Last updated 11/18/23
When the weekend hits, Columbus goes in search of breakfast and brunch, so to make things easier for you, I’ve rounded up some of the best brunches in Columbus, Ohio!
You may have some favorites that didn’t make the list. Are they on my list of The Best Breakfasts in Columbus instead?
Gemüt Biergarten
Why? Gemüt does so many things well: they brew excellent German beers, pair it with interesting food, offer a giant beer garden, and bring to life an historic building. And their weekend brunch features unique finds like a boursin and kraut omelet, gravlox and cakes, chicken schnitzel with waffles. Bonus for solid vegan options!
Where? 734 Oak St., Olde Towne East
Read more: German Beer & Food in an Historic Fire Station
Bonifacio
Why? Bonifacio is one of the city’s best Filipino eateries, and their weekend brunch offers creative spins on traditional dishes, like a larger breakfast version of lumpia rolls, fried chicken with ube waffles, loaded arroz caldo, and silog (pictured above), a combination plate with rice, eggs, veggies, Filipino sausages.
Where? 1577 King Ave., Grandview/5xNW
Read more: Bonifacio
The Pearl
Why? The Pearl is Cameron Mitchell’s tavern concept, and they’ve always produced a winning weekend brunch. You’ll find great snacks and starters like devils on horseback and jalapeno corn bread, plus a full range of salads, freshly shucked oysters, and hits like pork cheek hash, shrimp and grits, and the tavern benny (pictured above).
Where? 641 N. High St., Short North and 88 N. High St., Dublin
Read more: The Pearl
Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen
Why? The food at Hoof Hearted is every bit as kooky and endearing as the beers and branding. So while you sip a South of Eleven triple IPA or a Girth Brooks barrel-aged stout, enjoy brunch cocktails, Brunch Ballz (aka donut holes), the Dad Bod double cheeseburger or Father Figure veggie burger, or the all-inclusive Nacho Breakfast (seen above).
Where? 850 N. Fourth St., Italian Village
Read more: Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing
Why? Even since it debuted in 2013, Wolf’s Ridge has been on a winning streak: one of the city’s top restaurants, award-winning beers, a lively taproom and event space. Their weekend brunch easily ranks as one of the city’s best. Snag a cocktail or sip on house beers (the Daybreak coffee cream ale is especially fitting) while you taste donut holes, pork belly over polenta, burnt end hash, and the toad in a hole (see above!).
SEE ALSO: weekend brunch at WRB’s sister outpost Understory in the Old North.
Where? 214 N. Fourth St., Downtown
Read more: Wolf’s Ridge Brewing
Valter’s at the Maennerchor
Why? Valter’s is the in-house pub for the Columbus Maennerchor’s German Village headquarters. Valter and his crew expertly blend German and American classics, like French toast and pancakes alongside corned beef hash and sizzling skillets loaded with sausage and potatoes.
Where? 976 S. High St., German Village
Read more: Valter’s at the Maennerchor
Kitchen Social
Why? When you ask people about favorite brunches in Columbus, Kitchen Social usually comes up quickly. Their easy-to-love bar program and menus often marry international flavors with American pub classics. Their brunch menu features breakfast tacos, creme brulee French toast, chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy. And don’t miss their signature cinnabiscuits and cheddar scallion biscuits!
Where? 8954 Lyra Dr., Polaris and 6791 Longshore St., Dublin
Read more: Kitchen Social
The Sycamore
Why? The Sycamore is a long-running German Village pub that’s changed ownership over recent years. The newest version retains the beloved neighborhood vibe while introducing expert coffee service (using Thunderkiss beans), fresh pastries, and easy-to-love dishes like avocado toast, veggie omelets, breakfast sandwiches, and more.
Where? 262 E. Sycamore St., German Village
Read more: Coffee and Breakfast at The Sycamore in German Village
Northstar Cafe
Why? Northstar Cafe is a morning mainstay across Columbus, starting with their Short North location and expanding to Beechwold, Easton, and Westerville. And while their prices have crept up enough that this writer isn’t a regular anymore, there’s no denying the appeal of those Clould 9 pancakes, mushroom frittata, and the breakfast burrito.
Where? 951 N. High St., Short North; 4241 N. High St., Clintonville/Beechwold; 4015 Townsfair Way, Easton; 109 S. State St., Westerville
Read more: Northstar Cafe Easton
Image courtesy facebook.com/lindeysrestaurant
Lindey’s
Why? Lindey’s is a Columbus dining institution, inhabiting its beautiful brick-lined corner of German Village ever since owner Sue Doody opened it in 1981 (Doody sadly passed away in 2018). Lindey’s brunch menu is as classic as they come, although that doesn’t mean its given short shrift. You’ll find some the city’s best eggs benedicts, a croque madame, beignets, quiche, and smoked salmon rosti.
Where? 169 E. Beck St., German Village
Read more: Lindey’s
Milestone 229
Why? Not only does Milestone 229 serve a respectable Sunday brunch, but its large, curving patio offers some of the best views of the riverfront and the city skyline. Sure, they may be plagued by nearby construction from time to time, but it’s always worth a visit for eggs benedicts, chilaquiles, short rib poutine, and breakfast pizzas.
Where? 229 S. Civic Center Dr., downtown
Read more: Milestone 229
Over the Counter
Why? It’d be easy to write off OtC as a neighborhood bar, and it does have that charm, but the eatery – which was once a pharmacy – doesn’t shy away from producing great food. You’ll find the cure for what ails you at brunch: Bloody Marys, chicken and waffles, skillets, corned beef hash, egg sandwiches.
Where? 5596 N. High St., Worthington
Read more: Over the Counter
Goodale Station
Why? Find Goodale Station on the top floor of the Canopy By Hilton hotel across from the convention center. With their big windows and glass ceiling, they offer some of the best views of the city, and chef Jonathon Olson and his team pair those with excellent food. At brunch you can feast on brioche French toast, breakfast tacos and burgers, steak and eggs, crab benedicts.
Where? 77 E. Nationwide Blvd., Arena District/Downtown
Read more: Drinks and Dinner on the 12th Floor at Goodale Station
The Guild House
Why? The Guild House, another Cameron Mitchell Short North outpost, sits on the main floor of Le Meridien, The Joseph hotel. It serves dynamic breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, and while breakfast is offered weekdays, the weekend brunch menu deserves a special look. Start with pastries and fresh-squeezed juices, move on to oysters and burrata, then taste lobster and eggs, pancakes, truffled eggs, or their signature smoked chicken hash.
Where? 624 N. High St., Short North
Read more: The Guild House
Worthington Tavern
Why? The Worthington Tavern was a welcome addition to Old Worthington, with its top-notch bar program, patio space, and interesting tavern fare. Its weekend brunch hits all the marks, with Bloody Marys and espresso martinis, steak and eggs, chicken and waffles. Don’t miss the breakfast sandwich with egg dredged in panko or the shareable tavern rancheros dip.
Where? 671 High St., Worthington
Read more: Breakfast Sandwiches, Burritos, Rancheros Dip at the Worthington Tavern’s New Weekend Brunch
101 Beer Kitchen
Why? 101 Beer Kitchen could have coasted on its dynamic beer selection, but instead they up the ante by producing a creative menu like pigs in a blanket, crab and risotto cakes, chorizo gravy with cornbread, bananas foster pancakes. (Pictured above is a previous item, a custard-filled French toast meant to be like a giant Twinkie.)
Where? 7509 Sawmill Rd., Dublin; 397 Stoneridge Ln., Gahanna; 817 Polaris Pkwy., Westerville
Read more: 101 Beer Kitchen in Dublin
