Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Dayton

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Dayton? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Mode X Tequila Bistro

4.8

4.8 (99)

$30 and under

Mexican

Beavercreek

About the restaurant

A sophisticated twist on the Tequila bistro style of informal eating and drinking.........Welcome to Mode X Tequila Bistro, a place that praises the vibrancy of Mexico. Here you will find a fun and casual dining experience. At Mode X, we emphasize on using quality ingredients, from fresh-pressed tortillas to housemade sauce.

Top review

JohannaVIP

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

If you are someone who cares about the details Mode X fits the bill. We have been coming since they opened and it is consistently excellent. The food is delicious! The service is excellent. The restaurant is beautiful and clean. Highly recommend this place.

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Centerville, OH

4.7

4.7 (5587)

$30 and under

American

Centerville

About the restaurant

Experience the perfect fusion of award-winning wines, Napa-style tasting rooms, and modern casual dining at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants. Enjoy contemporary American cuisine influenced by international flavors from our scratch kitchen. Each dish is expertly paired with our selection of wines for the best food and wine match. Whether you explore the tasting room for a pre- or post-dinner adventure or join the world's largest wine club, we believe in the power of food and wine to create lasting connections. Dining reservations are highly recommended, but walk-in guests are always welcome on a first-come, first-serve basis. Gluten-free and vegetarian dishes are available.

Top review

Robert

Dined 6 days ago

As always, we had a great, total experience during our meal, which was a birthday celebration.

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Popular dish

Filet Mignon

Popular dish

Braised Short Rib Risotto

Popular dish

Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Rusty Bucket - Dayton

4.6

4.6 (267)

$30 and under

American

Dayton

About the restaurant

Rusty Bucket is a casual neighborhood tavern serving the highest quality food and beverage in a “come as you are” setting. Scratch kitchens, fresh cocktails, and the perfect pour are our craft. Our associates are welcoming, and our hospitality naturally makes us the local hub where friends and family frequently gather to share in a good time.

Top review

Margaret

Dined 4 days ago

We had the cheesy spinach dip with warm tortillas for the appetizer. It was very good and half price during happy hour. I had the juicy Lucy burger for $7 during happy hour. The burger very good; two juicy patties, cheese, carmelized onions on a toasted sesame bun. He got the Cuban minus the pickles. It was good and a very large serving. Service was attentive.

Black Rock - Beaver Creek - PRIORITY SEATING

4.6

4.6 (1490)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Beavercreek

About the restaurant

Black Rock Bar & Grill, an award winning steakhouse specializing in certified angus beef steaks served on a sizzling stone. Due to our high volume and traffic, we cannot hold tables for parties like a reservation system. We have a system called Priority Seating. This system secures a table within our restaurant, however, it does not guarantee an exact seat by time. Priority is placed on your party, and if we are on a wait, your party is placed on top of the wait list as a priority. We will seat you as fast as possible, but cannot guarantee an exact time. If the restaurant is not busy, we will seat the party upon arrival.

Top review

Steve

Dined 2 days ago

As always the staff awesome. We have dined here 4 times this year so far. This time my 8oz filet was not as good quality cut as previous visits. This restaurant is always clean and that includes the restrooms

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Club Oceano Seafood & Bar

4.6

4.6 (1400)

$30 and under

Seafood

Dayton

About the restaurant

Club Oceano Seafood & Bar is committed in delivering exceptional cuisine and attentive
service. Our founders, with over 50 years of restaurant industry experience, believe in simple
food preparations using the finest ingredients to create a joyful journey for your palate. We cut and filet our fish in-house. It is a time consuming task to ensure the quality of our food.

Top review

Todd

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Staff was helpful, friendly, and made the night a pleasure. Thank you.

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Firebirds Wood Fired Grill - Miamisburg

4.5

4.5 (3169)

$30 and under

American

Centerville

About the restaurant

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is your destination for bold flavors and warm hospitality. From expertly crafted wood-fired steaks and fresh seafood to signature cocktails, mocktails, and curated wines, every detail is designed to deliver an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're gathering with family, hosting a client, or toasting to a special occasion, Firebirds offers elevated cuisine at an approachable price. Join us for Happy Hour at the FIREBAR® or on the patio and let us show you what extraordinary dining feels like. Reserve your table today — we can’t wait to serve you.

Top review

Carl

Dined 4 days ago

Great food great service all around perfect afternoon

The Foundry

4.3

4.3 (555)

$30 and under

American

Dayton

About the restaurant

The Foundry Rooftop restaurant is located on the sixth floor of the AC Hotel in downtown Dayton. Inspired by the fire within foundries, the factories that produce metal castings, this wood-fired kitchen embraces the flame. Devour new takes on internally-inspired cuisine with our Loaded Potato Pizza and Ingot Crab Crakes, or our signature Foundry Reuben and Charred Meatballs. Hearty, midwestern favorites from Chef's James Wright and Joshua Cox anchor our menu like our Crispy Pork Belly and 24-Hour Chicken. And with a combination of smoked whiskeys, classic cocktails, and local beers, you’ll always have the perfect pairing of spirits to enhance the heat of your meal. Made for Dayton locals, or those local for the day, we invite you to join us on our open-air rooftop patio for dinner, drinks and celebrating your most special occasions with a private event.

Top review

Pat

Dined 2 days ago

Our server was fantastic! It was a very busy evening and he did a great job! We always enjoy going to The Foundry.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Beavercreek

4.2

4.2 (302)

$30 and under

American

Dayton

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

MelanieVIP

Dined on Jun 24, 2025

Great attentive waiter and food was tasty and at a great value

Bistecca - Ardent Hotel

4.0

4 (73)

$31 to $50

Italian

Dayton

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Dayton, Ohio, Bistecca offers an elegant, Tuscan-inspired dining experience, reminiscent of a warm Italian home. Our sophisticated yet welcoming menu, drawing inspiration from Florence, Italy, provides a cozy and inclusive atmosphere for both hotel patrons and community members. We serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, featuring a carefully curated selection of fine Italian wines alongside freshly made pastas and delicious wood-fired grill options. The seductive lighting enhances the sophisticated ambiance, making it the perfect setting to experience the best of Italian cuisine, including our signature dish, the Bistecca alla Fiorentina.

Top review

SherriVIP

Dined 2 days ago

It exceeded my expectations. The atmosphere was upscale, inviting, comfortable & quiet. The menu was interesting & everyone in our party of 7 were pleased w their meals, serving sizes & felt they had received a gourmet experience. Pricing was reasonable & the service was outstanding! I highly recommend trying this restaurant for an enjoyable dining experience.

The Troll Pub at the Wheel House

3.9

3.9 (279)

$30 and under

American

Dayton

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Troll Pub - Dayton!

The Troll Pub is a unique dining experience that features a Gastro-pub style menu with a wide selection of great tasting food items, craft beer, and an atmosphere like no other.

Top review

Makailah

Dined on Jun 17, 2025

Austin was my server, he was amazing and recommended me two beers I loved, and my entree (the beer cheese burger). The ambience of the Troll Pub was beautiful and really fun, it all really felt like a magical pub : >

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