Where to Find the Best Wagyu Beef in Columbus, Ohio

Wagyu beef has become increasingly popular in recent years, even earning the nickname “Kobe beef” due to its similar rich marbling and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. While true Kobe must come from the Tajima strain of cattle raised in the Hyogo prefecture of Japan, there are many places to find high quality wagyu beef right here in Columbus, Ohio.

In this article, I’ll share the top spots for indulging in these beautifully marbled and decadent steaks, from long-standing fine dining institutions to specialty butcher shops. I’ll also overview what exactly makes wagyu so special and worth seeking out if you’re new to this premium beef. Let’s dive in!

What Makes Wagyu Beef So Special?

Wagyu refers to four specific Japanese cattle breeds—Kuroge Washu, Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, and Japanese Shorthorn. While they were originally draft animals, farmers began raising them specifically for their richly flavored and finely marbled meat.

The intense marbling of wagyu beef comes from extra genetics that increase the cattle’s ability to store fat cells within the muscle tissue. This fine web of fat melts at a lower temperature than normal beef fat, keeping the meat incredibly tender and juicy as it cooks. The fat also gives wagyu a remarkably rich, buttery, and almost nutty flavor.

True Kobe beef is considered the pinnacle of wagyu due to the strict regulations and pedigree of Tajima cattle raised in Hyogo, Japan. But premium wagyu from breeds like American Wagyu can come close when raised with meticulous care.

No matter the source, wagyu beef delivers an unparalleled eating experience. The velvety texture and complex flavor make every bite absolute perfection. Let’s look at the best places in Columbus to experience it for yourself.

Top Spots for Wagyu Beef in Columbus, OH

The Butcher & Grocer

With two locations in Grandview Heights and Upper Arlington The Butcher & Grocer has become Columbus’s go-to spot for quality meats. Their extensive wagyu beef selection includes boneless ribeyes, New York strips, tenderloins ground beef, and beyond. You can even find exclusive A5-grade Japanese wagyu on occasion—the true Kobe style beef.

The butcher shop’s co-owner sources beef from trusted Midwest farms and specs cattle for peak marbling and flavor. All the meat is aged for 21-30 days to concentrate the flavor before being cut and packaged on-site. In addition to individual cuts, they offer wagyu beef subscription boxes if you want a regular delivery of steaks.

Along with exceptional fresh meats, The Butcher & Grocer stocks artisanal cheeses, house-made sausages, deli salads, sandwiches, and grocery staples. You can have any cut custom-prepped as well, like trimmed, tied, or ground to order. It’s a full-service butcher shop that excels at providing incredible wagyu beef.

Cameron Mitchell Restaurants

This Columbus-based restaurant group includes several upscale steakhouses serving wagyu beef on their menus, including The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek and The Guild House. Their executive chef hand selects the top Midwestern wagyu cattle through partnerships with trusted purveyors like Obesterfarms.

At The Barn located in Gahanna, you can enjoy a 10 oz wagyu ribeye alongside duck fat roasted potatoes and other seasonal sides. The rustic-chic restaurant has a sprawling patio with fire pits to fully immerse yourself in the relaxing country setting.

For a downtown experience, check out The Guild House in the Short North Arts District. Their 8 oz filet mignon paired beautifully with options like truffle mac and cheese or creamed spinach. The restaurant resides in a stunning historic building with a swanky cocktail bar on the lower level.

Other Cameron Mitchell restaurants like Ocean Prime, Molly Woo’s, and The Pearl also include wagyu on their seasonal menus, so keep an eye out when craving these delicate steaks.

The Top Steakhouse

This local favorite has served premium steaks in Columbus since 1962, including USDA Prime beef and wagyu from Southwest Ohio farms. You can order wagyu here as individual cuts like ribeye, New York strip, and filet mignon, or as part of one of their signature surf and turf combos.

Alongside classics like creamed spinach and au gratin potatoes, The Top’s contemporary menu also features starters like ahi tuna crispy rice and entrees like seafood risotto. Don’t miss their table-side caesar salad prepared right at your table for a true old school steakhouse experience.

With white table cloths, deep leather booths, and a piano player, the ambiance transports you to the golden era of steakhouses. Treat yourself to their excellent wagyu steaks and overall retro vibes.

Hyde Park Steakhouse

Located in trendy Short North, Hyde Park offers an upscale twist on the classics with dishes like truffle mac and cheese, lobster bisque, and crispy Brussels sprouts. Their wagyu selections include 6 or 8 oz filet mignon, 14 oz ribeye, and even wagyu tartare for a raw beef experience.

The restaurant’s chic, modern interior provides a refined-yet-relaxed setting for enjoying these premium cuts. For warmer nights, snag a table on their streetside patio. Hyde Park’s creative cocktails like the jalapeño margarita pair nicely with rich wagyu too.

Along with steaks, Hyde Park has a nice selection of seafood like pan seared scallops and Chilean sea bass if you’re craving surf over turf. It’s a contemporary steakhouse offering multiple wagyu options in an Instagram-worthy ambiance.

Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse

Located downtown in the historic Beman’s Building, Jeff Ruby’s presents a lavish take on the American steakhouse. Known for serving the city’s top business moguls and celebrities, this is Columbus’s leading destination for both fine dining and premium steaks.

Their wagyu offerings include 8 or 10 oz filet mignon, 14 or 18 oz ribeye, wagyu carpaccio, and more. You can even upgrade to A5 Japanese wagyu for the ultimate splurge. All steaks are hand cut and aged 21 days for superior tenderness and flavor.

With leather booths, chandeliers, and live music, Jeff Ruby’s captures the glamour of a vintage Vegas steakhouse. A robust wine list and specialty cocktails like their Bacon Old Fashioned complement the wide array of steaks and seafood. For a special occasion, it’s the pinnacle of fine dining and wagyu beef in Columbus.

Akai Hana

While most spots for indulging in wagyu are American steakhouses, this Japanese restaurant allows you to enjoy the beef in its native cuisine. Akai Hana serves wagyu in traditional dishes like teppanyaki, shabu shabu hot pot, udon noodle bowls, and bento boxes.

Their teppanyaki chefs expertly prepare steak and seafood table-side on an iron grill. Opt for the wagyu filet as your protein to watch it sizzle and sear beautifully right before your eyes. Or pick wagyu ribeye as your shabu shabu meat to swirl in simmering broth yourself with chopsticks.

The Japanese-inspired interior provides a serene backdrop for experiencing wagyu’s marbled richness. From sushi and sashimi to tempura and sake, Akai Hana represents the most authentic way to savor wagyu in Columbus.

Tips for Buying & Cooking Wagyu at Home

If you want to prepare stunning wagyu steaks at home, here are some tips:

• Check with local butchers like Thurn’s Specialty Meats and The Butcher & Grocer to source quality wagyu beef cuts.

• Choose ribeye, striploin, or tenderloin cuts which highlight wagyu’s rich marbling.

• Opt for thicker steaks, at least 1-inch, which hold up better to high heat cooking.

• Let steaks come to room temp before cooking so the fat renders slowly.

• Season just before cooking with coarse salt or dry rubs. Avoid acidic marinades.

• Cook over very high heat, around 650°F, for a dark crust while keeping interior pink.

• Cook to rare or medium rare doneness, around 125-135°F internal temperature.

• Avoid freezing raw wagyu cuts which can damage the fat marbling and texture.

With intensely marbled beef and proper cooking, you can achieve tender, butter-knife wagyu steaks at home. Searing over high heat like cast iron skillet or grill helps render all that fine fat properly.

Is Wagyu Beef Worth the Splurge?

There’s no denying wagyu comes with quite a hefty price tag. But one bite of its succulent, fatty richness will convince you it’s worth the occasional splurge. The depth of flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness is unrivaled by typical beef.