The 18 Best Restaurants in Dayton, Ohio

Open for: Dinner, with brunch and lunch on weekends

Price range: $$$

This beloved joint is tucked into a charmingly disheveled old building at the western entrance to the Oregon District. Whether sitting indoors in one of several cozy dining rooms or outdoors on one of two patios hemmed by plants, start brunch with powdered beignets and strawberry jam as a precursor to a lox bagel, or try the excellent poke bowls or fried chicken for dinner. The decor is loosely tropical, and the bar pours tiki-inspired cocktails, mocktails, and $3 Narragansett pints. A delightfully divey sister establishment, Blind Bob’s, sits across the street, where you’ll find the city’s best late-night drunk snack: hula hoops, aka battered and fried pineapple rings dipped in cinnamon-coconut sauce.

Must-try dish: Any dish with their famous fried chicken, like the chicken and waffles for brunch or Southern fried chicken sandwich for dinner.

David Nilsen