10 Best Restaurants At Put-in-Bay

Restaurant reviews and opinions are subjective to be sure!  We’ve done the research and come up with a list of the 10 Best Restaurants at Put-in-Bay. To make the 10 best restaurants list you first had to be a primarily a restaurant. We omitted locations that are primarily a bar that serves food and focused on Put-in-Bay Restaurants that have a bar as an amenity.

Everyone likes to be number one and nobody like to be last so for the purposes of this article our findings are in no particular order and all of the 10 best restaurants should be on your list when you Visit Put-in-Bay

The Boardwalk Restaurant Complex

Hands down a winner for variety this 10 best restaurants winner is an obvious choice for families with picky eaters.  With at least 5 separate dining experiences in one location, there is clearly something for everyone. The Little Galley serves up hot dogs and hamburgers while just steps away, the Fish Shak breads Lake Erie Perch and Walleye baskets, sandwiches and shrimp. Rita’s Cantina offers latin inspired salads, tacos & nachos. A seafood stand just past the main entrance serves up peel & eat shrimp and their famous Lobster Bisque, a must have on your visit. Farther down on the first level is a cafeteria style line with fresh Alaskan King Crab Legs, several varieties of fresh fish platters &  sandwiches. The Upper Deck located on the second floor offers an upscale dining experience with a panoramic view of the Put-in-Bay Harbor. Albeit upscale, the dress is resort casual!

The Reel Bar

Formally known as Tonys for many years, the Reel Bar offers casual dining options that include breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night food. Burgers, wraps, and our favorite the mix and match street tacos dominate the menu. Like many of the 10 best restaurants at Put-in-Bay, they offer Lake Erie perch as an entree and they do it well. For heartier appetites, a 1 pound pork steak or rack of ribs is sure to satisfy even the hungriest of travelers. The Reel Bar offers diners an option for outside seating and if the weather is good we suggest it! There is some pretty interesting people watching going on!

The Forge

The Forge was originally a blacksmith shop at Put-in-Bay and after many years as a gift shop was transformed into a creperie that has fast become a highly popular breakfast spot. Bloody Marys, Custome Cocktails and oh yes those Crepes! While breakfast is important The Forge didn’t forget about lunch and dinner! Lighter fare options include sandwiches and paninis. Our favorite was the Kay’s Carribean with Roasted Chicken, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar, and mango habanero BBQ sauce. Tacos, Flatbreads, and sliders rounded out the well-stacked menu. A large section of craft beers and specialty drinks made picking one a challenge! There outside dining adds yet another great location to people watch at Put-in-Bay Ohio.

The Goat Soup & Whisky

Thes guys have it down to a science! Enjoy Put-in-Bay all summer long while serving great food and then off to Colorado where they operate all winter! The Goat is well known on the island for their handcrafted homemade soups. Lake Erie Perch gets a new twist here with their famous Perch Tacos. crispy fried Lake Erie perch wrapped in flour tortillas with shredded cabbage, cheese, green onion and “pali wali” secret taco sauce. You’re going to want to eat more than one trust us! Dinner entrees feature steaks, fish & wide variety of pasta dishes. The goat offers indoor & outdoor seating and is located just a few blocks from town. The first floor is the location of the Chocolate Factory & Museum. Another great destination for a snack, milk share or assorted chocolates.

Put-in-Bay Pizza Company

Just about everyone likes a pizza and the Put-in-Bay Pizza Company does it right! With delivery to anywhere on the island, we were really impressed with the crispy crust and edge to edge toppings. Definitely no skimping there! We had ours delivered poolside at the popular Put-in-Bay Resort in less than 30 minutes! The menu also offered grinder sandwiches, appetizers, and a kids menu which had the typical fare. They offer carry out as well, a great option for a picnic at one of the Put-in-Bay parks!

Frosty’s

Located on the main strip Delaware Avenue we found a GREAT place for breakfast. So good in fact, we ate there both days! With breakfast, it’s always hard to find the place that gets it just right. Crispy Bacon, well-done hash browns, thick pancakes, and eggs cooked just right. Well, this place got it right! The Eggs Benedict was among the best we have ever had anywhere! The aroma of freshly brewed coffee grabs you as you walk in the door and the prompt friendly service complimented both experiences and gets them on the 10 best restaurants list!

Blue Marlin Bar & Grill

Perhaps one of the island best-kept secrets is not just the food at the Blue Marlin, it’s the prices! On average a burger & fries on the island was in the 13 to 15 dollar range while most of the wide variety of sandwiches salads, wraps & other menu items at the Blue Marlin Bar & Grill was less than $10. We tried the Hot Sicilian which was a hot sandwich with a stack of smoked ham, pepperoni, and salami, melted provolone topped with bacon, lettuce tomato, and Italian dressing.  Almost as big of a hit were the well seasoned crispy fries alongside. The grilled chicken salad was more than we could eat and the chicken was tender with great flavor. Bonus points for poolside dining and the nap that came afterward!

The Keys Restaurants

Located near the Jet Express Ferry docks this waterfront dining location sports a funky Florida Decor with Carribean flavor (think Jimmy Buffet) and some downright great coastal foods. The Grouper Sandwich was big enough for 2 but why share? The Conch Fritters, a traditional island blend of Bahamian Conch, onions and bell peppers, lightly fried was delicious with their Key Lime Tartar Sauce. Afterward, nothing says “Key West” like their Key Lime Pie topped with Whipped Cream and Fresh Lime garnish. Tropical drinks and a large selection of craft beers complete the dining experience. The outdoor dining option was one of the best offered of the 10 best restaurants at Put-in-Bay.

Mossbacks

As we quickly learned, many restaurants on Put-in-Bay say they serve “the best fish on the island.” From our experience, Mossbacks has to be at the top! We opted for a combo that featured 4 Lake Erie Yellow Peach light dusted rather than breaded, served along with pierogies. The Cheeseburger must have been at least a 1/2 pound and one of the largest we have encountered. Cooked exactly as we ordered it, the bun was fresh and fries were perfectly cooked! Mossbacks is located just off the main strip across from the Boardwalk with large windows looking out over the waterfront across the street.

Mama Marias

Sometimes the least likely looking place has that special delicious find. Located in front of the Edgewater Hotel downtown the walk up window serves up some of the island best meatball sandwiches, pizza slices and our favorite the chicken parmesan sandwich smothered in mozzarella cheese. Mama Maria is open until very late into the evening after the Put-in-Bay Bars start to wind down and is the go-to place for late night food cravings!