West Side Cincinnati Restaurants You Need to Try ASAP

Buddha Barn Thai

6625 Gracely Drive, Sayler Park
Located in a cute hole-in-the-wall in the heart of Sayler Park and outfitted with a number of Buddha statues, Buddha Barn offers some of the freshest Thai food in the city. Using family recipes and those gained from experience in New York City Thai restaurants, owner Niruti Puakkawe crafts both traditional and modern Thai dishes — from Pad Thai and coconut curries to out-of-the-ordinary offerings like the GaGa Gangpa: your choice of beef or pork cooked in red curry (without coconut) with anchovies, squash, string beans, bell peppers, peppercorns, Thai ginger and basil and served with a side of white jasmine rice. Or, try one of their All-Time Fabulous dishes, like the Cashew Pineapple, made with your choice of protein and pineapple, cashew nuts, onions, red bell peppers, celery and roasted dried pepper in hot chili oil paste.

West Shine Family Restaurant

3245 Westbourne Drive, Green Township
Family-owned West Shine serves up hot, fresh breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes. The menu features recipes handed down for generations, as well as some creations from the diner’s culinary team. For breakfast, try one of their omelets, which you create by selecting your veggies, cheese and meat. These can also be served as a burrito. They also have a selection of breakfast sandwiches, called Shinewiches, which includes their Breakfast Coney (sausage links, breakfast potatoes, homemade sausage gravy and shredded cheddar on a New England roll). And for lunch, you can pick from a variety of sandwiches or burgers, or try their Gripp’en Chicken as a sandwich, strips or in their homemade mac and cheese.

Zorbas Greek Restaurant

6520 Glenway Ave., Green Township
At his restaurant, Zorbas, Kostas Vasiliou makes food just like his mother and grandmother made while he was growing up in a small village in northern Greece. Vasiliou brought that slice of home with him when he fulfilled his lifelong dream to open a restaurant, decorating the space to match the blue waters of Greece and crafting traditional recipes with spices used in his home country. On Zorbas’ menu, you’ll find a variety of Greek-style dishes, from the classic gyro with tzatziki sauce and pastichio (Greek lasagna) to stuffed grape leaves — served either with gyro meat or vegetarian-style. The menu also features traditional Greek and Mediterranean sides like spanakopita (handheld spinach and feta pies), olives and peppers, falafel, hummus and tiropita (stuffed feta pie).

Golden Dragon

5818 Cheviot Road, White Oak
Family-owned Golden Dragon has been serving up its classic Chinese takeout-style menu from its strip mall spot since 1995. It has all the favorites — from Sweet & Sour Chicken to Pepper Steak and appetizers like egg rolls and wontons. Golden Dragon also has a selection of curries and Pad Thais, as well as sweet donuts and almond cookies for dessert.

Muse Café

3018 Harrison Ave., Westwood
This Westwood coffee and wine bar offers up cafe items like frappes and smoothies, plus a sizable food menu that includes breakfast, lunch, tapas and cheese plates. Speaking of cheese, do not sleep on the paninis. Muse is more than a cafe with delicious meals and drinks, however; you also go for the experience: gathering with friends to catch up, unwinding after a long day with a glass of wine or taking in the live music performances or local art displays.

Tavern on the Bend

5471 North Bend Road, Montfort Heights
Craving craft beer, mac & cheese and a stacked burger? Tavern on the Bend is your spot. This pub may appear modest with its paper plates and plastic cutlery, but quality ingredients and a creative bar menu keep people coming back. Mac & cheese varieties include Philly steak mac and lobster mac, while burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches come topped with everything from jalapeño bacon to roasted Mexican street corn.

Wild Mike’s

5043 Delhi Pike, Delhi; 4498 Harrison Ave., Green Township; 7587 Bridgetown Road, Miami Heights
This West Side chain’s three locations boast a full menu with lots of tasty dishes, but Mike’s raved-about signature wings are always a great option. The wing ordering process is threefold: choose boneless or traditional, flavor and temperature. Can’t decide on one flavor? Try Mike’s Mix for a unique blend of them all.

Werkhaus Pizza

3637 Werk Road, Green Township
This cozy mom-and-pop pizza joint has been serving West Side families since 1993. The old-school dining room is warm and welcoming with its checkered tablecloths, vinyl-seat booths and dim lighting. On the menu, you’ll find a variety of pizzas featuring Werkhaus’ original crust, as well as Chicago-style stuffed pizzas, coming in a thick bowl of crust and filled with toppings and a slightly sweet, little bit tangy red sauce. Not in the mood for pizza? Werkhaus’ menu also features hoagies, calzones, salads, pastas and even a low-carb section with offerings like meatballs, tuna salad and chicken cordon bleu.

Chandler’s Burger Bistro

6135 Cleves Warsaw Pike, Delhi; 10533 Harrison Ave., Harrison
Serving locally sourced produce, meats and craft beer, Chandler’s Burger Bistro is a prime destination for casual family dining. The bistro is the reincarnation of the old Chandler’s Restaurant; owner Phil Marston and his friend Gary Brock reinvented the old place and doubled the size for more comfortable and roomy dining. Its sports bar is a perfect addition for watching the game or having a drink or meal with friends. The menu features a variety of local-themed burgers like the Joey B (bacon, pepper jack, lettuce, pickles and Cajun mayo) or the Westsider, topped with grilled pickles and onions, as well as American cheese, tartar sauce and lettuce.

BierMarkt

420 Three Rivers Parkway, North Bend
BierMarkt specializes in craft, imported and specialty beers, as well as craft cocktails and wine. They also offer an eclectic menu – from authentic tacos and tortas to traditional bar fare like wings and nachos to the Cincinnati staple goetta.

Maya Indian Restaurant

4486 W. Eighth St., West Price Hill
Located in an unassuming building with an even less fussy dining room in West Price Hill, Maya serves up traditional Indian cuisine from a menu as long as your arm. From samosas to naan to curries and masala or vindaloo, each item is full of flavor and entrees can be ordered on a heat scale to suit everyone’s spicy preferences. They also don’t skimp on portions; be prepared to have leftovers for at least a meal or two after.

Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant

5070 Crookshank Road, Westwood
Habesha is a hidden gem that offers authentic Ethiopian dishes. The restaurant serves traditional meals like Kitfo, a dish that features spiced minced meat with butter and mitmita — a seasoning mix made with chili peppers, cardamom, cloves and salt — topped with seasoned cheese. For non-meat-eaters, there’s also Yesom Beyaynetu, a platter of several vegetarian-friendly dishes.

Giovanni’s Family Italian Restaurant

4050 North Bend Road, Green Township
Giovanni’s quickly became a favorite among West Side diners with its flavorful Italian dishes featuring homemade pasta, as well as strombolis, calzones and brick-oven pizzas. Try a classic red-sauce dish like the lasagna, chicken parmesan or ravioli or one of their seafood specialties like the Shrimp Fra Diavlo, Clams Linguini or the Sea Combo (mussels, clams and shrimp tossed in marinara and topped with parmesan).

Benin’s Bar-B-Q (Closed)

3134 Harrison Ave., Westwood
Benin’s is a hidden-gem barbecue joint on the West Side that offers one-, two- and three-meat combos. Choose between their ribs, rib tips, quarter chicken, pulled chicken, pulled pork and brisket, paired with two of their Southern-style sides and cornbread. Their menu also features sandwiches and daily specials, including their barbecue burritos.