Hidden Gem Restaurants in Powell Locals Love (2026)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.