Build the Perfect Day Dining and Holiday Shopping in Lancaster

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Build the Perfect Day Dining and Holiday Shopping in Lancaster

Delicious food, live entertainment and gifts that give back to the community make for a great day shopping and eating in Lancaster

Aaron Wetli
Columbus Monthly
Nov. 3, 2026, 12:00 p.m. ET

Start off your day in Lancaster with a trip toJB’s Downtown Grill (111 N. Columbus St.) for their scratch-made weekend brunch, highlighted by a serving of Aunt Dorothy’s Buttermilk Pancakes. After carbing up, visit The Big Book Nook (624 W. 5th Ave.) for gifts for the bibliophile in your life (10% of sales benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Ohio).   

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Next, visit theRejuvenation Station (159 W. Main St.) and treat yourself to a massage and hydration treatment. Follow it up with a quick walk to Maria’s Mexican Restaurant (129 E. Main St.) for chips, salsa and a margarita. Self-care never felt or tasted better.  

As your pursuit of culture continues, considerations include Ohio University’s Lancaster Theatre (1570 Granville Pike), which has scheduled The Sound of Music for November, or crafting an artistic holiday gift for a loved one at pottery studio Art & Clay on Main (150 W. Main St.).  

Finally, end your day with a local flavor at O’Huids Gaelic Pub (167 W. Main St.), where the elevated Irish fare and craft drinks may be accompanied by live music or a pub choir. 

This story appeared in the November 2026 issue of Columbus Monthly.Subscribe here.