Even if you live in Columbus, Ohio, knowing about the local restaurants that serve great food can be difficult. People tend to look for chain restaurants even for pricey food such as steak and seafood, but plenty of Columbus spots exist where you can find chefs who personally design their recipes and deliver a premier eating experience worth the extra price. The places on the list below are only some of the highlights of the top-shelf restaurants in Columbus.
Barcelona
Image via Flickr by Alexandre Machado
The Barcelona in Columbus is at 263 E. Whittier St. at the edge of German Village. As the name indicates, instead of authentic German food, Barcelona offers its guests an authentic Spanish experience complete with warm brick walls and a patio covered in flowers and plants.
Along with a menu full of tapas and paellas, Barcelona also offers a chef’s tasting menu that’s always changing and live music every Sunday. You can have a sangria made with Spanish wine with your meal, and don’t forget to leave room for dessert of turtle cheesecake or Spanish custard.
Lindey’s
Lindey’s Restaurant & Bar, at 169 E. Beck St., is in German Village at the spot where East Beck meets Mohawk Street. Both the owner and the executive chef, Brett Fife, came from humble origins, but they’ve managed to turn Lindey’s into one of the top restaurants in the city.
The menu is a straightforward list of American favorites such as Angus beef hamburgers, steaks, seafood, and pasta, but the quality of the ingredients, the cooking, and the presentation are what make Lindey’s stand out. They also offer a full gluten-free menu, a Sunday brunch, and happy hour prices for the bar and lounge.
Third & Hollywood
Image via Flickr by hzeller
Third & Hollywood is exactly where the name promises you’ll find it in Columbus. Located at 1433 W. Third Avenue in the independent Grandview Heights neighborhood, the restaurant is only a short drive away from some of the best bargain Columbus hotels you can discover using Hotel Planner.
Third & Hollywood makes a point of buying its ingredients only from humanely and naturally raised animals, organic produce, and sustainable seafood. The chefs turn those ingredients into some of the finest American entrees around, including options for vegans. This restaurant also has a daily special, so pay attention to the day you make your reservation.
Martini Modern Italian
Martini Modern Italian, at 445 N. High St., is in the heart of downtown Columbus, across the street from the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Both the furniture and the food are modern but with a classical influence, mixing together the best of the old and new for a remarkable experience.
At Martini, you can choose your meal and Italian cocktail from the standard menu, or you can put yourself in the chef’s capable hands and ask for the weekly three-course meal menu that comes complete with wine pairings.
The fine dining restaurants in Columbus are easy to miss if you spend your time looking for the usual national chains. If you have the budget to spare for an expensive meal and you have a special day coming up, treat yourself right and indulge in a first-class meal.
