Columbus Ohio Food Recommendation for Three Generations

October 7, 2018 2:13 PM

It has just been decided that we should meet up in Columbus, OH next Saturday, the 13th for my mother's birthday. Where should we eat? We'll have my parents who are in their 70s, my wife, sister and I who are in our 40s and my sister's children who are 7 and 10.

There is mostly consensus to visit COSI as an additional activity but we're not sure if we should do an early dinner after or try for an early brunch/lunch before COSI.

I am open to hearing your suggestions.

posted by mmascolino to Travel & Transportation around Columbus, OH (8 answers total)

My favorite place in Columbus is the DK Diner on Third Avenue in Grandview. They do both brunch and dinner, so you should be good either way.
posted by kevinbelt at 2:38 PM on October 7, 2018

Do Columbus suburbs count? This question gave me a powerful hankering for the Starliner Diner in Hilliard. Looks like it’s 20 minutes from COSI by car. They have some kinda jambalaya mac and cheese that I remember being awesome, and I believe they also have fried plantains all day.
posted by eirias at 3:18 PM on October 7, 2018

Whatever you do for dinner, you should go to Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams for dessert! The chain is usually ranked somewhere in the best ice cream places in the US, and it started in Columbus. There are a lot of weird flavors, but a lot of very well done standards too.
posted by Caravantea at 3:18 PM on October 7, 2018 [1 favorite]

If you’re looking for places nearby to COSI, there’s Spaghetti Warehouse (kitsch-y, average family fare) and Milestone 229 (nice views, somewhat upscale). I’ve eaten at both with the same age groups and everyone was happy. Enjoy your visit!
posted by kittydelsol at 3:42 PM on October 7, 2018

I'd suggest looking around German Village if you want something notably local and have a fair number of meat-eaters. Valters at the Maennerchor is quite nice, especially outside in good weather, but there are many similar places within ten blocks.
posted by eotvos at 7:44 PM on October 7, 2018

I like Cap City Diner in Grandview - they have ample parking and a good menu that should appeal to everyone.
posted by thejanna at 11:31 AM on October 9, 2018

^Excellent suggestion. I would have suggested it myself, but I was under the impression it was still closed for renovation. (I no longer live in Columbus.) Google tells me it reopened in August, so OP, this should be your first choice.
posted by kevinbelt at 11:58 AM on October 9, 2018

Response by poster: The Cap City Diner didn't have the availability that we needed. We ended up at Valter's at the Maennerchor. It was definitely family friendly.
posted by mmascolino at 6:07 AM on October 14, 2018 [1 favorite]