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    10 New & Recently Opened Restaurants in Central Ohio

    In the Columbus dining scene, there’s always something new to try (or somewhere new to imbibe)! Catch up on some of the expansions, reopenings and new restaurant debuts from the last few months that might have missed the headlines the first time around. A by no means exhaustive list of what’s new, check out some other new and coming-soon eateries and take a peek at 2021’s openings for even more new spots to try.

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    Agapé
    5010 N Hamilton Rd. – Gahanna

    Fast-casual Mediterranean eatery Agapé opened its second Central Ohio location in Gahanna in early November. Joining the Westerville original, Agapé offers a build-your-own menu of pitas, salads and bowls topped with fresh ingredients with Greek flavors.

    Agapé is open from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily.

    For more information, visit agapeeats.com.

    Big Bang
    1516 N. High St. – University District

    Dueling piano bar Big Bang made the jump to the University District, reopening in its new home in early October. After a decade plus run in the Arena District, Big Bang closed its original Columbus location at the onset of the pandemic. Now, it takes over the former home of Chumley’s. (And the Arena District isn’t without the entertainment option as Howl at the Moon swooped in.)

    Big Bang is open Thursday to Saturday from 7 p.m. – 2 a.m.

    For more information, visit thebigbangbarcolumbus.com.

    Bleu & Fig
    1160 W. Broad St. – Franklinton (Inside Jubilee Market & Cafe)

    After offering its eats through a grab-and-go case for the last year and a half, caterer Bleu & Fig has made things more permanent, opening a cafe inside the Jubilee Market in Franklinton.

    Bleu & Fig will keep stocking its popular grab-and-go items, but also offer a salad bar and full menu of cafe-style eats including sandwiches and sides. Don’t skip dessert – there’s sweets and soft serve ice cream to be had as well.

    The Bleu & Fig cafe is open from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.

    For more information, visit bleuandfig.com.

    Drunchies
    3582 Trabue Rd. – Quarry Area

    Move aside, brunch. Drunchies has entered the scene to quell any drunk munchies. Setting up shop inside The Quarry Co. Bar & Grill, Drunchies offers a menu of bar fare that spans loaded fries, pretzel sticks, onion rings and more “first rounds,” as well as a full lineup of wings, burgers and entrees including sandwiches, mac & cheese, tacos and more.

    Drunchies is serving eats from 12 – 11 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.

    For more information, follow Drunchies on Facebook.

    Jet’s Pizza
    50 E. Nationwide Blvd. – Downtown (Convention Center)

    Jet’s is now supplying Downtown with its deep dish, Detroit-style pizza. The pizza chain opened its 18th area location earlier this fall at the Convention Center, with number 19 on deck, coming soon to 5953 Sunbury Rd. in Westerville.

    Jet’s is slinging pies from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

    For more information, visit jetspizza.com.

    Josie’s Pizza
    894 W. Broad St. – Franklinton

    Franklinton favorite Josie’s Pizza is once again slinging pies in the neighborhood. After announcing their closure in late January, the pizza joint moved up the street and reopened its doors in September.

    Find a lineup of classic pies – pepperoni, Hawaiian, meat lovers, veggie and more – along with subs, salads, appetizers and Italian dinners like spaghetti and meatballs.

    Josie’s is open from 4 – 10 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. Friday and 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. Saturday.

    For more information, visit theoriginaljosiespizza.com.

    Kitchen Social
    6791 Longshore St. – Dublin (Bridge Park)

    As of early November, Kitchen Social officially has two locations in Central Ohio – its Polaris original and new digs at Dublin’s Bridge Park.

    Kitchen Social’s menu spans starters like their signature Cheddar + Scallion Biscuits, Nachos, Wings, Eggplant Meatballs and more. In the entrees department there are steaks, chicken, poké, pasta and more, along with sandwiches, pizza and salads – plus a few dishes that are exclusive to the Bridge Park menu. The bar also offers an extensive selection of cocktails and wine.

    Kitchen Social is open from 3 – 9 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sunday. Brunch runs from open to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

    For more information, visit ourkitchensocial.com.

    Moran’s Bar & Grille
    415 N. Front St. – Arena District

    The latest addition to the Matt & Tony’s restaurant group, Moran’s Bar & Grille set up shop inside the former home of The Half Pint in the Arena District. Opening in mid-September, Moran’s offers starters like Spinach & Artichoke Dip or Jalapeño Cheddar Hushpuppies. Moving along the menu, there’s a handful of salads, a hearty lineup of sandwiches, pastas, and mains spanning an NY Strip to grilled salmon, or tacos, burritos and a quesadilla.

    There’s a mocktail menu, or for the imbibing, happy hour runs from 3 – 7 p.m. Monday to Friday.

    Moran’s is open from 11 a.m – 9 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

    For more information, visit moransbarandgrille.com.

    Off Center Patio & Pub
    5286 Center St. – Hilliard

    The owners of the South Side’s Community Grounds have debuted a new project in Hilliard. Off Center Patio & Pub has taken over the former home of Benito’s Restaurant Bar & Grill with a pizza-focused menu of Napoli and NY style pies. Bonus! Off Center is aimed towards vegetarian and vegan creations. The menu also features calzones, with salads, pastas and more appetizers on deck.

    Off Center is currently operating as takeout and delivery-only, but plans to keep expanding their menu and offer dine-in seating in early 2022.

    The pizzeria is currently open from 4 – 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

    For more information, follow Off Center Patio & Pub on Facebook.

    Sono Wood Fired
    4055 The Strand W – Easton

    A summer newcomer at Easton, Sono Wood Fired is now serving the shopping masses with its extensive menu of Italian, wood-fired fare. Find a lineup of starters and salads, along with sandwiches and entrees like Lamb Rib Chops, Porchetta, Wood Fired Chicken and more. In the pizza department, there’s everything from a classic Margherita, to Prosciutto, Wild Mushroom and Shrimp pies. Don’t skip dessert with a variety of Italian specialities or sip on an extensive menu of beer, wine, cocktails and liquor.

    The Tuscan-inspired eatery is an import from Chicago, marking the restaurant’s second location nationwide.

    Sono is open from 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday.

    For more information, visit Sono’s website.

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    Susan Post
    Susan Post
    Susan is the editor of The Metropreneur and associate editor of Columbus Underground, and also covers small business and entrepreneurial news and the food scene in Central Ohio.Susan holds a degree in Communication with a minor in Professional Writing from The Ohio State University. She sits on the board of the Central Ohio Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and loves coffee, whiskey, cooking and spending time with friends and family.
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