28 of Cincinnati's Most Delicious Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants

Kim’s Korean

10548 Harrison Ave., Harrison
For delicious, authentic Korean food in Greater Cincinnati, you can’t go wrong with Kim’s Korean. This strip mall eatery has everything you could want from a hole-in-the-wall restaurant with its drop-tile seating, cozy booths, Asian-inspired art on the walls and a menu that doesn’t stray from the classics: savory dishes of bulgogi, bibimbap, Korean soups, seafood with rice and more.

Al-Madina Market & Grill

6 W. Corry St., Corryville
Situated across the street from the Corryville Kroger, Al-Madina Market & Grill boasts a humble yet comprehensive selection of Middle Eastern grocery staples alongside its open kitchen. The chicken shawarma is lauded by students from the nearby University of Cincinnati, where the sandwich is a natural takeaway selection for busy academics, although tables are available for those who want to dine in and appreciate the calming effects of an environment that smells like grilled meat.

Bee’s Barbecue

5910 Chandler St.; 1403 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Bee’s believes good barbecue takes time and that smoking meat is an art – one they practice every day with patience and passion, using high-quality and locally sourced ingredients – even the wood they use is locally sourced. What results from that patience and dedication is a menu filled with tender, fresh barbecue you can buy by the half-pound or pound, on a sandwich or as a plate complemented with sides like creamy mac ‘n cheese, sticky BBQ beans and sweet honey cornbread. If you have any room left for dessert (or if you just want to power through), you won’t want to miss Bee’s Bourbon Peach Cobbler, crafted with bourbon- and brown sugar-laced peaches with a sugar crumble crust, or proprietor Bee’s personal favorite: the banana pudding – made with fluffy layers of fresh bananas, whipped cream and vanilla wafer cookies.

Steak & Lemonade

2607 Vine St., Clifton
Cincy Steak and Lemonade is the place to get the most bang for your buck. You can get a gyro, cheeseburger, fries and a plenty of delicious blended drinks on the cheap. Try their super colorful lemonades, with flavors ranging from rainbow to blue raspberry, and pina colada.

Siam Orchid Thai Restaurant

511 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
This Thai restaurant located in Bellevue is tiny but inviting, with affordable food that comes in large portions. The salads are fresh are jam-packed with veggies, like the Orchid Salad, which includes shredded cabbage, carrots and ground peanuts tossed in the chef's secret dressing. It also offers classic Thai favorites like Pad Thai and chicken satay.

Proud Rooster

345 Ludlow Ave., Clifton
Opened for more than half a century, Proud Rooster is a greasy spoon staple in Clifton’s Gaslight District. The cozy diner serves up all the classics like eggs served with your favorite breakfast meat, country-style breakfasts like biscuits and gravy and omelets made with fresh, whipped ranch eggs and a side of toast. For lunch, try one of their tasty hoagies, sandwich boards or burgers.

Knockback Nats

10 W. Seventh St., Downtown
Often lauded as having the best wings in Cincinnati, downtown sports bar Knockback Nats offers a variety of appetizers and sandwiches that won’t break the bank while you enjoy a beer and watch the game. Do yourself a favor and try the famous smoked chicken wings. The menu also features a variety of sandwiches, from a hot Italian club to the smoked brisket, and classic cheeseburgers.

Dunlap Cafe

1926 Dunlap St., Over-the-Rhine
Dunlap Cafe has been operational since 1936 with an emphasis on home-cooked meals, all-day brunch and draft beer. Breakfast sandwiches, omelets and other early morning classics are available all day with a selection of traditional and specialty burger and sandwich options for seriously reasonable prices.