Merion Village is a little neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio with many local businesses and restaurants with food that you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you are with friends, family, or by yourself, these are the 13 restaurants in Merion Village that you can’t miss!

Village Tacos

Blue tortillas, pico de gallo, and krack sauces. 

Address: 1297 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43206 

Phone: +1 614-869-0018

Website:“https://thejointcolumbus.com/

One of the slogans of this place is Not Just Tacos, and it couldn't be more accurate. Yes, they have really good tacos like the Dirty Sunset Tacos, which have ground beef, cabbage, carrot, pico de gallo, and a smoky-sweet pepper sauce. But they also have enchiladas, nachos, and many burgers (some of which are vegan, by the way). One of the favorites is the Dirty Sunset Taco, which comes with seasoned ground beef, crunchy corn tortillas, cheese, shredded cabbage and carrot, pico de gallo, and their signature smoky sweet pepper krack sauce. Get your food with a delicious and refreshing margarita and support this local business. You can call ahead or order online. 

Nursery Lane Baking Co.

Cookies that are a piece of art.

Email: nurserylanebakingco@gmail.com

Website: https://nurserylanebakingco.com/

If you love cakes and pastries, you must visit this place in Merion Village. The owner of this bakery, Lauren Moffat, loves all things floral, and you can tell by the beautiful and detailed work on her pastries with floral themes. If you are one of those who loves to take pictures of food, you will not stop taking photos of these floral cookies. They are a piece of art worth checking out! The pastries change by season, so you will find new pastries if you haven't been to this bakery in a while. Another highlight of this place is that it takes orders for special events so that you can order your favorite specialty cake or some custom cookies for you and your family. Check out the menu here.

Mid City Garage

A retro restaurant for the cool folks out there

Address: 1179 Jaeger Street, Columbus, Ohio 43206 

Phone: +1 (614) 372-5028 

Website :https://midcitygarage.com/

The retro vibe, the wood stone-fired pizza, and the cheese and meat boards are the main reasons to visit this place. You can eat indoors or outdoors to practice social distance and enjoy a sunny afternoon with your friends or family. The cocktails are a great option too, so make sure to order one while you wait for your pizza, and plan ahead, since wood stone-fired pizzas usually take about 30 minutes.

South Village Grille

Modern cuisine and unique drinks

Address: 97 Thurman Ave, Columbus, OH 43206 

Phone: +1 614-826-0491 

Website: https://www.southvillagegrille.com/

Minutes away from Merion Village, this restaurant is part of the larger family that includes Local Cantina, Old Skool, Local Bar, SIP Local, The Rossi Kitchen and Bar, and Jonys Sushi. The menu has an inspiration for Modern American food with European cooking techniques. You should try the Encantado, a Tempura Battered Cod with cabbage slaw, avocado, beer vinegar aioli, and brioche. Other options include steaks, pizzas, and fresh oysters. There is a wide variety of wines and cocktails that will go with your food. This place offers daily specials for lunch and dinner.

The Thurman Cafe

A burger that you will always remember

Address: 183 Thurman Ave, Columbus, OH 

Phone: +1 61-443-1570

Website: https://thethurmancafe.com

A few steps away from South Village Grille, you will find this cafe with some of the most famous burgers in town! The Thurmanator Burger is one of the favorites because it is as bold as the folks who are willing to try it. The Thurmanator Challenge Man vs. Food is very popular across the internet. Would you accept the challenge? The Thurmanator Burger has: The bottom bun, mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle, banana peppers, a 12-ounce burger, bacon, cheddar, another 12-ounce burger, sautéed onions, mushrooms, ham, mozzarella & American cheese, and a top bun served with fries and a pickle spear. How does that sound?

 Enough calories for three cheat days or a challenge worth live streaming on Facebook? If it's too much for you, there is always the Western Burger, the Bacon Cheddar Ranch Burger, or the Mushroom Pizza Burger, burgers that are all particularly authentic in their own way. And last but not least, don't forget to order some fries with your burger, like the loaded fries with bacon and cheddar, or the Macedonian fries covered with feta cheese, banana peppers, onions, and creamy Macedonian dressing.

White Castle

The timeless castle-shaped restaurant.

The Original Slider Combo at White Castle: four original sliders, small fry, and a soft drink. Image Courtesy of White Castle.

Address: 1111 S High St, Columbus, OH 43206

 Phone: +16144448661 

Website: whitecastle.com

There are a few reasons why White Castle is a great option. First of all, it was the first burger chain. It opened in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas, and it expanded throughout the Midwest years later. J. Walter Anderson, one of the co-founders of this fast-food chain, was a burger genius; he invented the grill to cook burgers as we know it today, which was definitely a highlight of White Castle that made them stand out from their competition at that time. 

In fact, White Caste was a pioneer in fast food success. When they started growing, they were looking for locations that looked like castles and ended up hiring a company to make prefabricated castles. This guaranteed that all White Castles across the United States looked alike and that they had a clear and recognizable brand identity. They currently offer drive-thru and delivery, and you can find their classic sliders at certain retail stores nationwide. 

You can order the Original Slider with pickles and onions, a Bacon and Cheddar Chicken Slider, or a Chicken and Waffles Slider. All of them are worth trying!

Rally's

The most craveable fries

Address: 700 Georgesville Rd, Columbus, OH 43228 

Phone: +1 614-272-0265 

Website: https://www.rallys.com

The fast-food restaurant with the most craveable fries according to a 2019 survey published by Restaurant Business magazine. Some of the favorites are the Classic Mother Cruncher Chicken Sandwich, the Crispy Fish Sandwich, or the Smoky BBQ Bacon Buford Burger that comes with two 100% beef patties, two slices of bacon, swiss cheese, BBQ sauce, smoky mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickles and chopped up bacon. But if that wasn't enough, it's available in double and triple! If you are not a burger fan, you can try the chicken wings, the hot dogs, and their nationally famous seasoned fries.

Bake Me Happy

The gluten-free bakery everyone in Columbus is talking about!

Address: 106 E Moler St, Columbus, OH 43207 

Phone: +1 614-477-3642 

Website: bakemehappygf.com

One of the few gluten-free bakeries in Columbus with a gluten-free certification, Bake me Happy, is in the heart of Merion Village. It has the goal of baking pastries that don't exclude anybody. Letha Pugh, the co-founder, believes that there are many kids and people out there who go to public events, Thanksgiving dinners, potlucks, and parties where they feel excluded because they are gluten intolerant and they cannot eat everything that their friends are eating. So Bake Me Happy has a lot of pastry options with cute presentations for kids, and a variety of flavors for everybody. They are colorful, fun, authentic, and memorable. 

The idea is to make gluten-free pastries fun, delicious, and inclusive. The Cream Cheese Cutouts and the Hand Pies are some of the favorites. You can pre-order online, and there are also a few pastries that they ship to your home. You can also find Bake Me Happy treats at certain retail stores in Columbus, so make sure to grab some the next time you go grocery shopping!

Geordie's Restaurant

Real English dishes for brunch

Address: E Morrill Ave, Columbus, OH 43207 

Phone: +1 614-674-6004 

Website: https://www.geordiesrestaurant.com

Geordie is the name of the Northern English dialect spoken by its inhabitants. This word is also associated with south Northumberland and the north of County Durham. The traditions and cultures of these regions serve as inspiration for the food this restaurant serves. This is a great place to have dinner or brunch on Saturday or Sunday. Some of the brunch entrees include the hand-carved roast with mashed potatoes, vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, gravy, or the omelet with mushrooms, peppers, and spinach, onion, and cheese. They are currently running reservations only to ensure there is an adequate social distance to keep everyone safe. So don't forget to make your reservation if you're planning to visit this place!

Barcelona Restaurant & Bar

Traditional dishes from Spain. In Ohio! 

Address: 263 E Whittier St, Columbus, OH 43206 

Phone: +1 614-443-3699 

Website: https://barcelonacolumbus.com/

This is a true global dining experience that will transport you to the beautiful streets of Barcelona. The cured meats, the cheeses, and the wine altogether are an experience that you must live when you are in Merion Village! The chefs update the menu frequently to reflect new creative ideas and use the best products available. It's definitely a good option for dinner and Sunday brunch. The classic paella with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, peppers, peas, mussels, sofrito, and Calasparra rice is a must that you don't want to miss! If you are vegetarian, this place has something for you as well. The Paella de Verduras comes with roasted tomatoes, basil, Manchego cheese, fried eggplant, sofrito, balsamic reduction, Swiss chard, and Calasparra rice. 

The house-made desserts are worth trying as well as the Dessert Drinks. One of the most popular drinks is the Carajillo, Spanish Licor 43 on the rocks and espresso. That's the real Spanish experience!

The Red Brick Tap & Grill

One of the best hand-tossed pizzas in Columbus

Address: 292 E Gates St, Columbus, OH 43206

Phone: +1 614-444-2742 

Website: http://www.theredbricktapandgrill.com/

This is another great dining experience in the heart of Merion Village. The dining options include hand-tossed pizzas, calzones, sandwiches, burgers, hand smoked meats, and fresh salads. There are screens to watch the games, and dining tables to chat with friends or family. With 30 different beers available on tap, the happy hour is Monday to Friday from 3 pm to 7 pm. You will also find wines, liquors, and a variety of cocktails.

Aligned Columbus

Seasonal smoothies, coffees, and teas

Address: 1454 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43220 

Phone: +1 614- 564- 9385

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Aligned.Columbus/

A great option for those in Northwest Columbus. This is a great juice bar with many options when it comes to smoothies, coffees, and teas. It is a perfect place to grab a pastry and chat with friends. The juice bar offers vegetarian options and accepts takeout orders and curbside pickup. However, one of the greatest things about this place is that they are always coming up with new drinks. Over the summer, they had a Watermelon Fruit Punch, and it was colorful and refreshing. Over the Fall, they are serving a Pumpkin Cheesecake Shake and a Hazelnut Skinny Coffee. There are so many options that you will find something you like and you are going to love it!

Arch City Tavern

Burgers, Steak, and 20th-Century Charm in the Heart of Columbus

Address:  862 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215 

Phone: +1 614-725-5620 

Website: https://archcitytavern.com/

One of the most famous nicknames of Columbus, Ohio is the Arch City. This nickname is more than a hundred years old, and it is nationally famous because when someone mentioned Ohio's capital, the image of a series of arches through the middle of downtown comes to mind. These arches carried the power for streetcars in the city. 

The Arch City Tavern gives the nod to the history of Columbus. It has an upscale atmosphere in a warm setting of bricks and wood that will transport you to the 20th century when people arrived at the Arch City in train with a cigar on their hand and a whim for a glass of wine. There is a hand-painted mural of Old Columbus and the famous arches that you shouldn't miss! You can choose from a variety of wines, beers, and cocktails, and if you are hungry, you can have a sandwich, a burger, a salad, or a stone-baked pizza.

So now you know it! There are restaurants for different preferences, and budgets. During these difficult times for local businesses, go and visit some of these places. You will help them significantly and you will have a delightful experience. Enjoy!

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