Where To Dine During Exhibit Columbus

Exhibit Columbus opens to the public August 26, providing ample eye candy for self-guided walking tours of 18 new site-specific public art installations designed with the city’s notable architectural heritage in mind. Heading to check out the opening weekend? You’re bound to work up an appetite appreciating all that art and architecture. These are a few of the best spots in town to refuel.
Upland Columbus Pump House
Sitting pretty on the banks of the White River in a repurposed 1903 Columbus landmark facility, the Pump House’s outdoor patio is prime property for sipping pints of Champagne Velvet and Dragonfly IPA when the weather’s nice. Upland partners with Exhibit Columbus to host weekly “Drinking About Design” meetups on Thursday afternoons throughout the exhibition, featuring a happy hour followed by presentations from world-class architects, artists and designers. Don’t forget to pick up a limited-edition EC commemorative beer stein as a souvenir.
148 Lindsey St., uplandbeer.com
Lucabe Coffee Co.
Rise and grind. A recent addition to Columbus’ vibrant downtown, Lucabe has quickly established itself as a destination of choice for a diverse clientele of caffeine fans, all looking to catch a buzz. The white subway tile interior sets a sophisticated stage for blackberry vanilla lattes and other coffee drinks made with responsibly sourced beans roasted by Louisville-based Sunergos, in addition to a thoughtful selection of baked goods, paninis and light brunch/lunch bites.
310 4th St., lucabecoffeeco.com
Henry Social Club
A filming site for the newly released Columbus indie flick, this buzzy hotspot gives fine dining a thorough modern makeover by reinterpreting — and upgrading — familiar dishes like deviled eggs, filet mignon, fried chicken, baked cod and butterscotch pudding in deliciously inventive ways. Creative cocktails like the “Right Reverend,” a newfangled spin on an Old Fashioned with housemade cherry bitters, are the icing on the (flourless chocolate) cake. Lunch service kicks off next week to coincide with the Exhibit Columbus opening.
423 Washington St., henrysocialclub.com

Zwanzigz Pizza and Brewing
Pizza and beer. Pairings don’t get much more perfect than this. Columbus’s friendly hometown pizzeria since 2002, Zwanzigz added microbrewing operations to the mix in 2012. Sip and sample from more than 20 craft beers on tap including a honey wheat ale, Triple Z IPA, a ghost pepper imperial stout, and an award-winning chocolate beer that’s tasty enough to sub in for dessert. Lest teetotalers feel left out, Zwanzigz also offers four non-alcoholic craft sodas.
1038 Lafayette Ave., zwanzigz.com
Thai Connection
Feast on authentic Thai cuisine like Panang curry, tom ka gai, padd seuw, roast duck in tamarind sauce at this highly regarded new downtown eatery. A sleek aesthetic and chic neutral decor help Thai Connection fit right into its new home in design-savvy downtown Columbus.
527 Washington St.
Zaharakos
No visit to Columbus is complete without a retro sweet treat at this heady century-old ice cream parlor. Belly up to the marble-topped counter and indulge in an old-school shake, float, malt or sundae (served with a little sauce boat of extra caramel or hot fudge on the side, natch) as the handsomely restored Welte Orchestrion plays on.
329 Washington St., zaharakos.com