Eat & Drink
Dayton hides one of Ohio's most underrated food scenes: chef-driven downtown kitchens, drive-ins worth arguing about, riverfront breweries and family-run bakeries on nearly every corner.
Dayton dining guide
Peruvian and French-inspired plates in a stylish Oregon District dining room.
Modern Mexican cooking built around masa, smoke and regional flavors.
Seasonal Southern cooking and one of the Oregon District’s most inviting patios.
Dayton dining guide
Thin, square-cut pizza that has been part of Dayton gatherings since 1965.
A modern downtown deli known for excellent sandwiches and provisions.
Wood-fired pizza, casual communal tables and a strong local following.
Dayton dining guide
Independent coffee, baked goods and neighborhood energy on Wayne Avenue.
Carefully made coffee in a compact, modern Wayne Avenue shop.
A generations-old Dayton bakery focused on warm, soft pretzels.
Dayton dining guide
A flagship downtown taproom in a historic industrial building.
One of America’s best-known bourbon bars, tucked into downtown Dayton.
A cinematic underground cocktail bar beneath the Fire Blocks District.
How locals eat
Walkable routes you can do without moving your car twice.
Square-cut pizza at Marion’s, then downtown beers at Warped Wing.
Cocktails at Nuevo's rooftop, dinner at Salar Restaurant and Lounge, dessert walking Main Street.
Breakfast near Brown Street, coffee at Ghostlight, then a walk through South Park.
Keep exploring
Jump between guides to plan a full day or weekend in the city.
Attractions
Dayton Art Institute, Five Rivers MetroParks, the Art Museum, hikes and free sights to build an itinerary around.
Areas
Oregon District, St. Anne’s Hill, South Park and where to stay, shop or live.
Calendar
The Air Force Marathon, RiverScape concerts, Dayton Porchfest and free summer shows to plan your visit around.
