Location: Columbus
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Columbus Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Columbus
Columbus /kəˈlʌmbəs/ is a city in and the county seat of Bartholomew County, Indiana, United States. The population was 44,061 at the 2010 census. In its built environment, the relatively small city has provided a unique place for noted Modern architecture and public art, commissioning numerous works since the mid-20th century. Located about 40 miles (64 km) south of Indianapolis, on the east fork of the White River, it is the state's 20th-largest city. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Indiana metropolitan statistical area, which encompasses all of Bartholomew County. Columbus is the birthplace of former Indiana Governor and current Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence.
Things to do in Columbus
1. ZwanzigZ Pizza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 387 reviews
Reviewed By Chris E - Columbus, Indiana
The first time I ate here was with the family. Two weeks later I took my daughter back for a one-on-one date. It has excellent prices and their dough is excellent. The pizza tastes far more like authentic Italian than fast food. The only thing that prevents a 5-star rating is that they serve items with plastic plates or utensils. Fixing that would make this a top choice.
2. Papa's Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 262 reviews
When you are in the mood for good times, pleasant dining and great cuisine, Papa's Grill can't be beat. Papa's Grill offers a pleasant, inviting atmosphere that is perfect for dining with friends and family. The menu features an extensive array of selections from burgers to steak. There is something to please every member of your group!Stop by and meet the friendly staff soon. This friendly neighborhood bar will keep you wanting to come back for more. Check out the full menu, plus daily lunch, dinner and drink specials. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!
Reviewed By Lori Z - Iowa City, Iowa
It was busy, so some people like it. My husband had fried mushrooms, I am sure the were frozen and out of the bag. My sandwich, the gyro, was ok. My husband did not like his burger, not much taste. The fries, however, were great. Too noisy for our tastes.
3. Amazing Joe's Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 216 reviews
Reviewed By Steve H - Westport, Indiana
Great selection of food on the menu. Food comes out hot and delicious! Not a long wait at all (for a Saturday night). Great attentive waitress Samantha. Made sure our drinks were full and was always somewhere nearby if we needed anything!! We just found a new favorite place to eat!
4. Tre Bicchieri Italian Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 285 reviews
Small locally-owned Italian restaurant in the heart of Downtown Columbus. Outside dining available as well as a private upstairs banquet room. Decor is accentuated with local artists' work on the walls.
Reviewed By Andrew C - Chicago
Pleasant dining room. Nice wine list and selection by the glass. The food was ok but I expected more from the reviews. The Caesar salad was good but the chicken scallopini with mushrooms and capers was a bit oily.
5. Joe Willy's Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 139 reviews
Reviewed By Pam K
Some family came from Missouri for a visit.Had each day planned except this day.Decided to just take a ride around Columbus and see the sights.Lunch time rolled around so we seen this place called Joe Willys Bar and Grill.Historical look so we said let's give it a try.We all had the burgers.Very good.Cooked just the way we like.We also between us had fries,sweet potato fries,and onion rings were all very good.The service was excellant.We were very happy with our choice.Those of us that live in the area all said.We be back.
6. Ye Olde Fish House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By seeyoudowntheroad - Bonita Springs, Florida
Not fancy, but the best fish sandwich!! Get it with their brown mustard and pickles. Sides are good, too, and the folks there are so nice. Columbus the way it was. I hope they never change a thing.
7. Henry Social Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By michaelpT4325XN - Davis Junction, Illinois
They close at nine...we walked in at 8:35 and were greeted by a male who said...wanna sit at the bar?. I replied, no, we'd like a table. He then replied...we close in 25 minutes ya know. I asked if that meant we had 25 minutes to eat or 25 minutes to order. He said...to order. We were seated, and then no contact for 10 of our precious 25 minute ordering time limit. We just got up and left.
8. 450 North Brewing Co.
Overall Ratings
4 based on 96 reviews
Reviewed By Roy P - Greensburg, Indiana
Stop by 450 North to introduce a visitor to what I thought she would find as a great dining experience. After being seated the waitress took to chatting with other customers and ignored our presence. Finally we had to request another waitress behind the bar to take our orders. After a considerable amount of time and observing other customers being served (that arrived after we had) I asked if there was a problem. The waitress that seated us turned and YELLED at me about how they prepare food. She proceeded to slam a tray on the table and walked off. Needless to say that was our cue to find a restaurant that wanted customers. I laid $2 on the table for the one soft drink we had received and departed.
I have never been treated with so little respect in any other establishment. We will scratch 450 North from our list of desired eating facilities.
9. Blackerby's Hangar 5 Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By Dennis C - Nashville, Tennessee
In the motel room just a few minutes before, I’d found a restaurant featuring breakfast and lunch that sounded good, and after setting the address in navigation we had headed out. But now, turning a corner, it seemed like maybe I’d been wrong.
“Hon, this can’t be right,” my wife said.
Sure enough, it really didn’t seem right. Ahead were a few buildings and nothing that looked like a restaurant. But, there were several cars in the parking lot ahead, so I pushed on. When I was close enough, I could read a sign that welcomed us to the “Columbus Regional Airport”.
“This can’t be right,” she said again, but I suggested that since we were this far, let’s go in to see what we can find.
Inside, all that was immediately visible was a wide hallway/lobby with offices and restrooms, and through windows on the opposite side of the building, I could see a concrete tarmac and several small airplanes. Then, when we were about halfway from the front to the rear of the building we saw Blackerby’s Hanger 5 to the left. We walked in, and despite being quite busy, we were seated almost immediately.
The restaurant featured booths for 4 on the back wall and more tables and half-booths everywhere else. We were seated at one of the booths and had a panoramic view of the tarmac allowing a great view of the activities outside.
The menu was generous featuring the standard fare of eggs, pancakes, and waffles, and an assortment of “specialties”. They have a series of “layered” breakfasts, and I think the closest universal comparison would be what is often referred to as a “skillet” breakfast, sans the skillet. Their “Hoosier Gravy”, for over biscuits and just about anything else, is absolutely second to none.
I said that the menu was generous, but not as generous as the portions. Truly, it was a little too much food, but the left-overs made it successfully back to our refrigerator at the motel.
Service was quick, friendly, and accurate.
[sorry, if your interest is for lunch, but we were only there for the breakfast and I didn’t check out the other menu]
The entertainment is, by default, the activity on the tarmac as small planes were coming and going the whole time. We’ve had friends who owned their own small aircraft, and a common hobby was to fly somewhere close for a meal. In that same category, there were many who had already arrived or were arriving just for breakfast.
Finally, and only if this is of interest to you, Columbus Regional Airport is built on the site of what once was Bakalar AFB, and few hundred yards from the terminal is a museum telling the history of the base, and some of its more distinguished airmen (and women) over the years. The museum is free, but they gladly accept donations.
Oh, and by the way, we went back for breakfast again the next morning.
10. Taku Japanese Steakhouse
Overall Ratings
4 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By Jennifer W - East Peoria, United States
On a very busy and hot day downtown, this was a great place to get away from the crowds and heat. Seven of 8 of us got hibachi. Although there is no American food on the menu, the youngest was able to get a meal with breaded chicken and rice with the chili sauce on the side and essentially had a very generous serving of chicken nuggets. Our chef was lots of fun and the food was very good. We'd definitely go back.
