Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Columbus

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Columbus? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Alcove Restaurant & Lounge

4.8

4.8 (1345)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Columbus

About the restaurant

Founded in 1911 as a small ice cream and candy shop in the heart of Downtown Mount Vernon, The Alcove offers the finest dining experience in Central Ohio. Our diverse menu includes steak and seafood favorites as well as our signature Prime Rib of Beef available Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings. Within feet of one-of-a-kind shops, just a block away from The Grand Hotel, across the street from The Woodward Opera House, and a few miles from Kenyon College and the Mount Vernon Nazarene University, our establishment is a great location for gathering with loved ones young, elderly, and in between. Whether you're entertaining or looking to be entertained, The Alcove is the perfect spot for you. | Join us today to experience Casual Elegance. We'll save you a seat. | Reservations and Carry-Out orders may also be made by calling us at 740.392.3076.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 1 day ago

My wife and I came back to our favorite niche, this is a absolute amazing place for food and services, we both had a wonderful time.. we live in Grove city, so it’s over 1hr 20min drive.. beautiful country and great food.. Don’t forget the dessert, it’s wonderful!!

HARU Omakase

4.9

4.9 (150)

$50 and over

Japanese

Polaris

About the restaurant

Experience a Japanese culinary tour at HARU Omakase, crafted by Executive Chef Yudi Makassau. We specialize in modern sushi prepared using traditional techniques. Each curated course showcases seasonal ingredients and unique flavor pairings, and our selection of wine and saké pairings perfectly complement each dish.

Enhance your dining experience at our omakase bar where you can get up close and personal with the preparation of your meal and interact with our chefs while they serve you directly. Join us for an unforgettable evening where tradition meets innovation!

Top review

Kerry

Dined 7 days ago

Fantastic experience! The food was beautiful and delicious and the Sake pairing was well thought out and enhanced the experience. Service was great, our server was very informative and incredibly diligent to our course timing.

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Experience

Omakase Counter Dining Experience

RH Rooftop Restaurant at RH Columbus

4.8

4.8 (3180)

$31 to $50

American

Columbus

About the restaurant

The RH Rooftop Restaurant resides on the third floor of RH Columbus, a 55,000-square-foot design gallery that blurs the lines between residential and retail, indoors and outdoors, home and hospitality. We invite you to enjoy our menu of timeless classics for brunch and dinner, and a selection of wines from esteemed vintners in the United States and Europe. Guests dine beneath a glass-and-steel atrium amidst trickling fountains, trellised London plane trees and glimmering chandeliers.

For group dining inquiries, please email: columbushospitality@rh.com

Top review

Edwina

Dined on Jul 18, 2025

Perfect atmosphere for dinner. The place is very cozy and welcoming. I will highly recommend it.

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Cento – German Village

4.8

4.8 (1190)

$31 to $50

Italian

German Village

About the restaurant

A tribute to our 100th restaurant opening, Cento is an authentic, chef-driven Italian oasis. Inspired by the intimacy & culinary creativity of the finest restaurants in Italy, Cento is a warm, welcoming, & enchanting addition to German Village. Cento is a place for the entire community – a new, timeless, everyday destination where Great People Deliver Genuine Hospitality.

Our patio seating is offered, weather permitting, on a first come first served basis. While we’re unable to reserve those tables in advance, we’d be delighted to accommodate you based on availability

If you cannot make your scheduled reservation, we ask that you please cancel by 12PM the day of your reservation. Cancellations outside the allowed window will be charged $25/person.

Valet offered daily starting at 5PM, $12 per car.

Top review

JamesVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Had dinner on the patio last night--great ambiance and service! Nice to have a wonderful patio to enjoy dinner with a cover to block the sun! Great job Cento!!

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Tomato Focaccia & Garlic Bread

Butcher & Rose

4.9

4.9 (1168)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Columbus

About the restaurant

There's a place where legend intertwines with reality. A paradoxical union between power & elegance; craft & creativity. An unparalleled steakhouse experience brought to you by Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. This iconic location on Broad Street in Downtown Columbus showcases a harmonious blend of beauty and brawn with a playful, modern flair. We are delighted to introduce: Butcher & Rose - Now Open

Top review

Jonah

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was delicious and service was amazing!

The Pour House at Machinery Hall

4.7

4.7 (294)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Circleville

About the restaurant

The Pour House at Machinery Hall is a full service restaurant that serves Chef-driven cuisine using fresh, high quality ingredients. We feature 30 beers on draft with an emphasis on craft beers from Ohio and beyond. We specialize in craft cocktails and host live music and entertainment. Our passion is to provide our guests with the highest quality service, atmosphere, environment and experience in historic downtown Chillicothe!

Top review

Casey

Dined on Jul 18, 2025

Wonderful experience as always! Great experience and amazing bar drinks!

Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse - Columbus

4.8

4.8 (5633)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Short North - Arena District

About the restaurant

Jeff Ruby is widely considered one of the nation's preeminent restaurateurs. And, while national organizations like Zagat, Food Network, USAToday, and Wine Spectator rank his steakhouses among the best in the country - making him a celebrity in his own right, it is his total commitment to the finest food, impeccable service, and a total dining experience unlike any other that keep his loyal fans coming back year after year.

Top review

Charlotte

Dined 5 days ago

We had an amazing experience dining at Jeff Rubys thanks to the incredible food and the best service we have ever had provided by David P! Thank you for helping us celebrate and going above and beyond!

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Australian Wagyu Ribeye Filet

Mazza's

4.8

4.8 (1343)

$30 and under

Italian

Columbus

About the restaurant

Our menu offers a homemade spin on old Italian classics, original family recipes, Pizza and features the Famous Mazza's Salad!

Bar/Lounge/Dining Room/Banquet Room/Catering/Curbside Carryout

Free Wifi

Top review

Dione

Dined 1 day ago

Our server, John did an amazing job. He was very nice, made sure our drinks were filled, and made sure the plates were cleared from the table as we enjoyed the delicious prime rib, chicken madiera and the famous mazza salad plus the red sangria.

The Guild House - Columbus

4.8

4.8 (4084)

$31 to $50

American

Columbus

About the restaurant

The Guild House is an artisan eatery featuring creative American cuisine available for dinner. We proudly source locally grown ingredients whenever possible. Our chefs collaborate to create seasonal offerings that are regionally and globally inspired, all with artistic technique in an energetic and inviting space. Our wine list includes wines from around the world that are diverse and carefully selected, and our bar chefs craft fresh squeezed juices and spirits with skillful passion. Repurposed wood, local art and contemporary accents lend to The Guild House’s cosmopolitan character – suitable for revelry or relaxation.

Top review

MichaelaVIP

Dined on Jul 15, 2025

Claire took wonderful care of my sister and I. Service was splendid and wagyu burgers delicious! Thanks again

BRU Burger Bar - Westerville

4.8

4.8 (448)

$30 and under

Burgers

Westerville

About the restaurant

The hamburger is over 100 years old. It’s a classic, purely American, and an icon. The hamburger is the people’s sandwich, everyman’s food. BRU is an ode to our love….the Burger. Paired with a beer, we can’t imagine what could be much better. Join us at BRU Burger Bar. We look forward to serving you! BRU Burger Bar is proudly operated by Cunningham Restaurant Group.

*Please note: Patio tables are seated on a first come first serve basis. Unfortunately, we are unable to promise patio seating for reservations. If patio seating is preferred and noted on your reservation, we will do our very best to accommodate you.

Top review

JanetVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent as always. Food was great and service was outstanding. Thank you so much!

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Popular dish

Bru Burger

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