Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Columbus

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

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!

HARU Omakase

4.9

4.9 (125)

$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

Michael

Dined 2 days ago

The sushi was top-quality and so was the presentation. This is what sushi was meant to be! The sake accompaniment was also very good with many different types.

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Experience

Omakase Counter Dining Experience

SOW Plated

4.7

4.7 (1637)

$30 and under

Fusion / Eclectic

Upper Arlington

About the restaurant

Welcome to SOW Plated!

SŌW Plated is a made-from-scratch restaurant concept built on a flavor-forward menu that rotates regularly allowing guests to experience local food and drink ingredients at the peak of freshness. Food celebrated in the most natural state possible.

We have both indoor and outdoor (All-seasons, heated sun room) seating available.

Top review

LauraVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Interesting cocktails. Appetizer plates perfect for sharing. Server was attentive without hovering.

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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4.7

4.7 (699)

$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

TomVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Food is outstanding. Prefer upstairs dining room to the basement.

North High Brewing - Westerville

4.7

4.7 (140)

$30 and under

Pub

Westerville

About the restaurant

North High Brewing serves award winning craft beer and from scratch bites. Located in Historic Dublin and Westerville, North High Brewing is committed to providing a place where the community can gather, relax and celebrate good times together. Either in the winter at our cozy bars and dining rooms, or during the summer on our patios and beer gardens, there's always a seat at the table.

Top review

Tom

Dined 2 days ago

Took my Dad for Father's Day and didn't see on the website that they only serve brunch until 2pm on Saturday and Sunday was a little bummed out but it worked out fine they had a good selection of breakfast and lunch options. Food was good and there sweet potato fries were awesome

The Melting Pot - Columbus

4.6

4.6 (1940)

$50 and over

Fondue

Columbus

About the restaurant

Enjoy an unforgettable interactive dining experience with friends and family with fondue at The Melting Pot in Columbus. We believe in celebrating the everyday, so you don’t need a special reason to come out for our delicious menu offerings. Whether you’re here for drinks, cheese, and chocolate, or you want to dig into our four-course fondue experience, we know you’ll love every bite! From artisan cheeses to our decadent chocolate fondue desserts, there is something to tickle your taste buds in each pot. Let our friendly staff help you choose the right fondue experience for your table tonight. Make reservations for everyone at The Melting Pot and turn the ordinary into the extraordinary!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

Devon is the best server ever at the melting pot <3

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 on Jun 7, 2025

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.

The Mercury Diner

4.6

4.6 (44)

$30 and under

American

Columbus

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Mercury Diner... a kind of cosmic place!

A local spot for out-of-this-world breakfast, lunch, daily specials and more. Full bar! Funky vibes! Actually fun! Come through :-)

Independently owned and operated since 2022.

Top review

Suzanne

Dined on May 26, 2025

It was a great meal. We really loved it. The home fries were fantastic and the omelette was delicious

Barrel & Boar- Gahanna

4.4

4.4 (805)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Gahanna

About the restaurant

Barrel and Boar BBQ Gastropub is a casual place for family and friends to enjoy finely crafted smoked meats and southern sides, in a warm rustic setting. Barrel & Boar features a collection of low country flavors designed with local products, paired with local beer and craft cocktails. The restaurant has a rustic design using metal, reclaimed barn wood, and antique lighting. The atmosphere is casual, family friendly and open for lunch and dinner.

Top review

Chantalia

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

The food was amazing. I had brisket with fries and my husband had the chicken and waffle. The service could have been better. We had to ask for cutlery, had to ask to drink refills twice, ask for ketchup twice and had to ask for the sauces for the brisket.

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Flour Modern Pasta Bar

4.2

4.2 (170)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Italian

Polaris

About the restaurant

Welcome to our modern pasta bar, where we blend global flavors and pasta shapes with the comforting traditions of Midwest cuisine. All our pasta is freshly made in-house, ensuring quality and flavor in every dish. Located in the Polaris Mall next to Barnes and Nobles

Enjoy an easy and affordable preset menu for dinner, featuring salads, in house baked breads, a variety of handmade pastas, and delightful desserts. Our focus on craft cocktails with local spirits promises to bring a fresh vibe to the Polaris Cocktail scene.

Join us for a memorable dining experience that combines tradition with innovation in a vibrant atmosphere by Chef Yash Kishinchand and the family of Rooh Columbus.

Top review

Tena

Dined on Jun 2, 2025

Food was perfect - flavorful and just enough! Wine list was very nice.

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