When you spot a line out the door, that’s usually a clear sign that something amazing is hiding inside. Here in Ohio, we have several restaurants that are hard to find seating for, simply because the food is the star of the show. From upscale Italian restaurants to unsuspecting diners and dives, the following are 9 restaurant lines around Ohio that are so worth standing in. See how many you’ve been to before and which ones belong on your dining bucket list. These are some of the most popular restaurants in Ohio, and it’s easy to understand why.

1. Slyman’s Restaurant (Cleveland)
Slymans/Facebook
Slymans/Facebook
This downtown Cleveland eatery is home to the best corned beef you can find in Ohio. (Fun fact: This beloved breakfast and sandwich joint appeared on Rachael Ray's "$40 a Day.") An early lunch around 11 a.m. is recommended here to avoid the lunch rush. Slyman's is located at 3106 St Clair Ave. NE, Cleveland, OH 44114. To learn more, visit their website here.
2. Kewpee Hamburgers (Lima)
Kewpee Restaurant/Facebook
Kewpee Restaurant/Facebook
This signature fast food joint in Lima has three locations that serve up the city's best burgers, french fires and malts. There's usually always a wait at the drive-thru during lunch or dinner time, so we recommend going inside if you're pressed for time. To learn more, visit their website here.
3. Tom's Ice Cream Bowl (Zanesville)
April Dray/Only In Your State
April Dray/Only In Your State
Since 1950, Tom's Ice Cream Bowl has served up the area's best homemade ice cream. Its homey, 1950's style makes it a nostalgic stop for many. (You can't go wrong with any flavor here but if you like nuts on your sundae, definitely get them. Their nuts are roasted fresh daily and all of their toppings are processed in-house.) Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl is located at 532 McIntire Ave., Zanesville, OH 43701. To learn more, visit their website here.
4. Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina (Athens)
Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina/Facebook
Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina/Facebook
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this beloved Athens eatery features the area's best Mexican cuisine, made with fresh, local ingredients. On the weekends, business really picks up, so expect a wait. If the wait is too long for you, we suggest grabbing a seat on the bodega side. Casa Nueva is located at 6 W State St., Athens, OH 45701. To learn more, visit their website here.
5. G & R Tavern (Waldo)
G &R Tavern/Facebook

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G &R Tavern/Facebook
With a population of just a little more than 300, the tiny village of Waldo in Marion County is unexpectedly hiding a delicious secret. G & R Tavern is a must-stop when you're in the area. For more than 50 years, it's been the village's best spot to eat. The signs here don't lie; this modest, seat-yourself, no-frills tavern is home to the best bologna sandwich in the world. G & R Tavern is located at 103 N Marion St., Waldo, OH 43356. To learn more, visit their website here.
6. Boyd and Wurthmann Restaurant (Berlin)
Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant/Facebook
Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant/Facebook
Boyd and Wurthmann Restaurant in Berlin, Ohio isn’t just home to some delicious home-cooked meals and local history, it’s also home to some of the best made-from-scratch pies in the state of Ohio. What was once a grocery store in the 1930s is now a beloved Amish restaurant that locals and visitors alike can't get enough of. It's not uncommon to see a line out the door here. You'll find it at 4819 East Main St., Berlin, OH 44610. To learn more, visit their website here.
7. Hot Chicken Takeover (Columbus)
Hot Chicken Takeover/Facebook
Hot Chicken Takeover/Facebook
The "juicy, perfectly fried chicken, that's rubbed with a secret cayenne-infused paste" is what keeps the customers coming back for more at Hot Chicken Takeover in the North Market. (This homestyle eatery also offers free sweet tea and house made syrup and ranch with every order.) The line forms fast, but the line also moves fast. Once the fresh, 100% local chicken is gone, it's gone, so be sure to get in line in plenty of time here. Hot Chicken Takeover is open Wednesday - Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is located at 59 Spruce Street in Columbus on the second floor of the North Market. To learn more, visit their website here.
8. Z Cucina di Spirito (Columbus)
Management Photo/Trip Advisor
Management Photo/Trip Advisor
With more than 750 reviews, this upscale Italian restaurant earned the #1 spot out of 1,957 restaurants in Columbus on Trip Advisor. (Pictured above: Housemade Mozzarella Caprese.) It is unbelievably gorgeous and is located at 1368 Grandview Ave., Columbus, OH 43212. To learn more, visit their website here.
9. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus und Restaurant (Columbus)
Schmidt's Sausage Haus/Facebook
Schmidt's Sausage Haus/Facebook
For the best German cuisine in Ohio (and a friendly ghost sighting or two), go to 240 E Kossuth St., Columbus, OH 43206. A true classic, this German Village restaurant has been around since 1886. The bratwurst and cream puffs are out of this world. To learn more, visit their website here.

 

How many of these classic restaurants in Ohio have you been to? Let us know in the comments below!

For more amazing historic restaurants in Ohio, check out our previous article: The Historic Restaurant That’s Been Around Since Ohio First Became A State.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

most popular restaurants in Ohio

Elisa Regulski | March 26, 2020

What are the most famous restaurants in Ohio?

Eli’s BBQ, located in Cincinnati, is one of the most famous restaurants in Ohio. Their magnificent ribs and pulled pork are mouthwatering, but you can’t overlook their tasty sides. Add on a slice of jalapeño cornbread for a spicy kick, and indulge in their rich mac and cheese for some comfort food bliss. It’s easy to see why Eli’s BBQ has won so many awards throughout the years! Katzinger’s Delicatessen, located in Columbus, is another long-standing restaurant in Ohio that people can’t get enough of. Their Reubens are spectacular.

What are the best historic restaurants in Ohio?

The Oliver House, located in Toledo, is one of the best historic restaurants in Ohio. This exquisite restaurant has been going strong for over 150 years, and they’ve perfected the art of fine dining. The Red Brick Tavern, located in Lafayette, is another wonderful place to dine. Nestled inside the nations’ second oldest stagecoach stop, this restaurant will really whisk you back in time.

What are the best diners in Ohio?

There are so many wonderful diners in Ohio. For some classic American eats, visit Coney Island Diner in Mansfield. This nostalgic eatery will make you feel like you’ve entered the 1950s. Try one of their coney dogs -- it's what they’re most known for!

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Slyman's Restaurant and Deli, 3106 St Clair Ave NE, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA
Kewpee Hamburgers, Allentown Road, Lima, OH, USA
532 McIntire Ave, Zanesville, OH 43701, USA
6 W State St, Athens, OH 45701, USA
103 N Marion St, Waldo, OH 43356, USA
4819 E Main St, Berlin, OH 44610, USA
59 Spruce St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
1368 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH 43212, USA
240 E Kossuth St, Columbus, OH 43206, USA