DAYTON EATS
The Local Food Guide
Chris-curated restaurant picks for Dayton, Ohio — the iconic historic staples every Daytonian loves, plus the best modern spots from the Oregon District to Beavercreek.
These are the restaurants that define Dayton — the places locals fiercely defend, newcomers quickly adopt, and everyone ends up loving.
36 restaurants
$$$$Est. Since 1947The Pine Club
1926 Brown St, Dayton, OHDayton's most legendary restaurant and a true American original. No reservations, no credit cards, no desserts — just perfectly aged hand-cut steaks, stewed tomatoes, and onion rings. Presidents and Hall of Famers have eaten here. You should too.
Cash only. Expect a wait — it's always worth it.
$$$$Est. Since 1965Marion's Piazza
711 Shroyer Rd, Dayton, OHVoted Dayton's Best Pizza over 33 times and counting. Thin crust, cut into signature small squares, with a sauce recipe that hasn't changed in decades. This is the pizza every Daytonian grows up on. You'll be hooked after one slice.
Try the house special. Nine locations across the metro.
$$$$Est. Since 1948Slyder's Tavern
836 Watervliet Ave, Dayton, OHWon Best Hamburger in Dayton six out of eight times. A true neighborhood tavern with no pretension and outstanding wings. Exactly the kind of place that makes Dayton special — and has for over 75 years.
Order the wings. They're legendary.
$$$$Est. Since 1976Jay's Seafood
225 E 6th St, Dayton, OHDayton's premier independent seafood restaurant, holding court in the historic Oregon District for nearly 50 years. Seasonal, fresh fish and shellfish in a classic setting that never goes out of style.
Ask your server what came in fresh that day.
$$$$Est. Since 1968The Amber Rose
1400 Valley St, Dayton, OHHoused in a building dating to 1910, The Amber Rose serves old-world Eastern European comfort food — pierogies, schnitzel, stuffed cabbage — made from recipes passed down through generations. A Dayton hidden gem.
Don't skip the pierogies. They're the real deal.
$$$$Est. Since 1928Root Beer Stand
1727 Woodman Dr, Dayton, OHA classic carhop drive-in serving frosty mugs of homemade root beer and hot dogs. A Dayton summer tradition stretching back nearly 100 years. Pull up, roll down your window, and experience something genuinely American.
The root beer float is non-negotiable.
$$$$Est. Since 1971Flying Pizza
223 N Main St, Dayton, OHNew York-style pizza by the slice, made with the same cheese, same flour, and same sauce recipe for over 50 years. No frills, no reinvention — just great pizza done right, every single time.
Grab a slice to go. Eat it standing up. You'll understand.
$$$$Est. Since 1962The Oakwood Club
2414 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, OHDayton's go-to for special occasions since 1962. Impeccably aged Angus beef, freshly flown-in seafood, homemade breads and desserts. The kind of place you bring someone you want to impress.
Make a reservation. This one fills up.
$$$$Est. 1979Mamma DiSalvo's
1375 E Stroop Rd, Kettering, OHFamily-owned red-sauce Italian since 1979. Big plates of pasta, house-made sauces, meatballs, lasagna — exactly what you want.
The lasagna is the order; ask for extra bread.
$$$$Jimmie's Ladder 11
936 Brown St, Dayton, OHSet inside an 1892 firehouse — a mashup of New American, Italian, and Cajun/Creole. Great patio in summer.
Order the gumbo; tour the firehouse upstairs while you wait.
$$$$El Meson
903 E Dixie Dr, West Carrollton, OHThree generations of the Castro family — Colombian-Spanish fusion with Caribbean accents. Tapas, full wine list, one of the most awarded restaurants in the metro.
Build a meal from the tapas menu — pace yourself.
$$$$Table 33
45 W 4th St, Dayton, OHModern New American downtown — rotating seasonal menu, smart cocktail program. A sleeper top-rated spot.
$$$$Bistecca at the Ardent Hotel
137 N Main St, Dayton, OHSteakhouse inside the Ardent Hotel downtown. Known for bottomless brunch on weekends.
Brunch over dinner if you're choosing one.
$$$$Linh's Bistro
6008 Wilmington Pike, Dayton, OHAuthentic Vietnamese and Chinese — fresh pho, hand-rolled spring rolls, stir-fries. Two area locations (Sugarcreek and Airway).
The pho dac biet is the safe bet.
$$$$Pho Mi
8990 Kingsridge Dr, Dayton, OHPho specialist on Kingsridge — go for the broth. Casual, friendly, family-run.
Order it spicy and get a Vietnamese coffee.
$$$$Kabuki Restaurant & Sushi Bar
848 S Main St, Centerville, OHKorean-Japanese hybrid in Centerville — sushi bar in front, Korean BBQ and bibimbap in back. One of the better non-chain sushi spots in the metro.
$$$$Pasha Grill
72 Plum St, Beavercreek, OHTurkish kitchen at The Greene — wood-fired bread, lamb, kebabs, and house-made dips. Surprisingly elegant for a mall location.
Get the lamb chops and the warm bread service.
$$$$Olive Mediterranean Grill
44 W 3rd St, Dayton, OHFast-casual Mediterranean — fresh-grilled chicken, falafel, and shawarma over rice or in pita. Great value lunch.
$$$$Taste of Jerusalem
9656 N Springboro Pike, Miamisburg, OHFamily-run Middle Eastern — falafel, shawarma, hummus, and house-baked pita. Casual room, generous portions.
$$$$Company 7 BBQ
1001 S Main St, Englewood, OHFounded by a family of firefighters — slow-cooked BBQ in a 1900s-firehouse-themed room. Voted Dayton's best BBQ multiple years and ranked nationally by Barbecue News.
The brisket sells out; go early on weekends.
$$$$Old Hickory Bar-B-Q
241 Woodman Dr, Dayton, OHDayton BBQ classic on Woodman Drive — pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, and cornbread the way locals like it. No-frills, big portions, low prices.
$$$$Christopher's Restaurant
2318 E Dorothy Ln, Kettering, OHLong-standing Kettering diner — full breakfast menu all day, comfort-food lunches, friendly counter service. The kind of place locals bring out-of-town family.
$$$$Crooked Handle Brewing Co.
760 N Main St, Springboro, OHSpringboro brewpub with a serious in-house kitchen. Two wing styles — Naked (deep-fried, dry-rubbed) and the signature Dry Rubbed (slow-smoked, then deep-fried). Locations in Springboro and Piqua.
Get the smoked-then-fried wings — it's why people come.
$$$$Nanyea Restaurant & Coffee House
6129 N Dixie Dr, Dayton, OHOne of the most unique dining experiences in Dayton. West African dishes served alongside a solid coffee menu in a neighborhood setting that feels nothing like anywhere else in town. The kind of place you take friends when you want to show off something genuinely different about this city.
Try the jollof rice. A real gem that deserves more attention than it gets.
$$$$Silos
810 E 1st St, Dayton, OHA popular Dayton restaurant with a solid local following. Good food in a welcoming atmosphere that keeps regulars coming back. A dependable spot for a good meal out.
$$$$Ashley's Bakery
21 Park Ave, Dayton, OHA beloved local bakery known for fresh baked goods and beautiful custom cakes. The kind of neighborhood spot that people turn to for birthdays, celebrations, and everyday treats worth leaving the house for.
$$$$Fatback's BBQ
1334 Linden Ave, Dayton, OHDayton BBQ done right. Slow smoked meats with the kind of rich flavor that only comes from doing it the proper way. Classic sides to match. This is where local BBQ fans go when they want the real thing.
$$$$Blueberry Cafe
2932 S Dixie Dr, Kettering, OHOne of Dayton's favorite breakfast and brunch spots. Fresh food, friendly service, and a cozy setup that fills up fast on weekend mornings. There is a reason people put up with the wait.
Go early on weekends. The line forms for a reason and it moves, but getting there before the rush makes life easier.
$$$$The Last Queen
210 E Main St, Enon, OHOut in Enon but worth every minute of the drive. A small restaurant with big flavors and a following among people who know their food. This is the kind of place that reminds you why eating local matters.
About 20 minutes from Dayton. Small town spot with a reputation that reaches well beyond Enon.
$$$$Mehaffie's Pies
3013 Linden Ave, Dayton, OHA Dayton area classic known for homemade pies that bring people back year after year. Cream pies, fruit pies, and seasonal specials that are as good as anything grandma ever made. The kind of local institution that makes Dayton feel like home.
The cream pies are legendary. Call ahead for holidays because they sell out well in advance.
$$$$Hello Thai
3301 Dayton Xenia Rd, Beavercreek, OHConsistently solid Thai food out in Beavercreek. Popular with the Wright-Patt crowd and local families who know good food. Authentic flavors, generous portions, and reliable service every time.
$$$$Joe's Pizza
4313 Airway Rd, Dayton, OHA Dayton pizza spot with a loyal local following. Solid menu and consistent results in a casual setting that the neighborhood depends on.
$$$$Val's Bakery
25 S St Clair St, Dayton, OHA local bakery with fresh baked goods and a faithful neighborhood following. The kind of place you find yourself stopping by regularly once you discover it.
$$$$Est. 1978The Paragon Supper Club
797 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Dayton, OHA throwback in all the best ways. Since 1978 The Paragon has been serving charbroiled steaks and stiff martinis in a wood-paneled room that has not changed in decades and does not need to. The servers know regulars by name and the strip steak is what you order. This is Dayton's original supper club experience.
No walk-ins on busy weekends without a reservation. Closed Mondays. Cash or check preferred but cards accepted.
$$$$Est. 2016Old Scratch Pizza
812 S Patterson Blvd, Dayton, OHThe original and still the best pizza hall in Dayton. Old Scratch took an abandoned 1960s auto parts store on S Patterson and turned it into a 200-seat warehouse pizza destination. Their Neapolitan-style pies come out of 800 degree wood-burning ovens in minutes and pair with 20 rotating taps of local and regional craft beer. Dayton voted it Midwest Pizza Company of the Year in 2024.
Order at the counter and grab a table. Groups can book the 32-seat private dining room. Great for kids and families.
$$$$Est. 1961Treasure Island Supper Club
4250 Chief Woods Ln, Moraine, OHPeople drive from all over the Miami Valley for Treasure Island. Since 1961 this independently owned supper club has been doing steak and seafood the right way in a room full of handmade tables, a classic U-shaped bar, ornate tin ceilings, and colorful pendant lights. Generous portions, fair prices, and the kind of relaxed hospitality that disappears in most restaurants.
No fuss, no pretension. Just a great steak in a room with character. The banquet room seats 55 for private events.
Thinking about moving to Dayton?
Chris knows every neighborhood, school district, and yes every great restaurant in the area. Let's talk about where you'll feel at home.