If you need a last-minute plan for tonight or this weekend, let the Best of Dayton 2018 winners, voted in this community poll, to inspire your perfect Dayton Valentine's Day.
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>> The best events to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Dayton
SWEETS AND TREATS FOR YOUR SWEETIE
Credit: Ele Cake Company Facebook
Credit: Ele Cake Company Facebook
There's no better way to win over your valentine than with sweet treats, from cupcakes, to chocolates, to donuts, to ice cream to gourmet coffees.
Best Bakery
WINNER: ele Cake Co.
SECOND PLACE: Dorothy Lane Market
- 2710 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood | 937-299-3561
- 6177 Far Hills Ave., Washington Twp. | 937-434-1294
- 740 N. Main St., Springboro | 937-748-6800
THIRD PLACE: Ashley's Pastry Shop
Best Coffeehouse
WINNER: Ghostlight Coffee
SECOND PLACE: Boston Stoker
THIRD PLACE: Winans Chocolates + Coffees
- 3510 Pentagon Blvd., Beavercreek | 937-320-9090
- 2806 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Miami Twp. | 937-610-4555
- 45 Plum St., The Greene, Beavercreek | 937-912-5446
- 4425 Feedwire Road, Centerville | 937-310-1687
- 6735 Miller Lane, Vandalia | 937-890-0705
- 5839 Far Hills Ave., Washington Twp. | 937-259-8299
- 310 Spring St., Piqua | 937-381-0247
- 8090D Looney Road, Piqua | 937-606-2817
- 10 W. Main St., Troy | 937-335-9119
- 1201A Experiment Farm Road, Troy | 937-703-9071
- Website | Facebook
Best Donuts
WINNER: Bill's Donuts
SECOND PLACE: Jim's Donuts
- 122 E. National Rd., Vandalia | 937-898-4222 | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Stan the Donut Man
- 1441 Wilmington Ave., Dayton | 937-293-1080 | Facebook
Best Ice Cream
WINNER: Young's Jersey Dairy
SECOND PLACE: Graeter's
THIRD PLACE: Ritter's Frozen Custard
- 2531 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek | 937-320-0772
- 2226 Wilmington Pike, Kettering | 937-252-3355
Best Place for Dessert
WINNER: Dorothy Lane Market
- 2710 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood | 937-299-3561
- 6177 Far Hills Ave., Washington Twp. | 937-434-1294
- 740 N. Main St., Springboro | 937-748-6800
SECOND PLACE: Cheesecake Factory
- 56 Greene Blvd., The Greene, Beavercreek | 937-320-9901 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Partial to Pie
CELEBRATE YOUR LOVE OVER DINNER OR WEEKEND BRUNCH
Credit: Photo courtesy of First Watch
Credit: Photo courtesy of First Watch
A true sign of love is to eat together. And we mean EAT! Whether you are looking for somewhere to go tonight or over the weekend, here are some of the BEST eats in town.
>> The most romantic restaurants in Dayton
Best Brunch
WINNER: First Watch
SECOND PLACE: Dublin Pub
THIRD PLACE: Another Broken Egg Cafe
Best Classic Restaurant
WINNER: The Pine Club
1926 Brown St., Dayton | 937-228-7463 | Facebook | Website
SECOND PLACE: The Oakwood Club
2414 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood | 937-293-6973 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Buckhorn Tavern
8800 Meeker Road, Dayton | 937-890-3261 | Website | Facebook
Best Fine Dining
WINNER: The Pine Club
1926 Brown St., Dayton | 937-228-7463 | Facebook | Website
SECOND PLACE: The Oakwood Club
2414 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood | 937-293-6973 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
4432 Walnut St., The Greene, Beavercreek | 937-320-9548 | Website | Facebook
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Best Hidden Gem Restaurant
WINNER: The Florentine
21 W. Market St., Germantown | 937-855-7759 | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Bennett's Publical Family Sports Grill
67 S. Main St., Miamisburg | 937-866-4200 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Watermark Restaurant
20 S. 1st St., Miamisburg | 937-802-0891 | Facebook | Website
Best Italian Restaurant
WINNER: Mamma DiSalvo's Risturante
1375 E. Stroop Rd., Dayton | 937-299-5831 | Facebook | Website
SECOND PLACE: The Spaghetti Warehouse
36 W. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-461-3913 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Franco's Ristorante
824 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-222-0204 | Website | Facebook
Credit: Jim Witmer
Credit: Jim Witmer
Best Seafood
WINNER: Jay's Seafood
225 E. Sixth St., Dayton | 937-222-2892 | Facebook | Website
SECOND PLACE: Sweeney's Seafood
28 W. Franklin St., Centerville | 937-291-3474 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Greenfire Bistro
965 W. Main St., Tipp City | 937-667-6664 | Website | Facebook
Best Sushi
WINNER: Ozu852
852 Union Blvd., Clayton | 937-832-3000 | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Thai 9
11 Brown St., Dayton | 937-222-3227 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Shen's Szechuan & Sushi
7580 Poe Ave., Butler Twp. | 937-898-3860 | Website | Facebook
RAISE YOUR GLASS TO LOVE
Toast your love with a delicious crafty cocktail, a Dayton-made beer, a refreshing margarita or locally made wine.
Credit: JIM WITMER
Credit: JIM WITMER
Best Cocktails
WINNER: The Century Bar
10 S. Jefferson St., Dayton | 937-223-3382 | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Salar
400 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-203–3999 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Lily's Bistro
329 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-723-7637 | Website | Facebook
Credit: unknown
Credit: unknown
Best Craft Beer Selection
WINNER: Warped Wing
26 Wyandot St., Dayton | 937-222-7003 | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: The Barrel House
417 E. Third St., Dayton | 937-222-4795 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Dayton Beer Company
41 Madison St., Dayton | 937-228-2337 | Website | Facebook
Best Happy Hour
WINNER: Bar Louie
SECOND PLACE: Trolley Stop
530 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-461-1101 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Mudlick Tap House
135 E. Second St., Dayton | 937-895-4066 | Website | Facebook
Best Local Brewery
WINNER: Warped Wing
26 Wyandot St., Dayton | 937-222-7003 | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Yellow Springs Brewery
305 N. Walnut St., Yellow Springs | 937-767-0222 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Fifth Street Brewpub
1600 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-443-0919 | Website | Facebook
Best Margarita
WINNER: Elsa's
- Elsa's On the Border, 1227 Wilmington Ave., Dayton | 937-938-7372
- Elsa's East Restaurant & Cantina, 3618 Linden Ave., Dayton | 937-252-9635
- Elsa's Kettering Sports Grill, 1216 E. Stroop Road, Kettering | 937-294-9210
- Elsa's South Restaurant & Cantina, 6318 Far Hills Ave., Centerville | 937-439-3897
- Elsa's Corner Cantina, 6204A Wilmington Pike, Sugarcreek Twp. | 937-310-1373
SECOND PLACE: El Meson
903 E. Dixie Drive, West Carrollton | 937-859-8229 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: El Toro Bar & Grill
Multiple Dayton-area locations | Facebook | Website
Best Winery
WINNER: Brandeberry Winery
5118 W. Jackson Road, Enon | 937-767-9103 | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Valley Vineyards
2275 E. U.S. 22, Morrow | 513-899-2485 | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: The Winery at Versailles
6572 State Route 47, Versailles | 937-526-3232 | Website | Facebook
DATE IDEAS
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
The best gift can be the gift of time. Here are some ideas for a simple, yet meaningful way to spend some time with your sweetie today or anytime.
>> 15 amazing dates for $15 or less
Best Park
WINNER: Carillon Park
1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: RiverScape MetroPark
237 E. Monument Ave., Dayton | Website | Facebook
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
Best Place for a Picnic
WINNER: Cox Arboretum
6733 N. Springboro Pike, Dayton | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Carillon Park
1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Hills & Dales MetroPark
2655 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton | Website | Facebook
Best Place for a Walk or Run
WINNER: John Bryan State Park
3790 State Rt. 370, Yellow Springs | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Sugarcreek MetroPark
4178 Conference Road, Bellbrook | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Charleston Falls Preserve
2535 Ross Road, Tipp City | Website | Facebook
Best Place to Take a Date
WINNER: The Oregon District
SECOND PLACE: The Greene Towne Center
4452 Buckeye Lane, Beavercreek | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Carillon Historical Park
1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton | Website | Facebook
Credit: Contributed
Credit: Contributed
Best View of Dayton
WINNER: Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum
118 Woodland Ave., Dayton | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Dayton Art Institute
456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: The Dayton Club
40 N. Main St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
LAST-MINUTE GIFT IDEAS
Best Dayton-centric gifts
WINNER: Esther Price chocolates
Multiple locations
SECOND PLACE: Dorothy Lane Market Killer Brownies
2710 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood, 6177 Far Hills Ave., Washington Twp. and 740 N. Main St. Springboro
THIRD PLACE: Heart Mercantile T-shirts
438 E. Fifth St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
Best Florist
WINNER: Oberer’s Flowers
1448 Troy St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: The Flowerman
70A Westpark Road, Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Furst The Florist & Greenhouse
1306 Troy St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
Best Jewelry Store
WINNER: Ohio Silver Co.
245 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: James Free Jewelers
3100 Far Hills Ave., Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Elizabeth Diamond Company
7245 Far Hills Ave., Dayton | Website | Facebook
Best Place for Unique Gifts
WINNER: 2nd Street Market
600 E. Second St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Heart Mercantile
438 E. Fifth St., Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Yellow Springs Toy Company
252 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs | Facebook
Best Spa
WINNER: The Woodhouse Day Spa
4412 Buckeye Lane, Beavercreek | Website | Facebook
SECOND PLACE: The Salon on Rahn & Day Spa
30 W. Rahn Rd., Dayton | Website | Facebook
THIRD PLACE: 252 West Salon & Med Spa
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