Where to Eat in German Village: The Definitive Restaurant & Dining Guide

Schmidt's Restaurant und Sausage Haus has occupied a converted livery stable on East Kossuth Street since 1967, serving bratwurst and cream puffs to generations of Columbus residents. It is the most famous restaurant in German Village, but it is far from the only reason to eat here. The neighborhood's dining scene now spans from white-tablecloth seasonal cooking to dive bar burgers to late-night Asian-fusion, all within walking distance on brick-paved streets.

The Institutions

Schmidt's Restaurant und Sausage Haus

The Schmidt family has been part of Columbus's German heritage for over 130 years. The restaurant, with its live polka music and bahama mama sausages, leans into the heritage tourism angle, but the food holds up. The half-pound cream puffs are legitimately excellent, and the sausage platter is exactly what it should be. It is the one restaurant every visitor should try once.

The Thurman Cafe

Operating since 1942 on Thurman Avenue, this is Columbus's most famous burger joint. The Thurminator, a towering multi-patty construction, has appeared on national food shows and generates a line out the door on weekends. The bar itself is unremarkable. The burgers are not.

The Modern Scene

Sycamore

A neighborhood bistro on Mohawk Street with a menu that changes with the seasons. Chefs Jackie Heaphy and Ben Perez source locally where possible and execute at a level that would be noteworthy in any city. The streetside patio is one of the best outdoor dining spots in Columbus.

Barcelona

Spanish-inspired tapas and a wine list deep enough to get lost in. The atmosphere splits the difference between date night and neighborhood gathering spot, and the weekend brunch draws a devoted crowd.

South Village Grille

Modern American cooking with European technique. The menu runs from wood-fired pizzas through steaks and fresh oysters. The setting, in a converted German Village building, pairs well with the cooking's mix of tradition and ambition.

Cento

Italian-inspired cooking in a warm, inviting space. Cento's pasta program is among the better ones in Columbus, and the wine list favors interesting Italian producers over obvious choices.

Late Night and Casual

Cobra

Asian-American-inspired food and creative cocktails served late into the night. The vibe is relaxed and the kitchen stays open past the point when most German Village restaurants have closed, making it the neighborhood's de facto late-night destination.

The Old Mohawk

This building started as a general store in 1906 and became a speakeasy in 1928. Today it operates as a neighborhood bar with a surprisingly diverse menu ranging from Mexican to classic American. The physical space, with its massive bar and historic character, is worth the visit alone.

Coffee and Bakeries

The coffee scene deserves its own treatment. Stauf's, Fox in the Snow, Winans, and the German Village Coffee Shop each occupy distinct niches. For a ranked list, see our 10 best German Village restaurants.