Your guide to food, fun and more in the Short North and Italian Village
Serving as the heartbeat of the city’s arts and dining scenes, the Short North and Italian Village blend Columbus’ unique history with an energy-infused present.
Past & Present
Short North
Beginning as a nickname given by police officers who referred to the area as north of Downtown but just “short” of Ohio State’s campus, the Short North has likely been the highest profile Columbus neighborhood of the last century. But it wasn’t always that way.
Before becoming a go-to spot for dining and one of the city’s most prominent arts districts, it was created in 1850 as a hub for the city’s working-class. Eventually, by the mid-20th century, the area became run-down and crime-ridden, before an influx of individuals attracted to its historic architecture (like its iconic High Street arches) returned in droves. Fittingly for an arts district, it was the creation of the Short North Gallery Hop in 1985—an event that lives on to this day—that helped the Short North reach the popularity zenith it’s enjoyed over the past several decades.
Italian Village
Created at the turn of the 20th century after the creation of the Columbus-Worthington Pike (known today as High Street), the area likely found its name from the fact that many Italian immigrants called it home, and the prominent St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (which is now on the National Register of historic places and the site of Columbus’ annual Italian festival).
Later, in the 1970s, the Italian Village Commission and Italian Village Society were created in order to protect some of the area’s historic architecture, and in the last decade, Italian Village has become one of the city’s hottest dining hotspots, boasting Budd Dairy Food Hall, Seventh Son Brewing and Hoof Hearted Brewing and the original Fox in the Snow.
Eat
Bodega
1044 N. High St.
If a literal wall of craft beer tap handles doesn’t make you want to patronize a business, you may want to check your pulse. Bodega is a Columbus craft beer hub, offering food that’s surprisingly cheap, and undeniably delicious.
Fox in the Snow
1031 N. 4th St.
The location that started a craft cafe empire is Fox in the Snow’s 4th Street hub. Whether you want coffee, pastries to die for, or their viral souffléd egg sandwich, you can’t go wrong with a classic Columbus spot.
Budd Dairy Food Hall
1086 N. 4th St.
While it’s easy to fall in love with the North Market, don’t overlook its Italian Village counterpart. Budd Dairy offers an enticing cross section of top Columbus eateries, a wonderfully quirky historic home (which used to serve as a dairy distribution center), and even a rooftop bar.
Woodhouse Vegan
19 W. Russel St.
No meat, no problem. Woodhouse Vegan has the uncanny ability to turn out dishes like nachos and Coney dogs that satisfy our desire to go all in on something indulgent without skipping a beat.
Hoof Hearted Brewing
26 E. 5th Ave.
“World class craft beer in a weirdly lovable package” is probably the best way to describe this edgy craft brewer. While some of their triple IPAs may not be for the faint of heart, this mercurial craft brewery is churning out beers that can legitimately hold a candle with the best anywhere.
Metsi’s
36 E. Lincoln St.
Chapman’s Eat Market may be gone, but the man behind the beloved concept is back with a new spot serving up wood-fired Italian fare in a chic, two-floor setting.
CRMD
1190 N. High St.
Black vanilla, traffic cone sprinkles, bubble cones and a whole lot more. CRMD is a contemporary ice cream shop if there ever was one. A little bit of adult humor to round out the concept never hurt anyone, either.
Explore
Gallery Hop
Along N. High Street
Once billed as “the best event in the state” by Ohio Magazine, the Short North’s monthly Gallery Hop (and its Holiday Hop on Dec. 6) sees the neighborhood come alive, and bring floods of viewers into local galleries and engaged with local art alike.
Union Cafe/Axis Nightclub
782 N. High St./775 N. High St.
Packed with some of the city’s best drag shows, a myriad of other community events and a lively atmosphere, both Union Cafe and Axis Nightclub are absolutely indispensable members of the city’s thriving LGBTQIA scene.
Columbus Food Adventures
Throughout both neighborhoods
Whether it’s a cross-section of Short North dining or a pizza-focused romp through Italian Village, Columbus Food Adventures—one of the city’s authorities on under-the-radar dining—allows you to get up close and personal with the Columbus eats they love most.
Pedal Wagon
848 N. Pearl St.
It’s one thing to see the city from the sidewalk, it’s another to be riding down the streets of the Short North and Italian Village on a pedal-powered vehicle with all your closest friends. The only thing you have to bring for both of these dynamic new tour services is your own alcohol.
Shop
Flower Child
233 E. 5th Ave.
From vinyl records and cool clothes to authentic mid-century furniture dripping with nostalgia, when you enter Flower Child Vintage, you’re stepping into another world entire more than you are just a storefront. It’s the kind of place you can—and will, if nobody stops you—spend and entire day browsing and not get bored or see the same thing twice.
Pochettely
1589 N. High St.
Billed as the first “Italian charm bar in Ohio,” this brand-new concept (it officially opened in late October) allows patrons to choose from hundreds of options to create their own “dream charm bracelet” in a chic setting.
Prologue Bookshop
787 N. High St.
No good arts district is complete without a boundary-pushing indie bookstore, right? Prologue fits the bill nicely for this, offering—in addition to gifts, games and cards—its own “Banned Books” section.
Penn & Beech Candle Co.
737 N. High St.
November is peak candle season, but why stop at sniffing around for a scent that you think is good enough? Penn & Beech allows you to create your own custom candle, pulling from more than 100 different fragrances.
Smartypants Vintage
815 N. High St.
At Smartypants Vintage, you’re shopping smarter, not harder, for classic mid-century clothing and more. A hand-curated and regularly updated collection from Justina Smart means you won’t have to hit up four junk-volume thrift stores just to find a shirt you like.
Next Door Neighborhoods
Victorian Village
Must try: Quinci’s Emporium, 11 Buttles Ave.
Harrison West
Must try: Katalina’s, 1105 Pennsylvania Ave.
Linden
Must Try: Martha’s Fusion Kitchen, 3331 Maize Rd.
Arena District
Must Try: Wario’s Beef and Pork, 111 W. Nationwide Blvd.
A Local’s Perspective
“The Italian Village is special because of its unique blend of historic architecture and great sense of community. My husband and I chose to live here because it is urban, yet very much feels like a neighborhood. We love being able to walk to so many restaurants, bars, cafes, sports arenas, shops, the Gateway movie theater, and the like. We also have fabulous neighbors.” – Jennifer Cornman
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