Our Favorite Patio Dining Options in Central Ohio

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… patio season! There’s nothing quite like basking in the warmth of a spring or summer day, indulging in a delightful meal, or sharing drinks with friends outdoors. Whether you are looking for quiet, quaint, or lively and bustling, the Central Ohio area offers an extensive array of patio options. Here are some of our favorite patio dining options in Columbus and surrounding areas. 

Granville Inn, Granville- Charming, cute, quaint and the food is spectacular 

Lindey’s, German Village- No place like it in the summer, listening to the water feature, the beautiful flowers, and amazing service 

Barcelona, German Village 

The Barn, New Albany 

Lumin Sky Bar, Downtown Columbus 

The Top Steakhouse, Columbus 

Basi Italia, Victorian Village- Love the atmosphere, the food, the twinkle lights outside in a wonderful little neighborhood community. 

Jackie O’s and Goood Friends, Downtown Columbus- The food is fantastic! 

Dewey’s Pizza, Worthington- Especially on Friday nights when they have live music. 

There’s nothing better than entertaining on your own patio! Costs less, lasts longer, lots of fun! 

Solar Eclipse Viewing Guide in Columbus 

On April 8, 2024, Columbus will be in the direct path of a total solar eclipse for the first time since 1806. In case you didn’t know, a total solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth all align. Spanning 300 miles, the eclipse’s path will begin around 1:55 PM and reach total peak totality at about 3:12 PM, for a total duration of 2 hours and 31 minutes. 

You can expect a noticeable temperature change, grayish skies, abnormal behavior from plants and animals, and then at peak totality, a dark shadow will appear just before the solar corona appears and totality hits. 

Please Note: it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without the protection of specialized eye protection. Do not look at the Sun through a camera, binoculars, or telescope without a solar filter secured over the optics. 

Columbus has a plethora of events to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon for everyone to enjoy. Let’s explore some of our top picks. 

Land Grant Brewing Company x COSI Science Center Eclipse Watch Party 

Join Land-Grant Brewing for an all-day eclipse extravaganza, featuring free eclipse glasses, exclusive COSI-collab Black IPA: Totality, interactive experiments with the COSI team, cosmic-themed music from Moon Voyager by Pink Floyd, and delicious local food trucks. RSVP here. 

Solar Eclipse Day on the Rooftop 

Witness the historic eclipse on the rooftop of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. Hands-on learning activities will be available throughout the day including designing a military and NASA patch, drawing your perspective of the sky, and fun giveaways! Admission is free to NVMM members, $5 for students, and $10 for the general public. Learn more. 

VASO Solar Eclipse Party 

Experience the eclipse with VASO at Bridgepark in Dublin from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Attendees will be on the eighth-floor patio for an unforgettable viewing experience of the solar eclipse, complete with eclipse viewing glasses, drink tickets, complimentary tapas, and live entertainment by Dayna Sol. Get tickets here. 

Grab your eclipse viewing glasses and some friends and prepare for the total solar eclipse! Stay safe and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, no matter what event you choose, or if you opt for your own backyard viewing party. 

Our Favorite Central Ohio Gems 

From cozy corners to chic eateries, our team has curated a list of their favorite spots for a date or special night out with friends. Whether you’re looking for an intimate dinner or just want to enjoy the city vibes, join us as we explore our top picks, approved by those with a knack for prime locations, both in the market and on the town.  

Third & Hollywood – especially the Sunday Brunch 

South Village Grille – pizzas, steaks + fresh oysters

Basi Italia – in the heart of Victorian Village

Worthington Tavern – made-from-scratch familiar favorites

Carmichael’s at the Athletic Club of Columbus 

Speck Italian Eatery – “seriously out of this world pasta”

Lindey’s – (of course!)  

Cardone’s – Old World Italian in Westerville 

The Avenue Steak Tavern – fine steaks + tavern fare

The Laundry – perfect for pre-dinner bubbles

Barcelona  – tapas + Spanish wines

The Citizen’s Trust – great for drinks + snacks 

The Barn at Rocky Fork – for the perfect steak + drink pairing 

We also love picking up butter cookies from Resch’s Bakery and colorful macarons from Pistacia Vera.  

Welcome To Central Ohio And The Columbus Area 

Whether you’re interested in big city living, small town charm, or anything in between, Ohio has you covered. And while Ohio offers all the exciting entertainment and recreation of the coasts, your cost of living is low enough to get out there and enjoy it all.  

Whoever you are, wherever you’re coming from, whatever you’re looking for—you can find it in Ohio. A microcosm of the U.S. in a single state, Ohio represents the best of what our country has to offer: an amazing mix of affordability, quality of life, diverse industry, diverse communities, natural beauty, and a dynamic hub for innovation, culture, sports, education, and economic growth.  

A place where you can have balance. Live. Work. Invest. Live your own version of the American Dream. In Ohio, you don’t have to make the false choice of success in your business endeavors or professional endeavors at the expense of success in your family, personal, or community endeavors. You can do all of those things here. That’s why people from all walks and stages of life are reassessing, reprioritizing, and relocating to Ohio – the heart of America’s Heartland – to realize their best work and their best self.  

Ohio is more than 40,000 square miles of busy cities, charming small towns, sparkling rivers, sprawling hills, and beautiful farmland. The people who have called Ohio home have left their mark on history and Ohio continues to be at the center of cutting-edge innovation. Some of the world’s biggest historical moments started in Ohio: the invention of the airplane, both the first man to orbit the moon and to set foot on the moon, and eight U.S. presidents all started here. With one of the world’s biggest economies, plentiful resources, technology, and world-class education, it’s clear why Ohio has left its mark on history.  

  • – 14th Largest City in the Country 
  • – #1 Fastest-Growing Midwest City for GDP, Job Growth & Population  
  • – #1 Top City for Rising Tech Start Ups – Forbes 
  • – Named on of the “30 Most Fun Places to Live in the U.S.” by U.S. News & World Report  
  • – Home to 53 Colleges & Universities – One Columbus 

 

Why Choose Ohio? 

With its centralized location, access to transportation routes, and history of success, Ohio is a hub for business and commerce. World-famous companies, midmarket, and small businesses all choose Ohio as their headquarters, including:  

  • – The Ohio State University  
  • – Cardinal Health  
  • – Worthington Industries  
  • – Grange Insurance  
  • – Plaskolite  
  • – Kimball Midwest  
  • – Abbott  
  • – American Electric Power  
  • – Big Lots  
  • – Abercrombie & Fitch  

Columbus is a short drive to other Midwestern metropolitan hubs and destinations like Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville and close to many charming small towns that make up the rest of Ohio. You also won’t be breaking the bank as Ohio is ranked number one in affordability. 

How to Make Ohio Home  

Whether you’re moving from another state or another country, Ohio has a lot to offer. Here are some important details to help you get acclimated to life in Ohio:  

TIME ZONE: Eastern Standard Time (EST) – Daylight Saving Time observed 

CLIMATE: Continental, with warm, humid summers and cold, dry winters. A typical Columbus winter brings an average snowfall of 28.2 inches, with January and February being the snowiest months. 

REGION: Midwest 

How to Get Around 

Bigger cities in Ohio offer robust public transportation options in the city core, however, a vehicle is highly recommended. Transportation anywhere in Columbus is less than 30 minutes with a car because of the extensive freeway system(s). 

Cost Of Living  

OHIO IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS  

While there are many factors contributing to business owners’ decisions to relocate, the lower cost of doing business and lower cost of living in Ohio over the coasts are proving too good to pass up. Since 2016, over 40 new companies, nearly 10,000 jobs, and $625M in payroll have come to Ohio from the coasts.  

OHIO’S AFFORDABILITY  

In Ohio, every dollar goes further without sacrificing quality. Ohio is the No. 1 most affordable state, according to the 2020 U.S. News rankings. The cost of living in Ohio’s significant cities is 42-70% lower than San Francisco and New York City. Ohio Ranks No. 3 in Moody’s Housing Affordability Index, which measures the combination of higher median income and lower housing price, providing a good quality of life (2020, Q3).  

ENTERTAINMENT & EXCITEMENT  

A lower cost of living is a benefit on its own but knowing that in Ohio, you and your employees can still enjoy a vibrant lifestyle with festivals, live events, museums, cuisine, arts, and more is icing on the cake.  

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

Ohio School Report Cards | reportcard.education.ohio.gov 

Property Tax Information/Franklin County | franklincountyauditor.com  

Zip Code Map for Demographics | city-data.com/city/Ohio.html 

Learn more about the neighborhoods in Central Ohio in our full relocation guide here

Illuminate the Season: A Tour of Enchanting Holiday Lights in Central Ohio 

As the holiday season descends upon us, there’s a magical transformation that takes place in Central Ohio and its surrounding areas. Streets adorned with twinkling lights, homes aglow with festive decorations, and the crisp winter air filled with the spirit of joy – it’s the time of year when communities come together to create dazzling displays of lights. If you’re eager to immerse yourself in the enchantment of the season, you’re in for a treat.  

Here are some of our favorite activities and hidden gems. 

Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium 
Dates: November 22 – January 5
Where: Columbus Zoo  
Central Ohio’s favorite family holiday tradition is Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.  

Lucy Depp Park Light Show  
Dates: November 29 – January 5 
Where: 9360 Frabell Dr. Powell OH 43065 
This 7-acre drive through display is put together by a group of neighbors on private property in Powell.  

Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights  
Dates: November 22 – January 1 
Where: Alum Creek State Park Campgrounds, 3311 South Old State Rd., Delaware, OH 43015 
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights is an annual holiday 3-mile drive thru light show. 

Conservatory Aglow 
Dates: November 23 – January 5
Where: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden
The annual Conservatory Aglow features thousands of lights twinkling and glowing in stunning displays. 

Columbus Commons Holiday Lights 
Dates: November 22 – February 16 
Where: Columbus Commons, 160 South High Street Columbus, OH 43215
Experience more than 400,000 LED lights dazzle in the park. 

WonderLight’s Christmas 
Dates: November 15 – January 5 
Where: 14028 Fairgrounds Rd, Hartford, OH 43013 
A drive-through Christmas light show. 

Pyramid Hill Lights 
Dates: November 15 – January 5 
Where: 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd., Hamilton, OH 45013 
This is a 2.5-mile drive-through light display at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park in Butler County. 

Holiday Lights at Easton 
Easton Town Center has over 2 million lights and a 56-foot tree on the Town Square. They also have special holiday experiences all season long, including photos with Santa and Horse Drawn Carriage Rides. 

The Scoto Mile 
Dates: November 23 – January 3

The Scioto Mile is lighting up the riverfront with over 250,000 lights along the Promenade, stretching from Rich Street to Broad Street.  

Fields Family Christmas Lights 

Dates: November 29 – January 1

Each year the Field’s family adds more lights to their musical holiday display. 
Where: 288 Fox Glen Drive East Pickerington, Ohio 43147