This Charming Ohio Restaurant Serves Homemade Pies You’ll Dream About
Tucked away in the heart of Hartville, Ohio, there’s a restaurant that locals speak of with pride and travelers mark on their maps like a hidden treasure.
Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery isn’t just a stop for a meal, it’s a destination where flaky crusts and creamy fillings turn ordinary afternoons into sweet memories.
I stumbled upon it during a cross-country road trip and happily drove 50 miles out of my way, for what many Ohio natives call some of the best pies in the Midwest. One bite in, I understood exactly why people dream about this place long after the last crumb is gone.
How Hartville Kitchen Became An Ohio Favorite
My first bite of Hartville’s cherry pie transported me straight to my grandmother’s kitchen. The restaurant began as a small local restaurant in 1966 and quickly evolved when customers couldn’t get enough of their homemade pies.
What makes this place special isn’t just the recipes—it’s the three generations of family members who’ve kept traditions alive while serving hundreds of pies on busy days. The restaurant’s Amish country roots shine through in every detail.
I watched as locals greeted staff by name, proving this isn’t just a restaurant but a community landmark that’s earned its reputation one flaky crust at a time.
The Pie Case That Locals Call The Eighth Wonder Of The World
Holy pie heaven! Walking into Hartville Kitchen, you’re immediately drawn to what can only be described as a museum of dessert perfection. The glass display case is filled with a wide variety of fruit, cream, and custard pies, often with 15 or more flavors to choose from.
During my visit, I stood mesmerized as families pointed and debated their selections. An elderly couple next to me chuckled at my wide eyes, confessing they’ve been coming weekly for 30 years and still can’t decide on a favorite.
The pies range from golden-topped fruit pies to cream pies piled high with whipped cream, and custard pies that hold their shape when sliced.
Flavors That Keep People Coming Back
“Try the coconut cream pie,” whispered the waitress when I asked for recommendations. “But don’t tell the apple pie I said so—it gets jealous.” Hartville’s flavor lineup reads like a pie-lover’s fantasy novel.
Seasonal specialties rotate throughout the year—rhubarb in spring, peach in summer, pumpkin in fall. Their signature chocolate peanut butter pie combines a flaky crust with a layer of peanut butter filling topped with chocolate pudding and whipped cream—it’s practically illegal how good it tastes.
My personal addiction became the black raspberry pie, bursting with berries picked from local farms and a hint of lemon that cuts through the sweetness perfectly.
Homemade Means Homemade
Forget everything you thought you knew about pie crust. At Hartville Kitchen, bakers arrive at 4:00 AM to hand-mix and roll out dough using techniques passed down through generations. They use traditional methods with cold water and a special flour blend that creates the perfect balance between flaky and tender.
Each pie receives individual attention—crimped edges done by hand, vents cut specifically for each filling type. Even in today’s fast-food world, Hartville refuses to compromise on methods that have worked for over fifty years.
Take A Piece Of Hartville Home
Leaving Hartville without a pie to go should be considered a criminal offense. Thankfully, their bakery counter offers whole pies packaged in sturdy boxes that survive even the bumpiest road trips—I tested this theory with three pies balanced on my lap for 200 miles!
Beyond pies, their bakery case tempts with cinnamon rolls the size of your face and dinner rolls that have ruined me for all other bread. The adjacent gift shop sells homemade jams, local honey, and Hartville-branded aprons for aspiring pie makers.
Regulars recommend calling ahead to reserve popular flavors, especially during holidays when the bakery ramps up production to meet high demand.