Chef Josh Dalton is bringing a fresh Mediterranean flair to the Scioto Riverfront, with his new restaurant Amara set to open for dinner tomorrow in downtown Columbus. The park-side spot leans into shareable meze, freshly baked breads, and cocktails built for a slow stroll past the fountain, with a full indoor dining room and a wide outdoor patio staking a claim on the riverfront block.
Amara will roll out dinner service first, with lunch expected to follow by the end of the summer. The restaurant will initially open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., according to WSYX. The station also reports that valet parking will be on offer for downtown diners.
Menu and the Chef's Vision
Dalton says Amara borrows from the shared-plate traditions of Southern Europe, North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, with an emphasis on vibrant vegetables, fresh herbs, seafood and housemade dips. "Every time I travel through the Mediterranean, I'm reminded of how good food can make you feel, physically and emotionally," Dalton said in a press release via Downtown Columbus Inc. The menu will spotlight freshly baked bread, meats, seafood and rotating meze-style spreads meant to be passed around the table.
Where It Sits and How It Will Operate
The restaurant moves into the former Milestone 229 space at 229 S. Civic Center Drive in Bicentennial Park. City paperwork lists the operator as BICHHU, LLC and authorizes a temporary extension of Amara's liquor permit onto adjacent park property for certain events, according to city records. Local coverage indicates the venue will seat roughly 70 guests inside, with additional patio space overlooking the Scioto Mile Fountain, and that signature cocktails are tailored to the Center City DORA roaming area, per Columbus Navigator.
What It Means for Downtown
City leaders and business outlets see Amara as a high-profile dining anchor for the riverfront, complementing recent downtown investments and programming. The project adds another concept from a chef with a solid Columbus track record, and local reporting frames the opening as part of a broader push to make the riverfront a day-to-night destination, as noted by Columbus Business First. The restaurant's presence could help boost foot traffic in Bicentennial Park during events and fountain season.
Reservations for opening weekend may be limited, so interested diners are being steered to the restaurant's booking channels and local coverage for the latest availability. For up-to-date details on hours, valet service and reservation options, see WSYX.
