Not all Cincinnati specialties are created equal. Sure, we all love chili and goetta, but that doesn’t mean everyone agrees on where to go. Skyline or Gold Star? Graeter’s or UDF? Talk to any Queen City resident and you’ll get a bevy of answers on what to do and where to go.
As CityBeat’s resident food writer, here’s what I’d consider the best possible day of Cincinnati eats.
The starting line
If you’re looking to experience a bunch of Cincinnati specialties all at once in the morning, there’s no better answer than Findlay Market. The region’s largest year-round farmers market is always serving tasty treats and full meals from just about every cuisine you can think of.
Start with something uniquely Cincinnati; for example, Eckerlin Meats serves goetta, the Queen City’s beloved sausage mix made of meat and oats, on an egg-and-cheese sandwich for just $5. Next, head across the street to The Rhined to sample local cheese — like Urban Stead’s products, which consistently rank as some of the best cheeses in the country and the world.
Then, head to the opposite side of the market and stop inside Maverick Chocolate, which makes its incredible small-batch chocolate bars right there in front of you at the shop. If that’s not enough sweets for you, stop by Gibbs inside the market proper to try its homemade fudge, or head over to Cherbourg Cyprus for quiches, doughnuts, lemon bars, brownies and more that are somehow gluten and nut free but taste just as good as the real thing.
If you’re doing this on a weekend — or just don’t mind day drinking — head a few blocks away from the market and try out two of Cincinnati’s most famous and unique breweries, Rhinegeist and Northern Row, located practically next door to each other.
Rhinegeist has a killer rooftop view, while Northern Row resides in a spectacular steel-and-brick building constructed in the Prohibition era.
The chili question
Skyline or Gold Star? If you’re doing a truly only-in-Cincinnati day, the answer is neither.
While I love both and have likely consumed 10 times my body weight over the course of my life from the popular chains, it’s way more fun to get the full experience from hole-in-the-wall joints that still serve it the old way.
I’m not here to argue or debate the merits of any of Cincinnati’s beloved “other” chili parlors, which includes institutions like Camp Washington Chili, Price Hill Chili, Pleasant Ridge Chili, Blue Ash Chili, Dixie Chili and countless more, because they’re all wonderful.
Personally, I give a slight edge to Camp Washington, because it’s open 24/6 and is the only restaurant in Cincinnati that has a James Beard Award (although that will likely change soon!). But, honestly, the best answer to “what’s the best Cincinnati chili parlor?” is “whatever’s closest to you.”
The ice cream question
Cincinnati loves its ice cream.
Most Queen City natives have fond memories of creamy whips and trips to United Dairy Farmers for a gas station malt. And there are plenty of independent names — like Aglamesis Bros — that are worth a visit in between lunch and dinner.
But, honestly, this is one instance where the popular pick is the right pick. Graeter’s is synonymous with Cincinnati for a reason; the beloved ice cream shop has been hand-crafting its ice cream in its trademark French pots since 1870. One bite of any of the shop’s signature flavors and you’ll realize it’s hard to argue with 150 years of history.
The award-winning dinners
It’s a well-kept secret that our city’s dining scene matches up with the best of the best; no need to go to Chicago or NYC, as you’ll find food just as good right here.
And the culinary world has started to take note, as Cincinnati is a perennial James Beard contender, and this year marks the first time that Cincinnati could be included in the famed MICHELIN Guide.
Here’s just a few restaurants that have achieved recognition across the nation and the world — most of which are all uniquely Cincinnati in some form or fashion.
Wildweed in Over-the-Rhine continues to shock and amaze diners with its eclectic take on pasta-related dishes. Nolia, just a few blocks away, has wowed critics across the country with its unique take on the dishes of the Global South. Mita’s downtown is always a delight, thanks to its modern spin on Colombian cuisine. Sudova brings a taste of Eastern Europe right here to the Midwest.
Or you could head across the river to The Baker’s Table, which sports an ever-changing menu with farm-fresh ingredients and the best sourdough in the region.
Whatever you choose from this list, it’s hard to go wrong.
The nightcap
Given how good our restaurants are in Cincinnati, it shouldn’t come as a shock that our bar scene is no slouch, either. But if you’re looking for something truly special, there’s a couple of standout options.
If you’re a beer connoisseur, Urban Artifact in Northside should be your first choice. Its beers are so unlike anything else on the market that they’re not even referred to as beers — instead, Urban Artifact calls them “fruit tarts.”
Its flagship, Gadget, features 16 whole blackberries and raspberries worth of juice in each can, and is regularly named one of the best beers on the entire planet. Oh, and the brewery is inside an old Catholic church built in the 1800s that’s filled with beautiful stained glass.
For wine, the number one name you need to know is HART & CRU in Pendleton. After years of work with legendary Cincinnati chefs like Jean-Robert de Cavel and David Falk, owner/sommelier Kevin Hart has crafted something truly special.
It sounds corny, but the team at HART & CRU are gifted at telling stories through wine, whether you’re trying a white wine from Tokaji, Hungary, or a natural wine from the vineyards of Tuscany.
When it comes to cocktails, there are plenty of stellar options. Homemakers Bar is the star of the show when it comes to expanding what a cocktail can be, often featuring local ingredients in their drinks. Longfellow (and its sister restaurant, Mid City) is where you’re going for a classic cocktail done well.
If someone says “cozy hole-in-the-wall,” Lost & Found is exactly the kind of place your brain would conjure up. And Somerset’s ambiance is top-notch, given you’re walking into a conservatory decked out with giant plants and paper lanterns all over the place.
Bottom line, Cincinnati isn’t just chili and ice cream, although we love that stuff too. You can find some of the most unique food and drinks you’ll ever try all over the city — if you know where to look.
This article appears in Annual Manual 2026.
