Restaurants in Ohio are as diverse as the Buckeye State herself. From fine dining and farm-to-table restaurants to beloved pizza chains and longstanding diners, foodies have much to celebrate in Ohio. So when a reader nominates a little-known restaurant in Ohio that’s housed in, of all places a former bank building, well, my interest was piqued! Just north of Dayton, Coldwater Café is an American restaurant with a robust menu of new and old classics; and indeed, just like the vaults that once held valuable contents within its walls, it’s a hidden gem that might be the best-kept secret in Ohio.

There's a popular saying among foodies that we "eat with our eyes first." Translation? Dining should be a total sensory experience -- one that begins even before the first bite.
Weston Zimmerman/Google Local
When you have the pleasure of dining at Coldwater Café, you'll understand this sentiment, as every dish on the menu is a work of visual, edible art.
Laura Beardsley/Google Local
This restaurant is located in Tipp City, a suburb just north of Dayton -- and folks who frequent it (because once you visit, you'll become a regular) know it as the best-kept dining secret in Ohio.
Coldwater Cafe/Facebook
The restaurant earns high marks for its dinner entrees; this meal is a multi-course affair with premium offerings such as filet mignon and oven-roasted duck.
Caleb Lusk/Google Local

Related Stories

One Of The Best Restaurants In Ohio Is Hiding In This Small Ohio Town

One Of The Best Restaurants In Ohio Is Hiding In This Small Ohio Town

 Feast On Scrumptious Ohio BBQ That Has Won Dozen Of Awards

Feast On Scrumptious Ohio BBQ That Has Won Dozen Of Awards

 The Best Pizza In Ohio Is Hiding Miles Down A Rural Road, But It's So Worth The Effort

The Best Pizza In Ohio Is Hiding Miles Down A Rural Road, But It's So Worth The Effort
Of course, lunch is equally noteworthy; with a robust menu of delicious classics such as burgers, deluxe salads, street tacos, and sandwiches, you'll face quite the delicious dining dilemma! My advice? Go with the Fried Green Tomato Grilled Cheese, a fan favorite worth writing home about.
Coldwater Cafe/Facebook
The fare isn't the only thing that sets this restaurant apart. Interestingly enough, the first floor of this restaurant once belonged to a bank (complete with a vault that has a seven-ton door!), the upstairs dining room once housed a dentist office!
Coldwater Cafe/Facebook
Of course, while the inside of this Dayton restaurant is wonderfully cozy and wholly unique, its outdoor patio wins customers over, providing an impossibly charming al fresco dining experience.
Coldwater Cafe/Facebook
No matter when you dine at this Dayton restaurant, or what you order, one thing's certain: when you visit Coldwater Café, you're in for a wholly memorable and delicious dining experience. Cheers!
Coldwater Cafe/Facebook

Have you dined at Coldwater Café before? If you’ve yet to experience the dining delight that is Coldwater Café, definitely make plans to change that! And if you have eaten at this establishment, tell us: do you agree it’s perhaps the best-kept restaurant in Ohio?

Another amazing hidden gem in Dayton? This 1917 Mansion with its own outdoor pool! What an extraordinary place to stay in this extraordinary town.

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

Related Articles

Explore Ohio

Featured Addresses
Coldwater Café, 19 E Main St, Tipp City, OH 45371, USA