Dine off the beaten path at these Ohio bars and restaurants

RestaurantPhoto byAmiera06/Pixabay

Did you know some of Ohio’s restaurants and bars are off the beaten path? They’re tucked away in everything from mini marts to unassuming basements. The hidden eateries include:

Vault (2017 East 9th Street, Cleveland)

A unique destination, you’ll find the Vault in the century-old bank vaults beneath the Cleveland Trust Rotunda. The restaurant features small plates and cocktails crafted by some of the most talented mixologists in town.

Food offerings include beef sliders, wings, and crispy jumbo shrimp.

The Speakeasy at Quintana’s (2200 South Taylor Road, Cleveland Heights)

If the walls could talk at Quintana’s, they would have plenty of stories to tell. Inside the 1920s colonial house, you'll find a fully functioning barber shop. Make your way past the vintage barber chairs and head upstairs, where you’ll need to find the darkly lit secret bookcase that leads to the speakeasy and lounge.

Original cocktails include Apres Skis, Walking on the Sun, and The Deathly Mallows. Enjoy your drink with the charcuterie board featuring local meats, artisan cheese, dried apricots, and other delicious offerings.

Sotto (118 East Sixth Street, Cincinnati)

Head below ground to see why Sotto is one of the most unique restaurants in Ohio. It brings rustic Italian cuisine to Cincinnati, and regulars say it’s among “the best they’ve ever had.”

Menu offerings include breaded pork loin, grilled Creekstone Porterhouse steaks, and wood-fired quail. Save room for the restaurant’s famous ricotta doughnuts. You won’t be disappointed.

Northside Speakeasy (31 Furnance Street, Akron)

With hidden entrances and dark velvet curtains, the Northside Speakeasy transports guests back to the 1920s. It’s nestled in Akron’s Arts and Entertainment District, and finding the entrance is part of the fun.

Specialty cocktails include Saturday Cartoons, Little Red Corvette, and Midnight Medicine.