Powell's dining scene runs on repeat customers, not passing tourists, and that shows in how these rooms operate. This list covers the New American tables, the family-run counters, and the neighborhood bars that Powell residents actually return to week after week, from Sunday brunch buffets to Friday fish fry at the corner sports bar.
№ 01
Local Roots
Powell $$
Photo via 
Grilled chicken and a house burger anchor a menu built for groups, and the room handles large parties well: reservations for tables of ten arrive set and ready. Owner Jessie runs a tight operation, and the consistency across repeat visits is the draw more than any single dish. A dependable choice for a family dinner that needs to seat a crowd.
What to ordergrilled chicken, seasonal vegetables, house burger
№ 02
Anne's Kitchen
Powell $
Photo via
Steak and eggs and a Benedict worth ordering both carry this small diner's breakfast trade, alongside biscuits and gravy that regulars hit weekly. The enclosed patio takes dogs, and the counter runs efficiently even with a full room. It sits close enough to the Columbus Zoo to work as the meal before the gates open.
What to ordersteak and eggs, eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy
№ 03
Huli Huli Tiki Lounge -Powell
Powell $$
Photo via
The lobster roll draws people away from the food truck circuit entirely, paired with a mai tai and a pupu platter at the outdoor bar. The waterfront patio is the real reason to come, and service at that outdoor bar runs friendlier than the reports on indoor tables. Go for the view, order the roll, manage expectations on the rest.
What to orderlobster roll, mai tai, pupu platter
№ 04
Vittoria
Powell $$$
Photo via
Risotto and osso buco carry an Italian menu built for occasions, with tiramisu closing things out and live music working weekend nights. The room handles families comfortably while still reading as a place to book ahead for. Reservations matter here on busy nights, and the kitchen's Italian classics hold up for repeat visits.
What to orderrisotto, osso buco, tiramisu
№ 05
Prohibition Gastro Lounge
Powell $$
Photo via
A pork chop and shrimp tacos anchor the food side, but the bourbon list is the real reason regulars name this room. The outdoor patio and bar seating both work for a casual night with friends, and the staff walks newcomers through a genuinely large whiskey selection without making it feel like a test.
What to orderpork chop, shrimp tacos, burger
№ 06
Kraft House No. 5
Powell $$
Photo via
Wings tossed in Orion sauce are the order that gets repeated back most, backed by a Buffalo Mac and Cheese loaded with chicken that keeps its crunch. The bar side runs friendly and unhurried, a contrast some diners draw directly against rougher service elsewhere in town. A solid stop for casual lunch or dinner among friends.
What to orderwings with Orion sauce, Buffalo Mac and Cheese, chicken
№ 07
Oishii Japanese Bistro
Powell $$
Photo via
Nigiri and sashimi move fast at the sushi counter, and the pork katsu comes out in a portion large enough to split between kids. The counter service format suits a quick lunch or a casual sushi craving without ceremony. Chefs at the bar get singled out for pace and quality even during a light afternoon visit.
What to ordernigiri sushi, pork katsu, sashimi
№ 08
Awadh By Chef Anand
Powell
Photo via
The Non Veg Platter puts tandoori chicken, kebab, and tandoori shrimp on one plate, and it is the order most worth aiming for. Vegetarian and vegan options run deep on the menu, and the takeout program holds up as well as the dine-in room. A dependable pick for Indian food that works for both a family dinner and a to-go order.
What to ordertandoori chicken, tandoori shrimp, kebab
№ 09
Azteca Mexican Grill
Powell $$
Photo via
Barbacoa tacos lead a Mexican menu that also turns out a chile relleno and enchiladas worth ordering straight. The Sunday brunch buffet runs twenty five dollars for adults and splits opinion on value, but the weeknight service moves quickly and the room stays casual enough for families. Spice levels stay mild across the board.
What to orderBarbacoa tacos, chile relleno, enchiladas
№ 10
Hellas Carryout
Powell $$
Photo via
French toast here gets called out as some of the best in the area, and biscuits and gravy round out a short breakfast and lunch menu built around the counter. Service can slip on busy weekend mornings, with order mix-ups reported, but the food itself keeps people coming back for the sandwich and breakfast plates alike.
What to orderFrench toast, Biscuits and gravy, Sandwich
№ 11
Iacono's Pizza & Restaurant
Powell $$
Photo via
Thin crust pizza is the identity here, light rather than heavy, and the cheese pizza with meatball half is the order longtime regulars name first. This Shawnee Hills institution has held its lease for over twenty five years, and the room still works for a casual family dinner with enough space to spread out. No fuss, steady prices, steady crowd.
What to ordercheese pizza with meatball, thin crust pizza, meatball pizza
№ 12
The Filling Station Bar & Grill
Powell $
Photo via
A chicken wrap and boneless chicken bites keep this sports bar's kitchen honest, both cheap and generous enough to justify the trip. The patio and a handful of televisions make it an easy neighborhood hangout rather than a destination, and the crowd skews toward regulars who treat the place like a second living room.
What to orderchicken wrap, boneless chicken bites, fries
Frequently asked
What is the best hidden gem restaurant near me in Powell?
It depends on what you want. Local Roots and Kraft House No. 5 are the strongest all-around picks for group dinners, while Hellas Carryout and Anne's Kitchen cover casual breakfast. Each listing here carries its own Insider Score based on the public review record, and no restaurant pays for placement on this list.
Which Powell restaurants are good for families with kids?
Local Roots, Anne's Kitchen, Vittoria, and Awadh By Chef Anand all read as family friendly in their review record, with room to seat groups and menus that work for kids and adults alike. Azteca Mexican Grill and Iacono's Pizza also handle family dinners well.
Where can I get good outdoor patio dining in Powell?
Huli Huli Tiki Lounge has the standout waterfront patio, and Prohibition Gastro Lounge and The Filling Station Bar & Grill both run solid outdoor seating for casual drinks and food. All three show up in this guide with their own Insider Score, unrelated to any payment or advertising.
Is there good sushi or Japanese food in Powell?
Oishii Japanese Bistro is the sushi bar covered in this guide, known for its counter service, nigiri, and a pork katsu that comes in a large portion. It fits a quick lunch or casual sushi visit rather than a formal sit-down meal.
ƒ
The data first, then the verdict
We start with the review record, not a press release. Every room here is a real kitchen with a strong rating across a meaningful number of reviews, ranked on our 10-point Insider Score. We weight consistency over time and the rooms locals return to, not the ones tourists pass through once. The list updates as the data does. How we work →
Amina Warsame
Staff Writer · Top of Columbus
Amina Warsame is a Staff Writer at Top of Columbus. Born in Mogadishu and raised in Northland, she grew up between her mother's kitchen and the grocery-cafes of the Somali malls. She writes the guides, sweeps the whole Outerbelt, and covers the Somali and East African tables as the beat she knows best.
