51 Best Restaurants in Ohio, USA

The barbecued ribs are famous (Bob Hope was a fan), and you can't get any closer to the river without jumping in for a swim. This is the sister location of the original sports-themed joint, which is in the northeastern suburb of Montgomery. The menu is so dominated by the tender, finger-licking ribs that even the few poultry and seafood items are barbecued themselves or served as a combo with ribs. Sinful sides include onion straws and Saratoga chips (potatoes sliced and fried). Lunchtime and happy hour both draw crowds.

The downtown Cleveland branch of the well-known chain in the Tower City Center has its trademark formal mahogany interior with white tablecloths. Large portions of choice cuts of beef and seafood are accompanied by baked or mashed potatoes, salad, and fresh vegetables.

The chefs at the Ritz-Carlton's Terminal Tower restaurant have made their dining experience more accessible than at Century, the hotel's previous offering, while retaining the requisite glamour. The white-linen Muse has the feel of a tony lounge, with wood-paneled walls, armchairs with upholstered backs, and a menu full of international twists on American classics, such as the brown sugar–and cardamom-rubbed lamb and bison tenderloin carpaccio. The restaurant emphasizes fresh, organic ingredients and offers three-, four-, and five-course options at dinner ($58, $78, and $98). Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily.

One of German Village's first pubs, this eatery in a 1933 building is famous for its horseshoe-shape bar. Pictures of staff and customers cover the walls. With the food a cut above "pub grub," it's one of few places that stays open until midnight on weekdays and 1 am on the weekends. Specials are ever-changing and there are all-you-can-eat quesadillas nights. Popular dishes include the roast beef sandwich with chicken salad on top and beef stew served in a hollowed-out round of bread.

Appearance is almost as important as flavor at this lavish art deco restaurant in the landmark Cincinnatian Hotel downtown. Frederick Pissaro, great-grandson of the celebrated Impressionist painter, created artwork exclusively for the Palace. But the menu, which is pricey and continental (pheasant soup, rack of lamb, meatloaf), measures up well. New chef Romuald Jung, who has worked under some of the best in Europe and America, draws on his French and German influences to please older, upper-crust patrons.

Shaped like a ship, this restaurant in Lakewood, about 5 mi east of downtown Cleveland, juts out over Lake Erie, offering a good view of the city skyline and the water. The menu includes seafood dishes, fresh catch from Lake Erie, and beef and chicken entrées. There's entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights and a Sunday brunch.

On the second floor of the Sheraton on Capitol Square, the lavish Plaza has a spectacular view of the state capitol building and an outdoor fountain courtyard. The views are eclipsed by the food. Imaginative appetizers complement fine Continental-inspired fare that might include osso buco, Wiener schnitzel, or a New York strip steak.

Opened in 1981, this steakhouse was the first restaurant started by Jeff Ruby, now forever known as the man who refused to serve OJ Simpson (in May 2007). Servers introduce you to your food before you order. They'll show off, for example, the 28-day-aged Colorado Angus steak and the gigantic South African lobster tail that's part of the surf-and-turf combo. Entrées include all the oven-baked bread you can eat, salad, and baked potato. Spotting of local celebrities, particularly athletes, is a common pastime in the noisy, crowded dining rooms.

Panoramic views of the city can be savored from this restaurant perched on top of Price Hill. Interesting antiques, from old wine boxes to odd sculptures, are displayed throughout the interior. The menu emphasizes classic northern and southern Italian dishes—antipasti, pasta, veal, beef, lamb, poultry, and seafood. Try the salmon basted in a light butter sauce.

Summer means open-air dining in the courtyard; winter means drinks in front of a blazing fire in the cocktail lounge. The menu, which also changes with the seasons, might include rack of lamb, beef tenderloin medallions, and fresh seafood dishes. The wine list tops out at more than 900 selections. Northwest of Downtown in a restored church dating from the 1850s, the restaurant charms with exposed brick walls, stained-glass windows, and wooden beams.

This French countryside–style restaurant in the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel has bright murals on the walls and a massive stone hearth. Hearty foods—especially seafood—from the coasts of Spain, Morocco, Italy, and France are highlights. Fish and steak, for the most part, are the order of the day, with such entrées as tuna, salmon (served with a potato-eggplant tart), New York strip steak, and veal chops. The bouillabaisse with shrimp, mussels, clams, lobster, and scallops is a specialty.

Accordion players serenade and servers are decked out in Bavarian costumes at this popular two-level, beer hall–style restaurant in an 1880 brick building in German Village. Specialties include German pasta and their signature Bahama Mama—a giant bratwurst served with your choice of toppings, such as sauerkraut and mustard. Save room for large, overstuffed cream puffs.

Clubgoers seeking late-night eats can stop looking. Shanghai Mama's is the place to go for inexpensive, satisfying noodle dishes at almost any hour–it's open until 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays. But this is no dive. Appetizers like shrimp tempura and Shanghai ravioli go well with the big bowls of soup or oversized rice or noodle bowls. There are several vegetarian options, and all the noodle and rice bowls can be made vegetarian.

For many Cincinnati expatriates, the first stop on a hometown visit is the nearest Skyline Chili parlor. Whichever way they take it—three-way (chili with spaghetti and shredded cheddar cheese), four-way (chili with spaghetti, cheese, and onions), or cheese Coney (chili with shredded cheddar on a hot dog with bun)—people here are passionate about their chili. A tip for blending in—don't twirl your spaghetti; cut it with the side of your fork and scoop up a mouthful.

Decorative objects scattered around this low-key Market Place restaurant—brass objects and large paintings—are as traditional as the northern Indian cuisine. There are many vegetarian selections on the menu; the palak paneer (creamed spinach) is popular. The lunch buffet is a steal at $7. There's open-air patio dining with garden view, and a salad bar, too.

A vegetarian institution, Tommy's serves hefty salads and sandwiches and embarrassingly large but delicious milk shakes made with Cleveland's own Pierre's ice cream. It's open daily for breakfast as well as for lunch and dinner.

This deeply rooted German Village restaurant has a bright dining room with pink-and-beige walls and linens. There's an extensive antipasti menu. Entrées might include pasta specialties such as spinach-and-cheese canneloni or veal classics such as saltimbocca, piccata (thinly sliced and sautéed, with a sauce of parsley, lemon juice, and pan drippings), or marsala.

This grand Bexley institution with wood paneling and leather booths serves filet mignon, ribeye steak, porterhouse, and other chops and ribs. A pianist entertains on Monday and Thursday–Saturday.

This cute little snack shop on park grounds sells sandwiches, wraps, bottled water, sodas, organic tea, vegetarian options, and other offerings from local purveyors including Mitchell's Ice Cream, Harlow’s Popcorn, and Honadle’s Fine Chocolate. You can order at the counter and eat inside or take it with you. There are also souvenirs and gifts available for sale.

The Worthington Inn, with its antiques-filled dining rooms, is about 15 mi north of Downtown. New Zealand rack of lamb and grilled salmon are specialties. Don't miss the bountiful Sunday brunch of shellfish, waffles, eggs, desserts, and cheese. Open-air dining is available on the front porch with cast-iron furniture or in the brick-paved courtyard. There's live jazz on Fridays.