Zaharakos
329 Washington St, Columbus, IN, 47201
Zaharakos Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Columbus for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Columbus for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Columbus for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
329 Washington St
Columbus, IN, 47201 - Phone (812) 378-1900
- Website https://www.zaharakos.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 8:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dessert
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Touristy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Dj B.
Took my two young boys here for some ice cream. The me cream was fantastic but it took 20 minutes to get 4 scoops of ice cream. They weren't all that busy. We will certainly visit again but hope for a little quicker service next time.
(4)Justin C.
Great atmosphere, but unfortunately that's where it ends. The food was run of the mill with nothing unique about the menu. Even the shakes, etc where only as good as a Steak and Shake. Waited 30 minutes to be seated when there was about 6 tables open. The problem was they only had about four people working the floor and they had to wait tables, check out customers, make shakes, clean tables and play hostess. Go there for the nostalgia but don't expect to have a great meal.
(3)Adam R.
Ok food. INCREDIBLY SLOW SERVICE. This place is cool for what it is. An old-time ice cream bar and all original 1800's style decor. Just never understood why everyone was so big on this place. The ice cream is ho-hum, and the food is just alright. My wife and I went twice and neither time was memorable, other than the prices were too high for what you received. With that said, there aren't really other non-chain type ice cream places in Columbus, so I suppose you are limited in your choices.
(3)Alexis W.
The history, atmosphere, and venue are great. The ice cream is ... ice cream. And the service is terrible. We came about 45 minutes before closing - it was reasonably busy, but by no means full. We waited much too long for two sundaes and a float. When they did come, neither sundae had whipped cream or toppings on them. No extra napkins, despite a toddler at the table. No spoon with the float - I ate the ice cream out of the bottom with a fork because our server could hardly be bothered to stop by the table. We're not locals, but if you're looking for a pleasant experience I don't recommend it.
(2)William Aaron K.
This is a neat place to go to in Downtown Columbus. It has a fun vintage vibe with a little gift shop in the back of the restaurant. You can expect it to be crowded sometimes, because it is a popular business especially for families with children to go. My friend and I stopped in there and was just super fascinated by the paper straws that came in our drinks. It was a super hot day and that is all that we really stopped in there for, but we didn't expect to have so much fun. They have the neatest fountains. It's places like this that make you excited to go back and try something different each time. I really would love to try some of their ice cream, since it is an ice cream parlor after all.
(5)Brittany P.
Service - Terrible. I waited several minutes to order, waited 25 minutes for a turkey sandwich, and only once I'd finished all of my food did the server check back in and ask how everything was. The entire staff was all local HS kids plus one manager-type who never lifted a finger from what I saw. I even had a server reach in front of me as I was eating to grab some sundae topping she'd forgot! Food - They have some okay food options but really they should stick to what they're good at (dessert). Go someplace else for lunch or dinner and grab a sundae here afterwards. Atmosphere - Since it's an historic place, the inside is actually really cool. Old fashion soda fountain, ice cream bar, etc. It's very unique. Price - Desserts range from $3 to $10, which for a place this unique I suppose is okay. I'm glad I stopped in since I had heard such good things but quite honestly I was so turned off by the end of my visit that I ended up ordering an ice cream sundae TO GO! I won't be back anytime soon.
(2)Michael P.
Terrific atmosphere in a restored ice cream parlor that dates to 1900. The food is good, too. I had the Gom sandwich (sloppy joe on white toast) with hand-cut french fries, along with really great hand-made strawberry milk shake (just like my Grandma's diner made.) This is a must-do, when visiting Columbus. It'd be 4 stars but for service. Admittedly, I'd arrived on a rainy Saturday at 1:00pm - prime lunch time. I learned later that the manager was working with two experienced wait staff, and the rest were new workers. Hence, the hostess struggled between taking names of the arriving customers and taking payment from the exiting patrons. The manager cleared the backlog in about 15 minutes, which was good. As a single guest, I took a seat at the counter, where I could watch the fountain action. My waitress was extremely prompt, polite, and friendly, making good recommendations from the menu. By observation, her colleagues were struggling - not enough ice cream, whipped cream that was lopsided atop sundaes, cherries that weren't "on top." With a little more experienced crew, 4 stars for sure.
(3)Leann P.
You must stop by Zaharakos if you are in the Columbus area. It is adorable! I had the avocado grilled cheese for lunch. It was pretty good, but the parmesan crust on the bread was pretty greasy and chewy. Take that off and it was a flavorful sandwich. I loved seeing the working soda fountain and watching the way they poured the soda from it. Also, music plays from an organ every so often. I was a bit frustrated with my interaction with the hostess. She asked if we would be interested in sitting at the soda fountain bar, but when we said we would prefer a table she looked extremely irritated. Luckily, our server was very personable, which made me forget (a bit) about the rude hostess.
(4)Tom S.
Who doesn't become a kid again with great ice cream and good food? A great place to take kids to learn American History, too. Their "museum" of soda fountains shows the kids (and adults, too) how their Great-great-great Grandparents got the same All-time Favorites that they'll be enjoying shortly. Service was great the several times we've gone.
(5)Kiyoko M.
I came here for lunch. I was looking for something different. I had a fish sandwich and ice cream Soda It was so good! I did not expect for food since this is the ice cream shop. But I got the perfect fish sandwich! I recommend to everyone. It is the cute restaurant !
(5)Jennifer S.
Established in 1900, Zaharakos is truly a gem amongst today's 'fast food' culture. Located about an hour South of Indianapolis in Columbus, Indiana, this ice cream parlor is as authentic as they come. The craftmanship that surrounds you from the moment you walk in is something rarely seen anymore; complete with marble bar and countertop and vintage fountain machines. The tables and parlor chairs consistently maintain the feel. In addition to the restaurant, there is a museum attached with a display of soda fountains and equipment from days gone by in pristine condition. Music plays throughout the restaurant from the beautifully restored Welte orchestrion, a self playing pipe organ, complete with a triangle, snare drum, bass drum and cymbal. We came in for a treat after lunch and my teen enjoyed her first banana split, and my boyfriend ordered their raspberry fountain cola and brownie sundae. I snuck bites of both before checking out the museum area. This was truly a wonderful stop on our Sunday road trip and a highly recommended 'To Do' for anyone visiting the area.
(5)Tracey B.
Old time charm is everywhere in this fantastic I've cream parlour and restaurant. Food is good, straightforward add you would make in your own kitchen. I've cream is irresistible. Organs and other great turn off the century instruments play.
(5)Cece S.
Disclaimer-the 5 star rating is for Brian, the assistant manager, as well as the fun atmosphere as long as you can stand some noise. Brian was greeting guests and stopped to say hello. He told us a bit of the history and about the ice cream. Was a great conversation. We ordered the sloppy joe and turkey sandwiches which were mediocre at best. I would not recommend going here for food. Then we ordered a banana split. I'd give it a 4. Not enough chocolate syrup so we asked for some and they brought a ton at no charge. We decided the only way to truly know if their ice cream was legit was to get a scoop of cookies and cream. That was the highlight-delicious. We will cherish this experience but it was just that-a once in a life time experience. The museum was really cool! So were the orchestra and organs that played as we ate.
(5)Will P.
Great collection of antiques, really nice staff that tries to be very welcoming. Unfortunately the ice cream is just average. Go for the ambiance, sit out on the sidewalk and watch the world go by, just do not expect to be wowed by the fare.
(3)David T.
This is the second or third time I have been here. It is great for atmosphere and history BUT when it comes to ingredients I think they are skimpy. My mint chocolate chip ice cream had fake chocolate. It tasted more like wax than anything chocolate.
(3)Suki W.
I always come here for lunch whenever I am in town for a business trip. I tried their fish sandwich and the chipotle chicken sandwich so far and I liked them both. The sauce is on the side, so you add as much as desired. Free refill for Iced coffee/tea/lemonade!! The nice old lady works by the ice cream bar always offered me a to-go refill. I also loved their strawberry ice cream! I would give it a 5 star if the service can be quicker. You will expect to wait for the server to take the order and hand you a check, then wait again in line to pay.
(4)Stacy P.
I am going to be nice and give Zaharakos 3 stars. 1 for the ice cream, 1 for the nostalgic atmosphere and feel, and a generous 1 for the service. Zaharakos is an experience and is a place you step into and are transported back into time. They have done a fabulous job with finding original period pieces. The menu is pretty simple and definitely not gluten free friendly to say the least, but thankfully all I came for was the ice cream and old fashioned soda. If your looking for the most amazing ice in the world, this isn't the place. It is pretty standard at best. The two scope sundae is more than enough for two people to share. I loved the fact that when you ordered a sauce with it, not only do they pour a ton of if on the bottom, but they also give you a huge side of the sauce as well. The service here is questionable. Our server happened to take our order and then proceed to ignore us the entire time. The ice cream bar staff ended up taking over our table in the end. If you happen to find yourself in Columbus, IN, this is a must stop for the area. Be forewarned that it can get extremely crowded and it can take some time to get your order. Also, if you wish to keep your hearing and/or have a conversation do NOT sit next to the player organ in the back.
(3)Pallav P.
The ice cream here is to die for! The atmosphere in the restaurant makes it all the better and the huge automated music box is quite the treat. I would give the place five stars but I've been turned off by the service a couple of times. Go here with family or go here with a date, this place makes for a great time. There's a gift ship in the back that's worth checking out. After all, this place is pretty much a hundred years old. That would be quite the story to tell!
(4)Jemmie W.
The food here is probably four stars. Honestly, there's only so much you can do with ice cream to differentiate yourself from others. What really sets this place apart is the free museum next door with ice cream and fountain machinery that probably 90% of those reading this have never seen in action - I'm over 40 and am in that group. The pieces look like they are in pristine condition and are fascinating glimpses into a past that will never come back. Definitely stop by if you are in the area.
(5)Mike L.
Very cool spot for lunch with the family. Not a huge menu, but everything was great. Good sandwiches and great milkshakes. On the rare occasion I find myself in Columbus IN around lunch time I'll definitely be back.
(4)Gregory C.
Zaharakos is visually impressive with it's decor - some original from the early days and some not. It is like stepping back in time - early 1900's soda fountain style. Unfortunately - not much else is impressive. The star of the show - ice cream - is average...barely. In a setting such as this and prices charged - one would expect a super premium dense variety of ice cream - but not the case. The citrus chicken can be dry and over cooked but tasty. The burger - average at best - nothing special. Did not try the "Gom" sandwich with cheese. At $7.25 for a grilled sloppy joe with a slice of american cheese - no thanks - definitely overpriced and unappealing. On multiple occasions visited - the service can be shockingly inattentive and slow. Even during non-peak hours the service is very uneven. Not real sure why. Overall the food is average and overpriced for the quality served - ice cream included. The service is uneven and poor to fair at best.
(2)Jeremy B.
This place is a piece of history preserved and served with a sprinkle of magic. You walk in through wood doors with old stain glass and are transported into a turn of the 19th century soda shop ice cream parlor. The staff are the embodiment of friendly service and the food (light lunch and a few other great selections) delicious. The real treat however is the ice cream and old fashioned sodas. A sweet treat that will make even the most seasoned patron feel like a kid again and again.
(5)J M.
Great place to stop... if you have plenty of time. My family and I were traveling through the area and I'd bookmarked Zaharakos on Yelp on a previous trip through the area. The atmosphere was hectic at first. We arrived around 2 in the afternoon on a Sunday and it was packed. There were several employees scooting around not getting much done it seemed to me. Lots of young kids, not a lot of adult supervision that we saw. Our waiter did his best I believe, but once seated we were in for very looooong waits between visits. From being sat to getting our food I'd say we waited at least 45 minutes. A bit long for a few burgers even though they were better than your average burger. The ice cream was the draw for the kids so we ordered ice cream after dinner and ended up waiting nearly an hour for it to be delivered. I called over the waiter at one point and asked him what the hold up was and after another delay, the young manager came over and gave us very small discount. Very small. Tiny. 10%. If that's it, just don't give a discount. I'd rather just get an apology and pay the full price than be offered a 29 cent discount for waiting an hour for something that should have taken no more than 10 minutes as by this time the place had cleared out. As with anything related to the service industry, we were there at a bad time and can't say that if we went back at 2pm next Sunday we'd have the same bad luck. I'll never know though because once was enough. There are just far, far too many places along a 400 mile route one can stop for a burger!
(2)Jane D.
Great atmosphere that takes you back in time to your childhood or if you are a kid that builds good memories. Delicious food. Wonderful service. This is worth the trip a few miles off I-65 at Exit 68.
(5)Haley K.
Ending up not being able to go cause they were too busy on our first attempt to eat here during a trip too see my grandparents in the area. We came again during lunch time during the work week and were seated quickly. The food was pretty good, I had a "grownup" grilled cheese which was pretty decent. The real deal about this place is the original music making machines, that my daughter loved. The other big thing is their old school made ice cream items. Pretty darn good, I had a milkshake which was yummy! My daughter & mom shared an ice cream that they couldn't finish. My grandparents shared a Sunday which was huge. I'm sure we will be by next time we are in the area.
(4)David C.
Great food. I had a Gom sandwich and I would highly recommend it. We sampled several kinds of ice cream and it was outstanding. This is the kind of place that you need to visit. The displays of antique items is most interesting.
(5)Brittany S.
Dear Wilma, You'll never know what a horrible day today was and how much your friendliness and soda shop expertise meant to me. I needed a pick-me-up something awful and you delivered. Being the Curious George that I am, I had a hefty list of questions like "what is your favorite?" "what exactly is a soda float and if I were to get one, which flavor would you recommend?" First you gave me a wee bit of a startled look, realized I was dead serious and then promptly filled me in on the xyz's of the soda shop world. Amidst the photos for Zaharakos on Yelp, you will find an image of the beautiful lemon soda float you made (which was a-m-a-z-i-n-g). As if your friendliness and the delicious float weren't enough, my senses were on overload from the shop's intricate and gorgeous interior as well as the smell of sugar in the air that was so damn good. I would have sworn I could scoop this smell up with a spoon. Wilma, I can't thank you enough. Our little interaction will forever be remembered as a bright spot in my cloudy day.
(5)Cheryl N.
Zaharakos is a gem in a city of gems! This authentic 1900 icecream parlor has been meticulously restored, and is gorgeous. Stained glass windows, marble counters, Tiffany-style lamps, helpful (though a bit frazzled with the crowds on the day we visited) staff, and so much to look at that your icecream might melt while you're gazing at the decor! On top of all that, the icecream is delicious and our waffle cone was not too sweet and perfectly crispy. It held up and didn't get soggy while we walked around downtown Columbus. Be prepared for a crowd, but don't let that dissuade you - just take your time and look around at the old-time candy counter, syrup dispensers and Coca-Cola memorabilia. Super!
(4)Melanie R.
This is a fun place to go to feel like you're going back in time to an old ice cream shop. The ice cream is nothing special, but the experience of feeling like you're in an old-time soda shop is neat. The food is not great, and the service is slow... but it was fun to take our 6-year-old to once or twice last summer.
(3)Rick G.
How do I rate this? By the food alone? It's a 2.5 to a 3. By the ice cream alone? It's a 5. So I'll split the 2, and we'll call it a 4. The breaded tenderloin was advertised as hand breaded, and I have no doubt that it is. And, I DO know tenderloins. This one was VERY tasty, not too thin, with wonderful breading. The best one I've had in the Columbus area. The chips that came with it were straight out of the bag. My wife's sandwich was good but not great. The ice cream sundaes we got were nothing short of fantastic. And, do yourself a favor. Allow some extra time to just walk around and look at all the history that's in here. It's amazing. A great place to visit while in the Columbus area.
(4)Bryce B.
Cool building and antiques, but that is absolutely the only enticing aspect of this restraunt. The food falls somewhere between bland and atrocious and the owner is a penny pinching sheister. Worth a walk around but I don't see any reason to eat their food . . . EVER.
(1)Adam S.
Stopped in for a quick visit as we were passing through town. They were not very busy and there were tables clearly not occupied. We were informed by the young (but friendly) waitstaff that it would be at least a 30 minute wait. We moved along. I would not recommend to someone on a long road trip looking for a quick visit.
(1)Missy H.
This was our second visit to Zaharkos and I can say both visits were very consistent, for better or worse. The better: the food is great! Do yourself a favor and get the artisan grilled cheese. It's unlike any grilled cheese you've ever had and you'll crave it for days afterwards. It's got avocado and tomato on the inside with the cheese, and the outside is encrusted in Parmesan cheese. Dynamite! Another house favorite is their "gom", their version of a sloppy joe mixture. It's delicious on a sandwich or on top of their coney dog. I also recommend a chocolate malt or brownie sundae. I plan the try the banana split next time. Ok, now for the not-so-good. The service. Mind you, the people are friendly and once you actually get service, it goes pretty smoothly. It just seems like they are a little disorganized seating people and deciding who will wait on them. Clearly no assigned sections or tables. Lots of young people walking around not really working. Also, anything made at the bar (all ice cream things) is very slow. Even when the place isn't busy. If the service could rise to the level of the food, this place would be a home run. Lastly, keep in mind this is a historic place with a lot of cool original soda shop equipment and music makers. It's definitively worth a stop.
(4)J S.
Took 20+ minutes to get two dishes of ice cream and two sundaes. Good thing we didn't order anything fancy. Ice cream was tasteless. One of us had mint chocolate chip--didn't have any mint taste. I had butter pecan also did not taste good seemed like malt had been added to it. Yuck. And would it kill them to bring napkins to the table? Staff in turmoil. People scurrying around like crazy. Guy at next table was getting impatient trying to get his bill. I had the good sense to ask for it as soon as the ice cream was delivered. Complete lack of organization. Don't know how it's lasted this many years.
(1)Paul S.
$7M restoration. Unbelievable. Only in America. The guy that invented (baby) butt paste and sold the company tore this place apart and put it back together. Ask to see the upstairs and get the special tour. You better tip the s*it out of your server. I hope the owner lives a long life and when he does pass his kids keep the place open, because I want to visit w/ my kids and my grandkids someday. America!
(5)Curt W.
Character is awesome service, not so much. I would never have thought it could take so long to dish up ice cream. If you have time to kill it's a great place! No one was working the register and two people in front of me in line to pay just laid down there money and left.
(3)Holly G.
A really neat, nostalgic place full of history if you look around and explore. The food is all pretty average as far as restaurants go. If you are looking for gourmet, original or exotic fare, eat elsewhere. But if you're just looking for a snack, ice cream sundae, banana split, milkshake, etc...it is a fun, quaint spot. We really enjoyed looking around at the calliopes and nickleodeons after we ate our meal.
(3)John Z.
This place is all about kitsch and old-timey novelty. They have cool ice cream creations that are hand-dipped, and they have those old time drinks like Green River soda.... and that's what you should go here for. The food is just okay -- my burger was overcooked - so don't expect to be wowed by the food. We did have a brownie sundae after lunch that was pretty darn awesome, though. So yeah, great for dessert, so-so for food...
(3)Kristin S.
Fantastic ice cream and sundaes. When it gets busy the parlor side can get behind in service. But it's the experience you're here for anyway - not the speed.
(4)Bob M.
Two stars for atmosphere and waiter from Manchester England, the food was mediocre or poor. The Chicken sandwich was fowl. The meat did not smell good. My wife sent back. My hamburger was ok but not worth the price. They need to upgrade the food menu. We were in town for the Architectural tour and I had heard Zakarakos was the place. Doubt if we go back.
(2)Jim S.
TOURIST & TRAVELERS this is a "MUST SEE" !!! Been here several times, and will return any chance I get. It's obvious from the quality people working here, that this is a successful place. A jewel of history, the 100+ year old soda fountain, player piano & organ, cabinets, & furniture takes one back to the great Columbian Era, & Roaring 20's. The food & especially their ice cream is "The Best" !!!
(5)Elizabeth S.
I have been in there multiple times. Service isn't the best and the piano plays too loud if there is not a lot of people I there. The food and ice cream is amazing. The ambiance is fantastic.
(4)Chris B.
This place is fantastic! It's like eating in museum or taking a step back in time. I ordered a scoop of butter pecan in a waffle bowl. The bowl was light and airy but crunchy and the butter pecan was rich and nutty just the way it should be. My wife got a raspberry chocolate sundae and it came with extra fudge that all taste like it was made minutes ago. Sooo yummy!
(5)Jarrod R.
When I was a kid (like I'm a sea otter now) two of my favorite places to visit were the Paramount Music Palace and Farrell's. They, like many great places, are gone now, but in Zaharakos, there is a way to capture those same type of memories. We visited Zaharakos on Saturday evening and had a wonderful time. First off, the service, from the first moments we entered until we left with smiles on our faces was outstanding. It seems to be populated with some of the most polite young people from Columbus - for that, the town should be proud. As we walked in, the Welte Orchestration with its 184 pipes was inviting us to sit down and eat. It was just on the right side of raucous and was a perfect way to be introduced to the restaurant. As for the food (and treats), everything we ordered was delicious. I had the raspberry Coke and the eldest girl had the "green river," which she really enjoyed. My burger was delicious, and gave me a little taste of yesteryear. I had a bite of my wife's Gom sandwich, which was a great mixture of sweet and spicy. And oh, the ice cream - beautiful and delicious. I would highly recommend the raspberry chocolate chip! All in all, I'm enamored with Zaharakos. I can't wait for another excuse to visit Columbus, Indiana again for a visit.
(5)Rob M.
Giving one extra star simply for the nostalgic feel. We were really excited to visit the restaurant for lunch, yet were very disappointed. The Chipotle chicken sandwich sounded great on the menu, yet was dry, tough and chewy. It did not include any of the Chipotle or citrus flavor as advertised. As hungry as I was (and still am), I simply could not finish the sandwich (rare occurrence). Our fries arrived at the table a good 10 minutes before our sandwiches...what restaurant does that?? The chocolate shakes were good...pretty hard to make ice cream taste bad. Service was as bad as it gets. Looking around the restaurant, there are several empty drinking glasses as the servers do not check back on the tables. We will not be back unless it is simply to get some ice cream. Although, we may still have better luck at a Dairy Queen.
(2)Skip S.
Although we have made Columbus a regular stop whenever we travel south from Wisconsin, this is the first time we ate in the downtown area. Loved this place the moment we walked in. The old time soda fountain feel was wonderful! Like eating in a soda fountain museum. The food was very good for the price and ice cream is a must.
(5)Kate D.
So this place is historically neat to visit. Of all the places I have been this is like a flash back to the past. Perhaps not the greatest icecream, but the experience was neat. When my family comes to visit this is a place to stop because so many people live so close and have never been!
(4)Elizabeth M.
So much more than just ice cream. Their menu features homemade soups, sloppy Joes, grilled citrus chicken sandwiches, and corn dogs to name a few. Rebecca, our server, was knowledgeable and friendly. The hostess gave us a brief history of the building as she seated us in the brightly lit dining room. One of the cooks even came out to our table to chat for a bit as Rebecca told us about the specials. This must be a great place to work since everyone we encountered seemed genuinely enthusiastic about the historic building, menu items, and ice cream. Zaharakos is obviously a well-loved landmark in Columbus since all the fixtures remain in pristine condition. The old-timey music was a nice touch as well. If you're traveling through Columbus, you must stop for a meal or just a sweet treat.
(5)Christina C.
My chocoholic friend and I stopped here on a recommendation from counsel. It took my friend 15 minutes to decide what combination to order... which is apparently a common experience based on the seemingly limitless combinations and eager to please ice cream parlor staff. I obviously had to have the cinnamon soda with the butter pecan ice cream. It was a winner! :) My friend ordered chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, brownie, fudge, chocolate something. The little girl sitting next to him, witnessing his un-adult-like glee, dared him to drink the gravy boat full of hot fudge. I turned away so I didn't have to witness the consequences of this display. Despite the junior audience squeals, I should not have been surprised by the fact that no chocolate escaped to the floor. The paper straws were an eco-friendly perk. The juxtaposition of Zaharakos museum-like decor and child-friendly ice cream parlor atmosphere made for a unique stroll down 'I-wish-these-were-my-childhood-memories' lane.
(5)Melissa F.
Amazing step back in history. Food is awesome as well as the ice cream.
(4)Diana A.
We stopped for a simple lunch there before ending our weekend trip to Columbus, IN. The food was simple and okay. But they're known for their ice cream and beautiful interiors. Would advise stopping in just for the experience. The food is just average, not bad, not great. It's just okay.
(3)Olivia B.
The ice cream, sodas, & surroundings are the only worthwhile reasons to stop. Don't get me wrong - for that, it's worth the stop - but don't expect the food to rise above edible and, well, meh..., which to me says that I'd really rather they just be an amazing ice cream / malt / frappe / soda shop,than the 'who cares?' tourist blech restaurant they currently are. Seriously. For real. STOP it with the crappy, if hygienically prepared food! (Seriously, that is the best thing I can say about your food: I saw servers following board of health protocols consistently throughout food prep. That's not exactly mouth-watering news.) Yes, the servers are prenaturally pleasant. It's fairly alarming in a restaurant, but in an ice cream shop / soda fountain, well, that's what you'd expect, right??? I promise we'll just come for the sodas and the ice cream - those alone get four stars or more. No foolin'. We'll be thrilled and have a reasonable food traffic for walk-out cones and shakes. (I will admit: I'm not sure what the breakfast score is: I just know none of the lunch "real" food items are worth eating.)
(2)Nate G.
Overhyped. We were skipped over in line and someone else took our name. Then it took a very long time, over 45 mins to receive our food. There was also a hair on the inside of my drink. Gross! The only thing it has going for it is the historical value. Possibly zero stars if possible. Although the manager spoke with us, we aren't completely satisfied.
(1)Peter P.
I can only give Zaharkos 3 stars right now (even though I really want to rate them higher) because all I had was the sloppy joe, fries, and a malt. However, what I did have was outstanding. I love old-timey ice cream parlours and this place sure fits the bill. They even have Mexican onyx soda fountains from the early 1900s (for display only).
(3)Andy D.
You want ice cream with 7 flavor choices? Fine. This is the place for you. If you want good food served attentively, look elsewhere. By the way, if you choose not to heed my advice, avoid the chili, a watery, beefy affair strewn with canned tomatoes. On the way out, I was treated to the manager giving a gentleman in front of me a hard time for attempting to pay for his meal by using an outdated gift certificate. In front of the other patrons, she argued with a gentleman for perhaps 5 minutes. Rather than say something professional such as, " I'll accept this gift certificate if you promise to come back and visit us again," what we got was, " we can't wait forever for you to cash in your gift certificate. After all, we have to reconcile our books." And with that, she lost 2 return customers, the gentleman ahead of me, and me.
(2)Melissa M.
Imagine stepping back into time to an early 20th century ice cream parlor. That's exactly what going to Zaharakos is like. It's an extremely beautiful ice cream and soda shop inside, complete with cherry wood furnishings and lighted mirrors. The lunch items are delicious. My husband had a grilled cheese and avocado sandwich that was out of this world. I had a club sandwich on pretzel bread that was divine. The chocolate malt I had was thick, creamy and delicious. We just stopped here passing through on the way to Bloomington, but I would also make a special trip to Columbus just to stop here. I was a bit awestruck at the place.
(5)Keith S.
We stopped here just as the Mike Pence for Governor event was letting out but still got right in and seated. The place was packed but we were served right away by a nice young lady with a great attitude. Food was very good and not expensive, but the Ice Cream was the part we were waiting for, and it did not disappoint. On a scale of one to ten I would give it a 9 with a bump for the extra hot fudge our waitress brought us. Stay for a playing of one of their restored 3 music machines. Parking on street is free but don't stay in one spot more than 3 hours.
(4)Joel D.
Zaharkos was awesome. It was an absolute treat to come here for an afternoon dessert break after touring Columbus's architectural sights. This ice cream saloon had so much character and the treats on the menu were great. I loved the historic calliope music players.
(5)B K.
Excellent, awesome atmosphere and great food. My rootbeer float was excellent and the misses cherry soda was great also. Will be coming back for more.
(5)Richard F.
No trip to columbus is complete without a visit to Zaharakos. The homemade ice cream sodas and milk shakes are indescribable and very delicious. You can sit at a table or belly up to the old time soda fountain counter. Make sure you take time to browse the memorabilia especially the old nickelodeons on display. They are very rare and if you ask they will turn on the very large German one in the main dining room and play songs for your enjoyment. A real delight.
(5)Allie D.
While visiting Columbus this afternoon, we decided to have lunch here and I am so glad we did. This place is lovely. Great to see such a historical ice cream parlor being preserved so beautifully. Admittedly, the service isn't great, but in my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons. Lovely atmosphere and unique food (e.g. TRUE fountain sodas, old fashioned ice cream). If you're in the area, you should definitely check it out! If I understand correctly, this place wasn't renovated until 2008 or maybe even later, so if you visited before then it was definitely nothing spectacular.
(4)Gary B.
This place, established in1900, is THE place to visit WITH CHILDREN in Columbus. I had visited the original Zaharako's once or twice as a child, as both sides of my family hail from that general area. I remembered it as being being bright, noisy, and exciting. At least my Mary is still good. But as an adult with no small children, that bright and noisy atmosphere was just too much. I had a headache when I left. The food was more than acceptable, but not great. My hamburger was well-done like a hocky puck, with no question from the order taker as to my preference. Most of the flavor came from a hothouse tomato and a red onion slice. The Chicken & Noodle soup says "home made", but the extremely precise and consistent size of the chicken, carrots, and noodles says "made from a can". My wife found the Toasted Cheese Sandwich to be interesting. Listed as a "blend of parmessan and provolone" there seemed to be. no blending. The parmessan was stuck to the OUTSIDE of the sandwich like a crisp cookie. Chips were kettle chips from a bag. Blah. But don't leave Columbus without a sundae from Zaharako's!!! One or two big scopes of ice cream covered with a smooth flavor topping, and optional whipped cream and nuts. The quality of the sundae is well above everything else, and worth the hour or so drive from Indy. This place in intended for smaller children, even down to the pint-sized tables and chairs. An automated mini-organ (think carousel music) is not overly loud. But expect crying babies, screaming toddlers, and preschoolers on a sugar high. A quiet meal this ain't!
(3)J. C.
On a hot day, arctic air inside Zaharakos washes over you as you open the Washington street storefront door. Built about 1900, the entire place is lit with replica 1900s incandescent light bulbs. Arrayed in front of you are the trappings of an authentic, old-school soda fountain. There are porcelain bins that once held syrup, and behind them, vast mirrors. In front of the mirrors, glass jars with an array of chopped nuts and other ice cream toppings. There's no soft serve here. Staff members exert a martial-arts-grade grip on ice cream scoops and lug frosty tubs of ice cream from a back room walk-in. I sat at the clean, stone counter and ordered a shake. The shake was great. The service was excellent. I'd definitely go back. I would exceed the recommended daily allowance of ice cream if this place were closer to my home.
(4)Jonny S.
What a little gem. One should really visit this place to get a view of what Soda Fountains were like at the turn of 20th Century. The décor is absolutely wonderful. The icecream is tasty...but the real fun is the authentic sodas you can get. I never knew how tasty a raspberry coke could be. The staff is very friendly. Worth a trip to Columbus just to visit this place.
(5)Dia D.
An old-fashioned ice cream parlor in a beautiful old building. We got the hot fudge brownie sundae. It was delicious, but huge. We shared one sundae and it was still a lot to eat.
(4)Adam M.
1) Don't stop if you are in any sort of a hurry. I sat at the ice cream bar when I stopped in here and you get to see first-hand just how labor-intensive making hand-dipped ice cream treats can be. That said, on my visit, there were a lot of things contributing to the service hangups that I experienced and unfortunately I can't blame it all on the hand-dipping of the ice cream. The fountain Coke and the old-fashioned ice cream soda I had were great, but outside of those two treats there was inattentiveness and inattention to detail all around. 2) I had the Gom sandwich with cheese. I thought it was pretty tasty, if not exactly original or mind-blowing. My sandwich (which had been sitting for at least a few minutes when it was served to me) came with chips and they were all crumbs as someone appeared to have literally dumped the end of the bag right out on my plate. Cute place that definitely made me wish that I had been alive during the era of the old-fashioned soda shop. The woodwork and bright incandescent clear glass bulbs reminded me of an old chain of ice cream shops called Swensen's that I would see when visiting malls on family vacations as a kid. It was nice to see them doing things like pouring flavored syrup into a glass of ice (preparing to have soda 'jerked' into it) using a metal 'jigger' on a sticky marble counter. But it seems that they could provide a much better experience with a little better management. I saw one manager while I was there...an assistant manager...who was hustling behind the ice cream/soda bar the entire time...but with a place this busy I would have expected to see one or more floor managers out walking the room and taking steps to avoid service/experience bottlenecks. Would love to come back to this area sometime when I have more time to spend. And I'd love to come back to Zaharakos, but I likely won't order food and -- even then -- will allow myself at least an hour.
(3)Dolly V.
This joint is too cute for words. Even though Zaharokos recently got a face lift, it still preserves its unique, old-timey vibe that makes you feel you are a part of its history. When I come back home for a visit, I always take my younger cousins here for a sweet treat...and they devour it without hesitation! A nice place to take out-of-towners!
(4)Mike M.
Horrible service. Couldn't get water!!! Left Just so we're clear - horrible service.
(1)Donna P.
Fantastic fun! Zaharakos is a awesome soda shop. There are many flavors of soda to try and hand dipped ice cream. This place is hoppin so don't expect the most attentive service but they do their best. Be sure to ask them to play the music and check out the gift shop.
(5)Keith H.
This place has awesome homemade root beer. They have great tasting hamburgers and yummy ice cream. In fact, the ice cream was big enough for my wife and I to share. The interior is very nostalgic. The staff was friendly and the service was good. This place also has a small general store where you can buy candy and souvenirs. It's a really cool place to visit.
(4)Ryan L.
I would recommend that anyone stop here even if just passing through. It's worth seeing and it's a rare place. Zaharakos is an old fashioned soda fountain that has been restored to almost it's original condition. It has a beautiful bar with with mirrors in the background framed by globe light bulbs. It's truly a beautiful place. Along with the interior, Zaharakos still serves the old fashioned soda fountain drinks that my parents used to get when they were kids. It's much different from the way we think of soda and ice cream now, so I enjoyed the experience. I found the food selection to be fairly limited. I don't think there were many options for vegetarians. I got the "Gom Sandwich" that was a sloppy joe on white bread. It was very good. The menu consists of some sandwiches, salads and fries. For a drink I tried a "green river". It was tasty and like the early ancestor of Mountain Dew. It was like an anthropological excursion into early 20th Century dining. If you ever in the area you definitely need to stop by. I'm sure there are fewer and fewer of these places that exist in the world and they probably won't be around forever.
(5)Mary S.
Such a charming step back in time, really enjoyed stopping here - especially around Christmas time. Fun just to look around & have a milkshake or old fashioned soda with a paper straw!
(5)Glenn W.
This is someplace you've got to go to one time....It's like stepping back in time to a simpler age....Just go!!! Have a sandwich and some ice cream...or a soda....if you are in the area....don't miss this piece of Americana!!!
(4)Jordan Z.
Must see, must taste! The Mayor was at the bar eating a Burger when I walked in if that tells you anything.
(5)Kevin S.
Great atmosphere! Like stepping back in time. Hand-breaded tenderloin was thick and good, with an interesting, unique spice in the breading. My seven-year-old had the hot dog - it was the thick, big kind with lots of flavor and he enjoyed it. The root beer ice cream soda was good, but a bit small for the price. Was crowded at 2 pm on a sunny Saturday in June, so service was slow. Overall a good experience, although a bit pricier than I would have expected for what we received, both with the food and the shakes and sodas.
(4)Christine B.
When I walked in, I was pretty sure I died and gone to heaven. This place is like stepping back in time. What I love about Columbus is that small town nostalgia. The service here was super friendly, the decor is amazing, and the old automated organ adds to the atmosphere. Everyone here was smiling, after all, how can you go to an old fashioned soda fountain/ice cream shop and have a bad time? I had a sundae and my husband had a dr pepper milkshake. Everything was very yummy and hit the spot on a dreary winter afternoon. I can't wait to take my kids here when that day comes. A day trip to Columbus and Zaharakos might just have to be our new Christmas tradition.
(5)Jess B.
I wish I could give half stars cuz I'd give it a 3 1/2. Here is the scope on Zaharakos. If you're traveling through the area, give it a try. Especially if you have kids. It has a great historic feel with lots of old soda machines, a cool old clock that chimes and plays fun songs, and a candy shop. But know a few things before you go. First off, their service is consistently bad. The servers are super nice but everyone manages to work at snail pace (the whole town does)...it gets old after a while. They have a limited menu but some tasty items that many people will like. I personally like their signature Gom sandwich (Zaharakos' take on the sloppy joe) but there is a really good turkey sandwich they also serve. The best part of Zaharakos though is not the food ...it's the sodas and their killer ice cream. I love their cinnamon coke and mint chocolate chip ice cream. I previously rated this place a 4 on another site, but after going here a few times, I downgraded ...primarily due to their service. But I would always recommend people go here at least once. Perhaps you'll have a different opinion!
(3)Stacey H.
Our family has made this place a holiday tradition! We love it! Never disappointing a super cool for the kids!
(5)Bryan X.
This is truly a must go place if you are visiting Columbus IN. I was taking the Miller house tour during one weekend and had lunch there before going to the tours. The artisan grilled cheese and avocado might just be the best sandwich I had in recent memory. They did a great job to preserve this historic place. Look at the 1950 picture, it hasn't changed a bit! The ice cream counter from a century ago is gorges. Need to try their ice cream next time.
(5)Lori M.
We held my mom's 90th birthday party in the upstairs banquet room. Everyone had a great time with make-your-own-sundaes, cake, and drinks. The ice cream tasted as as great as it's always been and the toppings were delicious. Faye and her staff were easy to work with as I planned it from out of town and the event ran flawlessly! So thankful we could celebrate such a special occasion in this wonderfully restored and locally adored business.
(5)Ren S.
5 Stars for the ice cream! The service here takes forever and the food sucks. But you HAVE to go here for the ice cream and the see the inside of this place!
(4)Zedar B.
So glad this place is back!!! One of my favorite places in Columbus. I agree that the food is nothing to write home about, but the shakes and sodas are fun and this place brings back happy childhood memories for me.
(4)Michael T.
Sure. You'll go for the ice cream - and it's GOOD ice cream - but try the pies! You won't be disappointed. I had two pieces of Toll House peanut butter pie (picture pecan pie with peanut butter chips) for breakfast -- leftovers from the night before. YUM! At lunch I had the vanilla crumble pie -- picture the sugary filling of apple pie without the apples, and tasting of milk pie. Yum. I highly recommend the grilled cheese -- avocado inside and an extra layer of cheese on one side of the OUTSIDE of the bread.
(5)Tina D.
I am in a sugar coma! Fun place to bring out of town guests! Good food and awesome atmosphere!
(4)Tom T.
Probably just nostalgia but gone are the days of a real, unbathed, lazy-eyed Zaharako behind the counter cleaning the ice-cream scoop he's about to use for your chocolate malt in the water from last Tuesday. But also are the days of a legit green river, sarsaparilla soda, and their signature sloppy-joe-esque burger that I grew up loving. A great stop for an out of towner who wants to feel like they're back in a 1910 soda shop. You can sit at the giant counter on the right when you walk in to enhance that feeling, this is where the soda machine is and where the ice cream is served from. Yelp 2-stars is described as "Meh. I've experienced better" and that is exactly how I feel about this place. But I will give a bonus for the near perfect renovation. If your a big party, have kids, or are looking for an attraction I would suggest it, but the food was just ok, I had the burger, fries and tried the mac-and-cheese. The ice cream was not great and came pretty melted, I had a chocolate shake while eating and was a similar story. Yeah I had Ice cream twice while there. They have expanded into the store front over and added a section selling homestyle goods and some souvenirs think, cracker-barrel esque. Also there is some displays talking about the history of the place which are neat. In summary a good place to check out if your in the area, but kinda gimmicky, and beware of the organ if you dont like loud noises, I am one of the minority who preferred when it didn't work as it is cool to look at but...
(3)Matt H.
This is a very neat place to eat! The burgers are delicious the root beer was very tasty and the ice cream was great! They have a self-playing pipe organ that will play some music while you eat and relax! The atmosphere takes you back in time, with the great looking bar and soda fountain and the wood work in this place is very nice! I recommend this place to everyone, it's a must see!
(4)Nad G.
Go for the ice cream not the lunch. Sloppy Joe sandwich was something a four year old could make. It was ground beef stuffed inside a grilled cheese. It tasted like it should be on a kids menu. The ice cream and the atmosphere is another story. Unique, fun, and worth the trip. Keep in mind you have to sit through constant organ music. All they need is the cymbal slamming monkey and we're good.
(3)Jackie S.
Of the six things that the visitors center lists for things to do in Columbus, Zaharakos is number four. However, I wouldn't recommend it for the 18-Pre-Children year old demographics. Yes, its very cute and it smells amazing on the inside. Seriously, if they sold a Zaharakos air fresher, I'd buy a case of it! However, we decided to soak in some rays and sit outside. This made for an awkward experience as we experienced very long wait times and a basically unresponsive waitress. Our meals were even served in to-go boxes. Three stars because the food was good, but this place is not my style. I would recommend it for little kids and those into the nostalgic victorian style.
(3)Ramya C.
One of the best local ice cream shops I've been to. Very classy ambience and the home made ice creams and floats were yummmm. Regular coffee was nothing outstanding which was kinda expected. Very reasonably priced. I'd go there every single time I visit Columbus!
(5)Wm H.
We were touring the town of Columbus on our Segways when a local stopped us to ask us about them, and then told us not to miss Zaharako Ice Cream shop. So we took their advice and was glad we did. Opening the door, it was a step back in time to a REAL classic ice cream counter from the turn of the 20th century. Our hostess and waitress Wilma was wonderful, she had been going there since she was a kid and gave us all kinds of history. As it was mid-November the place was decorated for Christmas, which gave it an additional festive feel. Now for the food, excellent, had a turkey sandwich, an Milk Shake and a Sunday. The Ice Cream is home made and most Delicious. There is a little gift store attached to it with interesting items to look at as well as to purchase. This should for sure be a stop on your list when you visit this quaint town.
(5)Bongiorno M.
Come One, Come All, this is small town wonder at its best! If the day of judgement came and the lord said "bring me your fondest establishment, one that creates memories and community, one that kindles the spirit and is at the heart of a small town." Zaharakos would be the offering... Enjoy everything here! From the amazing people of Columbus that have grown up through its doors, to the traditional soda fountain, marble everywhere, splendid decor one of a kind music machine, entertaining historical displays to the famous "Gom" sandwiches. This is a modern living, breathing museum of the taste buds, you have been chosen! =D
(5)Chris C.
Great Food, Great Ice Cream, Great Atmosphere. Great Service. The automated calliope was a little loud but a fantastic restored machine! Our car club with about 24 of us landed in the place at about 4:30 on a Saturday and had some great burgers, sandwiches and ice cream. I watched one of our members actually order, eat and finish their FIVE SCOOP Sundae! My hamburger was great as was my single scoop chocolate sundae. Go here. You will not be disappointed!
(5)Ann z.
Based on both customer service and the quality of the product, this place hardly deserves one star. It does have a nice interior, but my friend and I were variously ignored or treated rudely by the teenage staff who seemed irritated by the fact that they had to...you know...take our order, make our drink, print our check, and run our credit card. After the rude and snail-paced service, the sub-par ice cream simply added insult to injury. It tasted like it used almost entirely processed ingredients and had freezer burn on it, to boot. Highly recommend NOT going.
(1)Chad S.
If you are checking out Columbus IN you need to stop by Zaharakos for lunch or just an old fashioned malt.
(5)Chris R.
Been here three times. First they need to get rid of the kids and hire some real servers. The decor is the real sight to see. The owner put a lot of money into this place. I find the ice cream strange and chewy. Last time I came in I was seated at the last table on the side of the organ even though there was only a handfull of people there. The organ can be really loud. This place is good for desert only.
(2)Marshall S.
So the Commons is gone but Zaharako's is coming back in 2009!!!
(5)Nancy W.
A definite must-see if you are in Columbus. I went there Thursday afternoon with my mom and my kids, and enjoyed it so much that we returned today to show my husband what we all were so excited about. The french fries are so good that my mom, whose eating habits do not typically include junk food of this sort, was eating them, too. I loved my sundae, and thought the Green River float was worth another drive down there at some point on the motorcycle for another one. Make sure you ask if they will play one of the old-fashioned music machines, and check out the general store area off of the main dining room. There are a lot of neat little treasures there for purchase in addition to the showcasing of several "retired" soda fountains from around the country. P.S. If the kids get too much of a sugar buzz, take them across the street to the Commons afterwards and let them climb the floor to ceiling play structure!
(5)Kendra A.
Great atmosphere and a delicious sundae!
(4)nunov y.
Quite dissapointed here...reading all of the reviews I was expecting to be blown over but Zaharako's doesn't quite live up. First things...their sodas, their ice cream, their milkshakes...they are very good. It's definitely worth a try. Their service is quite bad. Perhaps just my experience, but I stood at the wait stand for about 15 minutes waiting a few feet from an open table. After finally being allowed to sit, I was ignored for another 15 minutes before the waitress could screw up nearly everything in my order. After I could finally get the bill, I stood by the cash register for about 5 minutes while the staff washed dishes telling me to wait. I actually stiffed my waitress on the tip, and I haven't done that in years. The food itself also left quite a bit to be desired. Perhaps the driest burger I've ever tasted...it was almost inedible. The sloppy joe and ham sandwich tasted like homemade, meaning made with Manwich, Oscar Meyer, and Wonder Bread. Soggy fries and stale potato chips finished up the lunch. I would highly recommend getting an ice cream float here, but I would avoid turning the menu over. It's really hard to believe that this place has been open for 110 years serving hamburgers this bad.
(2)Randy H.
Great fun. Good food. Great brownie sundae!
(5)Anita N.
Great place for a sandwich or salad & of course the ice cream is great. It's homemade & they have a real soda fountain to add wonderful flavors to pop & ice cream. My first bite of butter pecan was heaven. So creamy & full of flavor. Greg said his Chocolate malt was the best he's ever had.
(5)Linda G.
Go for the ambiance -- 1890's style soda fountain restored to museum quality -- in fact, there is a small soda fountain museum in the next room. My parents went there when they were dating in the 1940's, and it had been around for a long time then. The sodas, ice cream, and food are good, but that's not why you want to go. It is just beautiful, and the music is fun, too -- a Welte orchestrion provides lively band music from the early 1900s. Check out their website: zaharakos.com
(5)Lisa D.
Ice cream was good, but the manager was yelling at an employee and it ruined the fun.
(2)Joyce O.
This is a destination stop. Zaharako's has been lovingly restored to all its glory and what a glorious place it is. It is a treat to the eye, the ear and the taste buds. It is an all around experience. Young and old will love this place. It is hard to stop looking there is so much to see. The wood, the brass, the glass, the marble, the soda fountain apparatus, it is all a treat. Kudos to Tony and all the artisans he found to make this dream a reality. Oh yeah, and the ice cream is delicious, the sodas real and the music puts you right back in the time. Just a fun experience for all.
(5)Jessie W.
excellent service and the food is pretty good. of coz, their ice cream is even better. :)
(5)Nad G.
Go for the ice cream not the lunch. Sloppy Joe sandwich was something a four year old could make. It was ground beef stuffed inside a grilled cheese. It tasted like it should be on a kids menu. The ice cream and the atmosphere is another story. Unique, fun, and worth the trip. Keep in mind you have to sit through constant organ music. All they need is the cymbal slamming monkey and we're good.
(3)Jackie S.
Of the six things that the visitors center lists for things to do in Columbus, Zaharakos is number four. However, I wouldn't recommend it for the 18-Pre-Children year old demographics. Yes, its very cute and it smells amazing on the inside. Seriously, if they sold a Zaharakos air fresher, I'd buy a case of it! However, we decided to soak in some rays and sit outside. This made for an awkward experience as we experienced very long wait times and a basically unresponsive waitress. Our meals were even served in to-go boxes. Three stars because the food was good, but this place is not my style. I would recommend it for little kids and those into the nostalgic victorian style.
(3)Matt H.
This is a very neat place to eat! The burgers are delicious the root beer was very tasty and the ice cream was great! They have a self-playing pipe organ that will play some music while you eat and relax! The atmosphere takes you back in time, with the great looking bar and soda fountain and the wood work in this place is very nice! I recommend this place to everyone, it's a must see!
(4)William Aaron K.
This is a neat place to go to in Downtown Columbus. It has a fun vintage vibe with a little gift shop in the back of the restaurant. You can expect it to be crowded sometimes, because it is a popular business especially for families with children to go. My friend and I stopped in there and was just super fascinated by the paper straws that came in our drinks. It was a super hot day and that is all that we really stopped in there for, but we didn't expect to have so much fun. They have the neatest fountains. It's places like this that make you excited to go back and try something different each time. I really would love to try some of their ice cream, since it is an ice cream parlor after all.
(5)Alexis W.
The history, atmosphere, and venue are great. The ice cream is ... ice cream. And the service is terrible. We came about 45 minutes before closing - it was reasonably busy, but by no means full. We waited much too long for two sundaes and a float. When they did come, neither sundae had whipped cream or toppings on them. No extra napkins, despite a toddler at the table. No spoon with the float - I ate the ice cream out of the bottom with a fork because our server could hardly be bothered to stop by the table. We're not locals, but if you're looking for a pleasant experience I don't recommend it.
(2)Brittany P.
Service - Terrible. I waited several minutes to order, waited 25 minutes for a turkey sandwich, and only once I'd finished all of my food did the server check back in and ask how everything was. The entire staff was all local HS kids plus one manager-type who never lifted a finger from what I saw. I even had a server reach in front of me as I was eating to grab some sundae topping she'd forgot! Food - They have some okay food options but really they should stick to what they're good at (dessert). Go someplace else for lunch or dinner and grab a sundae here afterwards. Atmosphere - Since it's an historic place, the inside is actually really cool. Old fashion soda fountain, ice cream bar, etc. It's very unique. Price - Desserts range from $3 to $10, which for a place this unique I suppose is okay. I'm glad I stopped in since I had heard such good things but quite honestly I was so turned off by the end of my visit that I ended up ordering an ice cream sundae TO GO! I won't be back anytime soon.
(2)Michael P.
Terrific atmosphere in a restored ice cream parlor that dates to 1900. The food is good, too. I had the Gom sandwich (sloppy joe on white toast) with hand-cut french fries, along with really great hand-made strawberry milk shake (just like my Grandma's diner made.) This is a must-do, when visiting Columbus. It'd be 4 stars but for service. Admittedly, I'd arrived on a rainy Saturday at 1:00pm - prime lunch time. I learned later that the manager was working with two experienced wait staff, and the rest were new workers. Hence, the hostess struggled between taking names of the arriving customers and taking payment from the exiting patrons. The manager cleared the backlog in about 15 minutes, which was good. As a single guest, I took a seat at the counter, where I could watch the fountain action. My waitress was extremely prompt, polite, and friendly, making good recommendations from the menu. By observation, her colleagues were struggling - not enough ice cream, whipped cream that was lopsided atop sundaes, cherries that weren't "on top." With a little more experienced crew, 4 stars for sure.
(3)Zedar B.
So glad this place is back!!! One of my favorite places in Columbus. I agree that the food is nothing to write home about, but the shakes and sodas are fun and this place brings back happy childhood memories for me.
(4)Michael T.
Sure. You'll go for the ice cream - and it's GOOD ice cream - but try the pies! You won't be disappointed. I had two pieces of Toll House peanut butter pie (picture pecan pie with peanut butter chips) for breakfast -- leftovers from the night before. YUM! At lunch I had the vanilla crumble pie -- picture the sugary filling of apple pie without the apples, and tasting of milk pie. Yum. I highly recommend the grilled cheese -- avocado inside and an extra layer of cheese on one side of the OUTSIDE of the bread.
(5)Tina D.
I am in a sugar coma! Fun place to bring out of town guests! Good food and awesome atmosphere!
(4)Tom T.
Probably just nostalgia but gone are the days of a real, unbathed, lazy-eyed Zaharako behind the counter cleaning the ice-cream scoop he's about to use for your chocolate malt in the water from last Tuesday. But also are the days of a legit green river, sarsaparilla soda, and their signature sloppy-joe-esque burger that I grew up loving. A great stop for an out of towner who wants to feel like they're back in a 1910 soda shop. You can sit at the giant counter on the right when you walk in to enhance that feeling, this is where the soda machine is and where the ice cream is served from. Yelp 2-stars is described as "Meh. I've experienced better" and that is exactly how I feel about this place. But I will give a bonus for the near perfect renovation. If your a big party, have kids, or are looking for an attraction I would suggest it, but the food was just ok, I had the burger, fries and tried the mac-and-cheese. The ice cream was not great and came pretty melted, I had a chocolate shake while eating and was a similar story. Yeah I had Ice cream twice while there. They have expanded into the store front over and added a section selling homestyle goods and some souvenirs think, cracker-barrel esque. Also there is some displays talking about the history of the place which are neat. In summary a good place to check out if your in the area, but kinda gimmicky, and beware of the organ if you dont like loud noises, I am one of the minority who preferred when it didn't work as it is cool to look at but...
(3)Ramya C.
One of the best local ice cream shops I've been to. Very classy ambience and the home made ice creams and floats were yummmm. Regular coffee was nothing outstanding which was kinda expected. Very reasonably priced. I'd go there every single time I visit Columbus!
(5)Dia D.
An old-fashioned ice cream parlor in a beautiful old building. We got the hot fudge brownie sundae. It was delicious, but huge. We shared one sundae and it was still a lot to eat.
(4)Wm H.
We were touring the town of Columbus on our Segways when a local stopped us to ask us about them, and then told us not to miss Zaharako Ice Cream shop. So we took their advice and was glad we did. Opening the door, it was a step back in time to a REAL classic ice cream counter from the turn of the 20th century. Our hostess and waitress Wilma was wonderful, she had been going there since she was a kid and gave us all kinds of history. As it was mid-November the place was decorated for Christmas, which gave it an additional festive feel. Now for the food, excellent, had a turkey sandwich, an Milk Shake and a Sunday. The Ice Cream is home made and most Delicious. There is a little gift store attached to it with interesting items to look at as well as to purchase. This should for sure be a stop on your list when you visit this quaint town.
(5)Bongiorno M.
Come One, Come All, this is small town wonder at its best! If the day of judgement came and the lord said "bring me your fondest establishment, one that creates memories and community, one that kindles the spirit and is at the heart of a small town." Zaharakos would be the offering... Enjoy everything here! From the amazing people of Columbus that have grown up through its doors, to the traditional soda fountain, marble everywhere, splendid decor one of a kind music machine, entertaining historical displays to the famous "Gom" sandwiches. This is a modern living, breathing museum of the taste buds, you have been chosen! =D
(5)Chris C.
Great Food, Great Ice Cream, Great Atmosphere. Great Service. The automated calliope was a little loud but a fantastic restored machine! Our car club with about 24 of us landed in the place at about 4:30 on a Saturday and had some great burgers, sandwiches and ice cream. I watched one of our members actually order, eat and finish their FIVE SCOOP Sundae! My hamburger was great as was my single scoop chocolate sundae. Go here. You will not be disappointed!
(5)Ann z.
Based on both customer service and the quality of the product, this place hardly deserves one star. It does have a nice interior, but my friend and I were variously ignored or treated rudely by the teenage staff who seemed irritated by the fact that they had to...you know...take our order, make our drink, print our check, and run our credit card. After the rude and snail-paced service, the sub-par ice cream simply added insult to injury. It tasted like it used almost entirely processed ingredients and had freezer burn on it, to boot. Highly recommend NOT going.
(1)Chad S.
If you are checking out Columbus IN you need to stop by Zaharakos for lunch or just an old fashioned malt.
(5)Nancy W.
A definite must-see if you are in Columbus. I went there Thursday afternoon with my mom and my kids, and enjoyed it so much that we returned today to show my husband what we all were so excited about. The french fries are so good that my mom, whose eating habits do not typically include junk food of this sort, was eating them, too. I loved my sundae, and thought the Green River float was worth another drive down there at some point on the motorcycle for another one. Make sure you ask if they will play one of the old-fashioned music machines, and check out the general store area off of the main dining room. There are a lot of neat little treasures there for purchase in addition to the showcasing of several "retired" soda fountains from around the country. P.S. If the kids get too much of a sugar buzz, take them across the street to the Commons afterwards and let them climb the floor to ceiling play structure!
(5)Kendra A.
Great atmosphere and a delicious sundae!
(4)nunov y.
Quite dissapointed here...reading all of the reviews I was expecting to be blown over but Zaharako's doesn't quite live up. First things...their sodas, their ice cream, their milkshakes...they are very good. It's definitely worth a try. Their service is quite bad. Perhaps just my experience, but I stood at the wait stand for about 15 minutes waiting a few feet from an open table. After finally being allowed to sit, I was ignored for another 15 minutes before the waitress could screw up nearly everything in my order. After I could finally get the bill, I stood by the cash register for about 5 minutes while the staff washed dishes telling me to wait. I actually stiffed my waitress on the tip, and I haven't done that in years. The food itself also left quite a bit to be desired. Perhaps the driest burger I've ever tasted...it was almost inedible. The sloppy joe and ham sandwich tasted like homemade, meaning made with Manwich, Oscar Meyer, and Wonder Bread. Soggy fries and stale potato chips finished up the lunch. I would highly recommend getting an ice cream float here, but I would avoid turning the menu over. It's really hard to believe that this place has been open for 110 years serving hamburgers this bad.
(2)Randy H.
Great fun. Good food. Great brownie sundae!
(5)Anita N.
Great place for a sandwich or salad & of course the ice cream is great. It's homemade & they have a real soda fountain to add wonderful flavors to pop & ice cream. My first bite of butter pecan was heaven. So creamy & full of flavor. Greg said his Chocolate malt was the best he's ever had.
(5)Linda G.
Go for the ambiance -- 1890's style soda fountain restored to museum quality -- in fact, there is a small soda fountain museum in the next room. My parents went there when they were dating in the 1940's, and it had been around for a long time then. The sodas, ice cream, and food are good, but that's not why you want to go. It is just beautiful, and the music is fun, too -- a Welte orchestrion provides lively band music from the early 1900s. Check out their website: zaharakos.com
(5)Lisa D.
Ice cream was good, but the manager was yelling at an employee and it ruined the fun.
(2)Chris R.
Been here three times. First they need to get rid of the kids and hire some real servers. The decor is the real sight to see. The owner put a lot of money into this place. I find the ice cream strange and chewy. Last time I came in I was seated at the last table on the side of the organ even though there was only a handfull of people there. The organ can be really loud. This place is good for desert only.
(2)Marshall S.
So the Commons is gone but Zaharako's is coming back in 2009!!!
(5)Joyce O.
This is a destination stop. Zaharako's has been lovingly restored to all its glory and what a glorious place it is. It is a treat to the eye, the ear and the taste buds. It is an all around experience. Young and old will love this place. It is hard to stop looking there is so much to see. The wood, the brass, the glass, the marble, the soda fountain apparatus, it is all a treat. Kudos to Tony and all the artisans he found to make this dream a reality. Oh yeah, and the ice cream is delicious, the sodas real and the music puts you right back in the time. Just a fun experience for all.
(5)Jessie W.
excellent service and the food is pretty good. of coz, their ice cream is even better. :)
(5)Tom S.
Who doesn't become a kid again with great ice cream and good food? A great place to take kids to learn American History, too. Their "museum" of soda fountains shows the kids (and adults, too) how their Great-great-great Grandparents got the same All-time Favorites that they'll be enjoying shortly. Service was great the several times we've gone.
(5)Leann P.
You must stop by Zaharakos if you are in the Columbus area. It is adorable! I had the avocado grilled cheese for lunch. It was pretty good, but the parmesan crust on the bread was pretty greasy and chewy. Take that off and it was a flavorful sandwich. I loved seeing the working soda fountain and watching the way they poured the soda from it. Also, music plays from an organ every so often. I was a bit frustrated with my interaction with the hostess. She asked if we would be interested in sitting at the soda fountain bar, but when we said we would prefer a table she looked extremely irritated. Luckily, our server was very personable, which made me forget (a bit) about the rude hostess.
(4)Kiyoko M.
I came here for lunch. I was looking for something different. I had a fish sandwich and ice cream Soda It was so good! I did not expect for food since this is the ice cream shop. But I got the perfect fish sandwich! I recommend to everyone. It is the cute restaurant !
(5)Adam R.
Ok food. INCREDIBLY SLOW SERVICE. This place is cool for what it is. An old-time ice cream bar and all original 1800's style decor. Just never understood why everyone was so big on this place. The ice cream is ho-hum, and the food is just alright. My wife and I went twice and neither time was memorable, other than the prices were too high for what you received. With that said, there aren't really other non-chain type ice cream places in Columbus, so I suppose you are limited in your choices.
(3)Tracey B.
Old time charm is everywhere in this fantastic I've cream parlour and restaurant. Food is good, straightforward add you would make in your own kitchen. I've cream is irresistible. Organs and other great turn off the century instruments play.
(5)Jennifer S.
Established in 1900, Zaharakos is truly a gem amongst today's 'fast food' culture. Located about an hour South of Indianapolis in Columbus, Indiana, this ice cream parlor is as authentic as they come. The craftmanship that surrounds you from the moment you walk in is something rarely seen anymore; complete with marble bar and countertop and vintage fountain machines. The tables and parlor chairs consistently maintain the feel. In addition to the restaurant, there is a museum attached with a display of soda fountains and equipment from days gone by in pristine condition. Music plays throughout the restaurant from the beautifully restored Welte orchestrion, a self playing pipe organ, complete with a triangle, snare drum, bass drum and cymbal. We came in for a treat after lunch and my teen enjoyed her first banana split, and my boyfriend ordered their raspberry fountain cola and brownie sundae. I snuck bites of both before checking out the museum area. This was truly a wonderful stop on our Sunday road trip and a highly recommended 'To Do' for anyone visiting the area.
(5)Cece S.
Disclaimer-the 5 star rating is for Brian, the assistant manager, as well as the fun atmosphere as long as you can stand some noise. Brian was greeting guests and stopped to say hello. He told us a bit of the history and about the ice cream. Was a great conversation. We ordered the sloppy joe and turkey sandwiches which were mediocre at best. I would not recommend going here for food. Then we ordered a banana split. I'd give it a 4. Not enough chocolate syrup so we asked for some and they brought a ton at no charge. We decided the only way to truly know if their ice cream was legit was to get a scoop of cookies and cream. That was the highlight-delicious. We will cherish this experience but it was just that-a once in a life time experience. The museum was really cool! So were the orchestra and organs that played as we ate.
(5)Will P.
Great collection of antiques, really nice staff that tries to be very welcoming. Unfortunately the ice cream is just average. Go for the ambiance, sit out on the sidewalk and watch the world go by, just do not expect to be wowed by the fare.
(3)David T.
This is the second or third time I have been here. It is great for atmosphere and history BUT when it comes to ingredients I think they are skimpy. My mint chocolate chip ice cream had fake chocolate. It tasted more like wax than anything chocolate.
(3)Suki W.
I always come here for lunch whenever I am in town for a business trip. I tried their fish sandwich and the chipotle chicken sandwich so far and I liked them both. The sauce is on the side, so you add as much as desired. Free refill for Iced coffee/tea/lemonade!! The nice old lady works by the ice cream bar always offered me a to-go refill. I also loved their strawberry ice cream! I would give it a 5 star if the service can be quicker. You will expect to wait for the server to take the order and hand you a check, then wait again in line to pay.
(4)Stacy P.
I am going to be nice and give Zaharakos 3 stars. 1 for the ice cream, 1 for the nostalgic atmosphere and feel, and a generous 1 for the service. Zaharakos is an experience and is a place you step into and are transported back into time. They have done a fabulous job with finding original period pieces. The menu is pretty simple and definitely not gluten free friendly to say the least, but thankfully all I came for was the ice cream and old fashioned soda. If your looking for the most amazing ice in the world, this isn't the place. It is pretty standard at best. The two scope sundae is more than enough for two people to share. I loved the fact that when you ordered a sauce with it, not only do they pour a ton of if on the bottom, but they also give you a huge side of the sauce as well. The service here is questionable. Our server happened to take our order and then proceed to ignore us the entire time. The ice cream bar staff ended up taking over our table in the end. If you happen to find yourself in Columbus, IN, this is a must stop for the area. Be forewarned that it can get extremely crowded and it can take some time to get your order. Also, if you wish to keep your hearing and/or have a conversation do NOT sit next to the player organ in the back.
(3)Pallav P.
The ice cream here is to die for! The atmosphere in the restaurant makes it all the better and the huge automated music box is quite the treat. I would give the place five stars but I've been turned off by the service a couple of times. Go here with family or go here with a date, this place makes for a great time. There's a gift ship in the back that's worth checking out. After all, this place is pretty much a hundred years old. That would be quite the story to tell!
(4)Jemmie W.
The food here is probably four stars. Honestly, there's only so much you can do with ice cream to differentiate yourself from others. What really sets this place apart is the free museum next door with ice cream and fountain machinery that probably 90% of those reading this have never seen in action - I'm over 40 and am in that group. The pieces look like they are in pristine condition and are fascinating glimpses into a past that will never come back. Definitely stop by if you are in the area.
(5)Mike L.
Very cool spot for lunch with the family. Not a huge menu, but everything was great. Good sandwiches and great milkshakes. On the rare occasion I find myself in Columbus IN around lunch time I'll definitely be back.
(4)Gregory C.
Zaharakos is visually impressive with it's decor - some original from the early days and some not. It is like stepping back in time - early 1900's soda fountain style. Unfortunately - not much else is impressive. The star of the show - ice cream - is average...barely. In a setting such as this and prices charged - one would expect a super premium dense variety of ice cream - but not the case. The citrus chicken can be dry and over cooked but tasty. The burger - average at best - nothing special. Did not try the "Gom" sandwich with cheese. At $7.25 for a grilled sloppy joe with a slice of american cheese - no thanks - definitely overpriced and unappealing. On multiple occasions visited - the service can be shockingly inattentive and slow. Even during non-peak hours the service is very uneven. Not real sure why. Overall the food is average and overpriced for the quality served - ice cream included. The service is uneven and poor to fair at best.
(2)Dj B.
Took my two young boys here for some ice cream. The me cream was fantastic but it took 20 minutes to get 4 scoops of ice cream. They weren't all that busy. We will certainly visit again but hope for a little quicker service next time.
(4)Justin C.
Great atmosphere, but unfortunately that's where it ends. The food was run of the mill with nothing unique about the menu. Even the shakes, etc where only as good as a Steak and Shake. Waited 30 minutes to be seated when there was about 6 tables open. The problem was they only had about four people working the floor and they had to wait tables, check out customers, make shakes, clean tables and play hostess. Go there for the nostalgia but don't expect to have a great meal.
(3)Jeremy B.
This place is a piece of history preserved and served with a sprinkle of magic. You walk in through wood doors with old stain glass and are transported into a turn of the 19th century soda shop ice cream parlor. The staff are the embodiment of friendly service and the food (light lunch and a few other great selections) delicious. The real treat however is the ice cream and old fashioned sodas. A sweet treat that will make even the most seasoned patron feel like a kid again and again.
(5)J M.
Great place to stop... if you have plenty of time. My family and I were traveling through the area and I'd bookmarked Zaharakos on Yelp on a previous trip through the area. The atmosphere was hectic at first. We arrived around 2 in the afternoon on a Sunday and it was packed. There were several employees scooting around not getting much done it seemed to me. Lots of young kids, not a lot of adult supervision that we saw. Our waiter did his best I believe, but once seated we were in for very looooong waits between visits. From being sat to getting our food I'd say we waited at least 45 minutes. A bit long for a few burgers even though they were better than your average burger. The ice cream was the draw for the kids so we ordered ice cream after dinner and ended up waiting nearly an hour for it to be delivered. I called over the waiter at one point and asked him what the hold up was and after another delay, the young manager came over and gave us very small discount. Very small. Tiny. 10%. If that's it, just don't give a discount. I'd rather just get an apology and pay the full price than be offered a 29 cent discount for waiting an hour for something that should have taken no more than 10 minutes as by this time the place had cleared out. As with anything related to the service industry, we were there at a bad time and can't say that if we went back at 2pm next Sunday we'd have the same bad luck. I'll never know though because once was enough. There are just far, far too many places along a 400 mile route one can stop for a burger!
(2)Jane D.
Great atmosphere that takes you back in time to your childhood or if you are a kid that builds good memories. Delicious food. Wonderful service. This is worth the trip a few miles off I-65 at Exit 68.
(5)Haley K.
Ending up not being able to go cause they were too busy on our first attempt to eat here during a trip too see my grandparents in the area. We came again during lunch time during the work week and were seated quickly. The food was pretty good, I had a "grownup" grilled cheese which was pretty decent. The real deal about this place is the original music making machines, that my daughter loved. The other big thing is their old school made ice cream items. Pretty darn good, I had a milkshake which was yummy! My daughter & mom shared an ice cream that they couldn't finish. My grandparents shared a Sunday which was huge. I'm sure we will be by next time we are in the area.
(4)David C.
Great food. I had a Gom sandwich and I would highly recommend it. We sampled several kinds of ice cream and it was outstanding. This is the kind of place that you need to visit. The displays of antique items is most interesting.
(5)Brittany S.
Dear Wilma, You'll never know what a horrible day today was and how much your friendliness and soda shop expertise meant to me. I needed a pick-me-up something awful and you delivered. Being the Curious George that I am, I had a hefty list of questions like "what is your favorite?" "what exactly is a soda float and if I were to get one, which flavor would you recommend?" First you gave me a wee bit of a startled look, realized I was dead serious and then promptly filled me in on the xyz's of the soda shop world. Amidst the photos for Zaharakos on Yelp, you will find an image of the beautiful lemon soda float you made (which was a-m-a-z-i-n-g). As if your friendliness and the delicious float weren't enough, my senses were on overload from the shop's intricate and gorgeous interior as well as the smell of sugar in the air that was so damn good. I would have sworn I could scoop this smell up with a spoon. Wilma, I can't thank you enough. Our little interaction will forever be remembered as a bright spot in my cloudy day.
(5)Cheryl N.
Zaharakos is a gem in a city of gems! This authentic 1900 icecream parlor has been meticulously restored, and is gorgeous. Stained glass windows, marble counters, Tiffany-style lamps, helpful (though a bit frazzled with the crowds on the day we visited) staff, and so much to look at that your icecream might melt while you're gazing at the decor! On top of all that, the icecream is delicious and our waffle cone was not too sweet and perfectly crispy. It held up and didn't get soggy while we walked around downtown Columbus. Be prepared for a crowd, but don't let that dissuade you - just take your time and look around at the old-time candy counter, syrup dispensers and Coca-Cola memorabilia. Super!
(4)Melanie R.
This is a fun place to go to feel like you're going back in time to an old ice cream shop. The ice cream is nothing special, but the experience of feeling like you're in an old-time soda shop is neat. The food is not great, and the service is slow... but it was fun to take our 6-year-old to once or twice last summer.
(3)Rick G.
How do I rate this? By the food alone? It's a 2.5 to a 3. By the ice cream alone? It's a 5. So I'll split the 2, and we'll call it a 4. The breaded tenderloin was advertised as hand breaded, and I have no doubt that it is. And, I DO know tenderloins. This one was VERY tasty, not too thin, with wonderful breading. The best one I've had in the Columbus area. The chips that came with it were straight out of the bag. My wife's sandwich was good but not great. The ice cream sundaes we got were nothing short of fantastic. And, do yourself a favor. Allow some extra time to just walk around and look at all the history that's in here. It's amazing. A great place to visit while in the Columbus area.
(4)Bryce B.
Cool building and antiques, but that is absolutely the only enticing aspect of this restraunt. The food falls somewhere between bland and atrocious and the owner is a penny pinching sheister. Worth a walk around but I don't see any reason to eat their food . . . EVER.
(1)Adam S.
Stopped in for a quick visit as we were passing through town. They were not very busy and there were tables clearly not occupied. We were informed by the young (but friendly) waitstaff that it would be at least a 30 minute wait. We moved along. I would not recommend to someone on a long road trip looking for a quick visit.
(1)Missy H.
This was our second visit to Zaharkos and I can say both visits were very consistent, for better or worse. The better: the food is great! Do yourself a favor and get the artisan grilled cheese. It's unlike any grilled cheese you've ever had and you'll crave it for days afterwards. It's got avocado and tomato on the inside with the cheese, and the outside is encrusted in Parmesan cheese. Dynamite! Another house favorite is their "gom", their version of a sloppy joe mixture. It's delicious on a sandwich or on top of their coney dog. I also recommend a chocolate malt or brownie sundae. I plan the try the banana split next time. Ok, now for the not-so-good. The service. Mind you, the people are friendly and once you actually get service, it goes pretty smoothly. It just seems like they are a little disorganized seating people and deciding who will wait on them. Clearly no assigned sections or tables. Lots of young people walking around not really working. Also, anything made at the bar (all ice cream things) is very slow. Even when the place isn't busy. If the service could rise to the level of the food, this place would be a home run. Lastly, keep in mind this is a historic place with a lot of cool original soda shop equipment and music makers. It's definitively worth a stop.
(4)J S.
Took 20+ minutes to get two dishes of ice cream and two sundaes. Good thing we didn't order anything fancy. Ice cream was tasteless. One of us had mint chocolate chip--didn't have any mint taste. I had butter pecan also did not taste good seemed like malt had been added to it. Yuck. And would it kill them to bring napkins to the table? Staff in turmoil. People scurrying around like crazy. Guy at next table was getting impatient trying to get his bill. I had the good sense to ask for it as soon as the ice cream was delivered. Complete lack of organization. Don't know how it's lasted this many years.
(1)Paul S.
$7M restoration. Unbelievable. Only in America. The guy that invented (baby) butt paste and sold the company tore this place apart and put it back together. Ask to see the upstairs and get the special tour. You better tip the s*it out of your server. I hope the owner lives a long life and when he does pass his kids keep the place open, because I want to visit w/ my kids and my grandkids someday. America!
(5)Curt W.
Character is awesome service, not so much. I would never have thought it could take so long to dish up ice cream. If you have time to kill it's a great place! No one was working the register and two people in front of me in line to pay just laid down there money and left.
(3)Holly G.
A really neat, nostalgic place full of history if you look around and explore. The food is all pretty average as far as restaurants go. If you are looking for gourmet, original or exotic fare, eat elsewhere. But if you're just looking for a snack, ice cream sundae, banana split, milkshake, etc...it is a fun, quaint spot. We really enjoyed looking around at the calliopes and nickleodeons after we ate our meal.
(3)John Z.
This place is all about kitsch and old-timey novelty. They have cool ice cream creations that are hand-dipped, and they have those old time drinks like Green River soda.... and that's what you should go here for. The food is just okay -- my burger was overcooked - so don't expect to be wowed by the food. We did have a brownie sundae after lunch that was pretty darn awesome, though. So yeah, great for dessert, so-so for food...
(3)Kristin S.
Fantastic ice cream and sundaes. When it gets busy the parlor side can get behind in service. But it's the experience you're here for anyway - not the speed.
(4)Bob M.
Two stars for atmosphere and waiter from Manchester England, the food was mediocre or poor. The Chicken sandwich was fowl. The meat did not smell good. My wife sent back. My hamburger was ok but not worth the price. They need to upgrade the food menu. We were in town for the Architectural tour and I had heard Zakarakos was the place. Doubt if we go back.
(2)Jim S.
TOURIST & TRAVELERS this is a "MUST SEE" !!! Been here several times, and will return any chance I get. It's obvious from the quality people working here, that this is a successful place. A jewel of history, the 100+ year old soda fountain, player piano & organ, cabinets, & furniture takes one back to the great Columbian Era, & Roaring 20's. The food & especially their ice cream is "The Best" !!!
(5)Elizabeth S.
I have been in there multiple times. Service isn't the best and the piano plays too loud if there is not a lot of people I there. The food and ice cream is amazing. The ambiance is fantastic.
(4)Chris B.
This place is fantastic! It's like eating in museum or taking a step back in time. I ordered a scoop of butter pecan in a waffle bowl. The bowl was light and airy but crunchy and the butter pecan was rich and nutty just the way it should be. My wife got a raspberry chocolate sundae and it came with extra fudge that all taste like it was made minutes ago. Sooo yummy!
(5)Rob M.
Giving one extra star simply for the nostalgic feel. We were really excited to visit the restaurant for lunch, yet were very disappointed. The Chipotle chicken sandwich sounded great on the menu, yet was dry, tough and chewy. It did not include any of the Chipotle or citrus flavor as advertised. As hungry as I was (and still am), I simply could not finish the sandwich (rare occurrence). Our fries arrived at the table a good 10 minutes before our sandwiches...what restaurant does that?? The chocolate shakes were good...pretty hard to make ice cream taste bad. Service was as bad as it gets. Looking around the restaurant, there are several empty drinking glasses as the servers do not check back on the tables. We will not be back unless it is simply to get some ice cream. Although, we may still have better luck at a Dairy Queen.
(2)Jarrod R.
When I was a kid (like I'm a sea otter now) two of my favorite places to visit were the Paramount Music Palace and Farrell's. They, like many great places, are gone now, but in Zaharakos, there is a way to capture those same type of memories. We visited Zaharakos on Saturday evening and had a wonderful time. First off, the service, from the first moments we entered until we left with smiles on our faces was outstanding. It seems to be populated with some of the most polite young people from Columbus - for that, the town should be proud. As we walked in, the Welte Orchestration with its 184 pipes was inviting us to sit down and eat. It was just on the right side of raucous and was a perfect way to be introduced to the restaurant. As for the food (and treats), everything we ordered was delicious. I had the raspberry Coke and the eldest girl had the "green river," which she really enjoyed. My burger was delicious, and gave me a little taste of yesteryear. I had a bite of my wife's Gom sandwich, which was a great mixture of sweet and spicy. And oh, the ice cream - beautiful and delicious. I would highly recommend the raspberry chocolate chip! All in all, I'm enamored with Zaharakos. I can't wait for another excuse to visit Columbus, Indiana again for a visit.
(5)Skip S.
Although we have made Columbus a regular stop whenever we travel south from Wisconsin, this is the first time we ate in the downtown area. Loved this place the moment we walked in. The old time soda fountain feel was wonderful! Like eating in a soda fountain museum. The food was very good for the price and ice cream is a must.
(5)Kate D.
So this place is historically neat to visit. Of all the places I have been this is like a flash back to the past. Perhaps not the greatest icecream, but the experience was neat. When my family comes to visit this is a place to stop because so many people live so close and have never been!
(4)Nate G.
Overhyped. We were skipped over in line and someone else took our name. Then it took a very long time, over 45 mins to receive our food. There was also a hair on the inside of my drink. Gross! The only thing it has going for it is the historical value. Possibly zero stars if possible. Although the manager spoke with us, we aren't completely satisfied.
(1)Elizabeth M.
So much more than just ice cream. Their menu features homemade soups, sloppy Joes, grilled citrus chicken sandwiches, and corn dogs to name a few. Rebecca, our server, was knowledgeable and friendly. The hostess gave us a brief history of the building as she seated us in the brightly lit dining room. One of the cooks even came out to our table to chat for a bit as Rebecca told us about the specials. This must be a great place to work since everyone we encountered seemed genuinely enthusiastic about the historic building, menu items, and ice cream. Zaharakos is obviously a well-loved landmark in Columbus since all the fixtures remain in pristine condition. The old-timey music was a nice touch as well. If you're traveling through Columbus, you must stop for a meal or just a sweet treat.
(5)Christina C.
My chocoholic friend and I stopped here on a recommendation from counsel. It took my friend 15 minutes to decide what combination to order... which is apparently a common experience based on the seemingly limitless combinations and eager to please ice cream parlor staff. I obviously had to have the cinnamon soda with the butter pecan ice cream. It was a winner! :) My friend ordered chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, brownie, fudge, chocolate something. The little girl sitting next to him, witnessing his un-adult-like glee, dared him to drink the gravy boat full of hot fudge. I turned away so I didn't have to witness the consequences of this display. Despite the junior audience squeals, I should not have been surprised by the fact that no chocolate escaped to the floor. The paper straws were an eco-friendly perk. The juxtaposition of Zaharakos museum-like decor and child-friendly ice cream parlor atmosphere made for a unique stroll down 'I-wish-these-were-my-childhood-memories' lane.
(5)Melissa F.
Amazing step back in history. Food is awesome as well as the ice cream.
(4)Diana A.
We stopped for a simple lunch there before ending our weekend trip to Columbus, IN. The food was simple and okay. But they're known for their ice cream and beautiful interiors. Would advise stopping in just for the experience. The food is just average, not bad, not great. It's just okay.
(3)Olivia B.
The ice cream, sodas, & surroundings are the only worthwhile reasons to stop. Don't get me wrong - for that, it's worth the stop - but don't expect the food to rise above edible and, well, meh..., which to me says that I'd really rather they just be an amazing ice cream / malt / frappe / soda shop,than the 'who cares?' tourist blech restaurant they currently are. Seriously. For real. STOP it with the crappy, if hygienically prepared food! (Seriously, that is the best thing I can say about your food: I saw servers following board of health protocols consistently throughout food prep. That's not exactly mouth-watering news.) Yes, the servers are prenaturally pleasant. It's fairly alarming in a restaurant, but in an ice cream shop / soda fountain, well, that's what you'd expect, right??? I promise we'll just come for the sodas and the ice cream - those alone get four stars or more. No foolin'. We'll be thrilled and have a reasonable food traffic for walk-out cones and shakes. (I will admit: I'm not sure what the breakfast score is: I just know none of the lunch "real" food items are worth eating.)
(2)Peter P.
I can only give Zaharkos 3 stars right now (even though I really want to rate them higher) because all I had was the sloppy joe, fries, and a malt. However, what I did have was outstanding. I love old-timey ice cream parlours and this place sure fits the bill. They even have Mexican onyx soda fountains from the early 1900s (for display only).
(3)Andy D.
You want ice cream with 7 flavor choices? Fine. This is the place for you. If you want good food served attentively, look elsewhere. By the way, if you choose not to heed my advice, avoid the chili, a watery, beefy affair strewn with canned tomatoes. On the way out, I was treated to the manager giving a gentleman in front of me a hard time for attempting to pay for his meal by using an outdated gift certificate. In front of the other patrons, she argued with a gentleman for perhaps 5 minutes. Rather than say something professional such as, " I'll accept this gift certificate if you promise to come back and visit us again," what we got was, " we can't wait forever for you to cash in your gift certificate. After all, we have to reconcile our books." And with that, she lost 2 return customers, the gentleman ahead of me, and me.
(2)Melissa M.
Imagine stepping back into time to an early 20th century ice cream parlor. That's exactly what going to Zaharakos is like. It's an extremely beautiful ice cream and soda shop inside, complete with cherry wood furnishings and lighted mirrors. The lunch items are delicious. My husband had a grilled cheese and avocado sandwich that was out of this world. I had a club sandwich on pretzel bread that was divine. The chocolate malt I had was thick, creamy and delicious. We just stopped here passing through on the way to Bloomington, but I would also make a special trip to Columbus just to stop here. I was a bit awestruck at the place.
(5)Keith S.
We stopped here just as the Mike Pence for Governor event was letting out but still got right in and seated. The place was packed but we were served right away by a nice young lady with a great attitude. Food was very good and not expensive, but the Ice Cream was the part we were waiting for, and it did not disappoint. On a scale of one to ten I would give it a 9 with a bump for the extra hot fudge our waitress brought us. Stay for a playing of one of their restored 3 music machines. Parking on street is free but don't stay in one spot more than 3 hours.
(4)Joel D.
Zaharkos was awesome. It was an absolute treat to come here for an afternoon dessert break after touring Columbus's architectural sights. This ice cream saloon had so much character and the treats on the menu were great. I loved the historic calliope music players.
(5)B K.
Excellent, awesome atmosphere and great food. My rootbeer float was excellent and the misses cherry soda was great also. Will be coming back for more.
(5)Gary B.
This place, established in1900, is THE place to visit WITH CHILDREN in Columbus. I had visited the original Zaharako's once or twice as a child, as both sides of my family hail from that general area. I remembered it as being being bright, noisy, and exciting. At least my Mary is still good. But as an adult with no small children, that bright and noisy atmosphere was just too much. I had a headache when I left. The food was more than acceptable, but not great. My hamburger was well-done like a hocky puck, with no question from the order taker as to my preference. Most of the flavor came from a hothouse tomato and a red onion slice. The Chicken & Noodle soup says "home made", but the extremely precise and consistent size of the chicken, carrots, and noodles says "made from a can". My wife found the Toasted Cheese Sandwich to be interesting. Listed as a "blend of parmessan and provolone" there seemed to be. no blending. The parmessan was stuck to the OUTSIDE of the sandwich like a crisp cookie. Chips were kettle chips from a bag. Blah. But don't leave Columbus without a sundae from Zaharako's!!! One or two big scopes of ice cream covered with a smooth flavor topping, and optional whipped cream and nuts. The quality of the sundae is well above everything else, and worth the hour or so drive from Indy. This place in intended for smaller children, even down to the pint-sized tables and chairs. An automated mini-organ (think carousel music) is not overly loud. But expect crying babies, screaming toddlers, and preschoolers on a sugar high. A quiet meal this ain't!
(3)Richard F.
No trip to columbus is complete without a visit to Zaharakos. The homemade ice cream sodas and milk shakes are indescribable and very delicious. You can sit at a table or belly up to the old time soda fountain counter. Make sure you take time to browse the memorabilia especially the old nickelodeons on display. They are very rare and if you ask they will turn on the very large German one in the main dining room and play songs for your enjoyment. A real delight.
(5)J. C.
On a hot day, arctic air inside Zaharakos washes over you as you open the Washington street storefront door. Built about 1900, the entire place is lit with replica 1900s incandescent light bulbs. Arrayed in front of you are the trappings of an authentic, old-school soda fountain. There are porcelain bins that once held syrup, and behind them, vast mirrors. In front of the mirrors, glass jars with an array of chopped nuts and other ice cream toppings. There's no soft serve here. Staff members exert a martial-arts-grade grip on ice cream scoops and lug frosty tubs of ice cream from a back room walk-in. I sat at the clean, stone counter and ordered a shake. The shake was great. The service was excellent. I'd definitely go back. I would exceed the recommended daily allowance of ice cream if this place were closer to my home.
(4)Jonny S.
What a little gem. One should really visit this place to get a view of what Soda Fountains were like at the turn of 20th Century. The décor is absolutely wonderful. The icecream is tasty...but the real fun is the authentic sodas you can get. I never knew how tasty a raspberry coke could be. The staff is very friendly. Worth a trip to Columbus just to visit this place.
(5)Adam M.
1) Don't stop if you are in any sort of a hurry. I sat at the ice cream bar when I stopped in here and you get to see first-hand just how labor-intensive making hand-dipped ice cream treats can be. That said, on my visit, there were a lot of things contributing to the service hangups that I experienced and unfortunately I can't blame it all on the hand-dipping of the ice cream. The fountain Coke and the old-fashioned ice cream soda I had were great, but outside of those two treats there was inattentiveness and inattention to detail all around. 2) I had the Gom sandwich with cheese. I thought it was pretty tasty, if not exactly original or mind-blowing. My sandwich (which had been sitting for at least a few minutes when it was served to me) came with chips and they were all crumbs as someone appeared to have literally dumped the end of the bag right out on my plate. Cute place that definitely made me wish that I had been alive during the era of the old-fashioned soda shop. The woodwork and bright incandescent clear glass bulbs reminded me of an old chain of ice cream shops called Swensen's that I would see when visiting malls on family vacations as a kid. It was nice to see them doing things like pouring flavored syrup into a glass of ice (preparing to have soda 'jerked' into it) using a metal 'jigger' on a sticky marble counter. But it seems that they could provide a much better experience with a little better management. I saw one manager while I was there...an assistant manager...who was hustling behind the ice cream/soda bar the entire time...but with a place this busy I would have expected to see one or more floor managers out walking the room and taking steps to avoid service/experience bottlenecks. Would love to come back to this area sometime when I have more time to spend. And I'd love to come back to Zaharakos, but I likely won't order food and -- even then -- will allow myself at least an hour.
(3)Dolly V.
This joint is too cute for words. Even though Zaharokos recently got a face lift, it still preserves its unique, old-timey vibe that makes you feel you are a part of its history. When I come back home for a visit, I always take my younger cousins here for a sweet treat...and they devour it without hesitation! A nice place to take out-of-towners!
(4)Mike M.
Horrible service. Couldn't get water!!! Left Just so we're clear - horrible service.
(1)Donna P.
Fantastic fun! Zaharakos is a awesome soda shop. There are many flavors of soda to try and hand dipped ice cream. This place is hoppin so don't expect the most attentive service but they do their best. Be sure to ask them to play the music and check out the gift shop.
(5)Keith H.
This place has awesome homemade root beer. They have great tasting hamburgers and yummy ice cream. In fact, the ice cream was big enough for my wife and I to share. The interior is very nostalgic. The staff was friendly and the service was good. This place also has a small general store where you can buy candy and souvenirs. It's a really cool place to visit.
(4)Ryan L.
I would recommend that anyone stop here even if just passing through. It's worth seeing and it's a rare place. Zaharakos is an old fashioned soda fountain that has been restored to almost it's original condition. It has a beautiful bar with with mirrors in the background framed by globe light bulbs. It's truly a beautiful place. Along with the interior, Zaharakos still serves the old fashioned soda fountain drinks that my parents used to get when they were kids. It's much different from the way we think of soda and ice cream now, so I enjoyed the experience. I found the food selection to be fairly limited. I don't think there were many options for vegetarians. I got the "Gom Sandwich" that was a sloppy joe on white bread. It was very good. The menu consists of some sandwiches, salads and fries. For a drink I tried a "green river". It was tasty and like the early ancestor of Mountain Dew. It was like an anthropological excursion into early 20th Century dining. If you ever in the area you definitely need to stop by. I'm sure there are fewer and fewer of these places that exist in the world and they probably won't be around forever.
(5)Mary S.
Such a charming step back in time, really enjoyed stopping here - especially around Christmas time. Fun just to look around & have a milkshake or old fashioned soda with a paper straw!
(5)Glenn W.
This is someplace you've got to go to one time....It's like stepping back in time to a simpler age....Just go!!! Have a sandwich and some ice cream...or a soda....if you are in the area....don't miss this piece of Americana!!!
(4)Jordan Z.
Must see, must taste! The Mayor was at the bar eating a Burger when I walked in if that tells you anything.
(5)Kevin S.
Great atmosphere! Like stepping back in time. Hand-breaded tenderloin was thick and good, with an interesting, unique spice in the breading. My seven-year-old had the hot dog - it was the thick, big kind with lots of flavor and he enjoyed it. The root beer ice cream soda was good, but a bit small for the price. Was crowded at 2 pm on a sunny Saturday in June, so service was slow. Overall a good experience, although a bit pricier than I would have expected for what we received, both with the food and the shakes and sodas.
(4)Christine B.
When I walked in, I was pretty sure I died and gone to heaven. This place is like stepping back in time. What I love about Columbus is that small town nostalgia. The service here was super friendly, the decor is amazing, and the old automated organ adds to the atmosphere. Everyone here was smiling, after all, how can you go to an old fashioned soda fountain/ice cream shop and have a bad time? I had a sundae and my husband had a dr pepper milkshake. Everything was very yummy and hit the spot on a dreary winter afternoon. I can't wait to take my kids here when that day comes. A day trip to Columbus and Zaharakos might just have to be our new Christmas tradition.
(5)Allie D.
While visiting Columbus this afternoon, we decided to have lunch here and I am so glad we did. This place is lovely. Great to see such a historical ice cream parlor being preserved so beautifully. Admittedly, the service isn't great, but in my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons. Lovely atmosphere and unique food (e.g. TRUE fountain sodas, old fashioned ice cream). If you're in the area, you should definitely check it out! If I understand correctly, this place wasn't renovated until 2008 or maybe even later, so if you visited before then it was definitely nothing spectacular.
(4)Jess B.
I wish I could give half stars cuz I'd give it a 3 1/2. Here is the scope on Zaharakos. If you're traveling through the area, give it a try. Especially if you have kids. It has a great historic feel with lots of old soda machines, a cool old clock that chimes and plays fun songs, and a candy shop. But know a few things before you go. First off, their service is consistently bad. The servers are super nice but everyone manages to work at snail pace (the whole town does)...it gets old after a while. They have a limited menu but some tasty items that many people will like. I personally like their signature Gom sandwich (Zaharakos' take on the sloppy joe) but there is a really good turkey sandwich they also serve. The best part of Zaharakos though is not the food ...it's the sodas and their killer ice cream. I love their cinnamon coke and mint chocolate chip ice cream. I previously rated this place a 4 on another site, but after going here a few times, I downgraded ...primarily due to their service. But I would always recommend people go here at least once. Perhaps you'll have a different opinion!
(3)Stacey H.
Our family has made this place a holiday tradition! We love it! Never disappointing a super cool for the kids!
(5)Bryan X.
This is truly a must go place if you are visiting Columbus IN. I was taking the Miller house tour during one weekend and had lunch there before going to the tours. The artisan grilled cheese and avocado might just be the best sandwich I had in recent memory. They did a great job to preserve this historic place. Look at the 1950 picture, it hasn't changed a bit! The ice cream counter from a century ago is gorges. Need to try their ice cream next time.
(5)Lori M.
We held my mom's 90th birthday party in the upstairs banquet room. Everyone had a great time with make-your-own-sundaes, cake, and drinks. The ice cream tasted as as great as it's always been and the toppings were delicious. Faye and her staff were easy to work with as I planned it from out of town and the event ran flawlessly! So thankful we could celebrate such a special occasion in this wonderfully restored and locally adored business.
(5)Ren S.
5 Stars for the ice cream! The service here takes forever and the food sucks. But you HAVE to go here for the ice cream and the see the inside of this place!
(4)