Want to support local restaurants in the new year? Curious about new openings or under-the-radar finds? Here are five restaurants I’m suggesting you try this month!
1. Addis Restaurant
We are always, always in the mood for Ethiopian food, and along with Lalibela, Addis has become our go-to when we’re craving it. The small northeast-side eatery is warm and welcoming, and pumps out inexpensive meals loaded with spices, that you eat communally with your hands. We usually order a veggie lovers platter, plus shiro wot, zillzill tibs, and fir fir.
Read more from me here: breakfastwithnick.com/2014/10/31/addis-restaurant-columbus-oh/
3750 Cleveland Ave.
Columbus, OH 43224
(614) 269-8680
addis-restaurant.com
2. Modern Southern Table
This past year Modern Southern Table found a home at the new Budd Dairy Food Hall, giving all of us a regular stop to experience their warming comfort food – perfect for the cold weather of winter! You can’t go wrong with their menu, but if you’re visiting for the first time, start with the signature chicken and sausage gumbo and some Alabama fried chicken… okay, and maybe some fried fish. And the candied yams. And the collard greens.
1086 N. Fourth St. (inside Budd Dairy Food Hall)
Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 505-2637
modernsoutherntable.com
3. The Cheesecake Girl
The Cheesecake Girl, aka Samantha Strange, has steadily grown her fanbase over the past few years for obvious reasons: her cheesecakes are amazing. I’m very picky when it comes to cheesecake, and I’d rate hers with some of the city’s best. She makes classic cheesecakes (in signature and seasonal flavors), but she also puts cheesecake to work in miniature forms, in cookie sandwiches, in push pops, even in cheesecake dips. Find her stall in Hilliard’s Center Street Market and her first storefront in Dublin, which opened last year!
4345 W. Dublin Granville Rd.
Dublin, OH 43017
(614) 974-9293
thecheesecakegirl.com
4. Huli Huli Tiki Lounge
During the coldest winter months we’re all looking for a tropical getaway – or some way to capture even a small portion of it – and you’ll find it at Powell’s Huli Huli. Warm up with classic tiki drinks like a Painkiller or a Mai Tai, maybe a rum Old Fashioned or a Honolulu mule. But don’t miss the spring rolls, coconut shrimp, crab cake sandwiches, or some of the best local (in my opinion) lobster rolls.
26 W. Olentangy St.
Powell, OH 43065
(614) 396-8437
hulihulipowell.com
5. Kitchen Social
Since opening its first location near Polaris, Kitchen Social has quickly become a favorite hangout for dinner, drinks, and weekend brunch – all in a casual, slightly upscale pub atmosphere. It’s hard to argue with its eclectic menu that ranges from pizzas and tacos to burgers, fish and chips, pastas, steaks, wings, you name it. Bonus: they just added a second location in Dublin’s Bridge Park.
8954 Lyra Dr.
Columbus, OH 43240
(614) 505-8492
ourkitchensocial.com
Want more ideas for places to try? Follow me on Instagram at @breakfastwithnick, check out the news archives, follow our Current Cravings, or…
