Chef Josh Dalton's modern Mexican restaurant Rosalita now has a new target date for its downtown Columbus debut: January 2027. The timeline marks another shift for a project that was originally expected to open in 2025, with the restaurant planned for the historic Madison and White-Haines buildings at 72–80 N. High St., near the intersection of High and Gay streets.
As reported by WhatNow, Rosalita is described as a modern Mexican restaurant from the Columbus chef and restaurateur, and it marks Dalton's first dedicated venture into Mexican cuisine. Dalton is already known around downtown for his work at Veritas and Speck Italian Eatery, and Rosalita is expected to land just a few doors from both, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
The Dispatch reported in July 2026 that Rosalita is now expected to open in January 2027, with the restaurant slated to feature contemporary Mexican cuisine near Gay and High streets. That update came as Dalton provided an opening-timeline update to the paper, pushing back an earlier target that had called for a 2025 debut.
The Restaurant Site
The Madison and White-Haines buildings sit near that same intersection in downtown Columbus, placing the future restaurant in the middle of a stretch of the city's historic commercial core.
Earlier reporting from Columbus Monthly placed the project at 72–80 N. High St., inside buildings being renovated by Edwards Companies. That same report said plans, which were explicitly subject to change, called for a 60-seat eatery with patio space spilling onto Pearl Street behind the building — a detail WhatNow's reporting also notes was part of the original concept, though final layout details have not been confirmed.
Masa, Live Fire And A Tequila-Forward Bar
Rosalita is expected to emphasize traditional techniques and fresh preparation, with plans to feature contemporary Mexican dishes that balance culinary creativity with approachable dining, per WhatNow's reporting. The kitchen concept is planned to include a live-fire grill alongside an extensive masa program, with all tortillas made in-house — a detail Columbus Monthly reported directly, noting that all the tortillas at Rosalita will be made in-house.
On the beverage side, the Dispatch reported that Rosalita's planned cocktail program will celebrate tequila, mezcal and the flavors of Mexico, aligning with the restaurant's broader Mexican-inspired identity. Rosalita has not confirmed final menu and layout details, and according to WhatNow, the restaurant has not announced an exact opening date or further reservation details as of publication. WhatNow also reported it had not received a response from Rosalita when its article was published.
Part Of A Broader Downtown Expansion
Rosalita fits into a wider restaurant footprint for Dalton, whose portfolio also includes Rosebud's in Delaware. The Dispatch reported that Amara, a Mediterranean restaurant along the Scioto Mile, was scheduled to open July 10, 2026, expanding his downtown Columbus presence even as Rosalita's own timeline continues to move.
Rosalita is now expected to open in January 2027 at the Madison and White-Haines buildings, which are undergoing renovations and are slated to include several art galleries. For now, downtown diners curious about handmade tortillas and mezcal cocktails near Gay and High streets will have to keep waiting for a firm date.
