What Are the Must-Try Restaurants in Columbus, Ohio?

Several Columbus restaurants consistently stand out as essential stops, covering a range of cuisines, price points, and neighborhoods.

The Thurman Cafe in German Village is the go-to for oversized burgers, with the signature Thurmanator regularly pulling in national attention. Expect to wait on weekends. Haiku Poetic Food & Art in the Short North serves Japanese-inspired small plates in the $12–$22 range and books up quickly on Friday and Saturday nights. For Columbus-style pizza, Massey's Pizza has been a local institution since 1949, with a thin-crust, square-cut style that separates it from chains. Yabo's Tacos, with locations including one near the OSU campus on North High Street, runs street tacos under $5 each and stays open late, making it a practical pick after evening events. Hen Quarter in the Short North focuses on Southern comfort food and draws a consistent crowd for its fried chicken and weekend brunch, with brunch plates typically running $14–$20.

For a broader sweep, the Short North corridor on North High Street concentrates more independent restaurants per block than any other stretch in the city, making it a reliable starting point if you want to walk between options.

Check individual restaurant sites for current hours, as several have adjusted post-pandemic schedules.