12 Ohio Dining Spots Worth The Trip From Any Big City
Some meals are good, but others are worth a drive, a detour, maybe even a full-on road trip.
Across Ohio, tucked away from the usual city crowds, are dining spots that deliver unforgettable flavors and hometown charm.
Whether it’s a tiny diner with legendary pies or a cozy joint dishing out next-level comfort food, these places prove that great eats don’t always come with skyline views. Sometimes, they’re found just off the beaten path.
1. The Refectory Restaurant & Bistro – Columbus
French cuisine meets Midwestern hospitality in this converted 1853 church. Chef Richard Blondin creates masterpieces that would make Parisian chefs jealous.
The seasonal menu changes regularly, but the duck confit and Grand Marnier soufflé have achieved legendary status among regulars.
For a more casual experience, the bistro side offers smaller plates with the same impeccable quality.
2. Slyman’s Restaurant – Cleveland
Sandwich lovers, prepare for a religious experience. Since 1964, this Cleveland institution has been building mountains of corned beef between two modest slices of rye bread.
Presidents and celebrities make pilgrimages here, but the real stars are the sandwiches stacked so high you’ll need to unhinge your jaw.
Come early – lines form before opening, and when they run out of meat (which happens), that’s it for the day.
3. The Pine Club – Dayton
Walking into The Pine Club feels like stepping into 1947, because nothing has changed since it opened – including the cash-only policy and no-reservation rule.
Dark wood paneling, red leather booths, and martinis served in small carafes set the mood.
Their bone-in strip steaks arrive sizzling on metal plates with a side of stewed tomatoes. Not even presidents get special treatment here – just exceptional steaks.
4. The Golden Lamb – Lebanon
America’s oldest continuously operating hotel has fed 12 presidents since 1803. The dining rooms, named after famous guests like Charles Dickens and Mark Twain, overflow with historical charm.
Their signature sauerkraut balls and turkey with cornbread dressing honor the inn’s heritage.
After dinner, ask for a ghost tour of the upstairs rooms where strange occurrences have been reported for generations.
5. Tony Packo’s – Toledo
M*A*S*H made this Hungarian hot dog joint famous when Toledo native Jamie Farr’s character raved about it on national television.
The walls showcase hundreds of hot dog buns signed by celebrities, but the real attraction is the food. Their signature Hungarian hot dogs topped with secret-recipe chili sauce and “sweet hot” pickles create flavor combinations you won’t find anywhere else. Don’t miss their chicken paprikas with dumplings!
6. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus und Restaurant – Columbus
Five generations of sausage-making expertise pack flavor into every bite at this German village landmark.
The colossal cream puffs – half a pound of sweetened whipped cream in a softball-sized pastry shell – require a separate stomach compartment.
Polka bands, servers in dirndls, and communal tables create an authentic Bavarian atmosphere.
The Autobahn buffet lets indecisive diners sample multiple wursts, but regulars know to order the Bahama Mama sausage with German potato salad.
7. Pier W – Lakewood
Jutting out over Lake Erie like the bow of a luxury cruise ship, Pier W delivers seafood with a side of spectacular water views.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sunsets that make even Cleveland look romantic. The bouillabaisse brims with fresh catches, while the lobster bisque has silenced even snooty New Englanders.
Sunday brunch brings out locals in droves for made-to-order omelets and champagne while watching boats glide across the lake.
8. Momocho – Cleveland
Forget bland Tex-Mex chain restaurants. Chef Eric Williams’ “Mod Mex” creations explode with unexpected flavors like smoked trout guacamole and duck confit taquitos.
The tequila selection requires its own encyclopedia, with flights organized by region and aging process.
Locals crowd the bar for happy hour margaritas made with fresh-squeezed juices and house-infused spirits. Their goat cheese guacamole has converted even the most stubborn “I hate goat cheese” diners.
9. The Bistro at Gervasi Vineyard – Canton
Nestled among rolling vineyards, this Tuscan-inspired estate transforms Ohio into northern Italy.
The converted 1820s barn houses a restaurant where rustic wooden beams contrast with elegant table settings. Pasta made fresh daily pairs perfectly with wines produced just steps away.
The seasonal risotto changes with available ingredients, but always maintains its creamy perfection. After dinner, stroll the grounds with a glass of their award-winning Nebbiolo.
10. Lindey’s Restaurant & Bar – Columbus
Columbus’ answer to a sophisticated New York bistro has anchored German Village since 1981.
The ivy-covered brick exterior gives way to a warm interior where power lunches and anniversary dinners happen side by side.
Their patio, surrounded by lush greenery, transforms summer evenings into something magical.
The crab cakes contain barely enough binder to hold together chunks of sweet lump meat. Save room for the crème brûlée, which arrives with the perfect glass-like sugar crust.
11. The Thurman Cafe – Columbus
Vegetarians beware: this place is a temple to excess, where the legendary Thurmanator burger stacks two 12-ounce patties with bacon, banana peppers, mushrooms, and three kinds of cheese.
Featured on countless food shows, this tiny German Village bar looks unassuming until your order arrives.
The cash-only policy and perpetual waiting list haven’t deterred fans for decades. Pro tip: their wings are equally spectacular but won’t require unhinging your jaw like their burgers do.
12. Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina – Athens
Worker-owned since 1985, this cooperative restaurant embodies Athens’ hippie-meets-foodie vibe. The ever-changing menu follows what’s available from farms within a 30-mile radius, making each visit unique.
Their legendary salsa bar features six varieties made fresh daily. The breakfast burrito, available all day, has cured countless college hangovers.
Local bands play weekends while patrons sip cocktails made with spirits from nearby distilleries.