Here you can view a list of all of my current favorite places. There are so many components regarding why I Love Cincinnati, and below are a few more helpful signifiers as to why. (In alphabetical order, of course.) [Note: click the link for more information.]
These are things I love and places I frequent or dream of going often:
American Sign Museum (Camp Washington)
The Sign Museum is my favorite place in Cincinnati. If you have any interest at all in art, design, typography, signage, and/or history: this place is a must visit. If you’re buying General Admission tickets, make it a point to buy them at the same time you schedule a guided tour. It’s the same price as GA tickets, and it’s absolutely worth it.
CB Connector (Downtown)
The streetcar, formally known as the Cincinnati Bell Connector, is a 3.6-mile loop connecting connecting restaurants, arts, entertainment, and businesses between The Banks, Downtown, and OTR, and is currently fare free. Park at its southern or northern point, hop on one of its 18 stations, and make a day out of exploring the core without paying for parking more than once.
Findlay Market (OTR)
Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market, featuring everything from meat, fish, cheese, and ethnic foods, to flowers, produce, pet goods, and excellent restaurants such as Eli’s BBQ, French Crust, Harvest Pizzeria, and Pho Lang Thang. There are even cooking classes at Findlay Kitchen and food tours!
Jungle Jim’s International Market (Eastgate and Fairfield)
More than just a grocery, Jungle’s is a a true culinary experience and people travel near and far to get it. It’s a one stop shop for all things wonderful, including great beer (get a pint while you shop!) and wine, an extensive cheese shop, international food, and natural goods. There are also beer, wine, and cigar tastings; cooking classes, tours, and demonstrations.
Current Favorite Dishes
Galbi (Korean BBQ) – Kanji OTR (OTR)
An amazing rice dish featuring beef short ribs in a sweet Galbi marinade with onion and sesame seeds.
Garlic Three Cheese Burger – BRU Burger Bar (CBD)
Beef patty cooked medium with Swiss, American, and mozzarella cheeses, plus roasted garlic and truffle aioli. Cheesy, garlicky, condimenty goodness, served with fresh cut fries for an additional $2. Get the house-made ketchup and honey mustard.
Goetta, egg, and cheese sandwich – Eckerlin Meats (OTR/Findlay Market)
Just as it sounds: a simple breakfast sandwich featuring the best goetta in the world, served on an NCH Bakery bun and for very reasonable.
Two All-beef Dogs – Eli’s BBQ (East End, Findlay Market)
One of Cincinnati’s most underrated dishes is two smoked all-beef franks, flash fried and bunned with sauce, cole slaw, and pork crispins.
Mike’s Mix chicken wings – Wild Mike’s (multiple westside locations)
Crispy traditional wings smothered in Mike’s Mix sauce, a signature mix of Wild Mike’s wing sauces; served with delicious ranch dressing.
Shahi Paneer – Delhi Palace Indian Cuisine (Silverton)
Grated homemade cheese cooked with tomatoes and cream sauce.
Additional “Best of” lists below, including:
- Asian Food
- Bagels
- Breakfast
- Breweries (and Local Beer Pushers)
- Burgers
- Cheap Eats
- Chicken Wings
- Dog-friendly Venues
- Donuts
- French Fried Potatoes
- Ice Cream
- Indian Food
- Landmarks
- Media (local reads and podcasts)
- Pizza
- Retail
- Tacos
Asian Food
It’s really difficult to narrow down my favorite Asian restaurants, given the broad genre. But my go-to Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean restaurants would be:
Christine’s Casual Dining (Green Twp.)
Cuisine: Filipino
Recommended dish: Chris-feast (Filipino soup, two pork skewers, two lumpia, pancit, steamed rice)
Kanji OTR (Findlay Market)
Cuisine: sushi and Korean
Recommended dishes: Galbi Korean BBQ (beef short ribs in a sweet Galbi marinade with onion and sesame seeds) and Bulgogi; half-price sushi (dine in and carryout)
Kyoto Japanese Cuisine (Symmes Twp.)
Cuisine: Japanese
Recommended dish: hibachi chicken lunch box
Onolicious (Court Street Plaza)
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Recommended dish: spam musubi, plate lunch
Pho Lang Thang (OTR/Findlay Market)
The place: restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating in Findlay Market
Recommended dishes: vegan salad rolls with peanut dipping sauce, Bánh Mì Xá Xíu (Chinese BBQ pork,) and bun (noodle salad)
Quán Hapa (OTR)
Cuisine: Asian streetfood
Recommended dishes: chicken katsu, ramen
Riverside Korean (Covington)
Cuisine: Korean
Recommended dishes: Beef Bul Go Gi and Dol Sot Bi Bim Bab
Saigon Noodle Bar (West Chester)
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Recommended dishes: pork spring rolls in peanut dipping sauce, pho beef
Sukhothai Thai Cuisine (Montgomery)
Cuisine: Thai
Recommended dishes: Yellow Curry (in coconut milk with pineapple, onion, potatoes, carrots and green peppers)
Wabi Sabi (Covington)
Cuisine: half-price sushi
Recommended rolls: Bengal, Dancing Shrimp, Dragon, and Volcano
Breakfast and Brunch
“Hybrid meals are for people too lazy to wake up for a proper breakfast.” –Schmidt, New Girl. I absolutely love traditional breakfast, so none of this past-noon brunch stuff (unless it’s for Second Breakfast, of course).
Coppin’s at Hotel Covington (Covington)
The place: gorgeous eatery onsite of Hotel Covington, an award-winning luxury hotel in NKY
Recommended dish: any of them, especially if they involve goetta
Eckerlin Meats (OTR/Findlay Market)
The place: butcher with a permanent brick and mortar store in Findlay Market
Recommended dish: goetta, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich
Maplewood (CBD)
The place: beautiful, California-inspired restaurant featuring order at the counter service and an excellent menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items
Recommended dishes: Breakfast Sandwich, goetta, ricotta pancakes
OTR Bagel Bar (Findlay Market)
OTRBB is just crushing the experimental bagel and schmear game. I’ve yet to meet a bagel I don’t like, but some of my favorites are onion, roasted garlic everything, and pretzel Asiago (or Swiss).
I recommend: chocolate chip bagel with Oreo schmear and a toasted onion bagel with fresh herb schmear
Otto’s (Covington)
The place: serving up American and Southern inspired fare since 2003
Recommended dishes: Otto’s Benedict, BLFGT
Santorini Restaurant (Cheviot)
The place: no-frills diner with American and Greek food options for very inexpensive
Recommended dish: breakfast special (two eggs, breakfast meat, hash browns, and toast or plain pancake)—comes with a hot drink for under $5
Sugar N Spice (Bond Hill/Pendleton)
The place: diner specializing in “wispy thin pancakes” and serving Cincinnati since 1941
Recommended dish: anything, really, including a burger
Taste of Belgium (multiple locations)
The place: Belgian-inspired bistro serving brunch and dinner, known for their authentic Belgian waffles and featuring an expansive beer selection
Recommended dishes: ‘Nati Crepe with maple syrup and Belgian frites; Waffle & Chicken
Breweries (and Local Beer Pushers)
Cincinnati is a fantastic beer city steeped in brewing heritage. Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself. Here are some ideas of where to start:
Brink Brewing Co. (College Hill)
The details: neighborhood brewery in Cincinnati’s College Hill neighborhood, featuring excellent, award-winning beer and giant Scrabble
Beer recs: GABF gold medal-winning Hold the Reins (English mild) and any milkshake IPA
Food option: BYO or food trucks regularly on the premises; neighboring restaurants include Red Rose Jem Pizzeria and Tortilleria Garcia
Cartridge Brewing Co. (Maineville)
The details: local landmark, world class beer with bold flavor that’s still easy-drinking, including their distinctive specialty beers (stouts, pale ales, fruited sours, coffee beers and more).
Beer recs: Primer (classic American pilsner) and Sabot (IPA)
Food option: full menu available onsite
Fifty West (Mariemont/Columbia Twp)
The details: The Fifty West campus includes the original brewpub and taproom, Pro Works, volleyball courts, cycling, running groups, futsal, beer garden, and more.
Beer recs: keep it simple with a Doom Pedal (Belgian white) or a Coast to Coast IPA
Food options: 50W Burger Bar
HighGrain Brewing Co. (Silverton and Springfield Twp)
The details: Earth-friendly brewery with great beer, delicious local food, and on a journey towards independently achieved carbon neutrality through a passion for sustainability.
Beer recs: German beer styles
Food options: onsite scratch kitchen with seasonally rotating menu; Brentwood menu available here
Listermann Brewing Company (Evanston)
The details: brewery and brewing supply store with ample taproom seating (including outside), board games, and TVs
Beer recs: Satisfied?, Shamrock Shake, and any and all IPAs
Sonder Brewing (Mason)
The details: 2000 square foot taproom with seating for groups, large beer garden, and a family-friendly lawn area
Beer recs: everything has been good, but I especially like their stouts
Food option: Taphaus food menu
Streetside Brewery (Columbia Tusculum)
The details: brewery with small patio, plus seating for a couple dozen inside
Beer recs: berliner weisses; Suh, Brah?; I Drink Your Milkshake!
Food option: food truck onsite
Third Eye Brewing (Sharonville)
The details: patio with direct access to the brewery’s main bar via roll-up garage doors spanning the building’s street-facing side to project a fun, airy, vacation-like atmosphere
Beer recs: any NEIPA
Food option: kitchen menu
Urban Artifact (Northside)
The details: brewery known for its wild and sour beer
Beer recs: any of them, though the Midwest Fruit Tart ales are excellent
Food option: Wildfire Pizza onsite
West Side Brewing (Westwood)
The details: large taproom space with TVs (to watch FC Cincinnati!), cornhole (it is the westside, after all), daily events, and food trucks
Beer recs: double IPA, hefeweizen, ESB
For a map, activity checklist, and complete guide to local brewery taprooms, click here.
The Growler House (East Walnut Hills) – craft beer bar
The details: 30 beers on tap, half of which are dedicated to local breweries; retail beer; ability to bring in your own food, including neighboring Mochiko, O Pie O, or Suzie Wong’s
Note: dog friendly
Higher Gravity (Northside) – craft beer bar and retail store
The details: craft beer and wine store where you can choose a beer from 14 rotating taps, or purchase retail beer to drink onsite or to take with you; featuring TVs, board games, and food delivery from neighboring Chameleon Pizza
Note: dog friendly
rhinehaus (OTR) – sports bar
The details: downtown bar featuring a decent beer selection; fantastic for watching Premier League on weekend mornings; bring your own food
Note: dog friendly
The Root Cellar (Kenwood) – beer and wine shop
The details: specialty beer, wine, and champagne store; build your own six packs
Burgers
Cheeseburger – Quatman Cafe (Norwood, Mason)
Cheeseburger, fries, and drink special for $7.50 every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday
Cheeseburger and Fries – Gold Star (multiple locations)
Pure ground beef burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, Heavenly Sauce, and crinkle fries
Garlic Three Cheese Burger – BRU Burger Bar (CBD)
Beef patty cooked medium with Swiss, American, and mozzarella cheeses, plus roasted garlic and truffle aioli
Hokkaido Smashburger – Cafe Mochiko (East Walnut Hills)
Sakura Farms Wagyu beef, caramelized onions, pickles, American cheese, yuzu kosho mayo, and shredded lettuce; served with fries
Streetcar Burger – BrewRiver Creole Kitchen (East End) and BrewRiver Sandwich Shop (Madisonville)
American cheese, shredded lettuce, red onion, house-made kimchi tartar sauce, and house-made pickles
Zip Burger – Zip’s Cafe (Mt. Lookout)
American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles
For a complete list of my favorite burgers in Cincinnati, click here.
Cheap Eats
There are a ton of outstanding restaurants in the greater Cincinnati area, but not all of them are easy on the wallet. Thankfully there are a number of places that don’t break the bank:
Eli’s BBQ (East End, Findlay Market)
The place: the East End location has counter service, indoor and outdoor seating, and is BYOB; features live music in warmer months
Recommended eats: two all-beef franks with mac and cheese and jalapeño cornbread
Note: dog friendly on the patio
Gomez Salsa Cantina Walnut Hills (Walnut Hills)
The place: counter service restaurant featuring tacos and turtles, as well as alcohol
Recommended eats and drinks: turtle Gomez style and Fire Margarita
Mazunte Taqueria (Madisonville)
The place: counter service taco joint featuring additional specialties, soups, sides, and Mexican beverages (beer, margaritas, sangria, etc.)
Recommended eats: Tacos Dorados and grilled corn (seasonal)
The Root Beer Stand (Sharonville)
The place: seasonal restaurant featuring cheeseburgers, popcorn, coneys, and house-made root beer
Recommended eats: double cheeseburger, popcorn, and root beer float
Wyoming Meat Market (Wyoming)
The place: whole animal butchery and deli featuring daily specials as well as grill-outs every Saturday from 11a to 2p (burgers, hot dogs, brats)
Recommended eats: wagyu beef burger combo (+chips and a drink) for $7.50
Chicken Wings
***This section is under construction***
Midway Cafe (Fort Thomas)
Smoked and flash fried; served with your choice of sauce (I like getting wasabi teriyaki and BBQ on the side; if you like spicy, go for the honey sriracha)
Wild Mike’s (multiple westside locations)
Perfectly fried; meaty yet crispy—get the Mike’s Mix sauce, the best wing sauce in town
Dog-Friendly Venues
Some of our favorite places to take the dog around town:
Fuzzybutts Dry Goods (Westwood)
Pet toys, goods, and some grooming (self-service baths and nail trims)
The Growler House (East Walnut Hills)
Craft beer bar and bring your own food locale
The Gruff (Covington)
Restaurant serving pizza and sandwiches with outdoor seating
Otto Armleder Park (East End)
Dog park in the Hamilton County Parks system
The Pet Spot (Norwood)
Boarding and doggie daycare
Pet Wants (multiple locations)
Pet food and free delivery
Washington Park (OTR)
Dog park featuring ongoing events
Westwood Town Hall (Westwood)
Dog park in the city of Cincinnati’s largest neighborhood
Donuts
Graeter’s (multiple locations)
Recommendation(s): Cinnamon sugar twist
Holtman’s Donuts (multiple)
Is it really a best of donuts list without Holtman’s? There’s a reason this place has been around for decades. Their cake donuts are excellent.
Recommendation: keep it simple with a cake donut with chocolate icing
Oxford Doughnut Shop (Oxford)
A bit of a drive, but it’s on the Butler County Donut Trail and it’s worth a trip.
Recommendation(s): glazed
Servatii Pastry Shop (multiple locations)
Recommendation(s): glazed and cinnamon sugar twist, iced cake donut with sprinkles
Stan the Donut Man (West Chester)
Recommendation(s): glazed and strawberry
French Fried Potatoes
Belgian Frites – Taste of Belgium (multiple locations)
Served with spicy mayo
Crinkle Fries Basket – The Hi-Mark (East End)
Served with fry sauce
Fries – The Pony (OTR)
Thick fresh cut fries (get their ranch on the side)
Potato Rags – Friendly Stop (Glendale)
Deep fried potato peels covered in melted shredded cheddar with a buttermilk ranch dressing drizzle
Poutine – Senate Pub (OTR, Blue Ash)
Truffle fries topped with local cheese curds, braised shortrib, and gravy
Ranch Fries – Bacalls Cafe (College Hill)
Waffle fries with melted cheese, bacon, and ranch
Roadhouse Skins – Silver Spring House (Symmes Twp.)
Large cut potato wedges topped with ranch, Monterey Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, and bacon
Ice Cream
Bold Face Dairy Bar (Price Hill)
Soft serve
Graeter’s (multiple locations)
There’s a reason why this place is so popular. It’s good.
United Dairy Farmers (multiple locations)
Scoop shop in a gas station (trust me here)
Get the: Homemade Brand Cookies N Cream
Zip Dip (Green Twp.)
Creamy Whip
Indian
I absolutely love Indian food. (At least the British-inspired “Indian” food I’ve come to know here in Cincinnati.) There are a number of really good places in the area, but my favorites include:
Baba India Restaurant (Oakley)
The place: My first-ever experience with Indian food (c. 2010) that started a lifelong journey to make up for 25 years of lost time
Recommended dish: paneer makhani
Note: lunch menu available
Brij Mohan Indian Sweets and Restaurant (Sharonville)
The place: North Indian restaurant serving vegetarian dishes and desserts
Recommended dish: paneer makhani
Note: lunch menu available
Delhi Palace Indian Cuisine (Silverton)
The place: traditional Indian restaurant in a contemporary setting
Recommended dish: shahi paneer
Note: $7.99 lunch buffet 11:30a–2:30p, Monday through Saturday and 12–3p, Sunday; catering available
Grace of India (White Oak)
The place: traditional Indian restaurant
Recommended dish: shahi paneer and garlic naan
Note: catering available
Maya Indian Restaurant (Price Hill)
The place: modern interpretation of classic dishes using fresh, high quality ingredients
Recommended dish: paneer makhani and excellent garlic naan
Shaan Indian Cuisine (Hyde Park)
The place: wide selection of Indian haute cuisine made from the finest and freshest ingredients
Recommended dish: chicken tikka masala, paneer makhani
Note: $8.99 lunch buffet every day
Landmarks
For the ‘gram or merely to take it all in, here are some of the best landmarks in a city chock-full of beautiful, historic architecture:
Carew Tower (Central Business District)
For a small [cash only] cost, take in the beauty of the rolling hills of Cincinnati and NKY from the 49th floor in the heart of downtown.
[Note: temporarily closed until further notice]
Cincinnati Music Hall (OTR)
Serving as the backdrop to Washington Park, this is a two-birds kind of landmark—stay and play at the park and take in the sights of this historic Venetian Gothic beauty.
John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge (Central Business District, Covington)
The prototype for Roebling’s much more famous Brooklyn Bridge.
Findlay Market (OTR)
Ohio’s oldest continuously-operated public market; named one of The 10 Best Food Markets in the World by Newsweek.
Plum Street Temple (Central Business District)
The Isaac M. Wise Temple is a historic American Exotic Revival synagogue designed by prominent Cincinnati architect James Keys Wilson.
Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum (Spring Grove Village)
Spring Grove was established in 1845 and is a National Historic Landmark. Its grounds include 12 ponds, many fine tombstones and memorials, and various examples of Gothic Revival architecture.
Union Terminal (West End)
Union Terminal is home to three museums, the OMNIMAX Theater, the Holocaust & Humanity Center, and an Amtrak terminal. This Art Deco behemoth once had the largest half-dome in the world, and even today it is the largest half-dome in the Western hemisphere.
Washington Park (OTR)
Greenspace, event and live music venue, dog park, playground, and flagship landmark of OTR.
Media
No matter what you’re reading or listening to, Cincinnatians are putting out some great content right now. From books to podcasts, here’s what I recommend:
The Cincinnati Anthology (edited by Zan McQuade)
A compilation of essays written by “some of Cincinnati’s most notable residents, native sons and daughters, creatives, and contemplators to tell tales of a city’s triumphs and tribulations.”
Curtis Sittenfeld (author)
New York Times bestselling author and Cincinnatian, Curtis Sittenfeld, has more than a handful of written works in her repertoire: five novels and a collection of short stories titled You Think It, I’ll Say It, which I really enjoyed.
Emily Henry (author)
New York Times bestselling novelist and Cincinnatian who’s written several books—many of which being romance novels, including Funny Story, People We Meet on Vacation, and Beach Read.
FC Cincinnati-related podcasts, Cincinnati Soccer Talk and Old Man Ultras
For legitimate analysis, check out CST; for illegitimate takes, Fake Listener Questions, and hilarity, Old Man Ultras is probably for you.
JonJon and Friends (Monday–Friday, 2–7p, Kiss 107.1)
JonJon features a new “friend” daily (which has included Tour de Cincinnati) and you can also listen to TDC give the Weekend Rundown every Friday.
Walking Cincinnati (by Danny Korman and Katie Meyer)
An insider’s guide to urban hikes in many (32!) of Cincinnati’s historic neighborhoods, including stunning riverfront quarters and collections of beautiful architecture.
Head to Joseph-Beth Booksellers, an independent bookseller in Hyde Park, to buy your books!
Pizza
Cincinnati gets a lot of crap for not having good pizza. Here’s my rebuttal:
Camporosso (Fort Mitchell)
Wood-fired Neapolitan pizzeria serving up antipasti, insalete, artisan pizza, and pasta.
Fireside Pizza (Walnut Hills)
Formerly a “pizza wagon,” this wood-fired pizzeria is located inside of the city’s oldest fire station, serving up 9- and 14-inch pies, salads, beer, and wine. Gluten free available. Get the ranch dressing. (You’re welcome.)
Fratelli’s Pizzeria (West Chester)
New York-style pizza joint featuring medium, large, and extra large specialty pies, as well as calzones, apps, sandwiches, entrees, and beer and wine.
Goodfellas Pizzeria (Covington, OTR)
Hand-tossed, thin crust, baked on the stone, New York-style pizza (with a passion for bourbon). Their lunch deal is excellent: Less than $10 for an extra large slice, side, and drink, from 11a–3p, seven days a week. Bonus? Their ranch dressing is spectacular.
Krimmer’s Italianette Pizzeria (North College Hill, Silverton)
Dough baked daily, homemade sauces, and fresh veggies, offering an assortment of comfort foods and classic favorites.
LaRosa’s Pizzeria (multiple locations)
With as much as I eat LaRosa’s (truly Stan status over here), how could I not include it on this list? I don’t always order pizza when I eat in at a restaurant (I absolutely love their hoagies and calzones), but when I’m at Kings Island, a Reds game, the zoo, or a church festival/event, it is a MUST. When ordering in, I absolutely love to get pan crust.
Newport Pizza Company (Newport)
Specialty or traditional pizzas (with lots of topping options), salads, hoagies, and appetizers, plus a large selection of craft and import beer and select wines. Bonus? They have excellent ranch.
Strong’s Brick Oven Pizza (Newport, Hebron, Lawrenceburg)
Known for serving up fresh and high quality pies to the tri-state area since 2012. Try the cream vodka sauce!
TAGLIO (Columbia Tusculum, OTR)
It’s not often you find a local pizzeria serving up Detroit-style pies, so when you do, you run—not walk—to get some. (Sister parlor to Cincinnati favorite A TAVOLA, a more upscale take on pizza located in Madeira.)
Two Cities Pizza Co. (Mason)
A restaurant created to build a bridge between New York- and Chicago-style pizzas. Other menu items include street food, salads, desserts, cocktails, and craft beer.
Retail
I absolutely love supporting local. Here are some of my favorite places to do just that:
Fern (College Hill)
Another local plant shop, because who doesn’t love plants?! This shop in College Hill purveys indoor plants, hand-crafted home goods, and other gifts.
King Arthur’s Court Toys (Oakley)
Dog-friendly toy store featuring complimentary coffee and popcorn, as well as plenty of space for the kids to play. You can even host a birthday party in the Dungeon!
Launch Party (OTR)
Independent skincare and beauty boutique purveying hand-picked beauty products from small businesses you’ll love to support.
Originalitees (virtual and markets)
Black- and woman-owned apparel brand featuring shirts, hoodies, and accessories for men, women, and children.
Rivertown Inkery (Oakley)
Rivertown Inkery has been purveying its apparel, stickers, prints, and other goods online and at markets + retailers around Cincinnati since 2013. What started as a hobby in owner Doug Burns’ basement has evolved into a brick and mortar storefront on Madison Road in Oakley, where you can hand-pick your high quality threads.
Wildfire Hygge Goods (Hamilton)
Not only is this store absolutely adorable, it has equally amazing goods to buy, too! Everything from home decor, planters, gifts, jewelry and accessories, plus apothecary and self care—you are sure to find something (or all the things) at Wildfire.
Tacos
I do not care for corn tortillas or cilantro, so the below suggestions are less “authentic” and more Americanized. (For a more “authentic” Mexican taco experience, I recommend La Mexicana, Tortilleria García, and Veracruz).
Agave & Rye (Covington, Hyde Park)
I’ll always think about the Spaminator taco they had on their menu (seriously, so few places have Spam dishes), but their tacos are always inventive and delicious.
Frida 602 (Covington)
I love that you can get any of their tacos on a flour tortilla.
Mazunte (downtown, Madisonville)
Get the tacos dorados.
For an archive of Favorite Five lists, click here.
[Updated 6/21/2024]