What Makes a Restaurant One of the Best in Wooster?
If you're searching for the best restaurants in Wooster, we're so glad you found us. After more than five years in downtown Wooster, we've found that the best meals are made with fresh, local ingredients, a menu that changes with the seasons, and a team that loves what they do.
Community is at the heart of everything we do at The Leaf, and we'd love to share what that looks like on the plate.
A Little About The Leaf
We're a family-owned restaurant in the heart of downtown Wooster, OH, and we've been welcoming guests here since December 2020. We serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, all built around premium, locally sourced ingredients on a fresh, rotating seasonal menu.
Food has always been a part of our family's life. Along with The Leaf, we own and operate GreenLeaf Restaurant and Drive-In on the north end of Wooster, a local favorite that's been serving classic diner fare and curbside car-hop service since 1965. Everything we've learned over the years comes together in the food and hospitality you'll find at The Leaf.
A Menu That Changes With the Seasons
We love that Ohio gives us four real seasons, and we let them lead the way in our kitchen. Our menu rotates throughout the year because the best ingredients change, too.
Our executive chef, Jeremy Crossman, said it best:
"I love change and new ideas. Every season brings new inspiration. The vegetables change from green, crispy, and fresh to homey and hearty. Spring and summer welcome light and savory dishes that delight the senses without overwhelming the body, while winter is all about the comfort and joy in slow-cooked, hearty meals with spices that warm your soul. Ohio is a state that offers all of these delights."
When you come back to visit us in a different season, you'll find new dishes and drinks waiting for you.
Community Happens Here: Our Local Partners
With our focus on sourcing local products, we support a network of small businesses and family-owned companies, many of them rooted right here in Wooster, who help make The Leaf what it is.
When you dine with us, you're supporting all of them, too. Here are a few of the partners we're proud to work with.
Cedar Valley Meats
The locally raised Wagyu in our burger comes from Cedar Valley Meats. Starting with quality meat from a trusted local source makes all the difference, and you can taste it in every bite.
Ol' Dirty Sheets
For those who like a little extra kick, we love featuring Ol' Dirty Sheets Hot Sauce and their clean, bold flavors. They also supply the locally made veggie burger we use in our Leaf Burger, a satisfying plant-based option we're proud to offer.
Wootown Bagels
No brunch is complete without a perfect bagel, and for that we turn to Wootown Bagels. Their traditional, hand-rolled, boiled bagels have just the right balance of crunch and chew, and they're a staple of the Wooster community.
Sure House Coffee
When it comes to coffee, we serve nothing but the best, which is why we partner with Sure House Coffee Roasting Co. This local roaster sources organic, ethically sourced, single-origin beans from around the world. Stop by one of their two Wooster locations for a cup, or enjoy one with your brunch here.
JAFB Wooster Brewery
We love pairing our food with locally brewed beer from JAFB Wooster Brewery. Their bold, flavorful brews and deep roots in the Wooster community make them a natural fit, whether you're enjoying an IPA with your burger or a seasonal brew with brunch.
Taste the Difference: Two Dishes We Love
Here are two dishes that feature our locally sourced ingredients.
The Leaf Burger
Our Leaf Burger starts with a half-pound, locally raised Wagyu patty from Cedar Valley Meats or a locally made veggie burger from Ol’ Dirty Sheets. It is topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, and your choice of cheese on a brioche bun. Both versions begin with fresh, local ingredients that bring richer flavor and satisfying texture to every bite. You’ll find it on our brunch and lunch menu, as well as our dinner menu, and it’s one of our favorites.
Lox & Wootown Bagel
Our Lox & Wootown Bagel layers smoked salmon, pickled red onion, tomato, cucumber, capers, lemon, cream cheese, and sliced avocado on a fresh Wootown bagel. That fresh bagel is the secret. It has a real bite on the outside while staying soft and fluffy inside, so every ingredient gets to shine and come together. It's a perfect example of how starting local lets the whole dish soar.
Come See Us: Brunch, Dinner, and Everything in Between
We're open seven days a week, and we specialize in brunch and dinner. Here's what to expect.
Brunch
Brunch is served until 4 p.m. (until 3 p.m. on Sundays), and it's wonderful for just about any occasion. Come in for a relaxed business lunch, a boozy morning out with the girls, a family get-together, or a leisurely catch-up with friends.
Dinner
Dinner service begins at 5 p.m. and is a more elevated experience, though never a stuffy one. We're a casual downtown spot that brings quality and care to every plate, so dress comfortably and come as you are. It's a lovely choice for date night or a slow evening with friends and family.
Happy Hour, Live Music, and Daily Specials
Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m., the perfect bridge between brunch and dinner. Most Wednesdays we feature live music, and every single day our chef puts out daily specials. They run until they're gone, so they're always a great way to enjoy his latest creativity.
Craft Cocktails and Mocktails
No great meal is complete without the perfect drink. Our bar manager, Sharon Johnson, crafts our cocktails and mocktails with the same focus on high-quality ingredients that goes into our food. Every one is made to pair beautifully with your meal, with something on the menu for everyone.
Experience the Best of Wooster at The Leaf
At The Leaf, community happens every day, through the partners we work with, the seasonal ingredients we cook with, and the guests we get to welcome. This is what makes a restaurant one of the best in Wooster, and we'd love for you to taste the difference.
Located in the heart of downtown Wooster, we're open seven days a week for breakfast through dinner. Bring a friend, gather the family, or dine solo for a relaxing meal away from home. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for our latest specials and new menu items, and make your reservation online or by calling 330-804-0126.