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    Northstar Café

    4.3 (1.4k reviews)
    Open 8:30 am - 10:30 pm

    Northstar Café Photos

    Business Info

    NORTHSTAR CAFÉ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Northstar Café

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    Buddha Bowl
    Tylee W.

    The buddha bowl with tofu was delicious!! I love all of the components in the dish and each one was cooked perfectly, the peanut sauce was the perfect pairing! Great light and tasty dish! Everyone enjoyed their food and the staff is friendly!

    Julie F.

    North Star is an Ohio classic. If you're looking for a nicer fast restaurant to visit on your lunch break this is the place! Even though there isn't any waiter service most of the time, the ambiance is still elevated since the food is so good and the decor is classy. My go-to is the Thai peanut burrito, but they have your classic burgers and breakfast sandwiches too! Overall one of my favorite spots in the city.

    Brunch Chopped Salad
    Anvaya N.

    Overall, Northstar Café is one of my favorite places. It has a great atmosphere and is always a fun, upbeat place to dine. The staff and energy are consistently positive, and their kitchen runs impressively well stations are well staffed, things move efficiently, and they genuinely make an effort to get food out quickly without sacrificing quality. Everything is consistently delicious, and in all the years the Beechwold location has been open, I've never had a bad meal. On the rare occasions when something hasn't gone quite right, the manager has immediately offered a complimentary meal card without any prompting. That's been my experience across multiple Northstar locations over the last 10 years, and it really says a lot about how they value their customers. They're also very accommodating. Once, I tried to place an online order right during the transition from brunch to dinner. The manager told me to come in and said they'd still make the brunch item I was craving and they also made me a dinner item (the mushroom frittata ). That kind of flexibility and care is exactly why people keep coming back Over the years, and especially post-pandemic, prices have definitely gone up. I'll admit I had a bit of sticker shock the first time I visited after reopening. That said, the quality and portion sizes haven't been compromised, which matters a lot to me. They also removed Beechwood salad from their menu is was one their bestselling. You can lose customers by cutting corners or using cheaper ingredients or you can adapt to the times while maintaining standards. Northstar has clearly chosen the latter.

    Tania M.

    The restaurant is absolutely charming, with a mix of tables and cozy booths. There's outdoor seating, an upstairs area, and a lovely decor. The staff was incredibly friendly, and the food was magnificent. We stopped in for a late breakfast--my friends ordered a wrap and a deluxe egg sandwich, and I had the ham and cheese scone. I never thought I could love a scone so much! I was hoping for a larger coffee selection, as there were only three drip options at a self-serve station, but everything else more than made up for it. When we left, they even had a fireplace going outside, which was such a warm and welcoming touch.

    Northstar Burger
    Nick S.

    Northstar is a Columbus Staple! This is another spot that if you have a guest coming in from out of town that wants a taste of Columbus; you have to come here; their brunch is undefeated! The service is always quick & incredibly friendly, & the food is delicious! My absolute favorite item is the smoothie bowl; it's blueberry heaven. The hash and ham and cheese scone are great breakfast picks if you're craving something a little more savory! The Northstar Burger is a hit as well, and the Earth Day freebie for this item is just another reason why Northstar is so fantastic!

    Front
    Art D.

    Overall ok but not impressed. Parking is on the street at a meter. I can see parking being an issue if and when the area gets busy. Service is okay you pay at the counter and they bring you the food so difficult to have bad service. The food is expensive bowel of chili, burrito, juice, beer, soda and cider with a 15% tip $80! Overall I would not visit again however I would not not suggest it. I would say good atmosphere, friendly people but that is it.

    Ordering counter
    Adriana T.

    Went here which a group of 9 ladies and we lucked out with two booths next to each other. It's an order and then seat yourself kind of place. The waitstaff was wonderful - super efficient. I ordered the sweet potato hash and it was delicious! There's street parking and self serve coffee!

    Classic Cheeseburger, Deluxe Sandwich, Hot Apple Cider, Green Smoothie
    Sydni G.

    Cute little spot! Came here for brunch on a Saturday and it was pretty packed but we were still able to find a table. Parking was a breeze due to the garage right across the street. I had the deluxe breakfast sandwich and it was delicious! The ciabatta was so yummy. The hot apple cider was super tasty and I am looking forward to the next time I go just so I can drink this again!

    Omelette with mushrooms and cheese.
    John D.

    Wow!! This is a great place for breakfast/brunch. We were on our way out of town after the 2025 CrossFit Age Group Games and needed breakfast for the road. This place was perfect because you order at the counter and then have a seat, so it can be a somewhat quick stop if that's what you need. They serve Counter Culture coffee. So, needless to say the regular brew here is delish!!! After a short wait, our food arrived at the table. The presentation was top notch, the dishes were beautiful, so first impressions were good. The quality of ingredients and seasoning was outstanding. The sweet potatoes and smoked turkey was dressed with roasted red peppers that added just a hint of "heat" to the flavor profile. The eggs were cooked just right with the runny yolks spreading over the dish. WONDERFUL. The only other item I tasted was a bite of my son's biscuit. It was fantastic, buttery, flaky, and melt in your mouth good. This is THE PLACE if you're in the Short North area or nearby at the Conventon Center.

    Classic Cheeseburger with no tomato (and fries)
    Schyler B.

    Great service! Clean and calm environment! The cheese burger I had was superb!!!! I will definitely be coming back here again! 10/10 Great place for a date, birthday or taking your family out to eat!

    Fresh Buttermilk Biscuit with Jam
    Esther P.

    I will always love the food, service, and how dog friendly this place is. I don't have many friends so I tend to go out to eat alone with my dog a lot and they've never given me any issues over coming in with my dog to stand in line and order food then head out to the patio which I appreciate. Aside from service always being great they have amazing orange juice and every menu item I've had tastes great.

    Cloud nine pancakes, sunrise burrito, oats all the way
    Molly M.

    Oh how I love this place. This place has probably my favorite breakfast of all time. I order their sunrise burrito and it is perfection. Crispy hashbrowns, black beans, eggs, it has it all. Their cloud nine pancakes are something I dream about. If you're in the mood for oatmeal, their oats all the way is amazing. I have come for their lunch once and it wasn't as good as their breakfast menu in my opinion. There is a lot of seating, though it is always very busy for weekend brunch! It is always popping on the weekends, so be on the look out for a table when you walk in.

    Sweet Basil Burrito
    Amber G.

    Wow just wow! My sister was even impressed! She had the basil wrap and loved it. I didn't try it but I rarely see her finish a meal and she did. The sweet potato fries with the rosemary aioli was soooooooo sooooooo good! One of the best mixed with aioli that I've had. I had the fish sandwich, and it was perfection. I love that it was grilled and not fried. Perfectly seasoned. Perfectly cooked. And HUGE! One of the biggest pieces of fish ever. It all was amazing Only thing I didn't like is that you order and then find a seat. And they were pretty busy. I'd go back for sure

    Classic Cheeseburger

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    Everything is great! Never disappoints. I highly recommend. It's a bit on the pricey side but totally worth it . The food is high quality

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    4 months ago

    Such a good casual place to come eat, prices are affordable and food is spectacular!!

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    Page 1 of 36

    Ask the Community - Northstar Café

    Are dogs allowed on the patio?

    I do believe so -- as long as they are leashed. Sorry for the delay in getting back in touch -- have a great weekend!

    View All 3 Questions

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    Agni

    Agni

    4.7
    (88 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$$$

    Agni delivered the PERFECT experience for my 20th anniversary I couldn't have loved the evening or…read morethe meal more. We sat at the chef's counter and I fear it has ruined me for all future visits. The kitchen is on the smaller side so it's only a 2 person counter. Perfect for truly being in the middle of the action and getting to interact with all of the amazing creators bringing the meal to life. Warning - the counter sits directly across from the grill so be prepared to get a little warm. They take good care of you with several cooling elements though. It's difficult to name a favorite bite. All so interesting and delicious!

    For me, Agni was a completely new and unique experience that I will recommend to anyone who likes a…read morefood adventure. The experience wasn't completely flawless, but I don't really care. My wife and I started dinner at 5:45 and didn't leave until 8:45 and it was a lovely evening. We chatted for hours, sampled some absolutely delicious food, and just generally relaxed. We had a lovely server, but to say it was just a single person would do the staff injustice. I feel like every single employee in the place waited on us. All of the staff were knowledgable and gave off pretty cool, chill vibes. Three hours is a long meal, but the pacing was superb. Courses didn't come out like beats on a metronome. Rather, the pacing was changed to meet the waxing and waning excitement for the next plate of an absolutely enormous amount of food. The appetizers came in at a measured pace, the mains slowed, and then deserts were served rapid fire. Between courses, staff might stop by for a quit chat before moving on to the next pressing matter. Lots of staff offered their thoughts on their favorite dishes or suggestions on how a plate my be best enjoyed. The whole experience lacked any pressure or pretense. There were fine dining touches such as replacement of my wife's napkin after she stepped away for a break, but it felt more like eating at a cool friends house than it did eating in the ballroom of a palace. Do you know what I mean? You aren't going to Agni for opulence. You are going for a cool exciting food adventure that you aren't going to get many places and certainly very few in Columbus. We had the Midwest Tasting Menu. 11 courses? Something like that. It was expensive, but I don't even mind it. We loved the "Health Sodas" that were curated by the bartenders. My wife had a coconut, lime, and guava concoction and I had some else that was sweet and fruity and tart. The first few bites of pani puri with spiced ginger and then the "happy meal" and salad course really set the tone of a kitchen that puts out excellent dishes with balanced flavors. For me, the best bite of the night was the Thai noodle salad. It was just a perfect amount of spicy with lots of textures. Mine was served with tofu since I'm not a seafood lover and it was the best tofu preparation I've ever had. My wife's favorite was the "soup and salad" course which is hard to describe, but I agree that it was delicious. The low point of the evening's food for me was in the seafood course. My wife loved her actual seafood, but my vegetarian replacement was a miss. They served it with a piece of baby eggplant that was nearly raw; crunchy and practically inedible. I will forgive them, but I think that one needs to be rethought. The end of the meal had lots of little fun touches. The bill comes in a giant lego minifigure head. The restaurant provides a souvenir menu that lists all the dishes that were tried. There were some curated, store-bought candies for take away. All-in-all, it was just an excellent experience. Do yourself a favor and try it, but go hungry and maybe don't try to eat every bite of every dish so that you aren't hurting by the end of the night.

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    The Old Mohawk

    The Old Mohawk

    4.0
    (462 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    A cute, homey restaurant with "small town", small business vibes. Staff was super friendly, portion…read moresizes were large, and the meal was delicious. It may not look like much, but it packs a whole lot of "great" inside of it! PROS: -Service is fantastic. The servers, despite being less than an hour from close, were super friendly, and they made me feel like I was part of everything. No clique-y vibes or disgruntled employees. Lots of joking and laughing from the staff when they weren't serving. -Food was delivered freakishly fast. We had barely got our beer when we had apps, and we had only managed to get the chili cooled enough for a few bites before entrees came out. The kitchen was really on top of things. -Really large selection of salad options. Their ranch was really delicious, but most importantly, all the salads felt like relatively "healthy" salads unlike many places that try to make them restaurant "quality" by stuffing them with cheese and other treat-y options. This could definitely be a place you could take someone who had to watch what they were eating for various reasons. -Prices were very, very reasonable, and we came away with a good meal without spending too much. -It was raining when we left, and staff was offering to walk people to their cars with their restaurant umbrella. Seriously, it was amazing. CONS: -No dedicated parking lot. There were decent available spots on a Thursday night at dinner, though. It just might be a few blocks walk. -As a chill night, it was okay, but I could feel this place feeling a bit crowded with tables too close together on really busy nights.

    It's been a while since we've ventured down to German Village to visit The Old Mohawk but it never…read moredisappoints. The Old Mohawk is a German Village institution and rightly so. The place has a great old tavern atmosphere, a great menu, good food and great service. We had a seat right next to the front window and were able to enjoy the activity outside while enjoying our meal inside. If you're anywhere near German Village, you owe to yourself to give the Old Mohawk a try. Just a couple of blocks north of Schiller Park.

    Photos
    Lots of local artwork on the walls for sale.
    Lots of local artwork on the walls for sale.
    Rey
    Rey
    Great bar fantastic ambiance

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    South Village Grille

    South Village Grille

    4.4
    (416 reviews)
    3.0 mi
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    Let's start with the dessert. The Gooey Butter Cake is a must-have. The gooey inside is the star,…read morebut the firmer outside of the cake is highly savorable. Once the ice cream starts melting, things get even more gooey and delicious! So. Freaking. Good. I went during lunch and had the benefit of trying my wife's cheesesteak which is only one the lunch menu. Now, I loved my burger and the thick cuts of bacon that overflowed from the circumference on the buns. Somehow, that cheesesteak was a notch above that. The cheese sauce was the key ingredient. If you get a sandwich, my vote is for the fries over the kettle chips. But my biggest vote is for going to South Village Grille in the first place because they really impressed during my lunchtime visit.

    After photographing an inspiring Women's History event, I found the perfect way to unwind--with…read morethis standout meatballs appetizer from South Village Grill. These meatballs were incredibly tender, sitting in a rich pomodoro sauce that brought a beautiful balance of brightness and depth. Finished with a sprinkle of pecorino Romano, each bite had that savory, slightly salty kick that elevates the entire dish. The toasted ciabatta crostinis were crisp and golden--perfect for soaking up every bit of that sauce. And that fresh basil leaf on top? A simple touch that added just the right amount of freshness to bring it all together. After a day of capturing powerful stories, it was refreshing to experience that same level of care and intention on the plate. This appetizer didn't just hit, it lingered

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    Sycamore

    Sycamore

    4.2
    (496 reviews)
    2.4 mi
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    *This review is based on a Thursday during Happy Hour*…read more Overview: *Food Quality: Small portions but each bite is flavorful and fresh. Very much tasting, not necessarily to get full *Service: Friendly, attentive, but not hovering *Ambiance: Clean, quite during happy hour, however, starts to fill up as the evening continues. * Menu: Limited happy hour menu, don't expect a full menu, but what they offer is done well Must Order: * Sticky Roasted Carrots. I don't like carrots and I couldn't stop grabbing a piece Drinks: * The Sycamore Old Fashion... very strong, but I like strong drinks Cost: $33 w/o tip | $44 with tip (split between 2 people) * What we ordered: Sticky carrots Meze Scallops (not on happy hour menu) The Sycamore Old Fashion Italian 90 *Comes with complimentary bread. Also, gluten free options* Best for: Casual check in Low key date maybe if you work near German Village. Traffic during happy hour is a bit backed up I wouldn't go for solo dining, unless I sat outside during warmer weather. However, the feeling is best for a quick get together with 1-2 friends. Would I come back? ... Yes! Definitely for Happy Hour.

    I went to The Sycamore last weekend for a friend's bachelorette, and it was truly a 10/10…read moreexperience--from the service to the food to the overall atmosphere. It was the perfect spot for a relaxed, drawn-out dinner where we could enjoy drinks, take our time, and really soak it all in. We had a reservation and were seated right away, which set the tone for the night. Everyone ordered cocktails (I've heard the espresso martini is one of their best, even though coffee isn't really my thing), and honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the drink menu. We started with the Meze, which included house-made falafel, tzatziki, hummus, sun-dried tomato couscous, assorted vegetables, and naan--everything was fresh and so flavorful. They also brought out complimentary focaccia right away, which was such a nice touch. For my main, I ordered the seasonal scallops, and I also tried the chicken thighs with fig, goat cheese, asparagus, parmigiano reggiano, and couscous--both were absolutely amazing. I'd go back in a heartbeat just to try more of the menu. We were there for about 2-3 hours, and at no point did we feel rushed or like we were inconveniencing the staff. The entire experience felt thoughtful, welcoming, and just really special. Highly recommend The Sycamore for your next date night or girls' dinner!

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    Lindey's

    Lindey's

    4.2
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    2.2 mi
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    I went to Lindey's for my birthday and it honestly felt like the perfect place to celebrate…read more The service is what stood out to me the most, it's definitely more upscale, but not in a way that feels intimidating. Everyone is super attentive, knowledgeable and just makes the whole experience feel really special, which is exactly what you want for something like a birthday dinner. A lot of people mention how consistent and professional the staff is, and I completely get why. The inside is also so nice. It has that classic, elegant vibe with white tablecloths and really pretty lighting, but still feels warm and not too over-the-top. It's one of those places where you instantly feel like you should be celebrating something. I've also been for brunch and their brunch menu is really good. Definitely not just basic options. They do a great mix of breakfast and lunch-style dishes, so there's something for everyone.

    We came in for a reservation for my girlfriend's birthday on Saturday the 13th. We had been to…read moreLindey's before, but had never sat on the patio, so we were excited. However, we were left disappointed, sad, and surprised by our experience. My food came out first. This would not have been a problem if not for the series of events that followed. Many minutes later, her food came out too, yet it was the wrong dish. Shrimp pasta instead of steak. We waited again. Eventually we were told by our server in a very unserious, almost joking voice, "I saw a filet in the kitchen, so it should be out soon." Her steak came out about 15 minutes after she had already gotten the wrong dish, while mine had gotten cold. Our server told us that the kitchen accidentally put Demi glaze on the steak, which my girlfriend had requested to be left off. Instead of apologizing for this mistake, Our server emphasized, "Don't worry, I had them sear [the glaze] off." Hearing that surprised me, her steak was over-charred, like the sauce had literally been burned off. Disappointing remedy to a simple mistake, and what a strange way of putting it by our server. What made all of this even worse was the way in which our server Kendall handled this matter. Her attitude got significantly worse following this mishap. She was extremely unapologetic, not offering any apology to either of us. Mind you, I had patiently waited well over 15 minutes with cold fish in front of me for my girlfriend's blackened steak to come out. When my girlfriend had a chance to taste her food, Kendall dropped by to say, "I think we have the best mashed potatoes in the city, what do you think of them?" Blatantly blowing off the fact that my girlfriend's steak was obviously screwed up, and my food had sat for over 15 minutes at the table before hers arrived. As my girlfriend was nearing the end of her food, Kendall stopped by again to add that "We're powering through it." What an odd thing to say to someone who's eating what was clearly a subpar, unsatisfactory plate of food, especially with Kendall being very aware that it was my girlfriend's birthday! I've never in my life been treated in such a passive-aggressive, unapologetic way by a server. Neither of us are one to complain or be rude in a restaurant, both of us having worked in restaurants for years. I'll add that the food on its own would have been fantastic, but the delays had caused it to be cold, and her steak was blackened. I was genuinely left speechless by the way we were treated by Kendall. I also believe that any attempt at a remedy from Kendall could have salvaged this dinner, but her attitude and targeted, passive-aggressive apathy made it so much worse. I'm disappointed leaving this review on what should have been a wonderful dinner a beautiful patio.

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    Northstar Café - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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