Here are the Top 5 upscale restaurants in Columbus

Slip into something a little more fancy, because it’s time for us to check out some of the top-rated upscale restaurants in Columbus for your next special dinner reservation.

This was a tough one to narrow down into just five options. Columbus has rapidly evolved into a foodie destination, and with more restaurants coming all the time, Columbus residents are in for more and more choices for great food.

We rated restaurants based on reviews from Yelp, Tripadvisor and Google Reviews. We also looked at other awards the restaurants may have won, as well as what specific things commenters said they liked. That narrowed the competitive field into these top 5 best-rated restaurants for upscale dining in Columbus.

Epic Restaurant

The quintessential Columbus fine-dining location, Epic Restaurant on Front Avenue was rated one of the best restaurants in the country by Gayot, and has received an award of excellence from Wine Spectator. A favorite for extra-special events, Epic offers a pre fixe option and full menu of culinary creations including charred octopus, crab topped salmon and kangaroo loin.

7th Street Provisions

One of the newer players on the block, 7th Street Provisions opened in 2016 and has already gained a reputation as a premiere place to eat in the Historic District. A huge hit for its cozy ambiance and hidden-gem mystique, it’s an even bigger hit for its French-inspired culinary creations. Duck saison, braised lamb shank and split-roast Cornish gen are just a few dishes up for grabs.

Mabella’s

Mabella’s Italian Steakhouse sits in a beautifully renovated brick building on 11th Street. The cozy restaurant serves up modern Italian dishes and new creations. Wild mushroom ravioli, herb and Parmesan-crusted sirloin and a selection of cured meats and artisan cheeses are fan favorites.

Buckhead Steak and Wine

Buckhead Steak and Wine specializes in the primest cuts of beef they can find. The offer 11 steak specialties, plus extra options on their separate $20 menu. Seafood, lamb, and vegan options round out this local hotspot’s offerings.

Meritage

Meritage offers an enormous selection of wines, bourbons and other liquors in their bar tasting room, as well as a warm ambiance that fits perfectly with a cozy night out with someone special. It’s not just the drinks people love, though — reviewers rave about the restaurant’s fillet mignon, vegetarian options and fresh seafood.

But there are many more than just those five. Check out sites like TripAdvisor, Yelp and VisitColumbusGa.com for expanded lists of all the best restaurants in Columbus and the Valley to try.

This story was originally published August 29, 2017 at 1:37 PM with the headline "Here are the Top 5 upscale restaurants in Columbus."