As the pandemic continues to wane, a whole new world of dining is emerging! Let’s catch up on what has opened, what’s opening soon and a few future projects to keep your eyes on in the Columbus dining (and bar!) scene. Here’s over 12 new restaurants to try:
The Open
‘Plas Food & Drink
plasfoodanddrink.com
Taking over the former home of The Table, ‘Plas Food & Drink is now serving up modern, rustic cuisine from 21 E. Fifth Ave. in the Short North.
Chef Jamie George is whipping up a menu featuring seasonal produce and dishes, including smaller plates and larger entreés. Find summer eats like Heirloom Tomato Caprese, Sweet Corn Panna Cotta, Charcuterie Boards, Sweet n Spicy Roasted Chicken, Sweet Corn Kale Ravioli and more.
‘Plas is open for dinner Monday through Saturday.
Aroma Columbus
aromacolumbus.com
Aroma Columbus brings a Mediterranean and European flair to the Downtown dining scene. The eatery opened its doors July 6 at 72 E. Lynn St., the former home of Si Señor.
Offering lunch and dinner, Aroma’s menu offers small bites, soups & salads, sandwiches, cauliflower crust pizzas and a handful of entreés for lunch, with an expanded selection of small plates and entreés at dinner time.
Aroma is open daily from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Lola’s Kitchen + Bar
lolaskitchenbar.com
Also joining the Downtown dining scene is Lola’s Kitchen + Bar. Taking over the old Tios Tacos & Tequila spot at 201 S. High St., Lola’s does double duty as cafe by day and kitchen and bar by night.
Lola’s new lunch menu includes an extensive selection of salads, grilled wraps and pitas, pizza thins, quesadillas and paninis. At dinnertime, the fare turns to small plates like hummus, short rib tacos, turkey meatballs and more, along with pasta and protein focused large plates. A handful of pizzas, salads and toasted baguettes round out the dinner menu.
Find lunch from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. weekdays. Dinner is served Wednesday to Friday with lunch and dinner hours on the weekends.
One Line Coffee
onelinecoffee.com
Announcing its comeback last month, One Line Coffee is officially back to caffeinating Downtown from the Huntington Center, 41 S. High St. Find a selection of espresso and coffee drinks, along with house-made pastries from their Franklinton bar and coffee shop.
One Line is open from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Go Go
facebook.com/GoingToTheGoGo
The former home of Cosecha got a funky makeover to transform into The Go Go. Opening in early June, the bar promises dancing, DJs and karaoke, with satiation coming from Clintonville newcomer Hank’s Texas BBQ.
Find The Go Go and its shenanigans at 987 N. Fourth St. from 4 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Blended & Blessed
blended-blessed.square.site
Blended & Blessed took over Native’s vacated German Village storefront, 214 Thurman Ave. Touting energizing teas, protein shakes and protein coffee, Blended & Blessed’s menu features 10 plus flavors of tea, dozens of shake flavors spanning fruity to chocolatey to peanut buttery, and a handful of coffee bevs.
Find teas and shakes from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday.
First Corner Bubble Tea Shop
firstcornerbubbletea.com
Filling in for the shuttered Native in Bexley is First Corner Bubble Tea Shop. Recently opening at 2408 E. Main St., First Corner slings milk teas, flavored teas, matcha, premium teas, frozen teas and more.
Grab a drink Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sunday from 12 – 5 p.m.
The Opening
El Segundo Mexican Kitchen
cameronmitchell.com
Save the date for Tuesday, August 31 for the debut of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants’ El Segundo Mexican Kitchen. Bringing eats back to the former home of Harvey & Ed’s, 698 N. High St. in the Short North, El Segundo’s menu will feature authentic Mexican street food with house-made tortillas, sauces and other signature ingredients. Plenty of mezcal and tequila will be on the drinks menu, along with craft and Mexican beers and an approachable wine list.
El Segundo will be open for dinner and brunch on the weekends.
(PS. If you’re really planning ahead for dinner destinations, CMR recently announced another new concept at Bridge Park in Dublin – Northern Italian-inspired Valentina’s.)
Chocolate Cafe
chocolatecafecolumbus.com
The Brewery District will get a little sweeter this summer with the addition of the Chocolate Café Express. The Fifth by Northwest cafe, 1855 Northwest Blvd., will open its second location in the former home of Dough Mama’s short-lived second location at 730 S. High St.
Afra Grill
afragrill.com
It’s a busy year of expansions for African-inspired, build-your-own eatery Afra Grill. Not only will the northeast side restaurant open as a vendor at Bubbly Hall in New Albany, but add a location at 3922 Townsfair Way at Easton.
Afra Grill’s menu spans chicken, lamb, steak and goat, customized with a mix of hot and cold toppings and sauces. Diners can find the flagship restaurant at 1635 Morse Rd. until the new locations open this fall.
Fay’s Crepes
fayscrepes.com
Joining Afra Grill on the Easton and Bubbly Hall expansion plan is Fay’s Crepes. Previously situated at Polaris Fashion Place, Fay’s posted on social media that the crepe maker is making the jump to Easton.
Find crepes with a variety of sweet and savory toppings at 3951 Easton Square Pl. and Bubbly Hall come fall.
Another Broken Egg
anotherbrokenegg.com
Southern-inspired breakfast and lunch chain Another Broken Egg is making its Columbus debut at Easton this fall. On the menu, diners will find breakfast classics and brunch and lunch favorites with a twist. And yes, there will be booze for brunch, including mimosas, bloody marys, brunch cocktails and spiked cold brews.
Another Broken Egg has 70 plus locations across the country, including five existing restaurants in Ohio, with three, including Columbus, opening soon.
Little Ladies Soft Serve
littleladiessoftserve.com
Roaming ice cream truck Little Ladies Soft Serve is making things permanent with a soft-serve slinging storefront. (But fear not, the truck isn’t going anywhere.) Find Little Ladies Soft Serve and their sundaes at Worthington Road and Polaris Parkway early this fall.
Need MORE?! In case these dozen plus spots are not enough, Emmett’s Cafe and Understory recently announced they are headed for Old North’s Open Air building this fall, and Hilliard-based Habaneros Fresh Mexican Grill will head to Grandview Yard for restaurant number three opening later this month.
This list is not meant to be comprehensive of everything that has opened or been announced in the past few months, but it’s a good look at new restaurants to try! Keep an eye on our ‘First Look’ series for some of these spots and more newbies, or check out more openings and new restaurants from the archives!
