Restaurants in Ohio
-
A
Skyline Chili
Don't worry - you can keep your clothes on for this experience, though you may want to loosen your belt. A 'five-way' in Cincinnati has to do with chili, which is a local specialty. It comprises meat sauce (spiced with chocolate and cinnamon) ladled over spaghetti and beans, then garnished with cheese and onions. Although you can get it three-way (minus onions and beans) or four-way (minus onions or beans), you should go the whole way - after all, life's an adventure. Skyline Chili has a cultlike following devoted to its version. There are outlets throughout town; this one is downtown.
reviewed
-
B
Johnny Mango
The Caribbean-influenced food and drinks are as flavorful as the interior is colorful. Mr Mango has a hearty vegetarian selection along with his meat dishes, all begging to be complemented by tropical drinks like sangria or Cuban mojitos (rum cocktail). Try the killer french fries made of plantains.
reviewed
-
C
Winking Lizard Tavern
This hugely popular pub-grub outlet, named for its caged iguana, is a logical downtown stop before or after a sporting event (Cleveland is a serious jock town with three modern downtown sports venues).
reviewed
-
D
Lola
Famous for his piercings, Food Channel TV appearances and multiple national awards, local boy Michael Symon has put Cleveland on the foodie map with Lola. The lunch dishes are the most fun, say coconut-and-lime-tinged scallop ceviche or the showstopper - an egg-and-cheese-topped fried bologna sandwich.
reviewed
-
E
Graeter's Ice Cream
It's a local delicacy, with scoop shops around the city. The flavors that mix in the gargantuan, chunky chocolate chips top the list.
reviewed
-
F
Tommy's
This is a neighborhood standout, with a broad, veggie-heavy menu; don't miss the Mary Lynn spinach pie.
reviewed
-
Young's Jersey Dairy
- Ohio, USA
- Restaurants › Other
Young's Jersey Dairy is a working dairy farm with two restaurants: the Golden Jersey Inn, serving dishes like buttermilk chicken; and the Dairy Store, serving sandwiches, dreamy ice cream and Ohio's best milk shakes. There's also minigolf, batting cages and opportunities to watch the cows get milked.
reviewed
-
G
Chez Nora
Its tables sprawl throughout a quaint multistory building, while its menu sprawls from chicken-and-goetta spring rolls to chilled mussels to walleye sandwiches to vegetarian pesto pasta. The rooftop bar provides views of Cincinnati's skyline (especially nice on Tuesdays with half-price bottles of wine).
reviewed
-
H
Hathaway's
Hathaway's hasn't changed its retro dinette tables, or apron-wearing waitresses, since it started feeding hungry business people 30-plus years ago. Try the goetta (pork, oats, onions and herbs) for breakfast - it's a Cincy specialty. The milk shakes will please sweet tooths.
reviewed
-
I
Greenup Café
Greenup's French owner has imported the flavors of his homeland to this cheerful, bohemian bistro in an old brick warehouse. Get your croissants and croque monsieur (egg and ham sandwich) for breakfast; meatloaf hoagies and black-bean burgers for lunch; and pastries anytime.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Bootsy's
True, it's trendy. And loud. But you gotta love a place vibed after Bootsy Collins, a Cincy boy done good as the funk bassist for James Brown and George Clinton. Check out Bootsy's gold records and other memorabilia while sipping mojitos and noshing on sushi, paella and duck tacos.
reviewed
-
K
South Side
Local athletes, blue-collar electricians and everyone in between pile into this sleek Tremont establishment to drink at the winding granite bar. They come for the food too, like the grouper sandwich, veggie reuben, Kobe burger and chicken and waffles (brunch only).
reviewed
-
Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant
- Ohio, USA
- Restaurants › Other
Atmospheric Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant in Berlin serves home-style cooking that attracts locals and tourists alike. Amish specialties, like ham loaf and wedding steak (ground meat in mushroom sauce), join familiar American fare on the menu.
reviewed
-
L
West Side Market Cafe
This is a smart stop if you're craving well-made breakfast and lunch fare, and cheap fish and chicken mains. The café is inside West Side Market itself, which overflows with fresh produce and prepared foods that are handy for picnicking or road-tripping.
reviewed
-
M
Town Fryer
Town Fryer offers deeply unhealthy Cajun and Southern comfort foods, like fried catfish and maple-bacon mashed potatoes, but aren't we all really here for the fried Twinkies and Oreos? It's located between downtown and University Circle.
reviewed
-
N
Slims
This bright, simple Northside restaurant serves organic and seasonal dishes - maybe a Chilean vegetarian stew or citrus-braised pork belly - at long communal tables from 5:30pm 'until the food runs out.' Cash only; bring your own vino.
reviewed
-
O
Lucky's Café
Lucky's grows its own produce and herbs in its adjacent garden, then uses the goods in its soups and wrap sandwiches. Weekend brunch with gingerbread waffles and cheddar scallion scones wins big flavor points.
reviewed
-
P
Montgomery Inn at the Boathouse
Almost as renowned and addictive as Cincinnati chili are Montgomery Inn's barbecued ribs. There are a couple of outlets, but this riverside one is the best, taming carnivores with 13.5 tons of meat weekly.
reviewed
-
Q
Lolita
It's the lighter-fare sister of Lola. Munch on Iowa prosciutto, mussels and Neapolitan-style pizzas with cold local beer. Five-dollar food specials rock happy hour (5pm to 6:30pm, and after 9:30pm or so).
reviewed
-
R
Sokolowski's University Inn
The portions are huge, enough to fuel the hungriest steelworker. It's cafeteria style, so grab a tray and fill it with plump pierogi, cabbage rolls and other rib-sticking Polish fare.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Schmidt's
In German Village, shovel in Old Country staples like sausage and schnitzel, but save room for the whopping half-pound cream puffs. Oompah bands play Wednesday to Saturday.
reviewed
-
Winds Cafe
- Ohio, USA
- Restaurants › Other
A hippie co-op 30 years ago, the Winds has grown up to become a sophisticated foodie favorite plating seasonal dishes like fig-sauced asparagus crepes and rhubarb halibut.
reviewed
-
New Sandusky Fish Company
- Ohio, USA
- Restaurants › Other
New Sandusky Fish Company makes waiting for the ferry easier. It fries up lightly breaded local lake perch and clams just east of the dock.
reviewed
-
Blue Danube
The D'ube's neon-lit booths (and cheap beer) endure as a campus favorite. Meals are late-night booze-absorbers, like gravy-smothered fries and gyros.
reviewed
-
Village Bakery & Cafe
- Ohio, USA
- Restaurants › Other
Nearby the Village Bakery & Cafe uses organic veggies, grass-fed meat and farmstead cheeses in its pizzas, soups and sandwiches.
reviewed
