Nicknamed the Glass City in honor of its legacy of glass production, Toledo, Ohio is a cosmopolitan city packed with fun things to do. Located on Lake Erie’s western tip and along the banks of the Maumee, it’s home to the Toledo Museum of Art, the Imagination Station children’s museum, and the Toledo Zoo.
With its location on the New York-Chicago railway line, Toledo is an easy city to visit and enjoy its thriving cultural scene, shopping, and diverse dining options. You’ll find great food served in atmospheric settings from rooftops to waterfront dining at the best restaurants in Toledo.
1. Final Cut Steak & Seafood
$$$ | 419-661-5381 | WEBSITE
In addition to its excellent location inside the Hollywood Casino and on the banks of the Maumee River, Final Cut Steak & Seafood is known for its world-class cuisine and an extensive list of international wines. The Final Cut also has a wide choice of local and imported beers.
The Final Cut serves signature steaks that are dry-aged for four weeks and only from corn-fed beef. Fresh seafood is imported from the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Gulf of Mexico.
The restaurant’s themed decor is from the golden age of Hollywood and waterfront views are available.
2. The Heights
$$ | 419-243-7565 | WEBSITE
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The Heights is a one-of-a-kind rooftop bar on the Renaissance Hotel’s top floor with a panoramic view of the Maumee River and city lights after dark.
Internationally-inspired cuisine is served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Wood-fired pizza is available from 2 pm to 3 pm. The snacks are as unique as the restaurants and include items like buffalo cauliflower bites. Plates on the menu include spinach and cheese ravioli and blackened steak fries.
Enjoy craft beers, fine wines, and signature cocktails any night of the week in the indoor dining room or on the expansive patio.
3. Koreana Asian Grill & Sushi
$ | 419-867-8080 | WEBSITE
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After an afternoon of Toledo shopping, stop by the Koreana Asian Grill & Sushi, a Korean restaurant serving Korean and Japanese dishes, and a cozy cocktail lounge. It’s located in the South Village Square Shopping Center.
Try the chicken, shrimp, or seafood stir fry from the main menu, or maki rolls and kimbap from the sushi menu. From the bar, you’ll have a wide choice of domestic and international beers and fine wines. Indulge in the Asian theme with a cup of sake served hot or cold.
Koreana is perfect for vegetarians wanting tasty food options.
4. Mancy’s Italian Grill
$$ | 419-882-9229 | WEBSITE
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A hot spot for a late-night date, Mancy’s serves authentic Italian fare from wood-fired pizza to prime meat dishes. The founder was from the Isle of Crete and brought his family’s cooking secrets with him.
These traditional Italian flavors are tasted in homemade pasta, hand-tossed dough, and slow-simmered sauces. All of the food is prepared in an Italian open kitchen.
Enjoy a yummy dessert like tiramisu, a classic cocktail, dessert liquor, or a specialty coffee after dinner in the plush, softly lit dining room.
5. Registry Bistro
$$ | 419-725-0444 | WEBSITE
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The Registry Bistro is an upscale restaurant located in a restored historic building in downtown Toledo. The atmosphere is perfect for a romantic dinner for two with Juliette balconies overlooking the city.
A wide variety of tasty selections are offered on a menu featuring Nibble & Nosh, Light Fare, Main, and Shareable Boards. Soups & Salads are available on the side. The fare is contemporary with signature dishes like Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Bone Marrow Butter and Potatoe Frittata. The dishes are based on American and European classics.
After your meal, enjoy a yummy sampling of desserts from a Sharable Sweets Board.
6. Grumpy’s
$$ | 419-241-6728 | WEBSITE
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Grumpy’s dine-in, carry-out, or delivery serves some of the finest sandwiches and salads in Toledo. Boasting as the home of the “Garbage Salad,” these salads are complete meals with an array of fresh veggies, meats, cheeses, nuts, and fruits.
Try the Nantucket Summer Garbage Salad featuring grilled chicken, goat cheese, spicy pecans, and lots of healthy greens. Sandwiches range from burgers to Rubens to thick grilled bologna on a brioche bun. Preorder a specialty dessert like Mile High Apple Pie.
Whether you order in or dine out at the downtown location, Grumpy’s made-from-scratch food is fresh and delicious.
7. Burger Bar 145
$$ | 419-593-0073 | WEBSITE
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Don’t be fooled by the name of this establishment. In addition to the best burgers in town, the Burger Bar has an amazing selection of salads and appetizers, such as loaded sriracha tots, fried green beans, and cheeseburger eggrolls.
Be sure to save room for one of Bar 419’s amazing burgers. There’s the Ghost Burger with ghost pepper cheese and crispy fried jalapenos, the Bloody Mary burger seasoned with house-made Bloody Mary sauce, and the Simpleton with whipped cream cheese, bacon, roasted mushrooms, and onions.
You can also enjoy cocktails and live music at Bar 145.
8. Rosie’s Italian Grille
$$-$$$ | 419-866-5007 | WEBSITE
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Rosie’s Italian Grille grew out of Rosie Baron’s modest kitchen in 1982 to become a Toledo staple. The menu features delicious Tuscany-inspired pasta dishes and entrees like Chicken Marsala and Bungalow Shrimp. Or try the homemade gourmet spinach-artichoke shrimp.
Weight watchers will appreciate the Skinny Pizza made with a cauliflower crust and savory toppings.
Rosie’s Mediterranean decor creates a romantic vibe with rustic stone walls and wood paneling. There’s an outdoor patio with pretty flowers and small fountains, and the mood livens up with live music on Tues-Sats from 6-9 pm.
9. Tony Packo’s
$ | 419-691-1953 | WEBSITE
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Tony Packo’s is a unique restaurant that serves Hungarian food and hot dogs. The owners named it Tony Packo’s after the name was mentioned on the TV show M*A*S*H. It’s a cool restaurant with a laid-back vibe and an interesting combination of fares you’ve probably never tried.
The food can be described as an American-Hungarian fusion with items like chicken paprikas and fried pickles. But a must-try is the Tony Packo hot dog with mustard, shredded cheese, and onions.
Stop and admire the wall of autographed hot dog buns to look for famous names.
10. Fowl and Fodder
$$$ | 419-214-1588 | WEBSITE
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Located in a 200-year-old restored building, the Fowl and Fodder is one of the Toledo area’s best organic restaurants. Fresh, locally-sourced ingredients are emphasized and dishes are made from scratch and with a unique twist on Southern fare. As the chef says, “eclectic and hyper-seasonal.”
The menu at Fowl and Fodder caters to those looking for gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian diners. Try the Almond Chicken Wrap featuring almond-crusted chicken tenders, miso cabbage slaw, Chipotle crema, and chile mango, or the BLT with fried green tomatoes.
11. Maumee Bay Brewing Co
$$ | 419 243-1302 | WEBSITE
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Located in the old historic Olive Building under the High Level Bridge, Maumee Bay Brewing Co is a craft brewery making tasty beers and serving traditional American fare. As one of Toledo’s top-rated restaurants, it blends fine dining with a casual atmosphere with exposed brick walls and black tablecloths.
Begin your meal with a great appetizer like Dill Pickle Bread or a giant pretzel and follow with Buckeye Beer Cheese Soup. Sandwiches, wood-fired pizza, burgers, salads, and specialty sandwiches are offered. Entrees like Honey-Lime Chicken and Asian Salmon are available after 4 pm.
12. Ye Olde Durty Bird
$$ | 419-243-2473 | WEBSITE
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A classic tavern and Toledo’s best gastropub, Ye Olde Durty Bird serves American dishes in a traditional British pub style. It’s located in an old, beautifully restored circa 1867 building.
The Durty Bird’s menu features creative burgers and sandwiches, chicken, steak, pasta, and salads. Yummy desserts, cocktails, wine, and beer are served.
Start your meal with a great appetizer like Beef Sliders or Calamari Fries and a cocktail. Then move on to an entree such as a Dirty Chili Mac or pub-style Fish n’ Chips. The Durty Bird is a good place to have fun and food with a crowd.
13. Home Slice Pizza
$ | 419-724-7437 | WEBSITE
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Dine on authentic New York-style pizza in Downtown Toledo at Home Slice Pizza. Fun and creative pizzas, such as Potato Pizza and Margarita Pizza are offered. Or go traditional with the Deluxe Soprano featuring pepperoni, sausage, green peppers, mushrooms, and onions. A meat lover’s dream comes true with the Carnivore Pizza piled high with ham, sausage, pepperoni, and bacon.
Sandwiches are also on the menu from Subs to Stromboli and all are made fresh to order. Sides include salads, wings, meatballs, cheese bread, and mozzarella sticks.
Home Slice is a must-try for pizza lovers. Draft beers and cocktails are on tap.
Summary
Toledo, Ohio is a city of diversity and full of fun things to see and do. Foodies exploring the city will find delicious fare, including American, international, traditional, and unique options, which are as diverse as the city itself. Whether you want a casual meal or elegant dining, you’ll find it in Toledo.
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
Not a complete list… missing some of the best!
Tony packos was not named after mash. Mash referenced Tony packos after Tony packos was established.
What about the Beirut? Haven’t been in Toledo in a very long time but that was a favorite!
Yes, you’re right. Beirut is one of the best, long-standing restaurants in Toledo!