Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Columbus

OpenTable

Updated June 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 (1335)

$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

Colin

Dined 2 days ago

One of the best meals we’ve had in a restaurant in a while. Great food, great ambiance, great service from Lyndsay.

HARU Omakase

4.9

4.9 (136)

$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

James

Dined 7 days ago

Great food and friendly, attentive service. We had the omakase which was fantastic.

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Experience

Omakase Counter Dining Experience

RH Rooftop Restaurant at RH Columbus

4.8

4.8 (3173)

$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

Brian

Dined 4 days ago

This was my first time, the atmosphere was amazing, the service was great, the food was very good! Will be back!

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Cento – German Village

4.8

4.8 (1150)

$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

Shannon

Dined 2 days ago

Charming environment. Delicious food. THE ESPRESSO MARTINI. Service was great.

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Tomato Focaccia & Garlic Bread

Butcher & Rose

4.9

4.9 (1115)

$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

Michaela

Dined 5 days ago

Amazing and elevated experience with 10/10 food and service! Will definitely be back.

The Pour House at Machinery Hall

4.9

4.9 (291)

$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

Heather

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Service was very slow and we didn’t realize until after we left that we never did get the French onion soup we ordered.

Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse - Columbus

4.8

4.8 (5581)

$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

Danielle

Dined 4 days ago

Jeff Ruby is my absolute favorite steak house to go to. The service is always top notch and so is the food. We tried the Louis Vuitton cake last night and it was 10/10.

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Australian Wagyu Ribeye Filet

Mazza's

4.8

4.8 (1342)

$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

Kathy

Dined 5 days ago

Reservation made on Thursday for the following Mazza Monday. Great service and food at an amazing price!

The Guild House - Columbus

4.8

4.8 (4069)

$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

Nadia

Dined 5 days ago

Atmosphere and service was fabulous. Food was too salty for me, a matter of individual taste.

BRU Burger Bar - Westerville

4.8

4.8 (446)

$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

JeanVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Our waitress was very pleasant and asked several times if we needed anything else. Our food was ready in a reasonable amount of time and was exactly as ordered. We always make a reservation as it can get busy in a Saturday night.

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Popular dish

Bru Burger

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