Ohio is full of classic restaurants you keep coming back to year after year. But it's also full of truly unique, hidden gem restaurants that don't get enough attention. That's why we're compiling all of our favorite unique restaurants that we've highlighted in 2016 for a 2017 restaurant bucket list.
From restaurants hidden in the middle of nowhere to themed eateries your whole family will love, here are the 12 places you should eat in Ohio in 2017.
1. Malabar Farm Restaurant (Lucas)
If you live in Ohio and have yet to visit Malabar Farm State Park, you’re truly missing out. Nestled in the hills of Pleasant Valley in Lucas, Ohio is a picture perfect farm with an unbelievably nice restaurant. It’s beloved by locals and a hidden gem to Ohioans who don’t live in the area.The Malabar Farm Restaurant is housed in a restored 1820s stagecoach inn and is located at 3645 Pleasant Valley Road, Lucas, OH 44843.
2. Eli’s BBQ (Cincinnati)
It’s no secret that Ohio is home to some pretty amazing barbecue restaurants. But did you know that we actually have one of the best barbecue restaurants in the entire country? Earlier this year, Business Insider ranked "The 50 best barbecue joints in America," and Cincinnati’s very own Eli’s BBQ ranked as #3 on that list. For the best BBQ, mac and cheese and jalapeño cornbread you'll ever have, brave the possibility of a long line at Eli's BBQ. It's located at 3313 Riverside Dr. Cincinnati, OH 45226.
3. Berea Union Depot Restaurant (Berea)
If you’re a train enthusiast, there’s a restaurant in Ohio that’s just for you. The Berea Union Depot Restaurant in Berea, Ohio features a unique dining experience inside a historic train depot alongside active railroad tracks. What was once a bustling railroad hub in the late 1800s is now a family favorite restaurant where visitors can enjoy the history, unique atmosphere and passing trains. The Berea Union Depot Restaurant is located at 30 Depot St., Berea, OH 44017.
4. Boyd and Wurthmann Restaurant (Berlin)
What was once a grocery store in the 1930s is now a beloved Amish restaurant that locals and visitors alike can't get enough of. Boyd and Wurthmann Restaurant is located at 4819 East Main St., Berlin, OH 44610.
5. Mike's Place (Kent)
Out of all the unique places to eat in Ohio, Mike’s Place is undeniably Ohio’s quirkiest. From palm trees and tiki bars to Star Wars memorabilia and castles, it’s hard to pinpoint the overall theme of this unforgettable restaurant that truly marches to the beat of its own drum. It is located at 1700 S Water St, Kent, OH 44240.
6. The Barn Restaurant (Smithville)
While good food certainly makes a restaurant memorable, it’s the atmosphere that can take your dining experience to a whole other level. This is exactly what you’ll experience at The Barn Restaurant in Smithville, Ohio. A refurbished rustic barn, board games and a scenic lake outside give this unique eatery an unbelievably charming atmosphere. You’ll fall in love with the setting and feel right at home. The Barn Restaurant is located at 877 W Main St., Smithville, OH 44677.
7. Hart Mansion Restaurant (Minerva)
Tucked away on a scenic hillside, you'll find the Hart Mansion Restaurant, overlooking the small town of Minerva. The building is situated on 4 gorgeous, rural acres and features beautiful Italianate architecture. Today, the 1869 mansion is fully restored and has been transformed into an elegant, quiet restaurant. Hart Mansion Restaraunt is located at 411 N Main St., Minerva, OH 44657.
8. The Schoolhouse Restaurant (Camp Dennison)
The Schoolhouse Restaurant in Camp Dennison offers an incredible look into the past—while also serving up some pretty incredible, home-cooked cuisine. The Camp Dennison School was in operation from 1864 through 1954, and it is rumored to have been the first two-room, two-story school house in the Midwest. Today, it serves visitors many traditional homemade favorites such as fried chicken, meat loaf and mashed potatoes. The Schoolhouse Restaurant is located at 8031 Glendale Milford Rd., Camp Dennison, OH 45111.
9. Tom's Ice Cream Bowl (Zanesville)
Since 1950, Tom's Ice Cream Bowl has served up the area's best homemade ice cream. Its homey, 1950s style makes it a nostalgic stop for many. (You can't go wrong with any flavor here but if you like nuts on your sundae, definitely get them. Their nuts are roasted fresh daily and all of their toppings are processed in-house.) Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl is located at 532 McIntire Ave., Zanesville, OH 43701.
10. White Oaks Restaurant (Westlake)
White Oaks Restaurant in Westlake, Ohio is a peaceful retreat away from it all—and it’s so much more than a restaurant. With floor to ceiling windows, cozy fireplaces and a romantic ambience, this beautiful restaurant is perfect for a date night out or an unwinding weekend meal with family and friends. While you’re not completely secluded, it certainly feels like it. White Oaks Restaurant is located at 777 Cahoon Rd., Westlake, OH 44145.
11. The Golden Lamb (Lebanon)
No restaurant in Ohio has seen quite as much as The Golden Lamb in Lebanon has over the years. It’s the state’s oldest continuously operated hotel and restaurant—and it dates all the way back to 1803. Upstairs, you'll find historic, themed rooms where famous individuals such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and several U.S. Presidents have stayed. The Golden Lamb is located at 27 S Broadway St, Lebanon, OH 45036.
12. Pier W (Lakewood)
Pier W in Lakewood, Ohio offers you an unforgettable dining experience with delicious cuisine, exceptional service and a truly unique atmosphere. This landmark Cleveland area restaurant is suspended over Lake Erie to give customers a cruise-like dining experience. With more than 50 years of business, this beautiful restaurant has received numerous awards and recognitions, including one of Travel + Leisure‘s "America’s Top 5 Romantic Restaurants" in 2011. Pier W is located at 12700 Lake Avenue (Winton Place) Lakewood, OH 44107.
Have you been to any of these restaurants before? What other restaurants would you add to this list? Share your thoughts and suggestions with us!
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