Where to Eat and Drink in Downtown Columbus

November 8, 2012

Looking for a place to eat and drink close to downtown Columbus? The Arena District has great options open seven days a week!

A&R Music Bar is the perfect spot to hang out, drink, or dine before a show at the LC Pavilion or a Clippers game. Though its hours vary, this Arena District bar opens two hours before any and all Arena District events. This is a perfect option for someone who wants to beat traffic and get a spot early! (The scoop on finding parking in the Arena District.)
There’s no need to worry about whether to eat before or after a movie anymore. The Arena Grand Movie Theatre offers a full bistro menu and bar, which means you can come early, stay late, or even dine during the movie. Plus, the Arena Grand is open every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with affordable ticket prices. With pizzas, wraps, gourmet salads, and of course movie theatre staples like popcorn and fountain drinks, the Arena Grand is far more than a movie theatre. (A tip? Stop by for the weekday lunch special and join the Grand Rewards program for 10% off all food and drink!)
Craving hibachi-style food? BD’s Mongolian Grill is restaurant in downtown Columbus that allows you to select your own ingredients and watch chefs fry it up right in front of you. Open every day at 11 a.m., you can stop by for lunch or dinner that more than nourishes you—it will entertain you too. BD’s has plenty of flavorful ingredient options that make it a great place for groups or pairs. (Planning a holiday party? Click here.)
If you like pianos, comedy, and drinks, stop by the Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar. Open from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, this place has the perfect kind of entertainment for your party or outing. With a full food and drink menu to suit your group, you’ll be singing or dancing along.
Looking for a tasty pie? Boston’s Gourmet Pizza is your place for casual dinner with friends, and perfect for people who want options to choose from. With starters, salads, pizzas, flatbreads, pasta, sandwiches, and more, there’s something for every appetite—plus specific options available for vegetarians and gluten-free diners. Boston’s is open every day from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Buca di Beppo is best known for its delicious family-style Italian dishes that are prefect for groups and families. They serve up salads, appetizers, pizzas, entrees, pastas, and more starting at 11 a.m. every day. Buca also offers a fun, eclectic environment that is lively, which makes it a great place for banquets and special occasions.
If you’re ever walking past Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant in the middle of the day, the smell of beer brewing wafting by will take you by surprise. It should also lure you in, since beyond handcrafted German-style lagers that are brewed on site, Gordon Biersch also offers many more beers on tap. This Arena District restaurant is open seven days a week, and early bird lunch goers can order as early as 11 a.m. Be sure to try the signature garlic fries. Planning a holiday party? Book now, because the expansive dining rooms at Gordon Biersch make for a perfect group event. We’re also proud to say that we have the only Gordon Biersch location in Ohio.
Local favorite Max & Erma’s has a location right on the Boulevard—Nationwide Boulevard, that is. The downtown Columbus restaurant location serves up hot, delicious gourmet burgers on Saturdays and Sundays. Stop by from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends for the full experience. With plentiful appetizers and shareable plates, sandwiches, salads and soups, Max & Erma’s offers tasty comfort food at a reasonable price. Kids and gluten-free menus are available.
R Bar Arena is frequently referred to by locals as the Blue Jackets bar. R Bar has plenty of TVs and projection screens to enjoy the game or relax with friends every day of the week! (Did you know that R Bar is open until 2 a.m. every day?) Order a basket of wings or a Brezel pretzel while you sip on one of their many drink specials. Join us for $2.50 Coors Light drafts on Friday or $15 Molson beer tubes on Tuesday.
Have you ever experienced a Brazilian steakhouse? No need to book your travel yet—come to the Arena District for an authentic Brazilian steakhouse experience at Rodizio Grill. With over a dozen rotisserie meats, you can eat late or you can eat early, since Rodizio Grill is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Slow roasted, thin-cut meat is the highlight of Rodizio Grill’s menu, but salads, grilled fruits, and appetizers are available for those looking for lighter options.
Though we haven’t announced all the details yet, Steak Escape is coming to the Arena District and adding to the Columbus, Ohio restaurant scene in early 2013. If you like burgers, subs, fresh-cut fries (plain or loaded), and other hearty eats, this is your place. This popular restaurant has a few locations around the Columbus area, but the Arena District will be Steak Escape’s first downtown Columbus restaurant location!
Sunny Street Cafe offers a breakfast option for everyone, whether you’re looking for a smoothie to start off the morning or a hearty plate of sausage gravy and biscuits. Open every day from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sunny Street Cafe accommodates both early birds and brunch goers. But that’s not all—Sunny Street also offers a full array of options for lunch. Gluten-free diners and kids also have plenty of options to suit a variety of palates.

Casual, classic American dining at its finest, Ted’s Montana Grill also has an Old West flair. If you’re looking for a restaurant in Columbus to take family or a first date, this is a great spot! You might like the bison nachos or bison meatloaf for something different, or try the pecan-crusted trout or cedar plank salmon for something a bit more traditional. Gluten-free and paleo diners can also enjoy Ted’s Montana Grill with a full gluten-free menu. This choice dining spot is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
The Tavern on Front—formerly known as 343 Front Street Tavern—is a quintessential sports bar for watching the Buckeyes, the Blue Jackets, and more. With a full menu, 20+ beers on draft, and a giant patio, this is an Arena District hot spot. Try their sweet potato puffs or one of their delicious hot doggs—yes, “doggs”—while you take in the games. The Tavern on Front is open every day from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Have you been looking for an Irish pub with big screens for watching sports and delicious pub food? Come to The Three-Legged Mare, open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day. (Early morning match or game you want to see? Give them a call—this Columbus, Ohio restaurant opens one hour early for select games.) And coming to The Three-Legged Mare also means that you’re supporting locally-owned and operated business right in the heart of the Arena District. If you’ve been trying to find a place to air soccer or rugby matches, this is it! With 9 foot project screens and flowing beer, you’ll be quite content.