The only thing better than an absolutely delicious, tastebud exploding restaurant is an unexpected absolutely delicious, tastebud exploding restaurant. Here in Ohio, you’ll discover that there are several delicious hole-in-the-wall restaurants that offer exceptional food when you decide to take the “don’t judge a book by its cover approach” to dining. These good and unassuming restaurants in Ohio will absolutely blow your socks off. The following are just 9 of the ones we consider to be the best unexpectedly delicious eateries in Ohio.
- Windward Passage Restaurant (Upper Arlington)
Ellen F./Yelp The dark dining room merely makes you feel like you’re under the sea while you’re enjoying the best shrimp cocktail and seafood dish of your life. You can find more about current menus on their website.
Jared E./Yelp Pictured: Surf n’ Turf. Absolutely as good as it looks!
- Mac’s Pizza Pub (Cincinnati)
Yelp Inc./Flickr In addition to mouthwatering pizzas, Mac’s features burgers, wings and many other delicious food items. You can visit one of their many locations!
Yelp Inc,/Flickr
- Star of India (Athens)
Star of India/Facebook Tucked away near Ohio University’s campus you will find the authentic and undeniably delicious Indian cuisine that your tastebuds have been longing for. This place is truly one of the hidden gems of Ohio. And now you can order online!
Star of India/Facebook
- Jerusalem Pizza and Grill (Columbus)
Jerusalem Pizza and Grill/Facebook Some of the best Mediterranean cuisine and gyros in central Ohio can be found here, along Cleveland Avenue. (Pizza and Mediterranean cuisine go together better than you think.) If you’re dining in Ohio, make sure this tasty spot makes your list! Check out their delicious menu.
Jerusalem Pizza and Grill/Facebook
- Crabill’s Hamburger Shoppe (Urbana)
Crabills Hamburger Shoppe/Facebook Now in its third generation of local owners, this tiny burger joint —with just eight dine-at-the-counter seats—appropriately specializes in tiny burgers. (White Castle’s sliders will make you laugh after you’ve dined here.) This is one of the best places to eat in Ohio. In fact, it’s practically an institution! Follow them on Facebook and stay up to date on hours of operation and specials.
Crabill’s Hamburger Shop/Facebook
- The Root Beer Stand (Sharonville)
The Root Beer Stand/Facebook On the outskirts of Cincinnati this little gem serves family-brewed root beer and all the classic American foods such as coney dogs and french fries. Foot long cheese coneys and home made root beer? We’re in! But there’s so much more on the menu, too!
The Root Beer Stand/Facebook
- New Sandusky Fish Company (Sandusky)
New Sandusky Fish Company/Flickr Although you won’t find the usual restaurant seating setup here, you will find a bench, delicious seafood and award-winning fish sandwiches. Put this gem on your places to eat in Ohio list, and right near the top! Their hours of operation are regularly updated on their Facebook page, so make sure to follow along!
New Sandusky Fish Company/Facebook
- Luchita’s Mexican Restaurant (Cleveland)
Google Maps Where your Taco Tuesdays will never be the same again. I mean, we are literally talking about award-winning tacos. And let’s not forget the margaritas!
Luchita’s Mexican Restaurant
- Hamburger Wagon (Miamisburg)
Master Phillip/Flickr A rolling cart that’s served burgers in the same location for nearly 100 years features a serious burger. The catch? You’ll find no cheese, ketchup or mustard here. The onions and pickles only method gives the wagon its distinct reputation and allows your taste buds to focus more on the main, tastiest feature: the burger itself. The Hamburger Wagon is in itself a destination in downtown Miamisburg. Make sure you check out their website for fun facts about their history, and all the choices on their menu!
Vista Vision/Flickr
What do you think? Do you think this is a comprehensive list of good and unassuming restaurants in Ohio? What other unexpectedly delicious eateries in Ohio should be added to the list? Let us know in the comments below!
Ellen F./Yelp
The dark dining room merely makes you feel like you’re under the sea while you’re enjoying the best shrimp cocktail and seafood dish of your life. You can find more about current menus on their website.
Jared E./Yelp
Pictured: Surf n’ Turf. Absolutely as good as it looks!
Yelp Inc./Flickr
In addition to mouthwatering pizzas, Mac’s features burgers, wings and many other delicious food items. You can visit one of their many locations!
Yelp Inc,/Flickr
Star of India/Facebook
Tucked away near Ohio University’s campus you will find the authentic and undeniably delicious Indian cuisine that your tastebuds have been longing for. This place is truly one of the hidden gems of Ohio. And now you can order online!
Jerusalem Pizza and Grill/Facebook
Some of the best Mediterranean cuisine and gyros in central Ohio can be found here, along Cleveland Avenue. (Pizza and Mediterranean cuisine go together better than you think.) If you’re dining in Ohio, make sure this tasty spot makes your list! Check out their delicious menu.
Jerusalem Pizza and Grill/Facebook
Crabills Hamburger Shoppe/Facebook
Now in its third generation of local owners, this tiny burger joint —with just eight dine-at-the-counter seats—appropriately specializes in tiny burgers. (White Castle’s sliders will make you laugh after you’ve dined here.) This is one of the best places to eat in Ohio. In fact, it’s practically an institution! Follow them on Facebook and stay up to date on hours of operation and specials.
Crabill’s Hamburger Shop/Facebook
The Root Beer Stand/Facebook
On the outskirts of Cincinnati this little gem serves family-brewed root beer and all the classic American foods such as coney dogs and french fries. Foot long cheese coneys and home made root beer? We’re in! But there’s so much more on the menu, too!
The Root Beer Stand/Facebook
New Sandusky Fish Company/Flickr
Although you won’t find the usual restaurant seating setup here, you will find a bench, delicious seafood and award-winning fish sandwiches. Put this gem on your places to eat in Ohio list, and right near the top! Their hours of operation are regularly updated on their Facebook page, so make sure to follow along!
New Sandusky Fish Company/Facebook
Google Maps
Where your Taco Tuesdays will never be the same again. I mean, we are literally talking about award-winning tacos. And let’s not forget the margaritas!
Luchita’s Mexican Restaurant
Master Phillip/Flickr
A rolling cart that’s served burgers in the same location for nearly 100 years features a serious burger. The catch? You’ll find no cheese, ketchup or mustard here. The onions and pickles only method gives the wagon its distinct reputation and allows your taste buds to focus more on the main, tastiest feature: the burger itself. The Hamburger Wagon is in itself a destination in downtown Miamisburg. Make sure you check out their website for fun facts about their history, and all the choices on their menu!
Vista Vision/Flickr
Looking for a more popular selection of restaurants in our great state? Check out the 12 Wildly Famous Restaurants In Ohio That Are Totally Worth The Hullabaloo!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 4739 Reed Rd, Columbus, OH 43220, USAAddress: 6309 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45227, USAAddress: 128 W Union St, Athens, OH 45701, USAAddress: 5590 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH 43231, USAAddress: Crabill’s Hamburger Shoppe, 727 Miami St, Urbana, OH 43078, USAAddress: The Root Beer Stand, 11566 Reading Rd, Sharonville, OH 45241, USAAddress: New Sandusky Fish Company, 235 E Shoreline Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870, USAAddress: 3456 W 117th St, Cleveland, OH 44111, USAAddress: 12 E Central Ave, Miamisburg, OH 45342, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Unassuming Restaurants In Ohio January 26, 2021 Megan McDonald What type of food is Ohio famous for? Ohio is known for producing some seriously good comfort food. You’ll find Buckeyes, a peanut butter and chocolate confection that is to die for, and delicious options like chili dogs and cheese coneys. And they are the home of the beloved Wendy’s chain, so of course the burgers in Ohio are legendary. And these 10 iconic foods in Ohio will have your mouth watering. Are there a lot of great places to eat in Ohio? Absolutely! You’ll find tasty restaurants in rural areas and the cities. There are so many varied types of restaurants, from hot dog stands, to fresh and delicious seafood restaurants. No matter your craving, a fine Ohio restaurant will satisfy it, guaranteed. Here are 10 must-try restaurants in Ohio! Does Ohio have any good diners? If you’re looking for unassuming restaurants in Ohio, you can’t be a good diner. One of our favorites, the Buckeye Express Diner, is actually located in an old train car!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Unassuming Restaurants In Ohio
January 26, 2021
Megan McDonald
What type of food is Ohio famous for? Ohio is known for producing some seriously good comfort food. You’ll find Buckeyes, a peanut butter and chocolate confection that is to die for, and delicious options like chili dogs and cheese coneys. And they are the home of the beloved Wendy’s chain, so of course the burgers in Ohio are legendary. And these 10 iconic foods in Ohio will have your mouth watering. Are there a lot of great places to eat in Ohio? Absolutely! You’ll find tasty restaurants in rural areas and the cities. There are so many varied types of restaurants, from hot dog stands, to fresh and delicious seafood restaurants. No matter your craving, a fine Ohio restaurant will satisfy it, guaranteed. Here are 10 must-try restaurants in Ohio! Does Ohio have any good diners? If you’re looking for unassuming restaurants in Ohio, you can’t be a good diner. One of our favorites, the Buckeye Express Diner, is actually located in an old train car!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Ohio is known for producing some seriously good comfort food. You’ll find Buckeyes, a peanut butter and chocolate confection that is to die for, and delicious options like chili dogs and cheese coneys. And they are the home of the beloved Wendy’s chain, so of course the burgers in Ohio are legendary. And these 10 iconic foods in Ohio will have your mouth watering.
Are there a lot of great places to eat in Ohio?
Absolutely! You’ll find tasty restaurants in rural areas and the cities. There are so many varied types of restaurants, from hot dog stands, to fresh and delicious seafood restaurants. No matter your craving, a fine Ohio restaurant will satisfy it, guaranteed. Here are 10 must-try restaurants in Ohio!
Does Ohio have any good diners?
If you’re looking for unassuming restaurants in Ohio, you can’t be a good diner. One of our favorites, the Buckeye Express Diner, is actually located in an old train car!
