This Ohio Restaurant Is Run by a Michelin-Starred Chef

Ohio is known as the Buckeye State thanks to the abundance of Buckeye trees that grow in the area. The state is known for other natural wonders, as well as rock n' roll and local fare such as Cincinnati chili or treats made from peanut butter fudge dipped in chocolate (also known as buckeyes).

You may not think of fine dining and world-class food when you think of Ohio. The state does not currently have a Michelin Guide, but there are restaurants in Ohio run by a Michelin-starred chef. This restaurant and a few others are the pinnacle of Ohio's culinary scene. They have been honored with James Beard Awards, magazine mentions, and other accolades. Today we're diving into five of the best restaurants in Ohio that are so good they may someday earn a Michelin Star themselves. (After this article, check out some of the best places to thrift in Columbus, Ohio.)

2058 E 4th St, Cleveland, OH 44115

While achievements like earning a Michelin Star certainly make a restaurant stand out, there's nothing like knowing an eatery is beloved by locals. That's Cordelia, an American restaurant in Cleveland that earned several mentions on Reddit threads seeking out the best restaurant in Ohio. Recently, Guardians All-Star player Steven Kwan shouted out Cordelia as his favorite restaurant in the city during an episode of Gabrielle Kreuz's "Kreuzin Cleveland."

It's not just locals who praise Cordelia. The restaurant earned a mention in Eater's "38 Essential Cleveland Restaurants" and Cleveland Magazine's list of the 25 best restaurants in the city. James Beard Finalist Chef Vinnie Cimino leads Cordelia's culinary team, bringing to life their "Midwest Nice" menu, which is constantly evolving to utilize the season's finest and freshest ingredients. The menu is subject to change, but visitors may find dishes such as nam phrik style sausage and peppers, pork belly, corned lamb, or squash "pie."

501 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Located in downtown Cincinnati, Mita's has been consistently recognized by the James Beard Foundation. Chef Jose Salazar was a semifinalist in the Best Chefs category in 2016, 2018, and 2019, as well as a nominee in the Best Chefs Great Lakes category in 2024. Mita's also earned a nomination in the Outstanding Restaurant category in 2023.

Chef Salazar named Mita's after his Columbian grandmother. The restaurant serves up both the traditional and modern foods of Spain and Latin America, with dishes such as ceviche, paella, and empanadas de res con pique. For dessert, don't miss options like flan de maìz and tres leches.

The Aperture is the newest restaurant on this list, and it's certainly one you won't want to miss. Chef Jordan Anthony-Brown opened The Aperture on January 4, 2024.

The menu is inspired by Mediterranean-style dining, consisting of many rustic small plates that create a natural progression and flow for the dining experience. Discover dishes such as wood-fired pita with several different dips, hamachi tartare, and cod tempura.

While The Aperture's newness means that it may not have the accolades of some of the restaurants on this list, the establishment snagged a spot in the New York Times' list of America's best restaurants in 2024, and that's certainly an impressive feat.

5932 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio 45224

Kiki is another restaurant that has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation. Chefs Hideki and Yuko Harada were nominated for the Best Chef category in the James Beard 2023 awards cycle. Located on College Hill, Kiki serves comforting Japanese home-style cooking with a creative twist of American culinary techniques.

Diners can choose from cold dishes such as edamame, kimchi, and seaweed salad, or hot dishes such as gyoza pork, shishito peppers, and fried green tomatoes. The restaurant also features several different kushiyaki (skewers) as well as main course options like pork belly bao buns and shio ramen. Finish off your meal with matcha Oreo gelato or mango yuzu sorbetto.

2247 Professor Ave Suite C, Cleveland, OH 44113

DANTE is perhaps the closest thing to a Michelin-star restaurant in Ohio, thanks to its owner — Michelin-starred Chef Dante Boccuzzi. Boccuzzi has pursued his culinary craft in many cities throughout the world, including New York, where he earned his coveted Michelin Star.

Boccuzzi opened the modern American restaurant DANTE in 2010 and several other restaurants in the years to come. Today DANTE offers an incredible tasting menu that can be paired with wines, as well as a la carte options from polenta, risotto, and hand-made pasta, to seared foie gras and oysters on the half shell. (Next, read about the Michelin Star-worthy restaurant in Quebec City that keeps its menu a secret.)