These are the Columbus area’s best food spots, according to 100 recommendations
Earlier this month, I asked our readers to help me eat like a local before my summer internship at the Ledger-Enquirer ends. I requested recommendations for the best food in the Chattahoochee Valley — and y’all delivered.
From a Google form and a Facebook post, readers submitted 100 responses. They had a lot to say about where to find the best bites in town. From barbecue joints to tucked-away restaurants to popular cafes, folks made a variety of suggestions.
In total, y’all recommended 90 food spots for me to try, providing favorite dishes and insider tips. A few even stretched the assignment — Aliundra Pitts recommended her kitchen, and Israel Hoffman suggested I swing by Commando Military Supply to try a ration.
Readers also could submit comments with their recommendations. They weren’t required to include their name, so some of the comments in this story are unattributed.
With so many different recommendations, you might wonder: Does Columbus agree on anything? Surprisingly, yes. Here are the top 10 most-recommended food spots, ranked by how many times they were mentioned. Let’s dig in.
1. (tie) Animal Farm – seven mentions
Recommended dishes:
Wedge salad
Chicken Fried Chicken
Daily chef special
Chicken Sammy
Harlot Burger
Happy hour margaritas
Reader comments:
“It’s the best in Columbus.”
“It’s amazing!” - Chelsea Cook
“They’re always making something new and the food is always amazing.” - Mike
1. (tie) Mabella’s – seven mentions
Recommended dishes:
Cheesecake
Chicken Parmigiana
Reader comments:
“Local and consistently great!”
“You almost can’t go wrong!” - Bill Ashley
“[This] place has never let me down.” - Columbus Georgia Eats
3. Hudson’s at Main Street – six mentions
Recommended dishes:
Any brunch item
Seared Sea Scallops
Cheesecake
Chicken and waffles
Reader comments:
“It’s a really slept on restaurant that deserves more business!” - McKenzie
“It is a local spot and it’s amazing.”
4. (tie) Chili Thai - five mentions
Recommended dishes:
Chicken pad thai, no green onions, two chilis
Reader comment:
“Delicious food, wonderful friendly and attentive staff, family owned business that has gone through some personal/family hardships and covid and still stands strong!” - Kim
4. (tie) Mark’s City Grill - five mentions
Recommended dishes:
Mark’s Country Captain
Pounded Pork Cutlet
Reader comments:
On the Country Captain: “This is a uniquely southern dish — I’ve never seen it anywhere other than Columbus.” - Archie
On the pork cutlet: “The buttery sauce drizzled on it is amazing. Plus it is two big pieces, so we usually take the other home.”
4. (tie) The Food Mill - five mentions
Recommended dishes:
Hippie Bowl
Salmon BLT with roasted sweet potatoes
Reader comments:
“It’s a delicious and healthy meal. Browse the inside market while you are there.”
7. (tie) Toasted - four mentions
Recommended dishes:
Bacon cheeseburger
Open-faced biscuit
Fried grits
Shrimp and grits
Reader comments:
“We’ve lived here for over 15 years, and have tried almost every burger in town. The bacon cheeseburger at Toasted off Airport Thruway/Miller Rd is by far the best. My wife and I share one at least 2-3 times a week. Aspen Jones and his crew are amazing!”
“They have a full menu from breakfast to dinner and everything is top notch!”
“The food is so good it makes your mouth want to sing and it is family owned.” - Angela
“The bacon cheeseburger at Toasted in Columbus is the best in town!” - Matt Hardy
7. (tie) Bodega 1205 - four mentions
Recommended dishes:
Everything
The Caribbean
Reader comments:
“Tastes great.” - Mariani
On the Caribbean: “Everything is so fresh — think farm-to-table Latin food. This dish is savory with a touch of sweet and so aromatic and yummy. There is nothing like it! I’ve worked at many restaurants and I promise you will LOVE this dish.” - Stefanie
7. (tie) Gabagool - four mentions
Recommended dishes:
Cheesesticks
Any homemade pasta
Crab bucatini
Mozzarella sticks
Chicken Parm
Meatball Parm
Reader comments:
“Unique to Columbus.” - Tammy
“Hard to pick something bad. Once you have the food you will know. This place is insanely good. The restaurant itself is beautiful with a great atmosphere but the food and drinks are next level. Absolutely must go.” - Mason
7. (tie) J.R.’s Steakhouse - four mentions
Recommended dishes:
Cubed steak sandwich
Grilled pork chops
Fried pork chops (Call ahead to find out when they have them)
Reader comments:
“It’s all yummy and definitely a southern place. The best food — the owner Angie will treat you like family. BJ is the best server, and if go on Monday night, you will really hear some good southern gospel music.” - Shannon Pritchett
“It’s a traditional southern meat, three sides, tea and bread for $10. You can’t beat the price and it’s really good.”
By the numbers
Of the 90 recommended food spots, there were:
40 sit-down restaurants
25 casual and fast-casual restaurants
8 barbecue places
7 coffee shops, bakeries and dessert spots
6 snack shops, markets and food trucks
4 bars and lounges
Unsurprisingly, Columbus is partial to American and Southern classics, but there are some adventurous tongues out there too. Here’s a breakdown of the cuisines:
20 American
16 Southern
15 Asian
9 Barbecue
7 Mexican
7 Cafe/dessert
4 Italian
3 Seafood
2 Latin American
2 Mediterranean
2 Hawaiian
1 French
1 Jamaican
1 German
Before I moved here, I was told Columbus was a major foodie town — and it hasn’t disappointed. I went from not knowing what fried okra was to becoming nearly fluent in the science of cooking grits. And thanks to y’all, I have plenty more eating to do.