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Restaurants in Columbus

It’s both one of America’s biggest college towns and a state capital, so it’s no wonder Columbus, Ohio, has one of the Midwest’s best dining scenes. Columbus restaurants run the gamut, from classy Italian joints to college-student-packed pizza parlors. Scroll down to see some of our favorites.

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.

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The Guide to Classic Cocktails

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$12 for $20 Worth of Italian Cuisine at Spaghetti Warehouse

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Spaghetti Warehouse Columbus $20 $13
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Fusion Japanese Steakhouse - Grove City, OH Grove City $30 $18.50
Two or Four Hibachi Dinner Entrees at Fujiyama Steak House of Japan (Up to 50% Off)

Fujiyama Steak House of Japan

Fujiyama Steak House of Japan Columbus $30 $17

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.

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Never been to a Japanese restaurant? Use our guide to learn how to eat sushi, what "sashimi" is, and to learn some of the many types of sushi.

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$17 for $30 Worth of Japanese Cuisine at Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse

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Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse Don Scott $30 $17
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Pokeworks Fifth by Northwest $0 $0
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Japanese Oriental Restaurant Mountain Auburn $0 $0

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.

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Dinner for Two or Four at Shi Chi Japanese Steakhouse (Up to 42% Off)

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Shi Chi Japanese Steakhouse Brookside Woods $30 $17.50
$17 for $30 Worth of Japanese Cuisine at Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse

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Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse Don Scott $30 $17
$6 for $10 Towards Italian Cuisine and Pizza at Anthony's Pizzeria

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Anthony's Pizzeria East Columbus $10 $6

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