Foodie Haven Of Hocking Hills
Known for stunning scenery and loads of outdoor activities, Hocking Hills welcomes visitors to explore the gorgeous landscapes of southeastern Ohio. Although the main attraction of this region is its natural beauty, visitors will be pleasantly surprised at the up and coming food scene. From downhome cooking to upscale fine dining (and everything in between) every type of foodie will find a dish to satisfy their palate! Head to the hills to find outdoor adventures, friendly locals and delicious dining awaiting you in the foodie haven of Hocking Hills!
Whether seeking meals made from scratch with recipes passed down from generations or artisanal fine cuisine crafted by the finest chefs in Ohio, the food scene in Hocking Hills will make you fall in love with every delectable bite! Even if you want to create your own VIP experience by having a private chef cook you a meal in your cabin, several chefs in the area will happily oblige!
So, let’s start with the comfort foods…biscuits and gravy, mac-n-cheese, homemade noodles and mashed potatoes, a juicy hamburger, pizza (you know, all those yummy, not healthy, but so darn delicious foods we all love and crave!). It was a tough job eating my way through many restaurants in Hocking Hills and tasting wines from the local winery, but someone has to do it and I was up for the challenge! 😉
From sampling, southern-inspired biscuits and gravy at the cutest diner, Pearl’s Diner (with the sweetest owner, too!), the delicious lunch buffet featuring homemade chicken and noodles and mashed potatoes at The Olde Dutch Restaurant (did I mention that they have a pie buffet? Its heaven for pie-lovers!), to delicious bison burgers at the Rocky Boot Factory Grill (after your meal, do a little shopping to burn off those extra calories), so many tasty fares satisfied my comfort food cravings!
Hot Cocoa and Biscuits & Gravy at Pearl’s Diner
Fried Chicken, Homemade Noodles, Mashed Potatoes and the Pie Buffet at The Olde Dutch Restaurant
Bison Burger at the Rocky Boot Factory Grill
*Looking for more comfort food? Chow down on the meatloaf at M & M Family Diner, the turkey pot pie at Lake Hope Lodge, check out the BBQ and mac-n-cheese at Millstone BBQ and grab your favorite slice of pizza at Pizza Crossing.
Along with the comfort foods we all know and love, Hocking Hills has several fine dining establishments for those seeking a formal meal. The casual fine dining atmosphere of Rhapsody, features local Appalachian cuisine curated from locally grown products. An upscale experience to remember with a candlelight six or seven course meal at Glenlaurel, features fine dining with a Scottish flair. Or visit the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls for a gourmet meal in their casual fine dining restaurant, Kindred Spirits. We visited Kindred Spirits for breakfast (you must try the orange blossom muffin, its divine!) and met the head chef, Anthony Schultz. He provided us with a sample of their contribution to the Comfort Food Cruise, the delectable chocolate brownie!
Wine lovers will find the perfect Ohio wine at the Hocking Hills Winery. Stop in for a wine tasting, or enjoy a bottle and appetizers while chatting with friendly locals. The winery has live entertainment and seems to be quite the local hangout on weekends! And if you are looking for “the shine” check out Hocking Hills Moonshine.
For visitors who want to cozy up in their cabin all weekend, but don’t want to cook, hiring a private chef to prepare a delicious and homemade meal right in your cabin is a great option (check with the lodging service/rental company to see if this option is available). During my weekend getaway in Hocking Hills, I stayed at Cedar Hill Lodge (a property of Cedar Grove Lodging). Cedar Hill Lodge is perfect for entertaining large groups and families. It sleeps 26 (with 7 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms), has a large and fully-equipped kitchen with plenty of seating, entertaining space with a game room (including a pool table and air hockey table), home theater, and outdoor space with a fire pit, grill and hot tub. With its location atop a hill, guests are treated to sweeping views of Hocking Hills!
We were treated to a cooking tutorial and chef-made meal right in kitchen of the lodge. Matt Rapposelli, chef and owner of Lake Hope Lodge, fixed us a delicious homemade meal in the comfort of our luxury lodge!
*For more information about Cedar Hill Lodge and other properties managed by Cedar Grove Lodging, please visit www.cedargrovelodging.com. (The owners, Kevin and Julie, are so warm and friendly, which made my stay even more special!)
The main purpose of my winter weekend getaway was to preview the Hocking Hills Comfort Food Cruise (read about the Comfort Food Cruise, here) and to enjoy the best winter activities the region has to offer. Our small group sampled some of the best foods in the area, drank delicious Ohio wines and hiked through the regions most beloved outdoor attractions. Now you might be thinking that I had special treatment during my trip, but the great thing is, every activity we did and all the foods we consumed, you can to! All you have to do is get yourself to Hocking Hills! To plan your visit to the foodie haven of Hocking Hills, please visit www.ExploreHockingHills.com.
A special thanks to Hocking Hills Tourism Association, Cedar Grove Lodging and Weirick Communications. I was an invited guest of the Hocking Hills Tourism Association. As always on Ohio Girl Travels, all opinions are my own!