Sometimes the best restaurants are found in unassuming locations — even at your neighborhood strip mall. But let it be known that these sometimes easy-to-miss eateries are often cooking up some magic. From pizza joints to delis to Indian buffets, don’t sleep on these top-notch hidden gems.

 

 

Uncle Yip’s 10736 Reading Road, Evendale Uncle Yip’s serves authentic southern Chinese cuisine along with dim sum specialties. Dim sum consists of small portions of food delivered in steamer baskets; dishes like the shrimp dumplings, barbecue pork buns and chicken sui mai are popular (and only $5.95 each). Photo: facebook.com/UncleYips
Noodle & Hot Pot 4750 Fields Ertel Road, Mason Yuke Qiu and Jennifer Niu opened Noodle & Hot Pot in 2018. Hot pot is kind of like fondue dining meets a hibachi grill — everyone at the table cooks their food in the boiling soup at the center of the table. The restaurant offers seven different soups: nine boxes spicy, spicy, bone, wild mushroom, tomato, tom yam and curry. They also have a hot pot buffet special, a Thursday lunch special and bubble tea. Photo via Facebook.com/hotpotohio
Maranata Store 1215 Rulison Ave., Price Hill, 513-244-2494 Price Hill’s burgeoning Guatemalan community offers a taste of Central America at this tienda, which stocks groceries and serves colorful cilantro-infused ceviche, pork pupusas, fried plantains and three-milk cake from its modest restaurant. The Guatemalan-style tamales alone are worth the trip. Photo via Facebook.com/MaranataStore
Tong’s Thai 1117 Main St., Milford If you’re looking for authentic Thai that won’t break the bank, look no further. Tong’s bento boxes, priced at $11.95, come with two sushi rolls, a side, a Thai main course and miso soup. They have 20 sushi rolls to choose from with many being half priced Monday-Thursday (dine-in only). Photo via Facebook.com/officialtongsthai
Uncle Yips 10736 Reading Road, Evendale Nestled in the Evendale Plaza, Uncle Yip’s serves authentic southern Chinese cuisine with full dim sum service during weekend brunch. Dim sum consists of small portions of food delivered in steamer baskets; dumpling dishes like shrimp dumplings, barbecue pork buns and chicken sui mai are popular (and only $3.95 each). Photo via Facebook.com/UncleYips Photo: facebook.com/Uncle Yip's
Full Circle Pies 4105 N. Bend Road, Cheviot Full Circle Pies stands out from the sea of Domino’s and Papa John’s pizza chains. Their New York-style speciality pizzas are one of a kind, like the Mac & Cheese Pie, the Breakfast Pie, the Dried Berries Pie and the Chicken Wing Pie. The calzones and strombolis, sandwiches and homemade mozzarella sticks will make you want to dedicate a gym day to cardio. Photo via Facebook.com/fullcirclepies
Sebastian’s Gyros 5209 Glenway Ave., Cheviot The longtime West Side joint is just as delicious as you remember it. An ethnic meat-lover’s heaven, the menu offers numerous Greek items and what many consider the best gyro in Cincinnati. Photo via Facebook.com/SebastiansGyros
Phoenician Taverna 7944 Mason Montgomery Road Fabulous Lebanese food in a Mason strip mall? Really? We were skeptical, too, until we were dragged out to Phoenician Taverna. Perfectly executed meze (small plates) — both hot and cold — are the way to go for a large group. Try the baba ghannouge, labneh or any of the shawarma. If you’re going carb free, make this your cheat night: the flatbread is to die for. Photo via Facebook.com/PhoenicianTaverna
New Krishna Indian Cuisine 11974 Lebanon Road, Sharonville If you’re looking for a spot to eat your heart out in Sharonville, New Krishna Indian Cuisine should be your go-to. The enormous buffet is open for lunch and dinner. You’ll find all the traditional Indian dishes like curry, masala or samosas and a tasty variety of others you may not recognize (but should absolutely indulge in). Photo via Facebook.com/newkrishnarestaurant
Bridgetown Finer Meats 6135 Bridgetown Road, Cheviot Bridgetown Finer Meats opened its doors in 1979 and has been selling all things local ever since –– meat, produce, dressings, salads and more. They even have a wine shop, so when you’re buying cookies from Jenny’s Homemade Cookies, a storefront a couple of feet away, treat yourself to a bottle of wine. Make sure to stop by during Lent for one of the best fish sandwiches in town. Photo via Facebook.com/BridgetownFiner
SuRa Korean Cuisine 7876 S. Mason Montgomery Road, Mason ‘SuRa’ in Korean refers to the meals of the king and royal court during the Joseon Dynasty. This Korean restaurant was opened in 2010 by Dr. InHwan Oh and his wife. The appetizers are reasonably priced ($7-$15) and the dinner menu offers both cheaper options (Korean ramen) and pricer meals (bossam). Photo via Facebook.com/SuRaKorean
Mazunte 5207 Madison Road, Madisonville An homage to the street food of Oaxaca, Mazunte’s dishes reflect the culinary diversity of the homes, markets and vendors of central and southern Mexico. Options range from pork or chorizo tacos with avocado salsa to chicken tamales in a corn husk with rajas and salsa verde and traditional pozole with hominy and red radish. A glass of horchata or agua de limon — or, let’s be real, sangria — is a must. Photo: Patty Salas
Buddha Barn Thai 6625 Gracely Drive, Sayler Park Buddha Barn Thai is a cute hole-in-the-wall serving up some of the freshest Thai food in the city. When you pop in, check out the buddhas placed throughout the restaurant, try out their lemon Thai iced tea and the Cashew Pineapple dish is a must. Photo via buddhabarnthai.com
Marx Hot Bagels 9701 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash If you take your bagels with a side of New York attitude, Marx is the ultimate Kosher deli for a salad or schmear. Certified by Vaad Hoier of Cincinnati and in operation since 1969, Marx’s bagels are boiled then baked and contain no preservatives, butter or oil but are more than indulgent. There are 30 varieties made fresh daily, plus tuna salad, egg salad and nova lox that come with their own mascot: Bagel Man, the superhero-outfit-clad owner who may or may not be behind the counter offering a side of sass with your order. Photo via Facebook.com/MarxHotBagels
Pho 96 7844 Kingland Drive, Mason Pho originated in the early 20th century in northern Vietnam, apparently southeast of Hanoi in Nam ??nh Province. Luckily, you don’t have to travel that far to enjoy the meal. Pho 96 has hot and cold noodles, Vietemese sandwiches, bubble tea and weekly deals. Photo via Facebook.com/Pho96
Baladi Restaurant and Bakery 3307 Clifton Ave., Clifton Suhail and Hanan Barazi left Syria in 1986 and followed family to Kent, Ohio in search of the American dream and a better education for their children. Hanan and her daughter Rana finally realized that dream when they opened Baladi Restaurant & Bakery in Clifton. According to the restaurant’s website, Baladi means “my country” in Arabic, which describes how the Barazis want their guests to feel — welcomed and at home. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Aroma’s Java and Gelato 6407 Bridgetown Road, Cheviot Located in a small strip mall on Bridgetown Road, Aroma’s isn’t your average coffee shop. They offer homemade, creamy gelato, quiches, wraps, salads, quesadillas, soup and, of course, delicious coffee and non-coffee drinks. Photo via Facebook.com/AromasGelato
Habesha Restaurant and Cafe 5070 Crookshank Road, Covedale Habesha is a great hidden-gem restaurant offering Ethiopian dishes and an Ethiopian-style coffee ceremony. While it looks like a hole-in-the-wall from the outside, the cuisine is on par with Ethiopian eateries in Washington, D.C. — which is saying a lot. Photo: Liz Davis Photo: Liz Davis
J & J Restaurant 6159 Glenway Ave., Western Hills This old-school diner serves huge double-decker sandwiches, good chili, cheese coneys and all-day breakfast at a great price. Tucked into a strip mall, this is a no-frills neighborhood staple with lots of regulars and quick service. Photo: Paige Deglow
Tavern on the Bend 5471 N. Bend Road, Cheviot Hidden in a strip mall, Tavern on the Bend is a great neighborhood hangout. Nightly specials and over 20 specialty beers on tap keep the menu interesting, and their signature mac and cheese recipes will keep your tastebuds wanting more. Photo via TavernOnTheBend.com
Korea House 11371 Montgomery Road, Montgomery The Korea House is a local family-owned restaurant that knows Korean food. Their half-price sushi is a deal and their appetizers range from $4.95-$13.95. Photo via Facebook.com/koreahousecincinnati
Casual Chinese 88 Carothers Road, Newport This Chinese stop might be inconspicuous, but don’t be fooled. Harry Hsu, the owner, has a secret method to cook his noodles. He’s doing something right because the most popular items are the pad Thai and the original egg rolls. Their lunch specials range from $4.30-$4.95 until 3 p.m. daily. Photo: Holden Mathis
Truva Cafe 4122 Hunt Road, Blue Ash Located in a strip mall near the Blue Ash Kroger, Truva Cafe is a Middle Eastern restaurant that focuses on vegetarian meals with whole grains, beans and seasonal fruit (there are some meals that feature meat). The stuffed cabbage rolls, chicken kebab, falafel, gyro, couscous and shrimp casserole are local favorites. With 4 out of 5 stars on Yelp, this is a stop you don’t want to miss. Photo via Facebook.com/TruvaCafeCincinnati
Pelicans Reef 7261 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township For more than 20 years, the laid-back island oasis Pelican’s Reef has been serving up super fresh seafood in Anderson. Now, if you aren’t from Cincinnati’s very inland East Side, you’ve probably never heard of the Buffet-esque Reef. But rest assured the fish is worth the drive. While much of the expansive menu features breaded and fried items with plenty of tartar sauce — choices like fried oyster po’boys or broiled grouper stuffed with crab meat, wild rice and cornbread stuffing — none of the restaurant’s diehard fans are complaining. Rotating seasonal seafood specials come in daily from places like Hawaii, Alaska, Florida and Maryland. And there are plenty of choices for diners who don’t want breading, like seafood stew, grilled mahi mahi and nine different Caesar salads topped with various sea creatures. Photo: Liz Davis Photo: Liz Davis