A New Riverfront Restaurant Called Amara Is Coming to Downtown's Scioto Mile

Downtown Columbus is getting a new place to eat by the river. Chef Josh Dalton is opening a Mediterranean restaurant called Amara. It will sit at 229 S. Civic Center Drive. That is the old Milestone 229 space right on the Scioto Mile.

Milestone 229 sat in that spot for 14 years. It closed at the end of 2024. Now the prime riverfront space will come back to life. According to WOSU, Dalton is aiming for a spring 2026 opening.

So what is Amara all about? The food draws from Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Think fresh herbs, olive oils, grains, and seafood. The kitchen will make its own dips, spreads, and warm breads. That style of food is called meze. As 614NOW reports, the menu will have quick lunch pitas for downtown workers and shareable plates for dinner.

Dalton is a well-known chef in town. He also runs Veritas, SPECK Italian Eatery, Rosalita's, and Rosebud's. So Amara has a strong team behind it.

Why does this matter for downtown? A big empty restaurant on the river sends a bad signal. A busy, buzzy one does the opposite. When a top chef bets on a spot, other people notice. New restaurants bring foot traffic. Foot traffic brings life to the streets around it.

The location helps too. Amara will have about 70 seats inside. It will also have a big patio that looks out at the Scioto Mile Fountain. 614NOW notes the restaurant sits inside the Center City DORA. That means you can carry a drink and stroll along the river. That kind of open, walkable feel is what people want in a downtown.

Here is why this connects to where you might live. People pay to live near good food and good walks. A riverfront dinner spot makes downtown living more fun. It gives you a reason to walk out your door on a warm night. Nearby condos and apartments become easier to fill. That can push demand up across the area.

Downtown Columbus has been adding homes for years. The Scioto Mile is the front yard for many of them. A new anchor restaurant makes that front yard better. If you have thought about downtown living, this is one more reason to look. You can find a home near the river and see what fits.

What should you watch for next? Keep an eye out for an exact opening date. Spring 2026 is the target, but no firm day is set yet. Watch for menu previews and patio hours. And watch how the blocks around the Scioto Mile respond. New shops and cafes often follow a strong restaurant.

The simple takeaway is this. A famous chef is putting a fresh Mediterranean restaurant on the best riverfront spot downtown. It should open in spring 2026. If you want to be close to the action, now is a smart time to explore downtown homes.

Sources: WOSU, 614NOW