The best restaurants in Columbus

Casual regional chain serving hearty American fare for breakfast & lunch, with gluten-free options.

Fast-food chain doling out baked pastas, subs, pizza & other casual Italian fare plus custom combos.

Varied craft brews & New American plates are the headliners at this happening outpost.

Counter-serve chain featuring signature smashed burgers, plus sides & shakes.

Fast-food chain with made-to-order burgers, fries & hot dogs, plus free peanuts while you wait.

Fast-food chain serving Mexican-inspired fare such as tacos, quesadillas & nachos.

Chain selling crispy pizzas featuring provolone cheese & lots of toppings, plus oven-baked subs.

Fast-food chain specializing in fried chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries & Texas toast.

Delivery, carryout & dine-in chain offering a wide range of pizzas, plus a variety of other dishes & sides.

Tex Mex-inspired dishes are served at this lively local chain restaurant making their own hot sauce.

Traditional pizzeria chain also serving loaded breadsticks, wings, subs, strombolis & calzones.

Counter-serve chain offering Detroit-style pizza with flavored crusts, plus wings & subs.

Sports bar serving up a hearty menu of pizza, wings, subs & salads, plus the big game on TV.

Traditional cheesesteak sandwiches & grilled subs are the specialties of this informal chain.

Chain selling crispy pizzas featuring provolone cheese & lots of toppings, plus oven-baked subs.

Local pizzeria chain serving wide range of pizzas (including famed pepperoni), subs, salads & more.

Cafe chain for health-minded breakfast, brunch & lunch options such as omelets, salads & soups.

Modern, organic New American haunt with counter service, an open kitchen & house-baked sweets.

Counter-serve bakery/cafe chain serving sandwiches, salads & more, known for its bread & free WiFi.

New Jersey–based counter-serve sandwich chain serving jumbo subs filled with cold cuts & toppings.

Casual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads, with health-conscious options.

Local chain serving casual breakfast-&-lunch fare, from French toast to burgers.

Cafe chain for health-minded breakfast, brunch & lunch options such as omelets, salads & soups.

Signature pancakes & other American breakfast classics all day in a casual setting.

Relaxed diner offering hearty servings of breakfast-to-dinner comfort food & pie in several flavors.

Casual restaurant offering Mexican fare, including design-your-own burritos, tacos & bowls.

Casual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads, with health-conscious options.

New Jersey–based counter-serve sandwich chain serving jumbo subs filled with cold cuts & toppings.

Counter-serve chain specializing in sub & club sandwiches, plus signature potato chips.

Counter-serve smokehouse chain offering classic barbecue fare in down-home settings.

Mexican chain serving customizable dishes, such as burrito bowls, over the counter.

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

Chain serving signature pancakes & other American breakfast classics all day in dinerlike digs.

Colorful mini-chain offering traditional Mexican dishes such as fajitas plus beers & margaritas.

Lively chain steakhouse serving American fare with a Southwestern spin amid Texas-themed decor.

New Jersey–based counter-serve sandwich chain serving jumbo subs filled with cold cuts & toppings.

Italian fast-food chain offering thin-crust pizza by the slice, plus pastas & salads.

Casual restaurant offering Mexican fare, including design-your-own burritos, tacos & bowls.

Health-conscious cafe chain featuring a menu of custom smoothies, sandwiches & wraps.

Counter-order restaurant serving design-your-own Italian food including wraps, pastas & salads.

Chain known for steakburgers & milkshakes offering a dinerlike space with retro flair.

Fast-food chain serving signature beef, chicken & fish sliders, plus extras such as onion rings.

Fast-food chain serving chicken sandwiches & nuggets along with salads & sides.

Full-service chain bar & grill providing hearty American eats in an informal setting.

Chain selling crispy pizzas featuring provolone cheese & lots of toppings, plus oven-baked subs.

Counter-service chain offering a range of Philly-style cheesesteaks, loaded fries & lemonades.

Family-friendly buffet chain featuring all-you-can-eat American fare, plus salad & dessert bars.

Chain for gourmet burgers & other American comfort fare.

Fast-food chain with made-to-order burgers, fries & hot dogs, plus free peanuts while you wait.

Family-owned chain selling ready-to-serve smoked hams, plus turkeys, roasts, side dishes & desserts.

Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.

Long-standing chain serving a wide variety of pancakes & other American breakfast & diner fare.

Local pizzeria chain serving wide range of pies (including famed pepperoni), subs, salads & more.

Kid-friendly chain known for its pizzas & oversized sandwiches served in modest surroundings.

Fast-food chain with made-to-order burgers, fries & hot dogs, plus free peanuts while you wait.

Long-standing chain serving a wide variety of pancakes & other American breakfast & diner fare.

Family-friendly chain serving classic Tex-Mex & American fare in a Southwestern-style setting.

Italian fast-food chain offering thin-crust pizza by the slice, plus pastas & salads.

Easygoing counter-service chain known for its sandwiches, stuffed baked potatoes & sweet tea.

Fast-food chain serving Mexican-inspired fare such as tacos, quesadillas & nachos.

Chain selling crispy pizzas featuring provolone cheese & lots of toppings, plus oven-baked subs.

Chain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.

Traditional pizzeria chain also serving loaded breadsticks, wings, subs, strombolis & calzones.

Cafe chain for health-minded breakfast, brunch & lunch options such as omelets, salads & soups.

Fast-food chain with made-to-order burgers, fries & hot dogs, plus free peanuts while you wait.

Casual eatery serving sushi, including vegetarian rolls, plus Chinese & Thai entrees.

Upscale tavern serving an extensive menu, ranging from flatbreads to steaks, plus numerous beers.

Counter-serve bakery/cafe chain serving sandwiches, salads & more, known for its bread & free WiFi.

Italian fast-food chain offering thin-crust pizza by the slice, plus pastas & salads.

Basic sit-down chain known for diner-style dishes garnished with signature Greek chili.

Fast-food chain specializing in fried chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries & Texas toast.

Creative maki & Japanese kitchen entrees served in warm, relaxed surrounds with a long sushi bar.

New Jersey–based counter-serve sandwich chain serving jumbo subs filled with cold cuts & toppings.

Cafe/bakery chain preparing small-batch, New York-style bagels, plus breakfast & lunch sandwiches.

Counter-order restaurant serving design-your-own Italian food including wraps, pastas & salads.

Cafe chain for health-minded breakfast, brunch & lunch options such as omelets, salads & soups.

Family-friendly chain offering creative takes on Asian fare in a striking space.

Varied craft brews & New American plates are the headliners at this happening outpost.

Riffs on American comfort food are prepped in a polished setting with a retro, midcentury look.

Fast-food chain serving Mexican-inspired fare such as tacos, quesadillas & nachos.

Local pizzeria chain serving classic pies, plus pasta, burgers & subs, in a casual setting.

Family-owned chain selling ready-to-serve smoked hams, plus turkeys, roasts, side dishes & desserts.

Casual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads, with health-conscious options.

Counter-order restaurant serving design-your-own Italian food including wraps, pastas & salads.

Cafe chain for health-minded breakfast, brunch & lunch options such as omelets, salads & soups.

Riffs on American comfort food are prepped in a polished setting with a retro, midcentury look.

Chain selling crispy pizzas featuring provolone cheese & lots of toppings, plus oven-baked subs.

Counter-serve bakery/cafe chain serving sandwiches, salads & more, known for its bread & free WiFi.

Fast-food chain serving chicken sandwiches & nuggets along with salads & sides.

Retro-style counter-serve chain known for made-to-order toasted sandwiches, salads & baked goods.

Casual regional chain serving hearty American fare for breakfast & lunch, with gluten-free options.

Oysters & comfort food are matched by an extensive drink menu at this relaxed gastropub.

Counter-serve chain offering Detroit-style pizza with flavored crusts, plus wings & subs.

Family-friendly chain outpost pairs familiar pub fare with an extensive list of house brews.

Strip-mall choice serving sushi & a range of Asian cuisine, from Japanese & Chinese to Thai dishes.

Fast-food chain serving chicken sandwiches & nuggets along with salads & sides.

Wood-accented & dimly lit surrounds provide the backdrop for traditional steakhouse fare & wine.

Casual restaurant offering Mexican fare, including design-your-own burritos, tacos & bowls.

New Jersey–based counter-serve sandwich chain serving jumbo subs filled with cold cuts & toppings.

Unassuming eatery specializing in pizza, plus stromboli, classic pastas & sandwiches, with delivery.

Health-conscious chain featuring blended drinks in varied flavors with fruits & veggies.

Casual restaurant offering Mexican fare, including design-your-own burritos, tacos & bowls.

Stylish Japanese restaurant with an extensive menu, dishing up sushi, steak, hibachi & noodles.

New Jersey–based counter-serve sandwich chain serving jumbo subs filled with cold cuts & toppings.

High-end steakhouse chain serving grilled meats, seafood & cocktails in a sophisticated setting.

Sashimi, noodles & Japanese entrees in a cheerful space with an eat-at sushi bar & long happy hours.

Old West-style steakhouse chain known for its burgers & chops made from bison.

Sports-bar chain serving gourmet pizzas, burgers, wings & salads in a relaxed space filled with TVs.

Modern, organic New American haunt with counter service, an open kitchen & house-baked sweets.

Neapolitan, Detroit-style, deep-dish, craft, wood-fired spot featuring classic and vegan pies plus craft beer and cocktails.

Hubbard Grille plates modern American comfort in a lovingly restored 1924 auto-showroom space, all exposed brick, reclaimed wood, and neighborhood energy. It’s locally owned, Short North through-and-through, and keeps things interesting with weekly food-and-drink features that make repeat visits feel like a good habit.

From the Columbus newsletter, September 20, 2026

Casual spot serving up breakfast plus Mexican eats like margaritas and ceviche.

Parked at Land-Grant Brewing, Ray Ray's Hog Pit turns out St. Louis ribs, silky brisket, pulled pork and that hot link, with jerk chicken and even cauliflower burnt ends for veg friends, plus mac, beans, and slaw. Order a Meatsweats box, thank us later.

From the Columbus newsletter, September 26, 2026

Established in 1959, this old-school sports bar with pub grub features TVs & patio seating.

Tacos & a few other Mexican dishes are delivered in an upbeat, margarita-fueled atmosphere.

Festive stand in the North Market for Mexican street eats like tacos & burritos plus plates & sides.

Traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist served in a contemporary space with chandeliers.

Craving seasonal seafood, shareables, and cocktails that actually taste like someone cared? The Pearl nails the refined tavern thing with unique plates, handcrafted drinks, and a deep beer list, all in stylish, slightly nostalgic digs. Reliable for date nights or friend catch-ups in Short North or Dublin.

From the Columbus newsletter, October 18, 2026

A sprawling, industrial-chic spot offering American classics, beer & cocktails, plus patio seating.

Cozy purveyor of buttery biscuits with a variety of sweet and savory flavors, plus sandwiches and gravy.