Regardless of one’s dining pursuits, Columbus, Georgia offers some of the ultimate places to eat
Whatever the hankering, dining in Columbus, Ga., offers tasty, award-winning (and award-deserving) options from Southern to trendy to upscale. Centrally-located in west-central Georgia and 90 minutes from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, it’s an easy drive from anywhere in the Southeast to some memorable eats. For a rundown of top dining in Columbus, keep reading.
As diners in Columbus taste their way through the city, they’re sure to find their personal favorites, such as Ruth Ann’s red-velvet pancake, an Explore Georgia’s “100 Plates Locals Love” honoree and Minnie’s Uptown, voted as one of the “Best Restaurants in Georgia” for their chicken and dumplings by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice awards. And, hot off the presses, for the second consecutive year EPIC has just been named a 2019 Four Diamond AAA Restaurant. For a rundown of top dining in Columbus, keep reading. Often visitors to Columbus, Ga., are looking for authentic Southern experiences, including that perfect Southern meal. Columbus provides a plethora of options to try and reasons to return again and again
Southern
Minnie’s Uptown Restaurant (104 8th Street) is known for their delicious meat and three options for lunch but their recent 10Best honor proves they’re worth a visit. Minnie’s is open 10:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sunday through Friday.
Smoke Bourbon and BBQ (1047 Broadway) This casual spot showcases the only rooftop patio on Broadway and is known for creative barbecue and Southern fare, such as mouth-watering favorites: pimento cheese wontons, brisket tacos topped with pineapple cilantro slaw and pickled onions, brisket gnocchi and the crowd favorite–the Pig Mac, a pulled pork sandwich topped with homemade mac-n-cheese, house-made sauce all on a toasted brioche bun. And, every Friday and Saturday there is “Up in Smoke” with live music followed by a DJ. Smoke is open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 pm., Friday and Saturday; and, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday.
Country’s on Broad (1329 Broadway) is a locally-based restaurant started in 1975 and now has three locations in Columbus, including one in Uptown Columbus. This location is uniquely situated in a building with shiny, stainless steel interior decor that was a former Greyhound bus station built in the 1930s with a free juke box playing music selected by customers–including a vintage bus attached to the building and available for dining. Country’s is a popular destination for barbecue, ribs, milkshake bar and more. And, probably the best lemon meringue pie in Columbus, Ga., and beyond…and definitely the tallest. Open 11 a.m. to 10 pm. daily.
Trendy
The Black Cow (115 12th Street) is a homey destination for fried green tomatoes and other Southern-inspired comfort food plus cocktails. The burgers are especially good with a shout out for a “Best Burger in Georgia” by readers of Garden & Gun magazine. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
Downstairs at The Loft (1032 Broadway) For more than 25 years, Downstairs at The Loft has been a place dedicated to great food, fun and quality entertainment. Offering a variety of casual American fare options, it serves lunch and dinner and amazing desserts such as its brag-worthy cheesecake. Upstairs in the lounge, known as The Loft, guests enjoy music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with comedy acts every Thursday. Lunch hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Dinner is served 5 to 10 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday and 5 p.m. until closing, Thursday through Saturday.
Saltcellar (1035 1st Avenue) Just across the street from the historic State Theatre of Georgia, the Springer Opera House, the owner/operators of well-known establishments The Loft and Mabellas have added Saltceller to their Columbus, Ga., restaurant portfolio. Saltcellar delivers a variety of clean, fresh and bold flavors. It is open 5 to 10 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday and 5 p.m. until closing on Friday and Saturday. It is a great pre- or post-show stop, or anytime, for applause-worthy dining.
Bare Roots Farmacy (105 12th Street) Bare Roots Community Kitchen & Bar supports the development of a resilient and healthy food culture throughout Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley. Diners looking for fresh, local and organic in Columbus, Ga., Bare Roots Farmacy is the place. It is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday and Monday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday; and, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday.
11th and Bay (1050 Bay Avenue) Whether dining indoors, at the bar, or al fresco with a great sunset view, the team at 11th and Bay are inspired by Southern hospitality and fresh creative Southern cuisine. Quality products from our local area are sourced from farmers and purveyors to create the seasonally-driven menu. With 4.5 out of 5 stars in just about every listing, 11th and Bay is one of the best restaurants in Columbus, Ga., and just steps from the Chattahoochee River. It is open 5 to 9:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday; 5 to 10 p.m., Friday; and, 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday.
Cannon Brew Pub (1041 Broadway) A microbrewery, before anyone knew what a microbrewery was, Cannon Brew Pub is also known for its wood-fired pizza and a variety of burgers. Its brick-lined pub setting gives it a unique old-world charm right in the heart of Uptown Columbus. Its hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and, Noon to 10 p.m., Sunday.
Trevioli (7466 Blackmon Road) Defining itself as an artisan pasta company, Chef Trevor’s philosophy is “to create dining excellence through unequivocal passion, humility, and class.” While his wife Brandi arrives early daily to roll the pasta, Chef Trevor spends the evenings cooking custom dishes from scratch that evolve into his seasonal menus. Trevioli is open 5 to 10 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday.
Wicked Hen (1350 13th Street) Chef Bryant Walker, a Columbus native, transforms the essence of his New South Cuisine with the Wicked Hen Restaurant and Lounge in Midtown. Featuring modern technique and fresh, natural regional fare, the kitchen recreates the bounty of the surrounding area and redefines traditional Southern cooking. It is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday. The lounge is open 3 to 10 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday; 3 p.m. to Midnight, Friday; Noon to Midnight, Saturday; and, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday.
Upscale
Epic Restaurant (1201 Front Avenue, Suite E) Chef Jamie Keating has wowed Columbus with this Epic concept, which features “elevated American cuisine in a white tablecloth setting.” Having earned the AAA Four Diamond Award, the 2017 Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine, and being named by Gayot.com a 2016 Top 40 Fine-Dining Eateries in the United States, the only one in Georgia and ranked 10th on the list, Epic is a popular special-occasion restaurant in Columbus, Ga.
Mabella (14 W 11th Street) The restaurant describes itself as a “quaint trattoria” which translates to “an Italian restaurant serving simple food.” If “simple” means “delicious,” they are a definitely “trattoria.” The historic building was a telephone switch in the 1800s, hence its name. Chef Tom Jones works to fuse the history of Columbus into his wonderful menu options. Hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; and, 5 to until closing, Thursday to Saturday,
7th Street Provisions (222 7th Street) is a French-inspired Southern restaurant located in historic Uptown Columbus. They offer a small paper menu that changes regularly based on the freshest ingredients possible. Their bar offers a curated selection of wines that match the menu, beer, and their own signature craft cocktails. Hours are 5:30 to 9 p.m., Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday; and, 5:30 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
Jarfly (1358 13th Street) Located in Midtown, Jarfly is a new fun place offering great food that everyone can feel comfortable and enjoy great food whether it is a family, business luncheon, or late-night affair. Roll-up doors, bike racks, and pet-friendly exterior seating make it a go-to location to relax and enjoy. Named after the loud, buzzing Southern cicadas, there is definitely a buzz around town about Jarfly, which is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday to Saturday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.
Classic
Cerrone’s Brick Oven Pizzeria (7830 Veterans Parkway, Suite G) Named the “2019 Best in the Southeast” at the biggest pizza competition in the United States–the International Pizza Challenge–in Las Vegas, Cerrone’s is a surprise place to find some great pie. Locally owned and operated, they have the only true-to-region, authentic New York woodfire, brick oven pizza in Columbus. All of their items are prepared by hand daily from the freshest imported Italian and domestic ingredients available. They offer a wide selection of craft beers and wine from the state of Georgia. Hours may change based on the availability of pizza dough. The kitchen closes 8:45 p.m. weekdays and at 9:45 p.m. weekends.
Bluewater Grill (4640 Warm Springs Road) Having been in the seafood business since the 1950s, the Smith Family has brought their coastal homestead connections to Columbus by way of Bluewater Grill and its fresh, scratch kitchen. Their hours of operation are 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday; and, 5 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
Scruffy Murphy’s Pub (1037 Broadway) While in Columbus, enjoy some authentic Irish, British, and American fare. Be sure to try the signature dish…pub-style Fish ‘N’ Chips with house made Tartar sauce. They carry premium import and craft beers, many local, on draught. Hours of operation are 10 to 3 a.m., Mondays; 11 to 3 a.m., Tuesday to Friday; 10 to 3 a.m., Saturday; and, 11 to 11:55 p.m., Sundays.
Flip Side Burgers & Tacos (1115 Broadway) Located in a skinny location in Uptown Columbus, this booth-lined joint features a music theme and menu of classic burgers, tacos and snacks like nachos. It is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday and Tuesday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday; and, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
Speakeasy (3123 Mercury Drive) A Columbus institution since 1976, offering dining, a game room, and a bar, Speakeasy is appealing to all ages. Its menu features the signature Camel Rider sandwich, original Speakeasy pizzas and specialty desserts including Nutcracker Pie and Drowned Brownie. They are open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday to Saturday; and, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Parker’s Pantry at the Park (1815 Garrard Street) With a passion for feeding people good, quality food, Parker Mullins started a catering business that grew into Parker’s Pantry which features the tagline “Love People. Feed them Good Food” across her menus. Serving freshly made soups, salads, sandwiches, and sweets, don’t be surprised if a menu item is sold out for the day. It is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
For When You Dine in Columbus, Georgia
Make time for Market Days on Broadway every Saturday morning, which features more than 200 local vendors selling homemade and homegrown products, including local and organic produce, home goods, jewelry, crafts and yummy baked goods.
To really figure out Columbus dining, sign up for the Columbus Eats Food Toursand/or the Vicinity Tours Foodie Tour and eat your way through Columbus with experts on the subject. And, you’ll be walking/burning the calories as you sightsee through the city.
