A thriving and diverse restaurant scene is one of the key hallmarks of just about any bustling retail corridor, and Uptown Westerville is no exception.
Whether you are in the market for a quick bite or a relaxing, sit-down experience, Uptown has something for everyone.
Already home to a handful of community favorites serving as local and regional dining destinations for years, Uptown will soon benefit from the addition of several new savory eateries. All the restaurants on the horizon have distinct and authentic connections to old-generation Westerville, while delivering the new-world cuisine guaranteed to satisfy the discerning palates of even the most stoic culinary critics.
Northstar Café
No stranger to central Ohio, the Columbus-based purveyor of all things local, fresh and delicious will soon join the Uptown community in the lot formerly occupied by the Kyoto Tea House at the corner of Plum and State streets.
Northstar Café’s move to Westerville is several years in the making, starting with the City’s 2012 acquisition of the Tea House property. Once conversations with Northstar revealed a strong interest in the site, City staff worked with the Northstar leadership team to purchase the land and redevelop the site with the construction of its newest location.
“Several years ago, we began talking about how great Uptown Westerville is,” said Northstar Café co-owner Darren Malhame. “It is a fun community with a rich history, and we knew we wanted to be a part of it. We kept our eyes open for the right opportunity and have worked with our future neighbors and community partners to develop a meaningful new space that will contribute to the area’s distinct and cherished character.”
Northstar’s commitment to Uptown’s rich cultural heritage is reflected in the design of its new space, which will prominently feature the Mount Fuji tile mural, fully preserved from its old home within the Tea House. Also, extensive collaboration with City staff and the Westerville Planning Commission yielded a building design consistent with the historic charm of Uptown storefronts.
Northstar formally acquired the land in August 2014, and construction is set to begin in the coming months. The new location is scheduled to open fall 2015.
Uptown Deli and Brew
41 N. State St.
Times are changing in what was once the epicenter of the nation’s Prohibition Movement. Behold Uptown Deli and Brew, a new storefront offering equal parts European market and Prohibition-era speakeasy.
Upon entering the deli from North State Street, visitors will be greeted by a deli boasting the classic dietary staples of a traditional European marketplace, including fresh-cut meats, cheeses and breads. Just beyond the deli, near the back of the facility, resides Temperance Row Brewing, an on-site brewery that will delight both novices and connoisseurs alike with a selection of beers uniquely indigenous to Westerville.
The two concepts harmoniously coexist within a single space, each complementing the other while delivering another first for a part of town with a knack for making the history books.
8 State Bistro
8 N. State St.
The State Theater will find new life in its next reinvention, this time as an upscale American cuisine restaurant in the heart of a community with an appetite for fine dining.
8 State Bistro will also pay proper homage to its theatrical roots with its plans to restore the theater’s outdoor marquee, project silent films onto the restaurant walls and employ movie memorabilia to top off the decorative aesthetic. An open kitchen will set up shop along the same wall that originally featured the stage and movie screen, this time dazzling audiences with pastas, steak and seafood replete with locally sourced ingredients.
8 State Bistro is planning to open its doors to diners by the end of the year.
Koblé
7 N. State St.
The build-your-own-entrée concept is coming to Westerville, but this time with a Greek flair.
Koblé will welcome guests to assemble their own gyros from scratch, using a smorgasbord of ingredients primed to make the perfect ensemble. Windows along State Street will open to the sidewalk and allow diners to enjoy a hint of al fresco dining all from the comfort of the great indoors. New high-end luxury condos sit atop the restaurant at 7-9 N. State St. Throughout the entire building, meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering appreciation for historic conservation have preserved much of the original brick, dating back to late 19th century.
Koblé is set to open later this year.
Until the sawdust clears, Uptown patrons can grab a bite to eat, a tasty desert or a soothing cup of coffee at any one of the area’s existing restaurants, eateries and coffee shops:
- 2 Chicks and a Cookie
- 20 S. State St., Ste H
- Chocolaterie Stam
- 79 S. State St.
- Dairy Queen
- 84 S. State St.
- Dough Boys Pizzeria
- 10 E. Main St.
- Graeter’s
- 1 N. State St.
- Heavenly Cup
- 25 N. State St.
- Java Central Coffee House and Gifts
- 20 S. State St.
- Jimmy V’s
- 1 S. State St.
- The Old Bag of Nails Pub
- 24 N. State St.
- Pasquale’s Italian Restaurant
- 14 N. State St.
- Schneider’s Bakery
- 6 S. State St.
- Thai Grille
- 15 E. College Ave.
- Westerville Grill
- 59 S. State St.
