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Union Cafe, Columbus, OH

Union Cafe

4.3 (81)
$30 and under
American
782 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215-1430

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 1 time today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Kid-friendly
  • Good for groups
Voted Columbus' Best LGBT+ Bar, Union Cafe has been a staple in the heart of the Short North since 1996. Union is a safe space known for its generous pours, daily drink specials, and world-class drag entertainment. Our modern American menu is popularly priced and expanding throughout the spring.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 11:00 am–2:30 am
  • Phone number
    (380) 239-2728
  • Website
    https://www.facebook.com/UnionCafe/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Nate Elkovitch
  • Location
    782 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215-1430
  • Neighborhood
    Columbus
  • Parking details
    None
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Menu

Union Cafe's menu was last updated on 3/22/2023.

Small Plates

  • Fried Pickles$9.50

    served with ranch

    • Tortilla Chips$6.25

      served with salsa

      • Fried Calamari$10.00

        served with sriracha aioli

        • Big Nachos*$12.50

          queso, tomatoes, cheddar jack, scallions, bell peppers, jalapeno, lettuce, sour cream, salsa black bean

          • Chicken$13.50

        • Cheese Curds$9.75

          served with marinara sauce

          • Fried Wings*$9.75

            buffalo | bbq

            • Soft Pretzel Sticks [4]$8.00

              honey mustard, ranch, or marinara

              Loaded Pub Fries or Tots

              • Loaded*$8.00

                queso, cheddar jack, bacon, scallions, ranch

                • White Truffle$7.25

                  shredded parm & truffle oil

                  Salads

                  • House Greens$11.00

                    arugula, romaine, savoy cabbage, red wine vinaigrette, candied pecans, crumbled bleu cheese

                    • Chef Salad$11.00

                      mixed greens, cucumber, croutons, tomato, bacon, shredded cheese, turkey, ham, ranch

                      • Kale Caesar$9.25

                        kale, romaine capers, croutons, shaved parm, boquerones

                        Proteins

                        • Crispy or Grilled Chicken, Tofu$8.00

                          Large Plates

                          • Chicken Salad Sandwich*$13.50

                            chicken, celery, onions, ranch-based sauce

                            • Turkey Club*$13.50

                              honey smoked turkey, bacon, romaine, swiss, adobo sauce, Ito

                              • Stack Burger*$10.00

                                Choice of cheese: american, swiss, habanero jack, mozzarella, cheddar. Choice of bread: brioche bun, texas toast, or wrap Itop

                                • Double$13.00
                                • Triple$16.00

                              • Kickin Chicken*$13.25

                                choice of cheese, habanero mayo, pickles, crispy bbq & cheddar | grilled | crispy buffalo & bleu

                                • Quesadilla*$12.75

                                  Fajita: grilled chicken or veggie. Crispy chicken: buffalo or bbq

                                  • Pad Thai*

                                    • Veg$13.00
                                    • Chicken, Tofu, or Shrimp$15.00

                                  Dessert

                                  • NY Cheesecake$6.50

                                    • Custard$4.00

                                      • Soft Pretzel Sticks [4]$9.00

                                        served with salted caramel

                                        • Mile-High Chocolate Cake$7.00

                                          Sides

                                          • Regular$4.00

                                            pub fries | tots | basmati rice

                                            • Premium$6.00

                                              1/2 house greens | 1/2 chef salad | 1/2 kale caesar

                                              Daily Specials

                                              • Tuesday - Free Chips & Salsa

                                                queso +$1

                                                • Wednesday - $1 Off Stack Burgers*

                                                  • Saturday - Drag Brunch

                                                    11a-1p

                                                    • Sunday - Select Brunch Menu

                                                      10a-2p

                                                      Weekly Entertainment

                                                      • Monday - Karaoke

                                                        10p-2a

                                                        • Wednesday - Wednesdays Are a Drag

                                                          10p

                                                          • Thursday - Long Island Thursday Show

                                                            10p

                                                            • Saturday - Drag Brunch

                                                              11a; noon show

                                                              Last updated: March 22, 2023

                                                              What 81 people are saying

                                                              Union Cafe reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

                                                              Overall ratings and reviews

                                                              Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                              4.3
                                                              4.3 based on recent ratings
                                                              • 4.0Food
                                                              • 4.5Service
                                                              • 4.5Ambience
                                                              • 4.3Value

                                                              Noise • Moderate

                                                              Loved For

                                                              • Columbus

                                                                Great for brunch

                                                              • Columbus

                                                                Neighborhood gem

                                                              • Columbus

                                                                Lively

                                                              • Columbus

                                                                Great for brunch

                                                              • Columbus

                                                                Neighborhood gem

                                                              • Columbus

                                                                Lively

                                                              Review summary

                                                              AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                              Union Cafe offers a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, especially celebrated for its "great brunch" and "amazing drag shows." The staff, including standout servers like Jen and Kevin, ensures a memorable experience. While some improvements are needed, it's a "safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community," providing "fantastic service" and a variety of menu options.
                                                              81 Reviews

                                                              1. Ada

                                                                Columbus2 reviews

                                                                5.0

                                                                Dined 4 days ago

                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                2. Food 4
                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                We had so much fun at drag brunch! The wait staff was so nice, the food was reasonably priced and drinks were strong. I will definitely be back

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                                                              2. Ashley

                                                                Columbus3 reviews

                                                                3.0

                                                                Dined on June 15, 2025

                                                                1. Overall 3
                                                                2. Food 1
                                                                3. Service 4
                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                The service and drag show was fantastic. The food, not so much. Took us over an hour to receive our food after we ordered. It was cold, dry and way too salty. Would go back for the drag and drinks but definitely skipping the food.

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                                                              3. Marc VIP

                                                                Washington, D.C. Area4 reviews

                                                                1.0

                                                                Dined on June 15, 2025

                                                                1. Overall 1
                                                                2. Food 1
                                                                3. Service 2
                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                On the morning after Pride, many of us were struggling. What we didn’t expect was the real struggle of Union’s kitchen to hand brunch service to a moderately (but not fully) booked dining room. Jen, our server, was kind, endearing, and put in clear effort to make our Union experience worthwhile. However, it was clear she was not supported by the restaurant (the servers need trays, for example), line staff should be prepared to leave pitchers of water on tables so they don’t leave customers wanting for water (and so service does not impede on the Drag Queens’ stage presence), and point of sales systems should enable staff to handle all aspects of their tables’ bills, including allowing servers to remove items the the kitchen never delivered (such as allowing servers four of our ordered entrees).

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                                                              4. Marcus

                                                                Columbus1 review

                                                                1.0

                                                                Dined on June 13, 2025

                                                                1. Overall 1
                                                                2. Food 1
                                                                3. Service 3
                                                                4. Ambience 3
                                                                Food was not what it used to be several years ago.

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                                                              5. Brooklynn

                                                                Columbus2 reviews

                                                                5.0

                                                                Dined on June 8, 2025

                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                Best first drag brunch experience from the SEVENTH best drag brunch in the nation!

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                                                              6. Kev

                                                                Columbus6 reviews

                                                                3.0

                                                                Dined on May 11, 2025

                                                                1. Overall 3
                                                                2. Food 4
                                                                3. Service 3
                                                                4. Ambience 3
                                                                Over the experience as great as it had been in the past. We didn’t know we missed brunch. They only had 1 cook so took a long time to get out food.

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                                                              7. Evan

                                                                Portland / Oregon2 reviews

                                                                5.0

                                                                Dined on May 11, 2025

                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                Took my wife and our 3 year old son to Drag Brunch on Mother’s Day. The entire staff was welcoming and pleasant. The food was great, and came in right around $100 for three meals, coffee, and a couple drinks. Well worth the visit and will absolutely be back.

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                                                              8. Jeffrey

                                                                New Orleans / Louisiana2 reviews

                                                                5.0

                                                                Dined on May 4, 2025

                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                4. Ambience 3
                                                                Great service. Good was good. Wish the owners would put back together the little things that made Union special, such as the video screens in the restroom that promoted their special events etc. the holes in the wall are embarrassing.

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                                                              9. Brendan

                                                                Cincinnati / Dayton1 review

                                                                2.0

                                                                Dined on April 18, 2025

                                                                1. Overall 2
                                                                2. Food 1
                                                                3. Service 3
                                                                4. Ambience 3
                                                                New menu was launched, but none of it was available 😳

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                                                              10. Waseem

                                                                Columbus1 review

                                                                5.0

                                                                Dined on April 11, 2025

                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                Had a great time at Union Café Bar for the RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing party! The drag show was super fun, the food was tasty with lots of variety, and the staff were kind and attentive. Most importantly, it felt like a very safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community. Definitely coming back!

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                                                              FAQs

                                                              Union Cafe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (380) 239-2728.

                                                              Union Cafe is rated 4.3 stars by 81 OpenTable diners.

                                                              Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                              1. Home
                                                              2. United States
                                                              3. Columbus
                                                              4. Columbus
                                                              5. Columbus

                                                              Make a reservation

                                                              2 people
                                                              7:00 PM
                                                              Booked 1 time today
                                                              Google Map for Union Cafe

                                                              782 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215-1430

                                                              Additional information

                                                              • Neighborhood
                                                                Columbus
                                                              • Hours of operation
                                                                Daily 11:00 am–2:30 am
                                                              • Price
                                                                $30 and under
                                                              • Cuisines
                                                                American, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Contemporary American
                                                              • Dining style
                                                                Casual Dining
                                                              • Dress code
                                                                Business Casual
                                                              • Parking details
                                                                None
                                                              • Payment options
                                                                AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                              • Executive chef
                                                                Nate Elkovitch
                                                              • Additional
                                                                Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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