When your family and friends visit you in Cincinnati, you want to show the city off! And there may be no better way to get a feel for the Queen City than through its food and drink scene.

Whether you want to take your out-of-towners to try our version of chili at Skyline, experience a restaurant like Arnold’s Bar & Grill – which is well over 100 years old or confirm just how amazing Graeter’s ice cream is, there’s an iconic spot in every corner of this city to enjoy a good meal and drink.

Keep scrolling to see some of the restaurants and eateries that make Cincinnati standout.

Zip’s Cafe 1036 Delta Ave., Mt. Lookout Zip’s Cafe has been open since 1926 and is known for its Zip Burger, which Food & Wine named the best in Ohio. The small space is separated into a dining area and a bar by a saloon-style door with a model train circling above. 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
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
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. In addition to the amazing chili, the menu also includes burgers, grilled chicken, hot dogs, fries, coleslaw and salad – something for everyone. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Sugar n’ Spice Diner 4381 Reading Rd., Paddock Hills; 1203 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine; 10275 Summit Parkway, Blue Ash Open since 1941, Sugar n’ Spice’s original pink Paddock Hills diner is known for its fun atmosphere and being a comfortable and family-friendly place to eat. Favorite menu items include the “wispy thin” pancakes and giant omelets. Lines at the petite original can be long, but there’s also a second, larger location in Over-the-Rhine. And at the end of the meal, don’t forget to ask for a rubber duck! Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Arnold’s Bar & Grill 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown Arnold’s Bar & Grill in Downtown is one of the oldest continuously operating drinking spots in the country and the oldest in Cincinnati, having opened in 1861 in the same room where you enter today. It also boasts the infamous Arnold’s bathtub, reportedly used to make bootleg gin during Prohibition. There is even a rumor that this bar is filled with spirits – both the alcoholic and dead-people kind. Photo: Maggy McDonel
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 and vegetarian chili, which is made with black beans and rice. Photo via facebook.com/Skyline Chili
Graeter’s Ice Cream Multiple Cincinnati locations including 332 Ludlow Ave., Clifton; 511 Walnut St., Downtown and 2704 Erie Ave., Hyde Park Graeter’s is famous for its French pot ice cream, especially the kinds that come with giant chocolate chunks. To make these, ice cream artisans pour gourmet chocolate over churning cream. It forms a shell that is then broken apart. The most iconic Graeter’s flavor is the Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip, a bestseller that is made with black raspberries from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Photo: Jesse Fox
Mt. Adams Bar and Grill 938 Hatch St., Mount Adams Opened during the prohibition era in 1919, Mt. Adams Bar and Grill’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. Known for its whiskey, the bar offers a varied menu that includes hearty burgers, soups and appetizers like fried jalapeño ravioli. Photo: Izzy Viox
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 pride itself on its line of mouth-watering steaks and extensive list of bourbon, scotch, beer and craft cocktails. Photo: Paige Deglow
Montgomery Inn 9440 Montgomery Rd., Montgomery; Montgomery Inn Boathouse, 925 Riverside Drive, Downtown Montgomery Inn and its ribs have been a staple in Cincinnati since 1951. Secret-recipe sweet and tangy all-natural barbecue sauce from founder Ted Gregory’s wife Matula dresses the hand-spiced, slow-roasted and custom-broiled ribs and is featured on everything from barbecue spring chicken and pork chops to Saratoga chips. Photo via facebook.com/Montgomery Inn
Scotti’s Italian Eatery 919 Vine St., Downtown Family-owned since 1912, Scotti’s is a Queen City staple. The large menu features just about every pasta imaginable along with nearly 20 different varieties of veal dishes. And don’t skip the wine: there’s an expansive list of reds and whites. The interior offers a cozy, warm ambiance with multi-colored tiles on the walls, Chianti bottle candles and romantic lighting characteristic of the best Italian restaurants. Photo: Paige Deglow
The Golden Lamb 27 S. Broadway St., Lebanon The oldest restaurant in Ohio, the Golden Lamb has been a community gathering spot since it was opened in 1803. In its nearly 220-year history as a restaurant and hotel, the Golden Lamb has played host to 12 U.S. presidents and other famous figures. From its historic dining menu, you can order the Golden Lamb roast turkey dinner or a braised lamb shank, among other items, or opt for the more modern burgers and sandwiches. The attached Black Horse Tavern is more casual and serves the same menu as well as specialty cocktails. Photo via facebook.com/The Golden Lamb
LaRosa’s Multiple Locations Buddy LaRosa started his pizzeria in 1954 with only $400 and his Aunt Dena’s pizza recipe. Now, LaRosa’s is arguably the best-known pizza chain in Cincinnati. Branching out beyond pizza, the 65 restaurants across Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana also serve calzones, hoagies, pasta dishes and salads. For dessert, try the smashed cannoli. Photo: facebook.com/LaRosa's Pizzeria
Tousey House Tavern 5963 N Jefferson St. #9596, Burlington Tousey House has all the Southern comforts you crave, offering a large menu featuring brunch, lunch and dinner items. A few popular dishes include the fried green tomatoes, chicken and waffles and Southern eggs benedict. The restaurant also offers bourbon flights. It’s located inside of a historic building that dates back to 1822. Photo via Tousey House Tavern
Alabama Que 2733 Short Vine St., Corryville Alabama Que was founded by Dwan Ward in 2008, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and former University of Cincinnati football player. An Alabama native, Ward’s restaurant oozes Southern charm, and a food truck was added to the business to keep up with growing demand. Some meat options include smoked chicken, beef ribs, smoked salmon and the business’s famous turkey tips. Photo via facebook.com/Alabama Que
Pompilios 600 Washington Ave., Newport Pompilios is best known for serving up classic red-sauce Italian dishes like lasagna, manicotti and veal since 1933, but it also has another claim to fame: It’s been featured in movies, including that toothpick scene in Rain Man and ’90s rollerblading film Airborne. 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. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Lake Nina Restaurant & Tavern 7200 Pippin Rd., North College Hill Lake Nina Restaurant & Tavern is a seafood spot that has been in business for about 60 years. Famous for its fried fish log, Lake Nina also offers 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 via facebook.com/Lake Nina Restaurant
Greyhound Tavern 2500 Dixie Hwy., 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, available daily. In 2021, Microsoft News named Greyhound Tavern as Kentucky’s most legendary restaurant. Photo via facebook.com/Greyhound Tavern
Herb & Thelma’s Tavern 718 W. Pike St., Covington Originally opened in 1939 as Heine’s Café, the small drop-ceilinged dining room is what some may call a “hole in the wall.” Herb & Thelma’s incredibly friendly staff serves up simple but delectable made-to-order burgers. The specialty is a juicy meat patty topped with cheese, onions and pickles. A short list of sides includes chili, soup or chips. Photo via facebook.com/Herb and Thelma's Tavern
The Precinct 311 Delta Ave., Columbia Tusculum The Precinct, named after the Romanesque-style former police precinct it’s housed in, opened in 1981 and was the first in a long line of Jeff Ruby’s steakhouses. The space is intimate and elegant, offering excellent service and a menu of prime steaks, fresh seafood and a generous wine selection. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Izzy’s Multiple locations If you’re on the hunt for a good Reuben, Izzy’s claims to have the world’s best. Izzy’s famous corned beef is piled high on rye bread and topped with melted swiss cheese, sauerkraut and secret dressing. The menu also has a variety of other sandwiches, including the now-permanent Codfather fish sandwich. You also won’t want to miss out on the award-winning potato pancakes. Photo via facebook.com/Izzy’s
Holtman’s Donut Shop Multiple locations including 3356 Madison Road, Oakley; 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 flaky, melt-in-your-mouth donuts. Lines for the pastries often wrap outside the door and with good reason: the bakery has an array of options to suit any craving, from classic glazed to maple to vanilla-icing dusted with Fruity Pebbles. Photo: Jesse Fox