Wash down your hamachi crudo with a playful cocktail at Astra Rooftop. | Photo by Brad Annis and Nathan Peppers
Looking for the next new restaurant hitting the food scene in Columbus?
Check out these buzzy places to eat and drink in CBUS — plus, some spots coming soon.
New + noteworthy
Astra Rooftop | Flaming entrees, skyline views, and delicious cocktails await at this new restaurant + bar housed in the former Lumin Sky Bar space. We have our eyes on the mini boozy ice cream cones.
House of Creole | Get a taste of New Orleans at this Cleveland-based restaurant by ordering the Cajun shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, oysters on the half shell, and bayou pasta.
Bar Italia | From an heirloom tomato salad to Gulf Shrimp Spaghetti, this Italian restaurant’s menu is making our mouths water. Make a reservation.
Coming soon
Milo’s Deli | More than a decade after closing, the Franklinton favorite aims to reopen by Labor Day.
Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips | The Columbus-born fast food chain plans to move into the former Marino’s Seafood Fish & Chips site near Grandview Heights.
Foreigner | 7 p.m. | Ohio Expo Center & State Fair | $69+ | Snag a seat to hear the iconic rock band behind hits like “I Want to Know What Love Is” live.
Friday, July 25
Summer Movie Nights | 8:30 p.m. | Topiary Park | Free | Ugh, as if we’d be anywhere else — bring a blanket to watch “Clueless” under the stars.
Saturday, July 26
Lucy Dacus | 6:30 p.m. | KEMBA Live! | $57+ | Best known for her stint in supergroup Boy Genius, the songstress will bring her “Forever Is a Feeling” tour to CBUS.
Sunday, July 27
Toronto FC II vs. Columbus Crew 2 | 6 p.m. | Historic Crew Stadium | $13 | Wear your best black and gold garb to cheer for the home team as they take on the Young Reds.
Monday, July 28
Yoga in the Garden | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Olde Towne East Community Gardens | Free | Breathe in, breathe out — find your zen at this outdoor, donation-based class.
Tuesday, July 29
Back to the ‘90s Craft Night | 6-9 p.m. | Makers Social | $31 | Create nostalgic goodies like beaded animal keychains, friendship bracelets, and sand art.
Pour one out for Bottoms Up Coffee — its flagship location on West Broad Street will permanently close on Sunday, July 27. The good news? Its owners are already scouting potential venues for relocation, and the shop inside The View on Grant will remain open. (Columbus Underground)
Coming Soon
A new pickleball paradise is coming to Hilliard. Pickleball Kingdom will open a 36,000-sqft facility in early 2026, complete with 15 indoor courts, leagues, tournaments, coaching, and youth programs. (NBC 4)
Stat
Columbus is the most expensive place to rent in Ohio, according to the annual “Out of Reach” report. The study states that a local would need to earn $27.79 per hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment — nearly $10 more than the average Ohio renter makes.
Announced
Ahead of its move to Grandview, plant-based bakery Happy Little Treats will close its Short North location on Sunday, Aug. 24. The new location on West 3rd Avenue will feature a full dining room, grab-and-go options, and breakfast + lunch menus. An opening date is yet to be announced.
Eat
Mondays just got tastier: Abby & The Black Cat is now offering scratch-made, vegan brunch and lunch at Little Cat Boba downtown. Expect handmade pasta, pierogi, French toast, and more every Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (614now)
Try This
Calling all Taco Bell fans: A new menu item is being tested in Columbus only. The crunchy Tajín Taco features a shell coated in the brand’s signature chili-lime seasoning. Want the full experience? Try the Tajín Discovery Luxe Box while the exclusive drop lasts. (The Columbus Dispatch)
Sports
After battling injuries and missing significant time on the ice in recent seasons, fans are hoping Boone Jenner can stay healthy and log 70+ games as a key contributor this year. Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the Columbus Blue Jackets with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Biz
Straightforward, transparent, and low stress. That’s how one business described our self-service ad portal. No sales pressure. No hidden fees. Just you, your message, and the tools to get it out there — your way. Get started.
Fun Fact
Amazon Prime isn’t all about fast shipping + streaming. Check out these nine hidden perks that will completely transform how you shop and save as a Prime member.*
Despite being the No. 1 myth about reverse mortgages, the lender never owns the home if the owner passes away — heirs still inherit it and any leftover equity. See how these top lenders can help retirees cover home improvements (and even other expenses) without dipping into retirement funds.*
Home
Home
💸 When your fridge dies, so can your budget
Presented by Choice Home Warranty
The dreaded repair bill is coming... are you covered? | Photo by Choice Home Warranty
When your A/C goes kaput or your fridge quits fridging, homeowners’ insurance won’t save you. But a home warranty can help cover costly breakdowns from everyday wear, so you’re not stuck paying thousands out of pocket.
With 24/7 support, 8 million+ service requests handled, and 25,000+ pros nationwide, Choice Home Warranty has protected over 2.4 million homes. Thousands of five-star reviews echo that when something breaks, they’ve got your back.
Protect your home (and your wallet) before the next unexpected breakdown.
Don’t let your upcoming event get lost in oversaturated summer calendars. Amplify it to CBUStoday’s 40,000+ engaged subscribers through our self-service ad portal.
Two eye-catching options include:
Newsletter promo: Up to 75 words, three links, and an image promoting your event — custom-crafted by our team.
Email header: A media rich, visual ad at the top of our newsletter. Your event will be the first thing readers see.
The fair officially kicked off yesterday, and the butter cow sculptures are building excitement. The creamy creations, a fair tradition since 1903, are themed around construction this year as a nod to upcoming renovations to the Dairy Products Building.
The stats? Two thousand pounds of butter, 340 hours of sculpting, and one udderly impressive display.
A deluxe four-piece lunch set by BENTGO, currently 20% off on Nordstrom Rack. Your meal prep dreams are about to realized with these stackable, divided lunch containers, built-in matching utensils, and a water-resistant pouch that keeps food warm or cool for hours.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Restaurant Week is in full swing in Columbus, with nearly 150 local restaurants dishing out special menus through Saturday, July 26.
Need some inspo? Head to date night at Lindey’s for a three-course dinner featuring wood-grilled octopus, a six-ounce filet, and cheesecake for $50 per person.
}})
}})
