Inside: Follow along as I introduce you to the perfect Ohio weekend getaway for foodies! If you love donuts, craft beer, ethnic food from around the world, BBQ, retro diner vibes, and a world famous grocery store that will make you feel like you’re on an episode of “No Reservations” – you NEED to put Butler County on the list for your next Ohio weekend getaway.
Confession: I live in Columbus, Ohio which is quickly becoming a mecca for good food. It didn’t always use to be this way, and in fact, about 30 years ago, my family was hard pressed to find good spots.
A lot has changed over the years and in recent times, we’ve even been called out for being an “unexpected foodie mecca” (Thanks for the shout out, Rick Steves!)
All this to say, I have some decently high expectations for food. And, until recently, I never realized that nearby Butler County had so much foodie fun to offer. A short 2 hour drive from Columbus, you technically don’t need to stay overnight, but I highly recommend it. There is so much to explore and taste that you are going to want to pace yourself.
Where to Stay in Butler County for your Ohio Weekend Getaway
We stayed at the Staybridge Suites in West Chester which was a good option as it was located right off the highway and centrally located. It’s a beautiful hotel with a complimentary hot breakfast.
(Pro tip: Keep breakfast light and protein focused and skip over the waffles and pancakes so you can totally indulge in the Butler County Donut trail for your 2nd breakfast!)
Other hotel options that include a free hot breakfast:
Where to Eat in Butler County for your Foodie Ohio Weekend Getaway
Ok friends, you’re going to want to pace yourselves. There is SO much foodie fun to be had in Butler County. Ready to get started? Check out my recommendations below:
Donuts
Your first stop should be somewhere along the Butler County Donut Trail. I highly recommend pacing yourselves (and wearing something stretchy like yoga pants, because, well, donuts….)
Please note: A few of the donut shops are closed on Sundays and Mondays, so if you’re doing this as a weekend getaway it’s a good idea to strategize your route.
We only made it to a handful of donut shops but our favorite was Holtman’s Donut Shop. The donuts were whimsical, delicious, and freshly prepared right before our eyes. Our family favorite donut was the s’mores. I’m still dreaming about it.
Another great stop was at Jupiter Coffee and Donuts. My little one loved the cool pirate/nautical theme throughout the shop, and loved their “pop tart” donut – a giant donut with a pop tart baked right in! How cool is that?
Ethnic Food
Let’s be honest, it can’t be a perfect Ohio weekend getaway for foodies without…FOOD, right?!
My husband and I love food from all over the world, and we were pleasantly surprised by all the options available. For lunch, we stopped at Namaste Curry House and it was fantastic! We ordered a handful of dishes to try and they were all delicious, but our favorite was the Chicken Tikka Curry.
We checked out Sultan’s Mediterranean Cuisine for dinner. It was SO good – tender, flavored meat and perfectly seasoned rice. I would drive 2 hours from Columbus just to have dinner here again.
Here are some other options for ethnic food in Butler County for you to check out:
Korealistic – Authentic homestyle Korean cooking
Jamaica Mon – Caribbean cocktails, Jamaican stews and live reggae music
Sawasdee Thai – Authentic Thai dishes made fresh to order using local produce.
Taqueria Mercado – Fresh margaritas and authentic Mexican dishes
Drink Up
Rivertown Brewery and Barrel House
We loved the vibe at Rivertown! The service was friendly and the BBQ was delicious. They always bring out a complimentary plate of cornbread and pickles, and I have to be honest, dipping the cornbread into the salty pickle juice takes this snack to the NEXT LEVEL. So yummy.
Bourbon’s Craft Kitchen and Bar – Upscale bar food, craft cocktails and 130+ whiskeys!
Municipal Brew Works – Brewery and tap room in a cool setting – the former municipal building – with a gorgeous patio and food trucks on rotation.
Retro Vibe
If you’re into a more retro vibe, Butler County has plenty to offer. These two old fashioned spots will transport you back in time.
Voted as the “best soft serve in Cincinnati,” a stop at The Cone feels like a blast from the past. I recommend trying their #1 top selling flavor – an orange and vanilla twist cone!
Or, go old school and head over to Jolly’s Drive-In in Hamilton for yummy root beer, hot dogs, burgers and fries enjoyed in the comfort of your very own car.
Sweet Treats
If you have a sweet tooth – you’re in luck. Head on over to Henry’s Candy Company for pretty much any confection you can imagine.
Or stop by Karma in the Kitchen for some handmade truffles, artisan chocolate, fudge or buttery caramels.
If you’re looking for paleo or gluten-free sweet treats or a FANTASTIC cup of coffee, I highly recommend a stop at Cavu Coffee.
The shop is super fun with its nautical decor, and the baristas are friendly and wear the cutest uniforms!
Where to shop for amazing food!
And my favorite stop on our Food lover’s Ohio weekend getaway was Jungle Jim’s.
Pro tip: Pack one of these before you go.
What started out as a small produce stand at the side of the road has grown into one of the coolest grocery stores around! Current day, Jungle Jim’s boasts two locations and over 500,000 square feet of space.
I don’t really know how to describe Jungle Jim’s – other than to say it’s like every specialty grocery store, all smushed together in one room. Boasting an amazing wine collection, cheeses from all around the world, rows and rows of hot sauce, Jungle Jim’s has pretty much anything you’d ever want to eat.
Frozen bone-in goat cubes? Jungle Jim’s has it.
Duck bacon? Yep. They have it.
Have you ever tried ground camel? I haven’t, so if you have, let me know how it tastes!
Thanks for following along on my perfect Ohio weekend getaway for foodies! Did you know Butler County had SO many delicious things? We had such a great time and I can’t wait to come back.
Looking for some other fun Ohio weekend getaways? Check out Lakeside, Ohio, Lancaster, Ohio or even haunted Granville, Ohio.
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