Even during the COVID-19 shutdowns, Columbus entrepreneurs are opening new restaurants or pivoting existing businesses into new concepts. Here’s a look at what’s opened in the past few months!
New Restaurants
The Royce
8791 Lyra Dr., Polaris
The Royce brings an elegant polish to classic gastropub fare. A robust cocktail menu complements Southern-inspired dishes like cornbread drop biscuits, baked oysters, Cubans, fried chicken and braised short ribs.
Chapman’s Eat Market
739 S. Third St., German Village
The much-anticipated Chapman’s Eat Market is helmed by chef and owner B.J. Lieberman, who previously served at the Michelin-starred Rose’s Luxury and Little Pearl in Washington, D.C. Opening first as a carryout, Chapman’s features inventive takes on old favorites: burgers to chicken sandwiches, corn salad to gazpacho. Don’t forget a pint of homemade ice cream, like sweet corn and blueberry or horchata and cinnamon.
Afra Grill
1635 Morse Road, Northeast
Afra Grill has added a new option for Somali food in Columbus. It’s a fast-casual shop that lets you build your own bowls with rice, proteins, hot and cold toppings, sauces. The friendly and welcoming experience to Afra is rounded out with patriotic décor and an inspirational quote from owner Abcos Ahmed about the love of his new country.
Dairy Dose at The Market IV
1022 Summit St., Italian Village
The Market’s new pop-up is a nod to the hometown ice cream with a trippy twist. Visit their walk-up window for all your summer faves – hot dogs, burgers, fries, ice cream – but with interesting touches, like a falafel dog, fried bologna sandwich, street corn, sno-cones, boozy slushies.
Basic Biscuits, Kindness, and Coffee
1160 Goodale Blvd., Grandview
It’s all things biscuit at this new Grandview shop! Order up big or mini versions of sweet and savory biscuits, plus breakfast sliders, biscuits and gravy, quiche, and coffee.
Boxwood Biscuit Co.
740 South High Street, German Village
Boxwood Biscuit Co. is a new concept springing up out of the Lawbird cocktail bar. Lawbird pivoted into a corner carryout with bottled cocktails and snacks, and the biscuit shop provides a hearty and crave-able weekend brunch. Visit for biscuits with a gravy flight, breakfast sandwiches, bowls, and house cold brew coffee.
North High Brewing
56 N. High St., Historic Dublin
The long-running brewery recently opened a full-scale brewpub in a historic house in Dublin. Cozy up inside or grab a seat on the spacious patio to sip North High beers plus pub snacks, burgers, and entrees. Bonus: North High just added weekend brunch to both its Dublin and Short North brewpubs.
Edison Brewing Company
785 Science Blvd., Gahanna
Edison opened up this summer in a new Gahanna development, hosting local food trucks to pair with their menu of German-style beers like pilsners, dunkels, and hefeweizens.
Mid City Garage
1179 Jaeger St., Merion Village
Located in an old garage, Mid City features a big patio for enjoying cocktails, beers, and bar snacks like charcuterie boards, sandwiches, and wood-fired pizzas.
Cafe Elena
2054 Crown Plaza Dr., Northwest
This new mother-and-daughter-owned cafe features an international breakfast and lunch menu. Visit their spacious and brightly lit cafe for everything from Russian porridge to huevos rancheros, nova lox crepes and brioche French toast, to a full English breakfast.
What The Waffle
695 E. Long St., King-Lincoln Bronzeville
After a long wait, What The Waffle opened in its new digs on East Long Street. Out of their small but mighty shop, Gayle Troy and her team serve classic Belgian waffles, savory waffle breakfast sandwiches, plus omelets, grits, sweet potato muffins, and other delights.
New Digs and Expansions
Several favorite restaurants have also moved to new locations or expanded their reach!
Dough Mama
760 S. High St., German Village
Dough Mama is adding a second cafe, this one in the old Kolache Republic space. Visit them for breakfast, lunch, coffee, and stunning baked goods.
Nancy’s Home Cooking
52 E. Lynn St., Downtown
Earlier this year, Nancy’s moved out of its long-time home in Clintonville and took up residence in the old Jack’s Diner space downtown. They’re back at it, serving garbage omelets, chicken and noodles, and other diner favorites.
Kolache Republic
702 S. High St., German Village
After closing its cafe in February, Kolache Republic moved a few doors north into The Daily Growler. The sweet and savory Czech-style pastries are the perfect pairing with one of the beer bar’s 60 beers on tap.
Harvest Bar & Kitchen
940 S. Front St., Brewery District
This popular pizza shop and restaurant opened a new location in the Brewery District, serving their signature crispy oven-fired pies using local ingredients.
Pierogi Mountain
105 N. Grant St., Downtown
Pierogi Mountain moved from its German Village location (now home to Chapman’s) and into a corner space at Long and Grant Streets. They’re dishing out hearty homemade pierogi, mushroom stroganoff, paprikash, sausages. Plus, they have a full bar!
