The SBC 2015 is upon us. So, it is with great pleasure that we introduce our third annual ERLC guide to food and fun at the convention. I’ve joined forces with ERLC Leadership Council member Nick Nye, who pastors Veritas Community Church in Columbus, to bring you the best of what Columbus has to offer so that you can make the most of your time at the annual meeting. And while you’re at the SBC, make plans to join the ERLC at our events:
- Connecting Church and Culture
- Presidential Panel
FOOD
If you’re hungry, Columbus has a lot to offer. Columbus was designated a “hidden foodie city” by Forbes magazine for good reason. Whether you’re looking for one of your favorite chains or for something new I’m sure you’ll find something to enjoy, but make sure you don’t leave without trying some of Columbus’s local flavor. Here’s a list of options near the Greater Columbus Convention Center and around Columbus. Enjoy!
WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE
NORTH MARKET – Columbus’s market with dozens of options including some Columbus favorites like Hot Chicken Takeover, Pistachio Vera, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Destination Donuts, Holy Smoke BBQ, Ratzinger’s Little Deli, Flavors of India and many more.
BARE BURGER – Classic burgers, snacks and a lot of healthy options.
BUCA DI BEPPO – Italian food served family style. Perfect for families and large groups.
CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL – Fast food Mexican fare with healthy options and design your own burritos and tacos.
JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE – Japanese inspired cuisine in Columbus for the last 40 years.
NORTHSTAR CAFE – Modern cafe with an open kitchen serving up organic New American fare and house-baked sweets.
MARCELLA’S RISTORANTE – Pasta, pizza and incredible appetizers served in a vintage-style dining room.
BAKERSFIELD SHORT NORTH – Tacos with handmade tortillas hailing from Cincinnati.
PRESS GRILL – Cozy neighborhood hangout offering hot dogs, pizza, wings and other American comfort food.
THE PEARL – A refined tavern serving upscale pub grub and oysters.
DA LEVEE – Counter-serve joint serving up Cajun-Creole fare.
THE ROSSI – Classic supper club with a twist offering casual American fare in a historic venue.
HAPPY GREEK – Sizable Greek menu (from moussaka to gyros) in a casual spot with a party room and weekday happy hour.
TASI CAFE – Casual but stylish daytime cafe offering upmarket riffs on sandwiches, salads and comfort food.
WORTH THE DRIVE
SCHMIDT’S SAUSAGE HAUS – Unpretentious, long-running German eatery in the German Village neighborhood. Featured on Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food.
THURMAN’S CAFE – Bustling, rustic American haunt with oversized, toppings-loaded burgers in the German Village neighborhood. Also featured on Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food.
HARVEST PIZZERIA – Artisan pizzas and small plates served patio-side and in an intimate dining room in the German Village neighborhood.
BROWN BAG DELI – Simple pit stop in the German Village neighborhood with inventive deli sandwiches, plus soups and salads, available for takeout.
GERMAN VILLAGE COFFEE SHOP – Old-school diner in German Village serving pancakes and omelets, plus daily specials like chicken-fried steak
LA CHATELAINE FRENCH BAKERY – La Chatelaine French Bakery and Bistro is a family owned business located in Upper Arlington, Ohio, since 1991.
THE CREST GASTROPUB – A gastropub in the Clintonville neighborhood featuring locally grown ingredients and classic pub food with a twist.
ACRE: FARM-TO-TABLE TO-GO – Acre serves bowls, salads, tacos and wraps in a convenient, fast-casual setting in the Clintonville neighborhood.
RAY RAY’S HOG PIT – Great BBQ served out of a truck with plenty of patio seating in the Clintonville neighborhood.
CAP CITY FINE DINER – Creative American comfort food served up in a bustling, midcentury-diner-inspired space in Grandview, Ohio.
DIRTY FRANKS HOT DOGS – Franks piled high with offbeat toppings are on offer at this informal outlet with late-night hours in downtown Columbus.
KATALINA’S – An open-all-day cafe known for down-home breakfasts, soups, salads and sandwiches in the Short North District.
DESSERT AND COFFEE
WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE
MISSION COFFEE CO – Brick-walled coffeehouse brewing specialty beans in an industrial setting with handcrafted tables. Try the cold brew!
ONLINE COFFEE – Wholesale roaster featuring single origin coffees in the Short North.
JENI’S ICE CREAM – Popular parlor serving scoops of the best ice cream and frozen yogurt made in Columbus.
WHIT’S FROZEN CUSTARD – Frozen Custard made fresh everyday.
WORTH THE DRIVE
ROOSEVELT COFFEE – Good coffee served to benefit those without access to clean water, to the hungry and human trafficking victims.
PISTACHIA VERA – Classic French pastries and desserts in German Village. Macarons, croissants, confections, desserts and more.
BUCKEYE DONUTS – Twenty-four hour donut shop located on campus of one of the biggest universities in the nation. Breakfast fare, donuts and Greek gyros.
STAUF’S COFFEE – Relaxed cafe offering coffees from more than 20 countries plus an extensive menu of teas.
THE ANGRY BAKER – French toast sandwiches share the menu with cinnamon buns and pierogi at this quirky bakery and cafe.
DK DINER – Mom-and-pop diner serving up signature donuts in snug, no-frills environs.
FOX IN THE SNOW CAFE – Scratch made baked goods and coffee in a relaxing environment.
FOR FUN
COLUMBUS ZOO & AQUARIUM – See over 9,000 animals at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, known world-wide for it’s size and excellence.
FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY – A historical botanical garden and conservatory located in East Columbus.
COSI – This large educational science center offers interactive exhibits, working labs and planetarium shows.
COLUMBUS MUSEUMS – Choose from several excellent options Columbus has to offer.
GERMAN VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD – German Village is a historic neighborhood in Columbus, just south of downtown.
SHORT NORTH NEIGHBORHOOD – The Short North Arts District is located near the Convention Center and is littered with unique art galleries and some of the best restaurants in the city.
EASTON TOWN CENTER – Easton Town Center is an indoor and outdoor shopping complex in northeast Columbus
AUDOBON METRO PARK – Bird habitats plus hiking, fishing, volleyball, dog parks and a climbing wall on 120 riverside acres.
GOODALE PARK – Perfect park for a picnic and it’s near the Convention Center.
Nick Nye
Nick Nye is the founder and lead pastor of Veritas Community Church in Columbus, Ohio. He blogs at nicknye.com. Read More by this Author
Phillip Bethancourt
Phillip Bethancourt is Senior Pastor of Central Church in College Station, Texas. Before he was called to pastor Central, he served as the Executive Vice President of the ERLC team. He completed an MDiv and PhD in Systematic Theology at Southern after attending Texas A&M University. Phillip and his wife, Cami, have been married since 2005, … Read More