Food scene
3 Minute Walk: Best breakfast pastries in town, but go early they usually have a line out the door; our favorite items: the egg sandwich, the ham & cheese pastry but ask for a side of mustard, the icing on the monster cinnamon roll is out of this world, and the salted brownie deserves a side of milk.
137 locals recommend
Fox in the Snow Cafe
1031 N 4th St3 Minute Walk: Best breakfast pastries in town, but go early they usually have a line out the door; our favorite items: the egg sandwich, the ham & cheese pastry but ask for a side of mustard, the icing on the monster cinnamon roll is out of this world, and the salted brownie deserves a side of milk.
6 Minute Walk: Stone pizza oven, friendly service, pretty casual joint. We like to order the Chef's Special for a surprise za that has never let us down.
10 locals recommend
GoreMade Pizza
936 N 4th St6 Minute Walk: Stone pizza oven, friendly service, pretty casual joint. We like to order the Chef's Special for a surprise za that has never let us down.
8 Minute Walk: Quirky brewery and good food; they have a patio and we think you can pay to swim in their adjacent pool in the summer time, although we've never tried it out for ourselves.
23 locals recommend
Hoof Hearted Brewery and Kitchen
850 N 4th St8 Minute Walk: Quirky brewery and good food; they have a patio and we think you can pay to swim in their adjacent pool in the summer time, although we've never tried it out for ourselves.
9 Minute Walk: Love this place; share a bunch of stuff on the menu but make a reservation if you can it gets really crowded. Bar seating is first-come first-serve. This place is memorable and worth checking out.
12 locals recommend
Service Bar
1230 Courtland Ave9 Minute Walk: Love this place; share a bunch of stuff on the menu but make a reservation if you can it gets really crowded. Bar seating is first-come first-serve. This place is memorable and worth checking out.
20 Minute Walk: Fast-casual local Mediterranean food. Get their french fries as a side. They serve beer too.
56 locals recommend
Brassica in the Short North
680 N High St20 Minute Walk: Fast-casual local Mediterranean food. Get their french fries as a side. They serve beer too.
The Eagle Short North
790 N High St17 Minute Walk: Comfort food; good fried chicken.
Bakersfield
733 N High St18 Minute Walk: Fun taco joint.
17 Minute Walk: Really good bagels and scratch cream cheese + breakfast sandwiches. Hopefully the popularity dies down soon, there's usually a line. We like to get it delivered in the mornings when we're feeling lazy.
9 locals recommend
The Lox Bagel Shop
772 N High St17 Minute Walk: Really good bagels and scratch cream cheese + breakfast sandwiches. Hopefully the popularity dies down soon, there's usually a line. We like to get it delivered in the mornings when we're feeling lazy.
9 Minute Walk: Our favorite pizza place! We are obsessed with their “squares.”
14 locals recommend
Paulie Gee's Short North
1195 N High St9 Minute Walk: Our favorite pizza place! We are obsessed with their “squares.”
15 Minute Walk: Welcoming atmosphere, wide array of options on the menu; they take reservations. Considered to be a classic of the Short North.
37 locals recommend
The Rossi Kitchen & Bar
895 North High Street15 Minute Walk: Welcoming atmosphere, wide array of options on the menu; they take reservations. Considered to be a classic of the Short North.
23 Minute Walk: Little hidden gem in an alley with killer patio and authentic Italian food; they recommend reservations. Summer time is best for this place to experience the outdoor setting, but indoors is even more cozy.
39 locals recommend
Basi Italia
811 Highland St23 Minute Walk: Little hidden gem in an alley with killer patio and authentic Italian food; they recommend reservations. Summer time is best for this place to experience the outdoor setting, but indoors is even more cozy.
21 Minute Walk: Great atmosphere, culinary treat; they take reservations. We like to share a bunch of stuff on the menu and sit in the bar area if possible.
50 locals recommend
The Guild House
624 N High St21 Minute Walk: Great atmosphere, culinary treat; they take reservations. We like to share a bunch of stuff on the menu and sit in the bar area if possible.
21 Minute Walk: Classic Italian food and good ambiance. Get the meatball!
73 locals recommend
Marcella's
615 N High St21 Minute Walk: Classic Italian food and good ambiance. Get the meatball!
27 Minute Walk: Approachable, rustic elegance and unique menu + more casual taproom in the back; they take reservations.
33 locals recommend
Wolf's Ridge Brewing
215 North 4th Street27 Minute Walk: Approachable, rustic elegance and unique menu + more casual taproom in the back; they take reservations.
26 Minute Walk: A plethora of individual food vendors and shops under one roof. Worth checking out. My favorite vendor: Momo Ghar, which is family owned and operated. Momo Ghar is well known for their MOMOs which are Himalayan dumplings filled with meat and/or vegetables.
204 locals recommend
North Market Downtown
59 Spruce St26 Minute Walk: A plethora of individual food vendors and shops under one roof. Worth checking out. My favorite vendor: Momo Ghar, which is family owned and operated. Momo Ghar is well known for their MOMOs which are Himalayan dumplings filled with meat and/or vegetables.
German Village joint (would need to drive, scooter or bike). New on the food scene but opened to rave reviews. We loved everything we tried on the menu.
13 locals recommend
Chapman's Eat Market
739 S 3rd StGerman Village joint (would need to drive, scooter or bike). New on the food scene but opened to rave reviews. We loved everything we tried on the menu.
19 minute walk. Great place for food or cocktails. We love splitting the lobster roll.
8 locals recommend
Del Mar SoCal Kitchen
705 N High St19 minute walk. Great place for food or cocktails. We love splitting the lobster roll.
You could crawl to this place from the Rooster's Den. Besides that perk, it's absolutely worth checking out for the unique food vendors, roof top Downtown views, memorable ambiance, and amazing service. It just opened in April 2021.
37 locals recommend
The Budd Dairy Co
1086 N 4th StYou could crawl to this place from the Rooster's Den. Besides that perk, it's absolutely worth checking out for the unique food vendors, roof top Downtown views, memorable ambiance, and amazing service. It just opened in April 2021.
18 minute walk: Cleveland restaurant that recently opened in Columbus. Lots of outdoor patio seating. It tends to cater toward the younger crowd.
21 locals recommend
TownHall
792 North High Street18 minute walk: Cleveland restaurant that recently opened in Columbus. Lots of outdoor patio seating. It tends to cater toward the younger crowd.
Arch City Tavern
862 N High St16 minute walk: Easy breezy place with upscale bar food.
S’wich Social
869 N 4th St8 minute walk: Fun ice cream sandwich concept in Italian Village.
19 minute walk: My favorite ice cream hands down. Thoughtful ingredients, unique flavors, and sustainable business practice - a Columbus gem!
164 locals recommend
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
714 N High St19 minute walk: My favorite ice cream hands down. Thoughtful ingredients, unique flavors, and sustainable business practice - a Columbus gem!
8 minute walk: Great vegan place worth checking out even if you aren't vegan. They also have a fun shop with unique beers and nonalcoholic drinks that you can grab and go.
7 locals recommend
Woodhouse Vegan Cafe + Space
19 N 4th St8 minute walk: Great vegan place worth checking out even if you aren't vegan. They also have a fun shop with unique beers and nonalcoholic drinks that you can grab and go.
German Village joint (would need to drive, scooter or bike): A classic restaurant with white tablecloths, with a beautiful patio. I always go for the lobster bisque and wedge salad. Serves brunch too.
125 locals recommend
Lindey's
169 E Beck StGerman Village joint (would need to drive, scooter or bike): A classic restaurant with white tablecloths, with a beautiful patio. I always go for the lobster bisque and wedge salad. Serves brunch too.
10 minute walk. High-Quality sandwich shop. The sandwiches are big - you’ll have leftovers or could split one.
Icarus Sandwich Shop
15 East 2nd Avenue10 minute walk. High-Quality sandwich shop. The sandwiches are big - you’ll have leftovers or could split one.
[14 minute walk] - Hands-down, just really tasty food. Not too fancy but we love sitting at the bar and getting a bite to eat. Great as takeout food as well.
83 locals recommend
Northstar Cafe in the Short North
951 N High St[14 minute walk] - Hands-down, just really tasty food. Not too fancy but we love sitting at the bar and getting a bite to eat. Great as takeout food as well.
[19 minute walk] - Amazing breakfast, lunch and dinner. Big menu but not in a bad way. They do it right.
38 locals recommend
Tasi Cafe
680 N Pearl St[19 minute walk] - Amazing breakfast, lunch and dinner. Big menu but not in a bad way. They do it right.
Brewery
1 Minute Walk (right across the street!): Easy going brewery with rooftop space; they always have a great food truck parked outside, located within steps of our house. You'll usually find a few brewery cats roaming around. They have a cocktail menu as well if you're not into beers. Be sure to grab some beers to go (my current favorite is their seltzer called Kitty Paw).
108 locals recommend
Seventh Son Brewing Co.
1101 N 4th St1 Minute Walk (right across the street!): Easy going brewery with rooftop space; they always have a great food truck parked outside, located within steps of our house. You'll usually find a few brewery cats roaming around. They have a cocktail menu as well if you're not into beers. Be sure to grab some beers to go (my current favorite is their seltzer called Kitty Paw).
8 Minute Walk: Scottish brewery with easy going back patio. The just added a lunch option with an awesome partnership with a favorite deli of mine in German Village - be sure to check out their sandwiches at Brew Dog in the Short North.
10 locals recommend
BrewDog Short North
1175 N High St8 Minute Walk: Scottish brewery with easy going back patio. The just added a lunch option with an awesome partnership with a favorite deli of mine in German Village - be sure to check out their sandwiches at Brew Dog in the Short North.
Platform Beer
408 N 6th St32 Minute Walk (we recommend ubering here): Fun atmosphere with mini rooftop patio.
This place is an easy 5-minute walk away with good food (including brunch) and good beers - staff is friendly. You wouldn't think it, and they probably don't want me condoning this - but, we love this place for kids. They have ample space toward the back fire place to hang out and spread out and not annoy the customers too bad :)
6 locals recommend
Zaftig Brew Pub
119 East 5th AvenueThis place is an easy 5-minute walk away with good food (including brunch) and good beers - staff is friendly. You wouldn't think it, and they probably don't want me condoning this - but, we love this place for kids. They have ample space toward the back fire place to hang out and spread out and not annoy the customers too bad :)
Jackie O's On Fourth
171 North 4th Street29 minute walk: Funky place nearby other downtown breweries.
Fun spot in Franklinton. In the warmer seasonal months, they have the best outdoor beer garden, and you can usually find some live music or an activity happening. Usually a food truck is parked onsite.
39 locals recommend
Land-Grant Brewing Company
424 W Town StFun spot in Franklinton. In the warmer seasonal months, they have the best outdoor beer garden, and you can usually find some live music or an activity happening. Usually a food truck is parked onsite.
Bar
Little Rock Bar
944 N 4th St6 Minute Walk: Easy going bar with roof top patio.
1 Minute Walk (right across the street!): We haven't quite figured this place out yet. If you’re looking for an interesting place that has a tiki-gothic-clubby feel, give this a try :)
Duecento
200 E 4th Ave1 Minute Walk (right across the street!): We haven't quite figured this place out yet. If you’re looking for an interesting place that has a tiki-gothic-clubby feel, give this a try :)
9 Minute Walk: Meadery that also serves beer and cocktails; they often have live music in the evenings. Really cool spot.
35 locals recommend
Brothers Drake
1025 E 5th Ave9 Minute Walk: Meadery that also serves beer and cocktails; they often have live music in the evenings. Really cool spot.
Natalie's Music Hall & Kitchen
945 King AveWe go here a lot to see life music (they have food too).
Park Street Tavern
501 Park StLive music is usually happening here.
Tallest rooftop bar in Columbus at the new Hilton hotel near the Convention Center downtown.
Stories on High
Tallest rooftop bar in Columbus at the new Hilton hotel near the Convention Center downtown.
Experience
Looking for an escape? Book an appointment to soak in a salt bath and let your mind relax. Be sure to book the fancy chair massage beforehand.
If you're looking to try something different, book an appointment to soak in one of their salt pools. Or if that's too extreme for you, book a half hour in their massage chairs - it sounds so simple, but what a treat!
EBB & FLOAT
231 N 5th StIf you're looking to try something different, book an appointment to soak in one of their salt pools. Or if that's too extreme for you, book a half hour in their massage chairs - it sounds so simple, but what a treat!
PALOMA
1197 W 5th AveI haven't been yet, but I've heard this place is magical and the ultimate relaxation zone.
Open Sky Day Spa
1124 Goodale BlvdMy go-to-place for massages (they also offer prenatal massages).
Heartfelt Yoga Studio
29 E 5th Ave5 minute walk. Great local yoga studio.
LIT Life + Yoga
999 N 4th St2 minute walk. An array of unique yoga classes.
Columbus Museum of Art
480 E Broad StSundays are free!
5 minute walk. They offer tours of their brewery operation + their gift shop offers some great options for gifts for yourself or others.
6 locals recommend
Middle West Spirits
1230 Courtland Ave5 minute walk. They offer tours of their brewery operation + their gift shop offers some great options for gifts for yourself or others.
Love going here in the colder months to experience the warm greenhouses. Their outdoor children's garden is a wonderful spot for kids to experience a unique play environment.
251 locals recommend
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
1777 E Broad StLove going here in the colder months to experience the warm greenhouses. Their outdoor children's garden is a wonderful spot for kids to experience a unique play environment.
PENZONE Salon + Spa Short North
967 N High StShort walk away to a manicure, pedicure, massage or blow out.
Local business selling awesome soy candles. Looking for more of an experience? Make your own candles with custom scents. These are the only candles I burn.
6 locals recommend
The Candle Lab
737 N High StLocal business selling awesome soy candles. Looking for more of an experience? Make your own candles with custom scents. These are the only candles I burn.
Sightseeing
You don’t have to have a veteran connection to see this award-winning museum. It’s moving and all about stories of real people. Be sure to spend time to view the “In Combat” film about half way through the exhibition on the main floor.
19 locals recommend
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
300 W Broad StYou don’t have to have a veteran connection to see this award-winning museum. It’s moving and all about stories of real people. Be sure to spend time to view the “In Combat” film about half way through the exhibition on the main floor.
Look out on the river and see the new riverfront. The city removed a dam and narrowed the river, and added 35 miles of trails. Good spot to bike or walk. Be sure to take a moment to enjoy the promenade swings.
71 locals recommend
Scioto Mile
Look out on the river and see the new riverfront. The city removed a dam and narrowed the river, and added 35 miles of trails. Good spot to bike or walk. Be sure to take a moment to enjoy the promenade swings.
This used to be an indoor mall until no tenants were left and it eventually got torn down, and an award-winning park got built in its place offering six acres of green space. There’s always something going on from free concerts to food trucks. Carousel is usually spinning too.
35 locals recommend
John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons
160 S High StThis used to be an indoor mall until no tenants were left and it eventually got torn down, and an award-winning park got built in its place offering six acres of green space. There’s always something going on from free concerts to food trucks. Carousel is usually spinning too.
If you familiar with Ohio State's campus but haven't been in a while, be sure to check out how this beloved spot has transformed. It's a beautiful spot to shit and hang.
Mirror Lake
If you familiar with Ohio State's campus but haven't been in a while, be sure to check out how this beloved spot has transformed. It's a beautiful spot to shit and hang.
Goodale Park
120 W Goodale St20 minute walk. Urban park to soak in the fresh air.