Image courtesy of @loverileycakes on Instagram
Happy Friday! We’ve got a lot of catching up to do, so here’s the latest Columbus restaurant news:
- CoLo Oyster Bar announced that it is closing its stall at North Market Bridge Park after service this Sunday, Jan. 11. Its operations at the downtown market remain unchanged.
- Espresso Air coffee shop in Uptown Westerville announced that they are expanding to Delaware.
- And the Love Riley cake shop announced a second location coming this winter, this one in the former Butcher & Grocer space at 1089 W. First Ave. in Grandview.
- Hang Over Easy announced it is adding a third Columbus location, this one in the former Kona Craft Kitchen space in Dublin’s Bridge Park.
- Over the holiday break, Ray Ray’s Hog Pit announced that they have filed for bankruptcy. The business is continuing after a restructuring; late last year they scaled back with the closure of their Linworth truck and their Johnstown and Marion shops, but their Land-Grant, Clintonville, Westerville, and Granville locations continue serving.
- After a successful run as a holiday pop-up, Columbus Brewing Company’s west side taproom will return to regular service starting on Jan. 15.
- Tee’s Southern Kitchen has opened at 2384 Sullivant Ave. in the Hilltop.
- The Rail Craft Kitchen & Bar at 1064 Dublin Rd. in Grandview has closed.
- This week the Mordisco Venezuelan food truck, which usually parks at Olentangy River Brewing Co. in Lewis Center, unveiled a brand new truck.
- After closing up their regular spot at The Bar at Echo Spirits, Red Rabbit Ramen announced that they’ll be doing regular hours at Honest Friend Brewing on the south end starting this Friday, Jan. 9. They’ll generally be set up Fridays and Saturdays from 5-9 p.m., although they’ll do special hours this Sunday, Jan. 11.
- The first central Ohio location of Dumont Creamery & Cafe is set to open at 8671 Sancus Blvd. near Polaris. Dumont serves ice cream, coffee, tea, and other treats.
- The Liberty Social tavern in Powell has closed after less than a year in business.
- The Clutch Handhelds food truck reopened with new hours at the corner of Hudson and Summit in SoHud. Follow their social media for exact hours.
- A location of the New Jersey-based Pink Pistachio Cafe is coming soon to the Grandview Yard development.
- Cilantro Latin Fusion announced that they are launching a third food truck, this one at 6106 Alum Creek Dr. in Groveport. It joins trucks on Neil Avenue in Upper Arlington and King Avenue in Grandview, plus a brick and mortar on Sawmill Road in Dublin.
- The location of Houlihan’s restaurant in Upper Arlington’s Kingsdale Center closed abruptly.
- Bossy Grrls Pinup Joint, which had been in danger of closing, was purchased by the owner of Alibi Bourbon & Cocktail Lounge in the Short North. According to a post on Facebook, Bossy Grrls will transform into a “craft cocktail haven with speakeasy vibes.” A full reopening hasn’t been announced yet.
- ZC Tea House announced that they are temporarily closed while they relocate from their long-time home in the Short North. This weekend they’re beginning to do pop-ups at Adamah ceramics gallery in the neighborhood.
- Zaftig Brewing teased a longer food truck residency at its taproom this year, indicating that Comida El Catrin would be setting up there more regularly.
- It was announced that Viva Mexican Kitchen, a new eatery from the folks behind Dulce Vida, will replace Nada in the Arena District. Nada closed abruptly last spring.
- The Worthington location of Pies & Pints pizza shop has closed.
- Monster Baby Donuts opened its new location, titled Monster Baby Cafe, last weekend inside 700 Bryden in Olde Towne East.
- After more than 20 years in business, Tea Zone Bakery & Cafe on Olentangy River Rd. has closed.
- Sexton’s Pizza seems to have closed its Harrison West shop at 360 W. Third Ave., although they’ve started slinging pies from inside Good Night John Boy nearby.
- The House of Spirits cocktail bar in Marysville closed after six years in business. (Read my 2023 piece on them for Ohio Magazine.)
- The Granville Brewing Company announced that it is under new ownership. No announcements have been made about how they’re moving forward, although their beers are featured on tap locally at spots like Ray Ray’s in Granville.
Some great culinary events!
- The Pigeon Mike’s fried chicken sandwich pop-up takes place again at Three Bites Bakery downtown on Sunday, Jan. 11 starting at 5 p.m.
- Eat chili for a good cause! Snag tickets to a chili cook-off featuring local chefs and supporting Service Relief on Sunday, Jan. 18 at Middle West Spirits’ event space on Alum Creek Drive.
- Columbus Underground’s annual Sweet Treats Dessert Festival returns on Sunday, Jan. 25 at Edison Venues in Gahanna.
In case you missed it, I’ve also been busy writing here:
- The Clocktower Brings a Plain City Icon Back to Life in Fine Style
- 30 Reasons to Love Ohio Right Now (section on Chef-O-Nette for Ohio Magazine)
- Wolf’s Ridge Brewing Reintroduces Lunch Downtown
- Columbus’ Royal Flamingo Coffee Offers Award-Winning Roasts (Ohio Magazine)
- Donuts and Lattes with The Mochi Shop and Coffee Coin on Bethel Road
- Columbus Brewing Company’s Taproom Reopens as a Christmas-Themed Bar
- Our Favorite Bites of 2025
- 14 New Coffee Shops That Opened in 2025
- Recapping What Opened, What Closed, and What Moved or Expanded in 2025
Want to keep up with more?
You should sign up for my weekly e-mail newsletters!
You can also me on Instagram at @breakfastwithnick, check out the news archives, read my guide to Columbus, or search for travel inspiration.
