25. Krueger’s Tavern (Temporarily closed)
1211 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
“The best, most amazing veggie burger I’ve ever had. The spicy burger was so deliciously large my husband only made it half-way through. Definitely a stop when you’re in OTR! They also have a great rooftop patio.” — Jessica W.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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24. Boombox Buns
1400 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine
“Finally got to try Boombox Buns, and they were just as good as I imagined they would be! I got a beef bun and a pork bun. Both of them had great flavors and textures. The buns themselves were perfectly fluffy and yummy. Staff was super welcoming and kind. Place was clean. I’ll definitely be coming back in the future and recommending it to my friends! Great job, Boombox!” — Abby L.
Photo: facebook.com/boomboxbuns
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23. Fred & Gari’s
629 Vine St., Downtown
“This place is amazing! I cant believe it has been downtown for over three decades and I didn’t know about it. It’s probably because it’s lunch only and carry out only. I’m glad I found it. I found it doing a Yelp search for Italian Hoagie. I was craving one and they crushed it. The place is dated but clean and the employees were fun and friendly. The owner was working the kitchen. He was very proud of their history there and was happy to share it with me because I told them I was a newbie. So I chowed down on my free oatmeal butterscotch cookie they gave me for being a rookie, while he told me the story.” — Jeff G.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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22. Losanti
1401 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
“Losanti was an all around great meal and atmosphere. Drinks-check. Apps and steaks- delicious. Wedge salad was standout and had x level factor with eggs and pork belly on top. Service was very good and paced out our evening nicely, keeping our drinks and stomachs full.
On the night we went (Wednesday) they was a $15 wine bottle special. Go hungry and taste your way through the menu tapas style.
Went here as one of our first ::post covid:: meals and staff and restaurant were respectful. Diners were spread out and staff took precautions to make sure we were comfortable. There is an outdoor patio in open space that I recommend in good weather..” — Emily B.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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21. Salazar
1401 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine
“Last year, my husband and I had reservations to celebrate our anniversary at Salazar but the pandemic put an end to those plans and so much more. This year, with both of us vaccinated and our anniversary landing on a gorgeous spring Sunday, we ventured to eat out for the first time in one year. Salazar’s brunch is a hidden jewel I’ve only just discovered. The food is gorgeous and the servings are generous. My husband loved his fried Brussels sprout starter and paired that with a lovely, big slice of quiche. My side salad was beautifully dressed and a good, light accompaniment for the very satisfying roasted chicken chilaquiles I devoured. We indulged ourselves and split a rich and silky dark chocolate pot de creme topped with candied peanuts and vanilla whipped cream. It was amazing. Our server was kind and attentive and we enjoyed a memorable afternoon.” — Nanette B.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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20. Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey
1201 Broadway St., Over-the-Rhine
“Boomtown is the best breakfast/brunch spot in town. The food is spectacular, and the drinks are almost too delicious. My go-to here is the Yukon sandwich. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. The sandwich comes with a juicy fried chicken breast topped with gravy, cheddar, and bacon. Add a fried egg to that bad boy and you’re in for an even tastier treat. Wash the Yukon down with a Gold Rush cocktail and you’ll be riding happy in your covered wagon. The Gold Rush sounds simple, made with whiskey, lemon juice, and honey. The glass is lined with bee pollen, so don’t even be ashamed to chew on the glass rim.” — Sean W.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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19. Buddha Barn
6625 Gracely Drive, Sayler Park
“I’m embarrassed it’s taken us so long to finally get food from Buddha Barn given how close we live to this restaurant and how often I’ve heard such wonderful reviews. I’ll chalk it up to always wanting it on Mondays when they are closed… lol! Wow, words really can’t describe how mouth-wateringly delectable our food was… and I don’t think it’s just because we were hungry! We got the eggplant ginger, crispy chicken, chicken pad Thai and chicken fried rice and every single item really hit the spot! Portions are huge, prices are reasonable for Thai food takeout. The only downside was they didn’t have any appetizers left when we ordered, but next time I’ll just make sure to order earlier! They are definitely doing some amazing business and are super busy which I think speaks to the yumminess and authenticity of the food here! What an unexpected gem in Sayler park – glad we finally came and will definitely return soon!” — Erin M.
Photo: buddhabarnthai.com
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18. Loving Hut
6227 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge
“I was turned on to this place by a friend who knows I am a huckleberry for a great spring roll. She is a vegan and has always raved about loving hut and she told me I should they try their amazing spring rolls. She said she always keeps their frozen spring rolls in her fridge but insists they taste even better fresh. Well I must say this was one of the best spring rolls I have ever eaten. The roll was so light and crispy on the outside and the filling was delicious. I could hear a big crunch when biting into them but the wrap was so delicate. It was really a great texture. The spring rolls also come with a dipping sauce that perfectly compliments the flavor of the rolls. I must confess that I am not a big fan of buying frozen food but I did end up buying some spring rolls for late night snacks because they are so good. You gotta give these a try but be cautious they are surely addicting!” — Krissy L.
Photo via facebook.com/lovinghutcincinnati
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17. Essen Kitchen
1 Findlay St., Over-the-Rhine
“Run, don’t walk to Essen! Shoot, everyone needs to do us all a favor and keep Essen around for as long as possible. If you’re looking for vegan food – this is your spot. If you’re looking for a place to get vegan food for a vegan date, or if you want food that’s so good a non-vegan will ask to go back, this is your spot. You can order on their website for pick up, even curbside service; perfect for Covid times and even rainy days.
Speaking in specifics now:
– Their smoky truffle mac and cheese is a must-try. I am not even a fan of mushrooms but I can’t keep myself from ordering a side with everything. I got a side with my order of their Buckwheat Soba Noodle Bowl today!
– Their Buckwheat Soba Noodle Bowl was super good, really fresh ingredients, including brussels and edamame, carrots, and marinated tofu. It was a filling meal, and actually I waited awhile before getting into that irresistible mac.
– Their breakfast menu is also on point! I’ve had their breakfast sandwiches with ::sausage:: and their substitute hollandaise sauce, with added avocado of course.
” — Samantha S.
Photo: Savana Willhoite
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16. Eli’s BBQ – Riverside
3313 Riverside Drive, Columbia-Tusculum
“Thee best BBQ in Cincinnati. Hands down. Bar none. Look no further. They have created a nice outdoor area to enjoy your food. The pulled pork, baked beans, cornbread, and ribs were all great. The chicken wings were to die for. Also, you can BYOB. It’s literally the best.
” — Brett A.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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15. The Precinct
311 Delta Ave., Columbia-Tusculum
“What’s not to like! The Precinct (or anything in the Jeff Ruby’s family) is the perfect place to go if you have something big to celebrate! Best steaks in Cincinnati. Highly recommend starting with a crab cake and Freddie salad! The mushrooms as a steak topper are the best! Also the sides are sharable so an order of mashed potatoes and macaroni is perfect for the table. You will need a reservation in advance and they do book up pretty far out so don’t wait! Service is always excellent and they usually bring something sweet for dessert if you are there for a special occasion! Yummmm!” — Amber C.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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14. Maplewood Kitchen and Bar
5065 Deerfield Blvd., Mason
“For breakfast, lunch, or happy hour Maplewood is always a win in my book! The setup is a bit unlike a regular restaurant so just be prepared when you walk in. Ive sat and ordered at the bar before but if this isn’t something you want you go to the right and order from the register. Once you order a host will seat you and your food will be served. A bit unconventional but I never had to wait – even during busy lunch hours!
I’m at the point where I have tried a decent amount on their menu but their burger is still my go to. Its fresh, juicy, and comes with their amazing fries and dipping sauce. You can’t beat it. And their grilled cheese straight up melts in your mouth – and also comes with fries
In addition to their amazing food, they also have refreshing homemade cold pressed juices AND an amazing cocktail menu.
“— Monica H.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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13. Mayas Indian Restaurant
4486 W. 8th St., Delhi
“A surprisingly delicious West side addition, you definitely have to check it out! The portions are plentiful and everything here is delicious. Obviously garlic naan, chicken tikka masala, saag paneer are the most popular and they are all very good. You can choose your spice level 1 through 10. My favorites are the chicken bartha (eggplant) and the chili Gobi (cauliflower). If you call in your order, they have it ready, but keep in mind they do get really busy around dinnertime.”— Marygrace A.
Photo via facebook.com/mayaindianrestaurant
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12. The Arepa Place
131 West Elder St., Over-the-Rhine
“Wow! The food at The Arepa Place is excellent. We stopped by for takeout lunch today and tried a little bit of everything. Our picky preschooler devoured a beef empanada and my husband loved his chicken stuffed arepa. The cheese Arepa and empanada were both so good; the cheese was very tasty and the empanada was perfectly cooked with just the right amount of crispy.”— Liz F.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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11. Orchids at Palm Court
35 W. 5th St., Downtown
“Amazing! It’s difficult to describe our experience. I will do my best. Orchids is not common. You won’t find this type of service often. Every detail is perfect. Food preparations are nothing short of stupendous. The details they hit on, time and again, make this a must dine when downtown. We had Popcorn grits; popcorn reduced to grits texture with an abundance of butter. Wow! We also tried the morel mushroom with sweetbreads starter. Explosive flavors. I chose the halibut with lobster beurre blanc. Heavenly! My daughter had the NY Strip. Melt in your mouth and a lovely mid-rare as ordered. My wine selections were chosen by the sommelier. Couldn’t have been more perfect. I can’t imagine dining anywhere else I’m Cincy if you want a truly amazing meal. My photos will not do the food the justice it deserves. Bravo!”— Christopher F.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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10. The Eagle
1342 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
“What a great spot in OTR. We did take out and the food was amazing. I had the fried chicken. It tasted like it was made by someone who loves fried chicken. My wife had the fried chicken sandwich. It was great. It was a fried chicken breast topped with cole slaw and spicy Mayo. We also order the Mac and cheese and garlic mashed potatoes. Both were outstanding. Nothing disappointed! The energy of the place was great. I’d love to go back for a dine in. And will when I return to Cinci.”— Bill G.
Photo: facebook.com/theeagleotr
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9. Mazunte Taqueria
5207 Madison Road, Suite 100, Madisonville
“Second time eating here and realized I needed to review it! Great little place for having street tacos. The flavors are blended perfectly and the tortillas are made fresh right in the restaurant. If you love guacamole then you need to try theirs — it is fresh and wonderfully seasoned. Prices are very reasonable and the flavors authentic.”— Julie W.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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8. Poke Hut
1509 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
“Poke Hut is my go-to guilt-free dinner when I want to treat myself without regrets. I think the beauty of Poke Hut is the ease at which you can create a healthy meal, or spruce it up with one or two things that might make it a little less healthy (without making you feel too guilty about it). The bubbles teas and drinks are also delightful. This past experience, I ordered a lemonade drink (I cannot remember what it was called). You could tell that it was fresh and not some store-bought lemonade. It was sweet and cold and super refreshing on a very hot day. As far as the bowls, I’ve had so many different combinations of toppings and it has always been delicious. One of my favorite toppings is the seaweed salad… SO delicious (even if it always gets awkwardly stuck in your teeth). The price is right and the food is delicious…I’ll definitely be snagging some more Poke Hut again soon!”— Tyler M.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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7. Boca
114 E. 6th St., Over-the-Rhine
“You just can’t top this restaurant- one of Cincy’s best! Our table started with the pommes soufflés which are always a crowd favorite. I got the kale & ricotta ravioli which is to die for! I am not a big kale person usually but this dish changed my mind. Next I had the scallop. This is the only place I feel comfortable eating scallops in Cincinnati. The truffle pairs so well with the scallop & caramelized.
The atmosphere is amazing & so rare to find. I love a place I can dress up and enjoy a night of fine dining.”— Erica Z.
Photo: Provided
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5. Citrus & Sago
1004 Delta Ave., Mt. Lookout
“I love ordering Hainanese chicken, crispy pork, and duck from Citrus & Sago. I usually order whole birds or 1lb of the pork as carry-out and share these dishes with 3-4 other people. We always end up with leftovers that I happily eat for lunch the next day!
My favorite dish is the Hainanese chicken. The chicken here is so juicy and tender and especially delicious when paired with the garlic chili sauce. That sauce is everything. EVERYTHING.
The service here is always wonderful and friendly. I will definitely add Citrus & Sago to my regular dining rotation.”— Karen K.
Photo: facebook.com/citrusandsago
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6. Crown Republic Gastropub
720 Sycamore St., Downtown
“For our entrees, I got the crab squid ink pasta and my husband got the burger and fries. I cannot tell you how wonderfuly pasta entree was – it had loads of lump crab, and the squid ink pasta was so soft and fresh; it was truly delicious. The sauce was a great complement, I only wish I had more crispy breadcrumbs on mine for a textural respite. It was such a huge portion, and it was so fluffy and great. My husband’s burger was delicious and the fries were super crispy. His meal was enormous too, and he had enough for an second portion the next day! Also, the house wine was delicious and only $6.50.
Our server, Erin, was so friendly an attentive, especially during Covid. I only hope I can save room for dessert the next time we come!”— Amy L.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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4. Pepp & Dolores
1501 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
“Pepp and Dolores is as good as it gets when it comes to authentic Italian food in Cincinnati, Ohio. For starters, all pasta dishes are made in-house, making it the highest quality pasta in town. They also have a wide variety of delicious wine that pair perfectly with the tapas appetizers and delicious pasta entres.
Let me talk about my experience. the atmosphere is impeccable from the moment you walk in. From the decor to the lighting, this place just looks like it will have an amazing menu. When you look around, there is a smile on everyones face- that’s when you know the food is good. We were seated right away at one of the best tables in the restaurant. The service was amazing- our server was extremely kind and also knew the menu well- couldn’t have asked for better service!”— Dani H.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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3. Sotto
118 E. 6th St., Downtown
“What a surprise! This place is absolutely phenomenal! The restaurant itself gives speakeasy vibes with its below street level dining experience. Full bar with some harder to find spirits (specifically whiskey). Handmade pastas with true Italian flavoring and preparation. Simple recipes using high quality ingredients. Proportions were appropriate for an individual diner.”— Kembral N.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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2. Bridges Nepali Cuisine
4165 Hamilton Ave., Northside
“Momos and a mango lassi. The best combo since pb&j. I’ve eaten here countless times and every visit Is consistently fresh, tasty, and cheap. The bowls are unlike anything I’ve had before. It’s the chipotle model of ordering, but the flavors are so unique. It’s similar to Indian cuisine, but with its own nuances. It’s easy during the pandemic to order by phone or walk-in for to go. Whatever you get, add a mango lassi. It will put a smile on your face!”— Anna A.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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1. Delwood
3204 Linwood Ave., Mt. Lookout
“My fiancée and I wandered into Delwood when both of us were hangry and realized the sushi places down the street were both closed. We were excited to try something new but weren’t being picky because we were starved! So we went in not having any idea about what kind of food Delwood served. Well we were very pleasantly surprised! It’s very welcoming with big trailing plants everywhere and lots of natural light which his well complemented by a warm and approachable staff. Our server explained the concept and menu to us with a few recommendations- we went with a chicken sandwich, chips and guac, and a chop salad. My fiancée has been talking about that chop salad for DAYS now. She says the champagne vinaigrette was out of this world. The guac really stepped up on a traditional recipe with the addition of corn and beans and that kept us really interested. Everything was super flavorful and tasty- they’ve made regulars of us!”— Sami B.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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