Maya RichardsonAs someone who’s fond of food, I love exploring the city to find new dining spots. Honestly, I think it’s where almost half of my paycheck goes—just trying out restaurants in Columbus that catch my attention or someone recommended.
And of course, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have any favorites. Some places stood out and have something that makes me want to come back.
After countless taste-testing and acting like a big shot food reviewer, these are the restaurants that have the big three in my category for a memorable dining experience: flavor, ambiance, and service.
1. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant
Address: 240 E Kossuth St
Phone: +16144446808
Business Hours:
- Monday to Saturday, 11 AM–10 PM
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus began in 1886 as a meatpacking house and later evolved into a restaurant beloved by locals today. When we heard that they have the best sausages in the city, we just had to check them out ourselves.
When you walk in, you’ll be greeted by live “Oompah” music that’s meant to give the place a festive, beer-hall vibe.
Just by looking at their menu, it was without a doubt a place for meat lovers. It was dominated by different kinds of sausages (their own recipe, by the way!), such as bratwurst, knockwurst, and Bahama Mama.
Aside from that, you’ll also find German classics like Schnitzel and Haus Sauerbraten.
Signature sausage platters start at $16, and traditional German plates range from $18 to $23. Their portion sizes are generous, so the value is good.
Just note that there will be a wait, regardless of the time you visit, due to its popularity. They do keep a waiting list to keep things organized.
Here’s a tip: you can add your name to the list in advance online to cut down on your standby time.
Definitely will return at some point when back in the area
“Schmidt’s was AMAZING! I love German food, and this hit the spot. Coming from Cincy, I’ve had a good amount, but this was by far some of the best I’d had in a while. The sauerkraut with pork was delicious. Pretzel nuggets- bomb. Sauerkraut balls – pretty sure best I’ve ever had. Our server, Lauren, was the sweetest and most patient – we came with questions! She gave us great advice and tips and was so friendly to talk to. Definitely will return at some point when back in the area!”
- Megan Moore, Google Review
Truly lovely place to eat
“What a neat spot! The service was excellent, they were friendly and cracked jokes with us, it was such fun. The history of the place was interesting to read about, and the live music was fun to listen to. Truly lovely place to eat, the food was absolutely delicious. It was worth the wait.”
- Jennifer Evans, Google Review
2. Butcher & Rose
Address: 155 E Broad St.
Phone: +16149189819
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 11:30 AM–10 PM
- Saturday, 4–10 PM
- Sunday, 4–9 PM
Butcher & Rose isn’t your typical surf and turf spot. As one of the Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, it only means you can expect a well-curated menu, polished service, and a high-end experience.
Despite only opening in 2024, it’s impressive how they quickly became a go-to for upscale dining in the city, especially for special occasions and intimate nights out.
Inside, it’s like an indoor garden, with hanging greenery, crystal chandeliers, and glass windows that create a romantic atmosphere.
For their menu, it includes a “Butcher’s Selection” of premium steaks, like A5 Wagyu, alongside mouthwatering seafood dishes. On top of that, the restaurant has an extensive list of wines that ranges from common finds to rare $3,000 bottles.
And as you might expect from a premier dining place, the pricing is also on the higher side. Their steaks start at around $60, and sides are served à la carte. When you factor in the cocktails and desserts, a dinner for two can easily reach the $300 mark.
When we asked diners for their favorite dishes, they often mentioned the beef wellington and wagyu as must-tries. Then finish everything off with their famous honey butter cake.
What an overall fulfilling experience for my wife and me
“When fine dining is brought to my attention, I’ll remember our time at Butcher & Rose. From the first hostess interaction to the final bite of our creme brulee, we felt blessed. We sat at a high top near the entrance and still felt secluded. Not to mention our high-top seats were super soft and comfortable. As I made my way to the bathrooms upstairs, I wondered how the seniors who dine there feel about the climb. The bathrooms themselves were a 10/10. I loved the individual stalls and treats within. What an overall fulfilling experience for my wife and me. Thank you ”
- Shane Conners, Google Review
We will definitely be returning
“Beginning with the atmosphere alone, this place is really pretty! The floral arrangements hanging from the ceiling will have you constantly looking up to admire them. They have an excellent wine list, and the menu will make it hard to choose because you will salivate over a lot of the selections. We shared a bottle of Caymus and Toro Crudo to start. For dinner, I landed on the stuffed lobster tail, and it did not disappoint. It was loaded with flavor and plenty of lobster meat. My husband did the Wagyu Manhattan Strip, and we shared the Chili Roasted Broccoli and Roasted Mushrooms. Everything tasted amazing!!! We, of course, had to end the evening with the Honey Butter Cake for dessert. This place is perfect for celebratory dinners, dining with out-of-town friends, or no occasion at all. We will definitely be returning!”
- Adrienne, Google Review
3. Cap City Fine Diner and Bar
Address: 1299 Olentangy River Rd
Phone: +16142913663
Business Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday, 11 AM–9 PM
- Friday and Saturday, 11 AM–10 PM
If you’ve been looking for the kind of place that looks like a classic 1950s diner that you see in old movies, Cap City is a popular chain in the city. However, just because it calls itself a diner doesn’t mean it’s like the typical roadside stop.
They’re one of the Cameron Mitchell Restaurants as well, and the dishes here are elevated versions of American classics like triple-decker grilled cheese and burgers with fancy cheese options.
They also have “blue plate menus” that rotate daily. Regulars said this gives them a reason to return on specific days of the week.
For their special menu, they offer gluten-free dishes, including a version of their fish and chips that many diners praise for being just as crispy and delicious as the original.
It’s basically still the hearty, soul-warming comfort food that we’re all familiar with, just upscale and prepared with more attention to detail. Therefore, most of us agree that the $12 to $30 price range is just fair.
However, we were disappointed to hear that, on some occasions, the servers appear uninterested and cold toward customers.
Food, atmosphere, and service were awesome
“Food, atmosphere, and service were awesome. Our server, Lizzy, had great recommendations, was always there when we needed and pleasant to talk to. I’m a meatloaf kinda guy, and I can tell you that was the best meatloaf dinner I’ve ever had. The Romano-crusted chicken was also very good. Then there was dessert, we usually skip dessert but decided to take a chance on the chocolate cake, it was huge, moist and tasted as good as it looked. It was just after lunch and the restaurant was busy, and our food came out quickly and hot. We don’t get to Columbus much, but we will have to go back to Cap City Fine Diner next time we are in town.”
- Steve Johnson, Google Review
Everything was delicious
“Fantastic restaurant, food was amazing and delicious, finished my plate, well worth the money, glad we visited this restaurant. Our waitress Colleen, was awesome, she was very friendly and pleasant. Small menu, everything was delicious. Loved the milkshakes.”
- Bud 937, Google Review
4. Lola and Giuseppe’s Trattoria
Address: 100 Granville St
Phone: +16144739931
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 5–9 PM
- Saturday, 5–9 PM
Lola and Giuseppe’s Trattoria is a charming mom-and-pop restaurant serving authentic, hearty Italian dishes.
It’s been around for 15 years and is now owned by the Fancelli family, who, according to regulars, are lovely people. They often greet and accommodate guests themselves to ensure every plate meets their standards.
The menu here features Italian-American comfort food made from heirloom recipes and served in generous portions. We’re talking about salads, antipasti, and customizable pasta dishes.
The feature that we loved the most is how it looks just like a living room inside, so dining here is like you’re just visiting your childhood home. The space is intimate, with only a few tables available, but they also have outdoor seating if you prefer al fresco dining.
Additionally, their prices are competitive. Entrees start at $14, while premium options such as seafood and veal dishes cost up to $30.
Just note that they have limited operating hours. They only cater to dinner service and are open for 3 hours on weekdays and 4 hours on weekends.
They are busy from opening to closing, and for good reason
“My husband and I can’t say enough good things about this place! It’s smaller but cozy and still nice! Definitely a mom and pop restaurant, which we liked! The Pasta Fritta appetizer was fantastic. The Caesar Salad top tier. You could tell the dressing was homemade and fresh! For the main entrees, we got Giuseppe’s Trio Platter and Chicken Marsala. When I tell you, we ate until our stomachs almost exploded, we did lol! We didn’t have room for dessert. Our waitress was great…I forgot her name, maybe Bethany? And the manager or owner came back to ask how our experience was and he was super sweet. If you are looking for a great Italian spot to enjoy with your partner or friends, you will not go wrong visiting this restaurant! Make a reservation, otherwise you likely won’t get in…they are busy from open to close…and for good reason. We will be back!”
- Joslyn Dorsey, Google Review
It was quiet and decorated very nicely
“We came from Chillicothe, Ohio. We were an hour early and walked in and they told us they could seat us on the patio immediately or we could wait an hour to sit inside. We chose the patio! It was quiet and decorated very nicely! The staff was beyond polite and easy to have conversations with! Our waitress was Hannah, and she was such a delight! We tried the shrimp scampi special and it was beyond delicious and filling. We also got a cannoli, and it was superb! Def recommend and will be making more visits soon!”
- Heather Lynn, Google Review
5. Brassica
Address: 680 N High St, Columbus
Phone: +16148675885
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 11 AM–9:30 PM
If you’re after healthy dishes and fresh flavors, Brassica is a great spot. Their dishes are Mediterranean-inspired, so it’s all about customizing your own salad bowl or sandwich.
The restaurant is best for those who are particular about allergens. Putting the pita bread and tahini cookies aside, the entire menu is naturally gluten and nut-free.
However, cross-contact with other ingredients, such as dairy, is still possible, so it would be best to include specific instructions as needed.
And if you care about what’s in your food, it’s where Brassica really stands out. They value sustainable practices and apparently source antibiotic-free meats and organic produce from local farmers.
This is the kind of food that some people would assume is “unseasoned” or “bland” simply because it carries the “healthy and fresh” label. But their offerings are actually well-seasoned, even the veggies.
Their prices range from $10 to $20, depending on the protein selected. Although it seems higher than average, customers surprisingly find it reasonable given the quality and portion size.
One of the best Mediterranean places to go to on this street
“One of the best Mediterranean places to go to on this street. This place has a very cute ambience. The food is pretty good and delicious. Some of the toppings were too cold for some reason, but other than that, everything tasted good. We got a rice bowl and added a bunch of toppings to it. The peri peri fries were just absolutely delicious!”
- Mostly Insane, Google Review
This place is spectacular
“This place is spectacular!!! I told them this was my first time and they took care of me from A to Z. The staff was awesome and the service was great, but the food stole the show. I built my own salad with almost everything that was available and everything was perfect. I 100% recommend this place for a quick, easy and incredibly good dinner or lunch.”
- Pierre Timothy Morency, Google Review
