Best restaurants in Columbus Ohio for the holidays

This year was a sort of rebound one for restaurants, which had to adjust to the new realities of life in a pandemic to survive. Still, there’s an electricity to the Columbus food scene. 

Vibrant and growing, Columbus is filled with buzz-worthy restaurants and top-ranked chefs offering everything from classic dinners and ethnic spots to upscale eateries and romantic restaurants. 

With heritage farms and artisanal producers just minutes away, it’s no surprise many restaurateurs focus on farm-to-table movement and sustainability. New and diverse restaurants serve Columbus’ growing population.

If you’re looking for a great place to share a meal this holiday season, check out the following suggestions. These restaurants were voted winners by local voters in the 2021 CBUS Top Picks readers’ choice awards. Congratulations and happy eating! 

Top Steak House 

Thetopsteakhouse.com

2891 E. Main St., Columbus, Ohio 43209-2614

614-231-8238

Top Steak House is an indulgent and luxurious throwback. The supper club-style fine dining restaurant is a Columbus institution with a classic steakhouse menu that highlights local ingredients and Ohio flavors. The Columbus treasure has been serving charbroiled steaks, jumbo lobster tails, gradually roasted ribs, seafood and olive-studded gin martinis since 1955. The 20-ounce dry aged Kansas City strip steak is a customer favorite. Pair it with the Top House salad with blue cheese crumbles and a signature dressing and au gratin potatoes. Portions are large, but amazing desserts like chocolate cake or tiramisu make it worth the splurge. With the dim lighting, wood-paneled walls and cozy booths, Top Steak House is a great spot for a romantic dinner. Check out the shiny copper-topped bar and original piano bar. Seems like the kind of place Frank Sinatra would have enjoyed.

Cap City Fine Diner and Bar

capcityfinediner.com

1299 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43212

614-291-3663

Cap City Diner is not some diner of days gone by. It’s a modern, upscale eatery with classic retro flair. The menu features recognizable favorites like fried chicken and meatloaf but with unexpected twists. The fare appeals to diners young and old, foodies and meat-and-potato types. The art deco elegance pops in silver and red with cushy banquettes and globe chandelier lighting. The meatloaf is a Cap City signature and deservedly so. The blue cheese potato chips, ponzu glazed salmon and all-American burger are some of their consistent favorites. Blue-plate specials change daily. Desserts like a towering chocolate cake are showstoppers. Food comes out quickly and portions are huge. The staff is wonderful, friendly and willing to go the extra mile. 

Akai Hana                                

akaihanaohio.com

1173 Old Henderson Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220

614-451-5411

With a wonderful selection of Japanese favorites, Akai Hana knocks it out of the park with their sushi and sashimi. This is the place to be for authentic Japanese cuisine. All ingredients are guaranteed to be “super fresh” and imported directly from Japan.  What started 40 years ago as a small restaurant now seats 130 and is regularly voted best sushi in Columbus. Among the specialty rolls the spider roll with soft shell crab, avocado, spicy mayo and fish eggs is a favorite. The Akai Hana roll features tuna, yellowtail, salmon, fluke and king crab with fish roe, avocado and green onion in a soy and radish wrap. While the sushi is excellent, the entrees and bento boxes are also top notch, and there are plenty of vegetarian options. The atmosphere is comfortable, warm and elegant with minimalistic decor in beautiful shades of wood. Service is friendly and prices are reasonable.

Mitchell’s Ocean Club

ocean-prime.com/locations-menus/mitchells-ocean-club

4002 Easton Station, Columbus, Ohio 43219

614-416-2582

Mitchell’s Ocean Club is a premier dining experience with exceptional service and truly genuine hospitality. The atmosphere is dark, welcoming and romantic. The menu is impressive. Chefs take pride in sourcing the highest quality ingredients available and use simple, pure, local and regional flavors. Selected daily for freshness, the seafood features wild and naturally harvested fish recommended by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch. Steaks include prime cuts and are aged for maximum tenderness and flavor. Appetizers include sushi, goat cheese ravioli, steak tartare, lobster bisque and jumbo shrimp cocktail. There’s also chicken and pork chops and a bounty of sides like jalapeno au gratin potatoes and bacon creamed spinach that are large enough to share. Beverage options abound with a multi-million dollar wine cellar, handcrafted signature cocktails and a good-sized beer list. The desserts are over the top like the 10-layer carrot cake. If you’re looking for a luxe space to host a special dinner, check out their private dining rooms.

101 Beer Kitchen

101beerkitchen.com

397 Stoneridge Lane, Gahanna, Ohio 43230

614-934 5501

A culinary craft brew destination, 101 Beer Kitchen is a fun and eclectic gathering place that’s welcoming and relaxed. Thad Kittrell, a New England Culinary Institute-trained chef, created a menu designed to take comfort food to the next level, while Jess Kittrell, a finance professional and creative spirit, generated the restaurant’s charming and easygoing style. It’s a comfortable yet sophisticated place to enjoy scratch-made dishes and an impressive rotating beer selection. The educated service team is enthusiastic about helping patrons pair craft beers or a seasonal cocktail to menu favorites which change seasonally. New for winter is a whipped feta appetizer with pomegranate, pistachios, dried cranberries and multigrain toast; harissa roasted cauliflower steak served with roasted beet hummu, curried quinoa and kale salad and a seared Norwegian salmon bowl. 101 Beer Kitchen supports the community through special “give-back nights” and “pints for a purpose” events that benefit local schools and nonprofit organizations.