Columbus is not lacking in incredible food options. In fact, our beloved town is quickly climbing the charts as one of the best foodie towns in the nation, featuring trendy upscale staples, food trucks, and local haunts alike. Even surrounded by all of these incredible choices, there are some days when nothing hits the spot quite like a big, greasy burger topped with all the fixin's. On those days (which occur more often than we'd like to admit), we hit up one of our 10 favorite burger joints in Columbus, so we decided to share the love. From elegant and trendy to just plain delicious, there's a burger for everyone on this list. Enjoy!
Cozied up in an alley in downtown lies a century-old tavern serving up some of the best burgers in town. The Ringside Cafe, which has been around since 1897 (wowza), is a little taste of history in an otherwise modernized, urban area. The dining area is decorated with charming memorabilia from days gone by, including antique paintings and stained glass windows, and features a friendly, pub-like ambience that invites you in to stay awhile.After you've ordered a pint, move on to the "Heavyweights" section of the menu. Here, you'll see an impressive list of burgers, all named after famous wrestling champions — the Oscar de La Hoya, with roasted red pepper, provolone and garlic aioli, is our favorite.
Oliver's
26 North High Street, Columbus Oliver's manages to be cozy, accessible, elegant, and low-key all at once — we suspect the intimate booths and exposed brick walls have something to do with it. Once you've settled down in your seat of choice, the next step will be to choose a burger, which is not a simple task. The menu features seven choices, all wildly different, and all wildly impressive. One that catches our eye is the poutine burger, topped with crispy cheese curds and a rich bourbon demi glace…yes please.
If you're looking for a burger experience that's a bit more elevated, Third and Hollywood is your place. The dimly-lit dining room is perfect for a romantic date night, and the menu features chef-driven, cleverly-crafted comfort food with an urban twist. Start your meal off with some whole grilled artichokes or an iron skillet of cheddar herb biscuits before moving on to the main event. The Hollywood Burger is your target, and features Niman Ranch brisket and chuck ground in-house daily, topped with cheddar and served with french fries. This is honestly one of the most beautiful meals we've ever seen, which is why it made our list of The Most Instagram-Worthy Meals in Columbus.
Flipside
3945 Easton Station, Columbus
Excuse us for the pun, but the burgers at Flipside really are worth flipping over. The namesake "Flipside" Burger is made with two-year-aged cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, charred red onions, balsamic vinegar and house-made BBQ sauce. Pair that with your choice of hand-cut fries (options range from chili-cheese to truffle) and a milkshake, and you've got a meal that's tough to beat. All of this is served up with a smile in chic, rustic digs — perfect for casual hangouts and date nights alike.
We didn't think we'd live to see the day a meatless burger made a top-ten list, but today is that day. Eden Burger opened in early July on North High Street, and has already made a splash in the Columbus food scene with its creative combinations and fun atmosphere. Carnivores, vegetarians and vegans alike will swoon over the hearty cheeseburgers, fried pickles, milkshakes and hand-cut fries — all plant-based, all organic, and all delicious.
Melt Bar & Grilled
4206 Worth Avenue, Easton Gateway, Columbus
OR
840 North High Street, Columbus
This iconic Ohio chain might be famous for its drool-worthy grilled cheeses, but burger seekers will not be disappointed. Most of the stacked sandwiches at Melt Bar & Grilled are piled high with meat anyway, and the cheeseburger is no exception. This beauty is a mouthwatering collision of two American classics, and features a freshly ground steak burger nestled between two melted layers of cheese and grilled, buttery bread. It's sure to have you cheesin' in no time.
O'Reilly's Pub
2822 North High Street, ColumbusO'Reilly's Pub is a local gathering place that you just can't help but love. The venue itself is about as old school as it gets, with leather booth seating, low lighting, and a long wooden bar serving as the centerpiece. The kitchen, which is open until 11:30 nightly, whips up no-frills, inexpensive burgers that are simply mouthwatering. Enjoy it in the bar or outside on the patio during the warmer months.
This cheerful burger joint never fails to impress with its hearty burgers, thick shakes, and a la carte sides. The burgers are all made with locally sourced, grass-fed beef and served on a sesame seed bun, and come in standard and large sizes (always get the large). We recommend the Red White & Blue burger, which comes with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle — and we always add that bacon because 'Merica.
Gahanna Grill
82 Granville St., GahannaSince 1939, Gahanna Grill has grown its reputation for friendly service, a welcoming atmosphere, and straight-up great food. The restaurant has recently become popular for hosting one of the best St. Patrick's Day parties in town, but the incredible burgers make it a go-to destination year round. Take, for instance, the Beanie burger. The classic stack of beef, bacon, tomato, lettuce homemade slaw may include typical ingredients, but tastes well above average. This is thanks to the expertise of local legend Beanie, who ran the kitchen at Gahanna for a long time, and can still be found hanging around the dining room from time to time!
The Thurman Cafe
183 Thurman Ave, Columbus
Of course no list would be complete without an oversized, toppings-loaded burger from Thurman's. Since 1942, this spot has earned a reputation as one of the best burger hot spots in the state — not only because of the expansive burger menu (more than 20 to choose from), but also because of the high quality ingredients and welcoming atmosphere. If you're up for a challenge, square up to the Thurmanator, which includes two 12-ounce burgers, sautéed mushrooms, onions, ham, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, banana peppers, mayo and three kinds of cheese. You might need a few friends for this one.
Bareburger
4560 North High Street, Columbus
OR
463 North High Street, Columbus
This New York-based chain might be big now, but it started from humble beginnings. With a hope, a prayer and a love for burgers, a group of friends from California decided to open up a sustainable, locally sourced burger joint in Queens. 15 years later, the restaurant has expanded from its small, run-down ex bakery to locations across the world, including two right here in Columbus. If you're looking for a fresh, organic burger served up with a smile (and a side of fries of course), look no further than Bareburger.
Bon Appétit!
We know you're probably craving a burger now. Sorry about that. Here's a map to easily find the most convenient burger spot!
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