5 Underrated Cafes in Downtown, Dayton OH Worth Trying
Updated 29 September 2026 · 11 cafes in Downtown, Dayton OH considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide highlights five underrated cafes in and around Downtown Dayton OH, from a British-style tea room to a biscuit counter and a chocolate-focused coffee shop. Each has a high Google rating with a modest number of reviews, and the list is ranked from Google ratings weighted by review count. It is for residents and visitors who want a relaxed breakfast, lunch or coffee stop beyond the usual chains. Each entry covers hours, the address and what reviewers mention.
#1
Central Perc European Cafe
★ 4.8 (373 Google reviews)Cafe
Representative photo, not of this business.
Central Perc European Cafe at 2315 Far Hills Ave is a family-run, British-style cafe open 8:30 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday. Reviewers mention pots of tea served in fine china teacups, scones that are not overly sweet, soups and breakfast, and fresh flowers on every table. One highlights acoustics quiet enough for easy conversation. It can get packed, and reviewers say parking can be tight. The cafe is fully wheelchair accessible.
Best for: Tea and scones in quiet surroundings
- Address
- 2315 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, OH 45419, United States
- Hours
- Fri 8:30 am–5 pm; Mon 8:30 am–5 pm; Sat 8:30 am–5 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 8:30 am–5 pm; Tue 8:30 am–5 pm; Wed 8:30 am–5 pm
#2
Salt Block Biscuit Co.
★ 4.8 (351 Google reviews)Restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Salt Block Biscuit Co. at 115 E 3rd St is a counter-service spot open 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Reviewers describe an eclectic, industrial and rustic space with homemade pastries, buttery biscuit sandwiches, sausage gravy, daily specials and cobbler sides. Several say prices run a bit high but portions are generous. It lists great coffee and dessert, vegetarian options and a local specialty focus, and is fully wheelchair accessible.
Best for: Biscuit sandwiches for brunch
- Address
- 115 E 3rd St, Dayton, OH 45402, United States
- Hours
- Fri 10 am–4 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 10 am–4 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 10 am–4 pm; Tue 10 am–4 pm; Wed 10 am–4 pm
#3
Nutmeg Cafe
★ 4.8 (281 Google reviews)Cafe$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Nutmeg Cafe at 9166 Dayton Lebanon Pike in Washington Township is a bright cafe for breakfast and lunch, open 7 am to 3 pm Tuesday through Friday and until 2 pm on weekends. Reviewers mention latte art, a wide coffee menu, a breakfast platter, almond torte, coffee cake and paninis with unusual combinations such as bacon, cheddar and apple with fig jam. Staff suggestions come up often. It lists seating, a restroom and laptop-friendly space.
Best for: Creative breakfast and lunch
- Address
- 9166 Dayton Lebanon Pike, Washington Township, OH 45458, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–3 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 8 am–2 pm; Sun 8 am–2 pm; Thu 7 am–3 pm; Tue 7 am–3 pm; Wed 7 am–3 pm
#4
Coffeehouse by Val's Bakery
★ 4.8 (65 Google reviews)Coffee shop
Representative photo, not of this business.
Coffeehouse by Val's Bakery at 22 S Main St in Miamisburg pairs coffee with the bakery's pastries. Reviewers praise the baked goods, a tiramisu cold brew and iced matcha, and describe a cozy, attractive shop where people sit with laptops. One notes the front area is small, so lines build quickly, and felt the drinks were weaker than the pastries. It is closed Monday and Tuesday and stays open until 9 pm on Saturday.
Best for: Pastries with a cold brew
- Address
- 22 S Main St, Miamisburg, OH 45342, United States
- Hours
- Fri 8 am–8 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 9 am–9 pm; Sun 10 am–5 pm; Thu 8 am–8 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 8 am–8 pm
#5
Winans Coffee & Chocolate
★ 4.7 (238 Google reviews)Coffee shop
Representative photo, not of this business.
Winans Coffee & Chocolate at 221 N Patterson Blvd combines a coffee bar with a chocolate counter. Reviewers mention imported chocolates, a signature mocha, cinnamon rolls, muffins and pastries, and staff who treat everyone who walks in kindly. Out-of-town visitors say they make a point of stopping by. It opens at 6:30 am on weekdays and stays open until 9 pm most evenings, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating and toilet.
Best for: Mochas and chocolate treats
- Address
- 221 N Patterson Blvd, Dayton, OH 45402, United States
- Hours
- Fri 6:30 am–9 pm; Mon 6:30 am–9 pm; Sat 8 am–9 pm; Sun 8 am–7 pm; Thu 6:30 am–9 pm; Tue 6:30 am–9 pm; Wed 6:30 am–9 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 11 cafes in Downtown, Dayton OH with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then rated 4.4 or higher on Google but with fewer than 400 reviews. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 29 September 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- Salt Block Biscuit Co. takes reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- For an early start, Winans Coffee & Chocolate opens at 6:30 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated cafe on this list?
Central Perc European Cafe ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.8 from 373 reviews. Salt Block Biscuit Co. is second at 4.8 from 351 reviews.
Which cafes in Downtown, Dayton OH are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Coffeehouse by Val's Bakery, at 9 pm.
How much does it cost at these cafes?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Salt Block Biscuit Co. $20–30; Nutmeg Cafe $10–20. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Nutmeg Cafe.
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