Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Columbus

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best value restaurants 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!

Mazza's

4.8

4.8 (1342)

$30 and under

Italian

Columbus

About the restaurant

Our menu offers a homemade spin on old Italian classics, original family recipes, Pizza and features the Famous Mazza's Salad!

Bar/Lounge/Dining Room/Banquet Room/Catering/Curbside Carryout

Free Wifi

Top review

Linda

Dined on Jul 16, 2025

We were celebrating my sister’s birthday and the experience couldn’t have been any better. As always, delicious Mazza salads, entrees, wine and her free birthday cheesecake( which we all shared a bite.

BRU Burger Bar - Westerville

4.8

4.8 (447)

$30 and under

Burgers

Westerville

About the restaurant

The hamburger is over 100 years old. It’s a classic, purely American, and an icon. The hamburger is the people’s sandwich, everyman’s food. BRU is an ode to our love….the Burger. Paired with a beer, we can’t imagine what could be much better. Join us at BRU Burger Bar. We look forward to serving you! BRU Burger Bar is proudly operated by Cunningham Restaurant Group.

*Please note: Patio tables are seated on a first come first serve basis. Unfortunately, we are unable to promise patio seating for reservations. If patio seating is preferred and noted on your reservation, we will do our very best to accommodate you.

Top review

JanetVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent as always. Food was great and service was outstanding. Thank you so much!

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Popular dish

Bru Burger

The Mercury Diner

4.6

4.6 (51)

$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

Jane

Dined 5 days ago

This diner is amazing. From the ambience to the presentation of food it’s all delightful. Service was very good and the food delicious. We’ve tried many breakfast and lunch options all very good.

Forno Kitchen and Bar

4.8

4.8 (3005)

$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

Colleen

Dined 4 days ago

We love visiting Forno! Our food was outstanding and so were the drinks! Always a positive experience!

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Popular dish

Forno Chicken

Gallo's Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (1249)

$31 to $50

Creole

Upper Arlington

About the restaurant

Gallo's Kitchen & Bar features Creole and Italian cuisine. The restaurant's atmosphere is comfortable and friendly, providing a casual yet memorable dining experience. Head Chef, Tommy Gallo's culinary linage has ties to some of the best chefs of New Orleans. Offering a menu comprising of entrées, appetizers, sandwiches, soup and salads, providing fresh and flavorsome meals.

Popular dishes include Seafood Creole, The Daily Sautéed Fish, Ohio Proud Filet Mignon, Gumbo with rice, Chicken Etouffee, Pasta Russo Bolognese, Gallo's House Marinara, and Gallo's. The Daily Specials consists of creations by the restaurant's chefs. It's based on fresh fish, seasonal produce and local beef to provide customers with a unique dining experience.

Gallo's Kitchen also has a bar area known for an expansive wine list, featuring 24 glass pours and over 30 additional bottle listings. The bar also in known for craft cocktails and premium draft and bottled beers.

Top review

ChrisVIP

Dined 2 days ago

My favorite restaurant in Columbus Ohio. Love it all.

Bristol Republic

4.8

4.8 (603)

$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

JULIEVIP

Dined on May 2, 2025

Good casual bar atmosphere with good barbecue, and friendly service

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Experience

All You Can Eat BBQ

Experience

Bourbon, Beer and Cocktails

Bendi Wok n' Bar - German Village

4.7

4.7 (199)

$30 and under

Asian

Columbus

About the restaurant

Asian-Fusion Cuisine located on the cusp of German Village and Old Town East, Columbus and coming soon to New Albany.

Top review

WilliamVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent authentic food and attentive service. Bendi’s is consistently excellent.

Mariposa Mexican

4.3

4.3 (73)

$30 and under

Mexican

Newark

About the restaurant

Mariposa is inspired by Mexico’s rich culture and profound beauty. Imagine biting into an authentic, handmade taco with fresh ingredients, perhaps paired with a perfectly balanced margarita, surrounded by vibrant colors, artwork, and décor.
Mariposa delivers authentic Mexican flavors while being approachable and unique. With over 10 authentic tacos to choose from, the menu also includes starters, large plates, sides, desserts and options for kids. We have unique margaritas, hand-crafted cocktails, and an impressive array of wine, tequila and mezcal.
Mariposa is the perfect location for a date night, family gathering, or grabbing a drink with a friend. Some nearby attractions include The Midland Theatre, The Works, Canal Market District, and Thirty One West.

Top review

Zoe

Dined on Jul 12, 2025

I highly recommend Mariposa based on their service, drinks and atmosphere! Our server was BEYOND amazing and went overboard to accommodate our big party including a wild toddler! The atmosphere itself is beautiful and a very nice place to go for an evening out! The highlights for me as far as the menu go were the skinny margarita and the salsa that is served with their chip.ls. The rest of the menu is okay-the portions are not huge and they are priced between $10-$25 from what I remembered and based on what you got. The taste itself is just fine. You can certainly get better Mexican in the area but I would recommend Mariposa for drinks, atmosphere and amazing service!

Lindey's

4.8

4.8 (9433)

$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

MaryVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Gorgeous patio, great food and service, fabulous experience.

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Cilantro Latin Fusion

4.7

4.7 (58)

$30 and under

Latin / Spanish

Crown Ridge

About the restaurant

We believe the best meals start with love, tradition, and a whole lot of hard work. Rooted in the spirit of family and fueled by our dedication to quality, every dish we serve is handcrafted from scratch — no shortcuts, just soul.

Our menu is a celebration of South American flavors reimagined — vibrant, creative, and deeply authentic. From Venezuelan arepas with a twist to bold Peruvian sauces and coastal Colombian favorites, we fuse the familiar with the unexpected to create a culinary experience that feels both comforting and exciting.

Named Best New Restaurant in the City – 2024, Cilantro is more than just a place to eat — it’s a place to connect, to celebrate, and to taste the stories that bring us together.

Come hungry. Leave inspired.

Top review

JayVIP

Dined on Jul 12, 2025

Amazing Venezuelan dishes….civeche, arepas , steak….sauces to die for …great mojitos

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