The Refectory is a contemporary french restaurant in Upper Arlington, Columbus.
The Refectory on Bethel Road, run inside a 19th century church since 1976, is Columbus's contemporary French tasting room with a 700-bottle Burgundy cellar.
Signature dishes: Classic French canon, Burgundian wine list
Must order: The bistro three-course at the bar with a glass from the deep Burgundy list.
Tip: The fifty-year anniversary runs through 2026; the bistro side at the bar is the unsung deal.
Address: 1092 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43220
Lindey's on East Beck Street has been German Village's brick-paved district anchor American room since 1981, with a covered patio in Columbus.
Signature: Roasted half chicken, Pan-seared scallops
Order: The roasted half chicken from the Lindey's classic menu and a glass of bubbles on the patio.
Tip: Valet parking is complimentary; patio is first-come first-served weather permitting.
Schmidt's Sausage Haus on Kossuth Street is Columbus's canonical German Village hall, run by the Schmidt family since their 1886 meatpacker.
Signature: Bahama Mama sausage, Cream Puff
Order: The Bahama Mama sausage plate followed by the cream puff, sized to two hands.
Tip: No reservations, expect a wait on football Saturdays; walk in mid-afternoon for the shorter line.
Service Bar on Courtland Avenue is the chef-driven new American counter inside Middle West Spirits, the Columbus distillery cocktail pairing.
Signature: Seasonal small plates, Cocktail pairings
Order: Whichever seasonal small plate the chef is featuring with a Middle West Vim and Vigor cocktail.
Tip: Counter seats facing the open kitchen book up first on Resy; weekday dinners are easier than Friday night.
The Pearl on North High Street is the Cameron Mitchell oyster bar and gastropub anchoring the Columbus Short North strip with a deep raw bar.
Signature: Oysters on the half shell, Steak frites
Order: Half-dozen oysters from the daily list and the steak frites.
Tip: Reservations on OpenTable, but the bar takes walk-ins; oyster happy hour weekdays from 16:00.
Speck Italian Eatery on North High Street in downtown Columbus is the modern Italian counter for fresh pastas, wood-fired pizza and house salumi.
Signature: Hand-rolled pastas, Wood-fired pizza
Order: Whichever house-rolled pasta is on the chalkboard, plus a slice of speck off the salumi list.
Tip: Reserve on Tock for the prime 19:30 window; the bar seats face the pasta pulling line.
Forno Kitchen and Bar on North High Street is Columbus's Short North wood-oven Mediterranean room with a long bar and a weekend brunch service.
Signature: Wood-oven pizza, Weekend brunch
Order: The wood-oven pizza of the moment, plus a brunch mimosa flight on Sunday.
Tip: Brunch fills first; reserve on OpenTable for any seating after 10:30.
