How to Experience Holiday Magic and Memorable Meals in Fountain Square

The holiday season is in full swing, and despite the brisk nights, it’s the perfect time to get out and experience those festive traditions that only come around this time of year. And it’s the perfect time to gather with friends, family and loved ones for a delightful holiday meal.

A trip to Fountain Square is one of our favorite ways to have a classic holiday experience in the Queen City. As luck would have it, the area around Fountain Square is replete with restaurants that cater to a variety of tastes.

On the Square, the UC Health Ice Rink is a main draw, along with this year’s 55-foot Norway Spruce, trimmed and lit in all its holiday glory. Downtown Dazzle adds some extra fun on Saturday nights (Dec. 14 and 21), featuring Santa and his reindeer rappelling down the facade of the Macy’s building, and a special holiday fireworks show.

Also on Dec. 14, Cincinnati’s original SantaCon returns to the bars and streets of Downtown and Over-the-Rhine. While there may not be official SantaCon stops on Fountain Square, you’re sure to see some festive revelers dressed as Ol’ St. Nick roaming around.

Whatever day you choose to visit, you’re sure to work up an appetite hoofing it around the square. And for some of us, the best part of downtown holiday festivities happens at nearby restaurants that offer memorable meals and cozy holiday ambiance this time of year.

The king of downtown dining is, of course, the famous Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse. Relatively new to the Square, the original location at Seventh and Walnut streets relocated to The Foundry development at Fifth and Vine streets in 2022.

If you’re dining at Ruby’s, you’re expecting the best, and they tend to deliver it. From every food and drink item to the ambiance and attentive service, it’s a great choice for a special occasion dinner any time of year, and it’s especially popular with the added draw of Fountain Square festivities. Be sure to plan ahead and make reservations.

Ruby’s is a bit on the pricey side, but you don’t have to go all out to experience that perfect holiday outing. One popular option is to stop in for lunch and drinks at the bar, offered at Ruby’s and other area restaurants, for a fraction of the cost of a whole dinner.

If it’s gotta be dinner, several other nearby restaurants offer that next-level dining you’re looking for on a special occasion.

Just next door, The Davidson will be celebrating their first holiday season at Fountain Square after opening in February this year. “We’re excited to be right next to the tree,” Brandt Tiffany, director of operations at The Davidson, told CityBeat. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. Gonna be a lot of good foot traffic down here.”

Owned by Thunderdome Restaurant Group and armed with their track record of success, The Davidson offers an “elevated” menu at an approachable price point. But this restaurant brings something different to the table compared to their other concepts like Maplewood, Bakersfield and The Eagle.

Tiffany told CityBeat, “Different than our other brands, it offers a wide variety of French- and Italian-inspired cuisine that’s all scratch-made. We’re not bringing anything in that’s pre-made.”

The corner location is the perfect spot to immerse yourself in the holiday happenings of Fountain Square.

“There’s not a better view in the city. We’re right on the corner of Fifth and Vine, catty-corner to the tree,” Tiffany told CityBeat. “We’ve got a ton of floor-to-ceiling windows across the front of the restaurant. We’ve got our patio that’ll be open; we’ve got heaters on the patio, so it should be a nice cozy scene out there, for sure.”

The Davidson rolled out a new bar menu that features handmade craft cocktails at a price point that’s easy to swallow: $5, $10 and $15. They’ll be open seven days a week for lunch the final two weeks of December, but will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Back on the Square, the contemporary Italian mecca Via Vite has become almost as much of a Fountain Square landmark as the Genius of Water herself.

Opened by Chef Cristian Pietoso of Nicola’s, Via Vite has been delighting diners on the square for 17 years. You can’t beat the location — directly on Fountain Square — especially for the outdoor patio when it’s warm outside. But, it’s a great option during the winter months as well.

Inside, it’s warm, dim and decorated for the holidays with class. The fine folks at Via Vite are experts at making any time feel like a special occasion for their guests. On the menu, stick to a comfortable Italian classic or try something new. It all goes down easy at Via Vite.

Another Fountain Square newcomer bolstered by a larger brand behind it is Cajun/Creole restaurant and bar Laveau. With a New Orleans theme inspired by the French Quarter, Laveau always brings a festive atmosphere, complete with deep red hues, gold accents and even some string lights.

“Everyone keeps telling us we are the best-kept secret in Cincinnati,” says Josh Engel, marketing manager for March First Brands, which operates Laveau at 27 E. Sixth St.

That’s the same March First that operates a brewpub on Fountain Square. It’s the same brand that runs Cincinnati Distilling, which keeps Laveau’s bar stocked with its original spirits. The bar features familiar and creative cocktails that pay tribute to the Big Easy.

“As a Cincinnati Distilling concept, our cocktails highlight the best of our locally crafted spirits. On the menu, you’ll find Southern favorites such as boudin balls, shrimp dishes, crab cakes, etouffée, gumbo, jambalaya and a variety of po’boys.”

Speaking of March First, the brewpub located directly on the Square is the perfect spot to pop in for a respite from the cold — and to try one of their locally brewed craft beers, seltzers, ciders or spirits. How about something hot?

“We’ve been doing hot chocolate with our Voltage Peppermint Schnapps, which is perfect for after you’re done ice skating,” Engel told CityBeat.

A low-key taproom-meets-sports-bar vibe, March First features a full food menu and a pretty full menu of sporting events to watch while you enjoy the festive atmosphere.

From casual to upscale and everything in between, you don’t need to stray far from the winter wonderland that is Fountain Square to enjoy a relaxing holiday dinner. So, continue the tradition or start a new one. Take selfies by the giant tree. Fall on your face while trying to ice skate. It’s what winter in Cincinnati is all about, and there’s always a great meal waiting for you at the end of it.

To learn more about the food and dining options in the Fountain District, visit thefountaindistrict.com.

This story is featured in CityBeat’s Dec. 11 print edition.