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Cincinnati is one beautiful city, with a stunning skyline, numerous hills that offer sweeping views of the Ohio River, an abundance of historic architecture and other beautiful spots around town like Fountain Square and Washington Park. And one of the best ways to enjoy these features is with a delicious meal and good drink.
Luckily for us, there are plenty of restaurants and bars in Greater Cincinnati that take full advantage of these views. Keep scrolling to see some of the best spots to dine and drink with a view.
Vista at Lytle Park
311 Pike St., Downtown
Cincinnati’s new Lytle Park Hotel features a spectacular rooftop patio named the Vista at Lytle Park. The 5,000-square-foot rooftop lounge offers panoramic views of the Queen City and Ohio River. The space is equipped with an “indoor” lounge (where the bar is located) lined with windows that open up to the outdoor patio with two fireplaces, seating and tables. Choose from a selection of cocktails, wine, beer and spirits, or opt for their large-format cocktails that serve four or more. They also offer a selection of light bites and shareables. The downstairs patios at Subito also feature fire pit lounge spaces for outdoor dining or drinking.
Photo via vistaatlytlepark.com Photo: vistaatlytlepark.comResidence Inn’s Top of the Park // On the roof of downtown’s Residence Inn hotel, Top of the Park has 360-degree views of downtown and the river from its vantage point at the base of Lytle Park. Amenities include tabletop fire features, TVs and live music, plus a tapas menu with snack options like sliders, charcuterie and chocolate churros. Try: The Re-Fashioned, with Bulleit bourbon, fresh blood orange, crème de cassis, rhubarb bitters and bourbon cherry. 506 E. Fourth St., Downtown, thephelpscincinnati.com. Photo: Hailey BollingerIncline Public House
2601 W. Eighth St., Price Hill
Named after the Cincinnati incline that traveled to Price Hill, Incline Public House features a gorgeous view of the city as well as New American eats for brunch, lunch and dinner. The menu includes pizzas, burgers, salads and even cheesesteak, plus a great bloody mary at brunch. It’s a popular and busy restaurant, so be prepared for wait. Photo: Hailey BollingerLisse
530 Main St., Covington
Dutch-inspired steakhouse Lisse is opening this weekend with limited capacity to comply with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s guidelines. The eatery will use disposable menus, but guests will also have the option to scan a QR code for a digital menu. Additionally, employees will wear masks and gloves, and there will be no bar seating. With a reservation, guests will be able to dine on prime beef steak and locally sourced vegetables from 5-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Photo via Facebook.com/lissesteakhuis Photo: Facebook.com/lissesteakhuisEighteen at the Radisson
668 W. Fifth St., Covington
$46 Dinner
FIRST COURSE: Fresh Greens
SECOND COURSE (Choice of one): Atlantic Salmon // Chicken Marsala // 10-oz. Angus Reserve New York Strip // Half Rack Baby Back Ribs
All entrees come with baked potato, butter and sour cream
THIRD COURSE (Choice of one): Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake // Bourbon Butter Cake // New York Cheesecake Photo: Provided by Eighteen at the RadissonNo. 1 Best Rooftop Bar: Rhinegeist
1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Must Try: Truth, Rhinegeist’s flagship IPA. Photo: Hailey BollingerThe Upper Deck at AC Hotel Cincinnati’s Rooftop at The Banks // On top of the new AC Hotel at The Banks, the Upper Deck boasts excellent views of the riverfront and Great American Ball Park. Lounge under string lights while gorging on Grand Slam Nachos and sipping a local craft beer. 135 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. Photo: Hailey BollingerVinoklet Winery & Restaurant
11069 Colerain Ave., Colerain Township
Nestled near the edge of the West Side is an idyllic winery surrounded by rows of grapes and rolling hills. VinoKlet is the only working winery in Hamilton County and is home to 12 award-winning wines. Bask in the warmth of a nice day with a glass of vino and enjoy the scenery. And on Fridays and Saturdays, the winery hosts its Grilled to Perfection dinner where you select your entree and grill it yourself while sipping on a half bottle of wine of your choosing. Photo: facebook.com/vinkolet6. City View Tavern
403 Oregon St., Mount Adams
Indulge in a spicy bloody mary while at this fine low-frills neighborhood bar that offers panoramic vistas of our fair metropolis and some locally loved burgers.
Photo via Facebook.com/CityViewTavern Photo: Facebook.com/CityViewTavernNo. 4 Outdoor/Patio Dining: Little Miami Brewing Co.
208 Mill St., Milford Photo: facebook.com/littlemiamibrewingMoerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks
With a come-as-you-are atmosphere, a relaxing biergarten and a stunning view of the riverfront and Roebling Bridge, Moerlein Lager House is a prime stop for Reds or Bengals game-goers, Smale Park revelers and those who just find themselves at The Banks craving a beer and hearty meal. The restaurant and microbrewery’s menu features New American-style eats with German influences, like the shareable pretzels and beer cheese, the German sausage platter entree and the Zincy Style Bratwurst. Along with its line of Moerlein beers, the restaurant also offers plenty of elevated bar-fare-style shareables, a variety of burgers and sandwiches and upscale entree offerings like the filet mignon or salmon Oscar. Photo: Provided by Moerlein Lager HouseRusk Kitchen + Bar
2724 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills
Rusk Kitchen + Bar serves up eclectic American cuisine and elevated bar food alongside beverage options like beer, wine and housemade cocktails you can enjoy on their rooftop patio, which offers a killer view of East Walnut Hills. With its cozy, welcoming vibes, Rusk aims to become a neighborhood go-to where you can watch the game, enjoy date night or just hang out with friends. The menu features a variety of lunch and dinner dishes, including handhelds like burgers and sandwiches, salads and entrées like fish and chips, Chilean salmon and a cajun chicken and alfredo dish. Photo: facebook.com/Rusk Kitchen + BarPorch at Washington Park
1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Head over to Washington Park and enjoy a selection of local beer, seasonal cocktails, canned wine and more. The bar offers seating on the porch or on the lawn, so BYOB (bring your own blanket). Tables and heaters are located under the covered patio for when the weather isn’t cooperating. Photo: Holden MathisNo. 5 Best Rooftop Bar: The Rooftop at 21c
609 Walnut St., Downtown
Must Try: Pink Toucan: Reposado Tequila, grapefruit and lime. Photo: Provided by 21c Museum HotelBishop’s Quarter
212 W. Loveland Ave., Loveland
Doesn’t everyone love a good rooftop? Bishop’s Quarter not only offers full service on the rooftop patio, but also regular live music entertainment. Outdoor seating is also available on the two other patios that wrap around the building (yes, that’s three patios total!). Photo: facebook.com/Bishops-QuarterNorth American Properties bought Newport on the Levee in 2018 and has overseen the current renovations. Photo: Mary LeBusBraxton Brewing Co. Rooftop
27 W. 7th St., Covington
The Rooftop at Braxton Brewing Co. in Covington provides comfortable outdoor seating, shade and greenery. Sip on all of your favorite Braxton drafts — including the newly release mint julep style beer, Kentucky Home — while basking in the sun. Photo: Hailey BollingerKreimer’s on the River
6052 OH-128, Whitewater Township
Located in the backyard of Kreimer’s Bier Haus, this Bavarian biergarten on the Great Miami River has three decks, fire pits and a ton of Black Forest-inspired wood features, from picnic seating to a whimsical cuckoo-clock-looking German grill house, which serves snacks like sauerkraut balls, pretzel bread, bier cheese and plenty of juicy metts. You can also order to-go from the restaurant and take your meal into the biergarten for dinner with a view. Photo: facebook.com/kreimersriverbarPrimavista
810 Matson Place, East Price Hill
Along with a beautiful view of the city, this restaurant offers an upscale dining experience with menu options like sausage and mushroom ravioli, roasted lamb loin and tiramisu. Without leaving your seat, you can look out on views of Carew Tower, Great American Tower and the Cincinnati sign with a wine glass in hand.
Photo via Facebook.com/PrimavistaRestaurant Photo: facebook.com/primavistarestaurantShires Rooftop
309 Vine St., 10th Floor, Downtown
The View at Shires Rooftop is on the 10th floor of the City Club Apartments and offers views of the riverfront and the surrounding cityscape. This rooftop spot’s menu features a wide selection of smoked, grilled and wood-fired options for dinner and they open at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday for brunch. Try the Rooftop Benedict, with poached eggs and prosciutto on an English muffin, topped with blister cherry tomatoes, roasted shallots, herb oil and chimi-hollandaise with a side of breakfast potatoes. Photo: Facebook.com/TheViewatShiresGardenCabana on the River
7445 Forbes Road, Sayler Park
This Margaritaville-esque oasis on the river will make you feel like you’re on vacation with their neon palm trees out front, sand volleyball courts, multiple walk-up bars where you can grab a drink while you wait for a table, and just overall Jimmy Buffett vibes. While all the seating is technically outside, the best seats aren’t underneath the awning, but on the lower deck closest to the river. The menu is similar to what you’d find at a beachy restaurant – fish tacos, burgers, chicken sandwiches and shareables – but they also have some great salad options as well as the Cincinnati touch of metts, brats and franks. We also highly recommend a margarita while you’re there to 1) complete the aesthetic and 2) because they’re delicious. Photo: Hailey BollingerLe Bar a Boeuf
2200 Victory Parkway, Walnut Hills
This cozy bistro boasts a menu of French classics with contemporary twists. Try the escargot as an appetizer or the beet salade and soup du jour ahead of your meal. The entrees are elegant and feature favorites like seared duck breast, sea scallops, salmon, a rack of lamb and steak frites — a 10-ounce ribeye with sauce forestiere and fries. If you can, sit on the patio and take in the amazing view of the Ohio River. If you want to maintain the French experience, just pretend you’re in Paris overlooking the Seine. Photo: Hailey BollingerVia Vite
520 Vine St., Downtown
Via Vite showcases chef Cristian Pietoso’s casual take on Northern Italian cuisine in the Queen City. The view overlooks Fountain Square and their rooftop patio is the perfect escape to people watch. Crispy, stone-fired pizzas and hearty pastas hearken to the motherland, while entrées like 12-hour braised lamb shank with white polenta and rosemary lead the diner on an Italian journey. Classic Italian cocktails like a Negroni and Aperol Spritz are a clever accompaniment to a collection of Italian (and California) wines. Photo: Facebook.com/ViaViteFretboard Brewing & Public House
103 Main St., Hamilton
This public house from Blue Ash’s Fretboard Brewing Company offers first-come-first-serve seating on its rooftop patio overlooking the heart of downtown Hamilton — but make sure you stop by the hostess stand first. The menu offers elevated pub fare, with an entree selection of burgers, sandwiches and wraps, as well as dishes like fish and chips, southern-fried chicken and meatloaf. You can also find some of your favorite Fretboard craft brews on tap, like the strawberry blonde ale Reba, tropical red ale Island Style and pilsner Vlad, as well as range of rotating taps. But if beer’s not your thing, Fretboard Brewing & Public House also offers a selection of craft cocktails and wines by the glass or bottle. Photo: facebook.com/FBPublicHouseEnson Harbor
25 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
This former seafood spot recently rebranded and now offers authentic Chinese dim sum from its riverside restaurant. Along with the varieties of cold, steamed, pan-fried and even dessert dim sum, Enson Harbor also serves steamed soup dumplings, stir-fried mini bowls and a curated selection of cocktails and teas to complement your meal. Or, stop in for a bubble tea or refreshing smoothie. Photo: Google Maps