Columbus’ food scene ranked top in the nation by USA TODAY

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• USA TODAY readers ranked four Columbus food hubs among the best in the nation.
• Budd Dairy Food Hall, a renovated milk processing plant, ranked No. 4 for Best Food Hall.
• Worthington Farmers Market, known as central Ohio’s largest, ranked No. 5 for Best Farmers Market.

Columbus is the city for foodies.

Don’t just take Dispatch dining reporter Bob Vitale’s word for it; USA TODAY readers ranked four food hubs among the best in the nation in a new 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards poll.

With Columbus being home to a vibrant multicultural community, you can find anything from authentic Mexican taquerias, Indian naan bread, fresh sushi and traditional German and Italian dishes just about anywhere, not to mention a growing Yemeni cafe scene to wash it all down.

As a melting pot for small-family businesses with brick-and-mortar spots popping up everywhere, the city never runs out of new food to eat.

Best Food Hall: Budd Dairy Food Hall ranks No. 4

Originally a milk processing plant, Budd Dairy Food Hall was transformed into a food hub in 2021. The building is now known for housing 10 kitchens, including the Hatch, which is a revolving pop-up restaurant that features up-and-coming Columbus-area chefs. 

Located in Italian Village at 1086 N. Fourth St., the food hall features Modern Southern Table, The Cheesecake Girl, Cluck Norris, Pokebap and Tacos Rudos. Borgata Pizza Cafe announced its closure April 6 without a known vendor to take its spot.

Best Farmers Market: Worthington Farmers Market ranks No. 5

The Worthington Farmer’s Market is open year-round at The Shops at Worthington Place, 7227 N. High St., and takes its 100 vendors outdoors during the summer season at the Old Worthington Historical District.

Also known as central Ohio’s largest farmers market, this community gathering was established in 1987 and offers everything from locally grown fruits and vegetables, high-quality meats and jams, cheeses, honey, maple syrup and eggs, all locally produced.

This year’s market will open May 3 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Best Public Market: North Market Downtown ranks No. 6

Columbus’ Downtown North Market, 59 Spruce St., opened in 1876 and is made up of local merchants and farmers offering a wide variety of food from Hoyo’s Kitchen and Marlow’s Cheesesteaks to Littleton’s Market Bakery and Lan Viet Market.

The market has enough indoor dining space to spend an afternoon, and there’s also a satellite location 15 miles north in the town of Dublin.

Best Food Tour: Columbus Food Adventures ranks No. 7

Columbus Food Adventures offers insight to the city’s vibrant dining scene with public and private tours and fun food scavenger hunt activities.

Launched in 2010, the tour offers neighborhood walking tours, van tours and beverage tours of 11 experiences perfect for visitors and locals who are looking to taste diverse foods.

Trending features reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at [email protected].