Marcella’s

To find a place to eat, I checked out Unilocal and it lead me here. With my boss beside me we sat down and discussed our options. Both of us have the same habit of ordering one specific dish to find out if it’s good food…
From the moment we entered, listening to the 80’s tunes playing on the over head, to the wines lining the walls and being seated next to a bottle of Luna di Luna (my nick name is Luna) we knew we were going to enjoy this place. and we did. The service was amazing, and the food. YES!!! So good. From the aparatif of a Lemoncello drink to the caprese salad we split. To our entrees, both of us gave this restaurant thumbs up.

Amazing food, wonderful atmosphere, and nice staff. We were sitting by the open window when a man came up to us asking for money. The manager was there in a heartbeat and sent him away. He wanted us to have the best experience we could there, and we did. We will definitely return

We’ve been here a few times.
Pros:
Good classic but modern Italian menu
Table is ready upon reservation time
Food can be a bit salty for some
Cons:
Cramped seating arrangement — you’ll either be too close to your neighbor or the walkway where the staff come through
Service can be a bit spotty at times

I love the vibe and décor, but more to the point I loved the spaghetti and meatballs. Or more accurately, meatball. It comes with one extra large, super-​sized meatball that is easily the best in the city. Nice and tender. And they offer to grate fresh parmigiano right onto your plate, at the table. The house bread with the olive oil is also nice. Though I’d have liked it if there was some balsamic vinegar to further complement it. The only real complaint I have is that if you get a table in the front, you need to sit on a backless bar stool, which was very uncomfortable on my back. Also, the candles at a lot of the tables had gone out. They’re a really nice accent, so it’d be great if they were kept going. But overall, it’s great!

I had a great experience at Marcellas. I went during happy hour with some friends and I will definitely be going again. Happy hour is 4 – 6, and all cocktails and beers on tap (which there are only two on tap) are half off. Small plates, salads, and pizzas are half off too. We had an excellent three course meal; our salads were $ 3.50 each, $ 5 dollar drinks, $ 7 pizzas and $ 5ish dollar melted cheese dish. The cocktails were well worth $ 5, we had the lemon one and the strawberry martini one; both a little on the sweet side, but so refreshing. Salads aren’t too fancy, but the pizza was out of this world. We had the mushroom pizza, which had truffle oil on it. It was one of the best mushroom pizzas I’ve ever had! We had sausage too and I’d have to say it was one of the best sausage pizzas I’ve ever had!

In the Short North, Cameron Mitchell has 2 Italian restaurants– Marcella’s and Martini. Of the two, Marcella’s is much more casual and affordable. I also feel that Marcella’s is closer to an actual Italian restaurant whereas Martini is more of a fancy Italo-​American fusion.
The food is great, the service is great, and the price is reasonable. On the flipside, it being the Short North, there’s not a lot of space inside the restaurant. If you’re seated at a booth, you’ll have plenty of space. But if you’re seated at a table, you’ll feel like if you scoot your seat back too far, you’ll hit someone else. So from the perspective of personal space, the Marcella’s in Polaris is superior.

I’ve only been to Marcella’s once, but I had a five star experience.
Note: I paid with a giftcard, so maybe this is slightly biased.
Our server was highly attentive without being bothersome or pushy. He knew the menu well. When I asked if a specific pasta dish was vegetarian he said, «Yes, it’s actually vegan!» He went on to say there is a vegetarian eggplant parmesan the kitchen can make that isn’t listed on the menu. I got that.
Every component was well-​executed. The citrus sangria was bright and refreshing. The sunchoke salad came out on an ice cold plate and truly was the best salad I’ve ever tasted. The recommended eggplant parm was everything I want indulgent Italian food to be. It would have totally been an appropriate portion to share, but I ate it all. I rounded out the meal with a martini and tiramisu (I did share that).
Side note: Their bathroom soap is amazing! Make a special trip to try it out.
2 salads, 2 entrees, 4 drinks, 1 dessert rounded out to about $ 50 per person before tip. Too pricey for me on a normal day, but definitely a fair value for what I got. I’m told their happy hour is a great deal, but I’ve never been.

Good solid Italian restaurant with great service and good food. I would return.
As mentioned in several of the other reviews, the atmosphere is loud, lively and packed. Definitely make reservation. Upon arrival we were seated immediately.
The server appeared right away and took our drink and appetizer order. Both arrived very quickly. The calamari and cheeses were very good and served at the right temperature.
My wife had the Chicken Marsala which she rated as good, but not the best she’s had. My seared salmon was also good but slightly under cooked. Good, but still slightly under cooked.
The desserts were excellent. So overall, we felt the appetizers and desserts were excellent and would return for these as well as try the small plates.

I went to Marcella’s on a Thursday night to celebrate my birthday and I was SO glad that Unilocal pointed me, yet again, in the right direction. We made reservations which was good because the place was packed. The only downfall of this restaurant is that it is very loud. If you are looking for a quiet, romantic Italian dinner this probably isn’t the best place. If you want a super delicious Italian dinner, read on…
The service we received here was top notch. The manager seated us and offered a few different table options. He was so welcoming. He knew we were there for my birthday and asked about what brought us to town. Our server was just as great. She had a lot of ordering recommendations which I always love. We started off with a bottle of wine and the arancini (risotto balls). For dinner we had the Fettuccini Meatball and the lamb gnocchi. The food was out of this world good. The best part was I though the gnocchi was the best dish, my husband thought the other was the best– this never happens… I got to eat of the gnocchi.
We got a free dessert of our choice for my birthday and we somehow managed to fit a piece of tiramisu in our very full, very happy bellies.
We were shocked when we got the bill how reasonable everything was– we actually thought they forgot to charge us for something. I will be thinking about this meal for a long time and you can bet I will be back the next time I find myself in Columbus.

Most people would agree that Marcella’s has the best happy hour in Columbus. Every item on the menu is so delicious and flavorful. Pizza, apps, snacks and drinks are half off Monday-​Friday from 4 – 6 but you have to sit in the bar area. You can get drinks for two, a pizza and two apps for about $ 25! Some menu stunners are prosciutto and melon, veal meatball, pecorino fondue and of course, margherita pizza. Because it is such a popular happy hour it does get crowded so be sure to get there as early as possible!

Prices are good
Service was great
Food is Great!
Place is very popular. I recommend getting a reservation before .
One of the best places in town

We’ve been to Marcella’s at Polaris and most recently on Tuesday PM in the Short North. The Short North was a disappointment.
The food, drink and ambiance are all wonderful. Three pasta dishes and one chicken. Wine, beer and cocktails were perfect. Even on a Tuesday night for dinner with friends the place was busy which gave it a great vibe almost as if it were the weekend.
Where this location disappointed was the server. It must have not been a good night for her. Our experience of her wasn’t warm rather robotic. When there was an error on a salad she brought out to the table and as it was called to her attention (and it was provided politely) she argued with us repeating what she heard vs. what was truly ordered. At the end of the meal she didn’t ask any of us if we wanted coffee, dessert or another round of drinks. Our experience was she couldn’t be bothered and was anxious for us to move on.
Upon sharing our thoughts with corporate we received a canned response. Not the best dining experience which is sad considering this is a Cameron Mitchell establishment and that was surprising and unfortunate.
We’re open to trying other fine dining establishments and are open to suggestions. We’d much rather write winning reviews were we can share about positive experiences.

I’m not a huge happy hour person because most happy hours are centered around alcohol and that’s just not my thing. Some restaurants include limited small bites on their hh menu and then there’s Marcella’s with their crazy amazing hh menu. Not only does hh include specialty cocktails, but they also include glasses of wine over $ 9! Now, I don’t drink that much, but when I do, I’m all about craft cocktails and good wine and when they’re ½ off?! Who’s with me?
They have so many selections of food to choose from and while I wanted a pizza, I opted instead for the melted pecorino cheese and fennel salad with pan seared salmon medium rare… OMG! Every bite of everything was so delicious and I see why their were people lined up outside at 3:50.

This is the «Go To» Italian restaurant in Columbus. If you are in the mood for Italian this is a no brainer. The Chicken Parmesan is usually my choice, and it never disappoints. The risotto balls are an awesome choice for an appetizer. All the apps are great though.
If you are going to drive here, anticipate using the valet. Also, I would plan on making a reservation, especially if you have a decent sized group. If you are just a twosome you can usually walk in with no problem.
Careful about ordering too many bottles of wine or cocktails, because your bill will explode before you even realize. The only food I can complain about is the bread… It is a little bland and boring.
Bottom line: If you looking for a spot for date night, Marcella’s is the perfect choice… Every time.

Stopped here after a disappointing experience at another restaurant down the street for a do-​over dinner. The spaghetti and meatball dish was delicious. The meatball was huge and melted In your mouth. The four cheese pizza was good. Our server was also fantastic. We will definitely be back.

Marcella’s will always be crowded (like a line forms at the door at 4pm) because it has good Italian food and a lovely atmosphere. But I think you can find that at a lot of restaurants in the area. What you won’t find at those other restaurants is AWESOME service! That’s what gives Marcella’s an extra star in my book. The hosts and hostesses are friendly. The wait staff is not only on top of service, but they know their stuff. They are able to make wonderful recommendations based on what you like and what works together. Coming here is more of a dining experience compared to other Italian restaurants around. You know without a doubt that the food is consistently delicious and that your dinner will go off without a single hiccup (unless you drink a little too much Chianti!).

This was amazing! It is a great spot for a romantic evening or with a small group of friends. It is more of an intimate setting with a dimly light environment/​candles on the tables.
I tried a Manhatten from their cocktail list. It was the perfect amount of bourbon and sweetness that made it very enjoyable to sip on as a pre dinner drink. The Melted Pecorino was delicious. I layered the bread with some of the thin apple slices with cheese and topped it with honey. It was a light appetizer that is great for sharing.
For dinner I ordered the tortellini. I felt that it was heavily saturated in sauce. However, I thought it had a lot of flavor. Next time I go, I want to try their Chicken Parm. Our waitress said it was one of her favorites!
I thought the prices were reasonable for the type of restaurant and location in the Short North.

Went in for dinner after the gallery hop. We had to wait less than 15 minutes for a table. Our server was great! Service overall was very good. But the Risotto! OMG! The dish is different each day based on what the Chef decides. Last night it was served with sausage and broccolini with Parmesan and sprinkled with Gorgonzola. It was incredible! I’ve never had anything that wasn’t good, but this dish took it to a whole new level.

Came in for happy hour. Good vibe, nice service, decent food, and reasonable price. We had a good night!

This is the best Columbus can do for Italian? Maybe as mediocre as Martinis. Had penne arrabiata. I can make better sauce… from a jar. Rao’s. You can get it at Target. Will not go back.

Don’t ever complain about this place. There’s a manger that will stalk other people that weren’t in your party and confront them.
Food is great. Management is a joke.

Assuredly a top 3 restaurant in Columbus. They nailed it: food is delicious, décor is warm and inviting, service is attentive and knowledgable.
Started with the melted pecorino which was nutty & buttery. Delicious with honey and apples provided.
My truffle mushroom pizza was great. More than enough to feel satisfied. Only drawback was the noticeable amount of grease permeating through the crust.
Boyfriend’s lamb gnocchi was EXCEPTIONAL. I was food jealous.

Jumped in here on a Sunday whim whilst passing through the Short North. The nice dimly lit ambiance got me. Pizza also sounded good. Fancy pizza. Yes please. So that’s what I got! I’ll cut to it– it was fantastic. Best fancy pizza around. I wanted a beer… maybe a fancy one … To go with my pizza. They had some, but very limited. All the usual kitschy ones you’d find anywhere. I guess it makes sense being quite an Italian place; the wine list was huge.
I ate my delicious fancy pizza at a nice corner table by the window and all the while the service was great! Ambiance was great. Another great spot I’ll have to come back to. Helps the parking garage is right behind it for those weekend visits!

Decent to middling food, great service, way over rated. Not worth the price.
THE FOOD
The salads were middling. The calamari was quite good, especially the add of the fried lemon rings. The salmon and lemon veal were very good indeed. But the sausage pizza and the pasta carbonera were pretty uninspiring. Tiramisu was quite well done but too sweet, the canolis were crazy good, but the tart with ice cream was passable.
THE ATMOSPHERE
The over use of parmesan makes the place stank like olive garden. But otherwise a lively and well appointed place.
THE SERVICE
This is where all the Cameron Mitchell places shine, super courteous and gracious, even if a bit syrupy.
Not worth $ 150+

I love this place so much. They have an amazing happy hour. Of course, most Cameron Mitchell restaurants have amazing happy hours. It’s only for two hours though so get here between 4−6pm to partake.
First of all, half off everything on the menu except entrees… including wine and cocktails. My friends and I each got the medium sized pitcher of wine for around $ 8 (regular price $ 16). It ended up being about 2.5 glasses of wine so a GREAT deal.
For my meal, I had a chopped salad and a pepperoni pizza that had red onion on it too. It was DELICIOUS! Thin crust, perfect toppings, and I took my leftovers home. Again, half off my whole meal. Bam. We also shared some apps like calamari, arancini, and the fried zucchini. All perfectly cooked and delicious.
I also love this place because it feels fancy but without being overpriced. It reminds me of a 60s restaurant with low lighting and cool décor but it’s not kitschy. It’s just a relaxing place for a nice night out with your friends and/​or family. I mean, you really can’t go wrong with a Cameron Mitchell restaurant.

This may be one of the best happy hours in the city! From 4 – 6 PM, you can have half off of most of their menu — pretty much all of the food except the signature dishes and main entrees. So, you can get half price pizza, half price salads, half price appetizers and small plates, half price COCKTAILS and half price on any wine that is $ 9 a glass or less! This means that I had a pizza, a salad, and two glasses of wine for $ 20. WHAT!!! I also sampled some of the calamari and the arancini appetizers, and they are both delicious.
I do think that some of the items I ordered would have been a tad overpriced if they hadn’t been part of happy hour. For example, while the pizza was pretty tasty, it would be overpriced at $ 14. If I had only ordered the pizza, I could have eaten it all by myself. I think $ 10 would have been a more fair price. Anyway, it was still really good and a steal at $ 6.50! My beet and goat cheese salad was so good; a nice balance of flavors and the dressing wasn’t too overpowering.
This place has a clean, swanky atmosphere, and the price point of the regular food is still low enough to enjoy a nice night out. The service was friendly and accurate, and the bathrooms are super nice. Your best bet is the happy hour, but it’s a great place for dinner if you have people in town or want to celebrate a special occasion.

Not gonna lie I wasn’t a huge fan of this place. I thought overall the food was just mediocre, and definitely not worthy of the price. We were able to try their veal meatballs, the arancini, and their gnocchi. Of the three, I was most impressed with the gnocchi which was cooked well and had a nice flavorful meat sauce. The other two dishes, though, felt a little flat and could have used more seasoning. I will say that the portions were pretty good though, as those three dishes were more than enough for two people.
Service here was a highlight and the servers were very friendly and helped with any questions we had. This place gets crazy busy during peak times though, so I would highly recommend a reservation. And parking is not fun here lol. good luck.

We went here after a day at the Zoo. Gregg M picked us a spot (I was in the mood for pasta). It didn’t disappoint. We started off with the arincini: Perfectly crispy on the outside with the right amount of oozy cheesy goodness on the inside. For dinner, I got the Lasagne Alla Bolognese. It had a wonderful sausage marinara sauce — just the right amount of spicy, and the pasta was perfectly cooked. We decided to split a half bottle of Amarone della Valpolicella Classico which was also pleasing to the palate. To finish off the night, I got the Tiramisu — I have to say, this is probably one of the best ones I’ve had (and I’ve had a lot!); even my mom and hubby liked it!
I only have one criticism from our whole meal: I wish the bread served would have been warm. All in all a great meal and if we are in Columbus again, I’m could see us checking out their pizzas (they looked really good!)

I visited Marcella’s for dinner on my last trip to Columbus. We’ll start by saying that a reservation is recommended for this place; otherwise you’ll be waiting all evening for a table.
The best part about this place is the warm bread and oil/​balsamic served before your meal. I ordered the fettuccine and meatball as me entrée, and was disappointed after the glowing reviews. The meatball was good, albeit lukewarm, but the fettuccine was average and the sauce tasted a little too much like ketchup.
I will say that I tasted my friend’s calamari, as well as the linguine and clams and was impressed. Might need to reconsider my entrée selection if I make it back here again.

When going to Columbus Oho, there are two things you hope for:
1) to see Cardell Jones on or off the field
2) meatballs from Marcella’s
So delicious! Making a reservation is recommended, as the place is always hopping !!
The only negative is, it’s pretty tight quarters… But most good/​casual Italian restaurants are loud and crowded ~ Marcella’s is perfect.
When your finished… Jeni’s is across the street

Best happy hour in Columbus, and one of my go-​to places to bring friends! The happy hour is every weekday from 4−6pm (including Fridays!) and includes ½ off all drinks, apps, and pizzas. Between many visits and coming here in large groups, I feel like I’ve tried most of their happy hour menu items — here are some of my favorites:
— Apps: melted pecorino cheese w/​apples and crostini (so simple yet delicious!), braised veal meatball (super tender and flavorful), calamari (crispy and I like that there’s 2 dipping sauces), prosciutto bruschetta (but I can’t say no to prosciutto lol)
— Pizzas: four seasons (prosciutto, zucchini, mushroom, olive), pesto shrimp, and crispy potato w/​pancetta (you’d be surprised how well the potato works on pizza)
— Drinks: both sangrias (although I preferred the white over red), grapefruit basil fizz, tuscan limonata
— I’ve only ordered off their regular menu once, but the linguini & clams I got was really yummy and seafood-​y
Protip: for the happy hour, you just have to order your items by 6pm (not finish eating), so I’ve literally gotten there at 5:50pm before and ordered everything at once lol. So good, and I will definitely be back!

Amazing food, amazing service very fresh! I go to Columbus twice a year and look forward to trying new restaurants– however Marcellas will always be a staple in my trips! I am never disappointed by the food, amazing service and drinks. I have tried many different things on the menu but would definitely recommend the meatball pasta or sea-​food penne. Great gluten free options. A must try for everyone!

Is delicious! The cured meats and cheeses, yes! Had a fondue style pecorino with apples and honey truffle, yes! Not sure if it was just the night we chose but the place was packed with females so this just made the view that much better but back to the food, pizza looked great, huge meatballs. I’ll definitely be back!

Two words: Happy Hour. You’ll leave feeling stuffed and not wanting to eat again for the next three days, but your wallet will only be at most $ 15 – 20 lighter, if even.
I am a huge fan of their mushroom pizza, which I’ve ordered 2 out of the 3 times I’ve come. Just the thought of that thin-​crust truffle-​oil covered mushroom and taleggio cheese makes me salivate. Easily one of the best thin-​crust and/​or mushroom pizzas I’ve ever had.
I’ve also tried their calamari multiple times, and while my friends all rave about this appetizer, I’m not too sold on it. Rest assured, it’s not bad by any means, but it just doesn’t really stand out to me. Moreover, I find myself preferring to nibble on the fried veggies rather than the calamari itself.
Their caprese salad is spot on in terms of flavor, although the cheese and tomato slices are a bit bigger than I’d expect.
With regards to dessert, I’ve tried both the Tiramisu and the Profiteroles, and you really can’t go wrong with either. Personally, I found the Profiteroles a bit more unique and enjoyable, partly because you can find Tiramisu just about anywhere, but their Tiramisu is nonetheless still a solid choice (just not as memorable as the Profiteroles). My favorite aspect of the profiteroles is probably the fact that they’re literally bite-​sized, so you can just go CHOMP and enjoy this delectable treasure.