that one out.  

Mr. Robot

August 9th, 2018 at 8:16 AM ^

Schmidt's, Thurman's Cafe, and Hofbrauhaus are my personal favorites.

As good as Thurman's is, it is a hole in the wall sort of place and you will have to wait quite a while depending on when you go there due to the very limited space.

Schmidt's is also very crowded depending on the time but does have plenty of space so it moves through people quickly at least and they also own and run an excellent candy shop next door you can kill some time in.

Hofbrauhaus is a German-based outfit that is starting to put some locations in America, one of which is in Columbus. Food is decent to good and the beer is excellent. I have been told that they import the beer for Oktoberfest straight from Germany rather than make it locally but I have not been there at the right time of year to confirm.

blueohio86

August 9th, 2018 at 8:22 AM ^

I live in Columbus. OSU fans are super kind and gracious to me here. Just kidding. They're almost always horrible. It ain't easy being a Michigan fan in the lion's den.

Anyway, Columbus actually has a ton of good restaurants to choose from. I'd second The Sycamore in German Village - thesycamoregv.com, Schmidts is always solid for great German cuisine - www.schmidthaus.com/, Harvest for Pizza - harvestpizzeria.com/, and Aab for great Indian food - https://www.aabindiarestaurants.com/. If you're looking for steak you can't really go wrong with one of the many Cameron Mitchell restaurants or the class Top Steak House in the Bexley area - https://thetopsteakhouse.com/.

Good luck to you! Enjoy your stay, and don't wear any gear near campus!

Blue in PA

August 9th, 2018 at 8:42 AM ^

I can appreciate your pain.... for 6 years I was married to a bitch from columbus.  seriously the most ignorant pricks i've ever encountered are down there.  I used to joke with her family and tell them that 80% of the fans give the rest of them a bad name.

O H, O No!  

blueohio86

August 9th, 2018 at 8:22 AM ^

I live in Columbus. OSU fans are super kind and gracious to me here. Just kidding. They're almost always horrible. It ain't easy being a Michigan fan in the lion's den.

Anyway, Columbus actually has a ton of good restaurants to choose from. I'd second The Sycamore in German Village - thesycamoregv.com, Schmidts is always solid for great German cuisine - www.schmidthaus.com/, Harvest for Pizza - harvestpizzeria.com/, and Aab for great Indian food - https://www.aabindiarestaurants.com/. If you're looking for steak you can't really go wrong with one of the many Cameron Mitchell restaurants or the class Top Steak House in the Bexley area - https://thetopsteakhouse.com/.

Good luck to you! Enjoy your stay, and don't wear any gear near campus!

Blue in PA

August 9th, 2018 at 8:35 AM ^

The Boathouse is a nice place, other than that Old bag of nails was a go to.

Gordon Biersch is pretty good too, if you're in the arena district.

 

 

Perkis-Size Me

August 9th, 2018 at 9:55 AM ^

Columbus actually does have some pretty good restaurants. If you're looking for a good sandwich and a fun place to go, Melt is great. Forewarning though: you need to come hungry or at least be prepared to take some home. The sandwiches are enormous, but they have a lot of great stuff. One down in the Short North and one at Easton. Marcella's in the Short North has some pretty good Italian. And then if you're ever in the mood for hot dogs, Dirty Franks in downtown is amazing. 

If you want something casual, North Market down in the arena district has a ton of great options. Like a huge farmers market and a few places to sit down at the counter and eat. If you're willing to go a little fancier, then Barcelona down in the German Village was my wife's and my favorite restaurant when we used to live there. Amazing paella. 

As far as breakfast goes, Jack and Benny's on High St is great, but be prepared to wait unless you get there early. DK Diner in Grandview is great too. Amazing doughnuts. 

Believe it or not, the city of Columbus does have some redeeming qualities. 

HoneyBrownB40

August 9th, 2018 at 10:46 AM ^

Wolf's Ridge Brewery in downtown Columbus has a really good dining room and tap rom menus (fancier in the front room and more low key in the back tap room) and their beers are awesome!

I had to go to Columbus a few times for work and went there every single time.

http://www.wolfsridgebrewing.com/

Get the Canis Mexicanus if it's still on tap.

hgb4529

August 9th, 2018 at 11:23 AM ^

I'm from Newark, OH so there are pretty good recommendations thus far on this board. If you head into Newark, I heard there is a new full service pizza place called Elliot's Wood Fired Kitchen in downtown off the square. I heard some positive reviews. I agree the most with heading to New Albany for the Barn since its a close drive from Granville. Consider that many restaurants will be packed since it's move-in weekend.

TMS-Mr. Ace

August 9th, 2018 at 12:22 PM ^

Wolf's Ridge is the correct take. Best restaurant AND brewery in the city.

Don't go to Easton.

If you want to stay on NE side then The Barn is a good option.

For steak I would go with Refectory or The Top, but Lindeys, Hyde Park, or Hudson 29 will be just fine.

FudgeImFromColumbus

August 9th, 2018 at 12:54 PM ^

If you want to travel to Columbus for a nice steak I would suggest The Top Steakhouse. It is in Bexley (suburban Columbus/eastside). This is one of the top steakhouses in the city and it gives an old Godfather atmosphere. For breakfast/brunch I would suggest Northstar cafe if you want to do that.