It’s no secret that Ohio is home to some amazing cuisine, local fast food joints and restaurants that keep visitors and locals alike coming back for more. (Be sure to check out some of the must-try restaurants we’ve featured in the past.) But what might be a secret to you are these 15 restaurants (listed in no partiuclar order) that you desperately need to try:
- Swenson’s (Akron area)
Swenson’s Drive In Restaurants/Facebook
Swenson’s Drive In Restaurants/Facebook If something has been around for more than 80 years, there’s a reason why. This popular fast food joint features the world famous Galleyboy, milkshakes and fries. There are three Swenson’s locations, with one in West Akron, North Akron and Stow/Kent.
- The Royal Oaks (Youngstown)
The Royal Oaks/Facebook
The Royal Oaks/Facebook For some of the best ribs and and wings in Youngstown, (and the northeast Ohio area), check out The Royal Oaks bar and grill. (Be sure to try the raspberry barbecue wings.) It is located at 924 Oak St., Youngstown, OH 44506.
- The Pine Club (Dayton)
Tracy H./Yelp
Tim A./Yelp Since 1947, this beloved Dayton restaurant has been serving some of the best steaks in Ohio. The renowned steakhouse has been recognized throughout the years as one of the top steakhouses in the nation by Food Network, The New York Times, USA Today and other publications. The Pine Club is located at 1926 Brown St., Dayton, OH 45409.
- Tommy’s Diner (Columbus)
Tommy’s Diner/Facebook
Tommy’s Diner/Facebook For some of central Ohio’s best breakfast, lunch and brunch options, be sure to check out Tommy’s Diner, where you’ll feel right at home. (Pictured is the sticky bun waffle.) Tommy’s Diner is located at 914 W Broad St., Columbus, OH 43222.
- Diamond Deli (Akron)
Diamond Deli/Facebook
Diamond Deli/Facebook The overstuffed sandwiches here are epically delicious, and the homemade salads and desserts make lunch or dinner here even better. Diamond Deli is located at 378 S Main St., Akron, OH 44311.
- G & R Tavern (Waldo)
G & R Tavern/Facebook
G & R Tavern/Facebook At G & R Tavern in Waldo, you’ll find what is arguably the best fried bologna sandwich in Ohio (and quite possibly the world.) It is located at 103 N Marion St., Waldo, OH 43356.
- The Desert Inn (Canton)
Desert Inn/Facebook
Desert Inn/Facebook The Desert Inn describes itself as “an Arabic flare with family style dinning.” It’s a hidden gem in Canton, offering a truly unique dining experience. In addition to exceptional cuisine, the Mediterranean restaurant features belly dancing every Friday night. The Desert Inn is located at 204 12th St. NW, Canton, OH 44703.
- The Hot Dog Shoppe (Warren)
The Hot Dog Shoppe/Facebook
Kevin S./Yelp For some of the best hot dogs in the state, check out this classic hot dog joint. The Hot Dog Shoppe is located at 740 W Market St., Warren, OH 44481.
- Coccia House (Wooster)
Coccia House Ristorante-Pizzeria/Facebook
D I./Yelp This beloved Italian restaurant and pizza parlor will blow your mind. (Trust us on this one. There is no comparable pizza.) Cocoa House is located at 764 Pittsburg Ave., Wooster, OH 44691.
- Taste of Belgium (Cincinnati)
Rocky B./Yelp
Taste of Belgium/Facebook This local favorite downtown Cincinnati eatery features “traditional Belgian food with a twist.” It is arguably one of the best places in the state to grab brunch. Taste of Belgium is located at1133 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.
- Mallorca (Cleveland)
Bob L./Yelp
Daniel G./Yelp For what is arguably the best paella in Ohio, check out this popular Spanish and Portuguese restaurant in Cleveland. Mallorca is located at 1390 W 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44113.
- Wilson’s Sandwich Shop (Findlay)
Pam B,/Yelp
Brain D./Yelp Essentially, you can’t go wrong with anything you order at Wilson’s Sandwich Shop. The hamburgers, chili dogs, french fries and frosties are all local favorites here. Wendy’s has nothing on WIlson’s, which is located at 600 S Main St., Findlay, OH 45840.
- Collier’s Family Restaurant (Springfield)
Collier’s Family Restaurant/Facebook
Collier’s Family Restaurant/Facebook This family style restaurant is “where good people gather for good food.” Their fried chicken, homemade pies and chicken salad are popular menu items. Collier’s Family Restaurant is located at 2800 W First St. (St. Rt. 41), Springfield, OH 45504.
- Mon Ami Restaurant and Winery (Port Clinton)
Mon Ami Restaurant/Facebook
Kelly R./Yelp For truly exceptional seafood, wine and other options, be sure to pay a visit to Mon Ami Restaurant and Winery, located at 3845 E Wine Cellar Rd., Port Clinton, OH 43452.
- Berardi’s Family Kitchen (Sandusky)
Berardi’s Family Kitchen/Facebook
Berardi’s Family Kitchen/Facebook The unbelievably delicious family-made french fries here have been around since 1939, when they were first served at Cedar Point Amusement Park. Make a trip to 1019 W. Perkins Ave. in Sandusky to try out these iconic fries.
Have you been to any of these restaurants? What was your experience like? What other restaurants in Ohio make life amazing? Share your thoughts and recommendations with us!
Swenson’s Drive In Restaurants/Facebook
If something has been around for more than 80 years, there’s a reason why. This popular fast food joint features the world famous Galleyboy, milkshakes and fries. There are three Swenson’s locations, with one in West Akron, North Akron and Stow/Kent.
The Royal Oaks/Facebook
For some of the best ribs and and wings in Youngstown, (and the northeast Ohio area), check out The Royal Oaks bar and grill. (Be sure to try the raspberry barbecue wings.) It is located at 924 Oak St., Youngstown, OH 44506.
Tracy H./Yelp
Tim A./Yelp
Since 1947, this beloved Dayton restaurant has been serving some of the best steaks in Ohio. The renowned steakhouse has been recognized throughout the years as one of the top steakhouses in the nation by Food Network, The New York Times, USA Today and other publications. The Pine Club is located at 1926 Brown St., Dayton, OH 45409.
Tommy’s Diner/Facebook
For some of central Ohio’s best breakfast, lunch and brunch options, be sure to check out Tommy’s Diner, where you’ll feel right at home. (Pictured is the sticky bun waffle.) Tommy’s Diner is located at 914 W Broad St., Columbus, OH 43222.
Diamond Deli/Facebook
The overstuffed sandwiches here are epically delicious, and the homemade salads and desserts make lunch or dinner here even better. Diamond Deli is located at 378 S Main St., Akron, OH 44311.
G & R Tavern/Facebook
At G & R Tavern in Waldo, you’ll find what is arguably the best fried bologna sandwich in Ohio (and quite possibly the world.) It is located at 103 N Marion St., Waldo, OH 43356.
Desert Inn/Facebook
The Desert Inn describes itself as “an Arabic flare with family style dinning.” It’s a hidden gem in Canton, offering a truly unique dining experience. In addition to exceptional cuisine, the Mediterranean restaurant features belly dancing every Friday night. The Desert Inn is located at 204 12th St. NW, Canton, OH 44703.
The Hot Dog Shoppe/Facebook
Kevin S./Yelp
For some of the best hot dogs in the state, check out this classic hot dog joint. The Hot Dog Shoppe is located at 740 W Market St., Warren, OH 44481.
Coccia House Ristorante-Pizzeria/Facebook
D I./Yelp
This beloved Italian restaurant and pizza parlor will blow your mind. (Trust us on this one. There is no comparable pizza.) Cocoa House is located at 764 Pittsburg Ave., Wooster, OH 44691.
Rocky B./Yelp
Taste of Belgium/Facebook
This local favorite downtown Cincinnati eatery features “traditional Belgian food with a twist.” It is arguably one of the best places in the state to grab brunch. Taste of Belgium is located at1133 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Bob L./Yelp
Daniel G./Yelp
For what is arguably the best paella in Ohio, check out this popular Spanish and Portuguese restaurant in Cleveland. Mallorca is located at 1390 W 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44113.
Pam B,/Yelp
Brain D./Yelp
Essentially, you can’t go wrong with anything you order at Wilson’s Sandwich Shop. The hamburgers, chili dogs, french fries and frosties are all local favorites here. Wendy’s has nothing on WIlson’s, which is located at 600 S Main St., Findlay, OH 45840.
Collier’s Family Restaurant/Facebook
This family style restaurant is “where good people gather for good food.” Their fried chicken, homemade pies and chicken salad are popular menu items. Collier’s Family Restaurant is located at 2800 W First St. (St. Rt. 41), Springfield, OH 45504.
Mon Ami Restaurant/Facebook
Kelly R./Yelp
For truly exceptional seafood, wine and other options, be sure to pay a visit to Mon Ami Restaurant and Winery, located at 3845 E Wine Cellar Rd., Port Clinton, OH 43452.
Berardi’s Family Kitchen/Facebook
The unbelievably delicious family-made french fries here have been around since 1939, when they were first served at Cedar Point Amusement Park. Make a trip to 1019 W. Perkins Ave. in Sandusky to try out these iconic fries.
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