🍴9 Iconic Diners In Columbus That We All Know And Love

Plus: 🍗 A Southern Fast Food Spot Is Expanding To Ohio

Author

Chelsea Wiley
November 06, 2025

In partnership with

Sponsored by Columbus Recreation and Parks ⛄️
❄️ Kick off the holiday season at WinterFest Columbus! Head to Bicentennial Park on Dec. 6 for a day of live music, seasonal craft beers, and bites from some of the city’s favorite food trucks. Presented by Columbus Recreation and Parks, this free downtown festival is the perfect way to celebrate winter on the Scioto Mile. For more info, head over to winterfestcolumbus.com

Hello, Thursday! Chelsea here.

Nothing hits quite like a diner breakfast, and Columbus has no shortage of spots that serve up nostalgia on a plate. From classic corner booths to modern takes on comfort food, these diners are where the coffee’s hot, the portions are generous, and the vibe feels just right. We’ve rounded up the city’s best, from old-school staples to hidden gems… you just need to pick a booth and dig in.

🍗 Zaxby’s Is Bringing Its Southern-Style Chicken To Columbus And Dayton
Zaxby’s is expanding into central Ohio with new locations planned for Columbus and Dayton. The fast-growing chain, known for its Chicken Fingerz, wings, and signature sauces, is part of a larger Midwest growth plan and promises the same Southern-style menu it’s famous for nationwide.

🏰 Lost Mansions Of Columbus: The Frisbie Mansion
Back in the late 1800s, Columbus had a mansion so big it made your house feel like a shoebox. Built for Mary Frisbie and later home to arts patron Frederick Schumacher, this stone-clad beauty was the city’s way of saying, “Yes, we do grandeur.” It’s a glimpse at a Columbus that’s long gone but still fun to imagine.

Headlines 📰 

👏 Matter News is kicking off its annual NewsMatch fundraiser, and there’s never been a better time to support independent, local journalism in Columbus. Every donation through the end of December will be matched dollar for dollar, helping this nonprofit newsroom keep its reporting free and accessible to all. You can read more from Editor Andy Downing here. (Matter News)

🦃 If you’re the kind of person who loves dropping random facts at the dinner table, this one’s for you. The Ohio History Connection breaks down everything you didn’t know (and maybe didn’t need to know) about turkey bones, wishbones, and why you’re sleepy after dinner. (Ohio History)

🤔 Tiara Ross won her Columbus City Council race even though her opponent, Jesse Vogel, got more votes within District 7. Experts say the city’s “at-large” voting system (where all Columbus residents vote for every district seat) helped tip the scales in Ross’s favor. (NBC4)

🌤️ Weather: 57 and mostly sunny

Sponsored by North Market 🍴
Taste, sip, and celebrate local flavor at the 2025 Taste of the Market at North Market Bridge Park! Sample exclusive small bites from the market’s best merchants, enjoy live music, and try your luck at casino tables with prizes. VIP tickets include early access and special tastings. For more info, please click here.

Coming Up 📆

Today's Photo 🤳

😍 I’m really going to miss all of the fall colors. A cold snap is headed our way that’s going to feel a lot more like winter than fall, so get out there and enjoy these sunny, autumn days while you still can.

Want your photo to be featured? Use #columbusnavigator or tag us!

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- Chelsea