These 3 Best of Dayton winners might surprise you -- but they’re well worth the hype

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Lifestyles
By Dayton.com staff
Jan 24, 2018
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We love a good surprise -- especially when it comes to Dayton’s best food and dining spots.

Luckily for us, Dayton.com’s Best of 2017 winners had quite a few of them.

>> Dayton.com Best of 2017 Winners: Food & Dining

Below you’ll find the top three surprise winners -- in other words, places we weren’t familiar with, but now can’t wait to try.

>> Dayton.com Best of 2017 Winners: Bars & Nightlife

Mack’s Tavern, which celebrates its first birthday Friday, got a shout-out yesterday from Buzzfeed about a coupon that rewards patrons who leave their cars parked in the parking lot overnight. Photo from Mack’s Tavern Facebook page

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1.) This local bar swept first place in MORE THAN 5 categories.

MACK'S TAVERN | 381 Miamisburg Centerville Rd., Washington Twp. | 937-813-7217 | mackstavern.com | Facebook 

This Washington Twp. bar stood out in several categories -- almost too many to count. It took top honors in the following categories: Best Bloody Mary, Best Bartender (Holly Henry), Best Bar Bathroom, Best Dive Bar, Best Happy Hour and Best Karaoke.

>> Best of Dayton 2017 Winners: Outdoors, Lifestyle & Recreation

Eric and Maria Walusis are preparing to open Watermark restaurant in Miamisburg.

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

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Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

2.)  This restaurant won ‘Best Fine Dining’ -- and you probably haven’t tried it yet.

WATERMARK |  20 S. First St., Miamisburg | 937-802-0891 | Facebook We're always looking for a great fine dining experience. While Watermark is new -- it opened in September 2017 -- you're probably familiar with Eric and Chef Maria Walusis, former owners of the successful Nibbles.

>> New Watermark restaurant is open, and you've got to try their food

>> Best of Dayton 2017 Winners: Culture, Music & Entertainment

The highest point in Dayton is at Lookout Point in Woodland Cemetery.

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3.) Don’t miss this breathtaking view of Dayton.

Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum | 118 Woodland Ave, Dayton | Facebook | Website

We know, it sounds a little odd: the best view of Dayton is from a cemetery. But not just any cemetery. Woodland is a beautifully-kept ground and a historically-significant site in its own right. Flight innovators Orville and Wilbur Wright, poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, humorist and writer Erma Bombeck and many more famous Daytonians are buried on these beautiful grounds. But if you make sure to wind your way up to the top, there is a stunning overlook over our fair city. Don’t miss it.

>> 17 things to see at Woodland Cemetery

>> Best of Dayton 2017 Winners: Shopping & Services

What do you think? Share your thoughts: email Dayton.com editor Ashley Bethard at ashley.bethard@coxinc.com.

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