Columbus has been quietly racking up the accolades and it’s time we stop keeping it to ourselves. In our series, Behind the Buzz, we’re unveiling the people, places and experiences that make our city worthy and deserving of all the hype. Keep reading and you'll be asking yourself, "Can all of this exist in one city?" Yes, Columbus.
Columbus Food Adventures was voted the best food tour in the U.S. by USA Today readers. Now nearing 15 years in business, the company has introduced thousands of Columbus visitors and residents to the width and breadth of Columbus restaurants. We chatted with Bethia Woolf, co-owner of Columbus Food Adventures with her husband Andy Dehus, about the tour company, their favorite stops, and how they introduce visitors to Columbus’ dining scene.
Agni from Columbus Chef, Avishar Burua landed on Bon Appétit's list of best new restaurants in 2024.
What's something about the Columbus food scene that visitors find surprising?
Our tour guests are consistently surprised by the dynamism, quality, and diversity of the city’s food offerings. Some come into our tours expecting fairly straightforward midwestern food and are thrilled to find a thriving independent restaurant scene with food from over 70 countries around the world. Guests often note the creativity coming from chefs like Avishar Barua (of Agni and Joya’s), and also remark on our great coffee scene, wide variety of cocktail and brewery programs, and so many bakeries!
Columbus Food Adventures has been offering tours and dinners for well over a decade. What's next for it?
We're celebrating our 15th anniversary this summer and still riding high having been named the best food tour in the country by USA Today last year. We're launching a new tour this spring that will cover some of the food halls that have opened in Columbus in recent years. We've also created more options for corporate groups looking for team building or entertaining clients, and we've found that a lot of companies with remote workers are looking for opportunities to connect and socialize after a day of meetings.
Columbus Food Adventures
Which of your tours do you recommend for first-time visitors?
For people who want to explore the quintessential neighborhoods near downtown Columbus, I would recommend either the Short North or German Village walking tours. For visitors with more adventurous palates and looking to venture beyond downtown, I'd recommend our Alt Eats Tour which explores some of the immigrant cuisines that have found a home here.
For a Columbus resident looking to get to know our culinary scene better, where is a good place to start?
Erin Edwards, formerly the Dining Editor of Columbus Monthly, joined our team last year and together we launched a bi-weekly newsletter called Columbus Foodletter which covers many aspects of the Columbus food scene. Whether you're looking to discover new restaurants, find the best baguette in town, or learn more about international cuisines, I recommend subscribing to really be in the know! Subscriptions include the full archive of everything we've posted to date.
Cobra was a finalist for the Best New U.S. Cocktail Progam in 2024.
I know it's hard to pick favorites, but if you were assembling a night out in Columbus that included drinks, dinner, and dessert – what would you pick?
There are so many options! But at the moment it's hard to beat the High Street section of the Brewery District. There's so much packed into a small area. You can hit up two of our James Beard Award nominees Agni and Lawbird, swing by Cobra which was a finalist for the Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar in the 2024 Spirited Awards, enjoy a drink at Antiques on High, grab some BBQ at Smoked on High and finish by strolling over to Chapman's Eat Market for ice cream for dessert.
Learn more about Columbus Food Adventures (and book a tour or two!) at www.columbusfoodadventures.com.
