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Alley Burger, Downtown Columbus, Ohio

My go-to order here is the Wagyu Beef Smash Burger on a brioche bun with chopped onions and American cheese, plus a half order of the Cherry Alley fries finished with shaved parmesan and truffle oil. It’s a comfortable sit-down spot downtown where the greeting is warm and, on select nights, there’s live music to go with the sizzle from the flat top.

The menu centers on wagyu patties, from the straightforward Classic to the two-patty Alley Double and the fully loaded Do Not Disturb. If you’re not in a beef mood, you can swap in an Impossible patty, go poultry with the Spicy Chicken, or lean seafood with a Fish Burger or Salmon Cheesesteak. Starters run from fried pickles and buffalo cauliflower to a rich wagyu chili, and the “Alley Fries” come dressed a few different ways, including a truffled option.

There’s a Sunday daytime menu as well, the kind with pancakes, chicken and waffles, and shrimp and grits that makes downtown feel a lot less business and a lot more weekend. Portions skew hearty, so splitting a half order of fries or saving room for dessert isn’t a bad plan if you want to try more than one thing.

Service-wise, this is a full-service restaurant that takes reservations and offers online ordering for pickup. It’s an easy meet-up point if you’re already downtown, and the kitchen keeps hours that stretch into the night on several days, which is handy after a show or a late shift.

  • Location: 26 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215
  • Neighborhood: Downtown, Gay Street District
  • Hours: Hours vary and often run late several nights; check ahead
  • Price signal: Burgers typically in the mid-teens, with specialty builds reaching the low twenties
  • Known for: Wagyu burgers, “Alley Fries,” live music on select nights
  • Reservations: Accepted
  • Phone: (614) 929-5255

If you’re after a downtown burger spot with wagyu options, late hours, and the feel of a proper sit-down meal, Alley Burger should be on your short list.

Published: September 9, 2026 · Reviewed by the Whats Up Columbus editorial team