Dining out can be an adventure. Here in Ohio, there are several restaurants with unique atmospheres that are sure to give you a memorable dining experience. (One list of them simply isn’t enough.) The best restaurants in Ohio are scattered near and far, but they all have exceptional menus and atmospheres. The following are 11 more unique restaurants in Ohio that you should try out for an unforgettable dining experience.
- Pier W (Lakewood)
Pier W/Facebook
Pier W/Facebook This landmark Cleveland area restaurant is suspended over Lake Erie to give customers a cruise-like dining experience. The unique waterfront restaurant serves up exceptional seafood and offers lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Some even insist this is Cleveland’s best seafood… and the view isn’t too bad, either. Pier W is located at 12700 Lake Avenue (Winton Place) Lakewood, OH 44107. Pier W, 12700 Lake Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
- Buckeye Express Diner (Bellville)
Buckeye Express Diner/Facebook
Buckeye Express Diner/Facebook If you take exit 165 off of Interstate 71, you’ll find this iconic not-your-average diner. (Note: Michigan fans must park across the street.) Comfort food is the name of the game at this Ohio-themed landmark, so bring your appetite. Buckeye Express Diner is located at 810 State Rt. 97 W., Bellville, OH 44813. Buckeye Express Diner, 810 OH-97, Bellville, OH 44813, USA
- Beau’s on the River (Cuyahoga Falls)
Beau’s on the River/Facebook At the Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls, you’ll find this hidden gem of a restaurant, which features a casual atmosphere, stunning views of the river rapids and falls and floor to ceiling windows. Dig into modern American cuisine in exceptional surrounds. Beau’s on the River is located at 1989 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221. Beau’s on the River, 1989 Front St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221, USA
- The Barn Restaurant (Smithville)
The Barn Restaurant/Facebook
The Barn Restaurant/Facebook This family favorite restaurant is perfect for a fun night out. A refurbished rustic barn, board games and a scenic pond outside give this unique eatery a charming atmosphere. Country-style cooking dominates the menu, and soups are a specialty at this charming dining destination. The Barn Restaurant is located at 877 W Main St., Smithville, OH 44677. The Barn Restaurant, 877 W Main St, Smithville, OH 44677, USA
- White Oaks Restaurant (Westlake)
White Oak’s Restaurant/Facebook Watch ducks cross Cahoon Creek and deer play amid the trees at this beautiful nature getaway restaurant. Paired with the outdoor scenery and floor to ceiling windows is delicious steakhouse-style cuisine and a vintage atmosphere. Cozy up near one of six fireplaces and soak in this history of this Prohibition-era eatery. White Oaks Restaurant is located at 777 Cahoon Rd., Westlake, OH 44145. White Oaks Restaurant, 777 Cahoon Rd, Westlake, OH 44145, USA
- The Schoolhouse Restaurant (Camp Dennison)
Brian B./Yelp
the schoolhousecincinnati.com This refurbished Cincinnati-area schoolhouse was built in the early 1860s during the Civil War. The Camp Dennison School was in operation from 1864 through 1954, and it is rumored to have been the first two-room, two-story school house in the Midwest. Today, it serves visitors many traditional homemade favorites such as fried chicken, meat loaf and mashed potatoes. The Schoolhouse Restaurant is located at 8031 Glendale Milford Rd., Camp Dennison, OH 45111. Schoolhouse Restaurant, 8031 Glendale Milford Rd, Camp Dennison, OH 45111, USA
- Tilton Hilton (Lakeview)
Tilton Hilton/Facebook Where the burgers are bigger than your head and the floors are tilted, this local favorite is a fun, quirky stop after a day on Indian Lake. You can even dock your boat right alongside the restaurant. Grab some pub grub and soak up the sun outside on a picnic table. Tilton Hilton is located at 10861 Country Rd, 293, Lakeview, OH 43331. Tilton Hilton, 10861 Township Rd 293, Lakeview, OH 43331, USA
- Pine Tree Barn (Wooster)
Pine Tree Barn/Facebook
Pine Tree Barn/Facebook This restored 1868 Dutch bank barn overlooks the Killbuck Valley and family Christmas tree farm in Wooster. In addition to a gourmet luncheon restaurant, the property features a furniture store and gift shop. Try the quiche du jour, and don’t forget to make a reservation. The Pine Tree Barn is located at 4374 Shreve Rd, Wooster, OH 44691. Pine Tree Barn, 4374 Shreve Rd, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
- Crabill’s Hamburger Shop (Urbana)
Crabill’s Hamburger Shop/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. Locals have raved about the food at this local landmark since 1927. Crabill’s Hamburger Shop is located at 727 Miami St., Urbana, OH 43078. Crabill’s Hamburger Shoppe, 727 Miami St, Urbana, OH 43078, USA
- The Scioto Ribber (Portsmouth)
The Scioto Ribber/Facebook
The Scioto Ribber/Facebook At this local favorite steakhouse, you can watch your steak cook on one of the five wood-fired grills out back. (FYI: A “small” steak is 16 oz. and a “large” steak is 32 oz.) No matter the season, hickory-smoked ribs are always a good option, too. The Scioto Ribber is located at 1024 Gallia St., Portsmouth, OH 45662. Scioto Ribber, 1026 Gallia St, Portsmouth, OH 45662, USA
- Tony Packo’s (Toledo)
Weird Ohio A strange tradition of displaying autographed hotdog buns at this iconic chili dog joint began in 1972 when Jamie Farr of MAS*H signed a bun here. While that bun is no longer in existence, today the café proudly showcases Styrofoam bun look-alikes signed by various celebrities, including five U.S. presidents. Try their Hungarian cuisine and a gourmet hot dog during your visit! You can find Tony Packo’s Restaurant at 1902 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605. Tony Packo’s Restaurant, 1902 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605, USA
Have you been to any of the best restaurants in Ohio before? What other unique restaurants in Ohio are there in your area? Share your experiences with us in the comments below!
Pier W/Facebook
This landmark Cleveland area restaurant is suspended over Lake Erie to give customers a cruise-like dining experience. The unique waterfront restaurant serves up exceptional seafood and offers lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Some even insist this is Cleveland’s best seafood… and the view isn’t too bad, either. Pier W is located at 12700 Lake Avenue (Winton Place) Lakewood, OH 44107.
Pier W, 12700 Lake Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
Buckeye Express Diner/Facebook
If you take exit 165 off of Interstate 71, you’ll find this iconic not-your-average diner. (Note: Michigan fans must park across the street.) Comfort food is the name of the game at this Ohio-themed landmark, so bring your appetite. Buckeye Express Diner is located at 810 State Rt. 97 W., Bellville, OH 44813.
Buckeye Express Diner, 810 OH-97, Bellville, OH 44813, USA
Beau’s on the River/Facebook
At the Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls, you’ll find this hidden gem of a restaurant, which features a casual atmosphere, stunning views of the river rapids and falls and floor to ceiling windows. Dig into modern American cuisine in exceptional surrounds. Beau’s on the River is located at 1989 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221.
Beau’s on the River, 1989 Front St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221, USA
The Barn Restaurant/Facebook
The Barn Restaurant/Facebook
This family favorite restaurant is perfect for a fun night out. A refurbished rustic barn, board games and a scenic pond outside give this unique eatery a charming atmosphere. Country-style cooking dominates the menu, and soups are a specialty at this charming dining destination. The Barn Restaurant is located at 877 W Main St., Smithville, OH 44677.
The Barn Restaurant, 877 W Main St, Smithville, OH 44677, USA
White Oak’s Restaurant/Facebook
Watch ducks cross Cahoon Creek and deer play amid the trees at this beautiful nature getaway restaurant. Paired with the outdoor scenery and floor to ceiling windows is delicious steakhouse-style cuisine and a vintage atmosphere. Cozy up near one of six fireplaces and soak in this history of this Prohibition-era eatery. White Oaks Restaurant is located at 777 Cahoon Rd., Westlake, OH 44145.
White Oaks Restaurant, 777 Cahoon Rd, Westlake, OH 44145, USA
Brian B./Yelp
the schoolhousecincinnati.com
This refurbished Cincinnati-area schoolhouse was built in the early 1860s during the Civil War. The Camp Dennison School was in operation from 1864 through 1954, and it is rumored to have been the first two-room, two-story school house in the Midwest. Today, it serves visitors many traditional homemade favorites such as fried chicken, meat loaf and mashed potatoes. The Schoolhouse Restaurant is located at 8031 Glendale Milford Rd., Camp Dennison, OH 45111.
Schoolhouse Restaurant, 8031 Glendale Milford Rd, Camp Dennison, OH 45111, USA
Tilton Hilton/Facebook
Where the burgers are bigger than your head and the floors are tilted, this local favorite is a fun, quirky stop after a day on Indian Lake. You can even dock your boat right alongside the restaurant. Grab some pub grub and soak up the sun outside on a picnic table. Tilton Hilton is located at 10861 Country Rd, 293, Lakeview, OH 43331.
Tilton Hilton, 10861 Township Rd 293, Lakeview, OH 43331, USA
Pine Tree Barn/Facebook
This restored 1868 Dutch bank barn overlooks the Killbuck Valley and family Christmas tree farm in Wooster. In addition to a gourmet luncheon restaurant, the property features a furniture store and gift shop. Try the quiche du jour, and don’t forget to make a reservation. The Pine Tree Barn is located at 4374 Shreve Rd, Wooster, OH 44691.
Pine Tree Barn, 4374 Shreve Rd, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
Crabill’s Hamburger Shop/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. Locals have raved about the food at this local landmark since 1927. Crabill’s Hamburger Shop is located at 727 Miami St., Urbana, OH 43078.
Crabill’s Hamburger Shoppe, 727 Miami St, Urbana, OH 43078, USA
The Scioto Ribber/Facebook
At this local favorite steakhouse, you can watch your steak cook on one of the five wood-fired grills out back. (FYI: A “small” steak is 16 oz. and a “large” steak is 32 oz.) No matter the season, hickory-smoked ribs are always a good option, too. The Scioto Ribber is located at 1024 Gallia St., Portsmouth, OH 45662.
Scioto Ribber, 1026 Gallia St, Portsmouth, OH 45662, USA
Weird Ohio
A strange tradition of displaying autographed hotdog buns at this iconic chili dog joint began in 1972 when Jamie Farr of MAS*H signed a bun here. While that bun is no longer in existence, today the café proudly showcases Styrofoam bun look-alikes signed by various celebrities, including five U.S. presidents. Try their Hungarian cuisine and a gourmet hot dog during your visit! You can find Tony Packo’s Restaurant at 1902 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605.
Tony Packo’s Restaurant, 1902 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605, USA
Looking to expand your Buckeye State bucket list? Dig into a good meal at some of the most unique restaurants in the state.
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Address: Pier W, 12700 Lake Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USAAddress: Buckeye Express Diner, 810 OH-97, Bellville, OH 44813, USAAddress: Beau’s on the River, 1989 Front St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221, USAAddress: The Barn Restaurant, 877 W Main St, Smithville, OH 44677, USAAddress: White Oaks Restaurant, 777 Cahoon Rd, Westlake, OH 44145, USAAddress: Schoolhouse Restaurant, 8031 Glendale Milford Rd, Camp Dennison, OH 45111, USAAddress: Tilton Hilton, 10861 Township Rd 293, Lakeview, OH 43331, USAAddress: Pine Tree Barn, 4374 Shreve Rd, Wooster, OH 44691, USAAddress: Crabill’s Hamburger Shoppe, 727 Miami St, Urbana, OH 43078, USAAddress: Scioto Ribber, 1026 Gallia St, Portsmouth, OH 45662, USAAddress: Tony Packo’s Restaurant, 1902 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Best Restaurants In Ohio October 25, 2020 Nikki Rhoades What are the friendliest neighborhood restaurants in Ohio? Longing for food that locals love? Neighborhood favorites like Covered Bridge Pizza Parlor and Thurman’s Cafe will tickle your taste buds. Are there any beachfront restaurants in Ohio? Ohio may not be a tropical state, but we certainly have a variety of beautiful beaches and shores. There are a number of beachfront restaurants in Ohio, including Dock’s Beach House Bar and Grille and Cranberry Resort. Check out beachy towns like Put-in-Bay for more island vibes and fun! What are the most popular foods in Ohio? Ohio is known for a number of foods, including pierogies, skyline chili, and corned beef. Ask locals for recommendations if you’re looking to treat your taste buds!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Best Restaurants In Ohio
October 25, 2020
Nikki Rhoades
What are the friendliest neighborhood restaurants in Ohio? Longing for food that locals love? Neighborhood favorites like Covered Bridge Pizza Parlor and Thurman’s Cafe will tickle your taste buds. Are there any beachfront restaurants in Ohio? Ohio may not be a tropical state, but we certainly have a variety of beautiful beaches and shores. There are a number of beachfront restaurants in Ohio, including Dock’s Beach House Bar and Grille and Cranberry Resort. Check out beachy towns like Put-in-Bay for more island vibes and fun! What are the most popular foods in Ohio? Ohio is known for a number of foods, including pierogies, skyline chili, and corned beef. Ask locals for recommendations if you’re looking to treat your taste buds!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Longing for food that locals love? Neighborhood favorites like Covered Bridge Pizza Parlor and Thurman’s Cafe will tickle your taste buds.
Are there any beachfront restaurants in Ohio?
Ohio may not be a tropical state, but we certainly have a variety of beautiful beaches and shores. There are a number of beachfront restaurants in Ohio, including Dock’s Beach House Bar and Grille and Cranberry Resort. Check out beachy towns like Put-in-Bay for more island vibes and fun!
What are the most popular foods in Ohio?
Ohio is known for a number of foods, including pierogies, skyline chili, and corned beef. Ask locals for recommendations if you’re looking to treat your taste buds!
