Cincinnati is one of the few jewels of the Midwest. It’s an impressive, growing, Ohio hot spot, with a thriving cultural scene, booming economy, and an outstanding culinary scene.
The best restaurants in Cincinnati are examples of that fantastic culinary scene, combining the traditional flavors of the American Midwest with an expanding number of various foods.
With so many restaurants to choose from, it cannot be easy choosing your next place to visit. Luckily, I’m here to help!
Let’s start!
Table of Contents
Best Italian Restaurants In Cincinnati, Ohio
It’s hard to come across someone who doesn’t like good Italian food. Italian food is known for its carb-heavy, delicious flavor that most people love. From pizza to pasta to bolognese and everything in between, Mediterranean is the way to go.
Several excellent Italian restaurants around the city serve incredible Italian meals that you can enjoy in an inviting atmosphere. Here, I list some of my favorites!
Via Vite
520 Vine St., Cincinnati // 513-721-8483
Located in Fountain Square, in the heart of Downtown Cincinnati, Via Vite is one of the most prominent, even famous, restaurants in the city, recognized for serving up a variety of portions of pasta, risottos, pizzas, and salads.
Along with their meals, they offer a vast menu of craft beers, wines, and cocktails. They also have an outdoor dining terrace that faces the square, an enjoyable place to have a meal during the warmer months.
- Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan and Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: Italian
A Tavola
1220 Vine St., Cincinnati // 513-246-0192
Another excellent spot to enjoy some delicious Italian dishes is A Tavola. Their menu is filled with various pizzas, pasta, and salads, along with an impressive selection of wines and house-made cocktails.
- Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan and Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: Italian, Pizza
Sotto
118 E. 6th St., Cincinnati // 513-977-6886
Known initially for their pasta, large selection of wines, rich ingredients, and top-notch service, Sotto is a trendy spot to visit when you’re looking to celebrate a special event with some exciting Italian cuisine.
- Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan and Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: Italian, European
Nicola’s
1420 Sycamore St Ste 3 // 513-721-6200
One of the more upscale places to experience Italian tastes in Cincinnati is Nicola’s.
Nicola’s is located on the corner of East Liberty and Sycamore Street, and their menu includes many rich options to choose from.
- Special Diets: Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: Italian
Best Asian Restaurants In Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati highlights a diverse mix of decades-old, established, and popular restaurants to choose from. Among these are several delicious Asian restaurants offering everything from traditional staples to modern fusion.
Uncle Yip’s
10736 Reading Rd., Cincinnati // 513-733-8484
Known mainly for their dim sum, Uncle Yip’s offers a vast menu full of authentic Chinese dishes, including steamed shrimp dumplings, stuffed eggplant with shrimp, Vietnamese spring rolls, Chicken Sui Mai, and much more.
- Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly and Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: Asian, Chinese, Seafood
Oriental Wok
2444 Madison Rd. Ste. 104, Cincinnati // 513-871-6888
Another excellent Chinese place located on the opposite side of Hyde Park is Oriental Wok. Known for their delicious meals, friendly service, and large portions, this restaurant serves an impressive menu full of authentic Chinese dishes.
- Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly and Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: Asian, Chinese
Sichuan Chili
10400 Reading Rd. Ste. 205B, Cincinnati // 513-376-7223
Found in the northern neighborhood of Evendale, customers rate Sichuan Chili highly for its quick service and large, delicious portions.
- Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly and Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: Asian
Mr. Sushi
580 Walnut St., Cincinnati // 513-827-9345
Mr. Sushi serves delicious sushi and Asian fusion in the heart of Cincinnati. There you’ll find sleek decor, fine wine, and only the freshest premium ingredients!
- Special Diets: Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: Japanese, Sushi, Asian
Best Mexican Restaurants In Cincinnati, Ohio
Visitors craving Mexican food can enjoy the authentic flavors in one of Cincinnati’s many Mexican restaurants. Serving a complete menu of tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, and tamales, they use the freshest ingredients combined with care, following original recipes.
Nada
600 Walnut St., Cincinnati // 513-721-6232
At Nada, clients can find anything from brunch, lunch, and dinner, to drinks and dessert; to top it all off, everything comes with a Mexican twist. The popular restaurant is famous for its hot Churros, the Baja Fish, the Crispy Pork Belly, and the Avocado toast.
They take reservations and are perfect for an intimate dinner date, a private party, or a gathering with a large group of friends. Enemies also turn into friends, sitting at these tables.
- Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options and Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: Mexican, Southwestern, South American
Mazunte Taqueria
5207 Madison Rd., Cincinnati // 513-785-0000
Mazunte Taqueria welcomes guests in a relaxed ambiance, the right spot for enjoying a fantastic lunch or dinner. They have a gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian menu so that everyone can experience the unforgettable cuisine taste.
Their most popular meals are Enchiladas, the Three Mixed Tacos, the Blue Corn Quesadilla, and the Memelitas.
- Special Diets: Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: Mexican, Southwestern, Latin
Django Western Taco
100 E Central Pkwy, Cincinnati // 513-542-3664
Django Western Taco serves a mix of standard American and Mexican meals, all in a casual and laid-back atmosphere. Of course, people come here for their delicious brunch on Sundays. Their regular menu has many must-try meals.
- Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly
- Cuisines: Mexican, Southwestern, American
Gomez Salsa
2437 Gilbert Ave., Cincinnati // 513-314-1978
Gomez Salsa is the go-to spot for Mexican food with a gourmet twist. They serve tacos, chips, salsa, and bowls with chips, but their most famous item on the menu is the Turtle Shell, which is a burrito-size tortilla with all the fillings and the crunch.
They also serve vegetarian recipes and alcohol, all in a casual atmosphere.
- Special Diets: Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: Mexican
Best Seafood Restaurants In Cincinnati, Ohio
Suppose you’re craving crab, shrimp, lobster, cod, or some other seafood plate. In that case, you’re in luck! Cincinnati has several excellent restaurants throughout the city where you can enjoy and taste each of these dishes.
From small and cozy dining spots to large and spacious restaurants with incredible views, this city has a diverse mix of places where you can indulge yourself in seafood.
Pelican’s Reef
7261 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati // 513-232-2526
Found on Beechmont Avenue on the east side of Cincinnati, Pelican’s Reef is a restaurant that offers a wide variety of seafood meals, including grilled fish tacos, fried shrimp, oysters, grilled salmon, grilled tuna, along with a variety of sandwiches and burgers.
Known for their delicious food and warm service, Pelican’s Reef is one of the best spots to appreciate great seafood, not just on the east side, but also in the entire city.
- Special Diets: Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: American, Bar, Seafood
Washington Platform
1000 Elm St., Cincinnati // 513-241-0110
Washington Platform is a restaurant loaded with plenty of character and history that serves some of the best seafood you can find here. Located in Downtown Cincinnati, Washington Platform is a synonym for charming atmosphere and outstanding seafood.
However, what makes this spot unique is that they have many carnivals and festivals throughout the year. There, they serve specialized dishes for two to three months, including a crab carnival, an oyster festival, and a “Lobstapalooza.”
- Special Diets: Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: American, Seafood, Bar, Pub
McCormick & Schmick’s
21 E. 5th St., Cincinnati // 513-721-9339
Another great place to have some seafood in Downtown Cincinnati is McCormick & Schmick’s. This is one of the most spacious and upscale seafood restaurants in the city. It is known for being busy during dinner hours, especially on the weekends.
- Special Diets: Gluten-Free Option
- Cuisines: American, Seafood
Court Street Lobster Bar
28 W. Court St., Cincinnati // 513-246-0184
This excellent seafood place downtown named Court Street Lobster Bar takes pride in offering “east coast flavor with midwest hospitality.” Their recipes are delicious, and their service is friendly. Located in a long narrow building, Court Street gives a unique dining experience in a casual ambiance.
Their menu includes a mixture of lobster rolls, crab rolls, and cod rolls, which can all be complemented nicely with their mac ‘n’ cheese and roasted cauliflower on the side.
- Special Diets: Vegetarian And Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: American, Seafood
Best Vegan And Vegetarian Restaurants In Cincinnati, Ohio
Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or simply searching for plant-based dining options, it’s helpful to have some recommendations, which is why I created this list—featuring my favorite vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Cincinnati, OH.
Amma’s Kitchen
7633 Reading Rd., Cincinnati // 513-821-2101
Amma’s is a vegetarian South Indian restaurant recognized for its dosas, thin rice crepes, and daily lunch buffet. On Wednesdays, the buffet is entirely vegan.
- Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Kosher and Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: Indian, Vegetarian
Melt Revival
4100 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati // 513-818-8951
Melt Revival, previously known as Melt, is a long-loved staple of Cincinnati’s culinary scene that recently underwent a plant-based transformation.
The real difference is that Melt Revival is now a fundamentally whole-food-based restaurant with a vegan/vegetarian menu offering lunch, dinner, cocktails, and brunch.
- Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options and Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: American, Cafe, Healthy Food
Loving Hut
6227 Montgomery Rd., Cincinnati // 513-731-2233
This restaurant is a part of the international chain of Loving Hut restaurants. Each location is individually family-owned and operated. Here you can find and enjoy vegan cuisine with a kids’ menu plus smoothies, gluten-free, and raw options.
- Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options and Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: American, Asian, Healthy Food
Happy Chicks Bakery
4035 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati // 513-386-7990
This organic vegan bakery opened its cafe in 2014 on the Northside. At Happy Chicks Bakery, you will find a variety of vegan baked goods, from cupcakes and cookies to macaroons and pies, but daytime lunches, as well.
- Special Diets: Vegan and Gluten-Free Options
- Cuisines: Vegan, American, Organic
Conclusion On The 20 Best Restaurants In Cincinnati
Are you hungry yet? I hope this restaurant guide will help you find a Cincinnati-area restaurant that serves what you’re craving and has a table open for you!
If you’re going to have lunch or dinner at one of these places, you’ll have a great time! Cincinnati is really the place to be, and there are many things to do.
Let me know what you think about this article in the comment section, and if you are planning a trip to Ohio, don’t forget to check these articles:
Wondering About Ohio Food? Check Out These Guides:
- 15 Best Cleveland Restaurants.
- 11 Must-Try Tremont Restaurants.
- 13 Great Must-Try Ohio City Restaurants.
- 10 Must-Try Ohio Dishes
- 10 Must-Try Toledo Restaurants
Igor Jovanovski is an aspiring digital nomad, travel blogger and graphic designer who really loves food. He also has a creative side, and he works as a freelance graphic designer in his spare time. He has traveled across Europe quite a few times since he was young and recently started his mission to visit every country in the world! Igor’s favorite thing about traveling is the way he gets to know new people, food, places and cultures.
This exciting experience helps him create his own stories and make memories that will last forever