15 Must-Visit Outdoor Dining Spots In Columbus, Ohio
In Columbus, Ohio, they have figured out how to make eating outside feel like an actual event instead of just a meal with mosquitoes.
I have spent way too many evenings chasing down patios that promise good food and fresh air, and honestly, the city delivers more often than not.
You can find everything here, ranging from rooftop tables with skyline views to hidden courtyards tucked behind brick buildings that make you feel like you stumbled onto a secret.
Some spots lean fancy, others keep it casual, but all of them understand that a great outdoor table can turn an ordinary Tuesday into something worth remembering.
I have dragged friends, family, and occasionally myself to these places, and the only real problem is deciding which patio deserves your next reservation.
So grab your sunglasses, loosen your belt a notch, and get ready to explore the best outdoor dining Columbus has lined up for you.
1. Lindey’s
On nights when I want to pretend my schedule is fancier than my budget, I head for Lindey’s courtyard.
The brick-lined patio in German Village always feels busy in the best way, with umbrellas, greenery, and a pleasant buzz of conversation around every table.
You will find Lindey’s at 169 E Beck St, Columbus, OH 43206, right in the heart of the neighborhood’s historic streets.
I usually start with something small and rich, then end up stealing bites from a friend’s pasta because the plates here never disappoint.
Servers glide through the courtyard smoothly, somehow keeping track of who ordered what even when the tables are completely full.
When the weather cooperates, I always ask to wait for a patio table instead of heading inside, even if that means a few extra minutes.
By the time dessert shows up, I have usually forgotten I had any plans after dinner.
This is one of those patios where a quick meal quietly turns into an entire evening.
2. Barcelona Restaurant & Bar
When my craving for Spain hits harder than my urge to stay inside, I end up at Barcelona in German Village.
Their lush courtyard hides behind the brick facade, and every time I walk through the gate, it feels as if the noise of the city turns down a notch.
Barcelona Restaurant & Bar sits at 263 E Whittier St, Columbus, OH 43206, only a short walk from Schiller Park.
I like to order a spread of small plates and then spend far too long deciding which one deserves the last bite.
The patio is lined with trees, string lights, and just enough space between tables to have a real conversation without feeling crowded.
On warm nights, I watch plates of paella and grilled seafood drift past and start planning my next visit halfway through the current meal.
Service has that relaxed confidence that makes you feel welcome, even if you are lingering over one more shared dish.
If you want outdoor dining that feels genuinely transportive without leaving Columbus, this courtyard delivers.
3. Basi Italia
Some evenings, I deliberately walk down Highland Street just to slip into Basi Italia’s hidden patio before the rush.
Tucked in Victorian Village, this place always feels like a little discovery, even though half the city seems to know about it by now.
Basi Italia is located at 811 Highland St, Columbus, OH 43215, a short stroll off the main Short North stretch.
The back patio sits behind a small house and fills with the smell of grilled seafood, flatbreads, and whatever seasonal pasta they are playing with that week.
I like to come early, grab a table outside, and watch other guests arrive one by one as the lights gradually glow brighter around us.
Plates are thoughtful without feeling fussy, and I always leave with at least one dish I mentally add to my order again list.
Staff know the menu well and will gently steer you toward a favorite if you look even slightly undecided.
If you want outdoor dining that feels intimate and carefully put together, this patio hits the mark.
4. Gemüt Biergarten
If I am in the mood for hearty plates and an outdoor space that stays lively in any season, I find myself at Gemüt Biergarten.
The building is an old firehouse in Olde Towne East, and the large courtyard out back always seems ready for a long afternoon.
You will find Gemüt at 734 Oak St, Columbus, OH 43205, easy to spot once you turn off Parsons Avenue.
I usually order something comforting and German, then spend a while deciding whether to sit at a picnic table in the open or tuck closer to the building.
The outdoor area has plenty of room, which means groups can spread out while smaller parties still find cozy corners.
Dogs, families, and groups of friends all share the same space, and it somehow works without feeling chaotic.
When the weather is cooler, the energy on the patio does not really fade; it just gets a bit snugger and more focused on warm plates.
It is an easy pick when I want a casual outdoor meal that still feels special.
5. BrewDog Franklinton
The first time I walked up to BrewDog Franklinton, the old garage doors were rolled open and the rooftop was buzzing above me.
This place has both a street-level patio and a rooftop terrace, so I usually have to make a game-time decision about where to sit.
BrewDog Franklinton is at 463 W Town St, Columbus, OH 43215, right across from Land-Grant in the Franklinton neighborhood.
My favorite move is to head upstairs, grab a table along the edge, and let the downtown skyline handle the background scenery.
The menu leans into burgers, tacos, and shareable snacks, which is perfect when I am there with a group that likes to sample everything.
Even when it is busy, the staff keep things moving smoothly, so I never feel stuck waiting forever for a refill or another plate.
On summer evenings, the mix of rooftop breeze and city lights makes it easy to stay for one more round of food.
If you want outdoor dining with real height and energy, this spot definitely counts.
6. Land-Grant Brewing Company
Lazy weekend afternoons tend to pull me toward Land-Grant, because its huge outdoor space feels built for lingering over plates and games.
The patio and lawn stretch out behind the taproom, with long tables, shaded spots, and plenty of room for kids and dogs to roam.
Land-Grant Brewing Company is located at 424 W Town St, Columbus, OH 43215, in the heart of Franklinton’s revitalized warehouse blocks.
Food comes from a rotating lineup of trucks parked along the edge of the space, so I often end up trying something new each visit.
I like to arrive early, claim a table, and then wander over to see which truck is serving my future lunch.
The outdoor screens, occasional events, and casual seating make it easy to stay longer than planned without realizing how much time has passed.
Even on cooler days, the energy outside stays surprisingly steady, thanks to heaters, blankets, and people who refuse to go indoors.
For relaxed outdoor dining with plenty of variety on the plate, this spot is hard to beat.
7. Budd Dairy Food Hall
Whenever I cannot decide what to eat, I head to Budd Dairy Food Hall and let the rooftop and patios convince me to stay longer than planned.
Inside the historic dairy building, you get a cluster of different chef-driven stalls, and outside, you get multiple levels of outdoor seating.
Budd Dairy Food Hall is at 1086 N 4th St, Columbus, OH 43201, in the Italian Village neighborhood just off High Street.
My usual routine is to scope out the vendors first, order from at least two, and then escape upstairs to the rooftop with my tray.
The view from the top level gives you a great angle on the neighborhood, while the lower patios feel better for people-watching.
Because every stall has its own personality, I can visit multiple times in one month and still feel like I am trying a new restaurant each time.
It is also one of the easiest places in town to feed a group with wildly different tastes.
If you want outdoor dining with options for both picky eaters and adventurous friends, this place makes that simple.
8. Speck Italian Eatery
Downtown lunch hours always seem shorter when I duck into Speck Italian Eatery and grab a patio table along High Street.
The space feels sleek yet relaxed, and the outdoor seating gives you a front-row seat to the downtown rhythm.
Speck Italian Eatery sits at 89 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, right in the middle of the city’s core.
I like to order one of their crisp, generous salads or a plate of pasta that looks far too big but somehow disappears.
On good-weather days, the patio fills quickly with office workers, visitors, and people like me who pretend they are only staying for a quick meal.
Service is efficient without feeling rushed, which matters when you are sneaking in lunch between errands or meetings.
When the plates hit the table, the outside noise fades a bit and the focus shifts back to the food.
For central-city outdoor dining that still feels a little refined, Speck is an easy choice.
9. Goodale Station
For skyline views without leaving central Columbus, Goodale Station has become my go-to rooftop for dinner with a view.
Set on the 12th floor of the Canopy by Hilton, the indoor dining room flows out to a terrace that faces downtown and the Short North.
Goodale Station is located at 77 E Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215, just a short walk from the Arena District.
I like to time my reservations close to sunset so I can watch the city lights slowly flicker on while I work through a starter.
The menu mixes comfort dishes with more polished options, which makes it easy to please both the burger fans and the adventurous eaters at the table.
Servers here are quick to suggest plates that share well, and the atmosphere leans more relaxed than you might expect from a rooftop.
Even on breezier nights, the terrace stays comfortable enough to linger over dessert.
If you are chasing both a solid meal and a wide-angle city view, this spot delivers both.
10. Astra Rooftop
Astra Rooftop is where I go when I want dinner to share space with the city lights and a soft breeze from Park Street.
Perched above the AC Hotel Downtown, this rooftop has a clean, modern feel that still leaves room for a bit of fun.
Astra sits at 517 Park St, Columbus, OH 43215, near the North Market and the Arena District action.
The menu leans into Mediterranean-inspired dishes and shareable plates, which is perfect when I arrive with friends and nobody wants to commit to just one thing.
I love watching servers weave through the outdoor tables with boards of flatbreads and small plates balanced effortlessly.
The view stretches toward the skyline, and it always seems to look a little different depending on the season and time of night.
Music and conversation blend into a steady backdrop without overpowering your table.
If you are looking for outdoor dining that feels elevated but still relaxed, Astra fits that sweet spot.
11. Stories on High
Stories on High is the spot I save for nights when I want my meal to come with a full sweep of the Columbus skyline.
Towering above High Street, it has terraces on both sides, so the view changes depending on where you sit and which direction you face.
Stories on High is at 404 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, on the upper floor of the Hilton Columbus Downtown.
I usually start indoors, checking the menu for small plates, then drift toward the outdoor seating as soon as there is space.
Bites here are carefully plated, which makes sharing them even more fun, because every dish looks a little too pretty to disturb.
The outdoor sections feel surprisingly comfortable for being so high up, with thoughtful seating and good wind management.
I always end up taking a quiet moment to look over the city before heading back down to street level.
For outdoor dining that really leans into its height, this rooftop sets the bar high.
12. RH Rooftop Restaurant at RH Columbus
At Easton Town Center, RH Rooftop Restaurant is my choice when I want a garden-style meal without giving up cushy seating and polished service.
The space sits on top of the RH gallery and surrounds you with greenery, fountains, and a glass ceiling that keeps things bright year-round.
RH Rooftop Restaurant at RH Columbus is located at 4120 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219, inside the Easton shopping district.
I tend to order something classic, such as a salad with grilled protein or a simple plate that lets the ingredients speak for themselves.
Even though you are on a rooftop, the atmosphere feels calm enough to have a long conversation without raising your voice.
Service is attentive in a quiet way, with servers appearing just when you start to think about ordering something else.
When the light filters through the glass overhead, the whole space takes on a warm glow that makes the meal feel even more leisurely.
If you want outdoor-style dining with a little extra polish, this is an easy spot to remember.
13. Barroluco Argentine Comfort Food
Some of my favorite lunches downtown happen at Barroluco, where the small alley patio feels wonderfully tucked away from Pearl Street.
The restaurant is tiny inside, so stepping out to the patio with a plate of empanadas instantly makes the meal feel more relaxed.
Barroluco sits at 47 N Pearl St, Columbus, OH 43215, down a narrow stretch that always surprises first-timers.
I like to mix an order of empanadas with something bigger, such as a milanesa or a generous bowl of paella.
The staff work quickly during the lunch rush, but they still find time to chat and make suggestions if you look overwhelmed by the menu.
On sunny days, the patio fills with office workers and locals who clearly know exactly what they came for.
Portions tend to be big enough that I leave with leftovers, which always feels like a small victory.
For outdoor dining that turns a downtown alley into a cozy little escape, this spot works perfectly.
14. Franklin Park Conservatory Garden Café
On days when I want greenery with my sandwich, I head to Franklin Park Conservatory’s Garden Café and claim a table near the gardens.
The café itself is simple, but once you carry your tray outside, the conservatory grounds do most of the work in setting the mood.
Franklin Park Conservatory and the Garden Café are at 1777 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43203, just a couple of miles east of downtown.
I usually grab a salad, a wrap, or a soup, then wander until I find a picnic table that feels slightly removed from the main paths.
The combination of plants, paths, and gentle background chatter makes even a quick lunch feel like a short reset.
Families, solo visitors, and couples all share the same spaces, each group carving out a small corner of the gardens for their meal.
Because the conservatory is open year-round, you can enjoy outdoor eating here in multiple seasons, not just summer.
If you want an outdoor dining spot where the scenery is the main course, this café and garden combo works beautifully.
15. Forno Kitchen + Bar
In the Short North, Forno Kitchen + Bar is my reliable choice when I want stone-fired pizza and a busy patio scene.
The outdoor seating runs along High Street, which means there is always something to watch while you work your way through a plate.
Forno Kitchen + Bar is located at 721 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, right in the middle of the arts district.
I like to start with crispy appetizers, then move into a pizza or pasta that arrives still steaming from the oven.
The patio can get lively, but the staff move with practiced speed, keeping orders organized and checking in often.
Brunch hours bring a different energy, with sleepy groups waking up over shared plates and generous portions.
On warm nights, the combination of open air, city noise, and good food makes it very tempting to stay for dessert.
If you want outdoor dining that feels central to the whole Short North experience, this patio earns its reputation.