12 Ohio Restaurants That Feel Like You’ve Stepped Into Another World
Ohio might not be the first place you think of for otherworldly dining experiences, but the Buckeye State hides some truly magical eateries.
From underground caverns to vintage trains, these restaurants transport you far beyond their ordinary surroundings.
Leave your preconceptions at the door and prepare for meals where the atmosphere is just as memorable as the food.
1. The Haunted House Restaurant – Cleveland Heights
Fog swirls around your table as a server dressed like Freddy Krueger delivers your ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ burger. The walls showcase hand-painted horror movie murals while classic scary films play on screens throughout the dining room.
Children squeal with delight (not terror) at the family-friendly spooky atmosphere that makes every day feel like Halloween. The creative menu features dishes named after famous slasher flicks and supernatural favorites.
2. The Astro – Downtown Cleveland
Gazing up at the star-field ceiling, you’ll forget you’re in Tower City and not floating through the cosmos. Giant sci-fi character murals watch over diners while servers navigate between tables like spacecraft between planets.
The 196-seat space-themed dining room creates an intergalactic experience that pairs perfectly with their ‘galactic’ cocktails. Created by the same imaginative team behind the Haunted House Restaurant, The Astro proves themed dining can be both playful and delicious.
3. Prohibition at the Caverns – Mansfield
Descending 30 feet underground via elevator, the temperature drops as anticipation rises. The flickering candlelight reveals hand-hewn stone walls dating back to the 19th century, while soft jazz echoes through the chambers.
I still remember my first visit. The moment the elevator doors opened felt like stepping into a secret world. The eight-course tasting menu unfolds like a culinary story, with each dish more surprising than the last.
This subterranean speakeasy creates an atmosphere no above-ground restaurant could match.
4. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus – Columbus
Polka music fills the air as servers in traditional German dirndls carry massive platters of wurst and sauerkraut through the bustling dining room. Located in Columbus’ historic German Village, Schmidt’s has been serving authentic Bavarian fare since 1886.
The Autobahn Buffet offers a true taste of Munich without leaving Ohio. Save room for their signature jumbo cream puffs: sweet, fluffy creations larger than your fist that have become legendary among locals and visitors alike.
5. Tony Packo’s Café – Toledo
Hot dog buns signed by presidents, movie stars, and celebrities line the walls of this Toledo institution. The neon-lit Hungarian hot dog emporium gained national fame when it was repeatedly mentioned on the TV show M*A*S*H by Toledo native Jamie Farr.
My grandpa took me here when I was just eight years old, pointing out signatures from his favorite baseball players.
The Original Packo’s Dog comes smothered in their secret-recipe chili sauce, creating a flavor that’s become synonymous with Toledo itself.
6. Buckeye Express Diner – Bellville
Perched on a hilltop overlooking I-71 sits an actual scarlet and gray train transformed into one of Ohio’s most unique dining spots. Customers place orders at the ‘station’ before being seated in vintage passenger cars decked out in Ohio State University memorabilia.
The juicy burgers arrive on plates emblazoned with the OSU logo. Windows frame rolling countryside views, creating the illusion of dining aboard a moving train – though this Buckeye Express stays permanently parked in Buckeye country.
7. Olde Jaol Steakhouse & Tavern – Wooster
Iron bars frame your dining experience in this 1865 former county jailhouse turned upscale steakhouse. Original brick cells have been cleverly repurposed as intimate dining nooks, while the ‘Prohibition Room’ cocktail lounge maintains the building’s historic character.
The contrast between the once-austere surroundings and today’s luxurious steakhouse creates a fascinating dining atmosphere.
Servers sometimes share stories of the jail’s former inmates, adding a layer of local history to your meal.
8. The Golden Lamb – Lebanon
Walking through the doors of Ohio’s oldest continuously operating inn feels like stepping into a living history book. Since 1803, this landmark has hosted 12 U.S. presidents and countless luminaries in rooms filled with authentic Shaker furniture and period decor.
I celebrated my parents’ anniversary here last year, dining in the same rooms where Charles Dickens and Mark Twain once stayed.
The menu blends historic recipes with modern techniques, serving dishes like Sister Lizzie’s Table Yeast Rolls from their original 19th-century recipes.
9. Green Dragon Inn – Akron
Stone walls and medieval-inspired decor set the stage for this fantasy board-game tavern where Dungeons & Dragons meets delicious pub fare.
Secret rooms hide throughout the space, waiting to be discovered by adventurous diners between turns at one of their 750+ available games. The house-made “Dragon’s Blood” cocktail glows an otherworldly red under the tavern’s atmospheric lighting.
Groups of friends huddle around wooden tables, rolling dice and strategizing while enjoying themed dishes that would satisfy any hungry halfling or ravenous ranger.
10. Hofbräuhaus Columbus – Grandview Yard
Massive wooden communal tables fill this authentic Bavarian beer hall, officially licensed from the original Hofbräuhaus in Munich.
Servers in traditional lederhosen and dirndls carry liter-sized steins of house-brewed beer while an oompah band plays energetic German folk music.
The boisterous atmosphere encourages strangers to become friends as they clink glasses and share pretzels.
When the band starts playing, don’t be surprised to find yourself standing on benches, swaying with dozens of new friends in a traditional German toast.
11. The Schoolhouse Restaurant & General Store – Camp Dennison
Chalkboards and antique desks decorate this 1863 two-story schoolhouse where family-style fried chicken dinners are served on giant Lazy Susans. The original school bell still hangs in place, occasionally rung to announce special occasions.
I visited during their holiday season when the schoolhouse was decorated with vintage ornaments that matched the building’s 19th-century charm.
The comfort food arrives on platters meant for sharing, encouraging conversation and connection in this nostalgic setting where generations of actual students once learned their ABCs.
12. Velvet Ice Cream’s Ye Olde Mill – Utica
Water wheels turn lazily outside this 1817 grist mill where families enjoy homemade ice cream amid surroundings that haven’t changed much in two centuries.
Ducks paddle in the adjacent pond while horse-drawn carriages sometimes offer rides around the picturesque grounds during special event days.
The converted mill houses both the ice-cream production facility and a charming restaurant serving sandwiches and, of course, elaborate sundaes.
The wooden beams and historic mill equipment create a rustic backdrop for a sweet treat that feels miles away from modern life.