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Categories: Vegan, Vegetarian
Neighborhood: University DistrictTue-Thu. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Delicious, first-class vegan fare that plant-based eaters and meat eaters can enjoy together.
This is serious fine dining. Most of the vegetables are grown in a garden behind the restaurant. They even grow their own shitake mushrooms!
Outrageous deserts, great wine selection, and a menu that changes pretty much daily.
One word: Magnificent.
I am tempted to give a lower score because I just stopped going here.
It's a great place, with a great feel and the concept is perfect. I like the art space, and the owners are a delight. Unfortunately for me, the food was a little above my head. So many fancy ingredients and odd concoctions. I kept wanting to fall in love and I finally had to come to terms with the fact that this isn't my "it" place.
That being said, the drinks are to die for. The brunch is quite good. And again, there is so much going for this place, there is a good chance you will fall in love even if I didn't.
I am a vegetarian and I love Dragonfly. I have been there three times and I enjoyed every experience and found it totally worth its price. The staff is so polite and the atmosphere is so smooth with a great lighting installation on top of the bar.
I first went to Dragonfly for the Mother's Day brunch, and they had a full buffet spread. I gorged myself on all their offerings and hated my stomach for not being even larger. They gave my mom an herb plant on our way out :) The other 2 times were for dinner with friends. Their drinks are awesome, their food is delicious, and I really miss not being able to go back now that I don't live in Columbus.
I had to work in Dublin, OH and came here by myself for dinner one night. The food was excellent and I especially enjoyed dining here on my company's expense account.
I was hoping to get more of a feel for Ohio State, but I literally drove to this restaurant, parked my rental car, ate, and left. While the neighborhood feels like a college town, I did not get a sense of how Ohio State differs from other college neighborhoods.
I have other reviews for other veg restaurants in many other cities - most are located near colleges. While this is not surprising, it is kind of an interesting trend. Perhaps the suburbs will one day wake up and realize Applebees isn't all that.
I was looking forward to our foray to this neo-vegan restaurant after some friends recommended it. Maybe I was expecting too much but I have to say that I was disappointed. I thought the service was mediocre at best and the food overpriced. The dishes lacked complexity for the most part. We tried all five of the main entrees, so it was a fair assessment. For the money, I'll likely go other places next time in Columbus.
I've been here three times and had two amazing experiences and one lousy. The amazing times were during summer and the lousy was in the dead of winter. Dragonfly uses local, seasonal produce which is wonderful, but extremely gourd-heavy in a Midwestern winter.
The food is fantastically innovative and experimental. It's definitely somewhere to come to eat slowly, order a lot of dishes, and experience the food.
The waiters can be a bit snobby, but will usually warm up if you order a bottle of wine.
I had Dragon Fly cater the dessert aspect of my wedding. They agreed to provide two cakes and some truffles and I agreed to pay them. On the day of the wedding we sent a driver to pick up our items. He arrived with one cake and the truffles. I called Dragon Fly and spoke to Kristin, the wife of the owner / chef. She told me that they "decided to put all of the money into making one really great cake" and that I wouldn't be getting the second, prepaid cake or a refund. She refused to let me speak to Mogdale, the owner. I wrote them several letters and have never had a response.
Previous to this occurrence I dined at Dragon Fly several times and found their food to be hit or miss. Sometimes it was amazing and other times less than mediocre. At the prices they charge I expect to have high quality food all of the time.
In addition to the poor catering experience and the iffy food quality, Dragon Fly has the absolute worst service I have ever experienced. You can go through an entire brunch without ever getting the coffee you ordered when you first arrived. Many of the people I've spoken to about this place tell me that they put up with the poor service and expensive prices because the food is worth it. After all of my negative experiences there I cannot allow myself to bring them my business and am appalled each time they are given a positive review in the Dispatch.
I stopped here on a day off from a grueling music tour and it was an amazing meal. I don't know about you but any place that uses the word cuisine in their name is usually too fancy for me to get down with.
I didn't know a word of what their menu said but they seemed to be used to this. They use only local and organic ingredients...many which they grow right behind the building so I wanted to support them and give it a try. I was in no way disappointed.
We splurged for the chef's tasting menu and round after round of amazing emerged from the kitchen. It started out with fried okra,a tiny piece on a plum (or maybe peach?) tomato. It was the sweetest tomato I have ever tasted and was lightly dusted with cinnamon and basil...which sounds strange but does incredible things in your mouth.
Next they brought out a truffled sourcream with a light bread and tomato in some reduced something or other drizzle. Seriously, Jeannine and I were in awe. There was also a bread and eggplant dip followed by a tortilla drizzled with shockingly tasty sauce and filled with squash and peppers and onions.
It was all light,filling and awe-inspiring. Everything tasted so fresh,it really makes you think about what you put in your body. You tasted the difference. I usually prefer heartier fare but the food was filling in a way that you wouldn't expect and you really felt amazing after eating there.
Dessert was blood peach sorbet and peach shortcake. Layer upon layer of deliciousness. MMM.
I've eaten in just about every vegan eatery in the country but this one blew my mind.
Consistently rated as excellent by both vegetarians and fans of haute cuisine, Dragonfly is a restaurant that stands out in Columbus. It could easily be located in a swank neighborhood in a more cosmopolitan city. The smallish but imaginative menu changes frequently, and features items such as butternut squash gnocchi, seitan bordelaise, tofu and shitake oscar, and a wide variety of other eclectic dishes. Everything is vegan, and most ingredients are also organic, seasonal, and locally grown. There is a full bar and wine list, and the service is very good. My only reservation is with their desserts, which are not quite as consistently excellent as everything else - one of their cocktails or coffee/tea would make a great finish to a meal, though.
This may not be a restaurant for those who are unadventurous or need a steak to feel satisfied, but for those willing to pay the price, a meal at Dragonfly can demonstrate just how versatile and delicious vegan cuisine can be. Sit down, order several courses and a bottle of wine, and have one of the best meals you're likely to get in Columbus.
This was the single most expensive *and* least satisfying meal I have ever had.
We had some sort of tempura bean and grilled eggplant appetizer that was the highlight of the meal. An arugula salad was okay as well, but it was downhill after that.
We had pizza made with a pre-made crust with a few green olives and some sort of eggplant puree topping, but it was terribly over-spiced, and completely over-powered any other possibe flavor to be had. We should have just gotten DiGorno instead --- it would have been 10x better.
The tofu green curry was just a solid half-block of grilled tofu (WTF?) with some mediocre flavored paste smeared underneath. It was accompanied by some absolutely bizarre bread-y substance with pickled cabbage (I think??) stuffed inside. There was some redemption in the dish though --- a smattering of greens topped the dish that contained enough flavor to make me forget about the underwhelming main portion of the entree I just had.
Skip dessert all together. They must have gotten a deal on huckleberries, because it was spread throughout multiple dishes including the god awful tart that I had.
Some sort of chocolate/graham dessert tasted stale, old as dirt, and on the cusp of needing to be thrown away.
The service, however, was great and the people seemed perfectly friendly, but we'll never be back.
Superb food. I loved everything that I ordered which was completely vegan and the service was great as well. Everything was fresh and organic and tasted amazing.
Scones are made with butter. Bacon is made with pork fat. Pancakes have milk and eggs in the batter. 'Vegan' is a scary word embraced by tree-huggers and anorexic models. All of the above hold true...if you like to buy into false stereotypes. Welcome to Dragonfly Neo-V where not only are the stereotypes false, but the food and atmosphere are amazing. The building is anything but assuming, nestled just off campus on a street where affordable apartments owned by slummy landlords predominate. On entrance, one sees only a metallic bar, 20 or so seats, and green walls. The soundtrack plays a calm world beat that is occasionally too loud, but never inappropriately so. The servers are present and pleasant, but not overzealous, pushy or pretentious at all. Considering the world wide recognition this restaurant receives, all of the above indicate that success hasn't gone to anyone's head. Even the owner/chef himself was accessible and visible as he worked in the kitchen.
Having never been to Dragonfly but hearing recurrent amazing reviews, my mother, sister, and I decided that their Saturday Brunch would be a best bet to experience the restaurant at a reasonable cost. Brunch consists of two acts, the first a buffet of small plates and the second one of 5 main courses with a "brunch" theme. With the absolute lack of quality breakfast options in Cbus, Dragonfly really didn't have to 'wow' in order to be considered a best bet for breakfast....but wow it did.
The buffet consisted of 7 different items including Portabella bacon with green peppers, rosemary and chive potatoes, black bean soup with sourdough bread, a squash ceviche, macaroni salad, apple/pear/raisin scones, spinach salad with creamy dressing, and a plate of olives, almonds, and vinegar infused warm fruits. While each item on the spread was delicious, specific highlights included the portabella bacon which was perfectly marinated, smoky, and meaty, the vinegar fruits which were sweet and acidic in perfect balance, and the scones which were without a shadow of a doubt the best scones I've ever encountered. Honestly, I have no idea how they accomplished the scones without the use of butter, but the perfect balance of moisture and crispness was spot on and the sweetness of the fruits contrasted flawlessly with the wheaty cinnamon dough.
For our mains, my mother and I selected the Chocolate Chip Pancakes with Ohio Maple Syrup while my sister opted for the Roasted Cauliflower Crepes with mole, dulse, apples, and winter greens. While unexpected in presentation, my sister very much enjoyed her crepes and the spicy/Spanish mole sauce, but she admittedly expected the cauliflower to be pureed and warm. While she enjoyed the dish, after experiencing the mushrooms on the buffet she admitted on future visits she'd opt for the neo-shrooms as her main. The pancakes, unlike the crepes, left nothing more to be desired. The batter (once again, I've no idea how this is accomplished without eggs) was perfectly firm and crisp with a meaty/nutty wholegrain texture while the dark chocolate provided a perfect bittersweet accompaniment to the wonderfully sweet maple syrup. The best pancakes on the planet? Nah....but considering the ingredients used and healthfulness of the meal, stellar.
At $19.50 per person, the price certainly isn't cheap, but neither are the ingredients or the experience. Coffee and 3 varieties of tea were available and as a bit of a coffee snob I must admit their house blend is one of the most full bodied and delicious I've had at breakfast in some time while my sister's green tea was perfectly sweet without the addition of any sweetener. For those who need a morning pick me up, they also offered a number of unique alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails at the bar.
To be honest, I write this review with a bit of embarrassment as I lived so close to Dragonfly for so long and never ventured through the doors during undergrad. Having experienced this brunch, I really cannot praise the simple artful presentation and incredible flavors of any of the dishes enough...chef Wolmark is clearly a master of his craft and well deserving of the praise. While veganism certainly isn't for most, the world could learn a thing or two from such a delicious approach to healthful cooking and those lessons could not only help reverse some stereotypes but perhaps help reverse America's downward trend towards unnatural foods, fast foods, and subsequent obesity. Highly recommended.
A very creative menu and delectable food that is beautifully presented. You don't have to be a vegan or vegetarian to appreciate what they do here. Their menu is one of the best in Columbus - vegan or not - I have taken quite a few meat eaters to Dragon Fly and they are always impressed with how delicious EVERYTHING is! I highly recommend this restaurant - its one of my favorites.
I dined at Dragon Fly for the first time this week with some friends. The appetizers and soup were good as was the main course. However, the I liked the dessert the most.
For soup, I had some prickly fern in a broth and for main course, trumpet mushroom over mashed potatoes. The mushroom was good but I wish there were more mushrooms - especially for the price. It was cooked perfectly though.
For dessert, I had the peach with raspberry sorbet. Yummy. There was a chocolate almost truffle like mousse that was a little too thick but overall it was pretty good.
The wine list was decent but I thought they would have had more vegan wines on the list.
If your idea of a "treat yourself" meal requires 3,000 calorie entrees, steer clear of Dragonfly. If you are like my friend who says "No meat, no meal," then Dragonfly is not for you. Dragonfly is upscale vegetarian cuisine. The interior is fashionable, and in good weather you can sit outside. The drink menu has interesting, well-made drinks like lavender gimlets and manhattans. I always have trouble deciphering the food menu, either because I have never heard of the ingredients or I can't imagine some of the combinations. Read carefully: if you order something called "lasagna," it won't necessarily contain cheese, pasta, or even tomato. That said, the surprises are usually pleasant ones. Unlike many other restaurants, the portion size is something one person could realistically eat thrice a day without getting supersized. Honestly, I usually want a little more bang for my buck when paying top dollar. Sometimes, though, Dragonfly is just right.
If you're interested in vegan baked goods, be sure to call your order in a day in advance. I'll take real donuts any day, but have had friends who loved the Dragonfly version.
I took 3 carnivores to this restaurant and they were all quite pleased with the meal. As someone on a vegan diet that pleased me a lot.
They've got a gourmet menu, great cocktail selection, and service was excellent the night we were there. Open minded diners should not be disappointed.
The restaurant is pricey, but would you rather shell out for thoughtful gourmet cuisine or another "same as the last one" 24 oz steak at a chain steakhouse?
Columbus is very lucky to have such a good gourmet vegan restaurant. I wish we had something so good in the SF Bay Area.
Had the service been at least mediocre, I would still tell everyone I know to go there at least once just for the amazing cuisine. Unfortunately, calling the service lackluster doesn't even do it justice. We were greeted at the door by a scruffy-looking young man who seated us at the bar while they prepared our table. (An added note, we didn't have reservations, but at 8:30pm on a Friday night the small restaurant was only about half-full). After about 15 minutes they finally led us to our table. Then 45 minutes went by before someone stopped to bring us water. Not take our order, just bring us water. Another 15 minutes passed and still no one. It took a stern glance to the man who greeted us earlier to get someone just to stop by the table.
The menu changes each night, so I can't say specifically what we ordered (because I'm not certain that's what we received), but it's unlikely that an identical meal would ever be served anyway. First they brought out two small plates, which we were told was the "Chef's Gift." It was delicious. After a LONG pause, our first course arrived (also delicious), then another even LONGER pause before the second, followed by yet another pause before the third (main) course was placed on the table. Perhaps a glutton for punishment - and because we figured we'd been there this long, why not wait some more, we decided to go ahead and order dessert after all that, which by the way, if you go don't order anything with chocolate in it. Unlike all the other amazing dishes that preceded it, the chocolate and sorbet had a very funny taste to it. Perhaps it was because by this time it was already 11pm (when they close) and the kitchen was washing up. But it was a bit odd-tasting, and really not very good.
Interestingly enough, a couple who was seated 30 minutes after us received their entire meal (all three courses including the "chef's gift", plus dessert) and was finished before our third course even came out of the kitchen.
Despite the fantastic food and chic atmosphere, I couldn't possibly recommend this place to anyone. We split each of the three courses between the two of us, and still managed to spend $94. Had we gotten two full dinners, we would've likely spent upwards of $200. The food might've been worth it, but for that price I'd also expect impeccable service to go with it. The food is great, but this place gets one star. I won't be back.
Dragonfly is one of the places I always use as a refutation when someone calls Columbus nothing but an overgrown hick town. The restaurant is nationally recognized for excellent vegetarian/vegan cuisine, and it is definitely worth the hype. At my income level, it's relegated to a special occasion splurge, but it is a wonderful one. The atmosphere is lovely, very soothing but fashionable. Their wine selection is extensive and specialty drinks from the bar are unique and wonderful; someone else mentioned the lavender gimlet - it's amazing! Food is outstanding. Every course arrives beautifully presented, very flavorful, and small enough that you're left wanting more. It's possible to feel cheated by the small portion sizes, but just remember that most restaurant portions are many times too large. The menu rotates seasonally, so it's hard to predict exactly what you'll find offered on any given day. Last time I was there, I had an heirloom tomato soup that was absolutely heavenly and a walnut ravioli (I think).
They grow a lot of their produce in a garden out back and get most of the rest from local growers. Lots of organic goodness to be had, even a lot of organic wines.
The Dragonfly booth at Comfest is also worth checking out for a cheaper introduction to their food.
In the interests of full disclosure, I have to state that a good friend of mine was the Head Waiter here for several years. He's since left Columbus, but I will still go back to Dragonfly because I went for the food in the first place!
As a ovo-lacto-pesco whatever tarian I enjoy everything but stuff with feet. I have to say, however, that I was not at all disappointed when my brother and professional Yelper requested that my fiance and I take him to Dragonfly for his very belated birthday present. We chose two items from each course excluding dessert, and we ordered a bottle of wine to share. Service was attentive and the food was very good as well as creative. The decor is modern and somewhat minimalist if I remember correctly, and they are involved in the local arts community. They also make a point of using local/organic ingredients where they can, which earns them the fifth star. It is certainly not cheap, but I think that considering all of the above points it is worth it every now and again. Great for vegans and vegetarians, or for anyone with a palate that extends beyond burgers and fries.
this is my favorite restaurant EVER!!
the food is vegan and the majority of the produce is seasonal.
dishes are always imaginative and tasty. i've enjoyed everything i've eaten here. the service is attentive and friendly. servers will happily chat with you, explain the dishes and ingredients and offer suggestions. on some nights the owners are around. they are also very friendly.
there is a space next door that was being used to showcase art and for a monthly dj night.
i've taken carnivorous dates here and they've always been pleasantly surprised.
i'm very sad that i've left columbus and cant enjoy dragonfly anymore. i've not found its equal in dc.
I came to this place by myself. It would have been wonderful if my husband was with me but he had to work at ROTR that weekend. We were in Columbus from San Diego for ROTR. My husband had to work all day Sat and Sun which left me to discover the city by myself. I took the # 2 bus all the way down in the short north district and finally got off. I had my phone which gives me walking directions to this place, it is in a very odd place, its more of a residential area so I think I'm lost and start to get scared because I'm pretty sure that I don't know where I'm going and I start to freak myself out....I then talk myself out of being scared and walk to the restaurant. I finally get there and Im so impressed! This place has the best and most scrumptious brunch. You get to have all you can eat salads, spreads and pastries and get to pick one entree from the menu, I decide to get the mac n' cheese and it was yummy and decadent! I believe that it was israeli cous cous with a rich and creamy "cheese" sauce with sauteed greens on top that rounded out the richness of the sauce, I needed to get the organic mimosa since I got so wound up walking to this place, and boy was it good. This was by far the most I've paid for a brunch by myself but was well worth it! So if you are ever in Columbus, Oh. go to this spot for brunch!
Great atmosphere, food. Went for the multi-course Valentine's day meal once, quite expensive, but everything was great. The Raenwater beverage is very tasty! I saw one of the local weathermen there once.
When I lived in Columbus, this was by far my favorite restaurant. The food is always excellent and exciting and the atmosphere is pleasant. Columbus isn't exactly known as a vegan-friendly city (though outsiders may be surprised) but this place a jewel. I now live in Seattle, a much more vegan-friendly city, but Dragonfly is still my favorite restaurant. I make sure to go at least once whenever I'm in town. Yes, it's pricey, but for the occasional special dinner, it's well worth it. Check out their booth at Comfest too.
Neighborhood: University District
Category: Delis
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Neighborhood: Short North
Category: Coffee & Tea
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