North Market’s Welcoming Facade. (Wikimedia commons)
Craving Indian food? Prefer Italian? Whatever your culinary delight, you can find most anything at North Market. Open since 1876 and Columbus’s only remaining public market, this emporium’s diverse restaurants is one of central Ohio’s staples.
Its loyal merchants have gone through numerous battles in the past to keep it open, and their efforts have paid off. Open seven days a week, North Market attracts more than one million visitors each year
A fixture since 1991 and one of the market’s oldest restaurants is Flavors of India, a family business, which serves favorite Northern Indian dishes such as curry and korma.
If Italian fare suits you, look no further than Pastaria. Its homemade pasta and sauces keep fans coming back. Tomato Alfredo over Bowties is a wonderful take on a classic dish. Pasteria’s classic meat sauce over linguini blends beef, Italian sausage, and sliced meatballs into a savory sauce. A signature favorite is its Caesar salad.
As far as fried chicken goes, there is no better place to turn to in Columbus than Hot Chicken Takeover. Lines wrap around the restaurant and occasionally out the door for its Nashville-style chicken. Mac and cheese and coleslaw are the most popular sides. All chicken pieces come with different spice levels: “Cold” is lightly seasoned.“Warm” blends a mixture of zest and tastiness. “Hot” leaves your lips tingling. “Holy” is for the true spice lover.
Even if you aren’t hungry when you visit, butcher shops, artisanal goods, and multiple shops sell food to take home. The Fish Guys feature wide varieties of fish and seafood options. Their lobster roll ($13.) is one its most purchased items, while tuna is a top option to go.
Penny’s Meats custom cuts all of their beef, pork, lamb, and goat, most of which are affordably priced. Skirt steak sells for $10./lb, while ground pork goes for $3.99/lb.
Want a snack for later? Black Radish Creamery offers an extensive selection of cheeses, with an array of options local to the Midwest. Cheeses range from mozzarella to a handcrafted Tomme cheese. They also have fruit preserves such as “King B,” a black raspberry jam, and “Billionaire,” made from strawberries and rhubarb.
The North Market’s historic and convenient location, fantastic dining, and lively atmosphere combine to make it a Central Ohio mainstay.
59 Spruce Street, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 463-9664
Sun-Mon: 10 a.m-5 p.m.
Tues-Sat: 9 a.m-7 p.m.
