Your guide to food, fun and more in Olde Towne East
Historic homes and a blended community define Columbus’ popular Near East Side neighborhood, Olde Towne East.
Past & Present
A former stretch of farms and countryside, Olde Towne East (OTE) was one of Columbus’ first suburban areas, and home to the city’s first horse-drawn street cars in 1863.
While the area, which was annexed by the city of Columbus in 1870, was once a bedroom community for some of the city’s wealthier residents, by WWII, the city of Bexley, just east of OTE, had begun to absorb the neighborhood’s wealthier residents at a fast clip. By the 1970s, the area was a shell of its former self, but even then, it had one unique draw: an excess of beautiful historic homes, although many had fallen into disrepair.
In the last few decades, OTE has witnessed a flurry of not just new development (the Trolley District, which contains the area’s first food hall and will see new apartments completed soon), but also an influx of new residents, including many who are attracted to fixing up many of the area’s historic houses, which recall more than 50 different architectural styles.
Eat
Osteria Pizzeria
892 Oak St.
After Mikey’s left the corner of 18th Street and Oak Street, the new Osteria Pizzeria fills that nice with mouthwatering pies, a host of traditional Italian options, and a cozy-chic interior.
Olde Towne Tavern
889 Oak St.
This Olde Towne East stalwart has served the area for more than a dozen years, offering contemporary American fare, cheap drinks, and a neighborhood feel at the historic corner of Oak Street and 18th Street.
Gemut Biergarten
734 Oak St.
In a sea of hazy IPAs and 18 Percent ABV imperial stouts, Gemut bucks the trend, and does so with aplomb. This popular OTE brewery offers traditional German beer styles, accompanying German food, and a classic outdoor biergarten.
HangOverEasy
51 Parsons Ave.
While HangOverEasy may be one of few breakfast options in the neighborhood, it’s a great one, offering inventive skillets, plenty of boozy brunch cocktails, and the Walk of Shame, an indulgent breakfast sandwich served on a glazed donut.
Upper Cup Coffee
79 Parsons Ave.
House-roasted espresso and made-to-order food meet at Upper Cup, alongside one of the city’s most unique—and beginner-friendly—chess organizations, the Upper Cup Chess Club.
Buck City Sammies
212 Kelton Ave.
Starting as a food truck, Buck City Sammies moved into an East Market stall not long after opening, and it isn’t hard to see—or taste, for that matter—why that’s the case.
Explore
Franklin Park Conservatory
1777 E. Broad St.
More than 200 years old and on the National Register of Historic Places, Franklin Park boasts more than 400 plant species, a yearly butterfly event, plenty of seasonal, family-friendly fun, and much more.
East Market
212 Kelton Ave.
While Olde Towne East doesn’t offer the same density of culinary options as the Short North, it is home to one of Columbus’ cornerstone food halls. The East Market, part of the historic Trolley District development, serves up pizza, Korean fare, Creole cuisine, and much more.
Columbus Museum of Art
480 E. Broad St.
Founded in 1878, the CMA offers a large collection of modern and contemporary art, folk art, photography, and more.
Columbus Public Health
240 Parsons Ave.
Originally created as the nation’s first school for the visually impaired in 1837, this sweeping campus offers stunning examples of French Second Empire and Jacobethan styles of architecture.
Thurber House
77 Jefferson Ave.
Not just a museum and literary center dedicated to famous writer and cartoonist James Thurber, the Jefferson Avenue building was Thurber’s former home, and is allegedly one of Columbus’ most haunted spots.
Fran Ryan Center
865 E. Capital St.
I bet you didn’t know there was a public arts hub located in the heart of Olde Towne East. Technically part of Columbus Recreation and Parks, it offers hands-on classes across nearly every medium imaginable in its eight studio spaces.
Shop
Old Salts Leatherworks
267 Kelton Ave.
This charming leatherworker–whose claim to fame is their Front Pocket Wallet–is locally owned, and even locally-er situated, which is to say the Old Salts store is actually inside of the owner’s home.
The Plant Gays
212 Kelton Ave.
From chic—and highly functional—pots to indoor plants and even plant design consultations, the Plant Gays’ regional brick-and-mortar home inside the East Market is a neighborhood staple.
Golden Hobby Gift Shop
865 E. Capital St.
Relocated to the Fran Ryan Center in January, Golden Hobby sells everything from handmade earrings to paintings and even woodwork, all while serving as a nonprofit consignment shop selling the work of over 200 senior citizen artists and makers.
Next Door Neighborhoods
King-Lincoln Bronzeville
Must try: Creole Kitchen, 795 E. Long St.
Driving Park
Must try: Brothers Chicken & Fish, 1808 E. Livingston Ave.
Franklin Park
Must try: Columbus Brewing Co. Beer Hall, 200 Kelton Ave.
Broadleigh
Must try: Joe’s Pizza, 3020 E. Broad St.
A Local’s Perspective
“What I love about Olde Towne East, and the entire Near East Side, is that there is a place for everyone. You have a mix of grand historic homes, cool modern new builds, high-end apartments, affordable housing, and a community that embraces it all. It’s artistic, walkable, and full of hidden gems like A.J. Soseby, Old Salts Leatherworks, The Attic Comedy Club, and Yawning Bear Bread Co. There’s a sense that everyone here cares about preserving what’s special while still moving the neighborhood forward.” – Jake Bluvstein
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