Sometimes we all need to get away from the fast pace of city bars and restaurants and try something completely new. If you want a food adventure, whether you are looking for a family diner, a farm style restaurant or an upscale tavern, there are plenty of small towns throughout Northeast Ohio with distinctive cuisine that are worth the effort. Get in the car and drive.
Sometimes we all need to get away from the fast pace of city bars and restaurants and try something completely new. If you want a food adventure, whether you are looking for a family diner, a farm style restaurant or an upscale tavern, there are plenty of small towns throughout Northeast Ohio with distinctive cuisine that are worth the effort. Get in the car and drive.
Mary’s Diner
666 E. Main St, Geneva
Travel back to the past with this retro ’50s style diner. All of your classic diner food can be found here, from pancakes to apple pie to whipped milkshakes. With decor that celebrates Ohio and a “simpler time,” this place is certainly full of charm.
Photo via Marusya.99/InstagramBascule Bridge Grill
1006 Bridge St, Ashtabula
Close to the Ashtabula drawbridge, Bascule Bridge Grille offers elegant dining featuring local produce, seasonal dishes, and revolutionary recipes to satisfy your taste buds. This restaurant serves cuisine from all over the world, meaning there’s a style for everyone.
Photo via Vincenzocooks/InstagramThe Feve
30 S Main St, Oberlin
Enjoy a nice lunch one afternoon at this quintessential college town restaurant. All food served here is homemade and sourced locally. From tater tots to B.LT.s, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Photo via love_thefeve/InstagramTimber Lodge
2809 Pearl Rd, Medina
If your in the mood for cozy food and a lodge environment, but cannot make the drive to a ski lodge, Timber Lodge provides the ambiance for which you are looking. The restaurant offers big plates, including steak, lobster tail, and chicken. Timber Lodge has even been nominated on the Cleveland and Akron hot list for 2018.
Photo via Shan_stowe/InstagramAmish Door Restaurant
1210 Winesburg St., Wilmot
Situated out in Amish Country, this rustic barn not only features a restaurant, but a hotel, banquet center and a bed & breakfast. Enjoy some cozy country dining with mashed potatoes, fried chicken, turkey, green beans, and stuffing.
Photo via ray.wilson.9484/InstagramSara’s Place by Gavi’s Restaurant
1501 Chagrin River Rd, Gates Mills
As you are taking a scenic drive through the woods, stop at Sara’s Place for some quaint dishes, including pastas, quinoa fried rice, veal milanese, seafood and salads. The cozy lounge offers upscale comfort food, while feeling as if you are at home.
Photo via Plantbased_becky/InstagramWelshfield Inn
14001 Main Market Rd, Burton
Located in the center of Amish Country, the Welshfield Inn is a perfect stop on a nice country drive right off of US-422. The historic charm of the restaurant is complemented by its locally grown and seasonal foods. There is also a banquet center attached to the restaurant, which is a perfect place to throw your next event.
Photo via Kilobasepair/InstagramCafé 422
4422 Youngstown Road, SE, Warren
Founded in 1939 by two brothers whose dream was to open their own restaurant, Café 422 became an instant success with their fresh and homemade plates. The restaurant is known for its baked bread served with hot peppers in oil.
Photo via Peopleeatz/InstagramChubeez
3276 Footville-Richmond Rd, Dorset
This American small town restaurant is the perfect dine out experience for the family. The restaurant specials, including a fish dinner, and fried chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy, and biscuits. Chubeez is famous for its friendly staff and excellent food, making it worth the drive from Cleveland.
Photo via David_fthomas/InstagramPickle Bill’s Lobster House
101 River St, Grand River
Located right of the water, Pickle Bills is your go to place for all-you-can-eat seafood. Chow down on a perch sandwich, order a giant lobster tail, or get some peel n’ eat shrimp. The restaurant is a perfect summertime beach food destination.
Photo via Scene ArchivesJerry’s Café
226 W. Market St., Orrville/i>
Based in the same town as the Smucker’s factory, Jerry’s Café has both a full service bar and kitchen. The café serves up plenty of delicious sandwiches, including the corned beef reuben, the Charlie Brown burger, and the prime rib melt.
Photo via Alexis.roth/InstagramOak and Embers Tavern
8003 Mayfield Rd., Chesterland
This tavern is known for serving the three B’s: Barbeque, bourbon, and beer. Oaks and Embers cooks its barbeque in special sauces and rubs, providing their dishes with a unique twist. Meanwhile, one can choose from over 100 craft beers on the drink menu with 12 on tap.
Photo via Scene ArchivesDutch Country Restaurant
15015 Kinsman Rd., Middlefield
If you want nostalgic country food, instead of stopping at a chain like the Cracker Barrel, take the drive out to unique, homemade cooking spot. Dish highlights include wiener schnitzel, country fried steak and, yes, the biscuits.
Photo via Kulinarykeri/InstagramPete’s Restaurant
4223 Tuscarawas St. W., Canton
A family owned and operated restaurant, Pete’s Restaurant was voted best breakfast and best family restaurant by the Canton Repository. What makes this restaurant worth the drive is its seasonal specials, including the shrimp rice bowl, the chicken melt and pulled pork.
Photo via Nattakandotcom/InstagramThe Barn Restaurant
877 W. Main St., Smithville
Another cozy farm-style restaurant, the Barn offers an all you can eat buffet Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The buffet includes meat loaf, creamy mac and cheese, soft serve custard, mashed potatoes, green beans, pizza and more.
Photo via Sarahfusaki/InstagramBlue Sky Restaurant
917 North Leavitt Road, Amherst
Open for 24 hours a day, Blue Sky serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night food. The restaurant also serves daily specials that range from soup to sandwiches to desserts. The large plate entrees for dinner and from the deli are worth giving a try.
Photo via Kniz33/InstagramSpringfield Grille
7413 Tiffany South, Boardman
The Springfield Grille presents itself as a traditional American steakhouse, but not a typical one. Try the unique fire bleu fries, sprinkled with blue cheese, or the hazelnut crème chicken, a pecan encrusted chicken dish served with heirloom potatoes.
Photo via Redhead_616/InstagramMantua Corners Bar and Grille
11697 OH-44, Mantua
Need a break from brand name sports bars? Get the classic small town American pub experience with daily breakfast and lunch specials. Enjoy Monday night bike nights over the summer and live music all year long.
Photo via Angelmonster8/Instagram
