12 Ohio Pie Shops That Locals Say Taste Just Like Grandma’s Best Recipes
I remember the first time I sank my fork into a slice of my grandmother’s homemade pie, the crust so flaky it practically dissolved before the filling even hit my tongue.
That same feeling—that warm, familiar comfort—still lives on in bakeries and diners across Ohio. In these cozy spots, pie isn’t just dessert; it’s a legacy, rolled out by hand and baked with love.
Each golden slice feels like a trip back to those Sunday dinners of childhood, and locals swear these twelve pie shops have perfected that same, timeless taste of home.
1. Hartville Kitchen Bakery — Hartville
Walking into Hartville Kitchen feels like stepping back in time to when life moved slower and dessert was always made from scratch.
The bakery section bursts with pies of every flavor imaginable, each one crafted with recipes passed down through generations. My personal favorite is their Dutch apple crumb pie, which has enough cinnamon to make your taste buds dance.
What makes this place special is the attention to detail in every lattice-topped masterpiece. The crust achieves that perfect balance between tender and crispy that only comes from experienced hands. Locals line up early because these pies sell out faster than you can say “a la mode,” and for good reason.
2. Just Pies — Westerville
Some businesses try to do everything, but Just Pies knows exactly what they do best and sticks to it.
Their name says it all, and their single-minded devotion to perfecting the art of pie-making shows in every slice. The owner started baking in her home kitchen before demand grew so much she needed an actual shop.
Every pie gets made fresh daily using seasonal fruits and real butter in the crust. The strawberry rhubarb combination tastes like summer vacation at your aunt’s farmhouse. You can order whole pies for special occasions or just grab a slice when the craving hits, which happens more often than I care to admit!
3. Gray House Pies — Westlake
Hidden in Westlake sits a little gem that proves good things come in small packages.
Gray House Pies operates with a made-to-order philosophy, ensuring maximum freshness for every customer. The baker behind these creations learned her craft from her grandmother, who believed pie could solve almost any problem.
Their menu rotates with the seasons, featuring pumpkin spice in autumn and fresh berry medleys in summer. Each pie crust gets hand-crimped with a decorative edge that looks almost too pretty to eat. The lemon meringue towers high with fluffy peaks that would make any grandma proud, and the filling strikes that perfect sweet-tart balance.
4. Mama Jo Homestyle Pies — Amherst
Mama Jo started her pie empire in her own kitchen, baking for church fundraisers and community events.
Word spread faster than butter on warm bread, and soon she opened a shop dedicated entirely to her beloved recipes. Her pecan pie contains so many nuts you might think she owns a grove, and the caramel drizzle adds an extra layer of indulgence.
The secret ingredient in every creation is love, though Mama Jo insists it’s actually the real vanilla extract she imports. Customers drive from neighboring towns just to stock up on her famous coconut cream pie. The meringue reaches impressive heights without being too sweet, creating a cloud-like topping that complements the rich filling perfectly.
5. Hershberger’s Farm & Bakery — Millersburg
Nestled in the heart of Amish country, Hershberger’s represents everything wholesome about farm-to-table baking.
The family grows many of their own fruits and sources other ingredients from neighboring farms. Their shoofly pie, a Pennsylvania Dutch classic, tastes exactly like the version my grandmother used to make for special breakfasts.
Visiting this bakery feels like traveling to a simpler time when quality mattered more than speed. The apple dumplings deserve their own fan club, but the fruit pies steal the spotlight with their generous fillings. Every purchase supports a family business that has served the community for decades with honest, delicious food made the old-fashioned way.
6. Miller’s Bakery — Millersburg (near Charm)
Tucked away near the village of Charm, Miller’s Bakery remains a local secret that visitors stumble upon like finding money in an old coat pocket.
The bakery operates without fancy marketing or social media hype, relying instead on word-of-mouth praise from satisfied customers. Their cherry pie bursts with plump, juicy fruit that hasn’t been overly sweetened or processed.
What impresses me most is their commitment to traditional methods despite modern conveniences being available. The pies cool on wire racks by open windows, filling the air with irresistible aromas. Their whoopie pies also deserve mention, but we’re here for the real deal, and their cream pies deliver that nostalgic flavor perfectly.
7. Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen — Middlefield
Mary Yoder’s has become something of a pilgrimage site for pie lovers traveling through Geauga County. The restaurant serves hearty meals, but smart diners save room for dessert because the pie selection rivals any bakery in the state. My uncle once ate three slices in one sitting and declared it the best decision of his life.
Their peanut butter cream pie achieves legendary status among regulars, with a texture so smooth it practically melts on your tongue.
The chocolate pie comes topped with real whipped cream instead of the artificial stuff, making all the difference. Every slice arrives at your table looking like it just won a blue ribbon at the county fair.
8. Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant — Berlin
Berlin’s downtown hosts this beloved restaurant where the pie case greets you right at the entrance, tempting you before you even sit down.
The establishment has fed hungry travelers and locals since way back when, building a reputation on consistent quality and generous portions. Their butterscotch pie tastes like a hug from your favorite aunt.
What separates Boyd & Wurthmann from other places is their refusal to cut corners or compromise on ingredients. Real butter, fresh eggs, and pure cream go into every recipe without exception. The meringue pies stand tall and proud, bronzed to perfection under the broiler. Leaving without taking a whole pie home requires willpower I simply don’t possess!
9. Der Dutchman Bakery — Walnut Creek
Der Dutchman operates several locations, but the Walnut Creek bakery holds a special place in my heart after countless family road trips stopped here.
The bakery section alone could occupy an entire afternoon with its overwhelming selection of sweets. Their sour cream raisin pie might sound unusual, but one bite converts even the biggest skeptics.
The bakers start before dawn to ensure fresh pies greet morning customers, and they keep producing batches throughout the day. Their fruit pies feature fillings so thick and luscious that each slice holds its shape perfectly. The coconut cream pie topped with toasted coconut flakes adds textural interest that keeps things exciting from first bite to last crumb.
10. Dutch Valley Bakery — Sugarcreek
Sugarcreek earned its nickname as the Little Switzerland of Ohio, and Dutch Valley Bakery sweetens the deal with their incredible pie selection.
The bakery maintains old-world traditions while serving modern customers who appreciate authentic flavors. Their apple pie contains just the right amount of spice without overwhelming the natural fruit flavor.
Stopping here has become a tradition for my family whenever we explore Amish country on weekend adventures. The bakers use recipes that have remained unchanged for generations, proving that some things don’t need improvement. Their custard pies wobble slightly when carried to your car, signaling the perfect creamy consistency that only comes from proper technique and quality ingredients.
11. Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen — Mount Hope
Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen serves up comfort food that makes you want to loosen your belt, but their pies provide the real reason people keep coming back.
The restaurant sits in tiny Mount Hope, where life moves at a pace that allows proper pie-making without rushing. Their banana cream pie layers fresh bananas with silky custard in a way that defies description.
Every pie gets baked in small batches to maintain quality control and freshness throughout service hours. The berry pies change with the seasons, featuring whatever fruits reach peak ripeness at local farms. Taking home a whole pie means you’ll have friends volunteering to help you eat it within hours of purchase!
12. Kauffman’s Country Bakery — Millersburg (Bunker Hill)
Finding Kauffman’s requires some determination and good directions, but the journey rewards you with some of the most authentic Amish pies in Holmes County.
The bakery operates on a smaller scale than some competitors, which means more personal attention to each creation. Their raspberry pie tastes like picking berries in your backyard on a July afternoon.
The family running this bakery learned their craft through generations of passed-down knowledge and practice. No fancy equipment or shortcuts exist here, just skilled hands and time-tested recipes that deliver consistent results. Their pumpkin pie during fall months sells out so quickly that calling ahead becomes absolutely necessary if you want to guarantee getting one for your holiday table!