30 Great Destination Restaurants Worth The Drive From Cleveland

Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers

3600 Brecksville Rd., Richfield, 330-659-3600

Whitey's is known all over the nation for their chili, but the restaurant in Richfield, known as Whitey's Burgers N’ Booze, is the destination we're looking at today. This classic burger joint offers some delectable sandwiches and cheap ice cold beer. Sundays they offer a special on prime rib that runs through the end of June.

Photo via Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers/Facebook

Chez Francois

555 Main St., Vermilion

If you're looking for a romantic destination restaurant for a special occasion, bring your date to Chez Francois in Vermillion. Upscale cuisine, like Filet de Boeuf Wellington à la Périgourdine is served at this French Restaurant with a great waterfront view. They're also known for their excellent selection of fine wines. Just be aware of the restaurant's dress code beforehand, which they defend and stress on their website.

Photo via Scene Archives

Wedgewood Pizza

Multiple Locations

The greater Youngstown area is known for its Italian heritage and with that comes a city that lives and dies by their pizza. Everyone in Youngstown has their own favorite, from Giangelo’s Avalon, Ianazone’s, Uptown, Republic and Belleria to Leo’s, Sunrise Inn, Bella Napoli, Cocca’s, Cornersburg and Bruno Bros. While we’re partial to Wedgewood, there’s so much tasty pizza in the Mahoning Valley that we don’t blame anyone for their preference. Even if they’re wrong.

Photo via Wedgewood Pizza/Facebook

Bob's Hamburg

1351 East Ave., Akron

An Akron staple and one of the older burger places on this list, Bob's opened in 1931 and has outlasted the McDonald's that opened up across the street in 1960 and then closed in 1997. That should tell you how seriously good these burgers are.

Photo via Bob’s Hamburg/Facebook

Thyme2

113 W. Smith Rd., Medina

Thyme2 offers two distinct environments: fine dining upstairs and a pub below. On the first menu you'll find contemporary, upscale preparations of fish, seafood, and meats. On the second, there's wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and wings. No matter which you choose, count on spot to deliver the goods.

Photo via Thyme Restaurant/Facebook

Village Pump

103 West Lakeshore Dr., Kelleys Island

Kelley’s Island is the perfect spot to hit up for a quick weekend getaway and Village Pump is the place to eat there. Famous for their Lake Erie Perch and lobster chowder, both dishes are must-orders at this seafood restaurant. And don’t forget to try the Brandy Alexander, a mixture of nutmeg, brandy, creme de cocoa and vanilla ice cream.

Photo via @CARyan1968/Instagram

City Square Steakhouse

148 S. Market St., Wooster, 330-262-2489

Located in Wooster, City Square Steakhouse offers some of the best steaks in town. Choose from five delicious gourmet sauces to give it an extra kick or savor the juicy meat plain. There's also burgers and sandwiches if you're looking for a more casual lunch.

Photo via City Square Steakhouse/Facebook

Tony Packo’s

Multiple Locations

What started in 1932 in Toledo as an ice cream and sandwich shop has turned into a mini empire with six locations and one of the most well known restaurants in the state of Ohio. Known far and wide for their Hungarian hot dogs and other Eastern European specialties like paprikash and pierogi, Tony Packo’s is a Toledo institution and must visit for every Ohioan. And if you aren’t up for the drive to Toledo, you can get a little taste of Packo’s by heading to a local grocery store for their out of this world pickles.

Photo via Tony Packo’s/Facebook

Brimfield Bread Oven

3956 OH-43 #2, Kent

Located outside of Kent, Brimfield Bread Oven is Northeast Ohio's first wood-fired bakery. Offering an array of pastries and freshly made bread that is also organic and local, this bakery also cooks up some amazing pizzas. Go ahead and grab a loaf or two to go.

Photo via @BrimfieldBreadOven/Instagram

Rennick Meat Market

1104 Bridge St., Ashtabula

This former butcher shop turned steakhouse dry ages their steaks and make homemade pickles, mustard, sausages and cured meats. Located in Ashtabula's harbor district, Rennick's has become a destination restaurant for Northeast Ohio residents looking for some of the finest quality meats. If you’re talking about the best restaurants in Northern Ohio outside of Cleveland, Rennick’s might have an argument for number one.

Photo via Rennick Meat Market/Facebook