The Top List of Romantic Restaurants - Columbus, OH
Spend precious time with your sweetheart in a romantic ambiance. by Nicholas Gill
Need a place to wine and dine your loved one? Potential loved one? These Columbus area highlights are the best of the best to impress.
Haiku 800 N High St Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 294-8168
Owner Paul Liu has created some of the most exciting restaurants in town, but Haiku is his gem. The theme of the restaurant is poetry, like the name implies. A haiku is a Japanese form of the poem with two sides balancing at a center point. This Asian fusion and sushi restaurant balances food and art on all corners of the plate. Soy braised Veal Shank and the Dancing Eel Roll are poetry on the plate, as are the soothing noodle dishes. The interior is of a contemporary Japanese design with a cosmopolitan touch, while the street side, vine covered patio is light with sparkling lights to give that extra enchantment to your date.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
Mitchell’s Steakhouse 45 North Third Street Columbus, OH 43215-3509 614-621-2333
7619 Huntington Park Drive Columbus, Ohio 43235 614-888-CHOP (2467)
It calls itself a 21st Century Update of the upscale American steakhouse. The style is classic over the top steakhouse with dark wood paneling, leather booths, and sometimes live jazz. As far as the food goes, it rivals anywhere in the city for beef, which is corn-fed, hand selected, aged to perfection, and trimmed to their specifications. Seafood is flown in fresh daily. The wine list rounds out more than 200 bottles from mostly France and Italy. It is a restaurant and atmosphere to let someone know just how serious you are about fine dining, if nothing else.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
The Melting Pot 5090 N. High Street Columbus, 43214 (614) 846-7600
4014 Townsfair Way #1-001 Columbus, Ohio 43219 (614) 476-5500 Some hold the philosophy that food with a loved one is meant to be shared. Eating fondue is often considered one of the most romantic dining experiences. The Melting Pot suggests a four course dining experience. One: A cheese fondue to start. Two: Salad. Three: A shared entrée such as shrimp or thinly sliced beef that you dip into a pot of boiling oil. Four: dessert fondue. Imagine dipping strawberries into melted chocolate for dessert. It’s an interactive dining experience perfect for a first date or anniversary.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $30 - $40
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
The Refectory 1092 Bethel Road Columbus, Ohio 43220 Northwest 614-451-9774
If you are looking to impress with wine, this is the place. Their collection, which features more than 20,000 bottles of wine, has lead to a Wine Spectator Grand Award and a Best Award, as well as Four Diamonds from AAA. Chef Richard Blondin, a native of Lyon, France who trained under chefs Pierre Orsi and Paul Bocuse, creates traditional and modern French dishes with perfection. Drop this restaurant in any French city and it would be competing for Michelin stars. Drop your date there and he/she will be seeing stars. Set in an 1800’s church, this restaurant has a candlelight ambiance and grace for more than special occasions.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $45 - $55
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
L’Antibes 772 North High Street, Suite 106 Columbus, Ohio 43215 Short North 614-291-1666
L’Antibes’ small fuchsia colored dining room has just a few candlelight tables. Here cannot manage not to be close to one another. The restaurant is tucked away in a little visited side street, away from the lights of the Short North arches. The intimacy in this restaurant cannot be denied. Chef/Owner Dale Gussett prepares flawless modern and classic French inspired dishes such as Veal Sweetbreads, Peasant, and Lobster with Leeks and saffron beurre blanc.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
Bexley Monk 2232 E Main St Columbus, OH 43209 614-239-6665
A longtime landmark restaurant, well known for anniversaries and other romantic interludes, the Bexley Monk still achieves this purpose today. The food descends from a blend of European traditons which can be seen in the Peppercorn encrusted Filet Mignon Au Poivre or Linguine Diablo. Executive Chef Charles Langstaff, a 35 year veteran of Columbus restaurants, sometimes ventures off the Monk’s repertoire with dishes like Blue Cheese and Chicken Pizza and Roasted salmon with Shiitake relish. Jazz, violins, and other acoustic sounds are featured live six days a week. There’s a great wine list and a friendly bar for pre or post dinner drinks. It’s a hospitable place with a warm, relaxed atmosphere.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
Abbracci 511 N High St Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-224-2373
Abbracci came out of nowhere to land near the Convention Center in 2005 and is perhaps the newest extraordinarily romantic restaurant in Columbus. Young Chef Derek Michael does wonders by transforming Steak and Italian dishes into works of art. The wine list is extensive and daily wine flights are sure to start the night off right.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
Due Amici 67 E Gay St, Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-224-9373
The exposed brick and high, lofty ceilings at Due Amici make for a memorable evening. This trendy, new Gay Street space serves modern Italian that often strays into uncharted territory. Try the Smoked Salmon Pizza or Farfalle with Prosciutto, Peas & Goat Cheese with something form their exciting wine list that offers rarities such as a 2005 ZD Carneros Pinot Noir. Discounts are offered with your ticket stubs from CAPA or Ballet Met if you want to complete your romantic evening with a show.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
Café Bella 2593 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43201 614-267-1998
It’s a quaint, quiet restaurant with a just a few tables just steps form busy high street in Clintonville. It’s a place where if you want wine the owner will walk across the street to buy you a bottle. It has the romantic charm of a fine dining establishment without the price tag. Ingredients are fresh and most of the dishes are made from scratch. The restaurant doubles as a deli in the day. The New York style cheesecakes from the two Brooklyn born owners are outstanding. Cafe Bella rarely misses the charm that restaurants five times as expensive often do.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
Basi Italia 811 Highland St Columbus, OH 43215 614-294-7383
Basi Italia is a small, 26- seat restaurant that once again shows how much an intimate space and fine food can add romance to any evening. Start of with wine on the veranda, which is heated in the wintertime. Then opt for a Roasted Clams or Prosciutto and Melon. Next move to the Risotto a la Frutti de Mare or Salmon Rotolo. Where you go from here is up to you and your date.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
The Top List of Romantic Restaurants - Columbus, OH