A Unique Dining Experience: Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails, Columbus
Adventure Destination

A Unique Dining Experience: Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails, Columbus

Visit Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails in Columbus, OH, for a unique culinary experience. Enjoy year-round comfort food with a twist in a lively, family-friendly atmosphere. No special permits required.

Culinary ExperienceModerate
Photo Gallery

Category

Culinary Experience

Typical Duration

2-4 hours

Difficulty

Moderate

About This Adventure Destination

Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails is a standout destination in Columbus, Ohio, celebrated for its inviting atmosphere and creative menu. Located in the heart of the city, this lively spot offers a refreshing take on Midwest comfort food combined with innovative cocktails. What makes Tip Top special is its commitment to local flavors and a warm, unpretentious vibe that appeals to both locals and visitors. From its eye-catching cherry-topped logo to its eclectic, dive-bar style interior, Tip Top provides a memorable setting where food and drink come together with a touch of character.

The restaurant is known for hearty dishes such as the corned beef Reuben, generously portioned and packed with flavor, alongside unique takes like their famed beef stroganoff, praised for tender, hand-shredded pot roast. The extensive cocktail menu features affordable and expertly crafted drinks, including dangerously delicious martinis and creative mixed beverages. Beyond the food and drinks, Tip Top doubles as a social hub, with friendly staff and a welcoming bar scene where regulars gather and lively conversation flows.

While the exterior might seem unassuming, stepping inside reveals a vibrant bar area with more seating than expected, creating an ideal stop for dinner or drinks in the downtown district. Occasional service hiccups reflect a busy kitchen and new staff, but the overall experience remains positive, highlighting the dedication to quality and community spirit. Whether seeking a casual night out or a late-night snack after a show, Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails offers an authentic taste of Columbus with charm and bold flavors.


Editorial Assessment

Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails is a delightful dining venue offering a fusion of local culture and comfort food. While not a natural landmark, it provides a memorable culinary experience in Columbus.

A Unique Dining Experience: Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails, Columbus

Adventure Guide to A Unique Dining Experience: Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails, Columbus

1

1. Urban Bar Hopping in Downtown Columbus

  • What makes it special: Tip Top is part of a lively cluster of bars and eateries along Gay Street, making it perfect for a bar crawl that mixes ambiance and varied drinks.
  • Key features: Affordable, well-crafted cocktails, friendly bartenders, and a welcoming dive-bar feel set Tip Top apart. The nearby venues offer live music and late hours.
  • Local insights: Gay Street holds a rich history as a downtown gathering spot; evenings are lively especially on weekends.
  • Visitor tips: Arrive early on weekends to avoid long waits. Bring cash or cards for easy transactions. Wear comfortable shoes for walking between venues.
2

2. Riverwalk Biking and Dining

  • What makes it special: The Scioto Mile Riverfront Park offers scenic biking along the Scioto River, less than 1 mile from Tip Top. Stop here after your ride for well-earned food and cocktails.
  • Key features: Smooth, paved trails with city skyline views and parks, fountains, and public art.
  • Local insights: The Riverwalk is popular for casual rides and runs; on warm evenings, crowds gather by the fountains.
  • Visitor tips: Best times to bike are spring through early fall. Bring sunscreen and water. Bike racks available near Tip Top.
3

3. Historical Walking Tour & Relaxation

  • What makes it special: Combine downtown Columbus’s rich history with a stop at Tip Top. Walk past landmarks like the Ohio Theatre and the LeVeque Tower, then relax with a meal or drink.
  • Key features: Architecture from early 20th century, public murals, and lively street scenes.
  • Local insights: The neighborhood buzzes with theater crowds and street performers. Good timing can coincide with shows at nearby venues.
  • Visitor tips: Wear weather-appropriate clothes and comfortable walking shoes. After your tour, a hearty sandwich or crispy fried cheese curds at Tip Top await. Driving there takes about 10 minutes from Ohio State University and parking options are nearby. --- With its mix of classic comfort food, inventive cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere, Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails adds a special flavor to downtown Columbus’s energetic dining scene.

Reviews

B
Brendan Mulvaney2 weeks ago

Right downtown, but has a neighborhood bar kind of feel. Super friendly wait staff, dark wood interior, beers on top, a great selection of both bourbon and scotch. A good home-cooked meal feel to the whole menu. Pot roast was really tasty, and a nice size portion. Made a full meal with a half of a Caesar salad. Fun group of locals as well.

R
Robert Quortrup2 weeks ago

Could not find the location.

B
Brian Rose3 weeks ago

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

S
Samuel Spoehr4 weeks ago

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

J
Jeremy Schulla month ago

This is a staple lunch spot anytime I am downtown Columbus for work. Italian beef is very special, the giardiniera is the best I’ve ever had. Poutine is 10/10.

Nearby Adventures

Bookable Experiences

Drift the Mad River: A Quiet 5‑Mile Float Through Spring‑Fed Water and Tree Canopy44.5 mi
Urbana, Ohio

Drift the Mad River: A Quiet 5‑Mile Float Through Spring‑Fed Water and Tree Canopy

A self‑guided, beginner‑friendly 5‑mile float on the crystal‑clear, spring‑fed Mad River—useful for planning a two‑hour outing with canoes, kayaks or tubes from Birch Bark Canoe Livery.

44.5 miView Trips & Details →
Dead Center in 90 Minutes: Coached Axe Throwing at Southern Ohio Axe Throwing36.8 mi
Jeffersonville, Ohio

Dead Center in 90 Minutes: Coached Axe Throwing at Southern Ohio Axe Throwing

A 1.5-hour coached axe-throwing session in Jeffersonville that covers safety, instruction, and group or private booking options.

36.8 miView Trips & Details →
Inside Edison’s Secret Lab: A Dimly Lit, Tech‑Heavy Escape Room in Powell14.3 mi
Powell, Ohio

Inside Edison’s Secret Lab: A Dimly Lit, Tech‑Heavy Escape Room in Powell

An immersive, one‑hour escape room where small teams solve tech-based puzzles among Edison-style inventions—this guide explains what to expect and how to prepare.

14.3 miView Trips & Details →
In the Dim Light of Cleopatra’s Lost Tomb: A Family Escape Room in Powell, Ohio14.3 mi
Powell, Ohio

In the Dim Light of Cleopatra’s Lost Tomb: A Family Escape Room in Powell, Ohio

A one-hour, family-focused escape-room run by Lockology Columbus that tasks teams of up to 10 with finding separated emerald gems before the curse claims the hour.

14.3 miView Trips & Details →
Multi-Wagon Private Ride: Pedal a Two‑Hour Cruise Through Columbus’ Short North Arts District0.40 mi
Columbus, Ohio

Multi-Wagon Private Ride: Pedal a Two‑Hour Cruise Through Columbus’ Short North Arts District

A 2‑hour private, multi‑wagon cruise that rolls through the Short North Arts district with 2–3 stops at partner establishments—this guide lays out the logistics and what to expect for group bookings.

0.40 miView Trips & Details →
Two Hours on the Scioto: A Round‑Trip Paddle from Point Park through O'Shaughnessy Reservoir21.1 mi
Delaware, Ohio

Two Hours on the Scioto: A Round‑Trip Paddle from Point Park through O'Shaughnessy Reservoir

A succinct guide to Sunrise Kayaking’s 2-hour on‑water Delaware Round Trip, covering route, logistics, and what to know before you book.

21.1 miView Trips & Details →