The Refectory's service was above and beyond. Every person who came to our table knew why we were there (anniversary) and congratulated us. It was an incredible experience. The food was unbelievably good. By fat the best dining experience that Columbus has to offer by a long shot. The sommelier was knowledgeable and walked us through the history of our wines and the waiter was an expert at the menu and guided us on the perfect choices. It was just a fantastic experience overall. HIGHLY recommend to anyone looking for a perfect fine dining experience!

Amazing French food, at a very high level of execution!! A must-visit when in Columbus—it’s a city staple. Customer service was outstanding, drinks super delicious, and very creative. The tasting menu is amazing value too!

Update 5/11/23: We dined here again last night and I just had to come back to say my original review still stands, but I also wanted to thank the amazing staff at the Refectory. They are all so accommodating and they truly make you feel so well taken care of and comfortable when dining there. My grandma has a 'smaller' appetite so we asked to split a salad, and they plated it on two different plates for us, no questions asked. So many other high end restaurant would give you a hard time for asking to split a dish, but not the Refectory. Dare I say, this is the best restaurant in Columbus!! Always a treat! Original review: Everything was absolutely fantastic. So tasty! The food is prepared so beautifully and artfully on the plates — there truly is nothing else like it in Columbus. One of my surprise favorites was the beet salad. Go dine here for a superb fine dining experience, you won’t be disappointed!

It had been a while since I got to enjoy the fine dining of the Refectory. I still say it's the best restaurant around. Just as good as it always was. And way better than most places. Ever since pandemic I feel like majority of the restaurants is really gone down the drain. It's hard to enjoy eating out anymore cuz you can tell nobody cares back in the kitchen. This is extraordinary and above ordinary. I highly recommend anybody that can check it out or go during restaurant week or Dina originals week.

We’ve traveled quite extensively and the Refectory is without question not only THE BEST dining experience in the state of Ohio, but one of the best we’ve ever had. I’m not sure who second place is but it’s a distant 2nd. From the moment you walk in the door you’re treated like royalty. The ambience is unique. The history of the building is fascinating. The service is impeccable. Last night we had Dom who seemed to have a sixth sense for when we needed anything, but was never intrusive and gave us space to enjoy our special night out. The sommelier always has interesting suggestions. It’s a great place to find rare bottles of wine and his knowledge is impressive. The food…it’s more like an experience than a meal. If this restaurant was in New York or California it would be Michelin starred, and that’s not an exaggeration. The chef brilliantly prepares food that leaves you looking at the person you’re with and saying, “oh wow…did you taste that.” We eat out all the time, and most of the time the food is pretty good and it fills your belly, but at this restaurant you create memories where you say things like, “remember the duck breast at The Refectory?!!” The owner Kamal is a true gentleman in every sense of the word. Dignified but not pretentious. It’s not uncommon to see him greeting people as they walk in the door or leave. He’s got something truly special at The Refectory. If you’re thinking, “wow this review is over the top” it’s because it deserves to be. If you’re looking for an experience you’ll never forget, this is the place to go.

Finest restaurant I've had in Columbus! Service was perfect, they explained each dish and the sources. And even asked how long we had to stay so it was perfectly timed. Food was out of this world as well, such amazing flavors!

Had a pre-engagement dinner at The Refectory, and it was well worth the venture. It's hard to find a place with the atmosphere that matches the food. The dishes are fresh and authentic to French culinary; Andrew our waiter was extremely courteous as well, constantly ensuring we were taken care of (but not in an overbearing way) while providing excellent choices based on current needs. He even offered a complementary glass of wine since it did not fill to the allotted line. And we can't forget about the busser who constantly exchanged our napkins, as well as cleaned our area for the next dish perfectly. He was light-skinned, and wore thick, dark rimmed glasses. I feel bad for not asking his name. I would highly recommend this gentleman to serve at this location. His attention to detail was great. Thank you all for a great start to a new life for us. It's by far a top five dining experience. We will surely be back!

Really enjoyed our meal here. The host was super nice and helpful. Our waiter was super helpful and friendly, and when we had more questions about the venue as a place for a larger party event, he was more than willing to help us with all the questions we had and gave us the owners contact information if we had more. The food was amazing! I had the Red snapper and it was really FANTASTIC! The desserts were amazing as well. They make a killer old fashioned on top of the other cocktails they offer. thanks guys! will be back!

Amazing. My reservation was accidently made for a week ahead, but they still accommodated us. We had 5 course meal that was outstanding, served by knowledgeable staff. The owner was present as well...a kind and elegant man. Fine dining at its finest!!

If you are a gourmet and enjoy delicious food worthy of French cuisine's reputation you will absolutely love this place! Highly recommended for special occasions.

Went for our anniversary and it was a 10/10 experience. Service, food and ambiance were impeccable! One of, if not the best restaurants that Columbus has to to offer!

I liked all my food except one of the cheeses - next time I'll skip the cheese course. They did mix up the order of things, we got meat before fish, and brought a wrong item, lamb instead of beef. I did like the lamb though so not a big deal, but it shouldn't happen, so one star off.

A very relaxing dining experience. Romantic if you want to bring your significant other (mine unfortunately could not come). All the food was beautifully prepared and delicious and the wait staff were all very helpful and kind. Definitely a place to dine if you want to get your money's worth and have a great dining experience

High-end (yet comforting) French cuisine in a lovely, quaint, and intimate church-turned-resto. The duck breast and the creme brulee were particular standouts.

My boyfriend and I went for his birthday and had a great time. He got the chefs tasting and I got the vegetarian chefs tasting. Both were great. My favorite was the butternut squash soup. The chef sent out an additional course on the house and we got bread. They brought out an additional dessert for his birthday with a candle too. The ambiance was great, intimate, and romantic. Service was fantastic as well. Very beautiful and spacious restaurant that was an old church! Some of the courses were just okay but I had plenty of food and was satisfied. Next time I will just order an entree. Would definitely recommend 9/10

Went to celebrate my parents 50th anniversary. Misa was a wonderful waitress. The food was very exquisite. Truly a meal of a lifetime. A wonderful time with family and wonderful food..

Wow! The Refectory boast an amazing staff and environment ready to make a great evening for any occasion. Dom took care of us and did a spectacular job making us feel welcome, attending to any needs we had, guaranteeing a new returning customer! Starting with Chilled antelope and grouped with roasted duck cooked to perfection and a trailing cheese dish, I was continuously greeted with flavor and freshness all around. Bravo!

Had our anniversary dinner here. We ordered one 5 course veggie menu along with few other items such as French country terrine, seafood and mussels coulibac, pan seared ocean trout and crème brûlée. Most of the items tasted very good. However the Camembert cheese micro salad was extremely salty was almost unpalatable. The perigourdine sauce given with Moulard duck magret was also saltier than my liking. One of the wines given as part of the 5 course menu was different than listed and was too sugary to consume.

Incredible dining experience! Dom and the bartender in the lounge were super attentive and friendly! Sat by the fireplace. Everything was so cozy and dishes were timed/paced perfectly. We were celebrating our first Christmas as a married couple and they certainly made us feel special!

It was the most elegant dining experience ever. The service n food was fabulous.

The food, service, and atmosphere were excellent. Sam did a fantastic job taking care of us on our anniversary dinner. My compliments to the chef for an amazing dinner. My compliments go out to all of the staff for an excellent dining experience. We will certainly come back.

We recently dined at the Refectory for the second time, and it was an unforgettable experience. This fine dining restaurant truly knows how to impress its guests with its outstanding cuisine and exceptional service. Having traveled all over the world, we can confidently say that The Refectory is one of the better fine dining places we have dined at. From the moment we walked in, we were warmly greeted by the staff, who made us feel right at home. The atmosphere was elegant and refined, with beautiful holiday decor and soft lighting. The menu was filled with delicious and unique dishes, with something to suit every taste. I decided to try the chef's tasting menu, which was an absolute delight. Each dish was expertly crafted with the finest ingredients and presented beautifully. The flavors were exquisite, and the wine pairings were spot on. We love to explore fine and unique wines and cannot more highly recommend the Grand Cru wine pairing with the sommelier, Taylor. The service was impeccable. Our waiter Dom was exceptional. He was knowledgeable about the menu and great to converse with. The entire staff was attentive and ensured we had everything we needed throughout the evening. Overall, The Refectory is a must-visit restaurant for anyone looking for an outstanding fine dining experience in central Ohio. We highly recommend it and can't wait to go back again.

Such a treat! I am not a connoisseur of French cooking by any means, but after reading a novel about a French chef, we were inspired to seek out a French restaurant on our mini vacation to Columbus from Cincinnati. The Refectory was a real gem. From the kind welcoming at the door by Kamal, the owner, who clearly loves his restaurant and everyone who comes in, to the serving staff who are impeccably trained and attentive, to the cozy fireplace table in the historic atmosphere, the incredible history of the building and oh yeah .. the food! I had the 5 course vegetarian dinner, and my partner had the 5 course meat dinner and everything was delicious! Carefully curated flavors in perfect portions… we cleaned (almost) every morsel off each of our 6 plates. It made our trip very memorable and special.

Had a great time celebrating an event. Beautiful champagne, prelude, main course and dessert! Great atmosphere and service. Had a wonderful date night.

What a lovely place! The food was absolutely outstanding, service was perfect, atmosphere on point. Alex was our server and he was wonderful. I really appreciate how he worked with me/my allergies to avoid tree nuts. All of the food was so tasty and carried so many flavors I’ve never had combined. I can’t wait to come back some time.

Everything about our experience was perfect. The attention to detail in the presentation of food and the hospitality of the owner and the staff were unmatched. Although the portions are smaller (they are intended that way), the flavor and richness of food makes up for it. Really enjoyed the lamb chop, the filet and the scallops. The dessert was exceptional as well! Will definitely be back!

In a world where restaurant service can often leave you feeling underwhelmed, The Refectory stands out as a shining example of what exceptional customer service looks like. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth and sincerity. The ambience was cozy and inviting, and the skillfully crafted menu was a delight to our taste buds. Our meal was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, and the service was exceptional. We were even sent home with desserts for our children, which was a lovely touch. As a business owner, I was particularly impressed by the valuable lesson on customer service that The Refectory provided. They have earned themselves a repeat customer in me. Overall, I would highly recommend The Refectory to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience. They are truly a step above the rest. Thank you for a lovely evening.

Delicious but expensive! Definitely a special occasion dinner. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful with pairing wine to our meals. Menu can be a tad confusing with so many options but the staff are knowledgeable and able to assist! Made a reservation and still had to wait approximately 20 minutes to be seated on a Saturday night. Complimentary pumpkin creme brulee was delicious!!

Very much enjoyed my time here. Delicious tasting menu. Great environment.

The Refectory is a must have Culinary experience! Beet salad, Mackarel, Felit Mignon, Creme Brulee & Chocolate Panacotta

This visit to the Refectory, one of many, was to celebrate the 83rd birthday celebration of a dear friend of ours and to treat this long-time patron of the Refectory to a wonderful dinner. We were not at all disappointed! From the door to the table, our experience was fantastic! Our server was very attentive to our table. The Birthday Girl had a wonderful birthday experience. The culinary delights under the direction of Chef Richard Blondin are The Best in Columbus!

Went there to treat myself for my birthday. Everything was divine. The food was marvelous, small plates that were beautifully presented, a variety of flavours that were delicious, well cooked, pleasant texture and colourful. The decor is tasteful and the ambiance was relaxing. Service was great, they were unfussy and friendly and not obsequious. I usually listen to audiobooks when I dine alone and I could relax and do that. Wine and beer was delicious.

Let me start by saying the food was delicious although my lamb was over cooked and all the dishes were very small portions. However the service was not up to what I would expect when spending this kind of money in a restaurant. We were celebrating my wife's birthday and were looking forward to a leisurely dinner. We felt very rushed from the start! The first thing out of our waiter's mouth was "do you know what you would like to order?" He (Joseph) asked us that at least 3 times before we had time to review the menu and decide on what we would like. We got the feeling that he could care less whether we dined there and that there were more important guests for him to attend to. Never did he offer to explain anything on the menu unless we asked. We ordered a cheese plate and he set it down and walked away. Not a word about what the different cheeses were! Needless to say this night did not turn out the way we had envisioned. They did put a candle in my wife's desert but as I kind of expected, it was not complimentary!

As someone not from Ohio I was nervous especially with celiacs. When we visited tonight we talked to the owner (we had no idea he was the owner until later!) he had told us all about the history of the restaurant and building. Then we sat with our server Alex and he made me so comfortable and safe with my celiacs. We had the five course menu and I will never forget that amazing meal. I will come back to Columbus just for this restaurant! Thank you for the amazing time!

We had a dinner with one vegetarian tasting menu and a couple of additional preludes. The vegetarian dishes are extremely good. Staff is wonderful. Wine selections with the meal paired very well.

Absolutely beautiful location. The staff was beyond phenomenal, and went out of their way to spoil( with AMAZING drink recommendations) and accommodate us( I have severe gluten/food allergies). Went for our 2 year anniversary and they had a special card with our names on the table before we arrived. Can't recommend enough!

I hosted a private event for 30 people at Refectory. Dave made the planning easy and stress free. The room was beautiful, and Steven and Nick provided flawless service. Many of my guests commented that this restaurant was on their “must try” list and they were grateful to get to come, so it made quite an impression. I recommend Refectory highly and wouldn’t hesitate to return. Thank you for such a great night!

Wonderful birthday dinner @ The Refectory. Titanic dinner - recreated 1st class last dinner. Well executed food, good wine pairing, excellent service, beautiful space and awesome chamber orchestra concert to wind up the evening. A night to remember.

Absolutely Love this place!!! The atmosphere is beautiful. The staff is amazing, helpful, courteous, knowledgeable, and very attentive. Misa was our server and she was incredible. The food was perfectly prepared and presented. No attention to detail was missed during our evening from start to finish

My first upscale restaurant! I did not have a big reason to go but they kept asking me what I’m celebrating so I told them I just took a huge licensure exam. I was shy about it but they ended up giving me a congratulations card. Besides the amazing, hospitality. They were very knowledgeable in their menu as it is created by the head chef and changes often. The service was very slow (prob 30min -1 hour wait) but the food was worth it! They did give us a complimentary appetizer as we waited as well. The portions I personally thought was perfect with a prelude, course, and finale. I tried the cauliflower appetizer and it was amazing! On the other hand, the popular French Country Terrine I did not like. I then had the filet mignon and it was cooked to perfection. The finale was the best dessert I have ever had. It was the pear tarte. As for drinks, I am not a fan of drinking but I had to try something so I had their cocktail and it was tolerable as I usually cannot tolerate cocktails. Atmosphere was very enjoyable as it was not too loud and the lighting wasn’t too dark. Their were separated rooms which I liked. The parking wasn’t hard to find as they have a parking lot.

An eloquent and sophisticated French dining experience. Every dish was made to perfection, and each course complemented the next. I ordered the soup and chilled sashimi tuna to start. The soup was full of substance and tasted freshly made and the tuna was super fresh and refreshing. A great way to start a great meal. For the fish course, I ordered the swordfish and it was cooked to perfection. Crispy skin and the meat was full of juice. For the meat course I got the duck breast and let me tell you, that was one of the best ducks I've had. Remember to save room for the cheese course and desert, as the creme brulee and the cakes they make can not be missed. Highly recommend visiting the Refectory for a gastronomical experience.

One of the few fine dining places we could find that has a vegetarian 5 course tasting menu. I was not sure what to expect, but I was very pleased with what we got. Everything was very good. The menu supposedly changes daily, so I would be curious to see what other vegetarian options they have. It is expensive fine dining, but the food is worth it.

We went here for our anniversary and it was the first time experiencing this restaurant. The staff was very polite and seemed very organized. We had a small 3-5 min wait to be seated. Upon arriving at our table, we had a lovely card wishing us happy anniversary. The bathroom was clean as well! That in itself is very important to me! We were offered the various menus and started with drinks and we were asked about our food selections. The staff was attentive to keeping our glasses full and offering new drinks should we want them. The staff was very descriptive on the individual plates, where it came from and how it was prepared. The staff described what we would be eating at each course. You could ask questions should you have any at that time. The food was delicious. We selected an Al a carte style but we would be open to trying the five course tasting menu next visit. The overall experience was fantastic. The moscato is what I tried. It was sweet and I could have bought the bottle! It was very tasty! The escargot and duck are highly recommended! The chocolate trio was dark chocolate with a mouse layer. I could eat that every day! The sorbet had three options to try with fresh fruit. You have to experience this restaurant. 10/10!

An absolutely fantastic experience! Our waiter, Alex, was attentive and extremely knowledgeable about everything he brought to our table. The food was beyond our expectations and served with beautiful presentation. The owner, Kamal, was incredibly gracious. Thank you Kamal and staff for helping to preserve a piece of Columbus history and for a wonderful evening! We will definitely return soon!

My wife and I try to spend every anniversary here! By far the best food I have ever had. Was almost in tears the first time we came here because the food is so good. Staff is very kind and knowledgeable about the menu, even had the waiter put a napkin on my lap for me. Never had that done anywhere else. Atmosphere is cozy and welcoming. I recommend this place to anyone I hear is going to be in the Columbus area.

Taking advantage of Restaurant Week to take out from the Refectory twice this week! Everything is very well packaged, with clear instructions, easy to prepare and very good as always. The staff are doing an outstanding job under difficult circumstances.

Breath of fresh air and best lunch or dinner in town. Wonderful service, consistent menu and delivery.

We came to realize he was our sommelier 3 years back as well! Chris, we know you were incredibly busy the evening we dined, and we appreciate the time you spent with us. God Bless you all for the people you are and the joy you brought us on our special evening. We will remember it always. p.s. Sorry, no picture of the chocolate souffle.

Wonderful for and ambiance for a special evening out.

Unique, cozy atmosphere with out of this world food and attentive, personable staff

Wonderful food.. prepared impeccably. Great atmosphere !

Tremendous food, awesome atmosphere, spectacular service, and James in the Bistro Bar to the bees knees!

Nice place

I was extremely impressed! Nice staff, interesting art on the walls, yummy strong coffee and even the toasts came out in the shape of a heart! Lots of vegan options and I can't wait to go back and try more :)

Our favorite restaurant. The food is exceptional with a lovely atmosphere!

nice place to relax, people watch, eat good, etc. the bill was decent for the quality.

Wonderful first courses have included gazpacho. mushroom soup, and pate. Wine is sold at retail prices. You need to order at least one day in advance on line. Pick up at the door. Meals include cooking directions. Very simple. Meals include lovely sides including rice pilaf, carrots, harticot vert, sometimes purple potatoes. Enjoy. Thank you.

Amazingly good "heat at home" meals. Prepared with all the care and attention to detail as a meal in restaurant, with clear and simple reheating instructions. For safety we are not dining in restaurants still, but decided to splurge on a Refectory take out meal to celebrate our anniversary. The duck (medium rare) and beef (rare) were both perfect, proving you can reheat without overcooking if the prep is done correctly. The serving size actually seemed more generous, especially with the variety of side veggies, than if we'd eaten in the restaurant. We did miss the outstanding personal service and ambiance, but you can't do better for a special carry out meal these days.

The owner walks you in and gives you a brief history of the building. Food and customer service is amazing. Definitely coming back.

However the appetizer course is more substantial and even though I am a big eater, I am still satisfied. If it isn't quite enough, there is always the excellent bread, dessert, or just order and additional appetizer. Chef Richard has raised the bar even higher when it comes to the art of food placement and design. I something new each time just to see what it looks like. Truly amazing.

We’ve now been to the Refectory a handful of times and it remains the best restaurant in Columbus for us. This last time we did the chef’s tasting menu and it was amazing.

Amazingly creative menu and wine list!!!! Our dinner was excellent, and the service was wonderful. Thank you for a memorable dinner.

Best restaurant in Ohio hands down. I Cant even find a word to describe how great the food is!! Our server Joe was top notch. 3rd time here and always a wonderful experience. They also have a amazing live music venue!

Outstanding staff, wonderful ambiance, one of the most talented chefs in the business. Your mouth is in for a treat, the pairings of ingredients and presentation are the absolute best you can get. Considering all you are getting, I found it to be a good value as well. So much more than a Hyde Park, etc for the same money.

Food was amazing. Only downside was the downstairs bathroom is kinda not befitting of a place this nice. They also have a great wine selection and the staff is very helpful. Another thing I really appreciate is the waiters and waitresses explain everything with great detail. Prices are on the high side but worth it. Check it out for yourself!

Best upscale restaurant in Central Ohio. First dining out since COVID-19 started. Did a good job with mask and social distancing, we felt very safe. New format, mix of small plates and full entrees, we were unclear of what was small plate and what was a meal with sides. Food was delicious.

Loved the new small plate menu. One of the best experiences we have had at Refectory. Service was excellent. Steve did a great job, and Chris keeps an excellent wine list and pairings as always!

The place is so amazing! We went there to celebrate our anniversary and really enjoyed it! Everything about this place is so good. The vibe, the food, the cocktails and their service. It’s so interesting that they change the menu every day, so you have the chance to have a different experience every time.

Great experience! You are treated like royalty. Interesting menu.

Great anniversary dinner! We stayed for 3.5 hours and did the 5 course chef choice menu with wine pairings. I love how high quality and unique the food is! The wine expert gave us great information with each wine. It was a perfect evening on their outdoor patio.

Super place to meet and chat with coworkers. The staff was sociable and attentive.

Sevice and atmosphere were very nice. However, food was ok but not that like magically great as I expected. I've traveled and visited lots of fine dining in many countries. So, I anticipated this restaurant will be good or great like other fine restaurants I've enjoyed as I also heared a lot about this restaurant. However it was not. Foods were not amazngly delicious but just OK. I think they are stuck in the old receipies and tastes.

We are happy that The Refectory in again serving at the restaurant. We had dinner outdoors on the patio on September 24. The service was impeccable, the presentation of the food was perfect as was the quality of the meal. It made us feel like we were getting somewhat back to normal.

Excellent wine menu and every entree on the menu is worth trying. Outstanding customer service. Great place!

Haven't really been out much since the pandemic, but we all felt completely safe and at ease here. The food was wonderful, with sauces that will leave you floored and presentation that will leave you awed. Definitely recommend, especially for a special occasion. This place deserves Michelin stars!!

Great food quality. Excellent Wines.

Since we are in a high risk category we've been eating takeout for all of our dining excursions. The Refectory does a lot more than "takeout" with their Home Meals. It's a gourmet dining experience that's easy to prepare and delicious to eat. Food was delicious. Highly recommended.

We love it here and the staff are warm, friendly and genuine. Superb food. Natural ambience.

Outstanding.

it's so appetizing. service is consistently good. the place has an awesome feel to it.

i often meet people here to talk. the staff was very welcoming and sociable. the bill won't shock you.

this place has a cool atmosphere.

Food was amazing! We stayed for 3 hours and did the 5 course chef choice menu. It was a perfect evening!

Wow! Wonderful food and wine pairings!

We've been to the Refectory multiple times and have enjoyed each experience. For a special night out, there are few restaurants in Columbus that can compare with the combination of food and service that the Refectory provides.

Clean restaurant, quick service and good food. Couldn't ask for more.