The local, historic restaurants tucked away in small towns are the best kind of restaurants. With at-home atmospheres, interesting backstories and delicious home-cooked cuisine, these are the kinds of restaurants that can whisk you back to a simpler time―and make you want to stay awhile. Here are 9 of our favorite hometown restaurants in Ohio that will take you back in time.
- Big Ed’s Main Street Soda Grill (Vermillion)
Bid Ed’s Main Street Soda Grill/Facebook If you feel like traveling back in time, this vintage 1930s style restaurant and soda fountain in Vermilion is the place for you. The soda fountain ice cream treats here are what your taste buds have been waiting for. Big Ed’s Main Street Soda Grill is located at 5502 Liberty Ave., Vermilion, OH 44089. To learn more, click here.
- Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen (Mt Hope)
mrsyoderskitchen.com
Mrs Yoders Kitchen/Facebook For some of the best old-fashioned cooking in Ohio, be sure to check out this Amish Country gem. Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen features a hearty buffet, delicious homemade pies and an at-home atmosphere we know you’ll love. It is located at 8101 State Route 241, Mt. Hope, OH 44660. To learn more, visit their website here.
- Hart Mansion Restaurant (Minerva)
Google Maps Street View
Hart Mansion Restaurant/Facebook Tucked away on a scenic hillside, you’ll find the Hart Mansion Restaurant, overlooking the small town of Minerva. The building, originally built in 1869, is situated on 4 gorgeous, rural acres and features beautiful Italianate architecture. Today, the mansion is fully restored and has been transformed into an elegant, quiet restaurant. (Please note: Dress is business casual, reservations are required and the restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.) It is located at 411 N Main St., Minerva, OH 44657. Click here to learn more.
- The Olde Dutch Restaurant (Logan)
Olde Dutch/Facebook For some of the best Amish cuisine in southeast Ohio, check out this beloved family-friendly restaurant. (And be sure to visit the Logan Antique Mall while you’re in the area.) The Olde Dutch Restaurant is located at 12791 Ohio State Route 664, South Logan, OH 43138. To learn more, visit their website here.
- Nancy’s Main Street Diner (Grafton)
Nancy’s Diner/Facebook
Nancy’s Diner/Facebook Don’t make the mistake of skipping out on dessert or a fountain soda at this old-fashioned, beloved diner that will take you on a trip down memory lane. Nancy’s Main Street Diner is located at 426 Main St., Grafton, OH 44044. To learn more, visit their website here.
- The Schoolhouse Restaurant (Camp Dennison)
Trip Advisor (management photo)
Trip Advisor (management photo) This refurbished school house was built in the early 1860s during the Civil War. 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. It is located at 8031 Glendale Milford Rd., Camp Dennison, OH 45111. To learn more, visit their website here.
- Schmidt’s Sausage Haus und Restaurant (Columbus)
Gregg W./Yelp
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus/Yelp For the best German cuisine in Ohio (and a friendly ghost sighting or two), go to 240 E Kossuth St., Columbus, OH 43206. This popular German Village eatery has been a well-known sausage haus in central Ohio since 1886. To learn more, visit their website here.
- Amish Door Restaurant (Wilmot)
Amish Door/Facebook
Amish Door/Facebook Set in an oversized Amish style home that has a seating capacity of 450, this restaurant is located in Wilmont. Guests can also choose to have a full family sized Amish style meal prepared instead of individual orders. Amish Door is located at 1210 Winesburg St., Wilmot, OH 44689. To learn more, visit their website here.
- The Golden Lamb (Lebanon)
Adam Schwieger/Flickr
goldenlamb.com Ohio’s oldest continuously operated hotel was established in 1803 and holds a unique dining experience, complete with antique furnishings, themed dining rooms and historic rooms upstairs where famous individuals such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and several U.S. Presidents have stayed. Visitors can either dine in The Lebanon Room (pictured), The Dickens Room, Buckeye Dining Room or The Shaker Room. The Golden Lamb is located at 27 S Broadway St., Lebanon, OH 45036. To learn more, visit their website here.
Have you been to any of these hometown restaurants in Ohio? What other local eateries take you back in time? Share your thoughts, photos and experiences with us! And if you know another must-visit eatery in the Buckeye State, nominate it for a chance to be featured.
Bid Ed’s Main Street Soda Grill/Facebook
If you feel like traveling back in time, this vintage 1930s style restaurant and soda fountain in Vermilion is the place for you. The soda fountain ice cream treats here are what your taste buds have been waiting for. Big Ed’s Main Street Soda Grill is located at 5502 Liberty Ave., Vermilion, OH 44089. To learn more, click here.
mrsyoderskitchen.com
Mrs Yoders Kitchen/Facebook
For some of the best old-fashioned cooking in Ohio, be sure to check out this Amish Country gem. Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen features a hearty buffet, delicious homemade pies and an at-home atmosphere we know you’ll love. It is located at 8101 State Route 241, Mt. Hope, OH 44660. To learn more, visit their website here.
Google Maps Street View
Hart Mansion Restaurant/Facebook
Tucked away on a scenic hillside, you’ll find the Hart Mansion Restaurant, overlooking the small town of Minerva. The building, originally built in 1869, is situated on 4 gorgeous, rural acres and features beautiful Italianate architecture. Today, the mansion is fully restored and has been transformed into an elegant, quiet restaurant. (Please note: Dress is business casual, reservations are required and the restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.) It is located at 411 N Main St., Minerva, OH 44657. Click here to learn more.
Olde Dutch/Facebook
For some of the best Amish cuisine in southeast Ohio, check out this beloved family-friendly restaurant. (And be sure to visit the Logan Antique Mall while you’re in the area.) The Olde Dutch Restaurant is located at 12791 Ohio State Route 664, South Logan, OH 43138. To learn more, visit their website here.
Nancy’s Diner/Facebook
Don’t make the mistake of skipping out on dessert or a fountain soda at this old-fashioned, beloved diner that will take you on a trip down memory lane. Nancy’s Main Street Diner is located at 426 Main St., Grafton, OH 44044. To learn more, visit their website here.
Trip Advisor (management photo)
This refurbished school house was built in the early 1860s during the Civil War. 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. It is located at 8031 Glendale Milford Rd., Camp Dennison, OH 45111. To learn more, visit their website here.
Gregg W./Yelp
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus/Yelp
For the best German cuisine in Ohio (and a friendly ghost sighting or two), go to 240 E Kossuth St., Columbus, OH 43206. This popular German Village eatery has been a well-known sausage haus in central Ohio since 1886. To learn more, visit their website here.
Amish Door/Facebook
Set in an oversized Amish style home that has a seating capacity of 450, this restaurant is located in Wilmont. Guests can also choose to have a full family sized Amish style meal prepared instead of individual orders. Amish Door is located at 1210 Winesburg St., Wilmot, OH 44689. To learn more, visit their website here.
Adam Schwieger/Flickr
goldenlamb.com
Ohio’s oldest continuously operated hotel was established in 1803 and holds a unique dining experience, complete with antique furnishings, themed dining rooms and historic rooms upstairs where famous individuals such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and several U.S. Presidents have stayed. Visitors can either dine in The Lebanon Room (pictured), The Dickens Room, Buckeye Dining Room or The Shaker Room. The Golden Lamb is located at 27 S Broadway St., Lebanon, OH 45036. To learn more, visit their website here.
For more classic restaurants in Ohio, check out our previous article, 13 Small Town Restaurants In Ohio Where Everyone Knows Your Name.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 5502 Liberty Ave, Vermilion, OH 44089, USAAddress: Mrs Yoders Kitchen, 8101 OH-241, Mt Hope, OH 44660, USAAddress: 411 N Main St, Minerva, OH 44657, USAAddress: 12791 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, USAAddress: 426 Main St, Grafton, OH 44044, USAAddress: 8031 Glendale Milford Rd, Camp Dennison, OH 45111, USAAddress: Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, 240 E Kossuth St, Columbus, OH 43206, USAAddress: Amish Door Restaurant, 1210 Winesburg St, Wilmot, OH 44689, USAAddress: The Golden Lamb Restaurant & Hotel, 27 S Broadway St, Lebanon, OH 45036, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
hometown restaurants in Ohio July 11, 2020 Elisa Regulski What are the best old fashioned restaurants in Ohio? Craving a taste of the past? Slide into a booth at The Spot To Eat in Sidney. This retro diner is one of the best nostalgic restaurants in Ohio. The menu is classic and to-the-point – no unnecessary frills here! But you can rest assured that everything you order is made fresh and with love. After you’ve scarfed down one of their scrumptious hamburgers, order yourself a slice of pie. You won’t regret it. If you loved this place, you should also visit Coney Island Diner in Mansfield. Here, you can relax in their ‘50s-themed ambiance while munching on comfort food staples like meatloaf, onion rings, and – of course – coney dogs. This place is a delicious slice of Americana. What are the best small town restaurants in Ohio? Some of the most delicious meals can be found in Ohio’s small towns. Uncle Beth’s BBQ, located in North Lewisburg, is a prime example. Travel off the beaten path and enjoy some wonderful, smoky barbecue from this unassuming little gem. After you scarf down one of their magnificent pulled pork sandwiches, order yourself some dessert. Everything on the menu is absolutely delicious. For the best bologna sandwich in Ohio, visit G & R Tavern. This welcoming eatery is located in the small town of Waldo, and it’s worth going out of your way for. What are the most famous restaurants in Ohio? Slyman’s Restaurant, located in Cleveland, is one of the most famous restaurants in Ohio. They’re known for their scrumptious corned beef and deli sandwiches. Sure, this place isn’t fancy or attention-grabbing, but their meals speak for themselves. After your first bite, you’ll see what the fuss is all about. You’ll want to come back again and again. Eli’s BBQ, located in Cincinnati, is another famous Ohio restaurant. This place is so good, it was named the third best BBQ joint in America by Business Insider. Stop by for yourself and see why. For even more beloved eats, visit Katzinger’s Delicatessen in Columbus. While they’re most known for their reubens, everything on the menu is absolutely wonderful. In fact, they have 77 different kinds of sandwiches! Which will you try first?
The OIYS Visitor Center
hometown restaurants in Ohio
July 11, 2020
Elisa Regulski
What are the best old fashioned restaurants in Ohio? Craving a taste of the past? Slide into a booth at The Spot To Eat in Sidney. This retro diner is one of the best nostalgic restaurants in Ohio. The menu is classic and to-the-point – no unnecessary frills here! But you can rest assured that everything you order is made fresh and with love. After you’ve scarfed down one of their scrumptious hamburgers, order yourself a slice of pie. You won’t regret it. If you loved this place, you should also visit Coney Island Diner in Mansfield. Here, you can relax in their ‘50s-themed ambiance while munching on comfort food staples like meatloaf, onion rings, and – of course – coney dogs. This place is a delicious slice of Americana. What are the best small town restaurants in Ohio? Some of the most delicious meals can be found in Ohio’s small towns. Uncle Beth’s BBQ, located in North Lewisburg, is a prime example. Travel off the beaten path and enjoy some wonderful, smoky barbecue from this unassuming little gem. After you scarf down one of their magnificent pulled pork sandwiches, order yourself some dessert. Everything on the menu is absolutely delicious. For the best bologna sandwich in Ohio, visit G & R Tavern. This welcoming eatery is located in the small town of Waldo, and it’s worth going out of your way for. What are the most famous restaurants in Ohio? Slyman’s Restaurant, located in Cleveland, is one of the most famous restaurants in Ohio. They’re known for their scrumptious corned beef and deli sandwiches. Sure, this place isn’t fancy or attention-grabbing, but their meals speak for themselves. After your first bite, you’ll see what the fuss is all about. You’ll want to come back again and again. Eli’s BBQ, located in Cincinnati, is another famous Ohio restaurant. This place is so good, it was named the third best BBQ joint in America by Business Insider. Stop by for yourself and see why. For even more beloved eats, visit Katzinger’s Delicatessen in Columbus. While they’re most known for their reubens, everything on the menu is absolutely wonderful. In fact, they have 77 different kinds of sandwiches! Which will you try first?
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Craving a taste of the past? Slide into a booth at The Spot To Eat in Sidney. This retro diner is one of the best nostalgic restaurants in Ohio. The menu is classic and to-the-point – no unnecessary frills here! But you can rest assured that everything you order is made fresh and with love. After you’ve scarfed down one of their scrumptious hamburgers, order yourself a slice of pie. You won’t regret it. If you loved this place, you should also visit Coney Island Diner in Mansfield. Here, you can relax in their ‘50s-themed ambiance while munching on comfort food staples like meatloaf, onion rings, and – of course – coney dogs. This place is a delicious slice of Americana.
What are the best small town restaurants in Ohio?
Some of the most delicious meals can be found in Ohio’s small towns. Uncle Beth’s BBQ, located in North Lewisburg, is a prime example. Travel off the beaten path and enjoy some wonderful, smoky barbecue from this unassuming little gem. After you scarf down one of their magnificent pulled pork sandwiches, order yourself some dessert. Everything on the menu is absolutely delicious. For the best bologna sandwich in Ohio, visit G & R Tavern. This welcoming eatery is located in the small town of Waldo, and it’s worth going out of your way for.
What are the most famous restaurants in Ohio?
Slyman’s Restaurant, located in Cleveland, is one of the most famous restaurants in Ohio. They’re known for their scrumptious corned beef and deli sandwiches. Sure, this place isn’t fancy or attention-grabbing, but their meals speak for themselves. After your first bite, you’ll see what the fuss is all about. You’ll want to come back again and again. Eli’s BBQ, located in Cincinnati, is another famous Ohio restaurant. This place is so good, it was named the third best BBQ joint in America by Business Insider. Stop by for yourself and see why. For even more beloved eats, visit Katzinger’s Delicatessen in Columbus. While they’re most known for their reubens, everything on the menu is absolutely wonderful. In fact, they have 77 different kinds of sandwiches! Which will you try first?
