If you ask people about the best food neighborhoods in Central Ohio, you’ll hear the usual suspects. Short North. German Village. Maybe downtown if they’re feeling fancy.
But somehow, Old Worthington keeps getting left out of the group chat… and that is a CRIME.
Because packed into a ridiculously walkable stretch of High Street between South Street and North Street, you’ll find one of the most diverse, satisfying, and mood-proof food scenes in the entire region. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. Dessert. Coffee. Cocktails. Pub food. Global flavors. All of it.
And before you ask, yes, everything here is within about 8 minutes of walking (10 minutes if you’re dramatically scrolling Instagram while walking).
So if you’re looking for one of the best walkable food strips in Central Ohio, let me make a very strong case for Old Worthington.
Why Old Worthington Is Sneakily Elite for Food
Old Worthington gets a ton of love during the outdoor farmers market (as it should), but once that wraps up, people act like the food scene packs it in and goes home.
Incorrect.
What makes this strip special is the range. You can go from a globally inspired breakfast sandwich… to Nepalese comfort food… to classic American bistro vibes… to fish and chips that smell so freaking good from half a block away… to French pastries… to ice cream that belongs on Mount Rushmore.
And you can do it all without moving your car.
Alright, let’s eat.
Joya’s
📍 657 High St, Worthington, OH 43085
Starting as a breakfast and lunch spot and very quickly realizing they were too powerful for limited hours, Joya’s is the heartbeat of this strip.
Led by Top Chef and Beat Bobby Flay alum Chef Avishar Barua, Joya’s pulls inspiration from all over the world while still feeling deeply Ohio in the best way possible. The food is bold, comforting, creative, and made by people who very clearly care.
The Breakfast Sandwich (Bobby’s Way) is unreal. The pav-tato roll is light and airy, the bacon and eggs are perfectly balanced, and the sauces tie everything together in a way that makes you question every breakfast sandwich you’ve ever eaten before this one.
Other standouts:
- Not Pad Thai
- Egg Toast-in-a-Box
- The SamBurger
And now, dinner too. The Party Melt, Crispy Manchurian Sandwich (maybe the crunchiest chicken or tofu sandwich you’ll find anywhere), and Oak Smoked Wings are all bangers.
Simply put, Joya’s is one of the best restaurants in Central Ohio… and they’re not done yet.
The Whitney House
📍 666 High St, Worthington, OH 43085
If you’re in the mood for cozy, comforting, perfectly executed American bistro food, The Whitney House is it.
This is a dinner spot through and through. Warm lighting. Inviting energy. Food that feels familiar but elevated.
The Whipped Goat Cheese deserves its own paragraph. Served with grilled farmhouse bread, local honey, and sea salt, it is dangerously good. Like… order it every single time without hesitation good.
Their menu leans into the idea of Sunday dinners, shared plates, and food that brings people together. It’s thoughtful, comforting, and exactly what you want when you’re settling in for a slower meal.
Mrs. Goodman’s
📍 901 High St, Worthington, OH 43085
This bakery has officially become a family tradition for us, largely because my niece and I have zero self-control around their cookies.
Our go-to lineup:
- Oatmeal Raisin
- Snickerdoodle
- Chocolate Chip
But Mrs. Goodman’s is more than just cookies. They’re known for beautifully decorated special occasion cakes, plus brownies, scones, cinnamon rolls, and cream pies that make even a normal Tuesday feel important.
Friendly, warm, and consistently excellent.
Worthington Tavern
📍 671 High St, Worthington, OH 43085
If consistency were an Olympic sport, Worthington Tavern would medal every time.
This is classic American and new-American food done right. No gimmicks. Just really solid execution across the board.
The Smoked Chicken Wings never miss, and the Piccante Pasta A La Vodka is one of those dishes you keep ordering because you don’t want to risk being disappointed by anything else (you won’t be. Trust me).
Strong beer list. Great cocktails. Covered patio. An easy yes for brunch, dinner, or a casual night out.
Kittie’s Worthington
📍 901 High St, Worthington, OH 43085
Kittie’s is basically everything you want out of a neighborhood coffee shop.
They serve One Line Coffee, make their own syrups, and bake everything fresh daily at their German Village bakery. The cinnamon rolls are elite, but the scones are right there with them.
It’s cozy. It’s charming. It’s the perfect place to start your morning or take a breather between meals.
The Old Bag of Nails Pub
📍 663 N High St, Worthington, OH 43085
The original Old Bag of Nails location lives right here in Old Worthington, and it still feels like the pub it was always meant to be.
If you’ve ever walked down High Street and suddenly smelled fish and chips… yeah. That was this place.
Their fish and chips are the star, but don’t sleep on the Sesame Ginger Chicken Sandwich or the Reuben on rye. The space itself feels like something you’d stumble into in Ireland, and the history only adds to the charm.
Everest Cuisine
📍 652 High St, Worthington, OH 43085
Everest Cuisine holds a special place in my heart.
After a brutal flight cancellation that derailed a long-planned UK and Ireland trip, this spot single-handedly salvaged our night. And honestly… I’m kind of glad it did.
Everest serves Nepali, Tibetan, and Indian cuisine, and everything we’ve had has been comforting, flavorful, and deeply satisfying.
Must-orders:
- Jhol Momo (chicken dumplings in a tomato-based soup)
- Chicken Tandoori
- Garlic Naan
- Chicken Thukpa (Nepalese noodle soup)
This is the kind of place that reminds you how powerful food can be.
Dewey’s Pizza
📍 640 High St, Worthington, OH 43085
Dewey’s just gets it.
Yes, the specialty pizzas like Ryan’s Inferno and Porky Fig are excellent, but their cheese pizza still has my heart. Light dough. Puffy crust. Perfect balance.
And the salads? Don’t skip them. Ever. The Harvest Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette is a must, but the Candied Walnut & Grape and Peppercorn Ranch options are also elite.
Chapala Mexican Grill
📍 530 High St, Worthington, OH 43085
Reliable. Delicious. Friendly. Exactly what you want.
I’m partial to the Fajitas and Tacos Al Pastor, but honestly, it’s hard to go wrong here. And no visit is complete without at least one coronarita (a frozen lime margarita with an upside-down Corona inside).
You’ve earned it.
La Chatelaine Bakery & Bistro
📍 627 High St, Worthington, OH 43085
This location is stunning, especially when the patio opens up in warmer months.
La Chatelaine brings a little slice of France to Worthington, with fresh-baked breads, croissants, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and wine. Sitting out front with coffee or a glass of wine feels like a tiny vacation without the airfare.
Graeter’s Ice Cream
📍 654 High St, Worthington, OH 43085
Every great food strip needs a strong finish, and Graeter’s delivers.
French Pot ice cream. Seasonal flavors worth stalking the calendar for. Cookies & Cream. S’mores. Milkshakes that absolutely count as dessert and a personality trait.
And Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip? Mount Rushmore. No debate.
Why You Should Head to Old Worthington RIGHT NOW.
Old Worthington isn’t just charming. It’s not just historic. It’s not just a farmers market destination.
It’s one of the best walkable food strips in Central Ohio, full stop.
If you haven’t eaten your way down High Street lately… consider this your sign.
Food & Drink Guides
Attention Central Ohio Business Owners!
We built the Step Out advertising program for local businesses that want to get in front of locals in Central Ohio — people actively looking for places to eat, shop, and explore.
A business we advertised even had to hire 2 more people after working with us.
Curious if we’re a good fit for your business?
👉 Learn about our audience
Already thinking, “This sounds perfect for us”?
👉 Learn more about our ads
