This post was written in partnership with Ohio. Find It Here.
I love fall. The leaves are changing. The smells of pumpkin and apple cider are circling around us. The temps are dropping, yet the sun is still shining. But, without a doubt, one of my favorite things about fall is the delicious, seasonal foods. From cool-weather classics, including cobbler, soup, and pie, to your favorites now flavored with apples and pumpkins, Central Ohio is the place to get your fall foodie fix.
Inspired by Ohio. Find it here and their Foodie Roadtrip around Ohio, I put together ten of my favorite spots in Central Ohio featuring delicious fall options.
The Pearl
With two locations, The Pearl is a well-polished culinary jewel that showcases made-from-scratch food, classically inspired cocktails, and an exclusive selection of Ales, Lagers & Stouts. While their current menu can satisfy any fall craving, I highly suggest ordering the Bacon & Egg In A Jar from their brunch menu. Braised smoked bacon, gouda potatoes, a poached egg, and a side of sourdough toast create what I like to think of as a fall hug in a jar. The braised smoke bacon melts in your mouth. Adding it on top of the sourdough toast creates the perfect crunch. The flavor profile you get from each bite is outstanding. Warm. Comforting. Creamy. Savory. Satisfying.
If open, I highly suggest asking for a table on their east-facing patio. It overlooks all of Bridgepark, as well as breathtaking views of the trees changing for fall. The dreamiest of views.
Address: 88 N. High Street, Dublin, OH 43017
Website | Instagram
COVID-19 Response
Katalina’s
Katalina’s, located in Harrison West and Clintonville, is a Columbus favorite and for a good reason. Katalina’s brings us a creative menu, focusing on local and seasoning offerings while putting their spin on homemade dishes. For example, – everyone likes pancakes and Pumpkin-Apple Butter, right? Well, they take it to the next level. They created. Yes, this is a real thing. Served alongside their homemade sweet ‘N’ Spicy Bacon and syrup, it is something you don’t want to miss and positively screams fall.
Address:
Harrison West: 1105 Pennsylvania Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
Clintonville: 3481 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214
Website | Instagram
Both locations have patios open. You can order online for take-out/curbside or delivery. As of October 12th, Katalina’s, Too! in Clintonville re-opened for indoor dining. New barriers now separate each table and they’ve installed a top-of-the-line air filtration system. Masks are still required while guests are not seated.
Sassafras Bakery
A quaint bakery in Worthington serving hand-crafted breakfast, inventive sandwiches, and an ever-changing bakery case – Sassafras Bakery uses only the finest ingredients, sourced locally where possible. You can taste the love they pour into their baking with every bite. While you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu, the fall highlight for me is their pies. Whether you’re ordering a piece of their signature apple or salty Ohio honey pie or their seasonal Buttermilk Pecan or Bourbon Pumpkin Tart, you’re sure to leave feeling satisfied and comforted from the inside out.
Address: 657 High St, Worthington, OH 43085
Website | Instagram
Currently, you may not dine inside the bakery. One party is allowed inside to order at a time. They do have a carry-out window, as well as online ordering.
The Two-One Restaurant
The Two-One Restaurant is a unique spot here in Central Ohio. Located in The Renaissance Hotel in Westerville, a fresh, locally sourced farmer’s market-inspired creations menu is served in a welcoming, warm and relaxing environment that offers a “day at the lake” experience any day of the week. They’ve recently released their fall menu, and it might be hard to choose just one thing to order. I’ve picked out two to get you started that will give you that wonderful fall feeling.
First – A bowl of homemade white bean soup with jalapeño cornbread crumble. Nothing is better on a chilly fall day than a nice warm bowl of soup. One bursting with flavor is just a bonus.
Second – Spoon Bread: Jalapeno Cornbread with candied bacon and whipped honey butter. Are you drooling? Because I sure am. All of the textures and flavors in one bite? Sign me up!
If you get there before it gets too cold, they have a fantastic outdoor area – patio tables, comfortable seating, fire pits, lawn games, and gorgeous views. It is also an excellent place for a staycation as it is located in the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel.
Address: 409 Altair Pkwy, Westerville, OH 43082
Website | Instagram
The Chocolate Cafe
The Chocolate Cafe is a hidden gem tucked away in the Grandview Heights/Upper Arlington area. Don’t let the name fool you. They go way beyond chocolate. They have an excellent menu made up of fresh soups, salads, and sandwiches, as well as a fully stacked boutique bar of wine and spirits. With that being said, as the name might suggest, you will find tons and tons of delicious, mind-blowing desserts.
Right now, they have added a few fall-inspired features to their menu that make sure you know it is pumpkin season! Soups such as lobster bisque, beef chili, and butternut squash. An apple pie milkshake that you can turn boozy. A fall club sandwich made up of turkey, ham, bacon, brie, and crisp apples. But, my favorite? The Fall Harvest Salad. I could not move this combo of romaine lettuce, chicken, diced apple, pecans, bleu cheese crumble more. Tossed in balsamic dressing, this salad is packed with color fall flavors and is sure to become a fall staple around here.
Tip: Make sure you pick up a few Pumpkin Oreos and a Chaider {Perfect mix of apple cider and chai} to-go.
Address: 1855 Northwest Blvd., Columbus, Ohio
Website | Instagram
They have increased sanitation procedures, spaced out their tables and are wearing masks + gloves. You can dine inside, on their patio or place an order over the phone at (614) 485-2233 or order on their website! They offer delivery through most delivery services.
The Roosevelt Coffeehouse
You can typically find me with a cup of coffee in my hand any time of year, but there is something extra comforting and special about enjoying a hot mug in the morning or afternoon on a chilly fall day, don’t you agree? The Roosevelt Coffeehouse has the most beautiful drink for any fall day. Their seasonal S’ moretado is a shot of espresso + warm milk, typically served in a glass with chocolate and crumbled graham cracker rim, and topped off with a torched marshmallow. While you can still get the torched marshmallow and all the other deliciousness, it is going to be served of a to-go cup.
If you’re not a coffee drinker, another fan favorite is the Chaider. Organic Apple Cider and our Masala Chai make the perfect pairing
Address:
300 E. Long Street
462 W. Broad Street at Gravity
Website | Instagram
COVID-19 Guidelines
Sunny Street Cafe
Sunny Street Café was started by a dad with the idea to create feel-good food for good people. Today, it is run by his daughter and two sons with that same intention and it is exactly what you get from their food, especially their pancakes. One bite in, and not only do you feel good; you’re transported right back to your childhood kitchen on a Saturday morning, watching the leaves fall and waiting for your dad to finishing making the pancakes.
Sunny Street offers two fall-inspired pancakes: Pumpkin and Cinnamon Roll. The pumpkin pancakes are created from a special made-from-scratch pumpkin spice batter cooked to golden, fluffy perfection.
The real game changer for both pancakes comes when you top them with cinnamon butter and tres leches sauce.
{Pumpkin pancakes are seasonal. Cinnamon Roll pancakes are always on the menu}
There are multiple locations throughout Central Ohio. Click here to find the closest location.
Website | Instagram
Donna’s Delicious Dozen
Made-to-order donuts with a variey of icings, drizzles, and toppings, this locally owned donut shop in the Gahanna area is sure to help you with your donut fix this fall. While you ulimtately decide how to top you’re donut, they have some delicious suggestions perfect for fall.
I highly suggest the Pumpkin Pie donut. It is topped with a delicious pumpkin puree, whip cream, and a dash on cinnamon!
Address: 5322 N Hamilton Rd, Columbus, OH 43230
Website | Instagram
La Chatelaine
La Chatelaine is a wonderful French restaurant in the heart of Worthington. Inside you’ll find wood-beamed ceilings and fireplaces creating a cozy, warm and rustic atmosphere – perfect for enjoying during the cooler fall days. While the ambiance is lovely, the French pastries & meals are even better. My favorite thing to order besides every single pastry is the soups. They are divine, especially their seasonal Pumpkin soup. It is warm, creamy, a bit savory with a subtle sweetness, perfectly spiced, and overall bursting with flavor – the perfect balance between comfort, satisfaction, and festivity.
Before you leave, make sure to grab a Pumpkin Tart and a glass of apple cider.
Address: 627 High St, Worthington, OH 43085
They have two other locations in Central Ohio.
Upper Arlington: 1550 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43221
Dublin: 65 W. Bridge Street, Dublin, OH 43017
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Each location offers patio seating, mask requirement, spaced out tables and markings on the ground to social distance. You may also order online for to-go orders.
Cakes by Kat Bake Shop
Cakes By Kat Bake Shop specializes in gourmet sweets that taste as good as they look, maybe even better! While you can’t go wrong with anything they create, the pumpkin pie sugar cookies are the perfect treat for the changing season + they’re so much fun. Mixed with their signature Vanilla almond flavor and decorated to look like a pumpkin pie, these cookies are the be-all and end-all of sugar cookies. I absolutely love the addition of almond, and the cute design tops it off.
Website | Instagram
Online Ordering
Looking for a Foodie Roadtrip around Ohio? Check out these 14 stops put together by Ohio. Find it here.
Just remember, when traveling through our beautiful state that you wear your mask.
