Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Columbus

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

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!

The Alcove Restaurant & Lounge

4.9

4.9 (1305)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent meal with fresh ingredients and creativity. We dined with Hannah for dinner and she was amazing! My friend has a few allergies and she handled them with finesse. Cannot wait to check them out for lunch next time I’m in town, thanks Hannah!

Lindey's

4.9

4.9 (9231)

$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

Neil

Dined 2 days ago

Totally awesome romantic lunch for two. All the food was quite good, the Chicken & Mushroom Pot stickers especially so. We had some leftover, or I would have ordered a take out of those pot stickers. We enjoyed the bread service as well don't forget to ask for it. Someone cut up the greens on the salad very fine, making for a delicious salad that you could eat elegantly in fine clothing. The selection of ingredients in the salad told you that some serious thought by professionals went into the making of that salad. It was, like all of the food, something that made you slow down and savor every bite and listen to what the chef was telling you. We didn't have room for any dessert, but the sorbet was calling to me just the same. We'll be back for our anniversary, if not sooner.

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Cameron's American Bistro

4.8

4.8 (4758)

$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

KristenVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Food was amazing!!! So good!! Bartender was awesome! Waitstaff was inattentive at best. Couldn’t get her attention for drink orders, or for much of anything for that matter. We were done with our first round of drinks at the table and she still hadn’t offered any appetizers or offered to take any food orders. Maybe just that particular server. Everything else is fantastic!!

Rhapsody - Nelsonville

4.8

4.8 (385)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Feb 28, 2025

Great concept, great food, cute restaurant in the heart of quaint small town square. Cocktails, meals, dessert, and service were all fantastic!

Nomad

4.8

4.8 (1063)

$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

Michelle

Dined on Feb 27, 2025

The food was excellent and our server was wonderful!

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4.5

4.5 (1054)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Columbus

About the restaurant

The Woodbury culminates the essence of urban dining with a warm, approachable menu that caters to everyone and anyone. Serving culinary creations and breakfast favorites ALL DAY long. Looking to book a large group? Shoot us an email at gm@woodburycbus.com. **Any parties of 7 or more must call the store for reservations**

Top review

AISON

Dined 5 days ago

Our visit began with smiling, welcoming greeting from Steven continued with our delicious cocktails & food served by fun, knowledgeable Amber & Ryan, it was an ideal Sunday brunch experience!

['plas]

4.7

4.7 (679)

$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

Rich

Dined 3 days ago

Our experience at ['plas] was outstanding in every respect! The menu is creative and delivers on flavor and presentation; the service was attentive and engaging; the vibe was relaxed. I especially appreciated Jackie's wine knowledge and attention to curating a really interesting list, including some wines by the glass that I have never seen in another restaurant. Definitely worth the trip to Columbus!

The Wine Bistro - Upper Arlington

4.7

4.7 (1199)

$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

kimVIP

Dined 6 days ago

We have been back many times, tried salads, sandwiches and entrees and loved every meal. Great variety in both food and beverage choices

Hubbard Grille

4.6

4.6 (1468)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Columbus

About the restaurant

Hubbard Bar & Grille is a new American restaurant and event space in the heart of the Short North since 2010. Featuring fresh, local and organic meals & creative cocktails in a modern, sophisticated atmosphere. We are open for dinner 6 nights a week; closed on Mondays.
Our second floor bar and lounge may be reserved to create a flexible space for groups of 50+. Guest can enjoy the privacy of a sit-down dinner or mingle in cocktail-party fashion. For more information visit www.hubbardgrille.com/private-event
Booking a table online is fast and convenient, but if you are having difficulty finding a certain availability feel free to call us and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 5 days ago

Great food great service great atmosphere! Highly recommend!!

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Popular dish

Fried Chicken Sliders

Popular dish

All Natural Fried Chicken

Service Bar

4.6

4.6 (662)

$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

KimberleVIP

Dined on Feb 22, 2025

Loud environment due to concrete flooring. Food was good but not great.

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