If you’ve ever found yourself yelling, “Columbus deserves more credit!” then we have good news… now’s your chance to back it up with some aggressive clicking or tapping.
USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards are officially open for voting, and several Central Ohio favorites are in the running.
You can vote once per day in each category until voting closes in June (exact dates are listed on USA Today’s website), and winners will be announced later that month. So set an alarm, clear your browser cache, start bribing your friends — whatever it takes. These local spots deserve the crown.
Central Ohio Spots in the Running:
Most Walkable City to Visit: Columbus
Yes, apparently an entire city can be nominated for… existing! Columbus is currently ranked 7th, behind places like Philly, Savannah, and *checks notes* Providence?? We can definitely dethrone these cities. When it comes to wandering from parks to patios to pop-ups without needing a car, Columbus has it locked down, baby.
➡️ Vote here
Best Buffet Restaurant: Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen (Mt. Hope, OH)
📍 8101 OH-241, Mt. Hope, OH 44660
Currently ranked #8 out of 20, they need your votes! In case you aren’t familiar with their game, Mrs. Yoder’s is a cozy Amish country restaurant serving up buffets full of wholesome comfort food — plus burgers, sandwiches, and homemade pies that’ll make you rethink your entire dinner rotation.
➡️ Vote here
Best Donut Shop: Donald’s Donuts (Zanesville, OH)
📍 2622 Maple Ave, Zanesville, OH 43701
Donald’s Donuts is currently ranked #1 in this category, and deservedly so. They’ve been slinging fresh, mouth-watering donuts since 1960 with more than 40 varieties, including a legendary apple fritter. Let’s keep them in the top spot where they belong.
And if you haven’t been there yet? Vote anyways and then make the trek to Zanesville. You won’t regret it.
➡️ Vote here
Best Cookie Shop: Lion Cub’s Cookies (Grandview & Worthington, OH)
📍 1261 Grandview Ave, Grandview Heights, OH 43212
📍 7105 N High St, Worthington, OH 43085
They’re currently ranked first out of 20 cookie shops, and deservedly so! Lion Cub’s cookies are incredible, and the posts their owner Bradley Kaplan puts on their social media (@lioncubscookies on IG and TikTok) are really cool behind-the-scenes looks into why they make the flavors that they do. If you haven’t been, you should fix that immediately. And then vote for them every single day.
➡️ Vote here
Best Outlet Mall: Destination Outlets (Jeffersonville, OH)
📍 8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Jeffersonville, Ohio 43128
If you’ve driven down 71 to Cincinnati, you’ve definitely noticed Destination Outlets — and you’ve probably seen just how crowded it gets. Rightfully so! With over 100 stores, brand-name deals, and even an arcade for the kids (or you), this place is a full-on, ahem, destination. It’s currently ranked #4. Let’s get it to #1.
➡️ Vote here
Best Independent Bookstore: The Book Loft (Columbus, OH)
📍 631 S 3rd St, Columbus, Ohio 43206
If you haven’t experienced The Book Loft in German Village, you are missing out on a Columbus institution. You can get lost (literally—I have before) in the 32 themed rooms, and their outdoor courtyard in summer is absolute magic. They’re currently ranked #10, which is criminal. Fix it with a vote.
➡️ Vote here
Best Shopping Center: Easton Town Center (Columbus, OH)
📍 160 Easton Town Ctr, Columbus, Ohio 43219
Easton is currently ranked #7 out of 20. But this place isn’t just a shopping center—it’s a whole lifestyle. More than 200 stores, Ohio’s largest movie theater, and enough twinkle lights to make you forget you’re in a parking lot. It’s basically Columbus’ Disney World.
➡️ Vote here
Let’s rally, Columbus! These spots rep the best of Central Ohio, and with your help, they’ll get the national spotlight they deserve. Vote daily, share this article with your group chat, and let’s bring some hardware home.
📣 Vote daily at 10best.usatoday.com