Restaurants in Hocking Hills: Where We Send Guests

Restaurants in Hocking Hills are mostly casual and spread out, so plan meals around where you'll be that day. These are the places Dana sends our guests: the state park lodge near Old Man's Cave, Hocking Hills Winery outside Logan, Mama Renie's in McArthur and the dining lodge at Lake Hope.

Hours change by season, and small places close early. Call ahead, especially on fall weekends and in winter.

Restaurants in Hocking Hills at a glance

Details come from each place's own site, checked on October 26, 2026, except Mama Renie's, whose hours we couldn't find online.

Lunch between hikes: the state park lodge

The Lodge at Hocking Hills is the state park's lodge on State Route 664, near Old Man's Cave. Its Rock House Restaurant is open to everyone, not just lodge guests.

It serves breakfast from 8 to 10:30 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. The menu is American lodge food, from sandwiches to steaks, and there's a kids menu. Dinner needs a reservation, and same-day tables can be scarce.

For something quicker, Café '22 in the same building has coffee, ice cream and grab-and-go food, and the Rock House Pub pours local craft beer.

Hocking Hills Winery

Hocking Hills Winery on Freeman Road outside Logan is Dana's pick for wine and a relaxed patio after a day on the trails. It serves pizza, charcuterie and small plates, with tastings and wine by the glass.

There's live music on the patio every weekend. It's open from 11 a.m. daily except Tuesday, until 8 p.m. most days and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Lake Hope Dining Lodge

The dining lodge at Lake Hope State Park, 19 minutes from our cabin, overlooks the lake and serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, with wood-smoked meats and Ohio specialties. Our tip: Sunday brunch here is worth planning around.

It's closed from November 2, 2026, to January 4, 2027, for heating repairs. For a winter trip, plan on the state park lodge instead.

Mama Renie's

Mama Renie's in McArthur is Dana's pick for pizza and breakfast close to the cabin. We couldn't find its hours online, so call before you go.

Other places to eat in Hocking Hills

Logan, the county seat, has more places to eat in Hocking Hills, from pizza and barbecue to diners. Athens, 23 miles from the cabin, has the widest choice of restaurants and the bigger grocery stores.

For an afternoon tasting, there are wineries in Hocking Hills and a few breweries too. Many restaurants are small, so plan ahead on October weekends.

Eating in at the cabin

Some nights, the best table in the area is ours. The cabin has a fully equipped kitchen with a breakfast bar and an 11-foot hickory table John built, with room for the whole group.

Stock up in Athens on the way in. If you want a fire, stop at Campbell's Market in McArthur for firewood, since we don't supply it.

Our pick

If you only try a few restaurants in Hocking Hills, do lunch at the state park lodge between hikes, a weekend evening at Hocking Hills Winery, and Sunday brunch at Lake Hope when it's open. Then cook one big dinner at the cabin.

Planning for a crowd? Our page on Hocking Hills cabins for large families shows the kitchen and table. For the rest of the trip, see our ranking of the best Hocking Hills hikes and our guide to things to do in Hocking Hills.

Restaurants in Hocking Hills FAQs

What are the best places to eat in Hocking Hills, Ohio?

The best places to eat in Hocking Hills, Ohio, by Dana's count, are the Rock House Restaurant at the state park lodge, Hocking Hills Winery outside Logan, Mama Renie's in McArthur and the Lake Hope Dining Lodge for Sunday brunch. Logan has more casual options, and Athens, 23 miles from our cabin, has the widest choice.

Is there a restaurant at Hocking Hills State Park?

Yes, there's a restaurant at Hocking Hills State Park. The Rock House Restaurant in the state park lodge on State Route 664 serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, is open to the public, and takes reservations for dinner. The lodge also has Café '22 for coffee and grab-and-go food, plus the Rock House Pub.

Do you need reservations at Hocking Hills restaurants?

You need a reservation for dinner at the Rock House Restaurant in the state park lodge. Same-day tables can be hard to get. Smaller Hocking Hills restaurants in Logan and McArthur are casual, so call ahead to check hours and whether they take reservations, especially on October weekends.

Is the Lake Hope Dining Lodge open in winter?

The Lake Hope Dining Lodge is closed from November 2, 2026, to January 4, 2027, for heating and boiler repairs, according to its site. When it's open, it serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch overlooking the lake. For a winter meal near the trails, try the Rock House Restaurant at the state park lodge.

Where can you buy groceries near Hocking Hills?

For groceries near Hocking Hills, Athens has the bigger stores, 23 miles from our cabin, so stock up on the way in. If you want a fire at the cabin, stop at Campbell's Market in McArthur for firewood, since we don't supply it.