Columbus, Ohio, is known for being the fast food capital of the Midwest. But it’s also an excellent city to enjoy a top-rated brunch. In this article, I will share my favorite restaurants to visit for brunch with family and friends.

Columbus, Ohio is known for some great chefs. In fact, many famous chefs have made a significant impact on the culinary scene and have contributed to its reputation as a destination for food lovers.

Columbus natives Catie Randazzo, a James Beard-nominated chef, and Magdiale Wolmark, are known for their innovative approach to plant-based cuisine. Zack Bruell, a James Beard Award-winning chef, is considered one of the pioneers of the Cleveland dining scene, and Josh Dalton is known for his farm-to-table approach to cooking and his commitment to using locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients.

Whether you’ve lived there your whole life or are just visiting, the best brunch spots in Columbus await. The hard part will be picking which type of cuisine you’re in the mood for. From traditional breakfast dishes to more innovative and eclectic fare, there is something for everyone.

We recommend booking a table if possible, as these spots fill up fast!

Katalina’s in Harrison West

Katalina’s in Harrison West serves unique and creative breakfast and brunch dishes in a charming and eclectic atmosphere. I love this this place! It is someplace I frequently take family and friends.

Housed in a 100-year-old gas station, which adds to its unique and quirky vibe, the cafe prioritizes high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients with a commitment to sustainability.

Some of the popular menu items which give Katalina’s a well-deserved place in this list of best brunch spots in Columbus include the Pancake Balls, which are small, round pancakes filled with various sweet or savory fillings.

The Huge! Mazatlan Slow-Roasted Pork & Egg Sandwich, is an award-winning sandwich with slow-roasted pork, two fried eggs, Amish provolone, avocado, roasted red peppers & citrus aioli, and The Award-Winning Breakfast Tacos, made from white corn tortillas with chorizo, scrambled eggs, fresh tomatillo, avocado, queso fresco, cilantro, crema & pico de gallo and served with Elote Mexican cob corn.

Katalina’s, Too!

Skillet

Skillet is a popular destination for brunch-goers in the city. Whenever I have family in town I take them to Skillet.

Skillet is self-described as “seasonally driven, serving farm-to-table comfort classics with an urban edge”. Its menu lists creative and delicious dishes, focusing on locally-sourced ingredients and mixing classic breakfast fare with more eclectic offerings.

Some of its most popular dishes include the Griddled Cinnamon Roll, split and griddled and served warm with bourbon brown butter caramel and maple string icing. It is amazing!

The Chorizo Gravy and Biscuits is made from heritage pork chorizo with cumin, Mexican oregano, ancho chile, sherry vinegar in a peppery veloute over a split and griddled “cat’s head” biscuit with scrambled eggs, and the Mushroom Pan Roast. The pan-roasted urban farmed chestnut and shiitake mushrooms are finished with Marsala, miso and porcini stock and served over garlic-Parmesan grits with a poached local yard egg. Yum!

If you’re looking for a warm and inviting place where you can gather with friends or family for a reasonably-priced meal, Skillet is a great option and one of the best brunch spots in Columbus.

The Pearl

No list of the best brunch spots in Columbus would be complete without The Pearl, the self-described “well-polished culinary jewel” that serves the freshest seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and suppliers.

There is plenty to choose from on the menu. You can opt for traditional breakfast fare like the Honey Chia Bowl Mixed Fruit, which features Greek Yogurt, hemp and flax granola, and crystallized ginger, the Buttermilk Pancakes with smoked bacon, fresh lemon, Ohio maple syrup, and whipped butter, or the Huevos Rancheros with perfectly spiced chorizo, guacamole, and smoked chili black beans.

Or, venture out of your brunch comfort zone with the wide variety of hot or cold oysters or the Teriyaki Octopus with roasted sesame pineapple puree, spicy whole seed mustard, lime, and hearts of palm.

The Woodbury

If you’re in the mood for brunch but want a twist on traditional classics, The Woodbury will not disappoint. And because they serve breakfast all day, every day, and take reservations, getting a table at this restaurant, which boasts hundreds of 5-star reviews on Google, is pretty easy.

There, the PB&J is deep-fried and served with praline banana slices, the Crepes are wrapped around spicy hot honey and candied bacon, and served with vanilla buttercream, and the Biscuits & Brisket Gravy comes with freshly baked biscuits and red quinoa & spinach home fries. They also make fantastic cocktails. One downside is that the online menu does not show prices.

Scotty’s Cafe

Unlike most of the restaurants on this list of the best brunch spots in Columbus, Scotty’s Cafe is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. However, it is open from 8 AM to 2 PM the rest of the week, has a near-perfect 4.9-star rating on Google with almost 1,000 reviews and was the only Columbus-based restaurant to land on Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat” in the U.S. in 2020.

The menu features everything you would expect from an American cafe serving breakfast, brunch & lunch. You can choose from pork or turkey bacon and turkey, regular bread, challah, bagel, gluten-free toast, and more, and omelets can be enhanced with smoked salmon, caramelized onion, and a wide variety of veggies and cheeses. Where Scotty’s Cafe lacks in originality, it more than makes up for in quality, and it is a solid spot to take most people.

Cap City Fine Diner and Bar – Grandview

Cap City Fine Diner and Bar is an obvious choice for American comfort food made modern, classic cocktails, and large portions served in a friendly atmosphere.

Their wide range of breakfast items includes highly-rated dishes like the Blueberry Pancake Fritters rolled in sugar with maple syrup for lovers of sweets, the Roasted Chicken Greek Salad, which comes loaded with feta cheese, veggies, Kalamata olives, pepperoncini, and a balsamic vinaigrette and will please any low-carb dieters or the Classic Eggs Benedict featuring poached eggs over thick-cut Canadian bacon, toasted English muffin, scallion hollandaise, breakfast potatoes for those want a “meat & potato” plate.

German Village Coffee Shop

Locals won’t be surprised to find German Village Coffee Shop in our list of the best brunch spots in Columbus, as this place is always packed on weekends thanks to its reasonably-priced and sought-after pancakes, omelets, and other brunch offerings.

German Village Coffee Shop offers pancakes and French toast by the piece, making it a great place for children and those with smaller appetites, as well as a wide variety of fixings to add to your plate or omelet. Some of their most-liked breakfast menu items include the Hotcakes, which are fluffy, round, and served with your choice of blueberries, pecans, cranberries, chocolate, or vanilla chips, the Western Omelette, which is loaded with tomatoes, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, ham, and American cheese, and the Breakfast Sandwich made with egg and your choice of meat, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo with a side of potato chips

Lindey’s

If you are looking for old-school fine dining, you will feel right at home at Lindey’s. Started by public school teacher and single mom Sue Doody, it is well-known for being one of the best brunch spots in Columbus and one of the best restaurants in the city.

The upscale menu features mouth-watering dishes like the Salmon Tartine with house-smoked salmon, lemon-herb creme fraiche, avocado, and smoked onion vinaigrette, the cinnamon Pancakes Foster served with duroc bacon and Ohio maple syrup, and the Huevos Rancheros, which come loaded with pork belly, black beans, pickled vegetables, and queso fresco. Lindey’s accepts reservations and has private rooms for special events.

Fox in the Snow Cafe

Finding a seat indoors on busy weekend mornings can be tricky, but the lines at Fox in the Snow Cafe go fast, and there’s outdoor seating too. Everything there is clearly made with a lot of intention and care, and the pastries could rival those of top-rated bakeries in the country, giving it a de facto place as one of the best brunch spots in Columbus.

If you’re looking for a savory breakfast, the Souffled Egg Sandwich, Ham & Swiss Croissant, or Ham & White Cheddar Baguette Sandwich are fantastic. Sweet offerings include Oatmeal with Butter, Brown Sugar, and Milk, Cinnamon Rolls and Sticky buns, Scones, Blueberry Galettes, and much more.

It is no surprise that, as one of the best brunch spots in Columbus, Fox in the Snow Cafe would have 3 locations in the city. You can find it in the Italian Village, German Village, and New Albany neighborhoods with the same business hours.

The Guild House

Creative American cuisine awaits at the Guild House, where the artisan chefs focus on sourcing the freshest seasonal ingredients. Its brunch menu offers both alcoholic and zero-proof cocktails, something that can be hard to come by. Think Espresso Martini and Cherry Ginger, made with ginger beer, fresh lemon juice, house-made grenadine, and spiced cherry bitters.

As for the brunch menu itself, choosing might be tough. Will you choose the decadent Lobster & Eggs with buttered lobster, poached local egg, and caviar on toasted brioche, the more traditional Pancakes with fresh fruit, lemon curd, Ohio maple syrup, and bacon, or the pleasantly spicy Smoked Chicken Hash loaded with sweet potatoes, bacon, roasted poblano, caramelized onions, gouda, and salsa verde? You will be tempted to return to try them all.

Northstar Cafe

With no less than 6 locations in Ohio and 3 right in Columbus, Northstar Cafe is a convenient place to get brunch. They offer a nice variety of vegan and plant-based dishes that can be hard to find in many brunch spots, like kombucha on draft, green smoothies, and the Smoothie Bowl with blueberries, cashews, housemade sunflower almond granola, and toasted organic coconut.

The menu is also full of more traditional dishes like the Sunrise Burrito with scrambled Ohio organic eggs, cheddar, crispy hashbrowns, roasted veggies and organic black beans, and optional bacon or housemade pork sausage, the Biscuit, Eggs & Sharp Cheddar, where over medium eggs are stacked on a freshly baked buttermilk biscuit and served with organic strawberry preserves, or the Cloud Nine Pancakes, three ricotta pancakes served with Ohio maple syrup and bananas.

Milestone 229

Sitting at a patio overlooking the Scioto Mile fountains can certainly elevate your eating experience, and that’s exactly what you get at Milestone 229. But with only one day a week dedicated to brunch, you might want to reserve a table ahead of time.

The menu mixes and matches traditional breakfast with hearty lunches, and features Belgian Waffles with seasonal fruit, pure Ohio maple syrup, whipped cream, Cinnamon Crumble French Toast made from Challah bread and served with thick cut bacon, and the Bagel & Salmon, where hot smoked salmon is stacked on an everything bagel with cream cheese, egg, capers, onion, and micro greens.

Or, try the Crackling Cauliflower (roasted cauliflower, sweet peas, crispy potatoes, rice pilaf, coconut curry sauce), or the Double Anger Burger (house grind of sirloin, chuck and brisket, American cheese, lettuce, pickle, onion, special sauce, and garlic fries).

First Watch

Can a chain be one of the best brunch spots in Columbus? The answer is yes. First Watch is an award-winning cafe with 5 locations in Columbus alone that serves Colombian woman-grown coffee and serve seasonal meals like the Floridian French Toast where thick-cut brioche is topped with fresh berries and the Power Breakfast Quinoa Bowl, loaded with protein-packed quinoa, basted cage-free eggs and Italian sausage, house-roasted Crimini mushrooms, tomatoes, kale, and Parmesan. The kids menu offers bacon and a fruit cup with your choice of chocolate chip pancakes, waffles, or French toast.

Sunny Street Cafe

If you’re a fan of classic American breakfast and brunch fare, a visit to Sunny Street Cafe in Columbus, Ohio is a must. This casual dining spot offers a menu full of delicious and satisfying dishes, from fluffy pancakes and waffles to hearty omelets and breakfast sandwiches.

With several locations throughout Central Ohio, including the Arena District, you should have no problem getting your fix of eggs, bacon, sausage or pancakes.

Hangover Easy

Last but not least on our list of the best brunch spots in Columbus, we have Hangover Easy. “Breakfast cures all”, claims this egg-centric breakfast spot.

The dishes have humorous names like the Walk of Shame (a bacon, sausage, and fried egg sandwich with melted American cheese on a glazed donut with fries), the Menage a Trois for the Purist! (thick-cut French toast topped with powdered sugar and whipped butter), or The Dirty (scrambled eggs, homemade choriza, fries, and queso wrapped in a flour tortilla and served with shredded cheddar, salsa verde, pico, and crema).

The friendly staff tries to get you a table as soon as possible, but it is definitely best to call ahead of time to have your name down on the wait list.