How to Eat Your Way Through Columbus

By the team at the City of Columbus Division of Mobility & Parking Services

 

The Columbus Division of Mobility and Parking Services couldn’t be more excited to be hosting the IPMI Parking and Mobility Conference and Expo in our city. While you’re here, we want to ensure you eat and drink well, so we rounded up an exclusive list of restaurant recommendations from our team. Check it out!

 

COFFEE AND TREATS

Jeni’s Ice Cream
714 N. High St. | jenis.olo.com
“Technically it’s a local joint even though it’s a nationwide chain now.” — Brittany Price

Parable Cafe
149 S. High St. | parableparable.com
A dreamy, plant-filled coffee shop with decadent pastries that turns into a cocktail bar at night. Visit on a Sunday evening for live jazz!

Stauf’s on Neil
1334 Neil Ave. | staufs.com
An award-winning coffee roaster located in a beautiful repurposed church.

Woodhouse Vegan
19 W. Russell St. | woodhousevegan.com
A plant-based bakery that shares space with a coffee shop tucked away on a side street in the Short North.

 

BREAKFAST, BRUNCH AND LUNCH

Ava’s Taste of the Caribbean
2836 W. Broad St.
Authentic, homestyle Caribbean comfort food.

HangOver Easy
1646 Neil Ave. | hangovereasy.com
A classic breakfast spot in the University District.

Katalina’s in Harrison West
1105 Pennsylvania Ave.
Farm-to-table breakfast and lunch — and of course — pancake balls. A small order-at-the-counter restaurant with first come, first served outdoor seating.

Katzinger’s Deli
475 S. 3rd St. | katzingers.com
An impressively large sandwich menu and traditional Jewish specialities like potato knishes, noodle kugels, potato latkes and matzo ball soup. Don’t forget a free house-made pickle!

Tommy’s Diner
914 W. Broad St. | tommysdiner.com
Widely regarded as the best diner in the city. 

Wario’s Beef and Pork
111 W. Nationwide Blvd. | wariosbeefandportk614.com
Fantastically huge gourmet sandwiches from a walk-up window in the Arena District.

DINNER

Addi’s Restaurant
3750 Cleveland Ave. | addis-restaurant.com
“Authentic Ethiopian food.”Letitia Cetina, Transportation & Mobility Planner

Basi Italia
811 Highland St. | basi-italia.com
“An actual hidden gem.” — Kristian Sims, Transportation & Mobility Planner

Budd Dairy Hall
1086 N. 4th St. | budddairyfoodhall.com
A multi-level food hall and rooftop bar in a historic Italian Village building.

Goremade Pizza
936 N. 4th St. | goremadepizza.com
Order a chef’s choice pizza for a delicious surprise.

High Bank Distillery Co.
1051 Goodale Blvd. | highbankdistillery.com
Elevated pub fare and award-winning vodka in an airy distillery/restaurant space.

Lindey’s
169 E. Beck St. | lindeys.com
“Lindey’s in historic German Village has the best restaurant patio in town and delicious food to go with it.” — Brian Asworth, Transportation & Planning Manager

Martini Modern Italian
445 N. High St. | martinimodernitalian.com
“Martini is a slam dunk every time, especially for conference dwellers.” — Kristian Sims, Transportation & Mobility Planner

Moretti’s of Arlington
2124 Tremont Ctr. | morettisofarlington.com
Family-owned, no-frills Italian comfort food.

Pasqualone’s Ristorante
5766 Emporium Sq. | pasqualones.com
“This place requires a reservation and won’t disappoint. The owner is the chef and his wife is the hostess. It’s a small, quaint place with amazing, authentic Italian food.” — Amanda Ford, Policies & Strategies Manager

The Pearl
641 N. High St. | thepearlrestaurant.com
Stylish Short North restaurant with oysters and a great happy hour. 

Pecan Penny’s 
113 E. Main St. | pecanpennys.com
Barbecue restaurant with a fun, casual patio in a lively area of downtown Columbus.

The Red Brick Tap & Grille
292 E. Gates St. | theredbricktapandgrill.com
A cozy, chill bar and restaurant with a small patio on a quiet neighborhood street.

Ringside Café
19 N. Pearl St. | ringsidecolumbus.com
“The oldest restaurant in Columbus and the best cheeseburger in town” — Ray Ballard, Meter Operations Supervisor

Schmidt’s Sausage Haus
240 E. Kossuth St. | schmidthaus.com
The iconic German Village experience, with famously gigantic cream puffs. 

The Thurman Cafe
183 Thurman Ave. | thethurmancafe.com
Well known for the formidable Thurman Burger.

Wolf’s Ridge
215 N. 4th St. | wolfsridgebrewing.com
“A craft brewery on 4th street with great beer and food” — Emme Kogge, Transportation & Mobility Planner