My new favorite lunch is a hot dog pastry
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Various items from the Belle's Bread menu. Photos: Andrew King/Axios
I was inspired by an (excellent) AFAR Magazine article on the Columbus food scene to visit Belle's Bread for the first time.
Zoom out: Belle's is nestled in the Japan Marketplace, an alcove of six establishments in Northwest Columbus' Kenny Centre Mall.
- The headliner is Akai Hana, a popular and well-regarded sushi spot.
The vibe: Belle's feels almost like a candy store or ice cream shop.
- Stacks of aesthetically pleasing baked goods fill the brightly lit store, which smells incredible.
The menu: It would take weeks to get through everything.
Freshly baked bread is the star — croissants, breads, rolls, danishes and more — but the menu also includes sandwiches, cakes, crepes and ice cream.
What I ate: I aimed for variety on my first stop, with a smoked salmon sandwich ($8) on soft white bread, a "frank roll" ($4) and a classic pain au chocolat ($4).
Best bite: I'm shocked to say I fell in love with the cheap, incredible frank roll, a hot dog baked in a pastry covered in mayonnaise, ketchup and panko.
- I like a hot dog as much as the next guy, but I'm no enthusiast — this recommendation blows me away.
The bottom line: There's so much more I want to try. I'll be back.
- On that list: The katsu-style pork tenderloin sandwich, butter cream bread and every single danish.
📍 Stop by: 10am-7pm Monday-Saturday, 11am-6pm Sunday. 1168 Kenny Centre Mall.
🌏 Worthy of your time: This trip was part of our Eating Around the World series. Check out the other international foods we've mapped so far.