Rosalita, a modern Mexican restaurant from Columbus chef and restaurateur Josh Dalton, is expected to open in downtown Columbus in January 2027, adding another concept to the city’s growing dining scene.
The restaurant is planned for 72–80 N. High St., inside the historic Madison and White-Haines buildings near the intersection of High and Gay streets. The space is part of a redevelopment that also includes art galleries, bringing together dining and the arts in downtown Columbus. The restaurant was previously expected to open in 2025, but its timeline has since shifted.
Rosalita will mark Dalton’s first dedicated venture into Mexican cuisine. Known for his work at Veritas and Speck Italian Eatery, Dalton has described the concept as an opportunity to explore the flavors and traditions of Mexican cooking while developing his own contemporary approach.
The restaurant is expected to emphasize traditional techniques and fresh preparation, including handmade tortillas and an extensive masa program. A live-fire grill is also part of the planned kitchen concept, while the menu will feature contemporary Mexican dishes designed to balance culinary creativity with approachable dining.
Drinks will be another focus, with a cocktail program highlighting tequila, mezcal and flavors associated with Mexico. The original plans called for approximately 60 seats indoors, along with patio seating extending onto Pearl Street behind the building. Final details about the menu and layout have not been confirmed.
Dalton’s restaurant portfolio includes Veritas and Speck Italian Eatery in downtown Columbus, as well as Rosebud’s in Delaware. He also recently expanded his presence downtown with Amara, a Mediterranean restaurant along the Scioto Mile. Rosalita will add another distinct cuisine to his collection of concepts.
The restaurant is expected to open in January 2027, according to an update Dalton provided to The Columbus Dispatch in July 2026. An exact opening date and further details about reservations have not been announced.
WhatNow reached out to Rosalita for additional information about the planned opening but had not received a response at the time of publication. This article will be updated as more details become available.
