Aladdin's Eatery expects to open its sixth Columbus-area location later this month at 1607 N. High St., taking over a storefront in the Gateway-University District just steps from Ohio State University. The Cleveland-founded Lebanese and Mediterranean chain plans to offer dine-in, takeout, delivery and catering at the new spot, which is expected to serve students, faculty, healthcare workers, residents and downtown commuters passing through the busy campus corridor.
The University District restaurant will mark Aladdin's sixth location in Columbus, according to Columbus Underground. It's taking the place of Jac & Do's at the same address, a building that has cycled through several tenants in recent years — before Jac & Do's, the space was home to Slammies on High, and before that, Aracri Pizzeria, per the outlet. Columbus Underground had earlier reported that Slammies on High closed for good and sold its Gateway spot.
Aladdin's Eatery was founded in Cleveland in 1994 and has grown into a Lebanese-American chain with more than 35 locations spread across Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Indiana, according to the same Columbus Underground report. The brand is known for Lebanese and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, with a menu built around hummus, tabouli, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, soups, salads, rolled pitas, smoothies and juices, as well as beef shawarma rolled pitas and combination plates.
A Growing Footprint Across Central Ohio
The chain has operated in the Columbus area since 1997, when its first local restaurant opened, and the company's own website says it has proudly served the Columbus community for nearly three decades. Aladdin's already has Central Ohio restaurants in Clintonville, Worthington, Grandview and the New Albany area, and Columbus Underground notes the chain also runs two Westerville locations.
One of those Westerville restaurants opened at 732 N. State St., occupying the former Miamar Grill space. The Gateway-University District project marks Aladdin's second new Central Ohio restaurant of the year — Columbus Business First described it as a well-known name in Mediterranean dining opening a new Central Ohio restaurant, its second local addition this year. A related report from the outlet's Cleveland desk called Aladdin's a well-known Cleveland food brand continuing to expand its empire across Central Ohio.
Menu Built Around Vegetarian and Vegan Options
Aladdin's menu leans heavily into plant-based and allergen-friendly dining, with more than 40 vegetarian dishes, 30 vegan plates and 35 gluten-free selections available across its restaurants, according to Columbus Underground. The company's official website lists the Gateway-University District restaurant among its upcoming openings, alongside a new Westerville location.
Aladdin's has not announced an exact opening date for the Gateway-University District restaurant, and the company's expectation that it will open later in October 2026 reflects the chain's own stated timeline rather than a confirmed date. Columbus Business First reported the planned restaurant near Ohio State before WhatNow later reported that the new restaurant sits near Ohio State's campus, putting it within easy reach of the university community and downtown commuters once it opens its doors.
