Brick-paved streets. Pre-Civil War cottages tucked behind flower-filled gardens. A cream puff the size of your fist. If you're searching for things to do in German Village, you're about to find out why this is the neighborhood Columbus locals bring their out-of-town guests first.
German Village is a 233-acre historic district about a mile south of downtown Columbus. German immigrants settled it in the mid-1800s, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Today it's known as the largest privately restored neighborhood in the country, and it happens to be packed with great food, quirky shops, and one of the best bookstores you'll ever get lost in.
We've been guiding guests through these streets for more than 15 years, so here's our insider list of the best things to do in German Village (and just next door), organized so you can build your perfect day.
Quick Picks: If You Only Have a Few Hours
- Best way to see it all: the Columbus Food Adventures German Village Walking Food Tour
- Best for book lovers: the Book Loft
- Best free activity: a stroll through Schiller Park and the brick streets around it
- Best night out: Dinner at one of the many great restaurants
- Best sweet treat: a chocolate bombe from Pistacia Vera
1. Take a German Village Food Tour (The Tastiest Way to Explore)
Wondering where to start? Start by eating your way through the neighborhood with someone who knows every shortcut and story.
The Columbus Food Adventures German Village Walking Food Tour is the best and most delicious way to experience the village. You'll sample celebrated local favorites, see the architecture up close, and hear the stories behind the neighborhood, all on a relaxed stroll with an experienced guide.
Tour at a glance
- What you'll taste: five tastings across German Village. Past stops have included Katzinger's (featured on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate), Schmidt's (featured on Man v. Food), and Barcelona, where the tour finishes with paella and sangria. Specific stops can change.
- How long: about 3.5 hours
- When: Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., mid-March through November
- How far: roughly 2.5 miles of walking on brick sidewalks
- Price: $85 per person, with all food included
- Good to know: vegetarian options are available with advance notice. Come hungry; the tastings add up to a full meal.
Why it's worth it: you get the history and the highlights without the guesswork. The walk between stops makes room for the next bite, and you'll leave knowing which spots to revisit on your own. Plus the guide will point out all the little details that make this historic neighborhood so special.
Reserve your spot on the German Village Walking Food Tour
2. Eat & Drink in German Village
This is a neighborhood built for appetites. You’ll find everything to eat from BBQ and bratwurst to ramen and paella and the city’s most popular bistro. Plus there’s Italian and casual neighborhood hang outs. German Village has several ‘As Seen on TV’ restaurants most of which you’ll visit on the food tour.
Dessert and Sweets
- Schmidt's Sausage Haus und Restaurant is a Columbus institution serving its famous cream puffs and Bahama Mama sausages, as seen on Man v. Food. Walk next door to Schmidt's Fudge Haus for fudge and buckeyes.
- Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams has its smallest location here: a seasonal window next to Brown Bag Deli.
Bakeries & Coffee
Grab pastries or a caffeine fix at Pistacia Vera (541 S. Third St.), Stauf's Coffee Roasters, Fox in the Snow, Winans, or Kittie's Cakes. Gluten free? Head to Bake Me Happy.
Brunch
Valter's at the Maennerchor serves a breakfast skillet that will leave you satisfied until dinner. Lindey’s is an upscale option that never goes out of style, or enjoy a casual brunch on the patio at Pistacia Vera or Emmett’s.
Best Patios in the Village
On a warm day, three spots vie for the title of best patio: Lindey's, Cento, and Barcelona. Pick one, order a round, and settle in.
Dinner Worth Planning Around: Agni
Just on the edge of German Village at 716 S. High St., Agni is the restaurant of chef Avishar Barua, a Top Chef alum who also beat Bobby Flay on Beat Bobby Flay. Expect a tasting menu with Bengali and other international flavors, and make reservations ahead or try to get lucky at the bar.
Hands-On Dining: The Kitchen
The Kitchen offers participatory dining and ice cream socials. Check their events calendar for what's coming up.
Farmers Market
The German Village Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May through November, along South Third Street (near 588 S. Third St.).
3. Wander the Neighborhood
Walk the Historic Streets
The best free thing to do in German Village is simply to walk. Stroll the iconic red-brick streets past mid-19th-century cottages along Beck, Mohawk, and Deshler streets, and keep an eye out for the gardens tucked behind every fence.
Visit Schiller Park
The neighborhood's historic central park is a gem. Walk the paths, spot the Schiller statue, Umbrella Girl, and try to find all five suspended kinetic sculptures created by Polish artist Jerzy Jotka Kędziora. You can also fish at the pond, enjoy a picnic (you can grab supplies at Katzinger’s or Brown Bag Deli) or settle onto a shaded bench. In summer, Actors' Theatre of Columbus stages outdoor plays here.
Get Lost at the Book Loft
The Book Loft at 631 S. Third St. is a massive independent bookstore with 32 maze-like rooms spread through pre-Civil War era buildings. Grab a map at the door, wander the narrow passageways and staircases, and plan on more time than you expect. (Stauf's Coffee Roasters is right next door for a post-browse latte.)
4. Shop Local
- 3rd & Sycamore (Tiki Botanicals), Vernacular and The Red Stable are go-to spots for unique gifts and home goods you'll actually keep.
- Helen Winnemore's has been in operation since 1938 and focuses on the work of American artisans. Think of it as an arts festival that runs all year: art here isn't limited to pieces that hang on walls or sit on pedestals.
- The Book Loft is a great place to browse for new and secondhand books, plus games, puzzles and gifts.
- Franklin Art Glass has been a family-owned stained glass studio since 1924 and has a store in the heart of the village. Its selection includes more than 1,900 types of glass.
5. Nightlife & Culture (Just Steps Away)
The Brewery District sits just west of German Village along High Street, and it's where the neighborhood's evening scene really comes alive.
- Catch a show at Shadowbox Live. Since 1988, Shadowbox has been Columbus's home for original sketch comedy, live music, and immersive productions, and it's the nation's largest resident theater ensemble. There's a full-service kitchen and bar on site, so dinner and a show is easy. Find it at 503 S. Front St.
- Sip award-winning cocktails at Law Bird or Cobra in the Brewery District.
- Explore craft beer spots and gastropubs along High Street like Antiques on High and The Daily Etcetera.
- Try Prototype: The Experimental Museum. Prototype is an interactive experience where art, media, and technology collide, designed for curious adults (guests under 16 aren't admitted). Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours exploring.
6. Get Outside & Active
Head slightly west of the neighborhood to the Scioto Audubon Center, a 120-acre urban bird refuge with a massive outdoor climbing wall. Prefer to stay indoors? Bloc Garten offers indoor climbing.
7. Seasonal Events Worth Planning Around
German Village loves a festival. Mark your calendar for:
- Village Valuables (May)
- Haus und Garten Tour (June)
- Monster Bash (October)
- Village Lights (December)
- German Village Makers Markets (monthly, April through December)
- Schmeckfest and Oktoberfest at Germania
Sample Saturday in German Village
- 9 a.m.: Farmers market on Saturday morning, with brunch from Pistacia Vera
- 11 a.m.: Browse the Book Loft and the boutiques
- 2 p.m.: The Columbus Food Adventures German Village Walking Food Tour
- Evening: A show at Shadowbox Live
Planning Your Visit: FAQs
What is German Village known for? Its brick-lined streets, restored 19th-century cottages, German heritage, and food. It's the largest privately restored historic neighborhood in the country and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Is there a food tour in German Village? Yes. The Columbus Food Adventures German Village Walking Food Tour runs Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. from mid-March through November, with five tastings and a guide who shares the neighborhood's history.
How much time do I need? A half day covers the highlights. The food tour alone takes about 3.5 hours, so pair it with a morning at the market and bookstore for a full day.
Where do I park? German Village offers free two-hour street parking. Plan your timing accordingly, or rideshare if you're settling in for a long day.
Is German Village walkable? Very. Wear comfortable shoes, since the sidewalks are brick.
Ready to Taste German Village?
There's a lot to love here, but if you do just one thing, make it the tour. You'll eat well, learn the stories behind the bricks, and leave with a list of places to come back to.
Book the German Village Walking Food Tour with Columbus Food Adventures
Bringing a group, planning a birthday, or looking for a team-building outing? Ask us about private tours when you book.