Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Dayton

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

Coldwater Cafe

4.9

4.9 (3231)

$31 to $50

American

Tipp City

About the restaurant

This restaurant housed in a former bank building in the heart of downtown Tipp City offers quality dining in a small-town setting. The decor is warm and welcoming and is a delight for the senses. The fireplace creates a cozy atmosphere while the full bar allows patrons a relaxing stop while awaiting a fabulous meal. The inviting atmosphere encourages relaxed conversation. You may be surprised to find that a restaurant in such a small town has some rather sophisticated choices on the menu alongside your more normal fare, with entrees such as ostrich being offered. If you are looking for a decadent dessert, look no further than the butter-drenched English Tea Cake! An easy drive from all points in the Dayton area, words cannot do it justice. A visit is a must and will be the first of many.

Top review

Christina

Dined 3 days ago

Delicious food, excellent service and a surprise dessert for the birthday girl.

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Popular dish

Crispy Brussel Sprouts

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.

Coco's Bistro

4.6

4.6 (2241)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Dayton

About the restaurant

You'll always feel welcome at Coco's.

We're a Dayton Original, an independent restaurant where you can have your power lunch, a rehearsal dinner, a fun night, or a place to propose. You'll enjoy contemporary American food, always with amazing service, and reasonable prices for wine and spirits. Thank you Dayton - we love you as much as you love us.

Top review

amanda

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

Would love if they bring back the grasshopper but otherwise coco’s is consistently lovely!

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The Chop House - Dayton

4.6

4.6 (1090)

$30 and under

American

Dayton

About the restaurant

The Chop House is your go-to destination for classic American steakhouse fare in Dayton. Step into our warm and inviting atmosphere where quality is our top priority. We serve premium chops, fresh seafood, and feature an extensive wine list. Indulge in our signature dishes, including perfectly grilled Prime and Choice Steaks sourced from the top two percent of beef. Enjoy fresh seafood, with options like succulent salmon and mouthwatering scallops, flown in daily. Pair your meal with delectable sides such as creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and crispy onion rings. Beyond the food, our friendly staff and comfortable setting ensure a memorable dining experience. Our curated selection of wines from around the world perfectly complements your meal. Conveniently located just east of downtown Dayton, The Chop House is ideal for special occasions or a night out. Make your reservation today for a satisfying and memorable meal!

Top review

Ken

Dined 7 days ago

Great food and outstanding and attentive service from Tony T! Ask for him for a fantastic experience.

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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Bravo Italian Kitchen - Centerville - Dayton

4.4

4.4 (793)

$30 and under

Italian

Centerville

About the restaurant

Bravo Dayton is an upscale-casual Italian restaurant in Centerville, perfect for those seeking authentic pasta, wood-fired pizza, and signature entrées. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails and wine in our inviting, family-friendly atmosphere, surrounded by stunning Roman-ruin décor. Planning a holiday party or Thanksgiving celebration? We offer catering services and easy reservations to make your event special. Whether dining in or ordering online, Bravo Dayton is the place to eat in Centerville, OH for great Italian cuisine. Visit us today-reserve your table or order online!

Top review

David

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

The food was pretty good- though the calamari was chewy.

Thai 9

4.2

4.2 (84)

$31 to $50

Thai

Dayton

About the restaurant

Thai 9 serves traditional Thai cuisine complemented with Japanese sushi and sashimi. The restaurant has an elegant interior with hardwood floors, brick walls and verdant indoor plants. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner service. The overall ambience at Thai 9 is pleasant and welcoming. This place also offers an outdoor seating option in the patio. The Thai 9 restaurant has a business-casual dress code for customers. The restaurant offers a different menu for both lunch and dinner services. The items generally liked by customers include the chicken pad Thai, the bakery roll, the Pad Khee Mao with pork, the Thai 9 spicy fried rice and the boat for two sushi platter. Customers can also order craft beer, exquisite wines and other spirits of the menu.

Top review

Gina

Dined on Jun 26, 2025

Very fresh tasting sushi and sashimi boat! Nice table service and wait staff. For Dayton, this is a 5 star place but the decor and ambiance is lackluster and pretty outdated. Buy I am still never disappointed with the food quality.

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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