About
Welcome to Old City Prime, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Lima, Ohio, at 215 S Main St. This elegant yet casual steakhouse transcends the expectations of a small-town dining experience, establishing itself as a premier destination for anyone seeking delectable food and warm hospitality.
At Old City Prime, the ambiance strikes a harmonious balance between classy and inviting. The restaurant occupies a beautifully restored vintage building, adorned with quality finishes that create a chic yet comfortable dining environment. Whether you’re enjoying dinner with family, celebrating a special occasion, or simply indulging in a night out, the setting is perfect for any gathering.
The culinary offerings at Old City Prime are nothing short of extraordinary. Start your meal with their Baked French Onion Soup, a rich and savory delight topped with smoked provolone, or the Tomato Basil Bisque, which boasts a light creaminess that pairs perfectly with Parmesan crisp. For salads, the OCP Tableside Caesar dazzles with its classic, freshly crafted recipe, while the Fresh Leaf Spinach Salad delights with warm bacon dressing and house-toasted croutons.
Of course, the star of the menu is the beef. The Beef Tenderloin Filet Mignon is a center cut marvel, moist and tender, plated with the chef's house-made demi-glace. Meanwhile, the USDA Choice Delmonico Ribeye, a generous 14 oz. cut, will satisfy any steak lover's cravings. Guests consistently rave about the quality of their meals, with many praising the perfectly cooked steaks that keep them coming back for more.
In addition to the stellar food, Old City Prime offers an extensive cocktail and wine menu that invites creative combinations and perfectly curated pairings. The service is described as sublime—prompt yet unobtrusive—ensuring that every visit is memorable. Special occasions are made even more special with musical entertainment from talented staff members who add an extra touch to your dining experience.
For those who enjoy a lively atmosphere, Old City Prime hosts live music on select nights, making it an ideal spot to enjoy dinner and some dancing. Whether you prefer outdoor seating, a night of entertainment, or a casual get-together with friends, this steakhouse has something for everyone.
Old City Prime is more than just a restaurant; it’s an experience that captivates the senses. If you find yourself in Lima, Ohio, do not miss the opportunity to indulge at this remarkable steakhouse that proves even small towns can house big flavors. Come witness the magic of Old City Prime, where food, service, and atmosphere come together to create a dining experience worth savoring.
“ When you hear the word "lima," what do you think of? Beans? The capital of Peru? A small town in Ohio? If it's a small town in Ohio (the birthplace of Phyllis Diller and "Big Ben" Roethlisberger, by the way), you can add Old City Prime restaurant as another name that should immediately leap to mind. This place could hold its own in any major city in the country. Nestled in a meticulously restored vintage building in the middle of town, the atmosphere manages to be both elegant and casual at the same time. The cocktail and wine menus are extensive and imaginative, and the menu choices offer something for everyone - delightful appetizers, shareables for the table, old school Caesar salad prepared table side, and items that used to cackle, swim and moo before the chef worked his magic. The service is sublime. Prompt but no hovering. If you're celebrating any sort of special occasion, the staff will serenade your table with Scotty in the lead (Scotty has a voice that makes angels applaud). Entertainment on certain nights of the week, and plenty of free parking. You need to go to Old City Prime! ”
“ This review has taken me some time to complete but looking back I had to write about it. This establishment is at the top end of steakhouses that northwest Ohio has to offer. I visited Old City Prime with some friends and family back in August 2023 and it did not disappoint. Wonderful staff, atmosphere and most importantly food. You really feel at home here. I will be returning next time I am in Lima. ”
“ Just amazing food!! We were with two other couples and we all greatly enjoyed our food. The service was superb. Salad freshly prepared in front of us, steaks cooked to perfection and drinks never went empty. Already have dinner reservations made for next weekend. ”
“ This is probably the best steakhouse in Lima and surrounding area. The food was delicious and service was as expected; top notch. I had the filet medium rare and salty, warm bread served with tasty butter. My martinis were large, full and perfectly chilled. The ambiance was delightful, cool and a little moody in a refurbished brick building with quality finishes and a beautiful bar. I hope to return when visiting! ”
“ The food was excellent. We ordered lobster tails, salmon, steak, etc. The only comment I would make is our waitress was a bit bland and slow. Also the beef stroganoff was under cooked when we ordered it well done. But for a party of 7, the rest of the food was outstanding and the price was reasonable. ”
“ We hadn't planned to be headed to visit our daughter in Cincinnati, but she had car troubles and so we had to make a quick down and back from Michigan. Headed home, we wanted something different to eat then the normal roadside chains...and up came the "OC" on Yelp. Long story short, we decided to give it a go based on the reviews. We weren't disappointed. Admittedly it was after 7 on a Tuesday night, so there was no wait (my guess any other night you'd need a reservation), and we were taken to a nice booth in the main dining area. From the moment we got there, the service was first rate. Steph, our server, was there with drink orders and menus, and immediately asked if we had a special event we were dining in for. We did not, but very quickly decided on a couple G&T's and an appetizer of a half dozen oysters, after Steph explained they were flown in every couple days. Not to be outdone, when the Oysters arrived they were accompanied by a healthy bread basket and just the right amount of cocktail sauce and horseradish. From here on out it was pretty much what you would expect from what we've described so far. Steph checked back regularly, took our order, and stay attentive but not overbearing. In turn, we took the option of the Tableside Caesar (get the anchovies, trust me) and while I had it as my salad course, my wife chose to make it her entree by adding Filet mignon tips. I'm often skeptical of these add ons - they are often all show and meh in taste....but in this case it was worth every dollar. I then proceeded to order the Tenderloin Mignon Filet with a side of Yukon Golds - loaded, of course. I asked Steph what she preferred/recommended, and she indicated slightly rare to medium. She was dead on, having me cut in to make sure the color was to my liking - yeah, I know, that should be a given, but let's face it, it isn't anymore. Anyway...the meat was juicy but not cool, and cut nicely while melting in the mouth - I was very pleased. The potatoes were also wonderful, whipped to my liking. We finished off our fabulous meal with Steph (and Yelps) recs on the donuts and their coffee - a killer combo. ”
“ Found this gem on YELP and so glad I stopped. John is an amazing owner and Scott was an excellent server. Very friendly and attentive. Great staff. Food wedge salad extra yummy. Nice size. Ribeye medium rare was cooked to perfection and tasted great. Low fat. Nice craft draft beer selection. Would highly recommend you stop and enjoy a meal here. ”
“ Great great place. Food was absolutely amazing. Wine was great too. Service was great and barmaid was very sweet. Provided us with insight on the menu and some great choices. Big bill but worth it. ”