Every year, CityBeat hosts its Best of Cincinnati® competition, wherein our readers vote for their favorite things across the city — from hiking trails and free attractions to bars and, of course, restaurants, including the best neighborhood restaurants. In Cincinnati’s central neighborhoods like Northside, Pleasant Ridge and CUF (or Clifton, if you prefer), there’s top-notch restaurants wherever you turn, offering everything from vegan Cincinnati chili to elevated burgers and drool-worthy pizza slices. Keep scrolling to see the best neighborhood restaurants in Central Cincinnati, according to our readers.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in Central Cincinnati No. 10: The Comet
4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Must-Try Dish: When you visit, you have to try one of The Comet’s famous burritos — so good they named a music festival after them. Burritos are create-your-own and come with beans, rice, lettuce or onion (or both) and salsa in a flour tortilla. Choose your type of beans, protein and salsa, and you can also add sour cream, guacamole and extra cheese or salsa.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in Central Cincinnati No. 9: Good Plates Eatery
235 W. McMillan St., CUF
Must-Try Dish: The Adobo Brisket and Cheese, with adobo-braised beef, sharp cheddar, and horseradish sauce, is a must. Also, get a side of the fresh-cut fries.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in Central Cincinnati No. 8: Gulow Street
1614 Hoffner St., Northside
Must-Try Dish: Get breakfast for dinner with Gulow Street’s divine Breakfast Sandwich, featuring fried egg, bacon and pimento cheese on multigrain.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in Central Cincinnati No. 7: Nine Giant
6095 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge; 6111 Ridge Ave., Pleasant Ridge (Fermentorium)
Must-Try Dish: Try the signature NG Burger — a steak grind burger with NG secret sauce, house pickles, iceberg lettuce, tomato, caramelized onion, cheddar and caramelized mustard on a toasted challah bun.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in Central Cincinnati No. 6: Melt Revival
4100 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Must-Try Dish: Get the fan-favorite Vegetarian 3-Way — Cincinnati-style vegan black bean chili over spaghetti and topped with white cheddar.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in Central Cincinnati No. 5: Ruth’s Parkside Cafe
1550 Blue Rock St., Northside
Must-Try Dish: Diners love the Creole Catfish, which is pan-seared and served with a corn risotto cake, Cajun beurre blanc, red pepper coulis and braised greens.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in Central Cincinnati No. 4: Catch-a-Fire Pizza
5920 Hamilton Ave., College Hill; 9290 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash; 511 N. Broadway St., Lebanon; 3044 Harrison Ave., Westwood (West Side Brewing)
Must-Try Dish: The Mr. Brown pizza: garlic butter, mushroom, truffle oil, thyme, parmesan and romano.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in Central Cincinnati No. 3: HighGrain Brewing Company
6860 Plainfield Road, Silverton; 9176 Winton Road, Springfield Township
Must-Try Dish: Gordita Crunch Wrap: House-smoked pulled pork, black bean salsa, spicy crema, lettuce, Carolina Gold and white American cheese. Served with chips and beer cheese. (Only available at the Silverton location).
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in Central Cincinnati No. 2: Adriatico’s
113 W. McMillan St., CUF
Must-Try Dish: Try the Supremo — pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, green peppers and onions — but get it on the thick Sicilian crust.
Best Neighborhood Restaurant in Central Cincinnati No. 1: Quatman Cafe
2434 Quatman Ave., Norwood; 224 W. Main St., Mason
Must-Try Dish: The classic cheeseburger is no-frills, but delicious — your choice of a half-pound or third-of-a-pound patty with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle and potato chips on the side.