31 Restaurants in or Near Downtown Cincinnati to Spend Your Lunch Hour

Silverglades

118 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine; 236 E. Eighth St., Downtown
What better place to stop in for lunch than Cincinnati’s oldest family-owned deli? This downtown deli has been serving hungry lunch-goers since 1922. The chicken salad is a must-try and it comes in three varieties: walnut-grape, smoked and Buffalo-style. Silverglades also offers a long list of gourmet sandwiches, including paninis and wraps, and a menu of pizzas and salads, both of which have a create-your-own option. You can also stop in for a bottle of wine or some snacks for later.

The Rhined

1737 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
The Rhined is really about the cheese — well, the cheese and wine — but it’s also a good place to throw in your lunch rotation. The Rhined is great for grab-and-go (there are 50ish artisan cheeses to choose from) but it also does have some seating, including the indoor bar and outdoor patio. Guests can choose from assorted cheese board options or from a variety of snacks, including a sandwich menu.

Allez Bakery

1208 Main St., Over-the-Rhine
Allez Bakery may be best known for its nationally praised artisanal bread and pastries, but it also crafts spectacular sandwiches. Whether you’re looking for something meaty or veggie-heavy, you’ll find good options when you step up to the counter. A particular favorite is the decadent meatball sandwich, which is only available on Fridays. It features fluffy ciabatta bread loaded with red sauce, pesto, provolone and some gratuitous meatballs. Stock up on napkins for this saucy stack.

Kanji

1739 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Kanji focuses on sushi and Korean cuisine inspired by local restaurateur Inho Cha’s desire to offer Cincinnati a glimpse into the culture and flavors of his home country, South Korea. The menu features some familiar rolls from Drunken Bento — another of Cha’s restaurants — including the Big Baller, Sunday Morning and Zen Garden. In addition to sushi and nigiri, the menu boasts familiar Korean dishes like dolsot bibimbap — Cha's favorite dish — served in a hot stone bowl with crispy rice, vegetables, choice of protein and a sunny-side-up egg, as well as chicken, pork or fish katsu; bulgogi; and tempura udon.

Pata Roja Taqueria

52 E. Court St., Downtown
Pata Roja Taqueria got its start in 2019 as a food truck that could typically be found behind Bar Saeso in Pendleton. From there it grew in popularity, becoming known for its authentic street tacos and Mexican dishes. With this success, owner Derrick Braziel decided to put down roots in downtown Cincinnati, opening Pata Roja in its new brick-and-mortar spot in Court Street Plaza. Pata Roja’s new space is modeled after the iconic taquerias of Mexico City, with colorful tiles and a central focus of the trompo, a meat rotisserie that’s front and center in the kitchen, which is used to roast pork for the authentic tacos al pastor. On the menu, guests will find a variety of street tacos, including the al pastor and the popular campechano, which combines several meats into one taco, as well as frozen margaritas and fresh salsas.

Flatiron Cafe

1833 Sycamore St., Mt. Auburn
Flatiron Cafe is an adorable coffee and wine bar located just up the hill in Mt. Auburn. The cafe is located in a historic flatiron-style building and offers a menu of coffee, including seasonal drinks; tea; sandwiches and pizza for lunch. If it’s a nice day, be sure to grab a seat on the outdoor patio.

Fortune Noodle House

349 Calhoun St., CUF
You know your noodles are made with love when a restaurant dedicates an entire employee just to their production, but here’s the thing: Everything else at Fortune Noodle House is delicious, too. Inspired by classic Chinese noodle houses, Fortune serves a La Mian-style of handmade noodles, a practice that dates back to the 1500s. The noodles are hand-pulled and stretched out into strands, then paired with everything from vegetables to squid and minced pork to lamb.

Harmony Plant Fare

1801 Race St., Unit 105, Over-the-Rhine
This New York City-inspired vegan deli offers a variety of cold cuts, salads, dips, housemade seitan and vegan cheese (that melts!), plus sandwiches and vegan pantry essentials. The addictive Italian sandwich is full of housemade seitan ham and pepperoni.

Krishna Indian Restaurant & Carryout

313 Calhoun St., CUF
Krishna Indian Restaurant is the Clifton area’s best-kept secret. The tiny restaurant offers both carryout and dine-in, with about a handful of booths to choose from. It dishes out plates such as saag paneer, a vegetarian spinach dish filled with onions, spices and a hint of cream, and chicken tikka masala, tandoori chicken in a creamy tomato sauce. Be careful: The food can get spicy with the spice scale ranging from 1-7.

Fesslers Legendary Pizza and Hoagies

343 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
Originally named Pasquale’s, this affordable and tasty pizza joint is family-owned and -operated, bringing in steadfast customers since 1963. They’re known best for their fast service — perfect for those lunch rushes — thick crust and legendary hoagies.

Lalo

26 W. Court St., Downtown
Lalo refers to itself as “Chino Latino” cuisine because Asia has a lot of Spanish and Latin influences. The menu is divided into a delicious, eclectic mix of those influences, with dishes ranging from tacos, burritos and mofongo to noodles and the fusion of Cubano Bahn-Mi and the Mexi Bibimbap.

16 Lots Southern Outpost

1 Levee Way, Newport
Stop by this nautical-themed brewery if you’re looking for a relaxing lunch with a riverfront view. 16 Lots Brewing Company in Mason opened its Southern Outpost in the spring of 2023, where it serves up craft beer, cocktails, adult slushies and pub food like sliders, burgers and tenders. Service is fast an easy with its QR code menu and ordering system, leaving you more time to enjoy the view and your lunch.

Pho Lang Thang

1828 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Pho Lang Thang is a Vietnamese spot that serves up delicious bowls of pho and banh mi for lunch and dinner. The restaurant also features an upbeat vibe where customers can feel free to slurp loudly.

Milkman

1106 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Milkman serves up nostalgic vibes along with its unique take on diner food with smash burgers; fried chicken sandwiches that range from the classic to a spicy version, as well as “not a burger” options like hot dogs, salads and Italian beef sandwiches. There are also options for non-meat eaters, including tofu nugs, plus the meat for any of the chicken sandwiches can be switched out for fried tofu. You also can’t leave without trying one of their milkshakes. (Go for one of the boozy ones; we won’t tell your boss).

The Arepa Place

131 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine
This Findlay Market storefront space offers up a menu of South American staples for lunch, including authentic Colombian eats like the stuffed arepas — a pocket-like food made from a corn dough and filling — being the main star of the menu. Fillings range from a classic chicken and cheese combo to a vegetarian one stuffed with black beans, fried plantains and cheese and even a build-your-own option. You can also opt for the empanadas and a host of sides, like plantain chips with guacamole or salsa and fried sweet plantains.

Taqueria San Miguel

812 Madison Ave., Covington
San Miguel Taqueria is quiet and unassuming on the outside — that’s how you know it’s gonna be good. The menu packs a punch of authentic Mexican flavor, with classic tacos that come with your choice of meat on a corn tortilla, with onions and cilantro piled high. (Try the al pastor; you’ll thank us). There’s also a good selection of sopes, burritos and tortas, or try a plate, served with your choice of protein and a Mexican salad (tomato, onion, avocado, rice and beans).

Goodfellas

1211 Main St., Over-the-Rhine; 603 Main St., Covington
Goodfellas Pizzeria features New York-style pizza by the slice in a 1920s-inspired setting. The quick-moving line makes it an ideal stop when you’re in a hurry to get to the good part of your lunch break. Alongside their giant slices and pies, other menu items include calzones, salads and their signature meatball sub. For an extra dose of carbs, grab a breadstick the size of your arm, plus a side of their housemade ranch dressing.

Riverside Korean

512 Madison Ave., Covington
Come to Riverside Korean for lunch if you’re looking for award-winning Korean food made in a family-owned establishment. The owners have curated the menu with dishes that have passed their authenticity taste test, including their traditional, rice-based, steaming-hot dolsot bibimbap, which features mixed vegetables, a sunny-side-up egg and your choice of beef, chicken or tofu. All entrées are served with a delightful selection of traditional side dishes called ban chan.

Saigon Subs and Rolls

151 W. Fourth St., Downtown
Walk into Saigon Subs & Rolls and you’ll likely be hit with the smell of fresh cilantro. The refreshingly minimal Vietnamese eatery is an underrated and often overlooked lunch destination that serves spring rolls, rice plates, vermicelli noodle bowls and pho, but its banh mi are true works of art: Between slices of baguette smeared in creamy homemade butter sit pickled carrots, daikon and your choice of beef or chicken. It’s also got some of the best tofu in town.

Mazunte Centro

611 Main St., Downtown
Mazunte has been long-hailed as a "hidden gem," offering a mix of casual order-at-the-counter dining with authentic, high-quality Mexican cuisine. The tacos are a solid go-to option, but don’t sleep on the memalitas (thin masa cakes that have been grilled and can be topped with chicken, chorizo, pork or vegetables) or the pozole (a traditional Mexican soup). It’s also a cheap lunch stop, with an authentic Mexico feel, all the way down to the cinder blocks and milk crates for furniture.