Despite the long lines, wait times or reservation struggles, these Queen City eateries live up to the hype. From top-notch fried chicken joints to bakeries slinging outstanding donuts and bustling brunch spots, these local eateries are absolutely worth the wait.
Sugar n’ Spice 4381 Reading Road, Paddock Hills For over 75 years, this family-friendly Paddock Hills diner has been serving up “Wispy Thin” pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, steak and eggs, corned beef hash, breakfast quesadillas and much more to one of the most-diverse clienteles in town. From the after-church crowds to college students to doctors heading off to work at nearby hospitals, folks from all over the economic spectrum continue to start their day at this cozy counter or crammed into the precious few booths. Wait time is often long for this popular spot, but it’s not unlikely that your hanger might be soothed by some complimentary nuggets of fried macaroni and cheese or gooey chocolate brownies. When those coveted seats finally come available, younger diners are rewarded with rubber duckies in addition to their meals. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Incline Public House 2601 W. Eighth St., Price Hill With a 1,400-square-foot deck for soaking in vistas and cocktails, this eatery boasts some spectacular views of the Queen City. The Incline Public House’s name is derived from the actual Cincinnati Incline that existed there from the late 1800s to the 1940s. This place can get packed on the weekends and evenings so make sure you are able to get there early for a seat. They do not take reservations, but you are welcome to call ahead to check if they are busy or to ask about accommodating large groups. Their upscale twist on pub food features sandwiches, salads, epicurean appetizers and a slew of craft cocktails and draft beers. Build your own pizza with toppings ranging from pepperoni and prosciutto to fried egg and oven-roasted tomato. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Baker’s Table 1004 Monmouth St., Newport Chef David Willocks calls the bread he bakes the canvas upon which his food appears. This hip brunch destination often has a line out the door for patrons waiting to try seasonal main courses or ever-popular options like biscuits and gravy with Eckerlin pork sausage, ricotta donuts with strawberry-lemon curd and eggs-in-a-hole. Everything is sourced locally with sustainability in mind. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Eagle 1342 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine The Eagle is nested inside a retired post office and has a relatively small menu, comprised of fried chicken, sandwiches, snacks and several side dishes. Booze-wise, they serve 100 kinds of beer and have about 15 different brews on tap. It is repeatedly voted one of the best restaurants in the city by CityBeat readers, which makes getting a seat at the eatery tough, especially because they only have a limited number of tables available for reservation online. The fried chicken is free-range, all natural and sourced from Ohio farms. Opt for a whole, half chicken (white and dark meat) or a quarter of a chicken (select white or dark). The spicy honey served with chicken is a must — try it on everything. Photo via Facebook/TheEagleOTR
Nada 600 Walnut St., Downtown Nada offers Modern Mexican in a vibrant and artfully-curated space. The popular eatery encourages guests to make a reservation via OpenTable or over the phone ahead of their visit. The menu features herby-fresh dishes like delicious dill-garnished lobster rolls wrapped in a bibb lettuce blanket, in addition to plenty of tasty tacos, shareables and large plates, including braised chicken enchiladas. It’s in a great location next to the Aronoff Center downtown, and the patio is a big attraction when nice weather beckons. Photo via Facebook/EatDrinkNada
Sotto 118 E. Sixth St., Cincinnati Sotto is Cincinnati’s hidden basement trattoria — a below-street-level Italian eatery, nestled underneath sister restaurant Boca on Sixth Street downtown. It’s a hot-spot for diners celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for some excellent pasta. With multiple dining rooms, the kitchen is open to view, including the custom-made woodfire grill in front and a fresh-pasta room in the back hallway. Menu items include handmade pasta, house-cured salami and big-ticket items like Bistecca Fiorentina, a grilled Creekstone porterhouse steak with daily sides. Sotto sources their bread from Blue Oven and also grows their own herbs and vegetables. Make a reservation in advance to ensure a spot or try to snag a seat at the bar. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Sugar n’ Spice 4381 Reading Road, Paddock Hills For over 75 years, this family-friendly Paddock Hills diner has been serving up “Wispy Thin” pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, steak and eggs, corned beef hash, breakfast quesadillas and much more to one of the most-diverse clienteles in town. From the after-church crowds to college students to doctors heading off to work at nearby hospitals, folks from all over the economic spectrum continue to start their day at this cozy counter or crammed into the precious few booths. Wait time is often long for this popular spot, but it’s not unlikely that your hanger might be soothed by some complimentary nuggets of fried macaroni and cheese or gooey chocolate brownies. When those coveted seats finally come available, younger diners are rewarded with rubber duckies in addition to their meals. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Eli’s BBQ 3313 Riverside Drive, East End With outdoor seating and some Southern hospitality, this restaurant is a literal breath of fresh air. The no-frills affair specializes in meats, pulled and smoked and served in a red plastic basket. Order your food inside and grab a seat (you might need to squeeze when the weather’s nice) at the picnic tables outside. The line to order may be long at times, but food tends to come out quickly. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Bakersfield 1213 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Part bar, part taco joint, all classy. Bakersfield is OTR’s favorite taco joint. It’s typically a tough spot to get a seat, but if you’re willing to wait a little while, you will be rewarded with some top-notch tacos and arguably some of the best margs in the city. Bakersfield specializes in gourmet tacos (pollo rojo, pastor, huitlacoche, etc.), quality tequilas and whiskeys and hand-crafted margaritas made the old-fashioned way, not from a pre-made mix. They take reservations via OpenTable Sunday through Thursday; Fridays and Saturdays are first come, first served. Photo via Facebook/BakersfieldOTR
Sleepy Bee 3098 Madison Road, Oakley; 8 E. Fourth St., Downtown; 9514 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash At Sleepy Bee, everything from their sammies to their scrambles are top-notch and delightfully tasty even when you yourself are a bit of a sleepy weekend bruncher. If you plan to stop by during peak brunch or lunch hours, be prepared to wait. Standouts include the specialty pancakes, like the blue cakes full of blueberries with a maple-blueberry sauce, as well as the light and lovely Bumblebee’s breakfast, a yogurt granola bowl with tasty apricot coulis and tahini. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Goodfellas Pizzeria 603 Main St., Covington; 1211 Main St., Over-the-Rhine Goodfellas makes their dough fresh every morning and their sauce in-house. If you’re headed there for a late-night slice or for lunch, be prepared for quite a line, but you’ll be glad you put in the time. While you wait, watch as the pizzaiolos spin dough saucers high into the air. The slices are New York-style and as big as your face. They also offer subs, calzones and a multitude of dipping sauces. A bourbon bar is upstairs. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Echo 3510 Edwards Road, Hyde Park The line leading out of The Echo on weekend mornings doesn’t discriminate. It’s a sampler platter of Cincinnati demographics: Hung-over college kids, grandparents with family members and business executives all congregate waiting to get into the longstanding diner. The Echo’s all-day offerings balance sweet and savory with unicorn-like skill. There are seasonal features, breakfast classics, healthy items (denoted by a leaf illustration), sandwiches, pan-fried chicken on the weekends and $6 brunch cocktails. Or just throw in for a mimosa pitcher. Plus, if the line seems too tedious for a lazy Sunday, you can always get take out. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Maplewood Kitchen and Bar 525 Race St., Downtown; 5065 Deerfield Blvd., Mason The line to order at this local favorite lunch and brunch spot may seem daunting during peak hours, but you’ll be glad you stuck around. Maplewood serves up dishes and ingredients that would be right at home on the West Coast: cold-pressed juices, superfood salads, egg-white omelets and somewhat nutritious cocktails, like the roasted tomatillo bloody mary. Made with Tito’s vodka, house tomatillo bloody mary mix and cold-pressed Super Greens juice (kale, celery, spinach, romaine and pineapple), it’s topped off by a purple cabbage accouterment. Their lemon ricotta pancakes have been featured everywhere from the TODAY show to People magazine. Photo via Facebook/MaplewoodKitchen
Zip’s Cafe 1036 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout Zip’s has been doing burgers right since 1926, and generations of East Side Cincinnatians call Zipburgers their favorite. If you’re feeling like a light meal, order a classic Zip burger, with fresh, flame-broiled meat from local butcher Avril-Bleh & Sons, nestled in a toasted honey-egg bun from Klosterman Baking Company, and a side of super crispy onion rings. Or go big with the Girth Burger, a Zip burger topped with a split Avril-Bleh mettwurst. With worn wood flooring and dark wood paneling, the small space is separated into a dining area and a bar by a saloon-style door. Head to the back bar for a local beer on draft while you wait for space at a booth or a seat at one of the shared family-style tables. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Brown Bear Bakery 116 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati pastry artist Blair Fornshell uses all-natural ingredients to create so-beautiful-you-almost-feel-bad-about-eating-them desserts, such as salty chocolate chip cookies, gooey cinnamon rolls and a variety of matcha-infused baked goods. The OTR bakery and café space is the perfect blend of old and new and has a very Lower Manhattan vibe. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey 1201 Broadway St., Pendleton At Boomtown, the true delight comes plated. The signature biscuit isn’t a run-of-the-mill thousand-layer flaked baked good; it’s a buttery, soft disc with a close crumb and a browned, lightly bubbled top that no breakfast chain can compete with. Choose from sandwiches, plates, bowls, sides and dessert. Prepare to arrive early in order to snag a spot at this hoppin’ brunch spot if you don’t want to weather the wait. Though, we assure you the wait will be worth it. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Mazunte Taqueria 5207 Madison Road, Madisonville This Madisonville hot spot typically has a line out the door. Taco fillings range from shredded pork to crispy braised chicken, and specialties include memelitas (open-faced tortillas), corn husk tamales and corn empanadas with queso Oaxaca. It’s a refreshing and authentic culinary surprise, considering the restaurant’s location in a Madisonville strip mall. The restaurant recently opened a downtown location called Mazunte Centro at 611 Main St. Photo via Facebook/MazunteTacos
Holtman’s Donuts Multiple locations including 1332 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine; 1399 State Route 28, Loveland Holtman’s will give you a reason to crawl out of bed on a weekend morning. The Loveland-based operation now has multiple locations that serve up their flaky melt-in-your mouth donuts. Lines for the pastries often wrap outside the door and with good reason: the bakery serves up an array of options — from classic glazed to toasted coconut to lemon-icing-dusted with Fruity Pebbles — to suit any craving. East Siders, rejoice: The family-owned business is opening their fifth location in Oakley, right across from MadTree’s taproom. Photo: Jesse Fox
The Wildflower Cafe 207 E. Main St., Mason With only 50 seats available in the restaurant, this may be one of the smallest venues on our list. This place can fill up quickly on any given day, so be sure to schedule a reservation to guarantee a spot. With local farm-raised, grass-fed beef and an extensive wine list that features products from Cincinnati-area vineyards, Wildflower is dedicated to producing the freshest and best-quality food at an honest price. Foods are local, sustainable and seasonal to offer peak freshness. Photo via Facebook/WildFlowerCafeMason
Two Cities Pizza Company 202 W. Main St., Mason If you’re looking for some damn good pizza, this Mason eatery is absolutely worth the trek — and wait for a seat. Two Cities Pizza Company, a dining destination housed in Mason’s former city hall — with a bit of an Art Deco nightclub rebrand — closes the chasm between the dueling pizza metropolises. Go classic and grab a deep dish Windy City with sausage, onion, green pepper and chunky tomato; and the Marathoner NYC-style margherita. In addition to pizza, they offer tempting best-of-both-worlds street food, like a Chicago dog with all the fixings (no ketchup; add celery salt) or a New York dog with brown mustard and sauerkraut. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse 700 Walnut St., Cincinnati This upscale downtown restaurant is modeled after a 1940s New York Art Deco steakhouse. If you love steak you have about a zero-percent chance of being let down with one of Ruby’s — they dry-age their own. There are several non-steak options on the menu, including good seafood dishes, but cow is king at Ruby’s. Make your reservations well in advance in order to get a seat at this popular spot, or opt for a seat at the bar. Photo via Facebook/jeffrubyssteakhouse/
Boca 114 E. Sixth St., Downtown A trip to chef David Falk’s Italian/French gemstone is an experience to be savored as much as the food itself. Take your time, invest a few hours and allow him and his attentive, knowledgeable staff to unfold an epic tale of two or three courses, plus dessert. The popular restaurant recommends making reservations in advance to ensure a table, but they are not required. The Pommes Soufflees “1942” — puffy french fries — are a call back to the restaurant’s former iteration as the Maisonette, and most entrées are available in full or tasting portions. Photo via Facebook.com/BocaRestaurant
Salazar 1401 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine This petite eatery from chef Jose Salazar mixes old and new to create an approachable yet refined farm-inspired menu. Reserve a table in advance to ensure a seat for your group, or grab a seat at the beautiful bar. There are creative, comfortable choices like burgers, fish and a vegetarian option. Seasonal, farm-fresh specials frequently pop up on the changing menu, as do staple favorites like the little fried oyster sandwich with kimchi, local radish sprouts and garlic mayo. The wide-ranging drink menu features thoughtful craft beers, cocktails and wines. Photo via Facebook/SalazarCincinnati
Walt’s Hitching Post 3300 Madison Pike, Fort Wright Walt’s Hitching Post is a kick-back, casual place where everybody knows your name. Open in some iteration since the 1950s, classic menu items include Walt’s Legendary Fried Chicken, Steak Diane and fried green tomatoes with chicken livers. All steaks are dusted with a unique seasoning blend and charred to perfection. On Fridays, Kosher-salt encrusted prime rib is on special — while it lasts. This is a hot spot for regulars and locals, so try to make a reservation in advance. If you can’t, be prepared for a wait on weekends or try to squeeze in at the bar, where you can request a dram of their more than 100 bourbons. Photo: Paige Deglow Photo: Paige Deglow
Cabana on the River 7445 Forbes Road, Sayler Park Right on the water, the seasonal (and currently closed until spring) Cabana on the River is a breezy, no frills (paper plates!) Tiki bar tucked away on some prime riverfront real estate on the West Side. The large and varied menu has plenty of options for everyone, including items like a Black & Bleu California Steak Salad, gourmet grilled cheese and Caribbean fish tacos. Drink specials are mostly rum-based with an island vibe, and they have an updated, large selection of premium, local and craft beers. Check out their live music every weekend under their glowing neon palm trees. On weeknights and weekends, the eatery fills up quickly and there can be quite a long wait. But guests can grab a seat the Tiki hut for a drink or play some volleyball while they wait. Photo: Hailey Bollinger