Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Columbus

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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!

Forno Kitchen and Bar

4.8

4.8 (2894)

$30 and under

American

Short North - Arena District

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of the Short North Arts District, Forno offers the best atmosphere and contemporary cuisine in the city, with alluring views of our custom stone-fire oven and High Street happenings. An unrivaled Happy Hour includes hand-crafted drinks, wine by the glass, Ohio drafts, signature pizzas and sharables. Stop in and see why we’ve been ranked as one of Forbes Top 100 Hottest Restaurants in America! Please call us at 614-469-0053 to make a reservation!

Top review

RobynVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Best happy hour in town! I love the shrimp, meatballs, and calamari appetizers. Good pizzas, too!

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Holiday Chalet January 2025

Domo

4.8

4.8 (157)

$30 and under

Asian

Columbus

About the restaurant

With almost a decade of experience cooking in the finest restaurants and making sushi, our chef is excited to present their vision to you and all our guests. Our caring and committed staff make sure you have a fantastic experience. Eat what you love at Domo. Come enjoy our fresh sushi and Japanese/Korean dishes.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on Jan 3, 2025

Small restaurant which lends itself to be noisier than you might like at dinner. Service was ok. Had to constantly ask for water. Food was very good.

Lincoln Social

4.7

4.7 (199)

$31 to $50

Fusion / Eclectic

Columbus

About the restaurant

Guests must be 21 and over to enter at all times.

The urban rooftop lounge, located atop the Lincoln building, is the perfect way to enjoy the Columbus skyline. With a retractable roof and a fire pit, this cool rooftop oasis is the ideal spot for guests to sip, savor and surround themselves within the cityscape. Enjoy the sweeping city views with a cocktail in hand, crafted by expert mixologists and stay for a flavorful bite created by the award-winning culinary team. This will be an energetic gathering place complete with an ivy wall to grab the perfect Instagram picture.

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Always a great time here and Fab was awesome and accommodating!

Union Cafe

4.7

4.7 (59)

$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

Justin

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

We came to Union Cafe to watch the Drag Race premier and got sat at the table closest to the stage where the hosting drag queens sat. For food, we ordered the Reuben & Cajun Alfredo, both of which tasted great and had a favorable price. Our servers were sure to keep our water glasses full and ensured we had a great experience. The noise level was pretty loud, which is to be expected on a night where a drag race episode is airing - but the noise level did not take away from the ambiance! The night had a very good energy and is the reason we continue to come back to Union Cafe so often.

Hubbard Grille

4.6

4.6 (1448)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Columbus

About the restaurant

Hubbard Bar & Grille is a new American restaurant and event space in the heart of the Short North since 2010. Featuring fresh, local and organic meals & creative cocktails in a modern, sophisticated atmosphere. We are open for dinner 6 nights a week; closed on Mondays.
Our second floor bar and lounge may be reserved to create a flexible space for groups of 50+. Guest can enjoy the privacy of a sit-down dinner or mingle in cocktail-party fashion. For more information visit www.hubbardgrille.com/private-event
Booking a table online is fast and convenient, but if you are having difficulty finding a certain availability feel free to call us and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Top review

SaraVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Very good experience and tasty food! Would totally come back again

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Popular dish

Fried Chicken Sliders

Popular dish

All Natural Fried Chicken

Agave & Rye - Grandview

4.6

4.6 (250)

$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

KoltonVIP

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

My taco flight was delicious My server, Aliza was amazing. This place is always on point.

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Experience

Agave & Rye Grandview Restaurant Week

Bristol Republic

4.5

4.5 (584)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Columbus

About the restaurant

Welcome to Bristol Republic!
Nestled in the heart of the Short North, Bristol Republic is a locally owned, Nashville inspired bar and restaurant serving up competition quality BBQ smoked in-house daily, ice cold craft beer, over 150 rare Bourbon and Whiskeys from well-known and independent distilleries across the country and live music (Friday & Saturday)! We are open Thursday-Sunday. Join us Saturday & Sunday mornings from 10am-3pm for our famous Southern Brunch! Menus can be found at our website.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

The food was amazing. Chef Greg is one great cook. My friends and I came in for brunch and it did not disappoint. The Bloody Mary special was fantastic! Will definitely return.

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Experience

All You Can Eat BBQ

Experience

Bourbon, Beer and Cocktails

Experience

Southern Easter Brunch Buffet

Grandview Cafe

4.3

4.3 (26)

$30 and under

American

Upper Arlington

About the restaurant

Laid-back neighborhood tavern serving American eats & craft brews in a vintage space with a patio. Voted #1 best neighborhood bar in Upper Arlington/Grandview in the (614) ColumBEST awards!

Top review

Gail

Dined on Dec 15, 2024

It was just a little loud for conversation. Food and service was good so would go back

17 Arrows Craft Kitchen + Bar

4.2

4.2 (45)

$30 and under

American

Columbus

About the restaurant

At 17 Arrows Craft Kitchen & Bar, we offer bold, regionally inspired menus that celebrate the rich culinary traditions of Ohio. Join us each week to enjoy our fantastic specials, including "Wine Down Wednesdays," indulgent weekend brunches, and vibrant happy hour offerings. This summer, our space comes alive with live music, so follow us on social media to find out when your favorite band or artist will be performing!

The name 17 Arrows pays tribute to Ohio's state seal, where the seventeen arrows symbolize its place as the seventeenth state admitted into the Union. Our venue beautifully balances warm sophistication with a friendly Midwestern attitude, creating the perfect setting for conversation, fun, and elevated dining. Our seasonal menu honors Ohio's rich recipes, ingredients, and history while supporting local farms, artisans, microbrewers, and neighbors. Whether you're a local or visiting from afar, we invite you to experience the unique charm at 17 Arrows Craft Kitchen & Bar.

Top review

Brandi

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Sat at the bar in comfy chairs! Bartending was kind and fun to talk with but food was amazing

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Experience

Valentine's Day at 17 Arrows Craft Kitchen + Bar

Kona Grill - Columbus

3.6

3.6 (741)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Easton

About the restaurant

Welcome to Kona Grill in Columbus. Kona Grill is a classic American Grill with great steak and seafood - complemented by the best choice of sushi and margaritas at any grill in America. Kona Grill features a global menu of contemporary American favorites, award-winning sushi, and specialty craft cocktails in a polished, casual atmosphere. From brunch & lunch to dinner & happy hour, the restaurant offers a range of freshly prepared dishes from the grill, seasonal menu items and fan-favorite dishes across all dayparts. Kona Grill offers both indoor and outdoor patio dining at all its locations, $3, $6, $9 happy hour offered weekdays & NEW weekend brunch, guided by a passion for quality food and exceptional service.

Top review

April

Dined 7 days ago

Had a business lunch at Kona and it was very good. Service, food and atmosphere was wonderful!

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Popular dish

Macadamia Nut Chicken

Popular dish

NY Strip

Experience

Taste of Kona: 3-Course Prix Fixe Menu

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