Cincinnati's 25 Most Romantic Restaurants, According to Yelp

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and the Queen City is gushing with enchanting local eateries to for a special night out on the town or pandemic-friendly takeout. From steakhouses to a subterranean trattoria, upscale eateries with panoramic city views and more, these local eateries are your top destinations for a romantic date, according to Yelp. *All quotes are taken from Yelp reviews. 
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Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Photo: Hailey Bollinger
25. Dee Felice Cafe
529 Main Street, Covington
”Take the Roebling suspension bridge from cinci and then continue the romance at Defelice. Their music stage is perched behind the bar and the jazz completes the speak easy feel . Food was good, we ordered it spicy. Our favorite was the ravioli appetizer. A bit pricey, but the atmosphere makes up for it.” — C M. 
Photo via Facebook.com/Dee-Felice-Cafe

25. Dee Felice Cafe

529 Main Street, Covington
”Take the Roebling suspension bridge from cinci and then continue the romance at Defelice. Their music stage is perched behind the bar and the jazz completes the speak easy feel . Food was good, we ordered it spicy. Our favorite was the ravioli appetizer. A bit pricey, but the atmosphere makes up for it.” — C M.
Photo via Facebook.com/Dee-Felice-Cafe
24. York Street Cafe
738 York Street, Newport
”Location is cool for a date as there is a theatre across the street... I believe it's the Footlighters.  We have done the play/dinner date and that was also a great experience.  We have been to this restaurant over ten times and I can only remember one time that I didn't thoroughly enjoy everything.... definitely going back again.... and again.” — Jennifer I.
Photo via Facebook.com/YorkStCafeNewport

24. York Street Cafe

738 York Street, Newport
”Location is cool for a date as there is a theatre across the street... I believe it's the Footlighters. We have done the play/dinner date and that was also a great experience. We have been to this restaurant over ten times and I can only remember one time that I didn't thoroughly enjoy everything.... definitely going back again.... and again.” — Jennifer I.
Photo via Facebook.com/YorkStCafeNewport
22. Zula Restaurant & Wine Bar
1400 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
”Love love love Zula for a quiet relaxed dinner! Service is great and the waiters don't rush you. I came here on a Saturday night looking for a relaxing dinner. Zula is known for small plates that you can share with the table. I love trying several new dishes. The small dishes go great with a bottle of wine. All the small plates we had incorporated an array of flavors that came together so nicely! Definitely recommend trying Zula out for a date or with your girlfriends!” — Mariel D.
Photo via Facebook.com/ZulaWineBar

22. Zula Restaurant & Wine Bar

1400 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
”Love love love Zula for a quiet relaxed dinner! Service is great and the waiters don't rush you. I came here on a Saturday night looking for a relaxing dinner. Zula is known for small plates that you can share with the table. I love trying several new dishes. The small dishes go great with a bottle of wine. All the small plates we had incorporated an array of flavors that came together so nicely! Definitely recommend trying Zula out for a date or with your girlfriends!” — Mariel D.
Photo via Facebook.com/ZulaWineBar
19. Taft’s Ale House
1429 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
”I came here with my gf for dinner one weekend in the summer and we had a great time. The food, service and beer was very tasty and it's also different than the Brewporium so the variety was nice in case you're thinking about visiting both. This place can be more of a sit-down style dining experience (top level) or the order and sit at a table with friends while playing board games feel (bottom floor). They have an elevator and ramped entrance so it's accessible which is great. 
” — Fuschia H.
Photo: Jesse Fox

19. Taft’s Ale House

1429 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
”I came here with my gf for dinner one weekend in the summer and we had a great time. The food, service and beer was very tasty and it's also different than the Brewporium so the variety was nice in case you're thinking about visiting both. This place can be more of a sit-down style dining experience (top level) or the order and sit at a table with friends while playing board games feel (bottom floor). They have an elevator and ramped entrance so it's accessible which is great. ” — Fuschia H.
Photo: Jesse Fox
16. S.W. Clyborne Provision & Spirits
5948 Snider Road, Mason
”We were meeting up with some friends and decided to do a date night out of town.  We always love a good cocktail and the reviews seemed to be really positive.  When we arrived we were seated promptly and had the most knowledgeable server.  He gave us the dos and don'ts and made some great suggestions.  I typically don't like too many things outside the box but he had me try the braised short rib.  It was divine and the goat cheese ravioli was good as well.  If I'm ever back in town I'll definitely return.” — Keli T.
Photo via Facebook.com/Clybornes

16. S.W. Clyborne Provision & Spirits

5948 Snider Road, Mason
”We were meeting up with some friends and decided to do a date night out of town. We always love a good cocktail and the reviews seemed to be really positive. When we arrived we were seated promptly and had the most knowledgeable server. He gave us the dos and don'ts and made some great suggestions. I typically don't like too many things outside the box but he had me try the braised short rib. It was divine and the goat cheese ravioli was good as well. If I'm ever back in town I'll definitely return.” — Keli T.
Photo via Facebook.com/Clybornes
15. Otto’s
529 Main St., Covington
”What a quaint but vibrant place on Main St! Colorful outside and in and the atmosphere has me feeling like I had stepped into the corner of the French Quarter. Friendly staff, simple BUT delicious menu with all sorts of fresh goodies. We sat outside during lunch on a perfect April day and it was beautiful! I enjoyed the HUGE and chock full of fresh ingredients Cobb Salad that was overflowing with juicy chicken breast. Oh and the tomatoes seemed home grown and popped with flavor in your mouth O MER GOD! My lunch date enjoyed their Tomato Pie, which she devoured every last bite and had it with a side salad that come with a house-made balsamic (you could have chose soup or sweet potato fries). ” —Abby D.
Photo via Facebook.com/Ottos521

15. Otto’s

529 Main St., Covington
”What a quaint but vibrant place on Main St! Colorful outside and in and the atmosphere has me feeling like I had stepped into the corner of the French Quarter. Friendly staff, simple BUT delicious menu with all sorts of fresh goodies. We sat outside during lunch on a perfect April day and it was beautiful! I enjoyed the HUGE and chock full of fresh ingredients Cobb Salad that was overflowing with juicy chicken breast. Oh and the tomatoes seemed home grown and popped with flavor in your mouth O MER GOD! My lunch date enjoyed their Tomato Pie, which she devoured every last bite and had it with a side salad that come with a house-made balsamic (you could have chose soup or sweet potato fries). ” —Abby D.
Photo via Facebook.com/Ottos521
14. Abigail Street
1214 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
”This place is fantastic. Stumbled upon this place on a short trip to Cinci for work. it's in the OTR area with nice restaurants and cocktail bars that's also easily walkable. So glad we came. The ambience is smooth, low key, down to earth yet sophisticated. Our server was great. I requested a drink not on their short cocktail menu and they did their best to recreate it. Their best was actually pretty damn good too, for a first take (I ended up ordering another). Now for the food. We got the octopus, gnocchi and short rib. All were KILLER but the star was the octopus. BRUH. The flavors of this bad boy almost had me walk to the back kitchen and demand the recipe from the chef. It was on a bed of hummus with some Spanish sausage, chorizo and fried chickpeas . I don't want to down play the gnocchi and short rib either. Those were equally phenomenal. I just don't feel like coming off as a mad man. Bottom line, come... enjoy some wine while they bring one dish at a time. Cut your phones off and live in the moment here” — Jonathan M.
Photo via Facebook.com/AbigailWineBar

14. Abigail Street

1214 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
”This place is fantastic. Stumbled upon this place on a short trip to Cinci for work. it's in the OTR area with nice restaurants and cocktail bars that's also easily walkable. So glad we came. The ambience is smooth, low key, down to earth yet sophisticated. Our server was great. I requested a drink not on their short cocktail menu and they did their best to recreate it. Their best was actually pretty damn good too, for a first take (I ended up ordering another). Now for the food. We got the octopus, gnocchi and short rib. All were KILLER but the star was the octopus. BRUH. The flavors of this bad boy almost had me walk to the back kitchen and demand the recipe from the chef. It was on a bed of hummus with some Spanish sausage, chorizo and fried chickpeas . I don't want to down play the gnocchi and short rib either. Those were equally phenomenal. I just don't feel like coming off as a mad man. Bottom line, come... enjoy some wine while they bring one dish at a time. Cut your phones off and live in the moment here” — Jonathan M.
Photo via Facebook.com/AbigailWineBar
13. Alfio's Buon Cibo
2724 Erie Ave., Hyde Park
”Service was exceptional. Ali made us feel welcomed, appreciated, and we were well taken care of. She was the right amount of attentiveness. We never waited for anything. Ambiance is perfect for a date night. There was a curtain separating our booth from the one next to us. A semi-private booth added to the already romantic feel from the lighting. Alfio's was the perfect choice for our date night.” —Elyse F.
Photo via Facebook.com/AlfiosBuonCibo

13. Alfio's Buon Cibo

2724 Erie Ave., Hyde Park
”Service was exceptional. Ali made us feel welcomed, appreciated, and we were well taken care of. She was the right amount of attentiveness. We never waited for anything. Ambiance is perfect for a date night. There was a curtain separating our booth from the one next to us. A semi-private booth added to the already romantic feel from the lighting. Alfio's was the perfect choice for our date night.” —Elyse F.
Photo via Facebook.com/AlfiosBuonCibo
12. Forno Osteria + Bar
3514 Erie Ave., Hyde Park
”We have been here a handful of times and just went for brunch this past weekend! It has yet to disappoint! It's a smaller place but doesn't feel overcrowded and the food is always great. Their short rib is probably my favorite of all time and their brunch is just as good. I got the avocado BLT and the flavor was great, although I do wish they used avocado slices vs spread. But our servers are always attentive and knowledgeable, something that always keeps us coming back to an establishment. Perfect for a date night or dinner with friends!” —Desiree J.
Photo via Facebook.com/FornoOsteriaBar

12. Forno Osteria + Bar

3514 Erie Ave., Hyde Park
”We have been here a handful of times and just went for brunch this past weekend! It has yet to disappoint! It's a smaller place but doesn't feel overcrowded and the food is always great. Their short rib is probably my favorite of all time and their brunch is just as good. I got the avocado BLT and the flavor was great, although I do wish they used avocado slices vs spread. But our servers are always attentive and knowledgeable, something that always keeps us coming back to an establishment. Perfect for a date night or dinner with friends!” —Desiree J.
Photo via Facebook.com/FornoOsteriaBar