Ohio; Put-in-Bay Foodie Trail

By Sarah Miller Freelance Writer

Three words– Delicious. Island. Escape. The Put-in-Bay Foodie Trail allows you to chart your own culinary adventure.

Live the Island Life

Put-in Bay Island is known as the “Key West of the North,” where tropical vibes meet Midwest hospitality. The small Ohio island off the shores of Lake Erie is only 397 acres. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in entertainment. Beach lovers can swim, kayak, jet ski, or paddleboard.

The downtown area is packed with colorful shops and restaurants. Just a stroll or golf cart ride away from downtown is Perry’s International Peace Memorial. Scattered around the island are two state parks, camping, hotels, and cottage rentals.

Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center has a miniature golf course, butterfly house, and a limestone cave. Across the family fun center is Heineman Winery, one of Ohio’s oldest wineries dating back to 1888. The islands has a long history of winemak-ing due to the island’s fertile grape-growing soil. The island is a true treasure trove of culinary gems. Grab a glass and a fork to taste your way across the Put-in-Bay Foodie Trail.

Cruise Into Your Foodie Adventure

It’s 11 am on Monday, and people are shuffling aboard the Jet Express in Port Clinton, Ohio. Smiling families, couples snapping selfies, and even a tail-wagging dog are ready to leave behind the mainland. The only thing standing between the passengers and Put-in-Bay is a 30-minute ferry ride over Lake Erie. Something special happens in that half-hour ride. Maybe it’s the wind in your hair, the smell of fresh water spray, or just the anticipation of an island—it feels like an adventure.

Put-in-Bay is called “the everyday island getaway,” for a reason. The Jet Express makes it easy to plan a last-minute getaway. The ferry operates from morning till night seven days a week in peak summer season. Late September and into October the schedule switches to extended weekends only.

Insider Tip: Book Jet Express tickets online ahead of time. Parties and crowds tend to overflow on summer weekends. Summer weekdays and September weekends are the best time to avoid the crowds. The Jet Express docks at the main part of Put-in-Bay, putting you directly in contact with the downtown area. This area is highly walkable and is filled with restaurants and shops.

Insider Tip: Golf carts are the preferred method of transportation here. There are several golf cart rental companies that rent by the hour or by the day.

The island’s tour train is another option. More of an open-air trolley, the train makes stops at popular locations and the driver entertains with facts and trivia about the island.

There’s endless choices for tasting your way across the island. Check out social media to see what others recommend. Post your picture with your dish at any of the Foodie Trail restaurants, and make sure to hashtag #pibfoodietrail. Here are just a handful of favorites along the Put-in-Bay Foodie Trail:

Dine in the Tropics The Keys

Of all the places on the island, The Keys restaurant transports us with its island vibe. Vibrant Key West decor and beautiful water views create the ideal spot for their speciality of Caribbean-style dishes and seafood. From mahi mahi to the Key West Shrimp, these island favorites pair perfectly with tropical drinks like Island-inspired Rum Republic Crafted Cocktails, Frozen Specialty Drinks, or Mocktails. Room for dessert? Definitely, save room for the Key Lime Pie.

Farm-to-Table Find The Goat, Soup and Whiskey

First off, you can only dine at The Goat, Soup and Whiskey in three locations: St. Croix, Keystone, Colorado in the Rockies, and Ohio’s Put-in-Bay island. They have on-site gardens that provide fresh herbs and vegetables. Fresh-caught fish like the Original Perch Taco is a local favorite as are the handmade Reuben Balls. Made from scratch soups and desserts are popular here. Oh, and they have whiskey. This place is elegant yet casual, gourmet, yet–there’s a goat! Yes, for fun, snap a photo with the stuffed goat mascot in the corner.

Fresh Maine Lobster The Boardwalk

You’ll see The Boardwalk the moment you dock at the bay. With several eateries under one roof, you can satisfy a group with anything from burgers to king crab legs. The highlight here is a bowl of lobster bisque savored on the upper deck. Fresh Maine lobster is flown to the island daily. Nothing beats watching the boaters and kayakers on the lake with the sun slowly sinking for the day. This makes a perfect way to end the day before the ferry jets you back to the mainland.

Bit O Fun Hooligans Irish Pub

You’ll swear you’re in Ireland with the cozy, dark wood decor and lively music. Irish cheese samplers, fish ‘n chips, hearty soups, meatloaf dinner, and Irish Whiskeys are just a few of the classics that bring a touch of Ireland to Put-inBay.

Classic Choice Frosty’s

Taste an island tradition since 1949–Frosty’s! Hot pizzas and cold beers are their claim to fame here. Things here have largely remained unchanged, and that’s a good thing. Piping hot pies baked fresh to order and their signature Frosty beer mug make this island staple a classic.

Dessert Destination The Chocolate Cafe

Sweet dreams are made here. Picture it: rich, chocolate drizzled cakes and tiramisu. Under a brightly lit glass display are perfectly lined chocolates–from dark chocolate sea-salt caramels to chocolate-coconut creams. Sip fresh-ground coffee and hot chocolate for warmth. Then, further down 32 flavors of local Toft’s ice cream for a cold treat. There’s even a tiny chocolate museum adjacent with chocolate memorabilia.

Insider Tips:

Some island restaurants are only open until Labor Day.

Dog-friendly outdoor dining is popular on the island. Don’t miss tasting fresh-caught Lake Erie perch or walleye

Try local island wineries like Heineman Winery (established 1888)

Before You Go ISLAND INFO For the Put-in-Bay Foodie Trail

Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau

148 Delaware Ave.

Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456

419-285-2832

Official Website: www.visitputinbay.com

To plan your visit, check out Shores & Islands Ohio: www. shoresandislands.com/

Shores & Islands Ohio Welcome Center - East

125 E. Water St., Sandusky, OH 44870

Phone: 419.625.2984 or 800.255.3743

Shores & Islands Ohio Welcome Center - West

770 SE Catawba Rd. (SR 53), Port Clinton, OH 43452

Phone: 419.734.4386 or 800.441.1271

Jet Express

800-245-1538

https://www.jet-express.com/