2026 Preview: 12 Things to Look Forward to in Columbus Food & Drink
From Amara to Wolf's Ridge at The Worthington Inn, the local food scene has plenty of exciting developments in store this year.
12 Things to Look Forward to in Columbus Food & Drink This Year
By Erin Edwards
Food prices, ICE raids, staffing challenges and a customer base that’s dining out less. There’s no doubt it’s a tough environment for Central Ohio restaurants and bars right now. Tough for restaurant workers, tough for restaurant operators and tough for cash-strapped customers.
That said, Columbus is a dining scene on the rise and there are several projects in the works for 2026. Although we expect to see a continued deluge of restaurant chain openings this year, here are the new projects, openings—and possibly one culinary award—we’re excited about.
Service! Looks to Unveil its Innovation Kitchen, The Line
Over the weekend, the folks from the nonprofit organization Service! Relief for Hospitality Workers hosted a chili cookoff fundraiser featuring entries from seven of the city’s best chefs. (The Foodletter’s own Bethia Woolf was a judge). It’s just one example of how Service! has been a great addition to the community since launching as a lifeline for hospitality workers during the pandemic. One of the most innovative concepts to open this year will surely be Service!’s The Line, a full-service restaurant and innovative workforce training concept for hospitality workers looking to advance their careers. The Line is expected to open sometime this year at 145 N. Grant Ave., a former CCAD building.
Wolf’s Ridge Breathes New Life Into The Worthington Inn
The iconic Worthington Inn, which dates back to 1831, has sat empty for far too long. So, we were pleasantly surprised to learn last year that Wolf’s Ridge Brewing will revive the historic space. Wolf’s Ridge, which operates an award-winning restaurant Downtown, has also done a great job with Understory in the historic Open Air building. The newly revamped Worthington Inn is targeting a spring opening.
Amara Fills a Void on the Scioto Mile
For months, one of the hottest questions around town was: “What will fill the former Milestone 229 space?” The answer: a Mediterranean concept called Amara from chef Josh Dalton of Veritas, Speck and Rosebud’s in Delaware. Amara’s menu, inspired by the chef’s travels, will feature elements from Southern European, North African and the Middle Eastern cuisines. Amara is pushing for a spring opening.
Rosalita Will Debut (Hopefully Soon) Downtown
Speaking of Dalton, we’re greatly anticipating Rosalita (72-80 N. High St.), the chef’s forthcoming take on Mexican fare. Anyone who visited Veritas during its Mexican Supper Club likely saw hints at the direction, and I think the early success of chef Garrett Talmage’s Mezcla shows there’s a market for a higher-end approach to Mexican and Latin American cuisine in Columbus. Think: fresh tortillas, a commitment to good ingredients and great cocktails.
North Market Downtown Wraps Up Its Expansion
While construction on the 32-story Merchant Building won’t likely wrap up until 2027, the North Market’s 15,000-square-foot expansion should be complete by year’s end. Big changes include a new bar for the market as well as seven new vendors. The North Market plans to start announcing the new vendors in mid-2026.
Columbus is Getting an Indonesian Restaurant
According to a Facebook post and a business filing with the Ohio Secretary of State, Columbus will hopefully get an Indonesian restaurant in 2026. Although details are slim so far, Nusantara Indo Kitchen is expected to open at 3250 N. High St. It appears that the owner is Paskalia Timbuleng, who owns a pair of Mr. Hibachi restaurants. According to the business filing, Nusantara (a term for the Indonesian archipelago) will serve “authentic Indonesian and Malaysian cuisine.”
Maison Skalli Adds a Second Location
You had me at French-Moroccan pastries. After opening in 2024 in Dublin, this popular breakfast-and-brunch spot is expanding this year into the Short North. Known especially for its fresh pastries, Maison Skalli will replace the former Kilwins chocolate shop at 662 N. High St.
DankHouse Industries Lands in Olde Towne East
Although the local craft brewing market has contracted recently, it’s full steam ahead for Newark’s DankHouse Brewing Co. which is expanding into Columbus this year. The brewery’s new taproom in Olde Towne East (901 Oak St.), dubbed DankHouse Industries, will feature food from the folks behind Shakedown Street Food. The taproom replaces Camelot Cellars.
Bethel Road Gets a Ramyun Library
The owner of Don Pocha Korean BBQ told us he’s opening a new spot inspired by Korean instant ramyun (aka ramen) shops, where customers can choose their noodle packet and then cook it themselves. Ramyun EZ, which will replace Tea Zone in Olentangy Plaza, will feature automated ramyun machines and a ramyun library as well as fresh kimbap, coffee, other refreshments and bing su.
Exciting Things Coming to Jaeger and Whittier?
The corner of Jaeger and Whittier streets is about to become a new hub of activity. Barcelona is the cornerstone, of course, but we’re hearing that there are several food-and-drink ventures in the works at that intersection, both at the new (and controversial) mixed-use development Jaeger Square and across the street at the long-empty 4 Saints Club on Whittier. Stay tuned.
Sexton’s Pizza is Coming to The Little Grand Market
Grandview’s The Little Grand is on a roll, having recently added Preston’s: A Burger Joint to its vendor mix. Today, it was announced that the popular pizzeria Sexton’s will soon be slinging charred-crust pies at the food hall as well. Sexton’s is replacing Gant’s Pizza. (The Little Grand is also putting out some fine cocktail menus as well thanks to bar manager Bert Chavez.)
Dan the Baker Brings Home a James Beard, Maybe?
Dan, you’re our only hope. The 2026 James Beard Award restaurant and chef semifinalists have just been announced and Dan the Baker was named a semifinalist in the Outstanding Bakery category for the second year running. Dan Riesenberger’s bakery, which greatly expanded its offerings last year, is the sole nominee representing Columbus this year. Last year, three local representatives made the semifinalist cut, including Dan the Baker (Outstanding Bakery), Law Bird (Outstanding Bar) and Avishar Barua (Best Chef: Great Lakes). Overall, this year’s showing is a bit disappointing for Columbus, but we’re feeling good about Dan’s chances.
News & Happenings
Around the Columbus Food & Drink Scene
The nonprofit Columbus Independents, which helps to promote independent restaurants, is holding its first quarter gift certificate sale tomorrow, Jan. 22. It’s a great chance to snag restaurant gift certificates at steep discounts: $50 certificates sell for $35; $25 certificates sell for $17.50. Sign up for Columbus Independents’ email list so you don’t miss a sale.
A new cafe called Coffee + Cone at The Mallway opened today at 1966 N. Mallway Drive in Upper Arlington. The shop serves coffee from One Line, pastries from Littleton’s and soft serve ice cream.
Really solid rundown of the upcoming Columbus food scene. The Service! innovation kitchen concept is probably the most interesting to me because its addressing workforce training gaps while also creating an actual dining destination. I've seen similar models work well in other mid-sized cities where the hospitality labor market got squeezed post-pandemic, so its refreshing to see Columbus tackling it head-on instead of just lamenting the problem.
exciting news about the wolf's ridge + worthington inn revival!
out of curiosity, have you heard any plans for the former chapman's spot?