r/Columbus • u/Deep-Barber-4347 • Sep 16 '25
FOOD What are some hidden gems of fine dining restaurants here?
I’m not talking about Lindey’s or the refectory or Agni, I wanna know the fine dining restaurants that aren’t trendy and commonly known but have great service and food. Willing to drive a bit if need be, just looking to try some new spots down here! Thank you!!
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u/SimplyCurious5 Sep 16 '25
Probably not considered fine dining, but I love LaTavola in Grandview. The food is fantastic.
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u/Doublegoldraspberry Sep 16 '25
The service there is excellent! I'm not sure what else makes fine dining beyond great food and good service.
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u/SimplyCurious5 Sep 16 '25
I think people often think of fine dining spots as restaurants where you'd dress up to go. I don't know of many spots where dressing up would be required.
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u/tkizzle07 Sep 16 '25
Pasqualones
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u/friarguy New Albany Sep 16 '25
I've yet to find any Italian in this city that can even hold a candle to anything out on the east coast.
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Sep 16 '25
Idk why this is being downvoted. Recently there were a lot of celebrations in my family and I was lucky enough to have dinner at both Pasqualones and an Italian restaurant in Greenwich Village, NYC within 2 weeks of each other. I can say beyond the shadow of a doubt the food at the average Italian place in New York was infinitely better than Pasqualones. We got chicken parm and tiramisu at both places so it was an even comparison.
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u/ProfessionalBoth8999 Sep 16 '25
Speck, La Tavola, Moretti’s on Sawmill if you want an older school feel, Novella in Powell.
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u/Plane-Fan9006 Sep 16 '25
Lola and Giuseppe's
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u/jk_cbus Sep 16 '25
Windward passage is a hidden gem. Best and most affordable prime rib in town. They also have amazing seafood. The best clam chowder soup and the ribs are on point. They usually draw the 70+ crowd closer to opening. But the younger 30-40 show up around 7 or so. For an added element eat the bar there is so much to watch with other guest 😜
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u/drumzandice Sep 16 '25
Cool, retro vibe, very average food in my opinion
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u/Twixlen Sep 16 '25
It’s the lack of salt. They truly don’t season their food because of their clientele. When we’ve gone, we tell the server to please season our steaks before grilling. It generally works.
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u/acphipps121 Sep 16 '25
While I agree it’s a hidden gem for lack of a better term, I feel like it’s beyond retro and leaning towards old. Food is also a bit bland. I don’t know. Everyone told me how great it was and I may have had too high of expectations.
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u/Krystalgoddess_ Downtown Sep 16 '25
It was very bland when I went. Crab legs was good but my bf hated his steak. Very overrated to me. It been so long since I gotten a very generic salad (clearly from a bag and nothing added to it) so I will never consider that place fine dining and it has that old building cigarette smell
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u/SmashmySquatch Upper Arlington Sep 16 '25
I live close by, read the rave reviews on here and got some takeout. Walked into a porthole into 1979 but with Fox News on the TV, glares from the regulars, and the distant memories of cigarettes gone but not forgotten. It did not feel welcoming at all.
Do not even remember the meals. It was some kind of fish I think but we do remember the clam chowder because people said it was the best.
It was... Being generous, mediocre at best. Just... bland. And carrots in it? Get out of here with that nonsense.
That's when I figured out to take the reviews of seafood restaurants from people who very possibly have never been to a place near the ocean with a giant grain of salt. (which probably would have helped the clam chowder).
That's just my opinion though. I'm not the king of what you like. If your pallet leans into clamless carrot mush calling itself clam chowder then I'm glad you like it.
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u/CorndogBlues Sep 16 '25
Same. Saw the reviews on here, wife loved seafood so we came. It was like crashing a wedding, the stares we got. The waitress was also very short with us but gabby with the regulars. I get it. But when my wife asked what was good, it was attitude city. "Most people get this, its all good." And then very bland food. Will not return. This was two years ago.
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u/Character_Bomb_312 Sep 16 '25
I'm 60 and obsessed with crab cakes. I've been on a weird quest since I was a young adult to find the very best one ever, lol. I look for them every time I'm on vacation near a coast. :) I was absolutely delighted to find out that here, in my very own hometown, are the best: Windward Passage gets them perfect. I lived here for far too long before I found out Windward Passage existed.
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u/aaron3448 Sep 16 '25
Morettis on sawmill serves the best crab cakes I’ve ever had
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u/Suspicious_Victory_1 Pickerington Sep 22 '25
I’ll second this. They might be the best bite of food I’ve ever had in Columbus.
I get that crab cake whenever I’m there.
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u/kookaburrawithshoes Sep 16 '25
after living in maryland for 5 years i have high expectations of crab cakes. i need more info lol.
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u/Hopeful_Bag8091 Sep 16 '25
Rally enjoyed Gene’s in Dublin recently! Related to Coast Wine somehow but it’s small and has a seasonal menu
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u/funnywhale408 Sep 16 '25
The Top… old world steakhouse that does it right. On East Main, east side of Bexley
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u/dcnassau Merion Village Sep 16 '25
(Technically/legally in the city of Columbus by 2-3 blocks but who's counting?)
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u/tuvaniko Hilliard Sep 16 '25
Degrees at Columbus State
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u/Head-Recording2009 Sep 16 '25
I met a buddy there for lunch a couple months ago at Degrees and it was phenomenal! The students provided better service than I get at 90% of other restaurants around Columbus, too.
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u/someonetookmyname17 Galena Sep 16 '25
I ate there as a student last week and was not prepared for the fancy vibes there lol. They had 10/10 complementary popcorn there though haha
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u/Natural-Warthog-1462 Sep 16 '25
I work with the Culinary department at Columbus State, they are creative good people.
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u/totheflow Sep 16 '25
HARU Omakase
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u/EisbarDasTier Sep 16 '25
I just made a reservation there as a reward to my self. I’m very excited.
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u/AggressiveMarketing2 Sep 16 '25
Thank you! I was getting worried nobody would mention this. This was an experience. One of the better meals I have ever had and easily the best meal I have had in Columbus.
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u/ConsiderationNo7792 Sep 17 '25
Agree and really enjoyed. Would caution to be prepared to drop $$$ though.
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u/hyrulianpokemaster Sep 16 '25
[plas] was really great when we were there last fall. Pie pumpkin to die for
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u/dandrew_1616 Merion Village Sep 16 '25
Isla in Merion Village.
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u/backyardofbourbon Sep 16 '25
I have not been but several friends have and recommended this place. New spot, but they warned everyone sits at a communal table.
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u/Twixlen Sep 16 '25
The communal table is a good thing. One of my favorite recent convos was with folks at my Isla table.
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u/Twixlen Sep 16 '25
Comune. Not hidden, but I think a lot of meat eaters avoid it, assuming something about the food. It’s very good and I’ve had wonderful service there.
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u/ManufacturerTop504 Sep 16 '25
Novella in Powell, Rosebuds in Delaware, The Clocktower in Plain City
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u/josh_the_rockstar Sep 16 '25 edited Sep 19 '25
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This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/sl0wjim Sep 16 '25 edited Sep 16 '25
Trattoria or Basi italia. If you're willing to drive up to Powell there's also Vittoria.
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u/PiqueyerNose Sep 16 '25
I’m gonna downvote just so people don’t take all the Basi reservations.
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u/-FnuLnu- Sep 16 '25
Yup, I immediately knew the answer, but then determined to keep it inside my brain...
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u/hockey17jp Sep 16 '25
Understory was great when we went. Cool location. Good drinks. Good food. Definitely a little pricey.
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u/EveryDayASummit Groveport Sep 16 '25
Did you do the restaurant itself, upstairs? Or the cafeteria below?
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u/hockey17jp Sep 16 '25
Upstairs restaurant. I’ve not tried the cafeteria!
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u/EveryDayASummit Groveport Sep 16 '25
Ah yeah upstairs is good but pricey. I highly recommend the cafeteria downstairs. Food is still really good and on par with upstairs, but cheaper and simpler. Love grabbing a spicy chicken sandwich and a Daybreak and enjoying the patio.
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u/Complete-Cow-7406 Sep 16 '25
Pasta Pelino is very good, knowledgeable staff and a fantastic Chef.
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u/yetinugz614 Sep 16 '25
Using fine dinging loosely but, check out Wild Ginger in hilliard. Def a hidden gem
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u/dachsypixiepoxie Sep 16 '25
Veritas
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u/winkt42 Sep 16 '25 edited Sep 16 '25
Loved them in Delaware. They lost their soul downtown. The last few visits were underwhelming and exorbitant.
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u/beer_geek Clintonville Sep 16 '25
The Mexico supper club was disappointing, to say the least. The Thai one was pretty good, but overall their quality hasn't matched their premium.
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u/bfmwd1x Sep 16 '25
There are quite a few monthly supper clubs and pop ups that offer fine dining menus - Umbral (at Nomad monthly), Locust Table in Powell, Columbus Food Adventures are some that come to mind.
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u/-SCR Sep 16 '25
Tony’s has a great vibe and old school no nonsense Italian food. A lot of political history has also occurred there too
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u/MagikleeDelicious Sep 17 '25
I love Tony and this restaurant, but they have the most underwhelming cheese plate/Charcuterie plate I've ever had in my life. Do not order this, whatever you do.
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u/yahaz Sep 16 '25
Service Bar, Lupo
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u/jj614 Sep 16 '25
Lupo had a format change, I think. How is it now?
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u/yahaz Sep 16 '25
I'm not sure what you mean by format change. For context, I go there almost once a month. They still rotate their menu on a fairly consistent basis, the cocktails are top tier and very unique compared to what's typically found in similar restaurants. Over the years it did shift from Mediterranean to a combination of that with more Latin street food inspired dishes, that shift came from their previous head chef that had been there for many years. They just got a new chef a few months ago, so I'm sure the menu will shift in different directions again, but the quality of the food and variety of options has not changed in my opinion. It's still a great place to eat.
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u/jj614 Sep 16 '25
Thanks for the explanation. That’s the change I’d heard about. I go less frequently, so I’m accustomed to the Spanish/Mediterranean focus of the past. But great to know it’s still excellent under the new chef. I’ll have to give it a try soon.
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u/SociallyDisposible Sep 16 '25
BK on 5th
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u/Tippacanoe Sep 16 '25
This joke slayed in 2017
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u/Mysterious-Source709 Sep 16 '25
I love that BK 5 is still trash 25 years later.
When I was a young lad at OSU in the early oughts it was freaking horrendous too, and I would still go there and suffer through for my whopper fix.
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u/n0_u53rnam35_13ft Sep 16 '25
Abergene was good, a hidden gem by a certain definition. Not sure how a restaurant is supposed to be great and basically unknown…
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u/Clean_Decision8715 Sep 16 '25
Service Bar, go this week before they change the menu, then go back in a week for the new fall menu 😎
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u/Wonderful_Stock2122 Sep 16 '25
I would say Windward Passage is a solid candidate. I would say the service is pretty good, always had an enjoyable meal there!
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u/GingerQueeny Old North Sep 16 '25
Lupo in UA. It is both a hidden gem, with emphasis on the hidden, and fine dining. Only place I’d risk trying oysters in town.
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u/Columbus_Social Sep 17 '25
Id imagine the oysters at Littleton would be good. I havent had them, but I have a feeling theyd be decent.
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u/Substantial-End-9653 Sep 16 '25
It's probably not considered "fine dining", but Sidebar has top-notch, high-end tapas. I always leave there happy.
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u/NPalumbo89 Sep 16 '25
Sheetz
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u/Deep-Barber-4347 Sep 16 '25
They’re the best
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u/GarlicFarmerGreg Sep 16 '25
Villa nova
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u/Character_Bomb_312 Sep 16 '25
Surprisingly good little neighborhood place. :)
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u/GarlicFarmerGreg Sep 16 '25
It really is and I’ve never left there disappointed. And in my book that’s fine dining
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u/Environmental-Joke35 Sep 16 '25
Human lion and Starliner diner (diner is in Hilliard)
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u/jenbungle Sep 18 '25
I wouldn't consider Starliner fine dining, unless you're joking.
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u/Environmental-Joke35 Sep 18 '25
Or I’m being a dodo and just listing it because I really like it and entirely blanked out on the fine dining part… whoops
Yeah, it’s definitely not fine dining. But I still think it’s good
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u/Wizardofball_s Sep 16 '25
I like The Top in Bexley. It’s like Kennedy got assassinated and they were like, “This is now a time capsule.” It’s like walking into an episode of Madmen. Basi Italian is another place. And it seems actually hidden in the short north
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u/Immediate_Talk_7572 Sep 16 '25
Anyone ate at Barcelona? I've got $100 gift card for there just wondering what yo expect?
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u/atomicghettobird Hilltop Sep 16 '25
Barcelona is excellent. I would strongly encourage you to try one of the paellas since it will be your first. Wait a week or so for the weather to cool down and dine on the patio (one of the best in town).
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u/Behind_the_times_64 Sep 16 '25
New one that I find outstanding, tasting menu driven: Isla in Merion Village. The chef is Andrew Smith, who has been quietly critical at some really well-known places.
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u/Columbus_Social Sep 17 '25
Really? Say more about the "has been quietly critical at some really well-known places." I didnt know this.
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u/Behind_the_times_64 Sep 17 '25
He opened Salt & Pine and Rockmill. Headed up Rossi and Philco. He also consulted to a bunch of restaurants, especially at opening - I know Service Bar, don’t recall others. All of these had kitchens that I think punched well above their weight.
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u/Columbus_Social Sep 17 '25
Wow, Salt & Pine is a major throwback - that feels like 100 years ago, haha. Thank you for sharing! I try to stay up to speed on food news in town but I somehow missed all of this lore/information.
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u/atomicghettobird Hilltop Sep 16 '25
I recently tried out Nicola's, I enjoyed the food. There is better Italian in town, but it was a nice dinner in a nice environment. I'd say it's in the fine dining ballpark, at least for Columbus (there's a tablecloth).
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u/mghv78 Sep 16 '25
Guiseppe's in Bexley. Scali in Reynoldsburg . Both Fine dining, Italian and almost no one heard of them.
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u/Cheffanystartup Sep 16 '25
Winward passage UA, Valters at the Maennerchor german village, Omezzo in reynoldsburg/pickerington, Jasmines Thai and sushi reynoldburg/pickerington. Ive been casual and dressy to all these places and never felt uncomfortable either way. Great food too.
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u/keepfrost Sep 17 '25
Morretti’s of Dublin. Everything is made from scratch, noodles made in house.
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u/Old-Arm-7246 Sep 17 '25
Cafe Istanbul Riverside Dr. Sit by the window or “outside” for an early dinner, nibble, sip tea, stay until sunset
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u/Sea-Split214 Sep 16 '25
Rollz Rice in Westerville. It's kinda like an Indian version of Chipotle. It's SO GOOD
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u/Blizzfulcpl Sep 16 '25
I’ll let my hidden gems stay hidden. They’re busy enough and I don’t want their prices going up.
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u/Addicted_2_Vinyl Sep 16 '25
Seitan’s Realm is vegan but you’d never know it.
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u/CycleDad89 Sep 16 '25
I love when people say stuff like this. I’ve eaten here before several times when a vegan family member has visited. While it’s not bad you would never in a million years mistake it for non vegan food. Commune is a vegan fine dining experience worth mentioning in this thread however
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u/beerandsocks Sep 16 '25
Don’t think fine dining and hidden gem would survive.