Is there any comfort food more decadent than an ooey, gooey bowl of mac and cheese? We think not.
When you’re in search of the top restaurant in Greater Cincinnati to crush that craving, look no further than this list. Here are the 10 best spots to grab mac and cheese, whether it be as a side or your full entree, as voted by CityBeat readers in the 2025 Best Of Cincinnati issue.
No. 10 Best Mac and Cheese: Incline Public House
2601 W. Eighth St., East Price Hill
The Mac: This gastropub has a side of mac and cheese topped with Grippos Bar-B-Q Chips, or you can order this flavor combo in the form of the Grippos-Crusted Mac & Cheese Bites — 12 deep-fried Grippo Mac squares served with a side of sriracha ranch.
No. 9 Best Mac and Cheese: Ivory House
2998 Harrison Ave., Westwood
The Mac: This mac and cheese is made with high-quality gouda and gruyère and comes with enough to split with the whole table. It works as a great side alongside one of Ivory House’s signature steaks, like the filet mignon, NY strip or ribeye.
No. 8 Best Mac and Cheese: Tavern on the Bend
5471 North Bend Road, White Oak
The Mac: Pair Tavern on the Bend’s mac and cheese with Cincinnati’s favorite breakfast meat in the Goetta Mac, get fancy with the Lobster Mac or try something different each month with their monthly mac and cheese special. November’s mac special comes with turkey, stuffing, turkey gravy and parmesan.
No. 7 Best Mac and Cheese: El Coyote
7404 State Road, Anderson Township
The Mac: Try a Tex-Mex take on mac and cheese with El Coyote’s Southwest Macaroni & Cheese, loaded with creamy cheese and peppers. It’s one of El Coyote’s most-requested side dishes.
No. 6 Best Mac and Cheese: Lucius Q
1131 Broadway St., Pendleton
The Mac: Get Lucius Q’s cheesy mac, topped with crispy breadcrumbs, as a side, or opt for it as an entree in the form of the Pig Mac: their mac and cheese topped with pulled pork and Carolina Gold sauce.
No. 5 Best Mac and Cheese: Pig Candy BBQ
5901 Kellogg Ave., California; 370 Bridge St., Loveland
The Mac: Try Pig Candy’s side of creamy mac and cheese as an accompaniment to the two- or three-meat platter, or get a bowl of it with the Pig Mac Bowl. The mac and cheese comes topped with pulled pork, red sauce and topper slaw on the side.
No. 4 Best Mac and Cheese: Keystone’s Mac Shack
2612 Short Vine St., Corryville
The Mac: For something with a spicy kick, opt for the Arcade Fire mac and cheese dish. It comes with fried chicken, crispy bacon, shredded cheddar and sriracha. For something milder and herby, go for the Fleetwood Mac: pesto, diced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.
No. 3 Best Mac and Cheese: Eli’s BBQ
133 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine; 3313 Riverside Drive, East End
The Mac: Try a side of Eli’s BBQ’s creamy mac and cheese alongside their popular ribs, which come in sets of two ribs up to a full slab of 12 and are dusted with Eli’s signature dry rub.
No. 2 Best Mac and Cheese: Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
505 Vine St., Downtown
The Mac: Cheese lovers will love Jeff Ruby’s mac and cheese: It’s made with six different imported cheeses and is a delicious addition to any of their USDA prime steaks.
No. 1 Best Mac and Cheese: The Eagle
1342 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
The Mac: The Eagle is famous in Cincinnati for their fried chicken, but the mac and cheese side is no slouch. It’s made with five different cheeses and topped with garlic bread crumbs.