Restaurants of the Year celebrates standout dining across US for 2026
USA TODAY’s Restaurants of the Year spotlights top dining destinations across America for 2026, from roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots. See the list Feb. 11.
The Refectory in Columbus was named the best French restaurant in Ohio by the digital media company Tasting Table.Owner Kamal Boulos expressed gratitude for the national recognition and the support of guests and staff.Tasting Table’s guide highlighted the restaurant’s award-winning hospitality and recommended its tasting menu.
The Refectory, a fine-dining destination in Columbus for 50 years, has been named the crème de la crème of French restaurants in the state.
Tasting Table, a digital media company focused on food and drink, recognized the Northwest Side establishment as Ohio’s best French restaurant in its 2026 guide, “The Absolute Best French Restaurant in Every State”.
The roundup touts The Refectory’s “award-winning hospitality” and suggests trying the tasting menu for a variety of dishes, especially the “standout” quail and fish.
Owner Kamal Boulos said in a press release that he was “humbled and honored” by the national recognition for The Refectory, located at 1092 Bethel Road.
“We greatly appreciate our guests for their support and encouragement and our amazing associates who have led us to represent Ohio’s finest,” he said in the release.
“Celebrating 50 years of central Ohio hospitality and (being) named among the top 50 French restaurants in America! Our hearts are full of gratitude.”
To compile the list, Tasting Table consulted resources such as the Michelin Guide and the James Beard Foundation, and pored over countless customer reviews, recommendations, and reports.
The company also sought places that use classic French techniques and offer extensive wine lists. The Refectory does both, applying classic methods to contemporary American cuisine and boasting a wine list with more than 700 selections.
Contact features and entertainment reporter Belinda M. Paschal at bpaschal@dispatch.com.
Dining and Cooking