Cincinnati is home to hundreds of different restaurants, ranging from upscale steakhouses to mobile food trucks. We have a diverse variety of options for every kind of food mood. But we all know and appreciate the special charm that comes from a small, no-frills establishment. Sometimes family-owned and -operated and sometimes just an inexpensive grab-and-go joint, what they lack in size or ambiance, they make up for in taste. These local restaurants are essentials when you’re looking for a local, laid-back dining experience.
Quatman Cafe 2434 Quatman Ave., Norwood; 224 West Main St., Mason Since 1966, Quatman has provided Cincinnatians with cheap burgers, soup and “the coldest beer in town.” There are canned beers as well as a draft selection and rotating seasonal brews. They’ve also got daily specials where you can get a main dish plus fries and a drink for $10. Photo: facebook.com/Quatman-Cafe
Brew House 1047 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills A Walnut Hills institution since 1978, located at “the corner of Good Food and Drunks,” as scrawled on the side of its building. In addition to offering those cheap drinks and good food (try a burger with onion rings — you’ll thank us), the eclectic Brew House also offers funky décor and friendly people. Photo: facebook.com/BrewHouseCincinnati
Thai Express 213 W. McMillan St., CUF This little gem brings authentic Thai cooking and culture to Cincinnati. Located near the University of Cincinnati, Thai Express has been fueling both students and professionals for over 20 years. Their signature Pad Thai dish is a favorite among many, but do not be fooled; the number of delicious traditional dishes spans way beyond that, from Thai-style fried rice (Kao Pad) and Thai red curry (Gaeng Daeng). Photo: Paige Deglow
No. 8 Overall Burger: Bard’s Burgers & Chili 3620 Decoursey Ave., Latonia So, you like burgers but do you really love burgers? Located in a former chili parlor in Latonia, Bard’s specializes in both burgers and Cincinnati-style chili (hence the name). Burgers are made with fresh, never-frozen ground chuck, infused with spices, seared on a flattop and served on a toasted bun. Their Chili Cheese Burger is made with their own Cincinnati-style chili and topped with American cheese, lettuce, pickle and mayo; the Purist strips it down to just beef and the bun; and the Donut Burger comes topped with American cheese, lettuce, pickle and mayo on a donut bun from neighboring Moonrise Doughnuts (add bacon and make it a 5.0 Burger). But if you want to go big, like really big — and we’re not just talking deep-fried Twinkie big (also on the menu) — Bard’s offers the Bardzilla Challenge. For this food feat, diners must eat an 11-patty Bardzilla burger (each topped with cheese and weighing in at one-third of a pound), plus two pounds of fries in 60 minutes or less. Also voted one of the Top 3 Best Neighborhood Burger Spots (NKY). Bardzilla Challenge | Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Pleasant Ridge Chili 6032 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge This local multi-generational diner has been serving Cincinnati-style chili and American classics since 1964. They also offer chili to-go and late-night eats, like french fries topped with everything from chili to cheese to gravy. Photo: Sean M. Peters
Wunderbar 1132 Lee St., Covington This tiny German restaurant features a great beer selection, giant burgers made with pretzel buns, pierogies smothered in gouda sauce and bacon, an enormous pretzel with beer cheese and a humble brunch menu. The space is tight, but if you can snag a spot, you will most likely enjoy some live music or karaoke along with your food or drink. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Herb & Thelma’s 718 W. Pike St., Covington Opened in 1939 as Heine’s Cafe, the small drop-ceilinged dining room is what some may call a “hole in the wall,” but the simple and delectable burgers are made to order and served by an incredibly friendly staff. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
City View Tavern 403 Oregon St., Mt. Adams City View, one of our fair city’s more historic drinking establishments, doesn’t have an extensive menu. The interior looks similar to many other dive bars: wood paneling and photos lining the walls. And while their menu and interior may seem no-frills, they make one hell of a burger (and bloody Mary) and have one of the best views in the city. Photo: facebook.com/CityViewTavern
Mi Casita 5714 Glenway Ave., Western Hills This taquería, frutería and mini grocery store offers delicious and authentic Mexican eats from a no-frills building along Glenway Avenue. The menu is brief in the way of the best taquerías, offering platillos like fajitas, caldos (broth), tortas like its delicious Cubana, tacos, empanadas and cups of sliced fruit. While you wait for your food, you can browse the aisles of snacks, toys and more. The place was a former hibachi restaurant, which you can tell by the small dining area, with a couple of tables and chairs situated around a flattop grill. Photo: facebook.com/Mi Casita
Uncle Yip’s 10736 Reading Road, Evendale Uncle Yip’s serves authentic southern Chinese cuisine along with dim sum specialties. Dim sum consists of small portions of food delivered in steamer baskets; dishes like the shrimp dumplings, barbecue pork buns and chicken sui mai are popular (and only $5.95 each). Photo: facebook.com/UncleYips
Sebastian’s 5209 Glenway Ave., Cheviot The longtime West Side joint is just as delicious as you remember it. A meat-lover’s heaven, the menu offers numerous Greek items and what many consider to be the best gyro in Cincinnati. Photo: facebook.com/sebastiansgyros
Pepper Pod 703 Monmouth St., Newport Greasy spoon dining at its best, the Pepper Pod is a Newport legend. Open 24 hours a day so you can get your breakfast fix whenever the craving hits. The Northern Kentucky diner was even featured in the movie Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile starring Zac Efron — it was filmed in the Greater Cincinnati area. Photo: Emerson Swoger Photo: Emerson Swoger
Big Jays Place 930 Hempstead Drive, Finneytown Big Jays Place in Finneytown offers a menu bursting with flavor from its Caribbean comfort food dishes, like the Soul Food Plate, featuring jerk chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens and cilantro rice, or the half-pound Jerk Burrito, which comes with a choice of shrimp, jerk chicken or salmon. But what Big Jays is best known for is its oxtail, which Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives host Guy Fieri got to try on his recent visit there, saying, “If you don’t like oxtail, then come on down here to the oxtail conversion program.” Photo: facebook.com/bigjaysplace
Alabama Fish Bar 1601 Race St., Over-the-Rhine Get in line at the Alabama Fish Bar and you’ll be rewarded with some of the best fried fish in the city: a choice of whiting, perch or cod served atop a pile of fries resting on a bed of white bread. A side of sautéed peppers, onions and hot sauce make it a spicy, lip-smacking experience. Located on the corner of Liberty and Race streets, you can often find this corner store packed to the door on a weekend afternoon. Photo: Facebook.com/AlabamaFishBar
Gas Light Cafe 6104 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge This Pleasant Ridge eatery and drinkery has been a neighborhood staple for generations. Behind the bar, there’s a large list of local, domestic and craft drafts on tap, along with a full liquor shelf if you need some spirit. Stop by for a casual lunch or dinner, or watch sports on one of their TVs. What goes well with a cold draft of your favorite beer? The Gas Light Burger, daily homemade chili, onion rings, tuna melt, chef salad and potato skins with cheese and bacon. Photo: facebook.com/GoodfellasPleasantRidge
Krishna Indian Carryout 313 Calhoun St., Clifton Krishna Indian Restaurant is the University of Cincinnati’s best-kept secret. The tiny restaurant offers both carryout and dine-in, with about a handful of booths to choose from. Dishing out plates such as saag paneer, a vegetarian, spinach-filled dish with onions, spices and a hint of cream, and chicken tikka masala: tandoori chicken in a creamy tomato sauce. Be careful: The food can get spicy, ranging on a 1-7 spice scale. Photo: Paige Deglow
Maki Express Ramen House 209 W McMillan St., Clifton Formerly a sushi restaurant, Maki Express opened a new chapter serving up Ramen and other Japanese dishes. The restaurant is small and intimate, and the atmosphere is a great mixture of modern and traditional. Sit down and enjoy a steaming bowl of tonkotsu ramen, or dive into an order of takoyaki. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Swampwater Grill 3742 Kellogg Ave., East End Feel like you’re really down south at the Swampwater Grill. Try an oyster your way or really get in the southern mood with dishes like gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya and shrimp and grits. Grab a beer or a specialty cocktail like their Cajun-style Bloody Mary. If you’re not a seafood lover, try their barbecue ribs, pulled pork and chicken or pork chop. Photo: facebook.com/The-Swampwater-Grill
Kim’s Korean 10548 Harrison Ave., Harrison For delicious, authentic Korean food in Greater Cincinnati, you can’t go wrong with Kim’s Korean. This strip mall eatery has everything you could want from a hole-in-the-wall restaurant with its drop-tile seating, cozy booths, Asian-inspired art on the walls and a menu that doesn’t stray from the classics: savory dishes of bulgogi, bibimbap, Korean soups, seafood with rice and more. Photo: facebook.com/Kims Korean Restaurant
Al-Madina Market & Grill 6 W. Corry St., Corryville Situated across the street from the Corryville Kroger, Al-Madina Market & Grill boasts a humble yet comprehensive selection of Middle Eastern grocery staples alongside its open kitchen. The chicken shawarma is lauded by students from the nearby University of Cincinnati, where the sandwich is a natural takeaway selection for busy academics, although tables are available for those who want to dine in and appreciate the calming effects of an environment that smells like grilled meat. Photo: Paige Deglow
Bee’s Barbecue 5910 Chandler St.; 1403 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Bee’s believes good barbecue takes time and that smoking meat is an art – one they practice every day with patience and passion, using high-quality and locally sourced ingredients – even the wood they use is locally sourced. What results from that patience and dedication is a menu filled with tender, fresh barbecue you can buy by the half-pound or pound, on a sandwich or as a plate complemented with sides like creamy mac ‘n cheese, sticky BBQ beans and sweet honey cornbread. If you have any room left for dessert (or if you just want to power through), you won’t want to miss Bee’s Bourbon Peach Cobbler, crafted with bourbon- and brown sugar-laced peaches with a sugar crumble crust, or proprietor Bee’s personal favorite: the banana pudding – made with fluffy layers of fresh bananas, whipped cream and vanilla wafer cookies. Photo: Provided by Bee's Barbecue
Steak & Lemonade 2607 Vine St., Clifton Cincy Steak and Lemonade is the place to get the most bang for your buck. You can get a gyro, cheeseburger, fries and a plenty of delicious blended drinks on the cheap. Try their super colorful lemonades, with flavors ranging from rainbow to blue raspberry, and pina colada. Photo: facebook.com/Cincys
Siam Orchid Thai Restaurant 511 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue This Thai restaurant located in Bellevue is tiny but inviting, with affordable food that comes in large portions. The salads are fresh are jam-packed with veggies, like the Orchid Salad, which includes shredded cabbage, carrots and ground peanuts tossed in the chef’s secret dressing. It also offers classic Thai favorites like Pad Thai and chicken satay. Photo: facebook.com/Siam Orchid
Proud Rooster 345 Ludlow Ave., Clifton Opened for more than half a century, Proud Rooster is a greasy spoon staple in Clifton’s Gaslight District. The cozy diner serves up all the classics like eggs served with your favorite breakfast meat, country-style breakfasts like biscuits and gravy and omelets made with fresh, whipped ranch eggs and a side of toast. For lunch, try one of their tasty hoagies, sandwich boards or burgers. Photo: facebook.com/ProudRoosterRestaurant
Knockback Nats 10 W. 7th St., Downtown Come early for this bar’s daily happy hour between 3 and 7 p.m., where you can enjoy a few beers while eating their popular smoked wings and burgers. Enjoy darts, video golf, video bowling and a jukebox for extra fun. Popular menu items include the aforementioned smoked wings, nachos, chicken tenders, quesadillas, waffle fries and the Knockback Burger, with ground beef, cheese, onion, bacon, fried egg, coleslaw, bbq sauce, smoked brisket or pork. Photo via Facebook/KnockbackNats Photo: facebook.com/KnockbackNats
Dunlap Cafe 1926 Dunlap St., Over-the-Rhine Dunlap Cafe has been operational since 1936 with an emphasis on home-cooked meals, all-day brunch and draft beer. Breakfast sandwiches, omelets and other early morning classics are available all day with a selection of traditional and specialty burger and sandwich options for seriously reasonable prices. Photo: Paige Deglow