Downtown Kent has seen many changes over the last several years as it has come into its own as a college town. What was once known as a place for bars and Halloween has transformed into a hotspot for food, shopping and entertainment. While some think that Kent State students can’t truly experience downtown until they are 21, there are many things to do and places to go downtown during a student’s freshman year. Go to pages 4 an 6 for the rest of the list.

Editor’s Note: This is not a comprehensive list of every restaurant, shop, tattoo parlor and coffee shop in Kent. Any omissions are on the part of the editing staff and are not intentional.

Food

 While living on campus, it may be difficult to find exactly what you want to eat. Even though there are a variety of places to go to eat on campus, many students head downtown for either something familiar from home or a completely new experience.

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

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

Because it’s 18+, it’s a good option for younger students looking to go out; includes a dance floor, DJ, arcade, pool tables, karaoke nights and 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 option for those looking for familiar wings, chicken and burgers

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

Funky sandwich shop with locations throughout Northeast Ohio

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 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

Homey environment with high-quality food

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. – 8 p.m. Sunday

Fresco Mexican Grill & Salsa Bar

Similar to Chipotle, but you should go for the chip and salsa bar

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 

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

Authentic Mexican food and drinks 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

Small but cozy atmosphere with online ordering available

146 S. Water St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 678-5368

guyspizzaco.com

Hours: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 3 a.m. Thursday – Saturday, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday

Insomnia Cookies 

Voted “Best Dessert” and “Best Late-Night Delivery” in the Kent Stater’s Best of Kent awards

Perfect for a late-night snack since it delivers to campus

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

(877) 632-6654

insomniacookies.com

Hours: 12 p.m. – 3 a.m. Monday-Sunday

Laziza

Upscale Mediterranean cuisine

195 E. Erie St., Kent, Ohio 44240

(330) 677-7000

yourlaziza.com

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

Main Street Continental Grill

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

Serves Mediterranean staples, as well as classics such as burgers and hot dogs

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, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday

Mike’s Place

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

Huge menu offers anything you could ever want to eat in a really quirky space

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

Taco Tontos 

Voted “Best Vegetarian/Vegan Food” in the Kent Stater’s Best of Kent awards

Serves a variety of vegan and vegetarian options in addition to typical Mexican-American cuisine

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, Joe Walsh, Julian Edelman, Steve Harvey and Dri Archer

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 every 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 health-conscious dessert options

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

Contact Emily Mills at [email protected] and Elizabeth Randolph at [email protected].