Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Columbus

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Columbus? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Cameron's American Bistro

4.8

4.8 (4700)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Worthington

About the restaurant

Thirty years after opening in 1993, our chef-driven menu still features familiar guest favorites, as well as some brand new ones – all complemented by an expansive award-winning wine list.
There’s always a great reason to celebrate at Cameron’s American Bistro, a Worthington neighborhood favorite.

Top review

Cheryl

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent service and excellent food! Will definitely be going back!

Lindey's

4.9

4.9 (9105)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

German Village

About the restaurant

Lindey's has been consistently voted one of Columbus' top restaurants for the past 38 years, and has been featured in the Washington Post, USA Today, the New York Times, Gourmet Magazine, The BigTen Network and the book "As the Tables Turn" by Sue Doody & Michael Rosen.

Lindey's is a high-energy, white tablecloth restaurant serving the finest American cuisine in an upper east side New York bistro setting. Nestled in historic German Village, the design incorporates original artwork, bentwood chairs, copper topped bars and hardwood floors. With its exciting and vibrant atmosphere, Lindey's has three main dining rooms, three private party rooms and an award winning outdoor courtyard that has been voted one of the top 100 patios in America by OpenTable.

Top review

RonaldBVIP

Dined 2 days ago

What an amazing evening that set the mood for the Holiday Weekend. The new additions to the menu were spectacular. Highly recommend the chicken and dumplings. The cocktails were perfectly crafted. To round out the most perfect dining experience was Rob, our server, attentive and a true professional.

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Degrees @ Columbus State Community College

5.0

5 (168)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Columbus

About the restaurant

Degrees is a full-service restaurant serving familiar favorites with a gourmet twist. Join us on Columbus State’s campus in the heart of downtown to enjoy carefully crafted food and outstanding hospitality. When you dine at Degrees, you're also supporting the next generation of the hospitality industry. Here, students in our hospitality and culinary arts programs gain valuable experience as they work alongside industry professionals. Degrees is open Monday through Thursday, with lunch served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and dinner from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

Top review

Samantha

Dined on Dec 2, 2024

We loved our experience! The menu options were great, the food was delicious, and the staff was very friendly. Definitely plan to return!

The Alcove Restaurant & Lounge

4.8

4.8 (1265)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Columbus

About the restaurant

Founded in 1911 as a small ice cream and candy shop in the heart of Downtown Mount Vernon, The Alcove offers the finest dining experience in Central Ohio. Our diverse menu includes steak and seafood favorites as well as our signature Prime Rib of Beef available Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings. Within feet of one-of-a-kind shops, just a block away from The Grand Hotel, across the street from The Woodward Opera House, and a few miles from Kenyon College and the Mount Vernon Nazarene University, our establishment is a great location for gathering with loved ones young, elderly, and in between. Whether you're entertaining or looking to be entertained, The Alcove is the perfect spot for you. | Join us today to experience Casual Elegance. We'll save you a seat. | Reservations and Carry-Out orders may also be made by calling us at 740.392.3076.

Top review

Lauren

Dined 1 day ago

Perfect night for our anniversary dinner! Our waitress Allie was wonderful. The food was quick and fantastic, very reasonable prices for the quality. Drinks were delicious, the sea bass was to die for. Very cozy and romantic vibe. We will definitely be making a special trip back to the area to try again!

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4.8

4.8 (1033)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Polaris

About the restaurant

Thank you for choosing to dine with us! Please note that we have the following times set aside for your party before we have the next table to seat. Please leave us a note in your reservation or call the store directly if you think you'll need more rime at your table and we'll gladly accommodate if we can.
Parties of 1-2 1 hour and 15 minute, parties of 3-4 1 hour and 45 minutes, parties of 5-6 2 hours, parties of 7-8 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Top review

KirkVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Best restaurant and cocktails in Columbus. Highly recommended

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Rhapsody - Nelsonville

4.8

4.8 (379)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Columbus

About the restaurant

Rhapsody is a casual fine dining restaurant featuring Local Appalachian cuisine. Located in downtown Nelsonville, Ohio's beautiful Public Square, the Rhapsody is easy to get to and is centered in the arts district.

These cutting-edge comfort foods use local fresh ingredients, including vine ripe tomatoes, garden grown basil, local Amish cheese, and house made cheese spreads. Our steaks, chops, and chicken are produced locally, free of growth hormones and antibiotics. Our salads are made with fresh Athens area greens and vegetables. Electric Auto Charging in close proximity!

Top review

joanVIP

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

The food was delicious, wait staff was courteous and efficient. We really enjoyed the ambiance, the food, great cocktails. Otis Cochran was playing in the background, such a lovely evening.

['plas]

4.7

4.7 (657)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Columbus

About the restaurant

We are an approachable, fine dining restaurant in the Short North Arts District, offering a diverse menu rooted in classic culinary traditions and cultivated with modern innovation, specializing in house-made charcuterie and cheeses, vegan butchery, craft cocktails, and fine wine.

[‘plas] provides a memorable guest experience by executing innovative interpretations of culinary classics in a modern rustic environment, accompanied by elevated service and personable staff.

Top review

CourtneyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Plas never disappoints. It's hands down one of the most innovative restaurants in Columbus with fresh ingredients and amazing presentation. I think this place is wildly underrated in the Columbus food scene

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Experience

New Year's Eve Tasting Menu

Service Bar

4.6

4.6 (646)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Short North - Arena District

About the restaurant

Humbly innovative. Fueled by a passion to draw deeper connections between food and spirits, Service Bar delivers an experience that is refreshingly innovative, much of that due to carefully placed hints of nostalgic flavors and techniques. Housed in Middle West Spirits, one of Ohio’s first craft distilleries, the stunning main dining room is both intimate in size and lively in energy.

Full dinner service is available first-come first-serve at the main bar, and by reservation at a variety of smaller individual tables that accommodate 2-6 guests.

Top review

BillN

Dined on Dec 5, 2024

Food was very good. Pork cheeks were tender, burgers were good & seasonal pizza was interesting in a good way

The Wine Bistro - Upper Arlington

4.7

4.7 (1174)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Upper Arlington

About the restaurant

The Wine Bistro, with three Columbus, Ohio locations in Upper Arlington, Westerville and Worthington, offers an exciting array of well-curated wines and a list of select craft beers. The menu features light and filling appetizers & small plates, soups, salads, flatbreads and entrees offered every day of the week for lunch and dinner. We open at 11:00 AM Mon-Sat and at Noon on Sunday.
Gather a group at one of the communal tables or in the private tasting room. Shop for wine priced at near state minimum or pay a small corkage fee (waived on Mondays & Tuesdays) to enjoy your bottle in-house.
We look forward to exploring great wine and food with you soon...

Top review

Marcia

Dined 5 days ago

Food was delicious and a good gathering spot. As it was a holiday week it was a bit noisy but we could hear each other.

J. Liu Restaurant & Bar of Worthington

4.7

4.7 (2079)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Worthington

About the restaurant

J. Liu Restaurant and Bar of Worthington offers superb culinary creations served within an eclectic setting. Refined and stylish yet relaxed and comfortable. The experienced staff is dedicated to exceeding the expectations of every guest. J. Liu is eager to work with you in every way possible to ensure a most memorable experience. Uncompromising quality, understated elegance, attention to detail, outstanding service and "Something Great For Everyone", only at J. Liu of Worthington!

Top review

Lana

Dined 1 day ago

There were four of us at our table and each ordered a different meal. My Salmon was very good and everyone else seemed to enjoy their meal. The apple crisps was a great way to end the meal, although I could not eat it all.

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