Here are some of Dayton’s best hidden gem dining destinations. These places are either new, tucked away, off the beaten path or simply a casual spot with great food and chill vibe that you might be looking for this weekend — or anytime.
>>Restaurant highlights for January: New Colombian restaurant, return of IHOP, surprising closings
💎BAR GRANADA
5 W. Monument Ave., Dayton | 937-221-8310 | Website | Facebook
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Why it rates: You could argue that its placement, on the corner of Monument and Main before the bridge, would discount Bar Granada as a hidden gem. But the bold flavors served inside the restaurant's walls are a best-kept secret and will surprise patrons who otherwise knew the space as The Wine Gallery. The couple who operates the LatinArepas food truck pumps out big flavors from the relatively small space. The festive food, which includes arepas, rice bowls and tacos is a delight for the eyes and the taste buds.
>>MORE: Big, bold flavors found at restaurant at the back of the bar
💎BUCKHORN TAVERN
8800 Meeker Road, Dayton | 937-890-3261 | Website | Facebook
Why it rates: The Buckhorn Tavern is a restaurant that you either know about or, more than likely, don't. Located on the Stillwater River, not too far from Englewood MetroPark, this is a rustic steakhouse that has been serving hungry diners since 1943. Best known for its flavorful ribs and grilled steaks, the Buckhorn Tavern menu offers plenty of other options as well. Most are priced at less than $15 a meal for dinner — a value for dinner anymore.
>>MORE: Why this tavern just north of Dayton is a throwback favorite
💎CALYPSO GRILL AND SMOKEHOUSE
1535 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs | 937-767-9000 | Website | Facebook
Why it rates: When you can't be in the Caribbean soaking up the sun, at least you can enjoy authentic Latin-Caribbean cuisine here. Discover this Yellow Springs restaurant in an old KFC decorated with bright Caribbean colors. The restaurant opened in spring 2018 and is the brainchild of Brian Rainey, the chef and owner of Yellow Springs' beloved Sunrise Cafe. The menu features jerk chicken (including smoked jerk chicken wings), pork belly, empanadas, sweet plantains, ropa vieja, mojito-garlic shrimp and more. Calypso Grill also serves a scrumptious Sunday brunch. How does Banana Coconut French Toast with Honey Rum Pineapple and a Pineapple Mango Mimosa sound?
>> The DREAMY Caribbean food at Yellow Springs grill will help you escape winter
💎CHIAPAS MEXICAN GRILL
298 N. Main St., Centerville | 937-949-3390 | Website | Facebook
2733 West Alex Bell Road, Moraine | 937-952-6005 | Facebook
Credit: MARK FISHER/STAFF
Credit: MARK FISHER/STAFF
Why it rates: The Centerville restaurant has been around since late 2015, while the Moraine location opened in the former Chappy's space just last year. The highlights here include an immensely satisfying Pozole soup made with chicken and hominy, and Fajitas, which can be ordered as steak, chicken, shrimp or as the show-stopping Fajitas de Seafood, featuring a tilapia filet, grilled shrimp, bay scallops and crab with bell peppers, onions and tomatoes served alongside the traditional rice, beans, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, tortillas and pico de gallo.
>> Where you will discover some of the best (and most unexpected) Mexican food in town
💎CHRISTOPHER’S RESTAURANT
2318 E. Dorothy Lane, Kettering | 937-299-0089 | Website | Facebook
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
Why it rates: Tucked away in a Kettering shopping plaza, this restaurant has been serving fresh and delicious locally sourced food for nearly three decades. At Christopher's, you always know what you're going to get: quality ingredients, comfortable and familiar recipes, a cozy atmosphere and affordable prices. Christopher's is also known for its vegetarian and vegan menu options. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers weekly specials including cabbage rolls on Monday and vegan dishes on Wednesday. Some of our favorite dishes include The Brother Reuben and the Hot Cheese Supreme sandwiches, the vegetarian chili, the maple mustard glazed pork chop and the grilled edamame and carrots over soba noodles and vegetable strudel. Christopher's also has a nice selection of craft beer and wine, and house-made desserts.
>> Kettering restaurant is sold to two of its customers
💎GREENFIRE BISTRO
965 W. Main St., Tipp City | 937-667-6664 | Website | Facebook
Credit: Greenfire Bistro
Credit: Greenfire Bistro
Why it rates: Located just off Interstate 75 in Tipp City, you will find a world-class experience at Asian-seafood fusion restaurant Greenfire Bistro. Originally named Chin's Ginger Grill, the restaurant was the brainchild of one of Dayton's most beloved chefs Art Chin. When Chin retired in 2019, he handed over the reins to Adam Berning. The restaurant is famous for its Asian cuisine, seafood, sandwiches, pastas and stir-fries, as well as filet, lamb, pork and more. It also has a great wine and beer selection. There is a fresh fish market located behind Greenfire that supplies the restaurant for all its seafood dishes. View the full menu here.
>> Discover some of Dayton’s best and most affordable seafood
💎HOSHI RAMEN
2820 Colonel Glenn Highway, Fairborn | 937-318-8006 | Facebook
Credit: Hoshi Ramen
Credit: Hoshi Ramen
Why it rates: To get a flavor of Hoshi Ramen, check out these descriptions of two specials running from Feb. 13-16, 2020: "The first special will be Tonkatsu with a cabbage salad! 8 ounces of deep-fried pork cutlet with a cabbage salad, topped with homemade black sesame dressing, rice, and our tonkatsu sweet brown sauce. Our other special is Beef Taiwanese noodle soup. Made with very tender beef, bok choy, cilantro, Szechuan peppercorn, and a white noodle. This soup is very rich in flavor with many secret Chinese herbs and spices."
>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Grand opening set for new Ramen eatery near WSU
💎KUNG FU NOODLE
2801 S. Dixie Drive #3, Kettering | 937-938-9027 | Facebook
Why it rates: You might just miss it if you didn't know where to look as you're driving down Dixie. The very modest west Kettering restaurant only seats 22 guests, but don't let its interior fool you. The small but mighty eatery will blow you away with unique and flavorful dishes that you won't find anywhere else in Dayton. True to its namesake, their fresh, hand-pulled noodles make each dish they're featured in a delight. The aromatic Lanzhou beef noodle soup is a classic that's noodles harken back to China's Tang Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago. Other standouts on the menu include the braised beef noodle soup, steamed cold noodles and the Dan Dan noodles. If you're feeling less adventurous, you can't go wrong with their stir fries or fried rice dishes.
>>MORE: Why customers are going crazy for this new noodle destination
💎LA COLOMBIANA
2495 Commons Blvd., Beavercreek | 937-306-8096 | Website | Facebook
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Why it rates: This little family-owned eatery is a gem, though it might not be the first restaurant you think of when deciding where to eat near the Mall at Fairfield Commons. The menu is filled with traditional and approachable Colombian dishes, including empanadas, meat skewers, and platters. The made-to-order food always comes out hot and full of flavor. Plus, it's reasonably priced.
>>MORE: Hidden in plain sight Beavercreek restaurant pumping out big flavors
💎HEAVENLY INDIAN VEGETARIAN & KOSHER RESTAURANT
9486 N. Springboro Pike (State Route 741), Miami Twp. | 937-522-0862 | Website | Facebook
Why it rates: The restaurant with a distinctive name and concept offers a wide-ranging menu that includes Tandoori appetizers, curries, Indo-Chinese dishes, South Indian specialties such as Dosa and Uthappam, Chaat items, rice dishes and a variety of pastries. All of its breads, cookies and pastries are made without eggs.
>> The Dayton area's 1st vegetarian Indian kosher restaurant is now open
💎CENTER STREET CAFE
47 E. Center St., Farmersville | 937-696-0055 | Website | Facebook
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Why it rates: They had us at bacon flights. Yes, bacon flights. They are kinda like beer flights, but with strips of specially flavored thick-cut bacon served in labeled mason jars. Beyond the bacon, this adorable farm-to-table restaurant serves up inventive homemade dishes that are locally sourced. Some of our favorites include Cracker Jack French Toast (thick-cut challah bread bathed in a rich custard with Cracker Jacks and a salted caramel compound butter), the Black & Blue VooDoo Burger, poutine and delicious crispy Brussels sprouts that come flash fried and tossed with a honey glaze and chopped peanuts.
💎OZU852
852 Union Blvd., Englewood | 937-832-3000 | Website | Facebook
Why it rates: There's a reason this Asian fusion destination has been a repeat winner in Dayton.com's Best of Dayton contest for Best Asian Restaurant and Best Sushi. Ozu852 is known for high-quality customer service and fresh, delicious dishes. The restaurant specializes in sushi, but its menu offers Japanese and Chinese favorites from fried rice and lo mein to soups, appetizers and specialty dishes. If you want to spend your evening at home instead, you can place an order for carryout.
>> PHOTOS: The sumptuous and delectable dishes at Ozu852 are artistry on a plate
💎THE FLORENTINE
21 W Market St., Germantown | (937) 855-7759 | Website | Facebook
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Why it rates: This historic eatery traces its history back to 1816 and is part of Ohio's second-oldest inn (Golden Lamb is the oldest). It serves up well-made cocktails and has a broad dinner menu, with highlights such as Pan-Roasted Orange Roughy, Shrimp Scampi Florentine, a pair of Bone-In Pork Loin Chops and the holy trinity of steaks: Ribeye, New York Strip and Petite Filet Mignon. But don't overlook the Mushroom & Merlot Burger.
>> Historic restaurant serves one of Dayton's best steaks
💎TONY’S ITALIAN KITCHEN
615 S. Main St., Englewood | 937-836-1145 | Website | Facebook
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Why it rates: You will feel right at home at this quaint family-run Italian restaurant. The restaurant owned by the Benvenuto family has been serving "family recipes to pasta lovers" for more than 30 years. The menu includes calamari rings swimming in fresh garlic, butter, wine and tomato sauce; baked stuffed clams, marinated artichokes, various spaghetti dishes, cannelloni, stuffed shells, baked ziti, lasagna, pasta e fasul, fettucini bolognese, shrimp oreganata, chicken cacciatore, clam sauce vongole and several other seafood dishes. When you stop by Tony's be sure to check out the garlic-infused spaghetti aglio e olio.
>> Restaurant’s authentic garlic dish will knock your socks off
