While it’s hard to ignore Cincinnati’s booming restaurant scene, it’s incredibly important to pay homage to the restaurants that have stood the test of time in our city. Most of these eateries have been essential to the community for over 25 years, with a few being in business for over a century. Many hold special places in our hearts, not only because of their cuisines, but also for the memories that keep us coming back.

 

 

 

 

 

Zip’s Cafe 1036 Delta Ave., Cincinnati Zip’s Cafe was founded in 1926, meaning that it has been running for a whopping 93 years. Well known for their tasty and tangy burgers, they serve up everything from their famed Zip’s Burger, to more bold patties, like the “The Flying Pig” and the “Train Wreck.” Aside from their burgers, they also offer fish sandwiches, ruebens, barbecue, chili, soups and more. They don’t skimp out on vegetarians, either, offering both a garden and a bean patty option. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Scotti’s Italian Eatery 919 Vine St., Downtown Family-owned since 1912, Scotti’s has solidified itself as a Queen City staple. Their large menu features just about every pasta imaginable and nearly 20 different varieties of veal dishes. Finish off your meal with a bottle of wine and you’ll be full for days. Multi-colored tiles plaster the walls, and candles drip layer upon layer of wax on Chianti bottles at every table, providing a little light to the otherwise dimly lit dining room. Scotti’s is named after early 20th-century opera star Antonio Scotti, so the sounds pumping through the speakers isn’t Muzak or clichéd Sinatra tunes, it’s Rossini and Puccini and Pavaratti — just another aspect that sets this landmark apart from the pack. Photo: Paige Deglow Photo: Paige Deglow
Arnold’s Bar & Grill 210 E. 8th St., Downtown Open since 1861, Arnold’s is the oldest continuously running tavern in town, complete with dark wood walls, vintage memorabilia and a big ol’ bathtub in the dining room, rumored to have been used to make gin during Prohibition. A Cincinnati classic, it serves up a nice range of lunch and dinner options — pasta, sandwiches and burgers, plus vegan and gluten-free options — at bargain prices. Enjoy a local draft in the outdoor beer garden and almost daily live music. Named as one of the best bars in America by Esquire magazine. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Golden Lamb 27 S. Broadway St., Lebanon Jonas Seaman came to Ohio from New Jersey in 1803. In a time when many couldn’t read, the business was marked by a symbol, not a name: a golden lamb. Present-day, the spot has served 12 presidents and an array of other famous figures. Their menu serves up items like braised lamb shank, chicken sliders and seared salmon. The Golden Lamb also is known for their Sunday brunch, served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Photo via Facebook.com/TheGoldenLamb
Frisch’s Mainliner 5760 Wooster Pike, Fairfax Big Boy sandwiches. All-day breakfast. Warm bowls of chili and soups. Frisch’s Big Boy Mainliner opened in 1939, when founder David Frisch opened Cincinnati’s first year-round drive-in, which could hold up to 60 cars. Now the regional diner chain is an iconic stop for Queen City residents. The famous menu still carries on today — with additions — and offers up both nostalgic memories and classic grub. Photo: Catherine Viox
The Precinct 311 Delta Ave., Columbia Tusculum You can always rely on a Jeff Ruby restaurant for a big, rare steak and platters of seafood. The Precinct, housed in a historical Romanesque-style former police precinct, opened in 1981 and was the first in a long line of Ruby steakhouses. You can’t go wrong with a sirloin or porterhouse, named after current and past Cincinnati sports greats. But there are other options, like blackened diver scallops or something from the tableside service menu like seafood fettuccine alfredo for two. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Mecklenburg Gardens 302 E. University Ave., Corryville For a taste of Zinzinnati’s German heritage, Mecklenburg Gardens showcases some of the best German cuisine the city has to offer. Their specialty is wienerschnitzel, a tender, pan-fried veal cutlet topped with lemon; it’s served with mashed potatoes and cabbage. They have about a dozen beers on tap, most of which are German, along with some local microbrews. Nationally ranked as one of the best biergartens in the country, it’s also one of Cincinnati’s oldest restaurants, having been open since 1865. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Skyline Chili 1001 Vine St., Downtown Skyline has been pioneers of Cincinnati chili since opening in 1949. First founded by Greek immigrants, the chili parlor pours the Queen City staple over spaghetti or hot dogs and tops it with a mound of cheese, oyster crackers, and — depending on your taste preference — onions and beans. Also available are chili burritos, fries, baked potatoes and vegetarian chili, which is made with black beans and rice. Photo: Paige Deglow
Pompilio’s 600 Washington Ave., Newport, Ky. This restaurant, where the toothpick scene in Rain Man was filmed, has been offering classic family Italian food since 1933. You can’t go wrong with any pasta dish. Play a game of bocce ball on the back court or grab a beer-and-burger special in the attached Colonel Pomp’s Tavern. Photo: Paige Deglow
Mt. Adams Bar and Grill 938 Hatch St., Mount Adams Opened during the prohibition era in 1919, Mt. Adams Bar and Grill’s roots are thought to tie back to a speakeasy owned by infamous bootlegger George Remus. It became the first bar and grill in Ohio to receive its liquor license in 1933. Known for their whiskey, it offers a varied menu that serves up hearty burgers, soups and even features a Cincinnati favorite with a twist: white chicken chili. Walk inside and enjoy this Cincinnati blast from the past while tasting some amazing grub. Photo: Izzy Viox Photo: Izzy Viox
Lake Nina 7200 Pippin Road, North College Hill Lake Nina Restaurant is a seafood spot that has been in the business for about 60 years. Famous for their fried fish log, they also offer a variety of other non-seafood options like fried chicken, frog legs, burgers and double deckers. This treasure on the water has been a place to create memories with the fam for decades. Photo: Izzy Viox Photo: Izzy Viox
Maury’s Tiny Cove 3908 Harrison Ave., Cheviot Maury’s has been packed full of flavor and a West Side tradition since 1949. The dimly lit supper-club vibe will have you feeling like a regular on your first visit. The extensive menu consists of all the classic steakhouse options: tender, juicy steaks, seafood and chicken cooked just right, plus pasta, Atomic Age sides (shredded lettuce salads; a complimentary ramekin of pickles on every table) and a perfect martini. Ask for the Carol booth — the restaurant appears in the locally filmed, Oscar-nominated movie starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara — or take a photo with the Maury’s sign, featuring a kitschy cartoon steer holding a cocktail. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Sugar n’ Spice 4381 Reading Road, Avondale Huge, fluffy omelets and “wispy-thin” pancakes have made Sugar n’ Spice a bona fide breakfast institution for over 75 years. One of the city’s most popular places for people of all ages and backgrounds to dine and socialize, new owner Steve Frankel has made updates to the menu, digging some old favorites from the basement archives. He’s also the guy behind the genius marketing plan of giving patrons little rubber ducks originally from Ace Toys on Reading — and passing out fried macaroni and cheese bites during long waits. It’s a charming quirk that keeps people coming back. Photo: Jesse Fox
Montgomery Inn 9440 Montgomery Road, Montgomery World-famous for its ribs, Montgomery Inn has been a staple in Cincinnati since 1951. Along with ribs, the Inn offers barbecued spring chicken, silver salmon, pulled-pork sandwiches, burgers, salads and more, including everyone’s favorite: Saratoga chips served with their famous barbecue sauce. Photo: Provided
Herb and Thelma’s Tavern 718 W. Pike St., Covington, Ky. Open in 1939 as Heine’s Café, the small drop-ceilinged dining room is what some may call a “hole in the wall.” Their incredibly friendly staff serves up simple but delectable made-to-order burgers. Their speciality is a juicy meat patty topped with cheese, onions and pickles; a short list of sides includes chili, soup or Husman’s chips. The joint recently added craft beer to its program of PBR, Bavarian’s and Budweiser. One note: Herb & Thelma’s is cash only, but burgers cost less than $5 (as does the fried bologna sandwich with cheese). Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Colonial Cottage 1865, 3140 Dixie Hwy., Erlanger Colonial Cottage opened during the Great Depression in 1933 with a dream: To feed the community. The Northern Kentucky spot has been featured on the Travel Channel’s Taste of America and offers affordable, home-cooked food. Known for their all-day breakfast, the cottage offers omelettes, chicken and waffles and the cottage special — the latter of which includes goetta and ham. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Camp Washington Chili 3005 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati Named one of the “10 Best Restaurants in Cincinnati” by USA Today, there’s no question as to why Camp Washington Chili has been operating since 1940. It is good eats! Despite having ‘chili’ in the name, this establishment offers many chili-free options, including burgers, grilled chicken, hot dogs, fries, coleslaw and salad. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Grand Finale Restaurant 3 E. Sharon Road, Glendale Operating at the same historic building since 1975, Grand Finale serves up everything from steak and lobster to crepes and outrageous desserts. Try the bacon, lobster and sun-dried tomato deviled eggs or the herbed filet mignon brochette. No worries for your vegetarian tablemates: Grand Finale has plenty of veggie fare. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Walt’s Hitching Post 3300 Madison Pike, Fort Wright, Ky. Walt’s Hitching Post is a casual kick-back place where everybody knows your name. Open in some iteration since 1942, classic menu items include Walt’s Legendary Fried Chicken, country fried steak with white-pepper-bacon gravy and fried chicken livers. All steaks are dusted with a unique seasoning blend and charred to perfection at 850 degrees, and on Fridays, Kosher-salt encrusted prime rib is on special — while it lasts. Photo: Paige Deglow
Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant 1000 Elm St., Downtown Established in 1875 (and re-established in 1986), the downtown saloon has been serving up New Orleans-styled grub and drink to the Queen City for decades. Well-known for its focus on seafood, the eatery is home to an annual Oyster Festival, Lobstapalooza and Crab Carnival. Catch live jazz music every Friday and Saturday night. Photo: Paige Deglow
Dee Felice Cafe 529 Main St., Covington, Ky. If you’re looking for more of an experience than just dinner, swing into Dee Felice Café, established in 1984. Along with spicy New Orleans-style dishes, you’ll enjoy great live Jazz performed on a raised stage behind the bar. The star dish here is the crawfish étouffée, a generous pile of crawfish tails with vegetables and spicy sauce over rice. Photo via Facebook.com/DeeFeliceCafe
Stone’s Restaurant 3605 Harrison Ave., Cheviot Family-owned and operated since 1962, Stone’s Restaurant is a cozy West Side favorite that will make you feel at home. Their menu has a wide variety of comfort classics like stuffed pork chops, pot roast, chicken and dumplings, fried zucchini and pancakes. Photo via Facebook.com/StonesRestaurant
Izzy’s 610 Main St., Downtown A Cincinnati tradition, Izzy’s serves a Reuben we can all be proud of. Sandwiches such as the Reuben-ator and Izzy’s Mex have showcased their delicious corned beef since 1901. Photo: Paige Deglow
Skyline Chili 1001 Vine St., Downtown Skyline has been pioneers of Cincinnati chili since opening in 1949. First founded by Greek immigrants, the chili parlor pours the Queen City staple over spaghetti or hot dogs and tops it with a mound of cheese, oyster crackers, and — depending on your taste preference — onions and beans. Also available are chili burritos, fries, baked potatoes and vegetarian chili, which is made with black beans and rice. Photo: Paige Deglow
The Echo 3510 Edwards Rd., Hyde Park Founded in 1945 in Hyde Park by Louise Schwartz, The Echo has become something of a neighborhood attraction for Cincinnatians everywhere. Despite being founded over 73 years ago, The Echo has adapted to the modern consumer, offering trendy dishes such as avocado toast, artisan wraps, and more. But don’t fret: all the classics — from eggs benedict to the BLT — remain intact. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
LaRosa’s 2717 Vine St., Downtown Buddy LaRosa started in 1954 with only $400 dollars and his Aunt Dena’s pizza recipe. Now, in 2019, LaRosa’s is arguably the best-known pizza joint in Cincinnati. Serving pizzas, calzones, hoagys, fries, garlic bread, fried cheese sticks, salads, ravioli, spaghetti and lasagna, there is no question as to why the business has thrived for so long. Photo: Google Street View
Tucker’s Restaurant 1637 Vine St., Downtown Despite a brief close in 2015 due to a fire, Tucker’s Restaurant has been around since 1946. Founded by Joe, Maynie and Carla Tucker, this restaurant is well-known not only amongst Cincinnatians, but non-locals, too, thanks to features in magazines likeSaveur. True to its family roots, Tucker’s grub might just make you homesick with options like pancakes, burritos, burgers, rib eye steaks, sandwiches and more. Photo: Hailey Bollinger