Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Toledo / Northwest Ohio

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Toledo / Northwest Ohio? 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!

The Standard

4.9

4.9 (313)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Sylvania

About the restaurant

The Standard is an elevated take on the modern American bistro—where genuine hospitality meets an unforgettable dining experience. Owned and led by award-winning Chef Jeff Dinnebeil, named Best Chef by Toledo City Paper, our kitchen delivers expertly crafted steaks, fresh seafood, and bold, craveable flavors. Voted Best New Restaurant, The Standard is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of exceptional food, warm service, and vibrant energy. Whether you’re indulging in a perfectly cooked steak, sipping a handcrafted cocktail, or sharing an evening with friends, every moment at The Standard is meant to be savored.

Top review

Richard

Dined 2 days ago

Everything was perfect from the service to the meal. All enjoyed a very good time

Sweetwater Chophouse

4.8

4.8 (1215)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Defiance

About the restaurant

We Are Open for Lunch Daily at 11am (reservations not taken for lunch Please call for Large Party Lunch Reservations)

Sweetwater Chophouse, Fired Stone Tavern & 4kd Crick Brewery are located on Eagle Rock Golf Club. Open to the public 7 days a week. This is the spot for celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, company parties or if you are just in the mood to come out to enjoy a mouth-watering meal and amazing signature drinks. The focus for Executive Chef Aaron Weible is to maintain a scratch kitchen. Preparing everything daily from sauces to breads. Utilizing local area farmers for fresh vegetables and using our on-site herb garden. We take great pride in providing each of our guests a WOWing experience.

Top review

GaryVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Highly recommended & it’s our go to for fine dining !

The Dark Horse Social Club

4.7

4.7 (101)

$31 to $50

American

Defiance

About the restaurant

The "warmest" vibe in NW Ohio meets Farm-to-Table at The Dark Horse Social Club. This 1868, National Register structure has been completely transformed; warm and romantic, perfect for quiet dinners and heartfelt conversation while savoring fresh, thoughtfully prepared dishes in a setting that feels both intimate and special.

We offer fresh food focused on local sourcing and home-made recipees. Our beef is raised in Holgate, OH and processed locally. The cheese on our boards is made from local, whole milk in Hicksville, OH. We use 100% California olive oil in our oil based dressings - it is not cut with canola/soy/vegetable oils. Our flatbreads come in at less than 30 carbs each. We are known for our cocktails, particularly our Old Fashioneds and our Seasonal Speicialty Drinks.

Top review

Sylvia

Dined on Apr 12, 2025

We came in to celebrate my birthday. My friends were from Indianapolis and Cincinnati and had never been to the Dark Horse. they love the food and the ambience. Our server was very attentive and even placed a candle in my drink to celebrate my birthday.

Sam B's

4.6

4.6 (74)

$31 to $50

American

Bowling Green

About the restaurant

Sam B's offers an upscale bistro-style menu, featuring many fresh seafood options. We pride ourselves on serving our guests the best food and hand-crafted cocktails in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Top review

Christina

Dined 4 days ago

We had an absolutely wonderful afternoon/early dinner after a family event. The staff was wonderful and the food was amazing! Definitely will dine again!

Georgio's Grill - Sylvania

4.6

4.6 (249)

$30 and under

Italian

Sylvania

About the restaurant

With 50 years of experience cooking in the finest restaurants, our chef is excited to present their vision to you and all our guests. Our caring and committed staff will ensure you have a fantastic experience with us.

Top review

PattiVIP

Dined 2 days ago

As always another yummy meal at Georgios Grill. Our favorite go to place:)

Dave & Buster's - Toledo

4.5

4.5 (85)

$30 and under

American

Toledo

About the restaurant

Each Dave & Buster's has more state-of-the-art games than ever, more mouth-watering menu items and the most innovative drinks anywhere. From wings to steaks, we've got whatever suits your appetite and our premium bar assures we're stocked to satisfy! Plus, you can watch your game on one of our massive HDTVs with epic stadium sound.

Top review

Tiffany

Dined on Mar 29, 2025

Fun place to go and eat. Food was great and the service.

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Experience

College Night Thursdays

Experience

Trivia Tuesdays

Claude's Prime Seafood

4.4

4.4 (676)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Perrysburg

About the restaurant

Claude’s offers an extraordinary experience with stunning settings, an impressive menu of seafood and an array of non-seafood items, signature cocktails, and genuine hospitality. Claude’s is open for dinner and late-night dining. Features include alfresco dining, a large late-night bar with live piano, and multiple private dining options for up to 80 guests.

Top review

Bev

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent service, the manager even came over to see if we were happy with everything. Excellent choice for my birthday dinner! I can't speak about the fine wines or the creative cocktails because we do not drink, but the food is out of the world!

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Bj's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Toledo

4.3

4.3 (54)

$30 and under

American

Toledo

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

Elizabeth

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

The service was top-notch. My son's steak didn't have much flavor to it, but steak sauce fixed it up. The fresh mozzarella and tomato salad is spectacular. The fettuccine Alfredo was really good. Dessert is a must. We got the Pizzookie Trio, and all 3 flavors were devine.

The Heights

4.1

4.1 (531)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Toledo

About the restaurant

Glass City's only rooftop restaurant overseeing the Maumee River with a 360-degree sweeping skyline views, an impressive modern and open concept floor plan, and an oasis from the hustle and bustle of your every day life.

Our menu has a southern influence featuring woodfire pizzas, shareables, and fan-favorite sandwiches complimented by our handcrafted cocktails and a large selection of spirits, beer, and wine.

Reservations are encouraged, but not required. Outdoor seating is on a first come first server basis and not guaranteed when booking a reservation. Please note that during some of business hours we offer only limited or special menus.

Top review

Jessica

Dined 4 days ago

We visited The Heights while in town for my college graduation. We had a reservation and were seated right away. The waitress was friendly and efficient. The expresso martini was perfection. There was a DJ playing music and the vibe was perfect. We had a flatbread and the charcuterie board. The food was delicious. The manger came around to check on us while we were eating. I shared we were from out of town and here for my graduation. He sent out a heavenly piece of cheesecake on the house. I’m not sure you can find better food, service, or vibes with an unbeatable view anywhere else in Toledo! We will be back next time we visit!

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Experience

Happy Hour in The Heights!

Assembly American Brasserie

3.2

3.2 (56)

$30 and under

American

Toledo

About the restaurant

At Assembly, we believe that great food is best enjoyed in good company. Featuring an industrial-like atmosphere that gives nod to the idea of building or creating something that fits together, Assembly is a gathering spot for locals, guests and dwellers alike. With genuine Midwest hospitality paired with a Brasserie-inspired menu, Assembly is the go-to spot where community, culture and culinary excellence come together.

Top review

Kristina

Dined 4 days ago

Wait staff def made me feel special, gave me a free dessert for my birthday and were very accommodating. Food is good but very rich and sauce intensive. Overall, great experience and I would go back (esp for the crème brûlée)

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