Check out the food scene! Below is a list and some photos of our favorite restaurants and bars in the downtown area. Reservations are encouraged, especially during the busy Memorial Day weekend.

We highly recommend Taste of Cincinnati.This annual food festival is runs May 25-27, 2024 and features some of the area’s best restaurants and food trucks. Located 4 blocks off Fifth Street, between Main Street and just east of Sentinel Street in downtown.

We also recommend Findlay Market, Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market. Findlay Market has a unique collection of food vendors, produce, shops, and an outdoor beer garden. Located at 1801 Race Street in the historic Over-the-Rhine (OTR) neighborhood.

And of course there is Cincinnati Chili! This is an acquired taste for some (meat sauce, beans, and cheese served over top spaghetti), but you will find no shortage of chili restaurants and parlors throughout the city, with Skyline being the most prevalent.

RESTAURANTS:

Pepp & Dolores (homemade pastas) $$$

https://www.peppanddolores.com

Taglio - OTR (Detroit & New York style pizzas) $$

http://www.eattaglio.com

Eli’s BBQ - Findlay Market (barbecue) $

https://www.elisbarbeque.com

Zundo Ramen & Donburi - OTR (ramen) $$

http://zundootr.com

The Eagle - OTR (fried chicken) $$

https://www.eaglerestaurant.com

Sacred Beast (modern diner) $$

https://www.sacredbeastdiner.com

The Arepa Place - Findlay Market (Colombian) $

https://order.toasttab.com/online/the-arepa-place

Taste of Belgium - OTR (breakfast/brunch) $$

https://authenticwaffle.com

Sleepy Bee - Downtown (breakfast/brunch) $$

https://sleepybeecafe.com

Gomez Salsa - OTR (Mexican) $

https://www.gomezsalsa.com/menu/

Mita’s (tapas) $$$

https://www.mitas.co

Moerlein Lager House (brewery with pub food) $$

https://www.moerleinlagerhouse.com

Camp Washington Chili (classic Cincinnati chili) $

https://campwashingtonchili.com

Nation - The Banks (burgers) $$

https://www.nationkitchenandbar.com/

Jeff’s Ruby’s The Precinct (steakhouse) $$$$

https://www.jeffruby.com/precinct

Hoffbräuhaus (German restaurant & brewery) $$

https://www.hofbrauhausnewport.com

COFFEE & SWEETS:

Coffee Emporium (coffee shop) $

https://www.coffee-emporium.com

Graeter’s - OTR (traditional ice cream) $

https://www.graeters.com/stores/retail-stores/cincinnati/overtherhine

Pendleton Parlor (ice cream & cookie dough) $

https://pendletonparlor.com

Simply Rolled (rolled ice cream) $

https://www.simplyrolledicecream.com

Maverick Chocolate Company - Findlay Market (chocolate) $

https://www.findlaymarket.org/merchant/maverickchocolateco

BARS & BREWERIES:

Ghost Baby (underground speakeasy with live music)

https://www.ghost-baby.com

Rhinegeist (landmark brewery)

https://rhinegeist.com

Level One (arcade bar)

http://cincinnati.level1bar.com

Sundry and Vice (cocktail bar)

https://www.sundryandvice.com

MOTR Pub (bar with nightly live music)

https://www.motrpub.com

Japp’s (cocktail bar)

https://www.jappsotr.com

Mecca (hipster indoor/outdoor bar)

https://www.meccaotr.com

Somerset (greenhouse bar)

https://www.somersetotr.com

Rosedale (indoor/outdoor bar)

http://www.rosedaleotr.com

Urban Artifact (award winning sour brewery)

https://artifactbeer.com

Northern Row (brewery & distillery)

https://www.northernrow.com