With a downtown constantly changing and being updated in recent years, Kent continues to grow into a vibrant and thriving community. From food to shopping, the college town offers students and residents of all ages an assortment of entertainment and adventures to experience. Here’s a little taste of what you can find if you venture off campus.

 

Editor’s Note: This is not a complete list of every eatery and store in Kent. Any exclusions are done so by the Kent Stater staff and are not intentional.

 

Food

While there’s an assortment of food options for students to choose from on campus, sometimes it’s refreshing to venture downtown and check out the seemingly endless number of eateries. From homestyle cooking to exotic cuisine, there’s a little something for everyone’s tastebuds.

 

Bar 145

Voted “Best Burger” in the Kent Stater’s Best of Kent awards

Variety of burgers with the option to build your own

100 E. Erie St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 968-6201

bar145kent.com/home

Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday

Belleria

Sit-down Italian restaurant in Acorn Alley 2 offering

135 E. Erie St., Suite 202, Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 678-6000

belleriakent.weebly.com

Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., 12 p.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. Sunday

Brewhouse Pub

Voted “Best Place to Have Fun Under 21” in the Kent Stater’s Best of Kent awards

For younger students looking to enjoy a night out, this place invites students 18 and up to bust a move on the dance floor and check out the DJ, arcade, pool tables, karaoke nights, as well as local comedians and bands.

244 N. Water St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 678-2774

facebook.com/brewhouse.pub?sk=wall

Hours: Varies

Bricco

Voted “Best Restaurant” and “Best Place for a First Date” in the Kent Stater’s Best of Kent awards.

Upscale dining with fairly reasonable prices

210 S. Depeyster St. Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 677-1335

briccokent.com

Hours: 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sunday

Buffalo Wild Wings

Good ol’ American wings, chicken and burgers make this sports bar establishment a classic.

176 E. Main St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 678-9464

buffalowildwings.com

Hours: 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday

Dave’s Cosmic Subs

Northeast Ohio-based funky sandwich shop with crazily-named and one-of-a-kind sandwiches.

215 S. Water St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 346-0620

davescosmicsubs.com/Home.html

Hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday

Euro Gyro

Best known for its gyros and bar-type food such as wings, burgers and pizza.

107 S. Depeyster St. Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 678-4976

eurogyro.com

Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 3 a.m. Monday-Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 a.m. Thursday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 a.m. Sunday

Franklin Square Deli

Voted “Best Sandwich Shop” in the Kent Stater’s Best of Kent awards, features menu of subs, jumbo bagels and baked ciabattas.

108 S. Water St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 673-2942

franklinsquaredeli.com

Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday

Fresco Mexican Grill & Salsa Bar

Similar to Chipotle, but you should go for the chip and salsa bar. Plus, can’t beat the homemade guac.

100 E. Erie St. Suite 112, Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 677-2588

getfresco.com

Hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sunday

Guaca-Mole’s

Authentic Mexican food like burritos, tacos and quesadillas. Drink specials for students over 21.

1888 S.R. 59, Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 676-0710

facebook.com/pages/Guaca-moles-Mexican-Grill-Cantina/148441931856485

Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday-Sunday

Guys Pizza

Voted “Best Pizza” in the Kent Stater’s Best of Kent awards

Literal hole-in-the-wall eatery with a cozy atmosphere and online ordering available

146 S. Water St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 678-5368

guyspizzaco.com

Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 12 a.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 1:30 a.m. Thursday – Saturday, 10:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. Sunday

 

Insomnia Cookies

Voted “Best Dessert”in the Kent Stater’s Best of Kent awards, it’s perfect for a late-night snack; especially because it delivers to campus.

295 S. Water St. #112, Kent, Ohio 44240

(877) 632-6654

insomniacookies.com

Hours: 9 a.m. – 3 a.m. Monday-Sunday, Delivery Hours: 10 a.m. – 3 a.m.

Laziza

Upscale eatery featuring Mediterranean cuisine.

195 E. Erie St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 677-7000

yourlaziza.com

Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday, 12 p.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday

Main Street Continental Grill

Serves Mediterranean staples, as well as classics like hot dogs, hamburgers and cheesesteaks.

911 E. Main St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 678-0800

mymainstreetgrill.com

Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 12 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sunday

 

Mike’s Place

Voted “Best Place to Cure a Hangover” in the Kent Stater’s Best of Kent awards.

The off-the-wall eatery’s colossal menu offers more than you would ever think possible, and then some.

1700 S. Water St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 673-6501

mikesplacerestaurant.com

Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday

Mr. Zub’s

Located next door to Water Street Tavern, offers a variety of sandwiches with online and app ordering available

132 S. Water St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 474-0800

mrzubs.com

Hours: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 3 a.m. Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday

Newdle Bar

Sushi, noodles and rice bowls

295 S. Water. St. #116, Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 968-6134

newdlebar-kent.com

Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday

Panini’s Bar and Grill

With locations throughout Northeast Ohio, Panini’s sandwiches are most likely a familiar food staple for many new students

295 S. Water St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 968-6204

paninisgrill.com/locations/kent/

Hours: 11 a.m. – 2:30 a.m. Monday-Sunday

Pita Pit

Sandwiches made with pitas can be a healthier option for students on a budget

154 E. Main St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 346-0334

pitapitusa.com

Hours: 10 a.m. – 1 a.m. Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 4 a.m. Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. Sunday

Popped!

A specialty popcorn shop in Acorn Alley with flavors such as Caramel, Cheddar and Black Squirrel Crunch

175 E. Erie St. #201, Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 678-1893

shoppopped.com

Hours: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday

Pufferbelly Restaurant

A family-style restaurant located in an old railroad depot station

152 Franklin Ave., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 673-1771

pufferbellyltd.com

Hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday-Monday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday

 

Ray’s Place

Voted “Best Drink Selection,” “Best Place for a Blind Date” and “Best Place to Take Your Parents” in the Kent Stater’s Best of Kent awards

Casual atmosphere, good food and a great place for a 21st birthday

135 Franklin Ave., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 673-2233

raysplacekent.com

Hours: 11 a.m. – 2:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 12 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Sunday

Rise & Shine Cafe

If you’re willing to wake up early, a great spot for breakfast or brunch

135 E. Erie St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 678-8800

riseshinecafe.com

Hours: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sunday.

Taco Tontos

Serves standard Mexican-American cuisine, as well as variations of vegan and vegetarian options.

123 Franklin Ave., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 677-0223

tacotontos.com

Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. Friday-Saturday, closed Sunday

Twisted Meltz

Sandwiches named after Kent celebrities, including Drew Carey, Josh Cribbs, Julian Edelman, Joe Walsh, Steve Harvey and Michael Keaton.

164 E. Main St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 968-4104

twistedmeltz.com

Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Wild Goats Cafe

Voted “Best Breakfast” in the Kent Stater’s Best of Kent awards

Serves breakfast all day, and each Wednesday after 3 p.m. is  “Buck Buck Brinner Wednesday,” featuring eight breakfast items at a dollar a piece

319 W. Main St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 677-2326

wildgoatscafe.com

Hours: 7 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Sunday

Yogurt Vi

Frozen yogurt with both healthy and indulgent toppings.

295 S. Water St. #120, Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 677-1162

yogurtvi.com

Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday