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Walking-Distance Foodie Guidebook

Eating and drinking within walking distance from downtown Sandusky

Breakfast / Coffee

Wake Up And Waffle

Sit-down breakfast restaurant

Front entrance of Wake Up And Waffle restaurant
Wake Up And Waffle logo
Interior of Wake Up And Waffle restaurant

Directions (from the Jet Express)
122 E Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This restaurant provides a unique sit-down breakfast experience in the heart of downtown Sandusky. Located in the Marketplace building alongside other local businesses, this restaurant serves Liege waffles with Belgian sugar pearls, both sweet and savory variations of waffle-based breakfasts, and no-waffle hot breakfast options. Beverage selections include fresh-squeezed orange juice, a variety of flavored milks, coffee/tea, and brunch cocktails. Both indoor and patio seating available. 6-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Sweet Cheekz Cafe N Bistro

Coffee shop

Front Entrance of Sweet Cheekz Cafe N Bistro

Directions (from the Jet Express)
217 E Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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Sweet Cheekz is a downtown Sandusky coffee shop that offers a standard menu of hot and iced espresso-based beverages, as well as a wide variety of seasonal creations of many different flavors. Comfortable space for working on a laptop is available. Both indoor and patio seating available. 6-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Mr. Smith's Coffee House

Coffee shop

Front entrance of Mr. Smith's Coffee House
Interior of Mr. Smith's Coffee House facing back of store
Interior of Mr. Smith's Coffee House facing front of store

Directions (from the Jet Express)
140 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This quaint coffee shop offers a charming interior, complete with a collection of books and board games, a chess set, and local art on the walls (some of it for sale). The menu includes standard espresso-based beverages and coffee/tea, breakfast sandwiches and pastries, and some lunch options. Indoor seating offers a comfortable space to work on a laptop. No outdoor seating. 4-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Vita

Coffee shop and more

Front entrance of Vita and City Hall next door

Directions (from the Jet Express)
256 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870
Website (opens in new tab)

Vita is located in a beautiful former bank building and still retains the original ornate ceiling, marble walls, and the bank's vault area. A combination of coffee shop, restaurant, bar, grocery market, and wine shop, it has offerings for all three meals of the day. Breakfast options include breakfast sandwiches and pastries, along with a standard selection of espresso-based beverages, coffee, and bubble tea. Plan to relax and spend some time in this European-style establishment (the service is typically not fast-paced), but it's definitely worth the experience! Both indoor and patio seating available. 7-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Port Sandusky Family Restaurant

Sit-down breakfast diner

Front entrance of Port Sandusky Family Restaurant

Directions (from the Jet Express)
325 W Market St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This family diner is a true hole-in-the-wall hidden gem of a breakfast place, offering a typical full breakfast menu at unbelievably low prices. The service is friendly, and the food tastes great. While the service is pretty fast once you get a table, getting a table is tricky at this incredibly popular local favorite, so plan to spend some time. Indoor seating only. 4-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Maca Root

Juice bar and eatery

Front entrance of Maca Root with two bistro tables out front
Maca Root patio with tables and umbrellas by side of the building
Interior of Maca Root

Directions (from the Jet Express)
216 E Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This juicery's menu offerings include fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies, fresh-pressed juice shots, coffee/tea specialty drinks, avocado toast, various breakfast and lunch wraps, salads, and other vegetarian/vegan options. Spacious indoor dining room makes for a comfortable work area for anyone wishing to bring a laptop, with plenty of tables, free wifi, and a good number of outlets. Outdoor seating includes a courtyard to the side of the building, as well as a couple of tables in the front. 6-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Lunch / Dinner

Landmark Kitchen and Bar

Full service restaurant

Front of Landmark restaurant building
Landmark restaurant side patio with view of Sandusky Bay
View of Mylander Park's fountain with patio tables of Landmark restaurant in the background

Directions (from the Jet Express)
101 E Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This restaurant provides a fusion of great food and great atmosphere. The extended patio area offers a view of the Schade-Mylander Plaza fountain, as well as that of the Sandusky waterfront. The menu includes a gourmet selection of appetizers, seafood, steak, salads, sandwiches, and more and is complemented by a variety of cocktail offerings. Prices are very reasonable for this type of menu. 3-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Saucy Brew Works

Full service restaurant

Front of Saucy Breworks building with view of patio umbrellas

Directions (from the Jet Express)
215 E Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This small-chain microbrewery and restaurant offers an extensive list of house-crafted beers, as well as a full bar and a food menu consisting of small plates, flatbreads, sandwiches, and a few entrees. The lunch menu is an abridged version of the dinner menu, so dinner time might be best to experience the array of delightful dishes hiding behind the very simple interior decor. Both indoor and patio seating available. 6-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Tony's

Full service restaurant

Front entrance of Tony's restaurant with view of the building and its retro architecture
Back patio of Tony's restaurant
Interior of Tony's restaurant

Directions (from the Jet Express)
216 E Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This local favorite is a simply-decorated bar & grill with an upscale twist on a bar & grill menu. Menu options include various hot dogs, brats, burgers, and other sandwiches, as well as a handful of entree options and flatbreads. A full bar is available inside, as well as at the waterfront-facing cocktail-only patio in the back of the building. 2-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Oh Taco

Full service restaurant

Back balcony-style patio of Oh Taco restaurant with large Oh Taco sign above it

Directions (from the Jet Express)
223 W Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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Guacamole, queso, various salsas, gourmet street tacos, and quesadillas make up the majority of the menu at this local favorite. Bar offerings include an extensive specialty cocktail list, featuring an assortment of margaritas and mojitos. Balcony seating offers a view of Jackson Street Pier and the Sandusky waterfront. 1-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Small City Taphouse

Full service restaurant

Front entrance of Small City Taphouse with view of the building and its retro architecture

Directions (from the Jet Express)
202 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This unusual, extremely spacious venue is a fusion of a microbrewery and a high-end Asian restaurant. The offerings include an extensive sushi menu, as well as a variety of other Asian-style dishes. One side of the restaurant has a full bar, and the other side has a separate microbrewery tasting bar. The main dining room's walls display humorous posters to entertain the guests while they wait for their food. Indoor seating only. 5-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Dockside Cafe

Seasonal outdoor cafe

View of Dockside building with the marina in front of it
View of the Dockside waterfront property facing the Bay and the Chesapeake Lofts condo building, with glimpses of the patio tent on the right and Bay-side tables on the left
Dockside's patio with a large tent and a jet ski docked in front of the patio

Directions (from the Jet Express)
611 W Shoreline Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870
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At Dockside you're instantly transported into Vacation, even if stopping for lunch during a work day! This seasonally operated, outdoor-only venue offers seating overlooking the Sandusky Bay and the Paper District Marina, a diverse menu of great-tasting tacos, salads, burgers, and quesadillas, a wide selection of quality cocktails, and often live music entertainment. While it's not uncommon to find yourself waiting in line to order at the counter, it's always worth the wait! 4-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Shore House Tavern

Full service restaurant

Front entrance of Shore House Tavern

Directions (from the Jet Express)
306 W Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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True to its name, this venue offers a tavern-like atmosphere; yet the mostly tavern-style menu is interspersed with various gourmet items, including oysters on a half-shell and other seafood dishes. On weekends a brunch menu includes both breakfast and lunch options. Both indoor and patio seating available. 2-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Barra

Full service restaurant

Front entrance of Barra restaurant

Directions (from the Jet Express)
142 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This two-story restaurant is famous for its tacos and bowls, including build-your-own offerings, as well as its extensive cocktail menu. It's not uncommon to hear live music from the open second-floor area. Both indoor and patio seating available. 4-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Vita

Full service restaurant and more

Front entrance of Vita and City Hall next door

Directions (from the Jet Express)
256 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870
Website (opens in new tab)

Vita is located in a beautiful former bank building and still retains the original ornate ceiling, marble walls, and the bank's vault area. A combination of coffee shop, restaurant, bar, grocery market, and wine shop, it has offerings for all three meals of the day. Lunch options include small plate items, salads, paninis/wraps, and flatbreads, and at dinner time there is an additional option of meats and seafood served on hot stone and cooked at the table. The full bar offers a variety of cocktails. Live music entertainment is not uncommon. Plan to relax and spend some time in this European-style establishment (the service is typically not fast-paced), but it's definitely worth the experience! Both indoor and patio seating available. 7-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Dinner

Amarone Italian Restaurant

Full service restaurant

Front entrance of Amarone restaurant
Side of Amarone restaurant building with view of the patio fence
Interior of Amarone restaurant

Directions (from the Jet Express)
160 Wayne St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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Owned and operated by an immigrant from Italy, this restaurant offers an authentic experience and authentic Italian cuisine. The owner of this family restaurant is also the chef. The food is excellent, the wine list has plenty to choose from, and the cappuccino is the best in town. Full service inside, but a patio is available to enjoy a pizza. 6-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Crush Wine Bar

Full service restaurant and wine bar

Front entrance of Crush Wine Bar with view of side patio and Peddlers' Alley

Directions (from the Jet Express)
145 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870
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Crush offers an eclectic menu, ranging from small plates and flatbreads, to steak and seafood, to sushi, as well as an extensive wine list and a full bar. Indoors, the dimly lit interior is elegant and inviting. The patio is situated along the side wall of the building, in what's known as the Peddlers' Alley - a European-style alley that fills the night on the town with charm and ambience. 4-minute walk from the Jet Express.

J Bistro Downtown

Full service restaurant

Front entrance and main patio of J Bistro
Side patio of J Bistro
Interior of J Bistro

Directions (from the Jet Express)
129 W Market St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This cosmopolitan restaurant offers a tasty bistro-style menu with an Italian flair. Appetizers, steaks, seafood, and pastas are complemented by an impressive wine list, and a wine bottle tree contributes to the ambience of the interior dining room. The restaurant also offers two charming outdoor patios. 4-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Cocktails

Moseley's Rooftop Bar

Cocktail bar

Back of Moseley's Rooftop Bar building with a large Moseley's sign and a view of the rooftop bar above

Directions (from the Jet Express)
223 W Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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Located on the top floor of the building above Oh Taco, this full bar offers a tempting craft cocktail list and roof-top seating with a gorgeous view of the Sandusky waterfront. Indoor seating at the counter is also available. 1-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Sandusky Wine Merchant

Wine bar and wine shop

Front entrance of Sandusky Wine Merchant wine shop, with a bistro table and an easel-style display stand by the entrance

Directions (from the Jet Express)
211 W Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
Website (opens in new tab)

This venue is a combination wine shop and tasting room. Tastings and wines by the glass are offered along with a small snack menu that includes items such as a cheese plate and a nut medley. The proprietor is friendly and knowledgeable, and the interior is quaint and inviting. A couple of seats are also available on the back balcony. 1-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Volstead Bar

Cocktail bar, speakeasy

Front entrance of Volstead Bar

Directions (from the Jet Express)
316 E Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This small, classy speakeasy displays a green light when seats are available and a red light when full; standing is against house rules. The extensive cocktail menu includes both modern and classic prohibition-era cocktails, and the bartenders craft each cocktail with artful mastery. Indoor seating only. 7-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Paddle Bar

Cocktail bar

Front entrance and patio of the Paddle Bar, showing the colorful mural on the building, tiki-style patio umbrellas, and food trucks parked by the building

Directions (from the Jet Express)
305 E Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This mostly outdoor bar is located in the Paddle & Climb outdoor-sports store building and is decorated accordingly. The colors are vibrant, the side wall depicts an island paradise, and the tiki umbrellas complete the look. Situated on the Sandusky waterfront, this bar is a fun, relaxing venue to grab a simple cocktail and enjoy the view. Umbrellaed tables provide plenty of shade, but the counter seats offer the best view of the Sandusky bay. Indoor seating is also available. 6-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Clubhouse No.3 SportSocial

Cocktail bar with games

Front entrance of Clubhouse No.3 SportSocial bar, with a few bistro tables along the building and a display stand with information about the venue by the entrance

Directions (from the Jet Express)
220 E Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This unusual venue provides a games-oriented social atmosphere. Sport simulators, shuffleboard tables, and pinball machines can be played while enjoying a cocktail. A lounge area with couches and TVs is available for watching a ball game. The cocktail offerings include a nice selection of beers along with a short-yet-sweet craft cocktail list. 6-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Noble Axes

Cocktail bar with games

View of the arch way that is the Market Street entrance to Noble Axes and Noble Court, with a glimpse of the patio
Back-facing view of the Noble Court courtyard of Noble Axes, with the arch as the back drop
Front-facing view of the Noble Court courtyard of Noble Axes, with the entrance into the Marketplace building as the back drop

Directions (from the Jet Express)
127 E Market St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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Noble Court is an outdoor cocktail patio complementing the Noble Axes axe throwing bar, providing a fun social atmosphere. Beverage choices are offered from a full bar, including a wide variety of craft beers. 6-minute walk from the Jet Express.