For a taste of Ohio’s finest, set your compass toward Granville. This charming college town, nestled in the heart of Licking County, offers more than just Denison’s storied campus. It’s a culinary crossroads where historic charm meets modern plates, from elevated comfort food to globally inspired fare. Here are the twelve spots that make Granville a true dining destination.
Broadway Pub
$ | (740) 587-0252 | WEBSITE
This welcoming pub offers excellent comfort food. We love all of their pizzas, but especially the one with cauliflower crust and veggies. They also have a few standout dishes, like the pasta pesto, which is portioned well and full of flavor, and the mozzarella cheese pizza, which is very good. We’ve never had a meal we didn’t enjoy at Broadway Pub, but the sleeper hit is actually their beer selection.
The tap list is solid, the local options are plentiful, and we would happily sample the harder-to-find selections like they were a flight of fine wines.
Ray Ray’s Hog Pit Granville
$ | (740) 920-9103 | WEBSITE
Ray Ray’s Hog Pit Granville is a destination spot with a single location, but the one in Granville is actually the most convenient for Licking County residents. The brisket sandwich has a really satisfying smoky bark to it, and if you want a break from pork, you can also get it with the surprisingly delicious cauliflower burnt ends. It’s also mandatory to order some waffle fries with that spicy sauce, no matter what time of day it is—if it’s before dinner, get the Meat Sweats platter.
Ray Ray’s Hog Pit has the most substantial offerings of the barbecue joints around, so you can get smoked turkey when available, brisket sandwiches with or without sauce, and those small label bottled soft drinks to wash it all down.
The Lot Beer Co.
$ | (740) 920-4444 | WEBSITE
The Lot Beer Co. is a lively and fun spot in Granville that offers some creative menu choices alongside its popular brews. A standout is the cheeseburger, which is absolutely amazing and comes with a variety of condiments. Their beer selection includes favorites like the Never Say Die IPA and Son of Seven Sons, while the cocktail menu features top-notch options such as the lemon wheel and peachful easy feeling.
The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, with plenty of seating, interesting art on the walls—including themes related to the Grateful Dead—and lots of TVs usually showing sports. Guests can enjoy free arcade games, and kids have a dedicated menu and arcade area. The service is generally very nice, and there are often live music events, which can make the environment a bit loud but add to the vibrant vibe.
Visitors can also buy merchandise like beer glasses and hoodies, and there’s Jeopardy Night on Thursdays from 8-10 pm.
madelyn’s
$ | (614) 602-7118 | WEBSITE
Madelyn’s has been a gem of Granville’s food scene since it started selling at River Road Coffee in Newark, and the first thing you should know is that if you want their chocolate chip cookie on a weekend, you’d better get there early. That’s because they will almost definitely be sold out by Saturday afternoon.
Their baked goods have a uniquely fresh, incredible texture, plus an amazing assortment of creative offerings, like their espresso brownie and rocky road cookie, and a specialty treat that swaps typical cookies for french toast flavor. Their gluten-free and vegan options are also excellent, but the real star of the show here is the oatmeal cream pie, which is bright with sweet, comforting flavors. Order it at the beginning of your visit in case they run out.
Seek-No-Further Cidery
$ | WEBSITE
Seek-No-Further Cidery is a laidback spot that pours a great selection of dry and semi ciders in a cozy atmosphere. We’re partial to the Farmhouse cider, which comes with that traditional English character and crisp finish, but they also make other varieties that are a great way to unwind after a day exploring downtown Granville.
If you need something more than just cider on a weekend evening, you can also enjoy it here with the huge garage doors open to the patio, or opt for a seat by the woodstove upstairs or at the fire pit outside.
Dragon Village
$ | (740) 321-3338 | WEBSITE
Dragon Village is a dreary little Chinese spot with some truly outstanding dishes on the menu. Expect to find things like a deeply satisfying mapo tofu and an elevated take on classic General Tso’s chicken. The best thing, though, is unquestionably their fried dumplings—the filling is perfectly seasoned and the wrapper is delightfully crisp. Make liberal use of the accompanying soy-vinegar sauce, and save room for a generous portion of yang chow fried rice to round out the meal.
Elm’s Pizza Parlor
$ | (740) 587-1032 | WEBSITE
Elm’s Pizza Parlor is one of Granville’s claims to fame, and there are a few reasons why it’s earned that reputation. We recommend…the whole experience. The debate about the best local pizza spot is lively, and your personal favorite will either depend on where your family went when you were growing up, or which topping combination you prefer most. Elm’s is a modest spot that’s been family-owned for years, and it’s hard to beat their peak nostalgia feel.
Grab a table for four, get a soda from the cooler up front, and order a pizza. Their crust is crisp and the cheese is fine, so let that quality dictate how many slices you enjoy. Their gluten-free cheese pizza is also very good, and they take cross-contamination seriously for those with dietary needs.
Whit’s Frozen Custard
$ | (740) 587-3620 | WEBSITE
The debate over whether Whit’s Frozen Custard or another local spot serves the best frozen treat is the kind of thing that can divide friend groups, so you should really try them both and let the arguments begin. They’re technically located right in Granville, but you can’t talk about frozen custard in this town without mentioning Whit’s. This popular spot has a straightforward setup, and the Buckeye Madness whitser here has that perfect creamy, sweet, and salty balance.
The salted caramel custard is also fantastic, if you want to get something other than the signature whitser.
Joe and Mimi’s Pizzeria
$$ | (740) 587-0046 | WEBSITE
Joe and Mimi’s Pizzeria occupies a cozy corner spot with indoor and outdoor seating, and it’s a great place for a casual family meal. Expect to find all of your favorite pizza classics, including some extremely flavorful and delicious Philly-style and New York-style pies. Surprisingly, this is an ideal place to take people with particular tastes, too.
There’s an entire approach to their pizza that delivers exactly what you want, and you could happily make a satisfying meal out of their fantastic sauce and a perfectly baked crust. The outside patio is a wonderful spot to enjoy their delicious food when the weather permits, and while some might find prices like $23 for a 16″ white pizza a bit steep, the quality of ingredients and superb service make it completely worthwhile.
Day Y Noche
$$ | (740) 587-0204 | WEBSITE
You can find some of the best Mexican-style cooking in all of central Ohio at Day Y Noche. Try to snag a table on the sunny patio, and settle in for a meal that you’re going to be thinking about long after you’ve left downtown Granville. We can’t stop thinking about their chorizo hash and the cinnamon roll pancake, the latter of which comes with a sweet and savory glaze as well as a dusting of powdered sugar.
If something gets served with a side of breakfast potatoes, get it, because theirs is loaded with grilled peppers and onions, which results in some delightful crispy bits. As with any spot that nails brunch, breakfast here is always a good idea.
Taco Dan’s
$ | (740) 321-1198 | WEBSITE
Taco Dan’s serves Mexican food in a cozy space that makes us want to hang out all afternoon. When it comes to ordering, there are no wrong answers here—everything is excellent—but start with their standout chips and salsa verde and at least one of their famous fat tacos with shredded beef for your table. During happy hour, they also make some delicious margaritas.
If you can’t stop thinking about your meal here, the family-owned establishment creates a welcoming experience that keeps you coming back.
Pocho’s Tequila & Cocina
$$ | (740) 920-4216 | WEBSITE
The mar y tierra at Pocho’s Tequila & Cocina, tucked away in Granville, is some of the best you can have anywhere—and that includes Mexico and Los Angeles. The lively interior with its flashing lights and club music is a nice place to sit and have a moment with a margarita tower that will live rent-free in your brain forever. Don’t be afraid to branch out from the classics, either. The pollo con calabaza is great, and their chorizo con queso has a thick layer of melted cheese.
