Artisan Food Destinations in Columbus

Sample some of Columbus' finest food and drink, savoring every last morsel and drop of first-rate products, ranging from breads and cheeses to locally made sodas and beers. You won't have to break the bank, either. You'll find that many of these exceptional items are available in affordable locations, including laid-back bars and unassuming bakeries.

Load up on carbs at the Toast Bar, one of the few places where you can actually order flights of bread. This Grandview Heights breakfast haven is created by Daniel Riesenberger—known locally as simply Dan the Baker. It serves up artisan breads, toasted and topped with homemade spreads, butters and jams. Grab a loaf for the road or load up on pastries and sandwiches before you head out. Don't show up on a weekday though—this cozy little bakery is only open on weekends.

Over 30 merchants call North Market home, peddling fresh produce and culinary goods to hordes of hungry patrons every day. This historic public market first opened in 1876 and houses more than its fair share of artisan products. Take your time touring the Short North institution, pausing to nibble on flaky croissants at Pistacia Vera, gooey cinnamon rolls at Omega Artisan Baking or cool treats at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Occasional concerts, cooking classes and culinary demonstrations add to the market's already lively atmosphere.

There's just one thing to remember before visiting Columbus' own beloved soda company, Rambling House—this ain't your granddaddy's cola. Free of coloring agents and corn syrup, these artisan sodas are instead made from a mixture of natural ingredients, including unique herbs and spices. Gulp down bubbly concoctions, like ginger beer or sarsaparilla and cinnamon cola, in the University District-based bar. Live bluegrass music frequently fills the air and food trucks stop to serve hearty grilled cheese sandwiches. The bar charges a cover on the weekends, but the money goes directly into the pockets of Rambling House's musical performers.

Located 10 minutes northeast of Columbus in Gahanna, Kindred Artisan Ales' tasting room offers the sort of laid-back setting beer lovers find comforting. The bright and modern indoor bar combined with the spacious outdoor beer garden caters to large crowds, particularly on evenings with live concerts or trivia competitions. If you're just here for the beer, order a flight highlighting the brewery's handcrafted selections, including everything from robust porters to lighter pale ales. If you get hungry, a line of food trucks sits parked outside the brewery eager to serve up their fare.

Slow and steady is how it's done at Thurn's Specialty Meats, a beloved deli and Columbus staple since 1886. This old-school butcher shop prepares its meats in meticulous fashion, everything from cottage hams to twice-smoked bacon. In fact, the store is only open three days a week because the other days are devoted to preparing its products. One bit of advice before you visit: Leave the plastic at home—this is a cash-only establishment.

As is often the case with artisan food, fresh is the word at The Table, a shabby-chic eatery serving modern American cuisine in the city's hopping Short North neighborhood. The restaurant's setup allows the staff to prepare their own meats in-house, including salting, smoking and curing cuts. And if that's not enough, the restaurant's on-site bakery also produces mouthwatering cakes and cookies. Enjoy all this handcrafted goodness in a spot where exposed stone walls and mismatched chairs only add to the charming sense of whimsy.

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