One week every year, people from all over descend upon Canton. It’s to celebrate football greats. But between all of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement festivities, people have to eat.
If you’re one of those football lovers in town to celebrate your team or your favorite player, you could search online for “restaurants near me” or use Yelp to find the highest-rated spots around town.
That’s just fine, but wouldn’t you rather learn where the locals eat and love from actual locals and not just anyone who stopped in that restaurant and felt like writing a review for the whole internet to read? I thought so. You’re in the right place!
In an informal online poll, community members were asked which restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries they would take out-of-towners to or recommend they visit. The results flooded in. Here are some of the top spots mentioned, plus some local favorites, in Canton and close by that you need to try while in town.
Canton’s top spots for dinner and drinks
Gervasi Vineyard: A trip to Canton without visiting Gervasi Vineyard feels almost criminal. This unusual spot, less than 15 minutes from the Hall of Fame, offers so much more than just a meal. With beautiful grounds featuring a lake and paired swans, multiple restaurants, overnight accommodations and a marketplace, this is the spot to check out.
Fingers crossed the weather is nice enough to enjoy a meal on the Piazza followed by some games on the lawn. Or if temps are too hot for outdoor fun, The Still House is a nice hangout to enjoy over-the-top cocktails or coffee.
“Gervasi Vineyard is the perfect destination for your summer getaway,” said Andrea Hartman, marketing director at Gervasi Vineyard. “Guests must stop at The Marketplace, which is newly expanded to shop for their favorite GV products or unique beautiful gifts.
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“In the summer months, it is so fun to dine on the Piazza, where guests will experience live music, beautiful views of the spring-fed lake and enjoy a casual dining experience. If you are celebrating a special occasion, The Bistro is the perfect restaurant where our Tuscan beef short ribs have been a Bistro staple since we opened our doors.”
Gervasi Vineyard, at 1700 55th St. NE in Canton, has four restaurants on premise: The Bistro, The Crush House, The Piazza and The Still House. For more information, visit gervasivineyard.com.
Table Six Kitchen + Bar: Another popular hangout for delicious food and craft cocktails is Table Six Kitchen + Bar. Opened in 2013, this Jackson Township eatery is less than a 10-minute drive north on Interstate 77 from the Hall.
The roasted Brussels sprouts are a must-try, and the Buffalo Mac + Cheese can’t be missed. Add a popular Mule to your order, and you won’t be disappointed. Table Six is known for its extensive Moscow Mule menu, and keep your eyes peeled for unique drinks of the week.
Table Six is located at 6113 Whipple Ave. NW. For more information, visit table6canton.com.
Best Canton restaurants to have dinner
Basil Asian Bistro: In the heart of downtown Canton, Basil Asian Bistro offers an elevated Asian cuisine experience. Basil’s menu is inspired by Pacific and Southeastern Asian cuisine.
Choose from gourmet dishes such as spicy Szechuan, Thai curries and Pad Thai and fresh sushi. Or opt for traditional dishes, including 23 different stir fry options. The General Tso’s chicken and moo goo gai pan are popular.
Basil Asian Bistro is at 585 Market Ave. N. For more information, visit basilasianrestaurant.com.
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The Desert Inn: The Desert Inn, a family-owned restaurant situated in downtown Canton, is known for its Arabic dishes and trademark platters. Over the years, celebrities and sports stars have been drawn to the restaurant for its tasty bites when in town. Owners Mark and Tina Shaheen say their most popular dishes are the lamb kabobs, lamb shank, rack of lamb, prime rib and the platter dinner.
The Desert Inn is located at 204 12th St. NW. For more information, visit desertinncanton.com.
Lucca: Lucca is the perfect spot for a fancy meal in downtown Canton. The restaurant boasts a cozy, yet high-end vibe with delicious dishes inspired by the restaurants of Tuscany. Lucca is committed to using only fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Popular dishes include the gorgonzola dolce, prepared with housemade bucatini noodles, and the fish.
Need more convincing to visit?
“We literally have someone in the basement who pinches (the raviolis) together every other day when we need it — so much time goes into one bite,” owner Tony Ly said in an article on CantonRep.com from earlier this year.
Lucca is located at 228 Fourth St. NW. For more information, visit luccadowtown.com.
Must-try coffee shop in Canton
Muggswigz Coffee & Tea Co.: Nestled in downtown Canton, Muggswigz Coffee & Tea Co. has been a go-to coffee spot since it opened in 2003.
Keeping up with the latest coffee and tea trends while offering a relaxing place to hang out, Muggswigz does the coffee shop vibe justice. In 2014, it was named one of USA Today’s top 10 coffeehouses in the country, and it still lives up to that. Stop in to see the featured drinks on the chalkboard menu. You can’t go wrong with a chai latte or anything on the menu, for that matter.
“Muggswigz is a destination where people can experience specialty coffee and tea crafted at an uncommonly high level,” said Morgan Haas, executive communication manager at Muggswigz. “Their unique and award-winning batch brew coffee as well as their espresso-based drinks are a must-try.”
Muggswigz is located at 137 Walnut Ave. NE. For more information, visit muggswigz.com.
Snacks and sweets to eat in Canton
Fromage du Monde Cheese & Wine Shop: Cheese and wine lovers will definitely want to stop at Fromage du Monde Cheese & Wine Shop in downtown Canton.
Fromage offers handheld sandwiches and wraps, as well as small plates, salads, cheese plates and charcuterie and a wall full of wine. If you can’t decide what to get, the House Favorite Flight cheese plate offers the most popular cheeses along with candied pecans, apricots, berry compote, stone mustard, pickles and crostini.
Fromage du Monde is located at 340 Fourth St. NW. For more information, visit fromagecanton.com.
Dough Co. Doughnuts: Less than 10 minutes from the Hall of Fame, Dough Co. Doughnuts offers some of the area’s best doughnuts.
Choose from cake doughnuts, creamsticks, yeast-raised doughnuts, rounds, Honeymooners and others. The Buckeye Honeymooner is a must. Made with peanut butter icing and drizzled with chocolate, it’s perfection in every bite.
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“There are good doughnuts … great doughnuts … and Dough Co. doughnuts,” Repository writer Ed Balint said in an Aug. 2021 article. “The assorted dozen I purchased on a summer morning cost $15 and some change. Worth every penny.”
Dough Co. is located at 4742 Hills and Dales Road NW in Jackson Township. For more information, find Dough Co. Doughnuts on Facebook.
Milestone Games: If your time in town allows, you need to check out Milestone Games in downtown Canton.
This spot offers more than 1,100 table top board games, as well as a full-service bar and fun house cocktails, and raved about hot dogs. With eight different kinds of gourmet hot dogs, including a PB&J dog and a BBQ dog, it’s definitely out of the ordinary. The menu also offers other sandwiches, nachos and other items.
Milestone is located at 312 Cleveland Ave. NW. Visit milestone.games for more information.
Top lunch spot in Canton
Deli Ohio: Serving up some of the best, most unusual sandwiches in downtown Canton, Deli Ohio has made a name for itself in the community.
The sandwich shop offers traditional sandwiches, as well as delicious twists on originals, made with only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. The Ham Apple Brie and the Rachel are both solid picks. But you won’t be disappointed by any sandwich. Also on the menu are salads, a rotational menu of soups and sides, breakfast sandwiches and pastries.
“The most popular sandwich at Deli Ohio is our Turkey Bacon Avocado. Housemade hoagie roll with smoked turkey straight from our butcher at Sugar Valley Meats, housemade aioli and fresh ingredients makes this an amazing, fresh sandwich,” said owner Ryan Miller. “Adding a housemade pastry is a must. Whether it is our sea salt chocolate chip cookie or any of our brownies or cream cookie sandwich options — it is hard to go wrong.”
Deli Ohio is located at 328 Walnut Ave. NE. Visit deliohio.com for more information.
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