Columbus, Ohio, often dubbed the heartland of America, might not be the first city that springs to mind when you think of a foodie paradise. However, beneath the surface of this Midwestern gem, a vibrant and exciting culinary scene has been quietly blossoming. For those in the know, or those willing to venture off the beaten path, Columbus is serving up some of the most remarkable and diverse food experiences in the United States. Forget flyover country clichés; prepare to be amazed by a city where farm-fresh produce meets innovative chefs, creating a food landscape that’s both grounded and globally inspired. If you’re searching for the Best Food In Columbus Ohio, you’re in for a treat.
Aaah, Columbus, Ohio. Flyover country? Heartland? The Heart of It All? For many, it’s simply home. But for those returning or visiting with fresh eyes, Columbus reveals itself as a culinary destination that rivals many of the coasts. Tucked away amidst the familiar cornfields and unassuming strip malls of Central Ohio lies a food scene that’s capturing national attention. Who would have guessed that this once meat-and-potatoes town would become a haven for food lovers?
My own formative years were spent in Central Ohio, in the quaint town of Delaware, just a short drive north of Columbus. Back then, while Ohio was rich in agricultural bounty, the culinary scene was still finding its footing. Ohio’s fertile lands and warm summers have always yielded incredible produce. There’s nothing quite like biting into a sweet cob of Ohio corn, picked fresh from the stalk. And Ohio’s meat industry has long been top-tier. Local farmers took pride in raising quality livestock, a testament to the region’s agricultural heritage.
Yet, for years, the local restaurant scene didn’t fully capitalize on these incredible local resources. Consider the iconic Ohio State Fair butter cow. This quirky tradition perfectly encapsulates the region’s abundance and, perhaps, initial culinary direction. Dairy artisans sculpt a life-sized cow from a ton of rich, creamery butter, displayed in a refrigerated case for fairgoers to admire with almost reverent awe. It’s a spectacle that highlights Ohio’s dairy prowess, and in a particularly memorable year, a butter statue of Dave Thomas, the Columbus-based founder of Wendy’s, joined the butter cow in a true celebration of Central Ohio food themes.
In retrospect, these mountains of butter sculpted into statues seem like a fitting, albeit slightly humorous, symbol for a city brimming with culinary potential that was just waiting to be unlocked. The ingredients were there, the industrious spirit was present, but the culinary scene hadn’t yet fully coalesced into the dynamic force it is today.
When I left Central Ohio in 2000, the food scene was on the cusp of transformation. Chain restaurants were starting to share the stage with locally-owned establishments focused on quality and innovation. Cameron Mitchell, a Columbus native, began building his culinary empire in the 1990s, laying the groundwork for the sophisticated dining landscape we see now. His upcoming trendy food hall in the revitalized Budd Dairy building is a testament to his continued influence. However, a pivotal moment arrived about fifteen years ago when Jeni Britton Bauer, from her humble ice cream stand in Columbus’ North Market, revolutionized ice cream by harnessing Central Ohio’s exceptional ingredients. (More on Jeni’s later – because it’s essential!). Jeni spearheaded a new wave of foodie consciousness and pride in Central Ohio. Today, Columbus is rightfully earning its place as one of the best food cities in the USA, offering a diverse and exciting range of culinary experiences.
Each time I return to Columbus, my in-laws, in their earnest (and ongoing) campaign to lure us back home, embark on a culinary tour of the city with my wife and me. Initially, these tours felt a little obligatory. But then, something remarkable happened: the restaurants they chose were genuinely excellent. Truly excellent. After our most recent visit, it’s undeniable: Columbus has definitively arrived as a food destination. It’s now a city I’d wholeheartedly recommend traveling to solely for the food.
The vibrant heart of Columbus’s foodie renaissance is undoubtedly the Short North Arts District. This trendy neighborhood stretches along High Street, connecting the Ohio State University campus to downtown Columbus. The Short North is a must-visit for anyone seeking the best food in Columbus Ohio. Long-standing favorites anchor the scene, including Tasi Cafe, a beloved spot for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, serving up delicious comfort food with a lively neighborhood atmosphere. Bakersfield offers a more upscale take on tacos and tequila, perfect for a fun night out. And Northstar Café is an organic café known for its delicious and wholesome salads and sandwiches, ideal for a relaxed and satisfying meal.
However, the true epicenter of the foodie scene in the Short North, and arguably in all of Columbus, is the North Market. Nestled amidst brick warehouses on the northern edge of downtown, this public market is a culinary treasure trove. Having lived in Seattle, home to the famous Pike Place Market, I can draw a direct comparison. While Pike Place Market is iconic, its fame has, unfortunately, made it overwhelmingly tourist-centric. It’s rare for locals to frequent Pike Place for everyday meals, and finding truly outstanding food can be a challenge amidst the tourist traps.
Columbus’s North Market, on the other hand, is a completely different experience. It’s a place where you could happily have lunch every day and never tire of the options. Unpretentious, bustling, and packed with incredible food vendors, the North Market has served as the incubator for Columbus’s burgeoning food scene. The market’s main floor is a delightful maze of local producers and food stalls, offering a global culinary journey from savory Polish pierogi to fragrant Vietnamese vermicelli bowls and delicate French macarons. Each vendor is more tempting than the last, but a few stand out as absolute must-tries for anyone seeking the best food in Columbus Ohio.
One such gem is Momo Ghar. This unassuming stall serves a simple yet incredibly satisfying menu of Nepalese-style dumplings called momos. Don’t let the Guy Fieri endorsement deter you – this place is genuinely fantastic. Momo Ghar perfectly exemplifies how Columbus’s curious foodies and growing immigrant communities converge and create magic at the North Market. The momos are handmade, bursting with flavor, and offer a delicious taste of Nepalese cuisine right in the heart of Ohio.
If you only have time for one meal at the North Market, make your way upstairs to Hot Chicken Takeover. Occupying a large, industrial-chic space, this spot is serving up some of the best Nashville-style fried chicken outside of Tennessee. But Hot Chicken Takeover is more than just incredible food; it’s a socially conscious business, proudly operating as a “fair chance employer,” providing opportunities for individuals formerly incarcerated or affected by homelessness. Eating here means supporting a business that values both delicious food and community impact, making it a truly special place to experience the best food in Columbus Ohio.
As you wait in line, a chalkboard displays the dwindling count of fresh chicken available for the day, a testament to its popularity. The line moves quickly, and soon you’ll be ordering your preferred spice level, ranging from “cold” to “fire” (most casual diners will find “warm” plenty hot). While waiting for your order, grab a complimentary cup of iced tea – sweet or unsweetened – and a small container of creamy ranch sauce (barbecue sauce isn’t needed here; the chicken is so flavorful and juicy it stands perfectly on its own). Find a spot at a communal table, equipped with rolls of brown paper towels, and anticipate the moment your name is called. The sides are simple – macaroni and cheese, coleslaw – but expertly prepared and complement the chicken perfectly. Hot Chicken Takeover is a must-experience for anyone exploring the best food in Columbus Ohio.
For a lighter bite at the North Market, Brezel offers an enticing array of German-style pretzels, from large, soft pretzels to smaller pretzel twists, in both sweet and savory varieties. On my last visit, I spotted a pretzel encrusted with colorful Crunch Berries and another topped with melting slivers of smoked gouda – proof of their playful and inventive approach to this classic snack. Nearby, Cajohns Flavor and Fire is a haven for spice lovers, boasting a dizzying selection of salsas and hot sauces to suit every palate, from mild and sweet to intensely fiery. While I have my personal favorites (the salsa verde and chipotle salsa are consistently excellent), I can never resist sampling new flavors at their extensive tasting bar. It’s a great place to pick up unique souvenirs and experience the bold flavors that Columbus’s food scene has to offer.
And now, for dessert. When it comes to satisfying your sweet tooth, there is no better choice in the North Market, in Columbus, or quite possibly in the entire United States, than Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. As mentioned earlier, Jeni Britton Bauer launched her ice cream stand right here in the North Market in 2002. She forged relationships with fellow market vendors and local suppliers, ingeniously incorporating their high-quality produce into her ice creams. Her Backyard Mint, for example, is an off-white ice cream that tastes authentically of fresh mint, the kind that flourishes in a home garden, rather than artificial peppermint flavoring and bright green dye. Another North Market-inspired creation is her Sweet Corn and Black Raspberries, a flavor that perfectly captures the essence of summer in Ohio. Jeni’s is truly a cornerstone of the best food in Columbus Ohio.
Jeni’s ice cream is the epitome of ice cream perfection. It’s the In-N-Out Burger of frozen desserts. The texture is unbelievably smooth and creamy – rich, but never cloying. It melts on your tongue in the most delightful way. And the flavors… the flavors are simply magnificent. Jeni boldly names her ice creams with superlative descriptions, like “The Milkiest Chocolate In The World,” which sound almost hyperbolic, yet somehow, they live up to the hype.
Jeni’s flavors are both simple and complex. Like a perfectly orchestrated dish from a master chef, each ingredient plays its role flawlessly. Take the Bangkok Peanut, for example. It’s a rich and creamy peanut butter flavor, made with real, nutty peanut butter, not the overly processed kind. To this, she adds coconut toasted to caramelized perfection. And then, a touch of cayenne pepper, which provides a subtle warmth at the back of your throat, adding an unexpected and exotic twist just as you think you’ve experienced the full flavor profile. Ice cream with a spicy finish might sound gimmicky, but in Jeni’s skilled hands, it’s a masterpiece. Experiencing Jeni’s is essential to understanding why Columbus is considered a top destination for the best food in Columbus Ohio.
In addition to her extensive list of year-round flavors (the Gooey Butter Cake is a must-try), Jeni always features a rotating selection of seasonal creations. I still fondly remember her Pumpernickel ice cream from a past Christmas season. On my recent visit, I enjoyed another favorite, Savannah Buttermint, which tastes like creamy, melt-in-your-mouth after-dinner mints in frozen form. The Pickled Mango is a fascinating blend of sweet and tangy. And the Watermelon Buttermilk Frozen Yogurt captures the essence of the best summer watermelon, elevated to another level.
I could easily continue raving about Jeni’s flavors (and clearly, I am!), but recently, she outdid herself with the ultimate ice cream delivery system: the Buttercrisp Waffle Cone. Imagine a freshly made waffle cone, still warm from the griddle, dipped in melted, salty butter. The cone is a perfect balance of soft, crisp, sweet, and salty. It’s so good, it almost steals the show from the ice cream itself.
Jeni has even published a cookbook that empowers home cooks to create ice cream nearly as incredible as her shop offerings – and it rightly earned a James Beard Award. (Having made several batches of Jeni’s ice cream at home, I can confirm that following her instructions yields fantastic results). Jeni’s has expanded beyond Columbus, with a thriving mail-order business and scoop shops in other US cities. However, a visit to the original mothership in Columbus’s North Market is a true pilgrimage for any ice cream lover and a key part of experiencing the best food in Columbus Ohio.
Okay, enough about ice cream (though, can there ever truly be enough ice cream?). My apologies for getting carried away. My in-laws often joke that I visit Columbus as much for Jeni’s as for them. I haven’t yet corrected their assumption.
While the Short North and North Market are ground zero for Columbus’s foodie explosion, other culinary destinations are scattered throughout the metro area, adding to the city’s diverse offerings of the best food in Columbus Ohio.
Just east of High Street, in the charming Italian Village neighborhood, Fourth North has become a hub for artisanal breweries. Here you’ll find Wolf’s Ridge Brewing (known for its exceptional attached restaurant and more casual taproom), Seventh Son Brewing Co., and Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen. These breweries offer a fantastic selection of locally crafted beers and often feature delicious food options, making it a great area to explore for drinks and casual dining.
West of downtown, in an industrial area of the upscale Grandview neighborhood, lies Watershed Distillery. Beyond offering tours of their distillery, where they produce a wide range of spirits using Ohio-sourced ingredients like apple brandy, they also operate a lively cocktail bar and restaurant. Their cocktail menu is famously creative and entertaining, with drink names like “Teenage Dirtbag” and “Big Papi.” The cuisine is equally bold and experimental, blending local favorites with innovative twists, such as large ribs with Asian-inspired flavors. Watershed Distillery is a unique destination for those seeking a more adventurous culinary experience in Columbus.
My previous favorite high-end restaurant in Central Ohio was once unexpectedly located in the unassuming downtown shopping district of my hometown, Delaware, Ohio – directly across from the local movie theater where I worked during college. Food enthusiasts from across Ohio would flock to Veritas to experience Chef Josh Dalton’s refined and confident cooking. He masterfully combines cutting-edge culinary techniques with a distinctly unpretentious Central Ohio approach. A past dinner at Veritas remains one of the best-value meals I’ve ever had, offering creativity and execution on par with a Michelin-starred European restaurant, but at Delaware, Ohio, prices.
Chef Dalton’s culinary ambition and command of molecular gastronomy – think savory bacon risotto with a perfectly cooked sous vide egg, scallop with pungent kimchi and crispy rice, and Wagyu beef short rib with palate-awakening chimichurri – has converted many to the foodie movement in Central Ohio. Veritas has recently relocated to a more fitting location in downtown Columbus, situated between the North Market and the statehouse, and adjusted its prices accordingly ($90 for the eight-course tasting menu). However, it remains an unmissable opportunity to shatter any lingering preconceptions about Columbus being a culinary backwater. Veritas is a must-try for those seeking the best food in Columbus Ohio at the higher end of the spectrum.
While there are numerous other excellent dining options scattered throughout and beyond the I-270 outerbelt, this selection provides a glimpse into why I now eagerly anticipate my trips back to Ohio… beyond just reconnecting with family and friends. I acknowledge my bias, but trust me, no one was more skeptical of Central Ohio’s culinary scene than someone who relocated to the food-centric Pacific Northwest. Take it from this returning son: Columbus, Ohio, is genuinely the most underrated foodie destination in the USA.
