9 Hometown Restaurants In Ohio That Will Take You Back In Time

The local, historic restaurants tucked away in small towns are the best kind of restaurants. With at-home atmospheres, interesting backstories and delicious home-cooked cuisine, these are the kinds of restaurants that can whisk you back to a simpler time―and make you want to stay awhile. Here are 9 of our favorite hometown restaurants in Ohio that will take you back in time.

1. Big Ed’s Main Street Soda Grill (Vermillion)

If you feel like traveling back in time, this vintage 1930s style restaurant and soda fountain in Vermilion is the place for you. The soda fountain ice cream treats here are what your taste buds have been waiting for. Big Ed's Main Street Soda Grill is located at 5502 Liberty Ave., Vermilion, OH 44089. To learn more, click here.

2. Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen (Mt Hope)

For some of the best old-fashioned cooking in Ohio, be sure to check out this Amish Country gem. Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen features a hearty buffet, delicious homemade pies and an at-home atmosphere we know you'll love. It is located at 8101 State Route 241, Mt. Hope, OH 44660. To learn more, visit their website here.

3. Hart Mansion Restaurant (Minerva)

Tucked away on a scenic hillside, you'll find the Hart Mansion Restaurant, overlooking the small town of Minerva. The building, originally built in 1869, is situated on 4 gorgeous, rural acres and features beautiful Italianate architecture. Today, the mansion is fully restored and has been transformed into an elegant, quiet restaurant. (Please note: Dress is business casual, reservations are required and the restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.) It is located at 411 N Main St., Minerva, OH 44657. Click here to learn more.

4. The Olde Dutch Restaurant (Logan)

For some of the best Amish cuisine in southeast Ohio, check out this beloved family-friendly restaurant. (And be sure to visit the Logan Antique Mall while you're in the area.) The Olde Dutch Restaurant is located at 12791 Ohio State Route 664, South Logan, OH 43138. To learn more, visit their website here.

5. Nancy's Main Street Diner (Grafton)

Don't make the mistake of skipping out on dessert or a fountain soda at this old-fashioned, beloved diner that will take you on a trip down memory lane. Nancy's Main Street Diner is located at 426 Main St., Grafton, OH 44044. To learn more, visit their website here.

6. The Schoolhouse Restaurant (Camp Dennison)

This refurbished school house was built in the early 1860s during the Civil War. The Camp Dennison School was in operation from 1864 through 1954, and it is rumored to have been the first two-room, two-story school house in the Midwest. Today, it serves visitors many traditional homemade favorites such as fried chicken, meat loaf and mashed potatoes. It is located at 8031 Glendale Milford Rd., Camp Dennison, OH 45111. To learn more, visit their website here.

7. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus und Restaurant (Columbus)

For the best German cuisine in Ohio (and a friendly ghost sighting or two), go to 240 E Kossuth St., Columbus, OH 43206. This popular German Village eatery has been a well-known sausage haus in central Ohio since 1886. To learn more, visit their website here.

8. Amish Door Restaurant (Wilmot)

Set in an oversized Amish style home that has a seating capacity of 450, this restaurant is located in Wilmont. Guests can also choose to have a full family sized Amish style meal prepared instead of individual orders. Amish Door is located at 1210 Winesburg St., Wilmot, OH 44689. To learn more, visit their website here.

9. The Golden Lamb (Lebanon)

Ohio’s oldest continuously operated hotel was established in 1803 and holds a unique dining experience, complete with antique furnishings, themed dining rooms and historic rooms upstairs where famous individuals such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and several U.S. Presidents have stayed. Visitors can either dine in The Lebanon Room (pictured), The Dickens Room, Buckeye Dining Room or The Shaker Room. The Golden Lamb is located at 27 S Broadway St., Lebanon, OH 45036. To learn more, visit their website here.

Have you been to any of these hometown restaurants in Ohio? What other local eateries take you back in time? Share your thoughts, photos and experiences with us! And if you know another must-visit eatery in the Buckeye State, nominate it for a chance to be featured.

For more classic restaurants in Ohio, check out our previous article, 13 Small Town Restaurants In Ohio Where Everyone Knows Your Name.