Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Columbus

OpenTable

Updated January 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!

Degrees @ Columbus State Community College

5.0

5 (168)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Columbus

About the restaurant

Degrees is a full-service restaurant serving familiar favorites with a gourmet twist. Join us on Columbus State’s campus in the heart of downtown to enjoy carefully crafted food and outstanding hospitality. When you dine at Degrees, you're also supporting the next generation of the hospitality industry. Here, students in our hospitality and culinary arts programs gain valuable experience as they work alongside industry professionals. Degrees is open Monday through Thursday, with lunch served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and dinner from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

Top review

Samantha

Dined on Dec 2, 2024

We loved our experience! The menu options were great, the food was delicious, and the staff was very friendly. Definitely plan to return!

ROOH Columbus

4.9

4.9 (943)

$31 to $50

Indian

Short North - Arena District

About the restaurant

ROOH is a progressive Indian restaurant. Meaning soul or spirit, ROOH brings the spirit of India to Columbus. Renowned Executive Chef, Sujan Sarkar blends charming, seasonal dishes that are an interpretation of customary Indian sensibilities with his use of international techniques.

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As a Courtesy to all guests, please limit your time with us to 2 hours for parties of 2-4, and 2.5 hours for parties larger than 4. We have a grace period of 15 minutes.

Top review

Sam

Dined 6 days ago

Food was 7/10 I’ve had better Indian food but the employees/owners were lovely. It was a good experience

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4.8

4.8 (1038)

$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

Janis

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Nomad is one of our “go to” spots. Staff is always welcoming, drinks and food are well thought out and well cooked. Love what they do with the Josper oven (especially the vegetables).

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4.8

4.8 (660)

$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

LuisVIP

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Wonderful as always! Great change of menu and wine selection!

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Experience

614 Restaurant Week

Experience

Valentine's Tasting Menu

HARU Omakase

4.8

4.8 (45)

$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

MaryVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Best sushi in Columbus. It was fresh, had balance of crunch, acid, salt, and fat to a superior level!

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Experience

Omakase Counter Dining Experience

Goodale Station

4.6

4.6 (825)

$30 and under

American

Columbus

About the restaurant

Perched atop the Canopy by Hilton in Downtown Columbus, our rooftop offers breathtaking views complemented by two patios, each furnished with cozy fire pits and dining tables. Our menus celebrate Ohio and the Midwest’s local bounty, crafting creative New American Cuisine. Executive Chef Jonathan Olson collaborates with local farmers to bring fresh, vibrant flavors to every dish. The innovation extends to our bartenders, who craft unique signature cocktails alongside classic favorites. We aim to deliver bold, seasonal dishes and a curated cocktail menu for an unforgettable experience. Reservations are highly recommended to ensure you enjoy every moment to the fullest.

Top review

MorganVIP

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

My top five restaurant in Columbus! They never disappoint and I’d highly recommend.

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Experience

Valentine's Day Celebration

Experience

Valentine's Day Celebration 2025

FYR Short North

4.6

4.6 (769)

$30 and under

Unspecified

Columbus

About the restaurant

FYR represents the metaphorical hearth of downtown Columbus with the centerpiece of the kitchen being a wood-fired grill led by renowned Argentine chef, Sebastian La Rocca. Located within Hilton Columbus Downtown, the use of fire & smoke is incorporated into every dish to bring the historical ritual of cooking over an open flame tableside. FYR is a stronghold of culinary passion - a gathering place that honors the emotional, mental and spiritual nature of flame and food.

Top review

Luciana

Dined on Dec 18, 2024

Loved everything about our dinner at FYR. Great open fire kitchen with Argentina parrilla. Food was amazing, from starter to dessert. Favorites if the night was skirt steak and the side of grilled carrots. The gnocchi was also delicious. The place is big and spacious with a nice setting of tables around the room making the ambiance super nice for every occasion ( large or small parties). Want to go back to try lunch menu too.

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Agave & Rye - Grandview

4.6

4.6 (250)

$30 and under

Mexican

Grandview Heights

About the restaurant

We deliver a chef-inspired take on the standard taco, elevating this simple food into something EPIC!

Top review

KoltonVIP

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

My taco flight was delicious My server, Aliza was amazing. This place is always on point.

True Food Kitchen - Columbus

4.4

4.4 (1117)

$30 and under

American

Easton

About the restaurant

True Food Kitchen is a chef-driven restaurant and scratch bar that was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the pioneer of integrative medicine, to provide food that tastes great and is good for you. Our menu features food and drinks crafted with nutrient-dense ingredients and carefully sourced proteins from the world’s most responsible and sustainable growers, farmers and producers. Expand your palate with our Edamame Dumplings, grab a bite of comfort food with our Grass-fed Burger or Lasagna Bolognese, or enjoy lighter fare with our O.G. Tuscan Kale Salad with Grilled Sustainable Salmon. Regardless of the occasion, we know our Columbus guests leave feeling energized, satisfied and most importantly, feeling great. Located in Columbus at Easton, near Nordstrom in the New District at the corner of Worth Avenue and Fenlon Street, across from the Apple store. New flavors, new combinations, new obsessions. Come see us for something completely new and delicious.

Top review

Tanya

Dined on Jan 5, 2025

True Food Kitchen was excellent! Everything from beginning to end was amazing, especially our server, Harriet!

Flour Modern Pasta Bar

4.4

4.4 (79)

$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

JaimeVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Wow!! This place is a hidden gem!! Amazing experience from start to finish. I love their pre-fixed menu and I can’t wait to come back to try their other selections. I had the gnocchi and had a clean plate. I was scraping the sauce off the plate as it was so good! The cocktail list has a great mixture and I want to try their happy hour!

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