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Six Cincinnati Restaurants Named in 'Top 100' OpenTable List

OpenTable says its annual list is culled from over 12 million verified diner reviews and dining metrics like diner ratings, percentage of reservations made in advance and five-star reviews.

Dec 11, 2023 at 10:53 am

Boca Photo: Provided by Boca

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Cincinnati is home to several of the best restaurants in the United States, according to OpenTable. The restaurant reservation site released its annual “Top 100 Restaurants in the U.S.” list in November, with six Cincinnati restaurants making the 2023 roundup.

Restaurants featured on the list included two Jeff Ruby restaurants, Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse and Carlo & Johnny’s, as well as David Falk’s popular downtown restaurants, Italian/French-inspired Boca and rustic Italian eatery Sotto.

Also making the list are Italian restaurant Pepp & Dolores, owned by Thunderdome Restaurant Group, and Nolia, which features a menu inspired by owner Jeffrey Harris’ upbringing in New Orleans. Nolia also recently caught the attention of Esquire.com, which listed it among its “50 Best New Restaurants in the U.S.” list.

Esquire Names Over-the-Rhine's Nolia One of the 50 Best New Restaurants in the U.S.: "[Chef Jeffrey] Harris’s cooking bundles convention and invention into a restless, ever-evolving menu.”

These six restaurants were also the only ones from Ohio honored on the list. Two Indiana restaurants, 9th Street Bistro in Noblesville and Our Table | American Bistro in Bargersville, were also mentioned. No restaurants from Kentucky were featured on the list.

OpenTable says its annual list is culled from over 12 million verified diner reviews and dining metrics like diner ratings, percentage of reservations made in advance and five-star reviews.

Slideshow

These are Some of Greater Cincinnati's Most Beautiful Bars and Restaurants

Wódka Bar1200 Main St., Over-the-Rhinefrom the team behind cult-favorite Babushka Pierogies, Wódka Bar carries an ambitious selection of vodkas, stocking over 50 types, including Polish and Ukrainian brands that are lesser known in the United States. It also offers a streamlined Eastern European-inspired menu of bites ranging from pierogies to a Polish sausage platter or stuffed cabbage roll. Inside the intimate space, patrons will be enveloped by deep Prussian blues and rich golds, luxe velvet upholstery and distressed plaster walls, elegant wood paneling and all the intricacies of Eastern Orthodox architecture.

Somm Wine Bar3105 Price Ave., East Price HillFood and wine are perfectly paired at Somm, and the outdoor patio with its fountain, Edison-bulb string lights, fire table and meticulous landscaping is the perfect spot to enjoy them. This Incline District wine bar and restaurant has over 80 kinds of wine to choose from and a menu ranging from charcuterie boards to the Somm burger to filet mignon.

Alice1432 Main St., Over-the-RhineThis colorful cocktail bar doesn’t take its name or inspiration from the one of Wonderland fame, but the spot is just as charming and beguiling. Located in an old garage warehouse, Alice stands apart from the other bar options in the area with colorful industrial vibes and clever cocktails like the Smoke and Mirrors (tequila, house sour, lime and pepper tincture) or the Dinner Party (vodka, green tea, ginger, orange, lemon and bitters).

Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge1432 Vine St., Over-the-RhineThis intimate, 1940s-inspired lounge has the perfect ambiance for a romantic night out or even just a solo date. Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge offers an inclusive approach to wine culture, focusing on minority and women winemakers and producers. They offer 40 wines available by the glass or bottle, including eight on tap, and curated flights, cocktails, spirits and charcuterie boards – the best combination to nosh on while listening to live jazz, soul, hip-hop and R&B music.

Alcove1410 Vine St., Over-the-RhineStuffed with live greenery from Urban Blooms and living feature walls, Alcove creates a secret-garden-like feeling. Designers also focused on integrating the rich history of the building into its design. Old photos and news clippings sit framed along the walls, telling a story of a building that has seen many lives since its construction in 1873. The space also features a "lush outdoor patio space for lounging and dining,” and in the event loft on the third floor, there's even a massive chandelier made of ferns. Their drink menu also features housemade cocktails utilizing herbs grown in Alcove's greenhouse bar and MadTree’s own brews.

Son of a Butcher Steakhouse7630 Gibson St. STE 110, Liberty TownshipWith an aesthetic and design described as “Alice-in-Wonderland-meets-Baroque,” it’s no wonder Yelp said Son of a Butcher Steakhouse, a.k.a. S.O.B., was one of the five most-photographed places in Cincinnati in 2022. The food, with menu items like USDA Prime cuts, wagyu, caviar and shaved truffles, also photographs like a delicious dream.

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About The Author

Katherine Barrier

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she oversees the digital and social media strategies, edits web and print content and writes for the dining and arts...