The 5 Best Restaurants in Columbus, Ohio

Let’s start here. The best of the best—our top five Columbus restaurants. Columbus, Ohio is one of America’s biggest cities, with a multitude of restaurants, so your list might be a little different than this. But we’re confident these five high-quality eateries will please most diners: 

• Mozart’s: A Columbus institution, but it’ll feel like you’re in Austria. A purveyor of Wiener schnitzel, exquisite European tortes, and unmatched afternoon teas—with a live piano player to boot. See our Mozart’s deal here.

• Lola & Guiseppe's Trattoria: Not your average Italian restaurant. Old-fashioned and unassuming trattoria (with the classic red-and-white checkered tabletops)  will make you feel at home unlike any other Columbus restaurant.

• King Gyros Greek Restaurant: Since 1991, this spot—owned by a Greek immigrant—has served Greeks standards with more than a little flair, including several types of baklava. See our King Gyros deal here.

• The Pearl: This tavern feels like a pre-prohibition jewel. Named one of the “top 100 Hot Spots in America” by OpenTable, in part for its vintage vibe and in part for its oyster bar.
• Mezze: The house sauce at this Mediterranean hot spot is worth a visit all by itself. Build-your-own entrees means your dish will be packed with all the meat (or falafel) you could ever want. See our Mezze deal here.

Spotlight on: King Gyros Greek Restaurant

See our King Gyros Greek Restaurant deal

An award winner, King Gyros Greek Restaurant has delighted Columbus residents since 1991. Owned by Yanni Chalkias, a Greek immigrant who helped his father run a spice business, King Gyros serves a smorgasbord of Mediterranean dishes, from stuffed grape leaves to spanakopita, and falafel pitas to six different kinds of baklava.

Here’s what actual customers say about King Gyros Greek Restaurant:

“King Gyros is awesome. Definitely the best Gyros around. If I lived closer I would probably eat there a couple times a week.” - Chris K.

“King Gyro is the best Greek Restaurant I know and I have been to many and nowhere else compares. They have the best gyros in town!” - Nancy B.

“The best Lemon Chicken soup you’ll ever have. ... I can understand why some people are having dreams about it. And their Big Fat Gyro is huge... will definitely be enough for a couple meals’ worth. Go ahead and get an extra side of their super tasty tzatziki sauce for it.” - Olivia C.

Best Pizza in Columbus, Ohio

Like any self-respecting college town, Columbus, Ohio, has a robust collection of excellent pizza places. Craving a slice? Here are three pie-slinging spots we recommend:

• Anthony’s Pizza: Located across the street from Capital University, this Bexley mainstay is not just a pizza joint–you can’t beat its meatball stromboli. See our Anthony’s Pizza deal.

• Cousin Vinny’s Pizza: A beloved regional chain, Cousin Vinny’s is a go-to for Columbus’s late-night crowd–it’s typically open until 3 a.m. See our Cousin Vinny’s Pizza deal.
• Mama Mimi’s: A “Taste of Clintonville” winner, Mama Mimi’s offers “Take ‘n’ Bake” pizzas that you can toss in the oven at home. See our Mama Mimi’s deal.

Spotlight on: Mozart’s

See our Mozart’s deal.

It’s a taste of 18th-century Salzburg, right in the heart of Ohio. With pleasant live piano music as a backdrop, diners at Mozart’s enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and—perhaps its most-beloved offering—an afternoon tea. Whichever meal you choose, save room for dessert: Mozart’s bakery whips up European tortes (think black forest, chocolate ganache, and chocolate truffle).

See what actual customers have to say about Mozart’s:

“This was a really fun experience! I went with my grandmother. We were seated and got to choose from multiple types of tea. We each got a small pot which have us 3 cups each. ... The pianist is very talented and a pleasure to listen to.” - Jami M.

“The cutest thing EVER! Took my 4 1/2 year old granddaughter and she absolutely LOVED it! Delicious food, tea, and canopies! Great service! Beautiful piano music being played by the nicest man. Overall wonderful experience! Will be back!” - Michelle M.

“This was such a fun experience to have with my daughter; we dressed up and experienced teas and pastries we've never tasted. It was AWESOME!” - Kristal M.

Best Sushi in Columbus, Ohio

Some of the best restaurants in Columbus, Ohio, happen to be a part of the city’s strong Japanese community, considered the largest in Ohio. If you like sushi, sashimi, teriyaki, or hibachi-style cooking, you’ll want to try one of these:

• Fusion Japanese Steakhouse: Both an extensive sushi menu and entertaining hibachi cooking highlight this restaurant–you can’t miss the flame-filled show the chefs put on. See our Fusion Japanese deal.

• Blue Ginger Asian Fusion Bistro: Not just a Japanese restaurant, the chefs at Blue Ginger will whip up dishes from Indonesia, China, and Thailand. But the sushi is awfully good. See our Blue Ginger deal.
• Shi Chi Japanese Steakhouse: Hibachi dinners here aren’t just your meat and rice–you also get a salad, soup, green, and your choice of vanilla ice cream or pineapple sorbet. See our Shi Chi Japanese Steakhouse deal.

Spotlight on: Mezze

See our Mezze deal here.

Named after the Mediterranean-version of an appetizer, Mezze invites customers to customize their own fast-food dishes. After choosing between a pita, a salad, or a rice bowl, diners get to pile on gyro meat, shawarma, falafel, or kabob, plus a bounty of different toppings. But save room for a mezze or two— like hummus, grape leaves, baba ghanoug, and more.

See what actual customers say about Mezze:

“The food was wonderful and the staff very friendly. They had to interpret some of the menu for me  The rices were even different from the norm. We'll be back!” - Karen G.

“Mezzo now one of my favorite places to eat a healthy, delicious, great tasting meal. It is sooooooo good. Food is always fresh and the staff is always friendly and helpful.” - Susan M.

“The owner is charming and one of the hardest-working guys I have seen! Absolutely delicious food, generous portions, kind people. Loved it.” - Jean O.