A Tiny Town In Ohio, Athens Has The Most Scrumdiddilyumptious Restaurants
If you had to pick a community with the best small town restaurants in Ohio, which town would you pick?
The small city of Athens, Ohio isn’t just a quaint college town with a beautiful campus. It’s also hiding some of the most delicious restaurants in the state — all in one place. From massive burritos to scrumptious international cuisine, you’ll have a hard time deciding where to eat lunch here. Take a look:
With a population of a little more than 25,000, this beautiful college town has no shortage of delicious places to eat.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this beloved Athens eatery features the area's best Mexican cuisine, made with fresh, local ingredients. On the weekends, business really picks up, so expect a wait. If the wait is too long for you, we suggest grabbing a seat on the bodega side. Casa Nueva is located at 6 W State St., Athens, OH 45701.
You'll never eat a bagel the same again after you experience what a bagel can truly be, thanks to this unique deli in Athens, which features several signature bagel sandwiches. Bagel Street Deli is located at 27 S Court St., Athens, OH 45701.
Where the seating is limited and the burritos are more than satisfying, this local favorite is especially popular among Ohio University students. Big Mama's Burritos has two locations in Athens. Pictured is the South Court Street location at 10 S Court St, Athens, OH 45701.
For some of the most delicious, authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, visit Restaurant Salaam. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it perfect for a date night. You'll find Restaurant Salaam at 21 W Washington St.,
Athens, OH 45701.
Where the sides are just as satisfying as the signature rotisserie chicken, OMG! Rotisserie features some of southeast Ohio's best soul food. Pictured is the Quarter Chicken (breast and wing) with mashed potatoes, gravy and slow cooked green beans with a corn bread muffin. You'll find it at 139 Columbus Rd., Athens, OH 45701.
If you really want to impress your date, Zoe is another popular date night choice. Featuring upscale American cuisine and seafood, you'll find a wide variety of options here. (Pictured is the Filet Mignon.) Zoe is located at 24 E State St., Athens, OH 45701.
Have you ever been to this town? If so, what’s your favorite place to eat while you’re here? Let us know in the comments below!
There is so much to adore about small town Ohio, no matter which of our 88 counties you’re visiting. However, some shine over others as the very best places to grow up.
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Address: 6 W State St, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Address: 27 S Court St, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Address: 10 S Court St, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Address: 15 W State St, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Address: 21 W Washington St, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Address: 139 Columbus Rd, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Address: 24 1/2 E State St, Athens, OH 45701, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Small Town Restaurants In Ohio
March 15, 2020
Nikki Rhoades
What are the other best local restaurants in Ohio?
There’s so much to love about The Buckeye State. It’s a vast landscape from North to South, and it seems that its many small towns and cities all vary greatly in terms of their personalities and selection of local dining destinations. Nonetheless, the best local restaurants in Ohio are often those that have the most modest atmospheres. Mom and pop diners are coveted by Ohioans whether you’re near Cleveland, Cincinnati, or Amish Country. We also love eateries with unusual themes – you can dine in former jails here, or you can go down the rabbit hole and enjoy ice cream in an Alice in Wonderland themed parlor.
What Ohio restaurants belong on my dining bucket list?
If you’re wondering where to eat in Ohio, it’s never a bad idea to ask locals for suggestions. There are thousands and thousands of restaurants situation amidst the state’s 44,825 square miles, so it is difficult to narrow down the search to a mere handful of dining destinations worth visiting. However, it isn’t too hard once you narrow down your search to a few categories, like comfort food and ethnic eats.
What is the best small town to visit in Ohio?
There are so many incredible small towns worth visiting in Ohio! Each varies in terms of its culture, but each has its own charm that is, to a degree, irresistible. You can visit petite towns like Chagrin Falls in Greater Cleveland, or you can escape to a cozy farm town out in Amish Country. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll fall in love with the splendor of the Ohio landscape and the casual, laid-back attitudes of our local populations.
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April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
