Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Columbus

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

ROOH Columbus

4.8

4.8 (909)

$31 to $50

Indian

Short North - Arena District

About the restaurant

ROOH is a progressive Indian restaurant. Meaning soul or spirit, ROOH brings the spirit of India to Columbus. Renowned Executive Chef, Sujan Sarkar blends charming, seasonal dishes that are an interpretation of customary Indian sensibilities with his use of international techniques.

---

As a Courtesy to all guests, please limit your time with us to 2 hours for parties of 2-4, and 2.5 hours for parties larger than 4. We have a grace period of 15 minutes.

Top review

Ron

Dined 7 days ago

Service was flawless and the food was amazing. Maryann made our pre-dining experience at the bar a memorable experience. The cocktails were very different from a traditional restaurant bar and made the whole experience an absolute joy. We’ll definitely be back.

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (637)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Short North - Arena District

About the restaurant

Humbly innovative. Fueled by a passion to draw deeper connections between food and spirits, Service Bar delivers an experience that is refreshingly innovative, much of that due to carefully placed hints of nostalgic flavors and techniques. Housed in Middle West Spirits, one of Ohio’s first craft distilleries, the stunning main dining room is both intimate in size and lively in energy.

Full dinner service is available first-come first-serve at the main bar, and by reservation at a variety of smaller individual tables that accommodate 2-6 guests.

Top review

mike

Dined 2 days ago

Exceptional, ambience, service and food — thank you!

Nomad

4.7

4.7 (1007)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Polaris

About the restaurant

Thank you for choosing to dine with us! Please note that we have the following times set aside for your party before we have the next table to seat. Please leave us a note in your reservation or call the store directly if you think you'll need more rime at your table and we'll gladly accommodate if we can.
Parties of 1-2 1 hour and 15 minute, parties of 3-4 1 hour and 45 minutes, parties of 5-6 2 hours, parties of 7-8 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Top review

Leslie

Dined 2 days ago

Service was excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed our evening (friends get together). Josper Queso is our go-to appetizer & it didn’t disappoint. Highly recommend the Nomad Caprese, very fresh flavors & plenty for sharing.

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (620)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Columbus

About the restaurant

We are an approachable, fine dining restaurant in the Short North Arts District, offering a diverse menu rooted in classic culinary traditions and cultivated with modern innovation, specializing in house-made charcuterie and cheeses, vegan butchery, craft cocktails, and fine wine.

[‘plas] provides a memorable guest experience by executing innovative interpretations of culinary classics in a modern rustic environment, accompanied by elevated service and personable staff.

Top review

Kathy

Dined 1 day ago

We had an absolutely incredible experience at Plas! From the moment we sat outside in their beautiful seating area, we knew we were in for something special. We started with the charcuterie, ricotta, and summer salad—all bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors. Then we moved on to the jimbalaya, sweet corn ravioli, and prawns, each dish more delicious than the last. Everything tasted like a perfect celebration of summer. Xander, our server, was simply outstanding—attentive, knowledgeable, and made our dining experience even more memorable. Highly recommend Plas for anyone looking for exceptional food and a welcoming atmosphere!

Union Cafe

4.7

4.7 (50)

$30 and under

American

Columbus

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Marcia

Dined 7 days ago

First time ever to drag show and was very entertaining plus food. and drinks were amazing.

Agave & Rye - Grandview

4.6

4.6 (207)

$30 and under

Mexican

Grandview Heights

About the restaurant

We deliver a chef-inspired take on the standard taco, elevating this simple food into something EPIC!

Top review

Manishvip

Dined 2 days ago

Great ambiance and vibes! Loved the food and service

The Kee

4.5

4.5 (30)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Columbus

About the restaurant

The Kee is Columbus’ place for music, art, and entertainment alongside incredible food and drink.

Come listen to music, play games, enjoy an art exhibit, or just hang out in our indoor and outdoor space located in the heart of the Warehouse District!

We are a dynamic space with ever-changing events and activities put on by the Columbus community.

Come hang!

Top review

Mikala

Dined on Aug 10, 2024

A group of 9 of us came in for my best friends bachelorette trip and everything was great. The food, Drinks, the service, the accommodations. I have no complaints and hope the return soon!!

True Food Kitchen - Columbus

4.4

4.4 (1056)

$30 and under

American

Easton

About the restaurant

True Food Kitchen is a chef-driven restaurant and scratch bar that was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the pioneer of integrative medicine, to provide food that tastes great and is good for you. Our menu features food and drinks crafted with nutrient-dense ingredients and carefully sourced proteins from the world’s most responsible and sustainable growers, farmers and producers. Expand your palate with our Edamame Dumplings, grab a bite of comfort food with our Grass-fed Burger or Lasagna Bolognese, or enjoy lighter fare with our O.G. Tuscan Kale Salad with Grilled Sustainable Salmon. Regardless of the occasion, we know our Columbus guests leave feeling energized, satisfied and most importantly, feeling great. Located in Columbus at Easton, near Nordstrom in the New District at the corner of Worth Avenue and Fenlon Street, across from the Apple store. New flavors, new combinations, new obsessions. Come see us for something completely new and delicious.

Top review

Isca

Dined 4 days ago

I really enjoy this TFK. I eat mostly organic, and most of the menu is healthy and flavorful, with many options for all kinds of diet types. I recently had my birthday dinner here and all my companions agreed that the food was outstanding. Our server was super friendly and attentive. I'm excited to keep coming back here and support this restaurant.

Discover more

Experience

Fall Menu Tasting Event

Galla Park Social

4.4

4.4 (174)

$30 and under

American

Columbus

About the restaurant

Welcome to Galla Park Social, the premier Short North restaurant that combines modern American cuisine with a chic and elevated presentation of classic and reimagined dishes. Our menu is carefully crafted to satisfy every craving, from small plates to gourmet entrees. Our comprehensive selection of cocktails, wine, and beer includes an ample selection of champagne to elevate any occasion. At Galla Park Social, you can eat, drink, and be social all in one place. Join us for a romantic date night, girls' night out, or to catch your favorite team on our big screens. Don't miss our electrifying after dark experience, complete with bottle service and live DJ music.

Top review

Jake

Dined 4 days ago

Great place to get some drinks after work. Cool atmosphere with the lounge in the front of the space.

Discover more

Popular dish

Lobster Escargot (gf)

Bar Cicchetti - Columbus

3.4

3.4 (226)

$31 to $50

Italian

Columbus

About the restaurant

Blending the welcoming charm of a traditional Italian restaurant with the approachable elegance of the most notable destinations, Bar Cicchetti is a perfect addition to the historic charm of downtown Columbus. The name itself, meaning “to share,” encourages guests to connect with one another over a reinvented selection of Italian crowd favorites and refined cocktails.

Occupying the ground floor of the iconic Westin Great Southern hotel, Bar Cicchetti is a rustically refined eatery, offering seasonally inspired dishes, including elevated takes on his favorite comfort food classics, as well as craft beer and cocktails.

Top review

John

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

David was our amazing server! The food and wine was great: David made the experience top notch with his attentiveness and knowledge of the food options. I would recommend David to anyone planning to dine here.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Columbus

Explore more Diners' Choice lists