What could be better than an Ohio restaurant road trip? From the traditional American favorites to authentic international cuisine, The Buckeye State has some pretty delicious restaurants. If you’d like to experience some of the best of the best of Ohio’s restaurants, then this journey is for you. The total trip takes a little more than 11 hours of drive time, which can easily (and ideally) be done in three days. We’ve included a link to the Google map here.

We begin our trip in northeast Ohio with an iconic Cleveland eatery, but the trip is designed as a loop so that you can start with whatever restaurant is closest to you. Enjoy…

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/brunch 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 the website for Slyman’s Restaurant in Cleveland.
2. Buckeye Express Diner (Bellville)
Buckeye Express Diner/Facebook
Buckeye Express Diner/Facebook
All aboard the Buckeye Express Diner for a late lunch. Just off of Interstate 71, you'll find this iconic not-your-average diner. (Note: Michigan fans must park across the street.) Buckeye Express Diner is located at 810 State Rt. 97 W., Bellville, OH 44813. Check out Buckeye Express Diner's website to learn more.
3. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant (Columbus)
Lydia/Flickr
Spend the night in Ohio's capitol city and treat yourself to a truly unique dinner experience. In addition to the best genuine German cuisine around, this historic restaurant has an animated atmosphere complete with live German music on certain nights. You can also find this popular eatery in Columbus' German Village at 240 E Kossuth St., Columbus, OH 43206. To learn more, visit the website for Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant.
4. Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina (Athens)
Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina/Facebook

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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. Check out Casa Nueva's website to learn more.
5. Seven Miles Smokehouse (Chillicothe)
7milessmokehouse.com
7 Miles Smokehouse/Facebook
With slow, southern cooked meats and sides made from scratch every day, this family owned and operated smokehouse serves up some exceptional barbecue. Pictured is "The Mad Dog" with pulled smoked chicken, beef brisket and pulled pork, topped with grilled onions, sauce and creamy signature cole slaw. Seven Miles Smokehouse is located at 285 E 7th St., Chillicothe, OH 45601. To learn more, visit the website for Seven Miles Smokehouse in Chillicothe.
6. The Golden Lamb (Lebanon)
WestKastle/Flickr
Ohio’s oldest continuously operated hotel in Lebanon holds a unique dining experience, complete with antique furnishings and historic rooms upstairs where famous individuals such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and U.S. Presidents have stayed. Enjoy a delicious dinner here and stay for the night. The Golden Lamb Inn is located at 27 S Broadway St., Lebanon, OH 45036. Visit The Golden Lamb's website to learn more.
7. The Spot To Eat (Sidney)
OZinOH/Flickr
Both literally and figuratively, this is the spot to eat in Sidney. What started out as a chuck wagon more than 100 years ago is now a stationary old fashioned eatery that will make you feel like you've temporarily stepped foot into a Happy Day's episode. The Spot To Eat is located at 201 S Ohio Ave., Sidney, OH 45365. To learn more, visit the website for The Spot To Eat.
8. Kewpee Hamburgers (Lima)
Kewpee Hamburgers/Facebook
Within the fictionalized setting of "Glee," this signature fast food joint in Lima has three locations that serve up the city's best burgers. french fries and malts. Check out the Kewpee Hamburgers website to learn more.
9. Tony Packo’s (Toledo)
Tony Packo's/Facebook
Tony Packo's/Facebook
End your restaurant tour of Ohio with chili dogs for dinner. For a truly epic chili dog, check out this iconic hotdog joint, with multiple locations in Toledo. A strange tradition of displaying autographed hotdog buns began here in 1972 when Jamie Farr of M*A*S*H signed a bun. While that bun is no longer in existence, today the cafe proudly showcases Styrofoam bun look-alikes signed by various celebrities, including five U.S. presidents. The original Tony Packo's is located at 1902 Front St., Toledo, OH 43605. To learn more, visit the website for Tony Packo’s in Toledo.

What do you think of this Ohio restaurant road trip? Are there any local eateries you would add to the list? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

Hungry for more mouthwatering meals? Check out our previous article: 11 Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants In Ohio That Locals Can’t Seem To Get Enough Of.

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

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Ohio restaurant road trip

Elisa Regulski | November 17, 2020

What are the best restaurants in Ohio?

With various locations scattered throughout the state, Melt Bar And Grilled is one of the best restaurants in Ohio. This comfort food restaurant serves the most delicious grilled cheese sandwiches you’ve ever eaten, and it’s perfect for the whole family! If you’re looking for an elegant dining experience, visit The Golden Lamb in Lebanon. This historic restaurant is both gorgeous and scrumptious.

What kind of food is Ohio known for?

Ohio has so much more than just chili and Buckeyes. If you want to learn more about the iconic foods of Ohio, check out our previous article: These 10 Iconic Foods In Ohio Will Have Your Mouth Watering.

What are the best road trips to take in Ohio?

There are so many wonderful places to explore! If you love nature, you’ll want to embark on the Ohio waterfall road trip. For some gorgeous waterfront views, take this lighthouse road trip through Ohio. Need more ideas? Check out our previous article: 10 Unforgettable Road Trips To Take In Ohio Before You Die.

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Featured Addresses
810 OH-97, Bellville, OH 44813, USA
240 E Kossuth St, Columbus, OH 43206, USA
6 W State St, Athens, OH 45701, USA
285 E 7th St, Chillicothe, OH 45601, USA
27 S Broadway St, Lebanon, OH 45036, USA
201 S Ohio Ave, Sidney, OH 45365, USA
2111 Allentown Rd, Lima, OH 45805, USA
1902 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605, USA
3106 St Clair Ave NE, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA