Spending time in downtown Columbus? Get to know downtown by browsing its most popular local businesses, from Mexican-themed brunch spot Nada to late-night destination Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails.
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit downtown, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results.
1. Hot Chicken Takeover
Topping the list is Hot Chicken Takeover. Located at in North Market at 59 Spruce St. (there are also Clintonville and Easton Gateway locations), it's the most popular business downtown, boasting 4.5 stars out of 1,166 reviews on Yelp.
Hot Chicken Takeover specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken, a saucy, spiced-up version of fried chicken that has been sweeping the country. Yelper Min S. writes, "If you're in the Midwest and haven't had hot chicken, this is the place to try it." You can get the house specialty by the piece, as part of a meal and in sandwich form. Also on the menu: Southern standbys coleslaw and macaroni and cheese. There's also sweet tea, of course.
2. Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace
Next up is Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace, serving hot dogs and more, situated at 248 S. Fourth St. With four stars out of 1,026 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. Yelper Katie M. calls it "a foodie staple in Columbus" and The Columbus Dispatch included Frank's on its "Ultimate Columbus Bucket List" for 2018.
A local institution for more than a decade, Frank's makes haute cuisine of the humble frank with an almost endless array of toppings. For those who'd prefer an alternative to its Vienna beef dogs, there are veggie dogs, bratwursts and Polish sausages. There's also a full bar.
3. Wolf's Ridge Brewing
Wolf's Ridge Brewing is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, located at 215 N. Fourth St., four stars out of 848 reviews. Much more than just a microbrewery, it's a taphouse, restaurant, events space and music venue.
Wolf's Ridge's menu covers everything from a weekend brunch with sugar doughnuts to dinners featuring top-shelf entrees like Angus reserve beef ribeye and arctic char. And there's an ever-changing array of house brews, including a honey saison and a cinnamon coffee stout.
Yelper Kath D. is a fan, writing, "We are never disappointed with the service, drinks and amazing food."
4. North Market
The historic North Market is another much-loved neighborhood go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 770 Yelp reviews. Head over to 59 Spruce St. to see for yourself.
Not only is North Market home to top-rated Hot Chicken Takeover, but more than 30 other businesses, including restaurants, greengrocers, butchers, fishmongers and gift shops. It's an inviting place for any meal, with extensive seating in the upstairs mezzanine, where you can people-watch while you dine.
Yelper Kelly B. writes, "Everyone is guaranteed to find something they like here."
5. Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails
Check out Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails, which has earned four stars out of 538 reviews on Yelp. You can find the lounge and traditional American spot at 73 E. Gay St.
Tip Top Kitchen, a sister establishment to Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace, describes its bill of fare as "Ohio comfort food," with pot roast as its top dinner entree. There are also down-home offerings like chicken-fried chicken, meatloaf and an open-faced turkey sandwich. Especially comforting to the late-night crowd, the Tip Top is open until 2 a.m. seven days a week and has a full bar.
Yelper Ray S. raves, "Every single time I come to Columbus I drop by this place for the awesome beef stroganoff."
6. Nada
Finally, there's Nada, a local favorite with four stars out of 495 reviews. Stop by 220 W. Nationwide Blvd. to hit up the Mexican spot next time you're in the neighborhood. It even offers brunch.
A mainstay of downtown's Arena District after four years in business, Nada is known for its upscale-but-earthy Mexican cuisine and a top-notch happy hour. Menu offerings include ancho-rubbed mahi, carnitas tamal and sweet chili-glazed cracked potatoes.
Yelper Sara G. writes that she "did not expect to find Mexican food this good in Ohio!"
This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
