Best of Columbus Readers’ Poll 2021: Dining

Here are the businesses that you selected as your favorite local dining destinations

You, the Reader
Ray Ray's Meat + 3 in Granville is your pick for best new restaurant

Best restaurant

First: The Refectory

Second: Wolf’s Ridge Brewing

Third: G. Michael’s Bistro & Bar (closed in September after 23 years in business)

Best new restaurant

First: Ray Ray’s Meat + 3

Second: Wario’s Beef & Pork

Third: Columbus Brewing Co.

Best Mexican

First: Los Guachos

Second: Cuco’s Taqueria 

Third: Mi Mexico

Best Latin American

First: El Arepazo Latin Grill

Second: Si Senor Peruvian Sandwiches

Third: Sidebar

Roasted pork, for al pastor tacos at Los Guachos Taqueria in Columbus, comes directly off the spit. Founded by Mexican immigrants Carlos Nonato and his sister, Edith, Los Guachos has expanded from a food truck to three brick-and-mortar locations in the Columbus area.

Best tacos

First: Los Guachos

Second: Junior’s Tacos

Third: Taqueria La Poblanita

Best Chinese

First: Peking Dynasty

Second: Sunflower Chinese Restaurant

Third: NE Chinese Restaurant

Best Vietnamese

First: 6-1-Pho

Second: Lan Viet Market

Third: Buckeye Pho

Best Korean

First: Gogi Korean Barbecue

Second: Min-Ga Korean Restaurant

Third: Japanese Oriental Restaurant

Best Thai

First: Lemongrass Fusion Bistro

Second: Nida's Thai on High

Third: Thai Grille

Akai Hana

Best sushi

First: Akai Hana Restaurant

Second: Blue Ginger Asian Fusion Bistro

Third: Sushi Ten (Tensuke Market)

Best Indian

First: Aab India

Second: Rooh

Third: Indian Oven

Best Himalayan/Nepalese

First: Momo Ghar

Second: Everest Cuisine

Third: Himalayan Grille

Left to right, Abdilahi and Mohamed Hassan of Hoyo's Kitchen

Best African

First: Hoyo’s Kitchen

Second: Addis Restaurant

Third: Lalibela Restaurant

Best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern 

First: Lavash Cafe

Second: Cafe Istanbul

Third: Aladdin's Eatery

Best Italian

First: Carfagna’s Kitchen

Second: La Tavola

Third: Giuseppe's Ritrovo

Best pizza

First: Massey’s Pizza

Second: Tommy’s Pizza

Third: Harvest Pizzeria

Classic double burger with banana pudding at Preston's in the North Market. (Photo by Tim Johnson)

Best burger

First: Preston’s: A Burger Joint

Second: O’Reilly’s Pub

Third: Johnnie’s Tavern

Best barbecue

First: Ray Ray's Hog Pit

Second: Smoked on High Barbeque Co.

Third: The Pit BBQ Grille

Best seafood

First: Columbus Fish Market

Second: Mitchell's Ocean Club

Third: The Pearl

Best steakhouse

First: The Top Steak House

Second: Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

Third: Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse

Rick Reuben from Seitan's Realm

Best plant-based fare

First: Brassica

Second: Comune

Third: Seitan’s Realm

Best breakfast

First: Tommy’s Diner

Second: Fox in the Snow Cafe

Third: Katalina’s

Best North Market

First: Downtown

Second: Bridge Park

Best coffeehouse

First: Stauf’s Coffee Roasters

Second: Fox in the Snow Cafe

Third: Crimson Cup

Best doughnuts

First: Buckeye Donuts

Second: Schneider's Bakery

Third: Jolly Pirate

Buckeye Donuts

Best Condado or Barrio

First: Condado

Second: Barrio