BEST OF DAYTON 2018: How to have the BEST Dayton Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Chocolates? Flowers? Gifts? Dinner and date plans?

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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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.

  • 810 East Dixie Drive, West Carrollton
  • 1279 North Fairfield Road, Beavercreek 
  • 3680 Rigby Road at Austin Landing, Miamisburg 
  • 937-384-2253 | WebsiteFacebook

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

WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: Ashley's Pastry Shop 

Best Coffeehouse

WINNER: Ghostlight Coffee

SECOND PLACE: Boston Stoker

  • 34 W. Second St., Dayton | 937-223-1224
  • 8321 N. Main St., Clayton | 937-890-2345
  • 1293 S. Dorset Road, Troy | 937-552-7965
  • 215 N. Main St., Centerville | 937-439-2400
  • WebsiteFacebook

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
  • WebsiteFacebook

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

  • 6880 Springfield Xenia Road, Yellow Springs | 937-325-0629 | WebsiteFacebook

SECOND PLACE: Graeter's

  • 2412 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood
  • 2330 N. Fairfield Road, Beavercreek
  • 2 N. Main St., Centerville
  • FacebookWebsite

THIRD PLACE: Ritter's Frozen Custard

  • 2531 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek | 937-320-0772
  • 2226 Wilmington Pike, Kettering | 937-252-3355

WebsiteFacebook

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

WebsiteFacebook

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

  • 4105 W. Town & Country Road, Kettering | 937-643-4077
  • 5245 Cornerstone North Blvd., Centerville | 937-732-9013
  • 2614-A Colonel Glen Highway, Fairborn | 937-431-9150
  • 2824 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Miami Twp. | 937-435-3127
  • WebsiteFacebook

SECOND PLACE: Dublin Pub

THIRD PLACE: Another Broken Egg Cafe 

  • 3450 Rigby Road, Austin Landing, Miamisburg | 937-866-4510 | WebsiteFacebook
  • 2453 Esquire Dr, Beavercreek | (937) 912-5074 | WebsiteFacebook

Best Classic Restaurant

WINNER: The Pine Club

1926 Brown St., Dayton | 937-228-7463 | FacebookWebsite

SECOND PLACE: The Oakwood Club

2414 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood | 937-293-6973 | WebsiteFacebook 

THIRD PLACE: Buckhorn Tavern

8800 Meeker Road, Dayton | 937-890-3261 | WebsiteFacebook

Best Fine Dining

WINNER: The Pine Club

1926 Brown St., Dayton | 937-228-7463 | FacebookWebsite

SECOND PLACE: The Oakwood Club

2414 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood | 937-293-6973 | WebsiteFacebook 

THIRD PLACE: Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

4432 Walnut St., The Greene, Beavercreek | 937-320-9548 | WebsiteFacebook

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Best Hidden Gem Restaurant

WINNER: The Florentine

21 W. Market St., Germantown | 937-855-7759 | WebsiteFacebook

SECOND PLACE: Bennett's Publical Family Sports Grill

67 S. Main St., Miamisburg | 937-866-4200 | WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: Watermark Restaurant

20 S. 1st St., Miamisburg | 937-802-0891 | FacebookWebsite

Best Italian Restaurant

WINNER: Mamma DiSalvo's Risturante

1375 E. Stroop Rd., Dayton | 937-299-5831 | FacebookWebsite

SECOND PLACE: The Spaghetti Warehouse

36 W. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-461-3913 | WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: Franco's Ristorante

824 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-222-0204 | WebsiteFacebook

Credit: Jim Witmer

Credit: Jim Witmer

Best Seafood

WINNER: Jay's Seafood

225 E. Sixth St., Dayton | 937-222-2892 | FacebookWebsite

SECOND PLACE: Sweeney's Seafood

 28 W. Franklin St., Centerville | 937-291-3474 | WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: Greenfire Bistro

965 W. Main St., Tipp City | 937-667-6664 | WebsiteFacebook

Best Sushi

WINNER: Ozu852

852 Union Blvd., Clayton | 937-832-3000 | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: Thai 9

11 Brown St., Dayton | 937-222-3227 | WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: Shen's Szechuan & Sushi

7580 Poe Ave., Butler Twp. | 937-898-3860 | WebsiteFacebook

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 | WebsiteFacebook 

SECOND PLACE: Salar

400 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-203–3999 | WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: Lily's Bistro

329 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-723-7637 | WebsiteFacebook

Credit: unknown

Credit: unknown

Best Craft Beer Selection

WINNER: Warped Wing

26 Wyandot St., Dayton | 937-222-7003 | WebsiteFacebook

SECOND PLACE: The Barrel House

417 E. Third St., Dayton | 937-222-4795 | WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: Dayton Beer Company

41 Madison St., Dayton | 937-228-2337 | WebsiteFacebook

Best Happy Hour

WINNER: Bar Louie

  • The Greene: 4492 Glengarry Drive, Beavercreek | 937-427-3900 | WebsiteFacebook
  • Austin Landing: 10267 Penny Lane #2034, Miamisburg | 937-914-4000 | WebsiteFacebook

SECOND PLACE: Trolley Stop

530 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-461-1101 | WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: Mudlick Tap House

135 E. Second St., Dayton | 937-895-4066 | WebsiteFacebook

Best Local Brewery

WINNER: Warped Wing

26 Wyandot St., Dayton | 937-222-7003 | WebsiteFacebook

SECOND PLACE: Yellow Springs Brewery

305 N. Walnut St., Yellow Springs | 937-767-0222 | WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: Fifth Street Brewpub

1600 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-443-0919 | WebsiteFacebook

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

FacebookWebsite

SECOND PLACE: El Meson

903 E. Dixie Drive, West Carrollton | 937-859-8229 | WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: El Toro Bar & Grill

Multiple Dayton-area locationsFacebookWebsite

Best Winery

WINNER: Brandeberry Winery

5118 W. Jackson Road, Enon | 937-767-9103 | WebsiteFacebook

SECOND PLACE: Valley Vineyards

2275 E. U.S. 22, Morrow | 513-899-2485 | WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: The Winery at Versailles

6572 State Route 47, Versailles | 937-526-3232 | WebsiteFacebook

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 | WebsiteFacebook

SECOND PLACE: Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark

1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton | WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: RiverScape MetroPark

237 E. Monument Ave., Dayton | WebsiteFacebook

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 | WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: Hills & Dales MetroPark

2655 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton | WebsiteFacebook

Best Place for a Walk or Run

WINNER: John Bryan State Park

3790 State Rt. 370, Yellow Springs | WebsiteFacebook

SECOND PLACE: Sugarcreek MetroPark

4178 Conference Road, Bellbrook | Website | Facebook 

THIRD PLACE: Charleston Falls Preserve 

2535 Ross Road, Tipp City | WebsiteFacebook 

Best Place to Take a Date

WINNER: The Oregon District

SECOND PLACE: The Greene Towne Center

4452 Buckeye Lane, Beavercreek | WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: Carillon Historical Park

1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton | WebsiteFacebook

Credit: Contributed

Credit: Contributed

Best View of Dayton

WINNER: Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum

118 Woodland Ave., Dayton |  WebsiteFacebook

SECOND PLACE: Dayton Art Institute

456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton |  WebsiteFacebook 

THIRD PLACE: The Dayton Club

40 N. Main St., Dayton | WebsiteFacebook

LAST-MINUTE GIFT IDEAS

Best Dayton-centric gifts 

WINNER: Esther Price chocolates

Multiple locations

WebsiteFacebook

SECOND PLACE: Dorothy Lane Market Killer Brownies

2710 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood, 6177 Far Hills Ave., Washington Twp. and 740 N. Main St. Springboro

WebsiteFacebook 

THIRD PLACE: Heart Mercantile T-shirts

438 E. Fifth St., Dayton | WebsiteFacebook 

Best Florist 

WINNER: Oberer’s Flowers 

1448 Troy St., Dayton | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: The Flowerman

70A Westpark Road, Dayton | WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: Furst The Florist & Greenhouse 

1306 Troy St., Dayton |  WebsiteFacebook

Best Jewelry Store 

WINNER: Ohio Silver Co.

245 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs |  Facebook

SECOND PLACE: James Free Jewelers

3100 Far Hills Ave., Dayton | WebsiteFacebook

THIRD PLACE: Elizabeth Diamond Company 

7245 Far Hills Ave., Dayton | WebsiteFacebook 

Best Place for Unique Gifts

WINNER: 2nd Street Market 

600 E. Second St., Dayton | WebsiteFacebook 

SECOND PLACE: Heart Mercantile

438 E. Fifth St., Dayton | WebsiteFacebook 

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

252 W. Franklin St., Dayton |  Website |  Facebook 

>> Complete list of Best of Dayton winners

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