Top 4 restaurants in Ohio for business dining

Ramp processes billions of dollars in business expenses across thousands of companies every month. Our unique position in the payments ecosystem provides visibility into actual spending patterns, including restaurant and dining expenditures across diverse industries and business sizes.

Understanding Ohio's dynamic restaurant landscape requires analyzing real spending data alongside market trends. The state's dining scene reflects both its agricultural heritage and modern business needs, with establishments ranging from locally-owned barbecue chains to upscale seafood destinations. This data-driven approach reveals where companies actually invest their dining budgets, highlighting venues that successfully balance professional atmosphere with culinary excellence.

Understanding Ohio restaurant industry

Ohio's restaurant sector represents a $46.50 billion industry that directly employs 514,303 workers across 23,912 eating and drinking establishments. The industry's total economic impact reaches $89.21 billion when accounting for indirect effects, supporting 711,296 jobs throughout the supply chain. Tourism amplifies this impact, with 238 million visitors spending $56 billion in 2023, driving demand for diverse dining experiences. The state's culinary identity draws from immigrant communities and agricultural traditions, featuring regional specialties like Cincinnati chili, pierogi, and buckeye candies. Business dining particularly thrives in metropolitan areas like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, where corporate headquarters and convention centers create consistent demand for upscale venues suitable for client entertainment and team gatherings.

Top 4 restaurants for business meals and client dining

Based on corporate spending data from thousands of Ohio businesses, these restaurants consistently rank as top destinations for business dining. Ocean Prime, Del Mar, and City Barbeque lead in transaction volume, reflecting their ability to accommodate diverse business needs from formal client dinners to casual team lunches. This ranking considers actual business expense data rather than individual consumer spending, providing unique insights into where companies invest their entertainment budgets.

Ocean Prime

Ocean Prime stands as Columbus's premier destination for high-stakes business dining. Located on the second level of Easton Station building, this Cameron Mitchell restaurant combines sophisticated ambiance with impeccable service. The dining room features dark wood paneling, leather banquettes, and a dramatic marble raw bar showcasing fresh seafood. With 18 locations nationwide including Beverly Hills and New York, Ocean Prime has established itself as a trusted venue for corporate entertainment, frequently hosting Fortune 500 executives and professional athletes in its private dining rooms.

Notable facts:

Ocean Prime opened its Columbus location in 2011 as part of Cameron Mitchell's fine dining division, which generates over $300 million annually across all concepts. The restaurant maintains an extensive wine list featuring over 400 selections, with sommeliers available to guide pairings for important business dinners. The venue's private dining rooms accommodate groups from 10 to 150 guests, making it ideal for everything from board meetings to company celebrations. Tableside preparations of Caesar salads and bananas foster add theatrical elements that impress clients and create memorable dining experiences.

Signature dishes:

• Chilean sea bass with truffle vinaigrette and potato purée
• Blackened red snapper with corn spoon bread and Swiss chard
• Prime dry-aged steaks with bone marrow butter
• Baked lobster macaroni with whole Maine lobster

Best for:

Ocean Prime excels at formal client dinners, executive recruiting meals, and celebration dinners for major deals. The sophisticated atmosphere and discreet service create an environment conducive to sensitive business discussions, while the extensive menu accommodates diverse dietary preferences. The location at Easton Town Center provides convenient access and ample parking, with nearby hotels making it ideal for entertaining out-of-town clients.

Del Mar

Del Mar brings coastal Mediterranean sophistication to Ohio's business dining scene. This newest addition to Cameron Mitchell's portfolio opened in 2024 at Easton Town Center, transforming the former Bon Vie space into a stunning two-story venue. The glass-ceilinged atrium with hanging gardens creates an impressive first impression, while the open kitchen featuring custom wood grills adds energy to the dining experience. Executive chef Richard Garcia, who previously worked at Michelin-starred establishments in Barcelona, brings authentic Mediterranean techniques to shareable plates designed for business entertaining.

Notable facts:

Del Mar serves as the prototype for national expansion plans, showcasing Cameron Mitchell's vision for upscale Mediterranean dining. The restaurant features retractable glass walls that open to terrace seating, creating flexible spaces for various group sizes and weather conditions. Operating hours run Sunday through Thursday until 9pm and Friday-Saturday until 10pm, with weekend brunch service offering Mediterranean twists on breakfast classics. The dedicated pastry station produces house-made baklava and other desserts, adding an authentic touch that distinguishes Del Mar from typical business dining venues.

Signature dishes:

• Open-fire roasted shellfish platter with South African lobster tail
• Lobster spaghetti in roasted tomato butter sauce
• Spicy feta dip with chilled vegetables and house-baked pita
• Turkish mocha torte with coffee crumble and chocolate mousse

Best for:

Del Mar specializes in relaxed yet refined business lunches and team dinners where sharing plates encourages conversation. The Mediterranean menu works particularly well for health-conscious executives and international clients familiar with coastal European cuisine. The venue's multiple dining areas, including the atrium and rooftop terraces, provide options for groups seeking either high-energy environments or quieter spaces for confidential discussions.

City Barbeque

City Barbeque offers a distinctly American approach to business dining that resonates with Ohio's corporate culture. Founded in 1999 by Rick Malir in Columbus, this homegrown success story has expanded to over 70 locations across ten states while maintaining headquarters in Dublin. The fast-casual format provides efficiency for working lunches, while the authentic barbecue atmosphere creates a welcoming environment for team gatherings and informal client meetings. Pitmasters tend wood-fired smokers for 12-18 hours daily, ensuring consistent quality that has earned national recognition.

Notable facts:

City Barbeque's catering operations began from founder Rick Malir's home during construction delays on the first restaurant, establishing a tradition of flexibility and customer service that continues today. The company maintains a strong commitment to community involvement, regularly hosting fundraisers and supporting local organizations. Ohio locations feature industrial-chic designs with exposed brick walls, communal picnic tables, and visible meat-smoking operations. The walk-up ordering system and family-style seating accommodate large groups efficiently, while roll-up garage doors provide open-air dining options during favorable weather.

Signature dishes:

• Texas-style brisket smoked over hickory with a black pepper crust
• St. Louis-cut pork ribs glazed with house-made bourbon sauce
• Pulled pork shoulder smoked for 14 hours with applewood
• Smoked turkey breast with cherry wood infusion

Best for:

City Barbeque excels at casual team lunches, company picnics, and informal meetings with vendors or local partners. The generous portions and reasonable prices make it budget-friendly for large groups, while the authentic barbecue appeals to diverse tastes. The catering services particularly shine for office events, training sessions, and company celebrations, with options ranging from buffet-style service to individually boxed meals for safety-conscious organizations.

BrewDog Franklinton

BrewDog Franklinton combines craft beer culture with gastropub sophistication in Columbus's emerging arts district. Housed in a refurbished 1920s car dealership, this Scottish brewery's third Ohio location opened in 2018 with distinctive industrial-chic design. The 12,000-square-foot space features exposed concrete floors, visible brewing tanks behind glass walls, and a rooftop patio offering downtown skyline views. The 10-barrel brewing system produces exclusive Franklinton-series beers alongside BrewDog's international lineup, creating unique pairing opportunities for business entertaining.

Notable facts:

BrewDog's expansion in Ohio represents part of their "Timeless Horizon" growth initiative, aiming to triple their current size within seven years. The Franklinton location showcases the company's commitment to adaptive reuse, preserving architectural elements from the building's automotive past while incorporating modern brewing technology. Though brunch service was discontinued, the kitchen maintains strong offerings of gastropub fare designed to complement the experimental beer program. The venue regularly hosts live music and community events, creating a dynamic atmosphere that appeals to creative industry professionals and younger business crowds.

Signature dishes:

• Scottish breakfast with black pudding, sausage, and baked beans
• Elvis Juice IPA-infused pancakes with peanut butter batter
• Buttermilk-fried chicken thighs with waffles and peppercorn butter
• Beer-battered fish and chips with malt vinegar aioli

Best for:

BrewDog Franklinton serves creative industry meetings, startup gatherings, and after-work team building events. The craft beer focus provides natural conversation starters, while the rooftop patio offers a memorable setting for warm-weather entertaining. The Franklinton location particularly appeals to tech companies, marketing agencies, and design firms seeking alternatives to traditional business dining venues. The combination of quality food, innovative beers, and industrial atmosphere creates an environment where business discussions flow naturally.

Tips for business dining in Ohio's restaurant scene

Ohio's business dining culture values authenticity and relationship-building over formality. When hosting at upscale venues like Ocean Prime or Del Mar, make reservations at least one week in advance, particularly for private dining rooms during conference seasons in spring and fall. Columbus restaurants typically see peak business dining Tuesday through Thursday, so Monday bookings often provide better availability and more attentive service.

Consider weather patterns when planning rooftop dining at venues like BrewDog Franklinton—Ohio's variable climate makes indoor backup options essential from October through April. For client entertainment, Cameron Mitchell restaurants (Ocean Prime, Del Mar) offer consistent luxury experiences with dedicated corporate accounts that streamline billing and ensure VIP treatment for regular customers.

Local business culture appreciates supporting homegrown success stories like City Barbeque, which resonates particularly well with Ohio-based clients and demonstrates community investment. When dining with automotive industry partners—still significant in Ohio's economy—consider venues near their facilities in Dublin, Marysville, or Toledo rather than defaulting to downtown locations.

Catering remains hugely popular for Ohio business functions, with City Barbeque's offerings providing crowd-pleasing options for training sessions, company picnics, and casual celebrations. For international visitors, emphasize unique regional experiences: Cincinnati chili discussions at local chains, craft beer tastings at BrewDog, or seasonal specialties featuring Ohio-grown produce at farm-to-table establishments.