20 new bars and restaurants to try in 2020
Did you set a goal to try more new things in 2020? What about embracing the city you call home more? Or maybe you aspire to expand your palate. If any or all of those apply to you, this list of 20 new bars and restaurants to try in the new year will certainly help guide your journey.
Happy drinking and dining, Columbus!
Nocterra Brewing Company | 41 Depot St., Powell
Nocterra was first started by Bryan Duncan and Bruce Vivian who have built their experience through home brewing competitions. Duncan said Nocterra is a luxury, since he and the team are both owners and brewers. They have the freedom to dabble into any style of brew they are interested in, whether that be a sour or a stout.
Shake Shack | Multiple locations
It was the moment burger fans in Central Ohio had been waiting for: the arrival of Shake Shack. The popular “roadside” burger stand first hit the scene in Easton, and opened up a Short North location shortly after.
Bristol Republic | 1124 N High St.
And with more than 100 different bourbons to choose from, live entertainment acts slotted Thursday to Sunday, and a kitchen staff smoking meats courtesy of training from Smoked On High, Bristol Republic stands as a safe bet (and shorter drive) as a way to channel all the organized and fun chaos that is Nashville right here in The Bus.
Lincoln Social | 711 N High St.
It’s fresh. It’s unique. It’s the high-end, crowd-pleasing Short North experience you can only get when a rooftop concept and Cameron Mitchell collide. So, get in line Columbus—you’re going to want to see this for yourself.
Ampersand Asian Supper Club | 940 N High St.
To say that restaurateur Megan Ada’s accomplishments are impressive for her age is an understatement. The feats she has achieved throughout a decade in the restaurant business would be remarkable for a person of any age. Her latest venture, Ampersand Asian Supper Club, is the latest effort in a meteoric career that shows no signs of slowing down.
RH Columbus at Easton | 4120 Worth Ave.
Heads up, Easton, a snazzy new concept is now open. Restoration Hardware, or RH, is currently wowing guests with The Gallery at Easton Town Center and RH Rooftop Restaurant & Park and Wine & Barista Bar.
Urban Meyer’s Pint House | 6632 Longshore Dr., Dublin
Now open in Dublin Bridge Park is Urban Meyer’s Pint House—a joint venture between the former Buckeye coach and Corso Ventures. According to Justin Kintz, Corso’s Marketing Director, the restaurant will riff off the concept of Corso’s Short North Pint House with Meyer calling some of the shots just like he did on the sidelines with the Bucks.
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Seesaw | 906 N High St.
SeeSaw is billed as a live-fire restaurant and nightlife venue in the former Ram Restaurant & Brewery space. Sawyer has teamed up with Cleveland Indians slugger Jason Kipnis and Forward Hospitality Group, who own Flipside Burger at Easton Town Center as well and several nightclubs and restaurants in Cleveland, to bring “wood- fired modern American shareables” to the Short North.
Fireproof Restaurant & Bar | 1026 N High St.
Fireproof isn’t meant to be rushed—the cocktails, the courses, and the communication are meant to be savored. Great time and care was put into every aspect of the bar and restaurant which can only be appreciated if the same amount of time is taken to enjoy them. So, Columbus, how’s about a night out? We hear Fireproof is lit.
Gemüt Biergarten | 734 Oak St.
It takes more than glass mugs and an umlaut to make an authentic German biergarten. Columbus has no shortage of beer or brats, and our undeniable ethnic heritage puts the bar pretty high for anyone tempted to tap into the old country without seeming opportunistic or insincere. That’s why Gemüt Biergarten was so long in coming, and well worth the wait.
Law Bird | 740 S High St.
The Columbus bar scene just got a big boost of imagination. Law Bird, the brainchild of the first female winner of Bombay Sapphire’s “Most Imaginative Bartender” Annie Williams-Pierce and her husband Luke, is officially open in the Brewery District.
ROOH | 685 N High St.
Buckle up, Indian food enthusiasts, a new restaurant on High Street is taking your favorite traditional cuisines to new heights. ROOH Head Chef Sujan Sarkar brings flavors from all over India and use his extensive experience in the food industry to administer unique flares. The fine dining restaurant also offers a bevy of beverages from wine, to cocktails, to beers from around the corner and around the world.
Seitan’s Realm | Rotating locations
For the record, yes, you read that correctly. It’s Seitan’s Realm, not Satan. And the offerings here should be sinful considering how delicious they are. Options include a Philly cheesesteak complete with vegan cheese sauce, onions, and peppers on a soft hoagie, or a gyro piled high with lettuce, tomato, and an addictive tzatziki sauce in a fresh pita. And the loaded curly fries? Don’t even get us started.
Nosh on High | 149 S High St.
Specializing in small plates, Nosh’s menu is inspired by world travels, but tailored to a Midwestern palate. Handhelds such as the Duck BLT or the Philly Dip sandwich—which combines the best aspects of a Philly cheesesteak and a classic French dip—offer elevated takes on familiar favorites. Appetites of all sizes will find something to enjoy at Nosh, thanks to an extensive list of entree offerings from both land and sea.
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CRMD | 1190 N High St.
In the heart of the Short North, across the street from Columbus institutions such as Short North Stage and Magnolia Thunderpussy, sits a storefront which many would pass by without noticing if not for the giant ice cream cone decal on its window reading, “Get CRMD.”
Ruth’s Chris Steak House | 511 N High St.
A sizzling steak house has made its return to the capital city. New Orleans-based Ruth’s Chris Steak House is officially open across from the Convention Center today, serving custom-aged USDA Prime steaks on 500-degree sizzling hot plates.
SŌW Plated | 1625 W Lane Ave.
With thoughtful consideration by owners John and Sunny Fahlgren, the acronym for SŌW Plated represents three guiding principles: sustainable, organic and wellness. As one-half the restaurant’s creation, Sunny prioritizes food as the best medicine, implementing cultivation that’s fully represented once visitors arrive at SŌW Plated.
Dick’s Dive | 384 W Third Ave.
Columbus has plenty to offer for fans of smoked cocktails and rooftop views, but now, it’s got something for the mediocre brown liquor and dive bar enthusiasts. Dick’s Dive is now open directly below Zeno’s, serving “beers your dad would drink” in the perfect basement bar atmosphere.
Coast Wine House | 75 S High St., Dublin
Next time you’re in Dublin, make sure to stop and smell the rosé at the city’s newest wine bar. Coast Wine House offers a contemporary wine bar + bottle shop inspired by a blend of the spirit of coastal California and traditional wine country cafés, markets, and bodegas.
CBC Taproom | 2555 Harrison Rd.
Columbus Brewing Company, the city’s oldest and most decorated brewery—boasting six medals over the past nine years at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup—has given us the gift we’ve all been waiting for: a taproom.The long-awaited pourhouse has finally come to the city after the 31 year-old company relocated to a larger warehouse with room to expand three years ago.
Did we miss your favorite restaurant that opened in 2019? Give it a shoutout in the comments section!
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