Perched on the seventh floor of Covington’s Republic Bank building, Opal Rooftop Restaurant & Bar is quite literally one of Northern Kentucky's elevated gems. With a 360-degree panorama view of downtown Cincinnati and nearby NKY, it would be worth a visit for the view alone. But the menu is just as interesting. The restaurant boasts an exclusive 88-inch, Grillworks Infierno grill — the only open-fire cooktop of its kind within a two-hour radius of Cincinnati and one that had to be hoisted to the top of the building by crane. As one would expect, dishes focus on wood-fired grilling, from broccoli and halloumi to a burger to the standout Koji Dry Aged Duck Breast (a must-try even if fowl isn’t your favorite). Adding to the charm is the Republic Bank building itself, which is adorned with a vibrant mural courtesy of Brooklyn-based art group FAILE. opalrooftop.com.

Here are the 2024 Best Of Cincinnati® Reader and Staff Pick winners for Eats.

On its own, tempeh, a plant-based protein made with soybeans, doesn’t exactly make the list of mouth-watering dinner options. However, the tempeh slider at Hangry Omar’s in Covington Yard makes the plant-based patty so delectable that you won’t need to close your eyes and imagine that you’re sinking your teeth into a real hamburger just to stomach it. In fact, the marinated local chickpea tempeh, topped with American cheese, Buffalo sauce, and bourbon tomatillo relish is so good that you don’t even think about the fact that it’s a meatless sandwich topped with great-for-you veggies. hangryomars.com.

1. Marx Bagels
2. The Bagelry
3. Bruegger's Bagels
4. OTR Bagel Bar
5. Everything Bagels
6. Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli
7. Skip's Bagel Deli
8. Big Apple Bagels
9. Livia Jo's Bagels
10. Bagel & Deli Shop (Oxford)

1. Eli's BBQ
2. Lucius Q
3. City Barbeque
4. Pig Candy BBQ
5. Montgomery Inn
6. Bee's Barbecue
7. Just Q'in
8. Sweets & Meats BBQ
9. Smoke Justis
10. Beards & Bellies Barbeque

1. Yard House
2. Northside Yacht Club
3. The 859 Taproom and Grill

1. Goodfellas Pizzeria/Wiseguy Lounge
2. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
3. Smoke Justis

1. Sleepy Bee Cafe
2. First Watch
3. Sugar n' Spice
4. The Echo
5. Original Pancake House
6. Taste of Belgium
7. HangOverEasy
8. Maplewood Kitchen and Bar
9. Blue Jay Diner
10. Yuca

1. Nine Giant Brewpub & Fermentorium
2. Woodburn Brewery
3. Wandering Monsters Brewing Company
4. MadTree Brewing
5. Fifty West Brewing Company
6. Cartridge Brewing
7. HighGrain Brewing Co.
8. Dead Low Brewing
9. Moerlein Lager House
10. Third Eye Brewing

1. Sleepy Bee Café
2. First Watch
3. Taste of Belgium
4. Maplewood Kitchen and Bar
5. HangOverEasy
6. National Exemplar
7. Greyhound Tavern
8. Yuca
9. Coppin’s at Hotel Covington
10. Cedar

1. Jose Salazar (Salazar, Mita's, Goose & Elder, Daylily)
2. Jacob Wood (Sotto)
3. Dylan Jones (Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse)
4. Mary Paff (Ivory House)
5. Hideki Herrera (KiKi College Hill, Sen by Kiki)
6. Christian Gill
7. Drew Rath (Tuba Baking Co.)
8. Alfio (Alfio's Buon Cibo)
9. Cristian Pietoso (Via Vite, Forno, Nicola's)
10. TIE: Paul Barraca (The Governor) AND Jeffrey Harris (Nolia Kitchen)

1. Gomez Salsa
2. Mazunte
3. Agave and Rye
4. Chipotle
5. The Comet
6. Tortilleria Garcia
7. Cancun Mexican Restaurants
8. El Rancho Grande
9. La Mexicana Restaurante
10. Taqueria Mercado

1. Skyline Chili
2. Coppin's at Hotel Covington
3. Incline Public House

1. Avril-Bleh Meat Market & Deli
2. Eckerlin Meats
3. Jungle Jim’s International Market

1. Knotty Pine on the Bayou
2. Swampwater Grill
3. Nolia

1. The BonBonerie
2. Nothing Bundt Cakes
3. Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli

1. Skyline Chili
2. Zip's Cafe
3. Goodfellas Pizzeria

1. Penn Station
2. Cincy Steak & Lemonade
3. Jersey Mike's

1. Jungle Jim's International Market
2. The Rhined
3. Urban Stead Cheese

1. The Eagle
2. Galactic Fried Chicken
3. Silver Spring House
4. Ron's Roost Restaurant & Bar
5. Revolution Rotisserie
6. Libby's Southern Comfort
7. The Hitching Post
8. CityBird
9. Greyhound Tavern
10. Joella's Hot Chicken