FAVORITE OHIO DINERS
Yep. I have thing for diners. Not sure if it’s the cute bar stools, the down home cookin’ or how they have become such a part of my traveling road life. There is nothing like a small town diner. I think I have an addiction. Some friends call me “Queen of the Diners”.
Time to share.
During my road trip travels through Ohio, I have enjoyed many of Ohio’s diners. Below are just a few of the notable diners I have found. In order to make my diner list, a diner must have diner stools or it needs to offer that diner experience.
This list will be updated as I visit more diners.
(Last update: May 3, 2024)
(Please be courteous when sharing our diner list. Give My Ohio Fun credit and linkage.*)
OHIO DINER STOPS
Things to know before you go:
– All diners are listed in alphabetical order. Location and county noted.
– Check the diners open times before heading out. What is listed may change.
BUCKEYE EXPRESS DINER
Address: 810 State Route 97 W Bellville, Ohio 44813
buckeyeexpressdiner.com
If you love trains and you are an Ohio State Buckeye fan, this diner is for you. Located high on a hill overlooking I-71, this roadside stop has been serving American favorites to tourist and locals.
Open every day, you will find a selection of burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, wraps, sides, salads, and their homemade fries.
EAT-N-RUN
Address: 1323 Kenmore Blvd., Akron (Summit County NE OH)
I found this little diner just by chance. The staff will tell you they are the best kept secret in the area. Don’t bring your credit cards, this diner is cash only.
Serving breakfast and lunch.
Soups, sandwiches, dinners and more.
Things to know before you go:
🔹Closed on Mondays. T-F 6am-2pm
Sat-Sun 6am-1pm (breakfast only)
🔹 Parking is in the center of the road. Directly across the entrance.
🔹 CASH only.
🔹 Walker accessible. Not wheelchair.
Bud’s Diner
Address: 505 W. @nd St., Defiance, OH 43512 (Defiance County NW OH )
Tele: 419-782-9101 | budsrestaurantdefiance.com
CHLOE’S DINER
Address: 112 1st St. NE, Massillon, OH 44646
330.880.0104 | chloesdiner.com
Car enthusiasts rejoice. This diner not only makes famous sliders, you get to enjoy your meal while taking in the views of classic cars and memorabilia.
CIRCLE RESTAURANT
Address: 1290 OH-14, Deerfield, OH (Portage County NE OH)
circle-restaurant-restaurant.business.site
Can you say “HUGE” pancakes? Serving breakfast anytime, the Circle Restaurant is the area’s go to place for homestyle cooking. The Circle Restaurant less than 6 miles south from I-76.
Side trip: Just down the road is the Deerfield Cemetery. One its a historic site of Rachel Grant, U.S. President’s grandmother. Second the cemetery is the resting place for a little Indian boy.
CISSY’S DINER
Address: 465 W. Park Ave., Barberton, OH (Summit County NE OH)
This family owned diner is located inside the old Barberton post office, You can even see some of the boxes on the back wall. Local favorite that only accepts CASH.
Side trip: Al’s Meats. Just around the corner is Al’s Meat and Restaurant, If you love Hungarian sausage, paprikash, cabbage rolls and meat from the butcher, you might want to make a quick stop.
DEE’S 50’S PLACE DINER
Address: 581 Norton Ave., Barberton, OH (Summit County NE OH)
facebook.com
Listen to 50’s music as you enjoy your meal at Dee’s. Dee’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner items. All the American classics. Make sure to check the daily special list before ordering.
Diner 23
Address: 300 W Emmitt Ave, Waverly, OH 45690 (Pike County SW OH)
Tele: 740-941-1144 | diner23.com
Diner on 55th
Address: 1328 E 55th St, Cleveland, OH 44103 (Cuyahoga County NE OH)
Tele: 216-417-8001 | dineron55th.com
EAST SIDE LAMP POST
Address: 2146 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44312 (Summit County NE OH)
330.733.5308 | Facebook
This little dinner with it’s 50’s feel and red bar stools may be known for staying open late and serving their famous “He-Man” breakfast platter ( 3 eggs, double order of hash browns, biscuits & gravy, pancakes, meat and a side of toast), but don’t under estimate their burgers or their hand dipped milk shakes. Even their soup of the day was delicious.
Menu items include American classics like burgers, fries, salads, soups, fried chicken, dinners, and those hand dipped milk shakes. Kids menu available.
Things to know before you go:
🔹Breakfast and dinner is served all day.
🔹Make sure your check out their “specials” board.
🔹Parking is available on-site.
FRED’S DINER
Address: 930 Home Ave., Akron, OH 44310 (Summit County NE OH)
All I can say is, it’s a “Baconfest” when you order their breakfast with bacon. Not just one or two pieces, you get a nice portion of their “fried” bacon. No wonder this unassuming diner is such an area favorite.
Menu includes breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, soup, burgers, dinner selections including pork chops and fried ocean perch.
Things to know before you go:
🔹 Open: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 6 am to 3 pm, except major holidays. (Posted on website.)
🔹Parking is available on-site.
🔹Seating area fills up. Allow time if crowded. Word is out.
🔹Cash and credit cards accepted.
Fresh Start Diner
Address: 9810 Ravenna Rd., Twinsburg, OH 44087
This small diner packs them in. First diner I have been in where there is a bell that is wrong when the kitchen receives tip.
JIM’S OPEN KITCHEN
Address: 33779 Aurora Road, Solon, OH (Cuyahoga County NE OH)
Tele: 440-349-1678 | Facebook page.
This small diner has been serving up breakfast and lunch since 1959. Favorites include their homemade sausage gravy, special breakfast and lunch combinations. The kitchen is only open from 7am-1pm daily.
JOHNNY’S DINER
Address: 180 W. Streetsboro Road, Hudson, OH 44236
johnnysdinerhudson.com
Grab breakfast, lunch or dinner at this diner. Located in a shopping plaza, you will find all those diner selections, as well as, Johnny’s famous chili, Grand Slam burgers and ice cream sundaes. This diner get’s extra points for the leg lamp.
Side trip: Allow time to shop Hudson’s Main Street and First & Main.
JR GRINDER
Address: 400 W Main St #1478, Canfield, OH 44406 (Mahoning County NE OH)
330.702.8782 | jrgrinder.com
Step inside JR Grinder and you will be taken back to the 50’s & 60’s. This local diner with bright colors serves up subs, hand-dipped milkshakes, floats, malts, breakfast items, pizza, as well as grinders. Order a sandwich and you will be treated to a piece of bubble gum. How retro is that?
Side trips:
If you enjoy looking for hidden treasurers, the Mahoning County Visitor & Convention Bureau has put together a shopping trail for you. Details can be found here.
Another cool stop is the TP Tools Auto Museum.
Location: 7075 State Route 446,Canfield, OH 44406
1.800.321.9260 | LEARN MORE.
Open every Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
If your road trip brings you to the area on a Saturday, and you love cars, a pit stop at the TP Tools Auto Museum should be on your itinerary. Over 500 classic cars are on display. Don’t forget to bring your camera, because not only are you going to want to take photos of the cars, you are going to want to take photos of all the different store themes recreated. Did I mention FREE ADMISSION?
Lava Rock Grill ~ Unusual Junction Diner
Address: 56310 US-36, West Lafayette, OH 43845 (Coshocton County Central OH)
Tele: 740-545-9772 | theunusualjunction.com
Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe – “The Gum Wall”
Address: 125 N. Broadway St., Greenville, OH 45331 (Darke County SW Ohio)
Tele: 937-548-9340 | maidrite-greenville.com
MARY’S DINER
Address: 666 E. Main St., Geneva, OH 44041 (Ashtabula County NE OH)
Tele: 440-466-6393 | marysdiner.com
Sit me down with a cup of coffee and a good book and I could spend all day at this busy little diner, located in the heart of Ohio’s Wine Country.
Minerva Classic A 50’s Diner
Address: 317 E. Lincolnway, Minerva, OH 44657 (Stark County NE OH)
Tele: 330-868-3684 | Facebook
NANCY’S MAIN STREET DINER
Address: 426 Main St., Grafton, OH 44044 (Medina County NE OH)
Tele: 440-926-2462 |nancysdiner.net
This charming diner will take you back to the 50’s. All your favorite homestyle dishes are served.
Nutcracker Family Restaurant
Address: 63 E. Broad St., Pataskala, OH 43062
Tele: 740-964-0058 | nutcrackerfamilyrestaurant.com
OLDIES & GOODIES FAMILY DINER
Address” 641 Massillon Rd., Akron, OH 44306 (Summit County NE OH)
Facebook
This small family run business may not look like much from the outside, but the locals have no problem with that. Find classic breakfasts, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and daily specials.
Schmucker’s Restaurant
Address: 2103 N Reynolds Rd., Toledo, OH 43615 (Lucas County NW OH)
Tele: 419-535-9116 | schmuckersrestaurant.com
ORIGINAL HARLEY DINER
inside South East Harley-Davidson
Address: 23105 Aurora Rd, Bedford Heights, OH 44146 (Cuyahoga County NE OH)
Tele: 440-439-5900 |southeastharley.com/Diner
Hours: Check website.
In 1946, the Diner, named Leo’s Diner, was originally located in Rochester, New Hampshire. In 1989 the Meyers brought the diner to their dealership, where it has been located inside the South East Harley-Davidson store ever since. The diner menu consists of breakfast and lunch diner favorites, including burgers, hot dogs, tuna sandwiches and wraps, hot dogs, salads, breakfast plates and sandwiches and more. You will even find an Elvis owned motorcycle sitting in front of the diner. Who knows, after you enjoy your meal and start looking around you may even leave with a new Harley.
THE COFFEE POT
Address: 202 2nd St., NW., Barberton, OH (Summit County NE OH)
This little diner is located right in Downtown Barberton. Their menu selection includes breakfast favorites, sandwiches and salads.
THE DEPOT
Address: 80 Grant St, Rittman, OH 44270 (Wayne County NE OH)
Tele: 330-925-2600 | Facebook
This stop may not have diner stools, but a repurposed train station always makes my list. Family owned, this adorable diner serves a variety of breakfast and lunch items, including biscuits and gravy, homemade soups, salads and sandwiches.
THE ENCHANTED CAFE
Address: 559 Norton Ave., Barberton, OH (Summit County NE OH)
Facebook
Breakfast dishes including eggs benedict. Burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, daily specials and delicious home made baklava. Take time to view the charming “enchanted” artwork throughout the diner.
THE TIN GOOSE DINER
Address: 3515 E. State Rd., Port Clinton, OH 43452 (Ottawa County NW OH)
Tele: 419.732.0236 |tingoosediner.com
There is just something unique and fun about eating at an old-fashioned diner. Maybe it’s the 50’s music, or the home-style foods, or the taste of a real milk-shake or malt from an old-fashioned soda-fountain. Every time seems special.
Click here to read more.
THE VILLAGE DINER
Address: 28149 Miles Rd., Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
440.248.1332 |thevillagediner.com
Breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, corned beef, homemade soups and specials is what you will find being served at The Village Diner.
Triple Nickel Diner
Address: 1060 High St, Chesterhill, OH 43728 (Morgan County SE OH)
Tele: 740-554-3299 | triplenickeldiner.com
Are you diner looking to be added to our list?
Reach out and request a visit.
IF YOU LIKE ROOT BEER STOPS
Article and photos, unless noted by: Diane R,, MyOhioFun.com
Diane is the owner and editor of MyOhioFun.com. She is an avid baker, gardener, Little Free Library owner, who loves to read and travel. She spends most of her days sharing her love of things to do in Ohio, as well as creating destinations and itineraries for group tours and individual travelers.
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