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32 Restaurants in Greater Cincinnati That Have Been Open for More Than 50 Years

By on Fri, May 19, 2023 at 1:26 pm

It takes a lot to keep a restaurant running, especially for 50-plus years, but these Cincinnati establishments can proudly claim they've been doing just that. In fact, there are many restaurants on this list that most lifelong Cincinnatians can't remember or weren't alive for a time before they existed. Even as tastes, menus and decor have changed over the decades, Cincinnati's oldest restaurants have changed with the times — or leaned into the era they opened, serving guests a side of nostalgia with their meal.

From old taverns opened in the age of Western expansion to greasy spoon diners with a host of regulars who have been patronizing them for years, plus the Queen City's OG chili parlor that inspired the rest, here are some Cincinnati restaurants that have kept their kitchens frying, baking and grilling for more than 50 years.
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Arnold’s Bar and Grill 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown Open since 1861, Arnold’s is the oldest continuously running tavern in town, complete with dark wood walls, vintage memorabilia and a big ol’ bathtub in the dining room, rumored to have been used to make gin during Prohibition. A Cincinnati classic, it serves up a nice range of lunch and dinner options — pasta, sandwiches and burgers, plus vegan and gluten-free options — at bargain prices. Enjoy a local draft in the outdoor beer garden and almost daily live music. It was also named as one of the best bars in America by Esquire magazine.
Photo: Maggy McDonel

Arnold’s Bar and Grill

210 E. Eighth St., Downtown
Open since 1861, Arnold’s is the oldest continuously running tavern in town, complete with dark wood walls, vintage memorabilia and a big ol’ bathtub in the dining room, rumored to have been used to make gin during Prohibition. A Cincinnati classic, it serves up a nice range of lunch and dinner options — pasta, sandwiches and burgers, plus vegan and gluten-free options — at bargain prices. Enjoy a local draft in the outdoor beer garden and almost daily live music. It was also named as one of the best bars in America by Esquire magazine.
Sugar N’ Spice 4381 Reading Road, Paddock Hills; 1203 Sycamore St., Pendleton; 10275 Summit Parkway, Blue Ash Huge, fluffy omelets and “wispy-thin” pancakes have made Sugar n’ Spice a bona fide breakfast institution since 1941. One of the city’s most popular places for people of all ages and backgrounds to dine and socialize, the original Paddock Hills location got a sister spot in Over-the-Rhine when the owners renovated an old diner with their signature colorful and vintage flair. The breakfast diner also opened its first suburban location in Blue Ash this past January at the Approach at Summit Park. They are famous for giving patrons little rubber ducks as a souvenir – a charming tradition that keeps people coming back.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger and Paige Deglow

Sugar N’ Spice

4381 Reading Road, Paddock Hills; 1203 Sycamore St., Pendleton; 10275 Summit Parkway, Blue Ash
Huge, fluffy omelets and “wispy-thin” pancakes have made Sugar n’ Spice a bona fide breakfast institution since 1941. One of the city’s most popular places for people of all ages and backgrounds to dine and socialize, the original Paddock Hills location got a sister spot in Over-the-Rhine when the owners renovated an old diner with their signature colorful and vintage flair. The breakfast diner also opened its first suburban location in Blue Ash this past January at the Approach at Summit Park. They are famous for giving patrons little rubber ducks as a souvenir – a charming tradition that keeps people coming back.
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Golden Lamb 27 S. Broadway St., Lebanon Jonas Seaman came to Ohio from New Jersey in 1803. In a time when many couldn’t read, the business was marked by a symbol: a golden lamb. Present-day, the historic hotel and restaurant in the heart of Lebanon’s DORA district has served 12 presidents and an array of other famous figures. The menu offers items like braised lamb shank, hickory-roasted prime rib and seared salmon. The attached Black Horse Tavern is a more casual dining spot on the backside of the hotel that serves specialty cocktails and the same delicious menu as the main dining area.
Photo: Facebook.com/TheGoldenLamb

Golden Lamb

27 S. Broadway St., Lebanon
Jonas Seaman came to Ohio from New Jersey in 1803. In a time when many couldn’t read, the business was marked by a symbol: a golden lamb. Present-day, the historic hotel and restaurant in the heart of Lebanon’s DORA district has served 12 presidents and an array of other famous figures. The menu offers items like braised lamb shank, hickory-roasted prime rib and seared salmon. The attached Black Horse Tavern is a more casual dining spot on the backside of the hotel that serves specialty cocktails and the same delicious menu as the main dining area.
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Scotti’s Italian Restaurant 919 Vine St., Downtown Family-owned since 1912, Scotti’s has solidified itself as a Queen City staple. Their large menu features just about every pasta imaginable and nearly 20 different varieties of veal dishes for dinner. Multi-colored tiles plaster the walls, and candles drip layer upon layer of wax on Chianti bottles at every table, making you feel like you’re in an old-world Italian bistro. Scotti’s is named after early 20th-century opera star Antonio Scotti, so the sound pumping through the speakers isn’t Muzak, it’s Rossini, Puccini and Pavarotti — just another aspect that sets this landmark apart from the pack.
Photo: facebook.com/Scotti's Italian Restaurant

Scotti’s Italian Restaurant

919 Vine St., Downtown
Family-owned since 1912, Scotti’s has solidified itself as a Queen City staple. Their large menu features just about every pasta imaginable and nearly 20 different varieties of veal dishes for dinner. Multi-colored tiles plaster the walls, and candles drip layer upon layer of wax on Chianti bottles at every table, making you feel like you’re in an old-world Italian bistro. Scotti’s is named after early 20th-century opera star Antonio Scotti, so the sound pumping through the speakers isn’t Muzak, it’s Rossini, Puccini and Pavarotti — just another aspect that sets this landmark apart from the pack.
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Zip’s Cafe 1036 Delta Ave., Mt. Lookout Zip’s Cafe was founded in 1926, meaning it’s nearing its 100th birthday. With meat delivered daily from Avril-Bleh and “simple but fresh” toppings, Zip’s classic burgers are grilled on a flat top, which cooks them in their own delicious fat. If you’re looking to expand your palate beyond the classic Zip Burger — once named the best burger in Ohio by Food & Wine magazine — the cafe offers specialties such as the Flying Pig, topped with shaved ham and bacon, or the popular Girthburger (named by former Cincinnati Bengals punter Pat McInally), topped with a butterflied grilled mettwurst.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Zip’s Cafe

1036 Delta Ave., Mt. Lookout
Zip’s Cafe was founded in 1926, meaning it’s nearing its 100th birthday. With meat delivered daily from Avril-Bleh and “simple but fresh” toppings, Zip’s classic burgers are grilled on a flat top, which cooks them in their own delicious fat. If you’re looking to expand your palate beyond the classic Zip Burger — once named the best burger in Ohio by Food & Wine magazine — the cafe offers specialties such as the Flying Pig, topped with shaved ham and bacon, or the popular Girthburger (named by former Cincinnati Bengals punter Pat McInally), topped with a butterflied grilled mettwurst.
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Frisch’s Mainliner 5760 Wooster Pike, Fairfax Big Boy sandwiches. All-day breakfast. Warm bowls of chili and soup. Frisch's Big Boy Mainliner opened in 1939, when founder David Frisch opened Cincinnati’s first year-round drive-in, which could hold up to 60 cars. Now, the regional diner chain is an iconic stop for Queen City residents. The famous menu still carries on today — with additions — and offers up both nostalgic memories and classic grub.
Photo: Catie Viox

Frisch’s Mainliner

5760 Wooster Pike, Fairfax
Big Boy sandwiches. All-day breakfast. Warm bowls of chili and soup. Frisch's Big Boy Mainliner opened in 1939, when founder David Frisch opened Cincinnati’s first year-round drive-in, which could hold up to 60 cars. Now, the regional diner chain is an iconic stop for Queen City residents. The famous menu still carries on today — with additions — and offers up both nostalgic memories and classic grub.
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Camp Washington Chili 3005 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington Named one of the “10 Best Restaurants in Cincinnati” by USA Today, there’s no question as to why Camp Washington Chili has been operating since 1940. The diner is the quintessential chili parlor of days gone by with its classic mid-century sign out front, dining counter inside and photos and newspaper clippings along the wall. In addition to the amazing chili – which won an “American Regional Classic” James Beard Foundation Award in 2000 – the menu also includes burgers, grilled chicken, hot dogs, fries, coleslaw and salad – something for everyone.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Camp Washington Chili

3005 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington
Named one of the “10 Best Restaurants in Cincinnati” by USA Today, there’s no question as to why Camp Washington Chili has been operating since 1940. The diner is the quintessential chili parlor of days gone by with its classic mid-century sign out front, dining counter inside and photos and newspaper clippings along the wall. In addition to the amazing chili – which won an “American Regional Classic” James Beard Foundation Award in 2000 – the menu also includes burgers, grilled chicken, hot dogs, fries, coleslaw and salad – something for everyone.
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Greyhound Tavern 2500 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell The Greyhound Tavern has offered down-home comfort food to Northern Kentuckians since the 1920s. The atmosphere is pleasantly country-fied, with wood paneling, vinyl tablecloths and multiple fireplaces, and the menu reflects that, too. The tavern is known for its herbed secret-recipe fried chicken and Kentucky classics like the Hot Brown. In 2021, Microsoft News named Greyhound Tavern as Kentucky's most legendary restaurant.
Photo: Facebook.com/GreyhoundTavern

Greyhound Tavern

2500 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell
The Greyhound Tavern has offered down-home comfort food to Northern Kentuckians since the 1920s. The atmosphere is pleasantly country-fied, with wood paneling, vinyl tablecloths and multiple fireplaces, and the menu reflects that, too. The tavern is known for its herbed secret-recipe fried chicken and Kentucky classics like the Hot Brown. In 2021, Microsoft News named Greyhound Tavern as Kentucky's most legendary restaurant.
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Mt. Adams Bar & Grill 938 Hatch St., Mt. Adams Opened during the Prohibition era, Mt. Adams Bar & Grill’s back bar’s roots are thought to tie back to a speakeasy owned by infamous Cincinnati bootlegger George Remus. It became the first bar and grill in Ohio to receive its liquor license in 1933. Nowadays, it offers a varied menu that serves up hearty burgers, soups and appetizers like the fried jalapeno ravioli. Walk inside and enjoy this Cincinnati blast-from-the-past while tasting some amazing grub.
Photo: Izzy Viox

Mt. Adams Bar & Grill

938 Hatch St., Mt. Adams
Opened during the Prohibition era, Mt. Adams Bar & Grill’s back bar’s roots are thought to tie back to a speakeasy owned by infamous Cincinnati bootlegger George Remus. It became the first bar and grill in Ohio to receive its liquor license in 1933. Nowadays, it offers a varied menu that serves up hearty burgers, soups and appetizers like the fried jalapeno ravioli. Walk inside and enjoy this Cincinnati blast-from-the-past while tasting some amazing grub.
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Pompilio's 600 Washington Ave, Newport This restaurant, where the toothpick scene in Rain Man was filmed, has been offering classic family Italian food since 1933. You can’t go wrong with any pasta dish or the homemade lasagna. Founder Colonel Pompilio was also the first to secure a liquor license in Kentucky after Prohibition ended, so it also has an extensive bourbon list at its attached bar, Colonel Pomp’s Tavern.
Photo: facebook.com/PompiliosRestaurant

Pompilio's

600 Washington Ave, Newport
This restaurant, where the toothpick scene in Rain Man was filmed, has been offering classic family Italian food since 1933. You can’t go wrong with any pasta dish or the homemade lasagna. Founder Colonel Pompilio was also the first to secure a liquor license in Kentucky after Prohibition ended, so it also has an extensive bourbon list at its attached bar, Colonel Pomp’s Tavern.
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Dunlap Cafe 1926 Dunlap St., Over-the-Rhine Opened in 1936, Dunlap Cafe is Over-the-Rhine’s longest-operating restaurant, known for their burgers, home-cooked food and strong drinks. On the menu, you’ll find a list of specialty burgers, but the restaurant and bar also offers a special Burger of the Week. Stop by early for a breakfast sandwich like the French Toast Sammie (egg, bacon, sausage and cheese layered on French toast, which you can also order as a double-decker) or just a classic goetta, egg and cheese sandwich. You can also build your breakfast using a list of breakfast staples like pancakes and eggs, and some items you can even have “topped” with things like brown sugar and berries.
Photo: Paige Deglow

Dunlap Cafe

1926 Dunlap St., Over-the-Rhine
Opened in 1936, Dunlap Cafe is Over-the-Rhine’s longest-operating restaurant, known for their burgers, home-cooked food and strong drinks. On the menu, you’ll find a list of specialty burgers, but the restaurant and bar also offers a special Burger of the Week. Stop by early for a breakfast sandwich like the French Toast Sammie (egg, bacon, sausage and cheese layered on French toast, which you can also order as a double-decker) or just a classic goetta, egg and cheese sandwich. You can also build your breakfast using a list of breakfast staples like pancakes and eggs, and some items you can even have “topped” with things like brown sugar and berries.
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Walt’s Hitching Post 3300 Madison Pike, Fort Wright Named partly for the restaurant’s original owner Walt Ballanger and partly for the metal posts outside where restaurantgoers once hitched up their horses, Walt’s has been serving up its legendary ribs smothered in their secret sauce since 1942. The restaurant maintains its building’s rich history as an early 20th-century hunting lodge, with the exposed log wall in the main dining area that’s original to the building. In addition to their ribs, Walt’s also prides itself on its line of mouth-watering steaks and extensive list of bourbon, scotch, beer and craft cocktails.
Photo: Paige Deglow

Walt’s Hitching Post

3300 Madison Pike, Fort Wright
Named partly for the restaurant’s original owner Walt Ballanger and partly for the metal posts outside where restaurantgoers once hitched up their horses, Walt’s has been serving up its legendary ribs smothered in their secret sauce since 1942. The restaurant maintains its building’s rich history as an early 20th-century hunting lodge, with the exposed log wall in the main dining area that’s original to the building. In addition to their ribs, Walt’s also prides itself on its line of mouth-watering steaks and extensive list of bourbon, scotch, beer and craft cocktails.
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Blue Jay Restaurant 4154 Hamilton Ave., Northside This homey Northside diner has been owned and operated by the Petropoulos family since 1967. Stepping inside is almost like stepping back in time with the row of cozy booths, wood paneling on the walls and the dining counter. The menu features classic breakfast and lunch dishes that come in generous portions, as well as Cincinnati-style chili in a bowl, on coneys or as ways. The restaurant was also featured in the 2017 movie The Killing of a Sacred Deer starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Blue Jay Restaurant

4154 Hamilton Ave., Northside
This homey Northside diner has been owned and operated by the Petropoulos family since 1967. Stepping inside is almost like stepping back in time with the row of cozy booths, wood paneling on the walls and the dining counter. The menu features classic breakfast and lunch dishes that come in generous portions, as well as Cincinnati-style chili in a bowl, on coneys or as ways. The restaurant was also featured in the 2017 movie The Killing of a Sacred Deer starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell.
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Skyline Chili Multiple locations Skyline has been one of the pioneers of Cincinnati chili since opening in 1949. First founded by Greek immigrants, the chili parlor pours the Queen City staple over spaghetti or hot dogs and tops it with a mound of cheese, oyster crackers, and — depending on your taste preference — onions and beans. Also available are chili burritos, fries, baked potatoes and vegetarian chili, which is made with black beans and rice.
Photo: facebook.com/SkylineChili

Skyline Chili

Multiple locations
Skyline has been one of the pioneers of Cincinnati chili since opening in 1949. First founded by Greek immigrants, the chili parlor pours the Queen City staple over spaghetti or hot dogs and tops it with a mound of cheese, oyster crackers, and — depending on your taste preference — onions and beans. Also available are chili burritos, fries, baked potatoes and vegetarian chili, which is made with black beans and rice.
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Herb & Thelma’s Tavern 718 W. Pike St., Covington Opened in 1939 as Heine’s Café, the small drop-ceilinged dining room is what some may call a “hole in the wall.” Their incredibly friendly staff serves up simple but delectable made-to-order burgers. Their specialty is a juicy meat patty topped with cheese, onions and pickles; a short list of sides includes chili, soup or Grippos chips.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Herb & Thelma’s Tavern

718 W. Pike St., Covington
Opened in 1939 as Heine’s Café, the small drop-ceilinged dining room is what some may call a “hole in the wall.” Their incredibly friendly staff serves up simple but delectable made-to-order burgers. Their specialty is a juicy meat patty topped with cheese, onions and pickles; a short list of sides includes chili, soup or Grippos chips.
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Lake Nina 7200 Pippin Road, North College Hill Lake Nina Restaurant & Tavern is a seafood spot that has been in business for about 60 years. Famous for their fried fish log, they also offer a variety of other non-seafood options like fried chicken, frog legs, burgers and double-deckers. This treasure, located next to an actual lake, has been a place to create memories with the fam for decades.
Photo: Izzy Viox

Lake Nina

7200 Pippin Road, North College Hill
Lake Nina Restaurant & Tavern is a seafood spot that has been in business for about 60 years. Famous for their fried fish log, they also offer a variety of other non-seafood options like fried chicken, frog legs, burgers and double-deckers. This treasure, located next to an actual lake, has been a place to create memories with the fam for decades.
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Dixie Chili 733 Monmouth St., Newport; 3716 Dixie Highway, Erlanger; 2421 Madison Ave., Covington Founded in 1929 by “Papa Nick,” Dixie Chili has classic, secret-ingredient Cincinnati-style chili with cheese and onions on spaghetti. Traditionally, Dixie’s offerings are dominated by Wisconsin cheddar, and the garlic is a great counterbalance to the dairy, making it one of the area’s favorite chili joints.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Dixie Chili

733 Monmouth St., Newport; 3716 Dixie Highway, Erlanger; 2421 Madison Ave., Covington
Founded in 1929 by “Papa Nick,” Dixie Chili has classic, secret-ingredient Cincinnati-style chili with cheese and onions on spaghetti. Traditionally, Dixie’s offerings are dominated by Wisconsin cheddar, and the garlic is a great counterbalance to the dairy, making it one of the area’s favorite chili joints.
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Price Hill Chili 4920 Glenway Ave., West Price Hill Generations of West Side patrons have grown up on this iconic, family-owned restaurant. Since opening in 1962, Price Hill Chili has expanded several times; there are now multiple dining areas and a full-service attached cocktail lounge called Golden Fleece. They’re set apart from other chili joints by their liquor license and full menu, which features an excellent Greek salad (with secret-recipe dressing), specialty sandwiches, steaks and all-day breakfast.
Photo: Marci Rhodes

Price Hill Chili

4920 Glenway Ave., West Price Hill
Generations of West Side patrons have grown up on this iconic, family-owned restaurant. Since opening in 1962, Price Hill Chili has expanded several times; there are now multiple dining areas and a full-service attached cocktail lounge called Golden Fleece. They’re set apart from other chili joints by their liquor license and full menu, which features an excellent Greek salad (with secret-recipe dressing), specialty sandwiches, steaks and all-day breakfast.
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Maury’s Tiny Cove 3908 Harrison Ave., Cheviot Maury’s has been packed full of flavor and a West Side tradition since 1949. The dimly lit supper-club vibe will have you feeling like a regular on your first visit. The extensive menu consists of all the classic steakhouse options: tender, juicy steaks; seafood; and chicken cooked just right, plus pasta, and a perfect martini. Ask for the Carol booth — the restaurant appears in the locally filmed, Oscar-nominated movie starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara — or take a photo with the Maury’s sign, featuring a kitschy cartoon steer holding a cocktail.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Maury’s Tiny Cove

3908 Harrison Ave., Cheviot
Maury’s has been packed full of flavor and a West Side tradition since 1949. The dimly lit supper-club vibe will have you feeling like a regular on your first visit. The extensive menu consists of all the classic steakhouse options: tender, juicy steaks; seafood; and chicken cooked just right, plus pasta, and a perfect martini. Ask for the Carol booth — the restaurant appears in the locally filmed, Oscar-nominated movie starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara — or take a photo with the Maury’s sign, featuring a kitschy cartoon steer holding a cocktail.
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Empress Chili 7934 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria Cincinnati’s OG chili parlor, Empress Chili began in 1922 when brothers Tom and John Kiradjieff, who immigrated to the Queen City from Macedonia, started selling their seasoned meat sauce out of a small shop next to Empress Theatre (formerly at 814 Vine St. in Downtown) to theatergoers. Thus, Cincinnati-style chili was born. Empress is still a family-owned establishment more than 100 years later, and they still serve the original recipe chili.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Empress Chili

7934 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria
Cincinnati’s OG chili parlor, Empress Chili began in 1922 when brothers Tom and John Kiradjieff, who immigrated to the Queen City from Macedonia, started selling their seasoned meat sauce out of a small shop next to Empress Theatre (formerly at 814 Vine St. in Downtown) to theatergoers. Thus, Cincinnati-style chili was born. Empress is still a family-owned establishment more than 100 years later, and they still serve the original recipe chili.
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