I worked with Haley at Understory to plan and host a 40th birthday party with about 50 people at the Understory Lounge at the end of October and the party was a total success. The planning process was extremely helpful and professional and Haley was exceptionally responsive to all of my questions, including special accomodations for vegan food options. The night of the party, everything was wonderful and the food was also delicious. The dedicated bar staff was professional and attentive and others who worked the party for the food rotation, etc. were all polite and professional. Also a big thanks to Nick, who was our on-site POC the night of the party to ensure we had everything we needed and also walked me through the bill at the end of the evening to confirm my deposit was correctly applied and gratuity was sufficienly calculated. I would recommend a private event at Understory one-thousand times over! Thank you all so much for a great evening!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Natwara Attaworawinit
We’re visiting from California and came here for brunch/lunch with three friends — everything was awesome! The food was super good — we had Brussels sprouts, burgers, chicken salad, and pulled pork sandwiches. We also tried a local beer and two sparkling rosés — all great picks.
Jacob and Jacqueline were amazing! Super friendly and took great care of us. The place has a nice vibe and feels really local. Definitely recommend if you’re around downtown Columbus.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tracie Parsley
Excellent cocktails. Menu is small, but goog
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Rachela Jenkins
We chose Understory to host a private wedding event in August and couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Planning was so easy, thanks to Haley Parker. She was very informative throughout the process, in addition to being flexible and accommodating with our wishes. The events team was on top of everything the night of - the event lead and all of the servers were so friendly. Our guests raved about the food, drinks, and cocktails, especially loving the bonus patio space to hang out on. The indoor space is also beautiful - not requiring much additional decoration (in my opinion). Thanks again to everyone at Understory! We had such a great night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ryan Miller
Beautiful spot in Old North Columbus near the Olentangy Trail. Food and drinks are always on point.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jerrod Shack
Great food and atmosphere. Last time I was here I chickened out of asking out the very cute hostess. Would come again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Don Scarleon
Everyone there is so nice and they're very accommodating, the food is to die for and the drinks are a definite need, and even if you're just stopping in they usually have an event going on that keeps you there to participate 10/10 would return
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amelia Sagun
We worked with Haley and her team for an event— This was the perfect event venue and everything was incredible and commented on positively from our guests, from the space to the food and drink. I would recommend using understory to anybody!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Heather
My 3rd time going to the Understory in multiple seasons and now is the BEST time. Its so wonderful and relaxing. The smell of the fire pit with the forest RIGHT there. I will forever recommend this place. The staff and kitchen are so kind and friendly. Always 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Geoffrey Feld
Overpriced for quality and quantity. Sat on the patio which was wonderful ambiance. Shared bbq wings, LoLos, and soup of the day. Wings were good and loaded veggie soup was great. LoLos were basically a baked potato cut into wedges with melted cheese and a little bacon. Would have been fine except one of the wedges wasnt fully cooked. That was like $5 worth of inedible food based on the price. Try adding a little seasoning and use a meat thermometer to make sure the taters are cooked... Are we really supposed to bus our own table? Forgot blue cheese with wings and since you don't have a server gotta get it yourself.
Inconsistent judgmental service. Food quality is fine but pricey for what you get. There are better options elsewhere
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Sean Galvin
Hard to believe this is in the middle of Columbus. Old school that is now a beautiful building. The food was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Jordan Ballinger
Edit: I emailed after that comment was left. They never got back to me and it’s been a month. They comment to save face but never actually resolve the issues. Bad look.
I came here on a Saturday night for a chill drink with a Bachelorette party. There were about 12 of us so we sat at two different tables. When we got there the server tells my table that we have to all be on the same check . . . Fine. Well it turns out that our whole group needs to be on the same check and the server never tells me this. A friend at the other table had to tell me. Meanwhile, the table next to us has 6 people and they each have their own check. So, I’m overwhelmed by the time I get the check not knowing if it’s correct or not since it includes orders for 12 people. Well I tip and leave and realize they had already added an auto-gratuity . . . Also without telling me. So my server ends up with a $75 tip on a $190 tab. The server was fine but definitely didn’t go above and beyond deserving a 40% tip when she wasn’t even willing to split a check into the two tables we were sat at. It was not that busy and I’m guessing the server just wanted to keep us all together to be able to charge the auto-gratuity.
That being said, the drinks were good and a couple people got fries which were fine but small portions (as expected at a place like this). Which is why I gave it two stars. I’ve been here multiple times for coffee at had a good experience but this leaves a bad taste in my mouth for this place.
Lyenochka Djakov
Didn’t eat here but stopped in for a beer on the patio which was lovely! 10 out of 10 recommend. They have a lounge which is a more traditional restaurant and full service bar and then a more casual eatery where you order at the counter and they bring out your food. This is attached to the patio. Accessible from the Olentangy bike path by way of some serious stairs.
Chloe Dunston
Yet another stunningly beautiful place to get over-priced and under-flavored American food in Columbus.
I worked with Haley at Understory to plan and host a 40th birthday party with about 50 people at the Understory Lounge at the end of October and the party was a total success. The planning process was extremely helpful and professional and Haley was exceptionally responsive to all of my questions, including special accomodations for vegan food options. The night of the party, everything was wonderful and the food was also delicious. The dedicated bar staff was professional and attentive and others who worked the party for the food rotation, etc. were all polite and professional. Also a big thanks to Nick, who was our on-site POC the night of the party to ensure we had everything we needed and also walked me through the bill at the end of the evening to confirm my deposit was correctly applied and gratuity was sufficienly calculated. I would recommend a private event at Understory one-thousand times over! Thank you all so much for a great evening!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We’re visiting from California and came here for brunch/lunch with three friends — everything was awesome! The food was super good — we had Brussels sprouts, burgers, chicken salad, and pulled pork sandwiches. We also tried a local beer and two sparkling rosés — all great picks.
Jacob and Jacqueline were amazing! Super friendly and took great care of us. The place has a nice vibe and feels really local. Definitely recommend if you’re around downtown Columbus.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent cocktails. Menu is small, but goog
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
We chose Understory to host a private wedding event in August and couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Planning was so easy, thanks to Haley Parker. She was very informative throughout the process, in addition to being flexible and accommodating with our wishes. The events team was on top of everything the night of - the event lead and all of the servers were so friendly. Our guests raved about the food, drinks, and cocktails, especially loving the bonus patio space to hang out on. The indoor space is also beautiful - not requiring much additional decoration (in my opinion). Thanks again to everyone at Understory! We had such a great night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beautiful spot in Old North Columbus near the Olentangy Trail. Food and drinks are always on point.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and atmosphere. Last time I was here I chickened out of asking out the very cute hostess. Would come again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everyone there is so nice and they're very accommodating, the food is to die for and the drinks are a definite need, and even if you're just stopping in they usually have an event going on that keeps you there to participate 10/10 would return
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We worked with Haley and her team for an event— This was the perfect event venue and everything was incredible and commented on positively from our guests, from the space to the food and drink. I would recommend using understory to anybody!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My 3rd time going to the Understory in multiple seasons and now is the BEST time. Its so wonderful and relaxing. The smell of the fire pit with the forest RIGHT there. I will forever recommend this place. The staff and kitchen are so kind and friendly. Always 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Overpriced for quality and quantity. Sat on the patio which was wonderful ambiance. Shared bbq wings, LoLos, and soup of the day. Wings were good and loaded veggie soup was great. LoLos were basically a baked potato cut into wedges with melted cheese and a little bacon. Would have been fine except one of the wedges wasnt fully cooked. That was like $5 worth of inedible food based on the price. Try adding a little seasoning and use a meat thermometer to make sure the taters are cooked...
Are we really supposed to bus our own table? Forgot blue cheese with wings and since you don't have a server gotta get it yourself.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Inconsistent judgmental service. Food quality is fine but pricey for what you get. There are better options elsewhere
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Hard to believe this is in the middle of Columbus. Old school that is now a beautiful building. The food was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Edit: I emailed after that comment was left. They never got back to me and it’s been a month. They comment to save face but never actually resolve the issues. Bad look.
I came here on a Saturday night for a chill drink with a Bachelorette party. There were about 12 of us so we sat at two different tables. When we got there the server tells my table that we have to all be on the same check . . . Fine. Well it turns out that our whole group needs to be on the same check and the server never tells me this. A friend at the other table had to tell me. Meanwhile, the table next to us has 6 people and they each have their own check. So, I’m overwhelmed by the time I get the check not knowing if it’s correct or not since it includes orders for 12 people. Well I tip and leave and realize they had already added an auto-gratuity . . . Also without telling me. So my server ends up with a $75 tip on a $190 tab. The server was fine but definitely didn’t go above and beyond deserving a 40% tip when she wasn’t even willing to split a check into the two tables we were sat at. It was not that busy and I’m guessing the server just wanted to keep us all together to be able to charge the auto-gratuity.
That being said, the drinks were good and a couple people got fries which were fine but small portions (as expected at a place like this). Which is why I gave it two stars. I’ve been here multiple times for coffee at had a good experience but this leaves a bad taste in my mouth for this place.
Didn’t eat here but stopped in for a beer on the patio which was lovely! 10 out of 10 recommend. They have a lounge which is a more traditional restaurant and full service bar and then a more casual eatery where you order at the counter and they bring out your food. This is attached to the patio. Accessible from the Olentangy bike path by way of some serious stairs.
Yet another stunningly beautiful place to get over-priced and under-flavored American food in Columbus.
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