Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Columbus area by diners
Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Columbus area by diners
Fine dining in the United States isn't what it used to be. Many customers are no longer interested in classic white tablecloths and 16-ounce New York strips; these days, it's all about cutting-edge culinary experiences.
Although steakhouses have defined fine dining in America since the 19th century, that started to change in the mid-1990s. Elite chefs like Thomas Keller and his three-Michelin-starred restaurant, French Laundry, unearthed a whole different kind of tasting experience (with 40 courses), and a new age of fine dining was born. Soon, prix fixe meals鈥攁 French style of serving with a set menu鈥攂ecame the norm for fine dining in the U.S.
Between the rise of chefs' tasting menus and consumers' continued desire to have diverse culinary experiences, the restaurants that grace the pages of top-tier restaurant reviewers like Zagat or the Michelin Guide look very different today than they did 30 years ago. Restaurant goers aren't just looking for high-quality food. They want the type of menu that will tell a story. They want creative ingredients they've never tried before. They want to be transported into a whole new world.
With so many innovative menus and restaurant experiences popping up across America, it can be challenging to choose where to go for a special evening. compiled a list of the highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Columbus area using data from . Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself.
Only businesses with at least five reviews and at least level 2 pricing (i.e., $$ to $$$$) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with five or more locations nationally (based on Yelp data) were not included. Restaurants in certain lower-cost categories (like "diners," "buffets," and "food trucks") were excluded. Data is as of June 25, 2025.
Read on to find a potential restaurant for your next special meal out!
#30. Veritas
- Rating: 4.2/5 (163 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 11 West Gay St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Cocktail Bars, American
-
#29. The Pearl
- Rating: 4.2/5 (1227 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 641 North High St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: New American, Seafood, Breakfast & Brunch
-
#28. Lindey's
- Rating: 4.2/5 (1093 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 169 East Beck St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: New American, Wine Bars, Breakfast & Brunch
-
#27. The Whitney House
- Rating: 4.2/5 (667 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 666 High St. Worthington, Ohio
- Categories: New American, Breakfast & Brunch
-
#26. Sidebar Columbus
- Rating: 4.2/5 (446 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 122 East Main St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Lounges, Mediterranean, Tapas/Small Plates
-
#25. Wolf's Ridge Brewing
- Rating: 4.2/5 (1153 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 215 North 4th St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Breweries, New American, Venues & Event Spaces
-
#24. Sycamore
- Rating: 4.2/5 (480 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 262 East Sycamore St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Bars, American, Salad
-
#23. Watershed Kitchen & Bar
- Rating: 4.2/5 (369 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1145 Chesapeake Ave. Ste D Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Cocktail Bars, New American
-
#22. Martini Modern Italian
- Rating: 4.2/5 (640 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 445 North High St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Italian
-
#21. Lupo
- Rating: 4.2/5 (129 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2124 Arlington Ave. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Tapas/Small Plates
-
#20. Denmark
- Rating: 4.3/5 (165 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 463 North High 2nd Floor 2 Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: New American, Bars
-
#19. Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse - Columbus
- Rating: 4.3/5 (472 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 89 East Nationwide Blvd. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Steakhouses
-
#18. Akai Hana
- Rating: 4.3/5 (787 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1173 Old Henderson Road Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars, Seafood
-
#17. Service Bar
- Rating: 4.3/5 (144 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1230 Courtland Ave. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: New American, Cocktail Bars
-
#16. S艑W Plated
- Rating: 4.3/5 (342 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1625 West Lane Ave. Upper Arlington, Ohio
- Categories: New American
-
#15. Little West Tavern
- Rating: 4.3/5 (105 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 77 Belle St. The Junto Hotel Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Bars, American
-
#14. Mitchell's Ocean Club
- Rating: 4.3/5 (698 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 4002 Easton Sta Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Steakhouses, Seafood, Cocktail Bars
-
#13. High Bank Distillery
- Rating: 4.3/5 (835 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1051 Goodale Blvd. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: New American, Cocktail Bars
-
#12. Third and Hollywood
- Rating: 4.3/5 (1003 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1433 West 3rd Ave. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: New American, Wine Bars, Cocktail Bars
-
#11. Ampersand Asian Supper Club
- Rating: 4.4/5 (305 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 940 North High St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Ramen
-
#10. Pasqualone's Ristorante
- Rating: 4.4/5 (133 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 5766 Emporium Sq Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Italian, Venues & Event Spaces
-
#9. South Village Grille
- Rating: 4.4/5 (387 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 197 Thurman Ave. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: New American, Seafood, Wine Bars
-
#8. Gallo's Kitchen + Bar
- Rating: 4.4/5 (378 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2820 Nottingham Road Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Italian, Cajun/Creole, Bars
-
#7. Rooh Columbus
- Rating: 4.4/5 (271 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 685 North High St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Indian, Cocktail Bars, Tapas/Small Plates
-
#6. Basi Italia
- Rating: 4.4/5 (436 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 811 Highland St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Italian
-
#5. The Refectory Restaurant
- Rating: 4.4/5 (572 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 1092 Bethel Road Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: French, Wine Bars, Lounges
-
#4. La Tavola
- Rating: 4.5/5 (329 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1664 West 1st Ave. Grandview Heights, Ohio
- Categories: Italian
-
#3. Lola & Giuseppe's Trattoria
- Rating: 4.5/5 (618 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 100 Granville St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Italian
-
#2. Comune
- Rating: 4.5/5 (207 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 677 Parsons Ave. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Vegetarian, Cocktail Bars
-
#1. Plas Food and Drink
- Rating: 4.5/5 (136 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 21 East 5th Ave. Ste 101 Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: New American, Venues & Event Spaces
-
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 319 metros.