I’ve Been to Food Halls Across the U.S. — This One in Columbus, Georgia, Stands Out

Coming from Las Vegas, where food halls are often cavernous and overpriced, I didn’t know what to expect from Columbus. What I found at Banks Food Hall was the opposite: an effortless, community-driven dining experience that felt like the heart of the city.

Tucked near the Chattahoochee RiverWalk in Uptown Columbus, the city’s downtown hub, I arrived just after 11 a.m. and was immediately hit with the smell of food coming together as vendors were still setting up. I decided right away I was going to try as many stalls as I could.

The mix of Korean fried chicken, Mexican, Hawaiian, and Filipino food fit naturally here, especially with how easy it was to explore everything under one roof.

Banks Food Hall At-A-Glance:

• The Vibe: Historic industrial-chic (12,000 sq. ft. W.C. Bradley Co. building) with riverfront views.
• Standout Vendors: Angry Wings & Things, El Primo Taqueria, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, and Poke Sun.
• Price Point: Very affordable (approx. $10–$15 per main dish).
• Best For: Families, solo travelers, and pre-whitewater rafting fuel.

What It’s Like to Dine at Banks Food Hall

From the outside, Banks Food Hall felt simple but welcoming. It's housed in the historic W.C. Bradley Co. 12,000-square-foot building along Bay Avenue, with multiple entrances that made it easy for me to find my way in.

Once I stepped inside, the space opened into a wide, relaxed, unhurried layout. With no real crowds yet, I was able to move at my own pace, scan menus, and figure out what to try first.

There was plenty of seating throughout, including long communal tables that created a casual, shared energy. A wraparound patio overlooked the Chattahoochee River and offered a laid-back place to sit if I wanted to enjoy my meal there.

What I Ordered (And Didn’t Order But Wish I Had)

My first stop was Angry Wings & Things. At the counter, I learned from the friendly gentleman behind it, John Kim, that their Korean fried chicken and wings were coated in a gluten-free rice-flour breading for a crisp texture. As I was deciding what to order, he graciously let me sample a few wings, simply saying, “They’re so good that you don’t need sauce on them.” And honestly, he was right.

However, I ordered them with sweet-and-spicy sauce, which had a sticky, glossy glaze. It didn’t take long for my meal to be ready, and after just one bite, I was hooked. It had a great balance of heat and tang without overpowering the chicken and was exactly the kind of finger-licking food that I didn’t mind getting a little messy with. I also upgraded my order to include French fries and kimchi so I could try a few of their side dishes with my wings.

A few other dishes that stood out and that I would go back for included the Angry Loco Moco, with marinated hamburger steak, rice, and sides. The Spicy Pork Meal also looked solid, served with japchae, rice, and Korean slaw. I came close to ordering it, but since they are known for their Korean fried chicken and wings, I stuck with that instead. Other menu options included shrimp, chicken tenders, sandwiches, and dishes featuring rice cakes and fish cakes in a spicy house sauce.

After leaving there, I made my way to El Primo Taqueria, just across the way from Angry Wings & Things. I ordered carne asada tacos, served on corn tortillas with cilantro and onions. They were delicious, as they didn’t really need any sauce or anything else added. Other options that I could have gone with included al pastor, pollo asado, shrimp, fish, and birria. In addition to tacos, they served burritos, bowls, tortas, nachos, loaded nacho fries, and quesadillas, along with combination plates featuring rice and beans. One of the best parts of eating there was the countertop seating, where I could watch everything being made right in front of me.

Before leaving, I knew I had to stop by Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, located on the opposite side of Banks Food Hall. It was hard not to order something from there, as the vibrant, quirky dessert shop offers more than two dozen Italian ice flavors, along with “jelati,” which combines Italian ice with soft-serve ice cream. It took me a minute to decide since everything from cotton candy and coconut to Key West tropical and cookie butter sounded tempting.

To narrow it down, I tried a free sample and ended up going with a smaller portion of cherry-and-black-raspberry Italian ice, along with the Oreo Mud Pie, a specialty that blended cookies-and-cream Italian ice with chocolate and vanilla soft-serve ice cream and Oreo crumbles. It was the perfect size after a full meal and an easy way to wrap things up.

Other spots that stood out while walking around included Poke Sun for lighter bowls, Maltitude for craft beer and a more laid-back hangout feel, and Filberto’s, which offered authentic dishes like lumpia, pancit, and adobo.

Tips for Visiting (What I’d Tell Someone Going for the First Time)

When it came to prices, I spent around $25 between Angry Wings & Things and El Primo Taqueria, and under $10 at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, which made it easy for me to try different vendors without worrying about overspending.

While Banks Food Hall had its daily hours listed on its website (Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.), I noticed that individual vendors ran on slightly different schedules. Jeremiah’s Italian Ice didn’t open until around noon, and El Primo Taqueria noted that they were closed for a mid-afternoon break around 3 to 4 p.m.

If you plan to go, I recommend checking the Banks Food Hall website and vendor social media pages before heading over. I also suggest going with other people so you can try more and share along the way. It was especially great if you are someone who doesn’t want to commit to just one type of food.

The location was another big plus, as it was easy to turn the visit into part of a longer outing with a scenic stroll along the Chattahoochee RiverWalk. Since Banks Food Hall sat next door to Whitewater Express, it was also the perfect place to grab a bite to eat before or after excursions such as whitewater rafting and ziplining.

Is This One of the Best Places to Eat in Columbus?

Yes, Banks Food Hall ended up being one of my favorite spots because the whole experience felt so easy. I could just walk around, try what looked good, and build a meal as I went. There were plenty of great places in Columbus, Georgia, that I also dined at, including The Mix Market at The Pearl, Nonic Restaurant & Rooftop Bar, and Houlihan’s, but this was one of the stops that stood out.

Going from Korean fried chicken to tacos, then finishing with something sweet, all in one place, made it feel like more than just a quick meal. If I had to do it again, I would go back for the wings and tacos without question and try more of the vendors I missed.