Restaurants in Athens

“Absolutely 💯 the best place to eat in town or anywhere for that matter! Highly recommend! We are from Virginia and we are going to make sure to come back! Servers are fantastic, super friendly, and attentive. We were here for the weekend and ate here twice. Thank you Keri!”

“One of the coolest places we’ve eaten! Great four course meal!!! Wait staff knowledgeable and very good at her job! Only tip is too make a reservation:)”

“Great beer at Jackie O's Taproom”

“The food, the servers, the atmosphere, all amazing. I can be a food snob, and Purple Chopstix is one of the best places I have ever eaten.”

“My wife went to school at Ohio University... and we were in town with 5 other friends for four days enjoying the local roads (on our motorcycles) and enjoying the town every afternoon and evening.

A very welcoming bar with great bartenders and great drink choices... especially the draft list.

We were there mid-afternoon for beers and darts. Open mic started up soon after we arrived and that was pretty good... although pretty loud considering that there were only six of us in the place -- coulda dialed it back a bit.

We'll be back.”

“Yummy💜 Great cookies, just melt in your mouth💚”

“Wonderful place! Very quiet. Outstanding quality of the food. The meat was particularly well prepared. Friendly and efficient sertvice. A very good surprise on the side of the road to Columbus airport. I recommand absolutely.”

“Seriously the BEST bar in Athens! I was there this weekend for Parent's Weekend and went to all the bars it seemed! Your place was the best, loved all the 80's music!!!!”

“Not enough stars to give justice on how good this place was. Greatest pizza quesadilla i have ever eaten. Amazing service, kept telling me how beautiful my wife is and even made a funny joke about stealing her for the restaurant entertainment. 10/10 would recommend to anyone in need of a date night. They even took my professional headshot right there in the restaurant in exchange for 15 minutes with my wife!! Look how great it turned out!!”

“Would like to say that everything about our night was speedy. from getting seated to getting our meals. Everything was absolutely superb. And would like to give a huge shout out to our waitress Olivia. She was absolutely amazing, and she really showed that she cared about her patrons. She was definitely one of the better waitresses we have had in a long while. Keep it up Athens Ohio Texas Roadhouse!!!”

“Server was outstanding!Too many TVs showed the same game. Mix it up on various TVs.Food is always good there

Parking: This location has no parking lot. Parking is at meters. I was lucky to find one close and free on Sunday”

“Excellent food, great prices, clean and friendly.”

“Excellent selection of coffee, tea and many other drinks. The atmosphere is so relaxing and welcoming.”

“Fantastic meals at great pricing. Will become a regular!”

“Took my father out for breakfast this morning and had the nicest server. She was super friendly and had a great recommendation on what to get. I had the breakfast burger and dad had the biscuit stack. The food was great and very generous portions. When we left, Dad forgot his cell phone on the table. We only knew that because our server came running out of the door as we got to our vehicle. Unfortunately, I didn't remember her name but we are very thankful and will definitely be back.”

“Always fresh. always good. friendly staff. Their almond croissant just might be the best thing I've ever eaten. ever.”

“As someone who is veg, and wants to enjoy a dog, this was the itch to scratch. Great food and felt very inviting. The crew working were slammed with a busy day and were super friendly.”

“We love the food! The staff is always so friendly and helpful too. Order the lamb shahi kurma and mixed naan!”

“good beer, nice atmosphere and friendly staff. cheers!”

“Amazingly good. Support local businesses!”

“Had their Thanksgiving Leftovers for the first time this weekend, DELICIOUS!!”

“If you have not tried this place yet, do it! Amazing food!”

“I infrequently get to the Athens area, but always get a take and bake pepperoni or margarita pizza. ***** 5 star rating.”

“The food is amazing! I highly recommend the brussel sprouts appetizer. Everything was great from the service, the atmosphere, to my Stabby Cat beer. We will definitely be back.”

“What a great little place! Great food, and fun times.”

“Mayberry Corner! Great food and drinks too!!”

“We took our day off to visit another lovely, local, family owned business. We highly recommend the amazing coffees and the teas (they really do work and taste amazing). The owners are EXTREMELY knowledgeable and friendly.”

“best 3 tier balcony for enjoying drinks and sunset. Got to love the indoor AND outdoor stage. too many great people and staff to mention. love this place”

“I love how they do a Flavor of the Week every week :) Plus it’s a nice & quiet place, typically not too busy (not always the case), and the staff is kind.”

“so the waiter was really sweet & very attentive I believe his name was Malik!! my friend & I saw him tend to several tables with a smile on his face. the food was so good. I had the vegetarian omelette. the drinks are really good too! if you want to try something new, I would recommend!! 🫶”

“We held a private alumni event for The Singing Men of Ohio at The Side Bar last weekend and it was incredible. Not only was the staff so amazing to work with leading up to the event, but the price was unmatched and the space itself was perfect. The bartenders working that night were incredible as well. We fit about 150 people in the venue and it was completely private to our group. It provided for us an elevated event that was suitable for our alumni to interact with current members of the group. I have a feeling Side Bar will become really popular among students and alumni alike and be around for some time. All weekend, our alumni were commenting how much they loved the event at Sidebar and hoped we returned there. If you're looking for a great place for students and alumni to gather, check this place out. 15/10!”

“It's pretty darn rootin tootin. Get your coffee here!!”

“Food was very delicious, with large portions and reasonable prices. Staff was also very friendly. Next time I'm visiting in Athens, I will definitely be back.”

“Always love visiting Jackie O’s when I visit my son in Athens! Great food, great beer, great atmosphere, and great service!”

“We recently hosted an engagement party at West End Ciderhouse. We don't live in Athens so had to do all the planning long distance - and it could not have been easier. Deanna was so helpful and her staff is amazing!! Would totally recommend this venue for any type of event as long as you're looking for someplace cool, friendly and hip for your party!! And a place that has an excellent selection of beer, wine and cider. I hear the cocktails are amazing - we didn't try any unfortunately. Next time I'm in Athens I certainly will though!!”

“Really consistently good food and service over the last 4 years or so that we’ve lived in the area. The folks are nice and the food is just as good even when students are gone in the summer. All the standards are great, and I highly suggest the Beef and Broccoli if that’s your kind of thing.”

“I don’t get over to this part of the country often, but when I do, this is a must-visit restaurant. Queer-friendly, great food, and a welcoming environment.”

“Amazing food and service! Has to be the best pho we have ever had. The beef broth was definitely homemade and tasted so good. The noodles were perfect as well. 100% recommend this place for anyone looking for good comfort food.”

“The service and quality were outstanding. A great selection… The perfect place for lunch in downtown Athens.”

“My wife went to school at Ohio University... and we were in town with 5 other friends for four days enjoying the local roads (on our motorcycles) and enjoying the town every afternoon and evening.

A very welcoming local bar with great bartenders and great drink choices at great prices. We visited several times over the four days we were there.

Definitely going to be repeat customers!”

“There are several vegetarian options that can be made vegan by removing or substituting certain ingredients. The staff is very kind and does their best to accommodate vegan needs.”

“Great gluten free selection! Awesome staff who was patient with our little family as we figured out what to order 😵‍💫 - thank you! Everything was delicious!”

“The Crystal was a good bar to hang out in. They let you bring food in which is a big plus. We found a little loaf area where there was enough seating for a big group of people. There was Foosball and pool and some other games around. Crowded but not packed like the bar next door.”

“I stocked up for a week with items to keep my sweet tooth happy last weekend. I am in deep love with this place! The vanilla bean strawberry tart was hands down one of the most scrumptious pastries I’ve ever had. The pastry crust was divine. Cinnamon rolls are fantastic. Buttery and delicious and satisfying. Grabbed a cheesecake slice and once again delicious. I can’t say enough about how delightful these baked goods are. I’m waiting for them to open up today so I can stock up again for another week. This is my favorite obsession.”

“Wonderful, local cafe with breakfast, lunch, pastries, dessert & a small grocery!”

“better than canes. support local”

“The dog was delicious!!!!”

“First time in this location. (Party of 4) My food was ok. My daughter said her broccoli didn't taste cooked. My youngest daughter had a steak and it wasn't cooked correctly. Other than that it was fine.
Waiter was here and there for the most part for the amount of people in the restaurant. It was also weekend of classes moving in/starting.”

“excellent comfort food, service, and drinks!”

“Great food with fantastic prices, friendly service - very clean establishment. Stopped in for lunch just kinda driving by and had a great experience! Will definitely be back”

“Pad Thai was great with some decent spice to it. We enjoyed all the appetizers we ordered as well. Food took a little longer to come out but it’s not an issue when you know it’s being cooked fresh. Definitely coming back.”

“Took my father out for breakfast this morning and had the nicest server. She was super friendly and had a great recommendation on what to get. I had the breakfast burger and dad had the biscuit stack. The food was great and very generous portions. When we left, Dad forgot his cell phone on the table. We only knew that because our server came running out of the door as we got to our vehicle. Unfortunately, I didn't remember her name but we are very thankful and will definitely be back.”

“Definitely enjoy the atmosphere here, especially the food and drinks. Every employee there is super nice and outgoing. Wish it wasn't always $10 to get it. But it's worth it. Drinks can be better tho”

“yo I've been a loyal customer for bout 5 years now good food quick service . but as of recently they've lost my business because they no longer accept cash payments not everybody has availability to put their money on a card, every other place is already gone back to accepting cash except wings over and it's really pissing me off cuz I want my spot back so until y'all start accepting cash payments imma give you all at 2 out of 5”

“QDOBA in Athems is always great! Food is fresh and tastes great. I miss the old soda machine ;( and I wish they would oay more attention tonthe cleanliness if the dining room. There are usually the 3-4 dirty tables.”

“First timers and the food and atmosphere was great!”

“Hands down the best cheesecake around!”

“The best pizza ever its worth driving from another town for. 😋. My Dog Loves It too. ❤️. Seen some of the reviews that says the crust is soft and gave a bad review 😆 its thick crust its supposed to be soft. Best pizza ever.”

“I’ve been to souvlakis many times over the past year. The family who runs it are absolute royalty. They’ve recently added broccoli cheddar cheese bites to their menu. I sincerely think they are the greatest thing I’ve ever put in my mouth, and that’s a lot coming from me. This is a very dedicated and wholesome kitchen. Do not hesitate to eat their food when your hungry and they are open.”

“I made a stop to get something to eat and I came across KFC they was. Friendly,. The place was clean,. The food was fresh and hot. That's why I gave it five star”

“My first time visiting Broneys, and they had a burger deal I couldn't pass up. Burger and fries were good, I'm relatively easy to please. I may try their chips or onion rings next time, it is nice to have options. The burger was way better than any fast food place. I was there at quiet time, I admittedly go uptown more when school is not in session.”

“Definitely more of a take out place if you're just looking to eat. The food is incredible, though, and the staff are as well. There was a slight miscommunication on my order and they were so polite and fixed the problem immediately. The cheesy garlic bread is probably in the top ten best cheesy foods in existence.”

“My favorite hangout in Athens”

“Very nice place to study as the lighting isn't too much and there usually isn't too much noise. The service is usually way overwhelmed which I don't blame them for but what does OU expect with only 2 Starbucks serving shops halfway across campus from each other. Amazing if you had flex or bobcat cash otherwise I'd prefer local places.”

“Good folks! Excellent food and service.”

“Place is amazing!! Fed so many students and families during BSO all at the same time with very little lines and ample seating!! A true gem to students at OU!! Oh Yeah!!”

“Please make an effort to cover the other brick walls in the same coating you have in the new part of the bar, because the writing everywhere else in the bar indicates that this action is okay. Some skinny dude with a tribal tattoo on his calf and a scruffy mustache threw my sharpie outside yesterday because he “caught” us writing our names on the walls. It’s everywhere in the bar, so I don’t think the staff should be trained expect drunk college student not to do it. This guy was just on some sort of power trip and wanted to be rude. He very easily could’ve just asked us not to do write on the walls, and we would’ve respected that. Like I said, the wall in the new part of the bar with that coating on it is free of sharpie/can easily be cleaned, so maybe consider doing that on ALL the walls to avoid your staff making stupid decisions like this one in the future. Thanks!”

“I’m in belpre Ohio for the multicultural festival and her truck is here !! She’s so sweet .. I got the drunken noodles with chicken 🍗 I am going to order more too because I wanna try more !! So good”

“Alright, buckle up, because I'm about to drop some truth bombs about the one, the only, Madisyn at Red Brick Tavern!

First off, let's be real, Madisyn isn't just a bartender; she's a wizard with a shaker. I swear she can tell what kind of day you've had just by looking at you and then whip up a potion, I mean, a cocktail, that's exactly what you need. It's like she has a sixth sense for stressed-out souls and thirsty patrons.

But wait, there's more! It's not just the drinks, it's the whole vibe. Madisyn manages to create an atmosphere that's both chill and buzzing with energy. One minute you're relaxed, sipping your drink, and the next you're laughing at some ridiculous joke she cracked. Seriously, I'm convinced she moonlights as a stand-up comedian.

And let's not forget the most important thing: she remembers your name and your drink. That's right, in a world where everyone's a face in the crowd, Madisyn makes you feel like a regular. So, if you're ever in Red Brick Tavern, do yourself a favor and pull up a stool. Just be prepared for amazing drinks, killer jokes, and maybe a little bit of magic. You won't regret it!”

“I placed my order online. It was ready on time, the gentleman working the drive-thru was polite as well.

I did not know that there are 2 business in this building and 2 different drive-thrus one is Donatos and the other is a coffee shop. I pulled through the wrong one. Just wanting to make sure others know.”

“We love Ginger Asian Kitchen! I rolled in a little late tonight, just before close, and the staff was amazing! Thank you so much for making our order, we love your food!”

“We stopped into North End last Saturday and the afternoon girls were amazing! We had great food and amazing margaritas. I highly recommend North End”

“Taco John’s has become one of my favorite spots for a quick and satisfying meal, and it’s all thanks to their consistently delicious tacos and those irresistible Potato Olés. Every visit leaves me full, happy, and already planning my next trip.

The tacos here are absolutely spot-on. The shells are always fresh and perfectly crisp, giving that satisfying crunch with every bite. The seasoned beef is flavorful and juicy, and the toppings—shredded lettuce, cheese, and just the right amount of sauce—are always fresh and generously portioned. They have a great variety too, from classic hard and soft tacos to their specialty tacos that are full of bold flavor. You can tell they take care to make sure each taco is made right.

But let’s be honest—the real MVP might just be the Potato Olés. These crispy, golden rounds are the perfect mix of crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, with seasoning that’s downright addictive. They’re great on their own, but when you pair them with one of Taco John’s dipping sauces (especially the nacho cheese or sour cream), they’re on another level. I’ve honestly gone there just for Potato Olés more than once, and I have no regrets.

The staff is always friendly and efficient, making sure orders come out quickly and accurately, even during busy times. The restaurant is clean and comfortable, and the atmosphere is casual and welcoming. Prices are fair for the quality and portions you get, and I appreciate that I can enjoy a tasty meal without spending a lot.

In short, Taco John’s delivers exactly what you want in a quick-service restaurant: delicious food, great service, and a few menu items you can’t stop thinking about. Highly recommended for taco lovers everywhere!”

“Food is just alright, tastes like classic mid western Chinese food. Nothing really has any real flavor but it’s enough to make you feel full. I’ve been a handful of times and each time I’ve ordered something new. This time my partner and I went with the General Tsos, Sesame Chicken, Kung pao chicken, lo mein, scallion pancake and egg drop soup. The general tsos was just your average generic chicken with tsos sauce, the kung pao chicken wasn’t spicy at all but had alright flavor, sesame chicken was sweet but not much flavor, lo mein was just boiled noodles with flavorless soy sauce, scallion pancakes and egg drop were pretty good though. The scallion pancake was crispy and flavorful with a good dipping sauce. The egg drop soup was steaming hot and had good flavor as well. Overall, I’m sure you can find something you’d enjoy here, just isn’t anything special.”

“Best Starbucks I've ever been to! Exceptional customer service every time. Thank you!!!”

“Really great meal,they were very busy. I enjoyed the Pork & Shallot dumplings,and Green beans and pork”

“Amazing food always!!! And Jasper (kids) eats free on Wednesday! �”

“custom service is always great and so is the food.”

“The employees were just standing around talking as we stood there waiting to be searved. The kitchen workers just stared at us and did not notify anyone we were waiting One kitchen employee would walk out to watch baseball that was playing on the TV.. The menu was crappy with little to choose from. The floor was sticky as well. We did not get any utensils sauces or crackers with our order. Nobody came to ask if we wanted refills or to even see how our meal was. I would not have left a tip if I paid at the end of our visit.”

“We will be back.The pizza and wings were awesome 👌”