It seems as though the rest of the country is beginning to catch on to what makes the Queen City so great. Over the past year, these national publications have shed light on Cincinnati’s booming food scene, rich history, architecture, attractions and startup culture, giving a little peek into why we love this city so much.
Findlay Market 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine “Since 1852, merchants in Findlay Market have been selling farm-fresh produce, meats (including a local haggis-like creation called goetta) and cheeses to Cincinnatians. In the summer, the indoor market expands outside and welcomes musicians, performers and special events to the mix.” — Paula Froelich for Newsweek Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Libby’s Southern Comfort 35 W. Eighth St., Covington “This Southern restaurant is just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati in Duveneck Square. Bright, modern, and homey, the interior of Libby’s Southern Comfort is as charming as the food coming out of the kitchen. The menu is a fusion of Kentucky and Charleston comfort staples such as fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and fried green tomatoes. Be sure to order Libby’s hush puppies with goetta and sample the selection of vintage bourbon and boozy slushies.” — Grace Yek for Eater Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden 3400 Vine St., Avondale “The Cincinnati Zoo (one of the oldest zoos in the nation) brings visitors nose-to-nose with a range of exciting animals. Guests can view hippos underwater (including superstar Fiona), pop up in a bubble amid meerkats or watch cheetahs racing at top speeds. The multi-sensory Night Hunters exhibit hosts cats and other nocturnal predators, while Manatee Springs seeks the long-term conservation of the Florida manatee by encouraging guests to observe these gentle giants.” — USA Today Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Branch and Night Drop 1535 Madison Road, Walnut Hills “The restoration took more than two years but the once-vacant Central Trust Bank branch in East Walnut Hills has found new life as a high-end restaurant. While the building’s art deco design and stately interior hint at its past, the emphasis these days is squarely on food and drink. Executive chef Shoshannah Anderson’s menu is refined and global but always grounded. The food ranges from Israeli chickpea salad to diver scallops with pork belly, roasted radish, and orange curd. Pair dinner with themed cocktails like the Cosigner or Trust Account, or head downstairs for a nightcap at the Night Drop bar in the venue’s cozy basement.” — Grace Yek for Eater Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Over-the-Rhine Over-the-Rhine “With street after street of fine Italianate buildings, Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is getting its due these days as one of the nation’s premier historic districts. For decades in deep decline, OTR is now a grand tale of urban revival, booming as it is with some 150 new restaurants, bars, and shops and businesses that have opened in the last few years. Supported by a 19th-century cast- and wrought-iron frame, which deservedly earns it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, Findlay Market is an OTR landmark to which many visitors make a beeline. A good way to see and taste all the market delights is to put yourself in the hands of Cincinnati Food Tours whose guides have relationships with all the vendors, thus making your sampling as fun and informative as it should be.” — John Oseid for Forbes Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Rooted Juicery & Kitchen 17 E. Sixth St., Downtown “Juicing fans need to make Rooted a stop on their wellness foodie tour through Cincinnati. Ivy and cactus plants are sprinkled throughout the airy and intimate Rooted Juicery & Kitchen located in downtown Cincinnati. The venue offers that nutrient boost; perfect for a midday pick me up. Try some of the popular blends like the Rooted (carrot, aloe, apple, and ginger) and the Grounded (beet, apple, carrot, celery, lemon, parsley, and spinach). If you’re hungrier than just a juice, they offer healthy bites like a roasted veggie sandwich, teriyaki quinoa wrap, and yogurt and granola.” — Adrienne Jordan for Forbes Photo via Facebook.com/RootedJuicery
Hotel Covington 638 Madison Ave., Covington “The Hotel Covington Cincinnati Riverfront, which opened its doors in September 2016, occupies the iconic 1910 Coppin’s Department Store building. The Covington, Kentucky, property nods to its roots with the Coppin’s Restaurant & Bar and preserved design touches featured throughout the hotel, such as the high ceilings and oversized display windows. Recent guests appreciated the chic interiors, especially in their rooms, which reviewers described as ‘beautiful.’ Accommodations are outfitted in rich jewel tones, with velvet tufted headboards and amenities like free Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs and minifridges stocked with local products. The emphasis on locally sourced ingredients is also on display in the restaurant menus and at the on-site Artisan Coffee Bar, which uses Carabello Coffee from nearby Newport, Kentucky. And when the weather allows, guests can enjoy the outdoors at The Patio at Coppin’s, which offers lawn games, evening movie screenings and a fireplace. Other on-site amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, a late night grab-and-go eatery and business facilities. In addition to the eye-catching interiors and delicious restaurant menus, visitors were also pleased with the courteous and attentive staff. You’ll find this hotel across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati.” — U.S. News & World Report Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Baker’s Table 1004 Monmouth St., Newport “What makes a restaurant a tourist magnet and what makes it a standby? Many travelers long to find a gem tucked away on a small-town main street — the kind of place you want to linger in and then brag about to your Instagram followers. Locals, however, may find that what they actually need is a restaurant with a well-priced menu that outshines a home kitchen and rewards return visits. When a new restaurant like the Baker’s Table hits both marks, it has the makings of an essential. Visitors to (and from) Cincinnati should head over the Taylor Southgate Bridge to dunk fluffy ricotta doughnuts — made by chef, baker, and co-owner David Willocks — in bright strawberry-lemon curd, to carve into a fried chicken sandwich served on a textbook buttermilk biscuit, and to nurse an Amaro spritz from the bar. The cozily eclectic room, designed by co-owner Wendy Braun, invites the midday lazing that defines a vacation’s lunch. But if I lived nearby, I’d wander in for the easy comforts of a full-bodied tomato soup served alongside a grilled cheese on Willocks’s glorious sourdough, a kale Caesar studded with brioche croutons, and a chewy, salted chocolate chip cookie. Even a regular might feel like they’re on holiday — as long as there are still a few bites left on the table.” — Hillary Dixler Canavan for Eater Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Yonder 621 Main St., Covington “Tess and Chris Burns, husband-and-wife owners of Commonwealth Bistro, are huge nature lovers. They share their love for the great outdoors via their new lush, woodsy rooftop space, Yonder, which features a full bar serving a fun list of cocktails and mocktails. To eat there are playful, seasonal takes on bar bites like wings and deviled eggs, all made with locally sourced ingredients.” — Grace Yek for Eater Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Maplewood Kitchen + Bar 525 Race St., Downtown “Located on Race Street downtown, Maplewood Kitchen + Bar is a bustling weekend brunch spot. The concept involves standing in line; ordering from an expansive menu; and then finding a seat inside the airy, floor-to-ceiling windowed venue. The menu contains omelets; lemon ricotta pancakes; blueberry pancakes; as well as healthier fare like super green salads and a handful of cold pressed juices.” — Adrienne Jordan for Forbes Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Wódka Bar 1200 Main St., Over-the-Rhine “Since 2012, Sarah Dworak has garnered a devoted following at Babushka Pierogies, the Findlay Market store where she serves dumplings stuffed with tasty fillings both traditional (potato-cheddar) and whimsical (lentil Cincinnati chili). With the beautifully bedecked Wódka Bar, Dworak brings even more of her Eastern European heritage to Over-the-Rhine. The striking oversized, backlit stained glass window hanging over the bar shines down on other old-world design elements like rich wood paneling, velvet upholstery, and deep jewel tones. The restaurant and bar specializes in house-infused vodkas and Eastern European bites such as caviar puff pastries, smoked salmon and herring, and pierogies, of course.” — Grace Yek for Eater Photo: Hailey Bollinger
21c Musuem Hotel 609 Walnut St., Downtown “Appropriately perched adjacent to the Contemporary Arts Center — across the street from the Aronoff Center for the Arts in downtown Cincy — the 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati is for the traveler looking for a little more than just a place to hang their hat. Recent guests heaped praise on the unique outpost of the 21c Museum collection, saying they felt little need to step foot outside the hotel. Perhaps that’s because you don’t need to leave to get your fill of culture: The museum within the hotel features a rotating roster of 21st-century artists.” — U.S. News & World Report Photo: Facebook.com/21cCincinnati
Karrikin Spirits Company 3717 Jonlen Drive, Fairfax “At Karrikin, you can see spirits in the making before ordering a glass. House-made gin, vodka, and rum make the short hop from the working distillery to the bar, where they become especially pretty cocktails. Karrikin also sports a full kitchen, crowned by a wood-fired grill, where chef Jared Bennett balances the full flavor of live-fire cooking with high-end sensibilities, turning locally sourced ingredients into memorable small plates. Clear winners include scallops served with pickled green almonds, charred fennel, peas, and asparagus, and beet latkes with dukkah, scallion, and creme fraiche. A grand chandelier and eclectic furniture in the lounge area help tame the cavernous 30,000-square-foot space.” — Grace Yek for Eater Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Lonely Pine Steakhouse 6085 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge “Route 66 and roadside steakhouses are alive and well in this nostalgic, counter-service stop in Pleasant Ridge. Lonely Pine is decorated in a mix of midcentury decor and rugged accents from the American Southwest. The steaks, dry-aged in house, are the main course here. (Don’t look for chicken or fish.) The restaurant is the latest production from parent company Gorilla Cinema Presents, known for its bold thematic bars such as Tokyo Kitty, a downtown karaoke spot fashioned after Lost in Translation, and the Overlook Lodge — the group’s first bar, inspired by The Shining, next door to Lonely Pine.” — Grace Yek for Eater Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Newport Aquarium 1 Aquarium Way, Newport “Encompassing a million gallons of water and thousands of animals from around the world, the Newport Aquarium operates the first shark ray breeding program in the world. The Amazon Tunnel allows visitors to walk along the floor of the Amazon River during its flooded season, while the Dangerous & Deadly exhibit showcases some of the world’s most lethal aquatic creatures. Eight species of crocodiles from four different continents can be seen at Gator Alley — one of the most diverse crocodilian collections in the country.” — USA Today Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Zundo Ramen and Donburi 220 W. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine “Slurp-worthy bowls make Zundo the new go-to for ramen in Over-the-Rhine. The restaurant’s traditional 14-hour broth, along with flavor-amping ingredients like pork belly and soft-boiled egg with custardy yolk, underpin the ramen options, like the stellar tonkotsu. Meanwhile, donburi choices range from pork katsu to curry to unagi. The large selection of sake pairs perfectly with anything from the standout food menu.” — Grace Yek for Eater Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Tortilleria Garcia 5917 Hamilton Ave., College Hill “Fans are showing up in droves to this new fast-casual spot in College Hill, the second location of Tortilleria Garcia in greater Cincinnati. Owner Omar Garcia faithfully recreates the food he grew up eating in Michoacán, Mexico, including tacos, tamales, rotisserie chicken, and burritos, but his tortillas are the real MVPs. Every day the cooks press fresh masa from boiled corn. The tortillas have become such a thing that customers can buy packs of them separately. Top off a meal with homemade aguas Mexicanas like hibiscus tea, pineapple water, and horchata. ” — Grace Yek for Eater Photo: Paige Deglow
Cincinnati Cincinnati “Now, Cincinnati is in a prime position. The region’s economic backbone has long been strengthened by corporations, from P&G to Kroger to Fifth Third Bank. But now they have a decade-long history of developing top quality startups that can find funding anywhere. That’s a rarity for most regions of the country.” — Jeff Barrett for Entrepreneur Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Fausto at the CAC 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown “Tucked inside the Contemporary Arts Center downtown, Fausto at the CAC effortlessly complements the avant-garde building with a space that’s elegant yet ever-so-slightly edgy. After working in California for years, owners and brothers Tony and Austin Ferrari return to Cincinnati to dish up seasonal, light, locally sourced fare. Look for the brothers’ custom-label coffee blend — part of their collaboration with Cincinnati-based Deeper Roots Coffee — and Ferrari Bros rosé, a pinot noir made in California” — Grace Yek for Eater Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Coffee Emporium 110 E. Central Parkway, Over-the-Rhine “For those that need a quiet place to catch up on work but also have healthy food and drink options, visit Coffee Emporium located on Central Parkway. The expansive coffee shop has an industrial-décor with plush seating and ample tables to prop your laptop. Try the Berry Goat Cheese Salad and single origin coffee from places like Nicaragua, Kenya, Costa Rica, and Sumatra.” — Adrienne Jordan for Forbes Photo: Emerson Swoger
Mom ‘n ’em 3128 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington “Mornings at Mom ‘n ‘em, there’s coffee, and excellent pastry, and well-crafted breakfast sandwiches, too. As the day progresses, customers tend to begin eying the well-curated wine wall, and the selection of tinned fishes, along with other nibbles. The Ferrari brothers have created one of the very best all-day cafes I’ve seen, out of a sizable recent crop — unlike too many of the others, it doesn’t try to do everything, but what it does, it does exceptionally well. It also helps that both brothers are well-trained, enthusiastic sommeliers — when they’re not waxing rhapsodic about coffee, you can often find them speaking, very knowledgeably, about wine.” — David Landsel for Food & Wine Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Holiday Spirits and Forty Thieves 1538 Race St., Over-the-Rhine “Powerhouse couple Dan and Lana Wright just expanded their restaurant empire with a no-frills bar connected to a walk-up Middle Eastern street-food counter. Conveniently situated by the streetcar stop at Liberty and Race, the counter offers a low-key version of the Wrights’ upscale Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant, Abigail Street. While the offshoot, Forty Thieves, skews more casual than its older sister restaurant, Dan Wright’s precise culinary skills still shine in killer shawarma, falafel, succulent grilled chicken, and shakshuka. Over in Holiday Spirits, a large U-shaped bar floats in the middle of the space like an island, from which bartenders serve a menu of slushy drinks and novel cocktails. Arcade games, pool tables, and a large outdoor patio make the bar-restaurant combo an easy choice in this neck of Over-the-Rhine.” — Grace Yek for Eater Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Cheapside Cafe 326 E. Eighth St., Downtown “Breakfast is served all day at this coffee house, where the specialty is their Breakfast Sandwich, made with a fried egg, crispy bacon and pimento cheese on multigrain bread.” — Madison Roberts for People Photo: Jesse Fox
Social OTR 1819 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine “At Social OTR, you can eat high-end food and fill up on a socially driven mission. The restaurant employs interns from the Findlay Culinary Training program, creating opportunities for the community’s underemployed residents, including those grappling with poverty or criminal records. The menu ranges from snacks to large plates, including choices such as bacalao croquettes and charred octopus. The Alley at Social, the restaurant’s second bar and dining space, also offers happy hours to encourage community engagement.” — Grace Yek for Eater Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Crzy Monk 627 Main St., Downtown “Step inside Crzy Monk and step out of the ridiculous pace of life. Huit Restaurant Group opened this restorative, pan-Asian restaurant just around the corner from the Aronoff Center for the Arts and just up the block from the group’s Chino-Latino sensation Lalo. In the chic yet casual space, diners calm and center themselves with dishes like Mother Earth Salad. That’s just one of the creative, playful items on the vegan and vegetarian menu, which also includes options like a bao-wich and a Cleansing Noodle Soup that sports honeydew and vegan mock ham. ” — Grace Yek for Eater Photo: Facebook.com/MonkCincinnati