Everybody has an opinion about the best restaurant in Columbus. So we let the diners decide.

Columbus Times ranked restaurants in Columbus, Phenix City and nearby Harris County by their Google rating, the star score left by people who actually ate there. To make the list, a restaurant needed at least 500 reviews, so a handful of glowing reviews from friends and family couldn't push a place to the top. Ties were broken by the number of reviews.

The result: a list that runs from a Phenix City breakfast counter to a candlelit Pine Mountain steakhouse, with plenty of Uptown in between.

1. Charred Oak Kitchen + Bar: 4.8 stars (3,300+ reviews)

📍 3501 Massee Lane, Suite G, Columbus · 762-524-7124

No restaurant in the area has a higher rating with more reviews. Diners rave about the ribeye, shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes, and the bourbon list draws its own fans. Reviewers also call out the staff by name, which tells you something about the service. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

2. Cafe 431: 4.8 stars (1,100+ reviews)

📍 3211 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway S., Unit F, Phenix City · 334-291-1250

The only breakfast spot on the list, and one of only three restaurants with a 4.8. Diners love the homemade biscuits, corned beef hash and pancakes, the generous portions and the fair prices.

3. Carriage & Horses: 4.8 stars (500+ reviews)

📍 607 Butts Mill Road, Pine Mountain · 706-663-4777

Worth the drive up to Harris County for a special night out. Carriage & Horses serves steaks and seafood in a Victorian country house setting near Callaway Gardens. It's dinner only, and reservations are required.

4. King Claw Juicy Seafood & Bar: 4.7 stars (2,900+ reviews)

📍 1591 Bradley Park Drive, Suite F5, Columbus · 706-507-3845

Grab a bib. King Claw serves Cajun-style seafood boils by the bag: shrimp, snow crab, crawfish, sausage, corn and potatoes, with your choice of seasoning and spice level. It's the second-most-reviewed restaurant on this list.

5. Mabella's Italian Steakhouse: 4.7 stars (1,800+ reviews)

📍 14 W. 11th St., Uptown Columbus · 706-940-0070

An Uptown date-night standby. Diners recommend the steaks, salmon and lasagna, and say the cheesecake is a must. The wine and cocktail list gets high marks too. Dinner only. (Mabella's also has a Midland location at 6835 Midland Commons Blvd.)

6. Eatz On The Corner: 4.7 stars (1,400+ reviews)

📍 100 N. Commerce Ave., Pine Mountain · 706-489-3244

A small-town spot with a big following, Eatz serves American and Caribbean-inspired dishes made to order. Regulars recommend the shrimp and grits, burgers and a dessert called the "apple cream bomb."

7. Saltcellar: 4.7 stars (1,200+ reviews)

📍 1039 First Ave., Uptown Columbus · 706-507-1308

Uptown's seafood destination and a favorite for date nights and celebrations. Reviewers single out the scallops and salmon. Saltcellar is open for dinner, so check its hours before you go.

8. The Animal Farm: 4.7 stars (1,000+ reviews)

📍 105 12th St., Uptown Columbus · 706-507-9380

Casual, Southern-inspired and a popular brunch stop. Diners name the shrimp burger, crab dip and banana pudding, along with the cocktails and generous portions.

9. Moore's Whistling Pig Cafe: 4.7 stars (750+ reviews)

📍 572 S. Main St., Pine Mountain · 706-663-4647

The barbecue pick. Diners line up for the pulled pork, brisket and "Q-taters," with Brunswick stew and slaw on the side. Expect a line, but reviewers say it moves fast.

10. Gabagool: 4.7 stars (500+ reviews)

📍 1232 Broadway, Uptown Columbus · 706-507-0070

The newest name on many Columbus diners' lists. Gabagool serves Italian comfort food: homemade pasta, chicken parmesan and mozzarella sticks, in generous portions. Diners call it a great pick for a date night or a family dinner.

Just missed the list

• Epic Restaurant (1201 Front Ave.): 4.7 stars with 514 reviews. It missed the No. 10 spot by two reviews. It's the area's top fine-dining room.
• The Black Cow (115 12th St.): 4.5 stars, but with 3,600+ reviews, it's the most-reviewed restaurant in Columbus.
• Frank's Alley (1246 Broadway) and Kalani's Hawaiian Style Cafe (711 13th St.): both earned 4.8 stars, but with fewer than 500 reviews, they didn't qualify. Yet.
• Hunters Pub and Steakhouse (Harris County): 4.6 stars from 1,100+ diners.

How we ranked them

• Rating: each restaurant's Google star rating as of Oct. 7, 2026. Ratings change as new reviews come in.
• Minimum of 500 reviews, so the list reflects a wide range of diners.
• Ties were broken by the number of reviews.
• Area: Columbus, Phenix City and Harris County. We left out coffee shops and dessert-only spots.
• No restaurant paid to be on this list.

Think we missed one? Tell us your favorite Columbus-area restaurant at [email protected]. We may include it in a future story.

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