This isn’t dinner — it’s a delicious time machine.
Stepping into The Top Steakhouse in Columbus feels like landing in a smoky, martini‑filled chapter of the 1950s that never closed. Since 1955, this beloved Bexley steakhouse has been serving charbroiled steaks and classics with an old‑school twirl that keeps both locals and visitors swooning.
Forget bland background music — here live piano isn’t an add‑on, it’s the soundtrack. Nightly pianists fill the room with rich melodies, turning every bite into a moment that feels as lively as it does timeless.
Whether you’re sinking your fork into a perfect strip or clinking glasses before dinner, the vibe is warm, electric, and undeniably memorable.
At The Top, steak is art, the music makes you linger, and every visit writes its own story.
A Columbus Classic Since 1955
Since 1955, The Top Steakhouse has been the place where Columbus celebrates life’s milestones and everyday victories alike. You can feel the decades in the polished wood, the seasoned grill, and the way servers move with easy confidence.
There is history in the clink of glasses and the hush that falls when the first piano notes float across the room.
What makes longevity matter to you is reliability. You know the steak will arrive charbroiled to perfection, the martini will be crisp, and the experience will feel warmly familiar yet still special.
Regulars return for anniversaries, proposals, and welcome home dinners because the ritual itself becomes part of your story.
The Top’s roots in mid century supper club culture show up in the menu and the manners. Expect gracious pacing, real hospitality, and proud consistency that modern spots often chase.
When a restaurant lasts more than 70 years, it is not nostalgia alone keeping the doors open.
Iconic Mid Century Supper Club Ambience
Step inside and the lighting softens, the booths embrace, and the copper bar throws a warm glow that flatters every face. You notice the wood paneling, the classic art, and a room that encourages leaning in close.
Conversation feels private, and time slows the moment a basket of bread lands beside the butter.
This is the kind of ambience that makes you want to order a martini and settle in. The leather has the gentle creak of well loved seats, and the servers glide with that easy supper club rhythm.
It feels like a movie set until your steak arrives and reality tastes even better.
You come for dinner and end up staying for the mood. The piano joins the clink of ice and low laughter, blending into a soundtrack that carries the night.
If a dining room could wink, this one would, inviting you to linger for one more nightcap.
Perfectly Charbroiled Steaks
The grill at The Top is a stage, and your steak is the headliner. Charbroiling here is not a trend, it is a craft honed over decades of steady hands and hot grates.
You can taste that focus in the crust that crackles slightly before giving way to tender, juicy center.
Order confidently, because the classics shine. Whether you love a ribeye, filet, or that signature dry aged Kansas City strip, the balance of smoke, salt, and sear lands exactly where you want it.
Ask for your temperature and expect precision, then watch butter gloss the surface like a final bow.
What makes it memorable is how clean the flavor feels. No distractions, just a bold steakhouse profile that respects the cut and your appetite.
When the plate is cleared, the aroma lingers like applause, and you will already be planning the next bite.
Live Piano and Nightly Music
Nightly piano at The Top sets the tone before the first sip of your drink. Melodies drift through the booths, softening edges and giving conversations a gentle rhythm.
It is not loud, just present, like a friend who always knows the right words.
Some nights lean jazzy, others feel like a torch song whispered over ice. You feel yourself unwind as the keys carry you from salad to steak to dessert.
The music lifts the room without stealing focus, enhancing every detail from the perfume of seared beef to the sparkle of a coupe glass.
Come for dinner, stay for the encore. When the last chord fades, you realize how complete the experience feels.
Here, sound is seasoning, and the pianist is part of your perfect bite.
Classic Seafood And Sides
Even if steak is the star, the supporting cast at The Top deserves a standing ovation. Jumbo lobster tails arrive with glistening drawn butter, sweet and indulgent beside your charbroiled cut.
Slow roasted ribs, French onion soup, and creamed spinach lean into that comforting, old school satisfaction.
When you order sides, think generously. Creamy mashed potatoes, asparagus with a snap, and a wedge salad that crunches perfectly round out your plate.
The balance matters, and you will notice how each bite frames the steak rather than competing with it.
Seafood here is thoughtful and classic, an anchor that nods to the supper club era. Share a tail, split the soup, then negotiate for the last spoonful.
By dessert, you will swear the sides did more than fill space, they helped tell the story of the meal.
Cocktails And Martini Tradition
The bar at The Top opens at 4 p.m., and that first martini sets the evening’s pace. The ritual is simple and elegant: icy glass, gin as crisp as winter air, and olives that land with a quiet promise.
You take a sip and immediately understand why regulars make this their daily stop.
Classic cocktails shine because balance is taken seriously. Manhattans arrive polished, old fashioneds are confident without being sweet, and champagne cocktails feel celebratory without fuss.
The copper bar glows, conversation hums, and the pre dinner hour becomes its own tradition.
If you love a proper martini, this is your homeroom. Order another and watch the piano ease into the soundtrack of your glass.
By the time your steak hits the table, you will be exactly where you want to be.
Awards And Local Recognition
Accolades at The Top are not shouted, they are framed on the wall with quiet pride. Year after year, local publications and diners vote it among Columbus favorites for steak, date nights, and special occasions.
You can feel the community’s affection in the steady stream of regulars and first timers following well earned buzz.
Recognition matters because it confirms what you taste. The consistency, service, and classic approach do not chase trends, yet still win hearts and ballots.
When a place keeps earning stars, it means the standard never slips.
You do not have to take anyone’s word for it, though. Sit down, order, and let the kitchen speak in sear and seasoning.
By the end, you will understand how awards become a byproduct of doing things the right way for a very long time.
Perfect For Special Occasions
Some rooms just feel like a celebration, and The Top is one of them. The lighting flatters, the piano warms the air, and the staff seems to know exactly when to appear and when to give you space.
It is effortless to mark a birthday, anniversary, or promotion here.
If you are planning a date night, start with martinis and oysters, then glide into steak and shared sides. The pacing invites conversation and that lingering, after dinner glow.
Celebrate big or keep it quietly elegant, and the night will still feel significant.
Because everything is classic, your photos age well and the memory sticks. The vibe is refined yet relaxed, so your friends and family fit right in.
When the check arrives, the evening already feels like one you will happily repeat.
Essential Visitor Info
You will find The Top at 2891 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43209. Dinner hours run Monday through Thursday 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 to 11 p.m., and Sunday 5 to 9 p.m.
The bar opens at 4 p.m., which is your cue for that first martini.
Call (614) 231 8238 for reservations and details. Evenings fill quickly, especially when the piano promises a lively room, so consider booking a few days out.
Parking is straightforward, and the neighborhood feels welcoming for a stroll before or after dinner.
The vibe is classic supper club with live music, ideal for date nights, dinner gatherings, and special events. Bring an appetite and a little extra time to linger.
By the end, you will understand why this place defines timeless dining in Columbus.