17 Unusual Ohio Dining Spots That Make Eating Out An Adventure
Ohio has always had a taste for the unexpected. Beyond its diners and chili parlors lies a lineup of restaurants that turn eating out into pure adventure.
Imagine enjoying fine dining in a former train station, grabbing a burger in a converted jail, or eating pizza in a working airplane.
Across the state, creativity and history collide to create meals that are about more than flavor – they’re experiences you’ll talk about long after the plates are cleared.
1. Katalina’s
Pancake balls stuffed with Nutella? Columbus knows how to start your morning right. Katalina’s serves breakfast that feels like a fiesta, with bold flavors and a funky atmosphere that screams creativity.
The vintage camper parked outside sets the tone for what’s inside: colorful walls, mismatched furniture, and menu items you won’t find anywhere else. Their signature pancake balls are legendary, but don’t sleep on the chorizo empanadas either!
2. Tony Packo’s Cafe
Hot dog buns signed by celebrities cover the walls like edible autographs. Tony Packo’s became famous when Corporal Klinger mentioned it on M*A*S*H, but locals knew about it long before Hollywood caught on.
Their Hungarian hot dogs come piled high with toppings that’ll make your taste buds sing. The chili sauce recipe remains a closely guarded secret, passed down through generations of the Packo family since 1932.
3. The Schoolhouse Restaurant
Detention never tasted this good! Camp Dennison turned an 1866 schoolhouse into a charming restaurant where you can literally eat at your desk. Original chalkboards and vintage school memorabilia transport diners back in time.
The menu features comfort food classics that would make any cafeteria jealous. Couples love reserving the old principal’s office for intimate dinners with a side of nostalgia.
4. The Olde Jaol Steakhouse & Tavern
Eating behind bars takes on new meaning at this former jail turned steakhouse. Built in 1851, the building once housed criminals; now it serves some of the juiciest steaks in Wayne County.
Original cell doors and iron bars remain throughout the dining rooms, creating an atmosphere that’s equal parts spooky and romantic. Request a table in the old cell block for the full captive dining experience!
5. Bearden’s
This Rocky River gem proves that weird works when the food delivers. Bearden’s doesn’t follow trends—it creates its own vibe with an eclectic menu that bounces from Asian fusion to classic American comfort.
The decor matches the menu’s personality: unexpected, colorful, and impossible to categorize. Regulars swear by the creative daily specials that keep every visit feeling fresh and unpredictable.
6. Mecklenburg’s Garden
Cincinnati’s German heritage comes alive at this authentic beer garden where schnitzel meets Cincinnati charm. Since 1865, Mecklenburg’s has been serving up Bavarian favorites under shady trees that have witnessed generations of celebrations.
The outdoor biergarten transforms ordinary Tuesday nights into mini Oktoberfests. Live polka music, cold German brews, and hearty wursts make you forget you’re still in Ohio.
7. Hofbräuhaus Columbus
Why fly to Munich when Grandview Heights brings Bavaria to your backyard? This massive beer hall replicates the famous Munich original with impressive attention to detail, from the hand-painted ceiling to the authentic German brews.
Communal tables encourage strangers to become friends over pretzels bigger than your head. Live oompah bands get the whole place singing and swaying in beer-fueled harmony.
8. Spaghetti Warehouse
Eating inside an actual trolley car while surrounded by Victorian antiques sounds like a fever dream, but it’s totally real. The Spaghetti Warehouse transforms old buildings into Italian wonderlands filled with quirky seating options.
Kids go crazy for the trolley tables, while adults appreciate the surprisingly solid Italian-American classics. The eclectic decor makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into your eccentric grandmother’s attic—if she served unlimited bread.
9. Buckeye Express Diner
All aboard for breakfast! This genuine railroad car serves up classic diner fare while permanently parked along Ohio tracks. The narrow aisles and booth seating maintain that authentic train dining experience without the motion sickness.
Railroad memorabilia decorates every surface, delighting train enthusiasts and nostalgia seekers alike. The pancakes are fluffy enough to derail your diet, and the coffee keeps flowing like a locomotive.
10. Maid Rite Sandwich Shoppe
Loose meat sandwiches might sound suspicious, but Greenville’s beloved Maid Rite has been proving doubters wrong since 1934. The secret seasoning turns simple ground beef into something mysteriously addictive that defies explanation.
Counter seating and vintage stools create an authentic throwback atmosphere. Locals guard their Maid Rite loyalty fiercely – this isn’t just a sandwich shop; it’s a treasured community institution.
11. The Astro
Cleveland’s grooviest greasy spoon rockets diners back to the Space Age with every bite. The Astro doesn’t just serve food – it serves time travel on a plate, complete with retro vibes and comfort classics done right.
Late-night crowds pack this joint after concerts and bar crawls, craving the kind of satisfying grub that soaks up bad decisions. The atmosphere is pure nostalgia with a side of Cleveland grit.
12. The Hamburger Wagon
Since 1913, this tiny wooden wagon has been slinging burgers from the same downtown Miamisburg spot. No indoor seating, no frills, no problem – just perfectly griddled patties that have created over a century of loyal fans.
The simplicity is the point here. Standing on the sidewalk with a steaming burger wrapped in paper feels refreshingly old-school in our complicated modern world.
13. The Root Beer Stand
Frosty mugs of homemade root beer delivered to your car window – some traditions deserve to live forever. Ohio’s classic root beer stands keep the drive-in dream alive with carhop service and creamy floats that taste like summer.
Families have been creating memories at these nostalgic spots for generations. The root beer recipe varies by location, but the experience remains wonderfully consistent: pure Americana on tap.
14. O’Betty’s Red Hot & Hot-Dog Museum
A hot dog museum sounds like a joke until you experience the glorious reality. O’Betty’s celebrates America’s favorite tube steak with walls covered in wiener-related artifacts you never knew existed.
The menu offers creative topping combinations that elevate the humble hot dog to art form status. Between bites, you’ll discover fascinating frankfurter history that makes surprisingly good conversation fodder.
15. Incline Public House
Perched on a hillside, this gastropub offers views that compete with the food for your attention. The sloped location creates dramatic dining angles where gravity seems negotiable and sunset dinners feel extra special.
Craft beer selection runs deep, perfectly complementing elevated pub fare that takes familiar favorites upscale. Window tables book fast – everyone wants that Instagram-worthy backdrop for their burger and brew.
16. Sugar n’ Spice Diner
Everything nice happens at this sweet spot where pies tower high and coffee flows endlessly. Sugar n’ Spice nails the classic diner formula with homestyle cooking that tastes like grandma’s kitchen went commercial.
The pie case deserves its own zip code – dozens of varieties tempt you before you’ve finished your main course. Regulars know to save room, because leaving without dessert borders on criminal behavior here.
17. Prohibition at the Caverns
Dining inside actual limestone caves feels like something from a fantasy novel, but Mansfield makes it reality. Prohibition at the Caverns transforms underground geology into atmospheric ambiance where stalactites become your dinner companions.
The speakeasy theme fits perfectly with the hidden, secretive vibe of eating below ground. Temperature stays naturally cool year-round, making this literally the coolest restaurant experience in Ohio.
