Eat at 15 of Ohio’s Oldest Restaurants

Ohio has plenty of creative chefs and new restaurants that serve up flavors of the world, but it also has plenty of landmark spots that have stood the test of time. These 15 restaurants have long histories and the stories that go with them. From the oldest continually operating business in Ohio (opened in 1803) to one of the first spots in Warren to serve pizza after World War II, these finds should be on your list of Ohio food road trips.

Kewpee Hamburgers
Est. 1928
This Lima burger spot’s original downtown location offers a retro feel and the same tasty burgers and shakes it has been serving for decades.

The Saratoga, Warren
Est. 1916
Harry Kapouralos opened The Saratoga in downtown Warren in 1916, with Harry Economos buying the restaurant in 1935 and his brother Nick later joining the operation. These days, Chrisi and Eric Economos, Harry Economos’ grandchildren, own the place and serve many workers from the nearby Trumbull County Courthouse on weekdays and local families for dinners on Thursday and Friday nights. The restaurant still has its wooden booths dating to 1928, and the menu here spans hearty breakfast options, a large sandwich list and dinners ranging from chopped sirloin steak to Italian fare like eggplant parmesan to seafood dishes such as broiled haddock. 129 E. Market St., Warren 44481, 330/393-6646, warrensaratoga.com

Tony Packo’s 
Est. 1932
This Toledo institution is known for Hungarian fare, autographed hot dog buns and a cameo in one of the most popular TV shows of the 1970s.

White Oaks Restaurant, Westlake
Est. 1928
When White Oaks Restaurant in Westlake opened in 1928, it was a speakeasy. A night watchman’s quarters kept an eye out for police, while patrons were served alcohol imported from France, Canada and Scotland. A photo wall filled with pictures shows the long history of the place, which was originally owned by Mike Spooner. Mike’s son, Byron, sold the place to Anthony Small in 1971, and these days his son, Michael Small, is the proprietor of White Oaks Restaurant. The fine-dining spot is known for its menu featuring beef Wellington (a specialty of the restaurant for over 40 years), roasted duck and bacon-wrapped filet mignon. 777 Cahoon Rd., Westlake 44145, 440/835-3090, white-oaks.com

Arnold’s Bar & Grill
Est. 1861
This Cincinnati institution pairs Prohibition-era history with long-standing menu items that contribute to its mythic reputation. 

The Golden Lamb, Lebanon
Est. 1803
Only one Ohio business has hosted author Charles Dickens, astronaut Neil Armstrong and a dozen U.S. presidents. When you’ve been around since 1803, you see a lot of people. The Golden Lamb in downtown Lebanon opened as both a hotel and restaurant just a few years into the 19th century and has continuously operated as such ever since. The place has even offered Thanksgiving dinner as long as there has been a Thanksgiving holiday. (Reservations fill up quickly when they open each July.) Patrons can visit the Black Horse Tavern before heading to The Golden Lamb dining room, where favorites such as The Golden Lamb Roast Turkey Dinner, Ohio Fried Chicken Dinner and shepherd’s pie, are among the timeless offerings available. 27 S. Broadway, Lebanon 45036, 513/932-5065, goldenlamb.com

Bun’s Restaurant
Est. 1864
Since the Civil War, this business in downtown Delaware has provided comfort and a warm meal in one form or another to generations of patrons. 

Spread Eagle Tavern & Inn, Hanoverton
Est. 1837
Will Rhodes opened this spot in the Columbiana County village of Hanoverton in 1837, and although his business made it to the end of the century, the building housing it became a private residence as the 1900s arrived. After the property was sold agin in 1988, its new owners wanted to bring the Spread Eagle Tavern & Inn back to its original flickering-candle-and-fireplace glory. The building still operates as an inn with five guest rooms and a two-bedroom guesthouse, while the restaurant’s dinner menu features favorites like beef Wellington and Maryland blue crab cakes 10150 Plymouth St., Hanoverton 44423, 330/223-1583, spreadeagletavern.com

Bender’s Tavern
Est. 1902
The oldest restaurant in Canton is known for its seafood, steaks and service. Since 1932, Jon Jacob’s family has owned this classic downtown spot. 

TAT Ristorante Di Famiglia, Columbus
Est. 1929
Pete Corrova named his TAT Ristorante Di Famiglia in honor of the Transcontinental Air Transport planes that flew over Columbus when the restaurant opened in 1929. Today, Pete’s grandchildren Marianne Corrova Kirkbride and Michelle Corrova continue the family’s legacy of Italian fare. Comfy booths and walls filled with photographs set the mood for a menu that includes Italian wedding and minestrone soups, a wealth of pasta dishes and a host of specialty pizzas. (TAT Ristorante is credited for introducing pizza to Columbus in 1934.) Those looking for something different should try the Special Lasagna, featuring homemade egg noodles, meat sauce and provolone cheese.  1210 S. James Rd., Columbus 43227, 614/236-1392, tatitalian.net

Guarino’s Restaurant
Est. 1918
This restaurant is the oldest in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood, paying tribute to the traditions and tastes of founder and Sicilian immigrant Vincenzo Guarino. 

Sunrise Inn, Warren
Est. 1929
Open since 1929, the Sunrise Inn was one of the first spots in Warren to serve pizza after World War II. Today, owners Thomas Adair and Ken Haidaris continue the legacy of brothers Angelo and Tom Haidaris, who expanded the restaurant in the 1970s after buying it from Laura and Charlie Murgie in the 1940s. (The Murgies bought it from original owner Joe Lanza.) Today, the menu spans burgers, sandwiches, wings, flatbreads and over a dozen pizzas, including the popular Old World Pizza with red sauce, green peppers and Romano cheese. Half of the pizza menu consists of deep-dish varieties, including lasagna and spaghetti-and-meatball versions. 510 E. Market St., Warren 44481, 330/392-5176, sunriseinnofwarren.com

Ye Olde Trail Tavern
Est. 1827
Hand-hewn walls, German fare and nearly 200 years of history are the hallmarks of this landmark spot along Xenia Avenue in downtown Yellow Springs. 

The Spot, Sidney
Est. 1907
Spot Miller brought his chuckwagon to town in 1907 and parked it at Court Street and Ohio Avenue. When local officials frowned on his selling from a mobile stand, he took the wheels off and added some awnings. After going through a few owners, Ray Anderson opened the first brick-and-mortar version of The Spot in 1934, which was destroyed by fire six years later. Soon after, the building was rebuilt, and the restaurant changed ownership a few times more. Michael Jannides owned it for 23 years before selling to current co-owners Andrew Spayde and Seth Middleton in summer 2025. Today, The Spot sports a 1950s diner vibe and a menu of classics like burgers and fries, hot dogs, pie and its popular pork tenderloin sandwich. 201 South St., Sidney 45365, 937/492-9181, thespottoeat.com

Ringside Cafe
Est. 1897
This landmark spot a few blocks from the Ohio Statehouse has a long boxing history that is celebrated in its lineup of gargantuan burgers named after the greats. 

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