Erin Elizabeth
Canton, Ohio, is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which brings thousands of visitors every year. The city has plenty of charm and plenty of things to do and see. Plus, the restaurant scene is one to admire.
The food in Canton is so popular that the city has several foodie tours visitors and locals alike can take.
Whether you’re in town to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame, to visit the several historic sites, or for any other reason, hunting down places to eat when you’re hangry isn’t fun for anyone.
Best Restaurants in Canton
- Bender’s Tavern
- Basil Asian Bistro
- 91 Wood Fired Oven
- Lucca
- The Bistro Oakwood
- Fronimo’s Downtown
- Desert Inn
- George’s Lounge
- The Bistro At Gervasi Vineyard
- Bombay Sitar
- Athens Restaurant
- Baker’s Cafe 33
- Jasmine Asian Bistro
- Kabab & Curry
- TD’s Tailgate Grill
- Arcadia Grille
- Burntwood Tavern
To save you the stress of figuring out the best place to eat when all you can think about is food, I’ve found some of the best restaurants in Canton.
Desert Inn
204 12th St NW, Canton, OH 44703
Phone: 330-456-1766
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There’s something about going to a family-owned and operated restaurant that’s just different. The atmosphere feels more like home and as if you’re dining at a friend’s house.
Desert Inn has been open since 1970 and has been serving the best Arabic food in all of Canton. The restaurant is casual and a great place to relax while eating and watching traditional belly dancing.
The menu boasts mostly Arabic dishes with a few American dishes too. To start your meal, you can’t miss out on the homemade falafel. When dining with friends and family, their family-style meals are perfect. They’re a variety of kabobs, but I personally loved the lamb shish-kabob.
Bender’s Tavern
137 Court Ave SW, Canton, OH 44702
Phone: 330-453-8424
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Canton is a city rich in history, and if you want to go to the oldest and one of the best Canton restaurants, you need to try Bender’s Tavern. Bender’s has been operational since 1902 and has become a namesake within the community.
Bender’s boasts typical 1902 bar decor with wooden walls, a wooden bar, and accents, but the food has changed over the years to keep up with new dishes and people’s preferences.
Their menu has a little bit of everything from seafood, burgers, salads, and other bar food. Turtle Soup has been a Bender’s classic for 60 years and is a must-try. If you’re popping into Bender’s for lunch, they have some excellent specials.
These specials tend to change daily but you’ll always find a soup of the day, sandwich, or lighter portion of some of their classic entrees.
Basil Asian Bistro
585 Market Ave N, Canton, OH 44702
Phone: 330-452-3888
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Owned and operated by the Ly family, Basil Asian Bistro is named after the essential ingredient in Asian cuisine.
The Ly family has roots throughout Ohio and has opened several locations since the success of their Canton location. Despite opening several locations, they strive to keep every location rich in Asian tradition.
The menu is inspired by Southeastern and Pacific Asian cuisine. You’ll find many Thai curry dishes, sushi, traditional Asian menu items, and over 20 different stir fry recipes. Everything’s fantastic, but if you want to try a Basil Asian Bistro classic, their coconut spaghetti is the best.
91 Wood Fired Oven
5570 Fulton Dr NW, Canton, OH 44718
Phone: 330-497-9111
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91 Wood Fired Oven has been serving some of the freshest food in town since 1991. The owners take pride in serving food with the freshest possible ingredients and utilizing seasonal ingredients.
Their casual but sophisticated restaurant is the perfect place to eat lunch or dinner.
Their menu is modern Italian with some Americanized dishes. They have several kinds of pizza, pasta dishes, and countless appetizers to make your mouth water.
Their bacon candy appetizer is the best way to start a meal, but I couldn’t get enough of their blackened chicken risotto.
Lucca
228 4th St NW, Canton, OH 44702
Phone: 330-456-2534
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Another standup Italian joint in Canton is Lucca. Lucca is a traditional Italian restaurant that sticks to its Tuscany roots by serving only the highest quality food based on Tuscan tradition. You’ll find Lucca in downtown Canton, making it the perfect spot for a nice dinner after a day of exploring.
Their menu changes with the season to ensure they’re using the freshest ingredients, but some mainstays exist. Their basil pesto and cheese tortellini are crowd-pleasers. If you prefer protein with your meal, their pork chops with fresh lemon and mashed potatoes are the star.
The Bistro Oakwood
2664 Easton St NE, Canton, OH 44721
Phone: 330-915-8173
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One of the best fine dining restaurants in Canton is the Bistro Oakwood. This upscale restaurant has been around for over a decade and is a popular spot for special occasions and simply enjoying a great meal.
They’re able to cater to a variety of dietary needs, making them the perfect place for everyone.
Their menu has everything from sandwiches, salads, pasta, seafood, and meat dishes. If you’re looking for something lighter, their toasted almond chicken salad with a white French dressing is sure to please.
If you’re looking for something heartier, a steak or creamy garlic chicken may be the way to go.
Fronimo’s Downtown
315 Cleveland Ave NW, Canton, OH 44702
Phone: 234-360-8665
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Near the Pro Football Hall of Fame, less than a mile away from the Canton Museum of Art in the arts district is Fronimo’s Downtown.
This casual spot makes for the perfect place to stop in for a bite to eat and cold beer after exploring the district. The atmosphere is inviting, the food is unique, and the chef strives to be creative.
The menu has plenty of small plates for sharing, or not; I won’t judge. In addition to their small plates, there are sandwiches, salads, and what they call big plates.
If I could recommend anything, it’d be their veal meatballs and hot peppers with a beer brewed in Ohio.
George’s Lounge
229 Cleveland Ave NW, Canton, OH 44702
Phone: 330-452-0029
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For late-night bites, you need to stop by George’s Lounge. They’re open throughout the day too, but they’ve won an award for being the best neighborhood bar and for being open late. George’s has been open since 1959 and has always been a place where you’re encouraged to spend time with friends.
The menu is traditional American. There’s plenty of burgers and bar bites for you to choose from.
You can even create your perfect burger from scratch based on the ingredients they offer. The King George burger is popular, and you can’t leave without an apple pie milkshake.
The Bistro at Gervasi Vineyard
1700 55th St NE BLDG C, Canton, OH 44721
Phone: 330-497-1000
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At the beautiful Gervasi Vineyard, you’ll find a restaurant that you need to try. Usually Vineyards are farther away from town, but Gervasi Vineyard is only 15 minutes from the city center.
The vineyard itself is stunning and an experience altogether, but after you’re finished touring that, grabbing a glass of wine and a bite to eat at The Bistro needs to be on your list.
It’s the perfect date night spot and has been recognized as one of America’s top romantic restaurants. The restaurant is located in a rustic barn and is an upscale Italian joint. Any of their pasta dishes pair perfectly with their wine, especially their Tuscan beef short ribs.
Bombay Sitar
5111 Fulton Dr NW, Canton, OH 44718
Phone: 330-305-0671
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For the best Indian cuisine in Canton, you can’t miss Bombay Sitar. This restaurant offers patrons a taste of India without ever leaving Ohio in this casual eatery.
They serve all your favorite Indian dishes and offer plenty of meat selections as well as vegetarian options.
Something the staff at Bombay Sitar want patrons to know is that not everything is spicy. You can order your spice preference!
You can’t go wrong with classic chicken curry or butter chicken, but if you’re a vegetarian, their aloo palak is my favorite. Don’t forget the naan to accompany your meal!
Athens Restaurant
816 Harrison Ave SW, Canton, OH 44706
Phone: 330-453-6800
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Athens Restaurant is a local favorite where people love getting together with friends and family. The restaurant has a way of bringing people together, with or without a special occasion. The atmosphere is very casual and is a “come as you are” type of place.
The cuisine is the perfect combination of American and Greek food. There are classic hamburgers and salads on the menu, but their Greek food is what really stands out.
I could order the Greek cheeseburger and mama’s meatloaf over and over again. You need to try the baklava before you leave.
Baker’s Cafe 33
1927 Stark Ave SW, Canton, OH 44706
Phone: 330-454-0528
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One of the best restaurants in Canton is the perfected, relaxed steakhouse, Bakers Cafe 33. Baker’s Cafe 33 is a local institution known for serving steak, seafood, and other classic American dishes.
You can enjoy the upscale flavor without paying the price of an upscale restaurant and without having to put on a suit or dress.
Their steak selection is impressive and offers almost every cut imaginable. If you’re not in the mood for steak, don’t worry. They have some of the best pork chops in town, and their broiled scallops are mouthwatering.
Jasmine Asian Bistro
1122 30th St NW, Canton, OH 44709
Phone: 330-493-3331
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When you’re looking to impress your date, Jasmine Asian Bistro is one of the best options. This upscale Asian restaurant is so popular that they have two locations in Canton. The best part about Jasmine Asian Bistro is that it has entrees from all over Asia, including China, Japan, and Thailand.
They have an extensive sushi roll menu where they only use the freshest fish possible. They have specialty rolls, classic rolls, and sashimi a la carte.
I couldn’t resist trying their Thai curry, spicy scallop roll, and fried rice. It’s safe to say that there wasn’t an ounce of disappointment.
Kabab & Curry
5114 Whipple Ave NW, Canton, OH 44718
Phone: 330-492-2060
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If you thought there was only one fantastic Indian restaurant in Canton, you thought wrong. Kabab & Curry is a little off the beaten path and located in Northwest Canton, right across the street from the Belden Village Mall.
The chefs at Kabab & Curry are bringing Indian cuisine to life in their low-key restaurant. Each dish they prepare is inspired by the flavors of India and rooted in tradition.
The menu is extensive and has everything from curries, tandoori specialties, vegetarian dishes, seafood, and more.
A South Indian favorite, and one of mine, is the lamb vindaloo. All their entrees are served with basmati rice, and you can let them know how spicy you’d like your meal.
TD’s Tailgate Grill
2234 Tuscarawas St W, Canton, OH 44708
Phone: 330-451-2140
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You can’t visit Canton, the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, without visiting one of the best sports bars and restaurants in town.
TD’s Tailgate Grill is based on football and has everything you could want in a casual sports bar and grill. It’s the perfect combination of upscale food with a traditional sports bar with TVs everywhere.
Whether you’re watching sports or not, you need to stop in and try their food. They have all your favorite bar bites like fried pickles and pretzel bites, plus all the burgers, sandwiches, and mac and cheese bowls. The chicken bacon ranch mac was the perfect dish to go with an ice-cold beer.
Arcadia Grille
321 Court Ave NW, Canton, OH 44702
Phone: 330-454-6055
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If you’re wondering where to get food in Canto, Arcadia Grille is a great option. This casual Italian-American eatery is unassuming from the outside and has an old-school vibe once you walk in. If you’re looking for a local spot to eat without all the tourists, Arcadia Grille’s the spot.
The menu has all your favorite American appetizers like wings, chicken tenders, and more. The entrees are the perfect combination of Italian and American. There are delicious burgers and sandwiches, but I really enjoyed the house special. It’s an Italian sausage sandwich that can be hot or mild.
Burntwood Tavern
4320 Everhard Rd NW, Canton, OH 44718
Phone: 234-209-9746
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Last but certainly not least is Burntwood Tavern in Belden Village. This restaurant is perfect for any occasion, lunch, dinner, or brunch.
If you’re traveling with a group of people or even with just one other person, it can be hard to decide on a place to eat. This casual dining restaurant is warm and welcoming, with a family-friendly vibe.
Burntwood Tavern has a little bit of everything. If you’re dining here for dinner, I can’t recommend the tortellini carbonara enough.
The menu is much smaller when you’re here for brunch, but the breakfast flatbread is perfect for sharing with friends as you try their homemade bloody marys.
Final Thoughts
When you find yourself searching the internet for where to eat in Canton, you’ll find an overwhelming number of results. It’s almost impossible to try every restaurant, but if you want to save some time, you can’t go wrong with any of the 17 on this list.
Next time you’re in Canton and try one of these restaurants, let us know below!
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
Sparta Steak House and Lounge. Winner of #1 Steak 5 years in a row.
How is Sparta Steakhouse not on this list?????? Easily top 3 in entire city!
Two misses of the list include Freudy’s Bar and Grill and Sylvester’s Italian Grill. Top notch food and local ownership as well.