Egg Free Columbus: Five Options within Walking Distance of the Greater Columbus Convention Center

Christmas ended yesterday and I went back to work today. With 2020 settling in, I’m now looking forward to the next big thing. In my life, that’s Ohayocon 2020. Ohayocon is a three-day anime convention in downtown Columbus and it’s this weekend! I’m so excited to once again be surrounded by thousands of nerds and their unique expressions of what makes them happy. It’s so incredibly beautiful.

Last year, at this time, I was knee-deep in test results not making any sense. The convention was amazing, but I was too anxious to enjoy it all. I am relieved to know that this year I can fully immerse myself in nerd culture without that uncertainty hanging over my head. As long as I avoid eggs and (attempt to) get plenty of sleep, I should be fine.

Last week I wrote about fast food that can work with your allergies. However, traveling to a new city should not mean fast food. I want people that visit Columbus to experience the beauty and creativity it has in every aspect. This includes the food. I don’t want anyone to be afraid to try the options Columbus has to offer.

Inspired by the upcoming convention, and the visitors it brings, I give you this list of five egg free options within walking distance of the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

#1 Omega Bakery

Egg free breakfast can be tricky. That’s why my first two locations are both egg-cellent (wink) places for a quick, easy, and delicious breakfast!

The Omega Bakery is, by far, the one place everyone should visit when experiencing Columbus. Actually, the entirety of the North Market is where it’s at, but if your time is limited, the Omega Bakery is a must.

Fair warning, the scones and other traditional breakfast pastries are typically off-limits. The staff are always very helpful and know exactly what does and does not contain egg. What you really need to try is their focaccia. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also very light (which is amazing because they sell it by weight). In my experience, breads are also typically egg free. Maybe buy a loaf and make some tasty PB&J back in the hotel room? In fact, now I’m pretty sure that’s what I’m going to do.

#2 Destination Donuts

Also located within the North Market, Destination Donuts is a newer discovery for me. I cannot stress enough how excited I was to find them!

At this amazing donut stand, half (that’s right, half!) of their flavors are vegan. This means, on any given day, you’ll have access to four innovative and exciting flavors that are totally safe for people with egg allergies. As I said above, the North Market is an incredible resource for people with dietary needs. It’s also a two minute walk from the convention center.

How does it get any better than that?

#3 Lemongrass Fusion Bistro

Next, we have Lemongrass Fusion Bistro. It’s one of my favorite spots in the Short North! They have an amazing menu, with sushi, other Asian Fusion dishes, and fantastic cocktails.

Lemongrass Fusion Bistro is open until 11pm Fridays and Saturdays, and until 10pm Sundays. Located only 0.1 miles from the convention center, Lemongrass is delicious and allergy friendly.

For more on how they accommodate dietary needs, check out the review I did in November!

#4 Mikey’s Late Night Slice

Now I want to tell you about some of the best pizza you’ll ever have. Mikey’s sells pizza by the slice or by the pie. The menu and the ambiance are super unique. We’re talking about eclectic, late-night bar kind of decor and fantastic pizza creations like The Pizza Dawg.

Furthermore, Mikey’s has a vegan “Rabbit Food” menu as well as gluten-free options. I’m hoping to do an in-depth look at their allergy friendly options in the future.

The best part about Mikey’s from the convention side of things is that they are open ridiculously late (hence their name). Monday through Saturday they’re open until 4am! Sundays they turn in early at 3am, but that’s not typically an issue for me.

Also, did I mention they’re right across the street from the convention center? You can even place and order ahead of time and go pick it up! Convenient, right?

#5 Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Any, and I mean any, trip to Columbus could not be complete without a trip to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. What I love about Jeni’s (besides the ice cream because that’s a given) is how clearly labeled everything is. Each flavor has a placard with the allergen information listed on it. There are a few flavors with egg in them, but for the most part anything is fair game.

Unfortunately, the waffle cone has egg white in it. You’ll have to stick to a bowl, but it’s not like that means you get less ice cream! In fact, I seriously recommend a trio: three half-scoops. It’s an opportunity to try three flavors and maybe even create a new special combination.

There is a Jeni’s (you guessed it) at the North Market. The downside is that the North Market closes pretty early in the evening (7pm Friday, Saturday; 5pm Sunday). Fear not! There is a second Jeni’s location just 0.2 miles from the convention center that’s open until 11pm.

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So there you have it! There’s five egg free options within walking distance of the convention center. Whether you’re in town this weekend for Ohayocon, or you find yourself in Columbus for some other reason, I hope this list helps.

Did I miss any of your favorites? Are you planning a trip to Columbus and need more information? Do you just want to say hi? Reach out any time! I hope to hear from you soon! Happy adventuring!