Image courtesy of The Cleveland Traveler. 

Mt. Vernon is a city in Knox County, Ohio. It is known to be a great city to live in, and has won accolades for its livability throughout the decades. It was named an “All American City” by Look Magazine in the 1960s and “Ohio’s Most Livable Community” by Ohio Magazine in the 1990s. 

Mt. Vernon is filled with different activities to get into. You’ll encounter  hiking trails here as well as numerous restaurants. You can have your fill of local food and enjoy the outdoors right after. You especially have many options when it comes to restaurants. There are restaurants of all kinds where you can enjoy a variety of different foods. Don’t miss out on this opportunity if you’re in town!

Southside Diner

It’s Always Great to Have a Good Diner Nearby

620 S Main St | Mt. Vernon | yelp.com/southside-diner

Southside Diner is the place to go to when you want a nice, homey breakfast. When you go there, you get to indulge in some great comfort food for a great price. It is a great spot to visit for a weekend breakfast. It is also a great idea to stop there for lunch. They have different daily specials each day that are bound to catch your attention. Aside from the specials, their menu is extensive. You will enjoy the chance to choose something off of this menu!

This restaurant sports nostalgic décor that reminds people of a different time. Their collection of vintage candies is another awesome throwback from a past era. They even carry Amish Baked goods! There aren’t too many places that offer that. 

“What an awesome place to eat! Great food.  And I guarantee you WILL not go away hungry. Thank You Southside Diner, for the great meal. No matter what time you go, they are Super Busy. Does that merit a 5 star rating? Go check it out for yourself. You Will not be disappointed !!!!” -- Yelp Review

Amato’s Woodfired Pizza

Get Delicious Pizza Close to Your Home 

668 N Sandusky St | Mt. Vernon | amatosmountvernon.com

When you have a pizza craving, you need to visit Amato’s Woodfired Pizza. They have many unique pizza combinations to choose from, and they have an extensive menu overall. They offer appetizers, salads, pastas, wings, sandwiches, and desserts. Their options are more elevated than the average pizza place. For an appetizer, you can get a charcuterie board with cured meats and artisanal cheeses, a grilled appetizer platter with beef tenderloin skewers and asparagus wrapped in prosciutto, or scampi toast topped with shrimp. 

Their pizzas are just as exciting. They have a five cheese pizza with pesto, a “funghi” pizza topped with a mushroom medley with feta and mozzarella, and a “cippolini” with caramelized onions and scallions with gouda and mozzarella. You’ll want to try so much!

This place offers more than just food to make their visitors happy. They prepare activities to make their restaurant even more fun. You can catch trivia night every Tuesday from 7-9pm! 

“Awesome place! Pizza, pasta, bread and sandwiches are all amazing! The family had it for lunch and then the kids wanted more for dinner while we were camping near Mohican State Park. Staff was amazing and a very nice place to eat and dine in! I can't say enough good things about the food as well, so delicious!” -- Yelp Review

The Alcove Restaurant & Lounge

This Restaurant is the Place to Have a Fine Dining Experience

116 S Main St. | Mt. Vernon | restaurantmountvernonoh.com

The Alcove has been a fixture of Mt. Vernon for over 105 years. It has presented the city with American cuisine in an upscale setting for as long as it has been open. They sell award winning wines alongside their amazing chef-inspired menu. All of their ingredients are fresh and of the highest grade. For dinner, you can have everything from a tomahawk ribeye, sake marinated Chilean sea bass, or a salmon burger. Don’t forget about dessert! You can have a key lime tart or even crème Brule, among other options. 

You need to make a reservation to eat at the Alcove. This place will make you feel excited to get dressed up. You’ll be served with the utmost care by dedicated staff. Depending on the night you visit, you can even catch some entertainment! Dinner theater performances are scheduled by local theater groups on a regular basis. 

“We went out for an early Valentine's dinner at the Alcove and had the best dinner experience we have had in years. Flawless service and delicious food and drinks. It was the evening we had been hoping for.  The prime rib was perfect and the truffle risotto was as well. Our waitress was helpful and knowledgeable and very pleasant. We will definitely be back for another special occasion.” -- Yelp Review

Stein Brewing Company

Here They Have Great Food and Great Beer

109 S Main St | Mt. Vernon | steinbrewco.com

Stein Brewing Company was the first brewery to open in all of Knox County around 1978. They have amazing beer that’s brewed locally. It is a treat to enjoy. Their focus on beer doesn’t take away from the quality of food. For many breweries, if they happen to sell food, it's not treated as a priority. Stein Brewing Company has curated such a great menu that it is said to have one of the best menus in the county. The award winning chef they employ has made that distinction possible. Many of their menu items also happen to be locally sourced. 

This brewery is located inside the historic Woodward Opera House building. It is the oldest 19th century opera house in the country. It was fully restored back in 2019. Their brewing area and taproom exist on one side of their building and the restaurant exists on the other side. Visit this place to eat, drink, or do both!

“If you are visiting or living in Mt. Vernon, then you need to make a stop at this brewery. The atmosphere is something you can't pass up. You will feel just at home, and the beer is unbeatable!

The service is top notch, as the servers will come to you frequently and check on you to ensure everything is going well. They will also go above and beyond to ensure you are enjoying your time.

We were so impressed that we signed up for the "mug club" and we don't even live here. This is a must if you are in town!” -- Yelp Review

North Main Café

Your breakfast here will make your morning brighter. 

108 N Main St | Mt Vernon 

North Main Café serves amazing lunch and dinner items that keep its customers coming back. They sell quality food and quality drinks. The coffee they serve is among the best you can get in the area. The prices are also pretty good. You’ll get to enjoy their food and atmosphere at a steal when it comes to prices.

The environment is just as great as their food. The place is very well decorated and it makes people feel good when they spend time inside it. It is designed like an upscale bakery with comfortable seating choices. They even have a balcony the customers can sit in. 

You can also enjoy whatever food and beverages you’d like! You can order food for takeout or you can sit and enjoy it inside. Stopping by this place will make for a great start to your day. 

“As soon as I saw the balcony on the way in, I knew I was going to love this café! Great food, great coffee, and an even greater environment! Every staff member had a smile on their face, and such a joyful disposition. The avocado toast with lime totally hit the spot! Who would've thought to add lime?! AMAZING!! I highly recommend you give this place a try!! You won't regret it!”- Yelp Review

Road Hog Willie’s

This restaurant’s BBQ sauce will make you want to come back for more. 

504 Harcourt Rd | Mt Vernon | roadhogwillysbbq.com

Road Hog Willie’s is a casual barbeque spot that has amazing sauce. The chef is a barbeque pit master who has done it since 2003. They smoke high quality premium meats that take them several hours to cook. It can take up to 20 hours for the meat to cook, a method that creates well-flavored meat that falls right off the bone. The wood used to smoke this meat is wild cherry and hickory. It is all sourced straight from Ohio. 

You can eat right in the restaurant, on their outdoor patio, or you can get your food catered. They can accommodate parties of any size and serve food for any kind of event you have in mind.  

They have different “family packages” made to serve a group. You can get food to serve four, ten, or 18 people, and can even get enough food to serve over 25 people. They even have some great desserts that you can enjoy right after your hearty BBQ meal. 

“We stopped here on our way back from Mohican to Westerville. We were simply looking for a good lunch with a picnic table outside. It was a great surprise how delicious the food was. I really enjoyed the nachos and the blackberry BBQ sauce!”- Yelp Review

Mazza’s

This Italian restaurant has all the pasta you could need. 

11587 Upper Gilchrist Rd | Mt Vernon | mazzas.com

Mazza’s is an Italian restaurant with an awesome family history. It was founded back in 1939 by two Italian immigrants, and is now run by their third generation descendants. The restaurant has an upscale vibe, though is still somewhat casual. They have an extensive menu that features different classic Italian dishes. They serve several types of pasta, salads, and sandwiches. They have even recently introduced pizza to the menu! Some of their options include margherita, spicy meatball, and pepperoni. 

They offer the opportunity to have banquets in their space and also offer catering. They promise to provide you with the kind of service you can’t find anywhere else. They always make sure to go above and beyond for their customers. 

“Someone suggested this place while we were in town. So we thought we'd give it a try. Started out with bringing out some Awesome bread. Hubby ordered a spicy pasta with sausage. I can't remember the name of it. And I got the chicken alfredo. Both dishes were yummy with a nice sized portion. Had leftovers to take home too. The waitress was pleasant and took good care of us. We will be back if we're ever in the area again.”- Yelp Review

Ichiban Sushi & Hibachi 

This restaurant makes food delicious as well as entertaining. 

346 Hubbard Rd | Mt Vernon

Ichiban Sushi & Hibachi serves up great Japanese food. They offer traditional and fusion sushi, which is their specialty. The chef making these creations has over 33 years of experience and loves to give customers the best food experience possible. Hibachi is often a fun experience to have during a night out. It is always fun to watch a skilled chef prepare amazing foods right in front of you! 

This is a great restaurant to visit with a group. They have plenty of space and accommodations to make sure you have a good time. You can choose to sit at a large table with friends and have sushi spread out across it. Chinese, Thai, and Japanese dishes can also be found here. You won’t regret trying this place!

“I've been regular customer since they opened. Owner's Joe and Nancy are the best. I eat there lunch there at least 3 times a week an i have never been disappointed. The Vern has need a place like this 4 ever. Food is the best. Service A +. Now you don't have to travel to Columbus for great sushi or Hibachi that gives Benihana's a run for their money. Stop in a see Joe and Nancy you will not be disappointed.”- Yelp Review

Bombay Garden Greek Eats

This restaurant offers Indian food and Greek food in one spot. 

1558 Coshocton Ave | Mount Vernon 

Bombay Garden Greek Eats is a unique place that serves Greek as well as Indian food. It is a unique combination of cuisines not usually found in one place. This restaurant is family owned. You can see the whole family working to make sure things run smoothly while you eat. They also treat everyone who comes in as if they are family. They are friendly and attentive and like to make good conversation with their customers. The service is known to be fast and well executed. 

There are several menu items you will likely enjoy trying. If you don’t often eat Greek or Indian food, this place just might get you hooked! Their foods are easily customizable. You can choose from a number of bases and toppings for them. They also offer a lamb mango curry that customers have raved about. Don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy this restaurant’s food!

“Offering both Greek and Indian cuisines may seem like a lofty goal in a neighborhood chockablock with joints selling burgers and fries. The effort to offer something different has been appreciated. The service is friendly and the quality dependable. The saganaki is fun, mango lassi is delightful, dolmades are tasty, and we have yet to find a meal on either side of the menu we wouldn't try again.”- Yelp Review

Mt. Vernon, Ohio is filled with fun night life that you’ll be eager to experience whenever you can. When you’re there, you’ll always have the option to grab a group of people you like, pick a restaurant with the right vibe, and have a fun night out!