The Ten Ohio Restaurants That You Don’t Want To Miss

One of the highlights of traveling to someplace new is the opportunity to break out of the ordinary and step into unique experiences that you would never have at home.  Ohio offers visitors exceptional dining experiences that won’t soon be forgotten.  Point to any part of a map of Ohio and you’ll find one of these top ten restaurants.

9 Tables
This is fine dining at its best.  9 Tables in Athens, Ohio, is a restaurant that delivers a luxury experience to each and every guest.  Meals are offered in five or seven courses and contain locally sourced ingredients.  This special dining experience will last between two and three hours, so leave your evening open.  Vegetarian and vegan selections are also available in the same five or seven course selection.  There’s something to suit everyone’s taste.

Barcelona
Many American restaurants attempt to adopt the traditional cooking styles of classic European cuisine and Barcelona Restaurant & Bar in Columbus has definitely succeeded.  This German Village gem offers diners a refined and relaxed environment to experience Old World cooking and hospitality.  Lunch, dinner, tapas, and desserts are served each day.  Barcelona also offers a special lunch menu that changes each week.  If you visit, inquire about patio seating.  You’ll find yourself transported to a lush Spanish retreat right in the heart of the city.

Callaloo Café
The fresh, festive flavors of Caribbean are brought to Collinwood courtesy of the Callaloo Café.  Collinwood might not be the first place you’d expect to find the traditional foods of Trinidad and Tobago and other island nations but this funky eatery has become very popular with the locals.  You’ll be treated to live jazz, reggae, and ska played on Friday and Saturday nights.  If you’re looking for something new to try, look no further than Callaloo Café.

Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina
Another landmark of Ohio’s local food movement, the Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina has fresh, delicious Mexican-inspired food along with a selection of tempting sandwiches, salads, and appetizers.  This Athens, Ohio, landmark is a favorite student hang out and features live music by local musicians.  Casa Nueva serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner; it also features numerous gluten-free menu selections.

Ella
This fresh, intimate restaurant helped establish the local food trend.  Their menu features lots of classic American favorites such as macaroni and cheese, barbeque pork sliders, and ribeye steaks – with a twist.  The grilled Amish chicken is given a velvety coating of winter pesto sauce.  Grilled lemon is combined with creamy hummus.  The traditional cheese plate showcases selections made right in the New Albany area.  The happy hour and dessert menus are especially popular among locals.

Giannamore’s Pizza
If you’re in the Wintersville area and looking for a casual meal that’s also top-notch, you need to call Giannamore’s Pizza.  Customer’s love the crust that’s crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside.  Pizza lovers all over the state have consistently rated Giannamore’s as some of the finest slices to be had.  This is a dinner-only establishment so make sure you finish your day of sightseeing with a visit to Giannamore’s.

Pier W
Located in Lakewood near Cleveland, Pier W has become a part of every visitor’s must-do list.  As soon as you take a seat, you’ll see why.  The patio dining space at Pier W overlooks an expansive vista of beautiful Lake Erie and the Cleveland skyline on the horizon.  The view isn’t the only thing worth coming for.  The menu is full of delectable seafood dishes such as oven roasted cedar planked organic salmon and the restaurant’s very own bouillabaisse.  Pier W serves lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.  A vegetarian menu is also offered and happy hour selections are available in the late afternoon.

Scali Ristoranti
If you’re in the Reynoldsburg area and are in the mood for food that comes straight from the Italian countryside, then you need to drop by Scali Ristoranti.  Don’t be fooled by the unassuming exterior.  That simple sign is welcoming you to a meal like you’ve never had before.  Italian home cooked favorites like stuffed ravioli, Italian wedding soup, and four cheese pizza are served up alongside lesser-known dishes such as shrimp cognac.  Scali Ristoranti is pleased to offer an extensive wine list, including red and white wines imported directly from Italy.

Tlaquepaque
Zanesville is home to a treasured Mexican food establishment called Tlaquepaque.  All your favorite Mexican standbys can be found here; the burritos and tacos are especially popular among the Zanesville locals.  Even the salsa and chips will make you want to come back for more.  Generous portions encourage sharing so ask for a couple extra plates when ordering.

Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl
When you’ve finished your world-class meal, top it off with a taste of world-class dessert!  Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl has been enjoyed by Zanesville locals for generations.  Quality ingredients, top-notch service, and a retro styled dining room make for a memorable night out with the family.  Located just moments from highway 70, Tom’s is a perfect place to grab a snack while on a road trip.  Even the small portions are generous so there’ll be plenty to share!