Columbus dining scene welcomes new restaurants

Columbus’ restaurant scene is buzzing with new beginnings and creative changes. The well-loved Skipper’s Seafood on Buena Vista Road now welcomes Chester’s BBQ, creating Skipper’s Restaurant, where favorites like catfish plates join new offerings such as salmon croquettes and chicken waffles.

On Broadway, Gabagool sets the stage for a relaxed Italian-American experience, serving house-made pastas and Italian sandwiches with a nod to "The Sopranos."

Me Encanta Modern Mexican Cuisine has quickly gained attention downtown for its inventive dishes like churro cheesecake and ribeye al pastor, blending tradition with modern flair.

Meanwhile, the reopening of the historic Royal Cafe and the debut of Kalani’s Hawaiian Style Cafe in Phenix City show how old favorites and fresh tastes are shaping the area’s diverse dining landscape.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Skipper’s Seafood has leased their restaurant to Chester’s BBQ. The restaurant still will keep the Skipper’s name but will have an expanded menu and be open for longer hours. By Jordyn Paul-Slater

NO. 1: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN 2 ICONIC COLUMBUS RESTAURANTS GET TOGETHER? THEY CREATE THIS NEW MENU

A favorite seafood restaurant has leased their space to a popular BBQ business, blending their dishes for a fresh eating experience in town. | Published February 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordyn Paul-Slater

Me Encanta, translating to “I love it” in English, aims to bring an elevated twist on Mexican cuisine as a new restaurant in Columbus, offering an upscale dining experience for a reasonable price. By Jordyn Paul-Slater

NO. 2: RAVE REVIEWS FOR THIS NEW COLUMBUS RESTAURANT, BRINGING MODERN TWISTS TO LOVED CLASSICS

“We tell the kitchen to cook like you’re doing it for your family members,” the general manager said. | Published March 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordyn Paul-Slater

Kalani’s Hawaiian Style Cafe, 711 13th St. in Phenix City, is the first brick-and-mortar location of Kalani’s Mixed Plate, a Hawaiian-cuisine food truck that has served food in the Columbus and Fort Benning area since 2020. By Jordyn Paul-Slater

NO. 3: ‘WELCOMING EVERYONE LIKE FAMILY.’ NEW RESTAURANT BRINGS TASTE OF HAWAII TO PHENIX CITY

“This has always been a dream and passion of mine,” owner Kalani Sayles said. “It took a lot of work to get to this point, and it took a lot of years.” | Published March 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordyn Paul-Slater

Opening soon is Gabagool, 1232 Broadway, a sister restaurant to The Animal Farm, 105 12th St., in Columbus. By Mark Rice

NO. 4: WHAT DO COLUMBUS AND ‘THE SOPRANOS’ HAVE IN COMMON? THIS NEW RESTAURANT OPENING SOON

“What we’re trying to do is high-quality, homemade pastas, Italian sandwiches and stuff in a casual environment,” the owner said. | Published March 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordyn Paul-Slater

Ledger-Enquirer reporter Nick Wooten ordered the hamburger steak, fresh mustard green, steamed cabbage, cream potatoes, and blackberry cobbler during his visit to the Royal Cafe in Columbus, Georgia. Everything came neatly separated on this cafeteria tray. By Mike Haskey

NO. 5: ICONIC COLUMBUS RESTAURANT PLANS REOPENING ‘FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ASKING.’

For fans of meat-and-threes and Southern homestyle cooking, this is good news for you. | Published April 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordyn Paul-Slater

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.