3 must-visit dining spots in Columbus

The North Market in Columbus marks 150 years. Its home to more than 30 vendors including independent dining concepts, produce, meat, seafood and specialty food items.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – I was in Columbus last month for a 24-hour micro-vacation. During that time, I walked, shopped, crafted and dined.

I wanted the most for my time, so I was thoughtful about my dining options. Here’s where I ate. You should check them out.

James Beard Award semifinalist Dan the Baker sells bread, pastries and sandwiches.

Dan the Baker

1042 Ridge St., Grandview

Dan the Baker is a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Bakery. And it should be. I’m sorry it didn’t make it to the finalist round. The breads, cookies and pastries are sublime. All are made with 100% organic grains, Isigny French butter and Ohio-sourced Snowville Creamery dairy. The sourdough breads use the bakery’s wild leaven to raise the dough. The results take the ingredients to new levels.

Momo Ghar offers Nepali and Tibetan dumplings. It's one of nearly a dozen dining concepts inside The North Market in Columbus.

The only challenge? The tiny bakery is kind of hidden behind a commercial building in Columbus’s Grandview suburb. You know you’ve found it by the long line of people waiting outside. Plan to take out your pastries or sandwiches as the bakery has seating for about six people.

Chef/owner BJ Lieberman of Metsi's in Columbus's Short North Arts District. The restaurant specializes in not-your-average Italian cuisine.

Metsi’s

Short North, 36 E. Lincoln St., Columbus

Chef/owner BJ Lieberman has twice been named a James Beard semifinalist. Lieberman knows his food. Metsi’s is an Italian concept where even the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Even grandma can’t compete with the bolognese. Pair it with the house-made sourdough focaccia and house-made whipped ricotta, and dinner is complete.

Of course, the menu offers a balance of appetizers, pastas and entrees including mushroom arancini, lobster and ricotta tortelloni, osso buco and grilled lamb chops. Reservations are recommended.

The North Market

Short North, 59 Spruce St., Columbus

Columbus’s public market celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. While it’s historic and interesting, it can’t compare with the vintage beauty and culinary breadth of Cleveland’s 114-year-old West Side Market. That said, it deserves a visit, especially for lunch.

The market has more than 30 independently owned small businesses offering international culinary dining as well as fresh produce, meat, seafood, flowers, cheese and other specialty food items.

Hoyo’s Kitchen, for example, offers Somali cuisine while Lan Viet Pho serves Northern Vietnamese food. Meanwhile, Momo Ghar sells Nepali and Tibetan dumplings. The biggest challenge here is determining just what to try.

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