Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Columbus

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Columbus? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. 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

4.9

4.9 (1326)

$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

Joy

Dined 3 days ago

An impressive dining experience with top notch food and service.

Lindey's

4.8

4.8 (9353)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

German Village

About the restaurant

Lindey's has been consistently voted one of Columbus' top restaurants for the past 38 years, and has been featured in the Washington Post, USA Today, the New York Times, Gourmet Magazine, The BigTen Network and the book "As the Tables Turn" by Sue Doody & Michael Rosen.

Lindey's is a high-energy, white tablecloth restaurant serving the finest American cuisine in an upper east side New York bistro setting. Nestled in historic German Village, the design incorporates original artwork, bentwood chairs, copper topped bars and hardwood floors. With its exciting and vibrant atmosphere, Lindey's has three main dining rooms, three private party rooms and an award winning outdoor courtyard that has been voted one of the top 100 patios in America by OpenTable.

Top review

MikeVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Outstanding food - we had scallops and filet....outstanding. Noisy but exciting and well worth the trip.

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Cameron's American Bistro

4.8

4.8 (4787)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Worthington

About the restaurant

Thirty years after opening in 1993, our chef-driven menu still features familiar guest favorites, as well as some brand new ones – all complemented by an expansive award-winning wine list.
There’s always a great reason to celebrate at Cameron’s American Bistro, a Worthington neighborhood favorite.

Top review

BarbaraVIP

Dined 4 days ago

We can always count on great service and exceptional choices for dinner!

Nomad

4.7

4.7 (1095)

$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

RyanVIP

Dined on Jun 4, 2025

Great spot. Limited menu but delicious items and cocktails. Will visit again soon

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Rhapsody - Nelsonville

4.7

4.7 (396)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Columbus

About the restaurant

Rhapsody is a casual fine dining restaurant featuring Local Appalachian cuisine. Located in downtown Nelsonville, Ohio's beautiful Public Square, the Rhapsody is easy to get to and is centered in the arts district.

These cutting-edge comfort foods use local fresh ingredients, including vine ripe tomatoes, garden grown basil, local Amish cheese, and house made cheese spreads. Our steaks, chops, and chicken are produced locally, free of growth hormones and antibiotics. Our salads are made with fresh Athens area greens and vegetables. Electric Auto Charging in close proximity!

Top review

Suzanne

Dined on May 17, 2025

We always have a great experience here. Last night was no exception. Great service, great food and the live music was very enjoyable.

1922 on the Square

4.6

4.6 (883)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Newark

About the restaurant

1922 ON THE SQUARE is your local steak and seafood favorite. Its’ newly renovated space that blends modern trends with hints of Art Deco glamour will take you through the years of a family legacy.

We feature tender sizzling steaks, and seasonal seafood such as Wild Salmon, Sea Bass and Ahi Tuna. Along with steak and seafood, our signature oysters, Wagyu beef burger, salads, vegetarian options and pasta dishes provide a variety for any guest. We take pride in using farm fresh products, and local and sustainably sourced ingredients whenever possible.

Our extensive wine list and handmade signature cocktails, both classic and modern, complement our unique menu. Signature cocktails and small plates are offered in our Natoma Lounge Bar, making it a destination of its own. Our focus on authentic hospitality and incredibly food make 1922 ON THE SQUARE a perfect place for celebrations, date night or drinks with friends.

Top review

Elizabeth

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Great service and Great food and Drinks! Enjoyed our evening!

Hubbard Grille

4.5

4.5 (1486)

$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

KarlVIP

Dined on Jun 3, 2025

Great food and atmosphere. Energetic and lively .

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Popular dish

Fried Chicken Sliders

Popular dish

All Natural Fried Chicken

['plas]

4.7

4.7 (697)

$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

JayVIP

Dined on May 31, 2025

Incredible experience, once again, thanks to the amazing food, drinks and service! Lyric has been our server several times while dining here and she NEVER disappoints…so friendly, so knowledgeable and so attentive. The menu is so creative and the flavor profiles are top-notch! This place has quickly become our favorite restaurant in the city and definitely ranks among the best.

The Wine Bistro - Upper Arlington

4.6

4.6 (1215)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Upper Arlington

About the restaurant

It all began in 2011, our guests have been enjoying our made from scratch Mediterranean inspired dishes while relaxing in our rustic and elegant wine country atmosphere.

Take a tour of wines from around the world as you browse through our large selection of available wine. Pair your favorite vineyard varietal with any of your favorites from our small plates, toasted flatbreads, salads or entrée menus.

The Wine Bistro offers an exciting array of well-curated wines and a list of select craft beers. The menu features light, filling appetizers & small plates, soups, salads, flatbreads and entrees offered every day of the week for lunch and dinner. We open at 11:00 AM Mon-Sat and at Noon on Sunday.

Gather a group at one of the communal tables or in the private tasting room. Shop for wine priced at near state minimum or pay a small corkage fee (waived on Mondays & Tuesdays) to enjoy your bottle in-house.
We look forward to exploring great wine and food with you soon!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on May 27, 2025

Sat in bar. Service was excellent. Server anticipated my hesitation on sauce for the risotto and put on side. We all enjoyed are meals. Input on wine was appreciated. Crowded for a Tuesday night probably because there was no corkage fee. I am trying short rib next time!

Service Bar

4.6

4.6 (673)

$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

ArthurVIP

Dined 7 days ago

The food was absolutely fantastic. My wife and I ordered simple appetizers and entrees (Macaroni and cheese, Caesar salad, Pork chop Milanaise, and beef ragu paradelle) but each was prepared with a distinct flavor personality that sets it apart from other restaurants. I am looking forward to returning to tryout other menu items.

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