Eat your way through downtown Canton: Best restaurants for breakfast, lunch, dinner

Downtown Canton’s food scene has evolved over the years, but some restaurants have stood the test of time. Whether you’re looking for coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks or a one-of-a-kind dining experience, downtown Canton has it.

This list highlights the top restaurants, coffee shops and spots to imbibe in downtown Canton. I’d suggest keeping this (whether you save the print version or bookmark the online version) to reference in the future.

Need more recommendations for top restaurants throughout the county? Stay tuned. These guides, which have highlighted spots in North Canton, Louisville, Plain Township, Hartville and Massillon so far, started in late July.

Top spots for coffee in downtown Canton

Muggswigz Coffee & Tea Co.: Serving coffee and tea in downtown Canton since 2003, Muggswigz has a large menu of coffees, teas, lattes, specialty drinks and everything in between. Stop in the laidback coffee shop to sit, sip and enjoy. My recommendations: Chai latte, Fuzzywig.

Carpe Diem Coffee Shop: Also opened in 2003, Carpe Diem is a Canton staple and so are owners Pat and Cathy Wyatt. The menu offers espressos, Americanos, cappuccinos and lattes, drip coffee, cold brew and iced coffee, as well as teas, hot chocolate and smoothies, plus specialty cocktails and a small menu of breakfast food and treats. My recommendations: Caramel latte, strawberry smoothie.

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Downtown Canton's best restaurants for breakfast and brunch

Samantha’s Downtown Restaurant & Bar: With omelets, egg combos, griddle specials and signature meals on the breakfast menu, there’s something for everyone at Samantha’s in downtown Canton. My recommendations: Cinnamon swirl French toast with eggs, cranberry pecan pancakes.

Arcadia Grille: With an old-school feel, Arcadia Grille is known for its welcoming vibe and nostalgia. Arcadia offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. My recommendation: You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

330 Bar & Grill: On Sundays, 330 Bar & Grill offers a brunch from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Choose from pancakes, salmon avocado toast, chicken and waffles, a breakfast sandwich, protein bowl, omelet and more breakfast meals, as well as sides, including sausage, bagels, bacon, garlic home fries, to name a few. Breakfast cocktails, no-proof cocktails and other breakfast beverages are available. My recommendations: Chicken and waffles, raspberry beret no-proof cocktail.

Restaurant review:Top-notch food, awkward experience at 330 Bar & Grill

Top lunch restaurants in downtown Canton

Deli Ohio: Offering a large variety of sandwiches, plus salads, soups, sides, handmade pastries and breakfast sandwiches, Deli Ohio is a great spot to stop for lunch or carryout. My recommendations: Ham Apple Brie, Rachel.

Conestoga Grill: Open for lunch on weekdays, Conestoga Grill offers appetizers, salads, half-pound burgers, a slew of entrees, including chicken parmesan, lasagna, grilled chicken Alfredo and Smokey Mountain chicken breast, plus sandwiches, salads, and soups and chili. My recommendations: Greek salad, All American burger.

Fromage du Monde: A restaurant centered around cheese. Yes, please! Fromage du Monde’s menu features handheld sandwiches, combo meals, small plates, salads, a variety of cheese plates and charcuterie. My recommendations: House favorites flight cheese plate, baked brie.

Jerzee’s Cafe: A relatively new spot on the scene, Jerzee’s Cafe is a fun place to have lunch, especially on a nice day. Sit on the patio and enjoy the green space at Centennial Plaza. The menu offers a smattering of snacks, wings, sandwiches and wraps, a variety of bowls, burgers, salads, soups, pizzas, coneys and dessert. My recommendation: Cranberry chicken wrap.

Best dinner restaurants in downtown Canton

Lucca Downtown: Lucca was inspired by the restaurants of Tuscany and uses only fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The menu consists of appetizers, salads, handmade pastas, entrees, including pork chops, filet, strip steak, chicken piccata and grilled salmon, plus desserts. My recommendation: Chicken piccata.

Fronimo’s Downtown: Casual, relaxing and friendly is how Fronimo’s describes itself. With delicious food and welcoming staff, it’s a nice spot for drinks and dinner. The menu features a variety of small plates, sandwiches, big plates, including linguini and shrimp, strip steak, duck, pork chop and moscato chicken and shrimp, and salads. My recommendations: Hawaiian BBQ chicken sliders, Moscato chicken and shrimp.

Bender’s Tavern: Bender’s is the top spot for fresh seafood in downtown Canton. The dinner menu offers a variety of seafood appetizers, soups, salads, several seafood dishes, steaks, chicken, pork chops and pasta, and sides. My recommendations: Glacier Bay crab cakes, chicken marsala.

Basil Asian Bistro: Basil’s menu items are inspired by Pacific and Southeastern Asian cuisine. The menu features gourmet offerings such as spicy Szechuan, Thai curries and Pad Thai and fresh sushi. Traditional dishes are also available, including 23 different stir fry options, such as General Tso’s chicken and moo goo gai pan. My recommendations: Egg rolls, crispy pineapple chicken.

Desert Inn: Serving Middle Eastern cuisine, Desert Inn has been in business for more than 50 years. The menu offers appetizers, a famous Grecian salad, sandwiches, including gyros, family-style dishes featuring steak, lamb, seafood and chicken; and sides. My recommendations: Desert Inn Famous Grecian salad, Taste of the Middle East.

George’s Lounge: George’s Lounge is known for its burgers, and you can’t go wrong with any on the menu. Also on the menu are bar bites and dippers, handcut fries or chips, hand-scooped shakes, salads and a large drink selection. My recommendation: The Big O’nesto.

Downtown Canton’s top spots for drinks

Rae’s on Court: Located under Samantha’s Downtown Restaurant & Bar, Rae’s on Court specializes in craft cocktails and more than 100 kinds of bourbon. Stop in for a drink with friends, and enjoy karaoke every Friday night. My recommendation: Stop in to see what’s on the menu.

Muskellunge Brewing Co.: At Muskellunge, they brew small batches hand-crafted in traditional styles. Each craft beer on the menu is named after a freshwater fish. Choose from IPAs, porters, pilsners, dortmunders and more kinds of beer. My recommendation: Rainbow Trout Coffee Blonde.

Canton Brewing Co.: Canton Brewing recently updated its menu to reflect a German theme, with German cuisine alongside pub food. The beer menu includes three core beers, including the Tuscora Pilsner, Cascade Pale Ale and Carpe Noctem. Check the menu for seasonal and rotational beers. My recommendation: Carpe Noctem (a coffee porter).

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Top spots for drinks and fun in downtown Canton

Milestone Games: Have a drink and a gourmet hot dog while playing boardgames at Milestone Games in downtown Canton. There are 12 rotating drafts to choose from and multiple kinds of hot dogs, plus a few other menu items. My recommendations: PB&J Dog, check what’s on tap.

The Auricle: The Auricle offers a large beer selection, liquor, soft drinks and snacks, plus live music, trivia nights and other events. My recommendation: Grab a group for trivia night and enjoy some snacks and beer.

Recently opened hot spot in downtown Canton

Mélange: From the owner of Alexander Pierce is downtown Canton’s newest restaurant, Mélange. The menu features a variety of starters, soup and salads, seafood dinners, steaks and lamb chops, main plates, including salmon, lobster, pork tenderloin, chicken and seared scallops; pasta and sides. My recommendations: Risotto, Korean corn dogs.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Downtown Canton's best restaurants for breakfast, lunch, dinner