Cincinnati in Pictures

Inside Nicola's, an Over-the-Rhine Mainstay Serving up Authentic Italian Cuisine

Over-the-Rhine's Nicola's has been a mainstay for high-end, authentic Italian cuisine for the past two decades. A celeb-spotting treasure, Nicola’s renown is undeniable.…

By CityBeat Staff

Feb 16, 2023

14 slides

The 25 Best Restaurants in Greater Cincinnati Right Now, According to Yelp

At CityBeat, we know a thing or two about picking the best-of-the-best restaurants, but Yelp is its own beast worthy of attention.…

By CityBeat Staff

Feb 9, 2023

14. Boca
114 E. Sixth St., Downtown
“Just order the whole menu - you can't go wrong. This is undoubtedly a top [dining] experience in Cincinnati.” -Jesse T.

25 slides

All the Delicious $7 Burgers We Can't Wait to Try During Halfway to Burger Week

You no longer have to wait until July to celebrate Cincinnati’s Burger Week: The inaugural Halfway to Burger Week this February will…

By Katherine Barrier

Feb 8, 2023

HighGrain Brewing Co.
6860 Plainfield Road, Silverton
"I Can't Believe It's Not Guac" Burger: Berry Farm's beef, avocado mayo, pickled pepper relish, pepper jack cheese, crushed Flamin' Hots and romaine.

Photos: Moerlein Lager House's Fire & Ice Event Features Fire Performers and Cocktails by Molly Wellmann

Throughout February, Moerlein Lager House in Downtown Cincinnati will host Fire & Ice weekends, a special event featuring an outdoor ice bar,…

By Katherine Barrier

Feb 6, 2023

Fire & Ice event at Moerlein Lager House | Feb. 4, 2023

20 slides

The Hottest Hookup Bars in Cincinnati

Is it getting hot in here, or is it just you, Cincinnati? Some local bars are teeming with sex appeal, and it’s…

By CityBeat Staff

Jan 27, 2023

Twenties
Have you SEEN the mood lighting in Twenties? The 1920s-themed craft cocktail bar has low ceilings with dramatic brick arches that are lit from below, giving you a Bond-like backdrop to sip your gin martini and not-so-subtly seduce your lover.

15 slides

Photos: Inside Chimaek, a New Korean-Inspired Pub in Covington

Covington’s developing dining scene can tally up another win with the addition of Chimaek. The new pub serves succulent fried chicken wings…

By Sean M. Peters

Jan 24, 2023

26 slides

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

Cincinnati is no doubt home to an amazing food scene. But apart from offering delicious eats and drinks on the menu, bars…

By CityBeat Staff

Jan 20, 2023

Wódka Bar
1200 Main St., Over-the-Rhine
from 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.

Everything We Saw During the Chili Fest at Findlay Market

Before the big game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 15, vendors lined up to serve the perfect pre-game…

By Ashley Moor

Jan 16, 2023

Chili Fest at Findlay Market | Jan. 15, 2023

23 Fast-Food Chains We Wish Would Come to Greater Cincinnati Already

Cincinnati has no shortage of great places to eat, but at CityBeat, we believe there's no such thing as too many food…

By Katherine Barrier

Jan 13, 2023

Whataburger
Opened in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1950 during the “golden age of drive-ins and American automobiles,” Whataburger grew from a burger stand to over 900 stores across the western and southern parts of the United States. Unfortunately, none of the 900-plus restaurants are in the Tri-State area. What are we missing out on? The classic Whataburger comes with a large beef patty on a large bun with tomato, lettuce, pickles, diced onions and mustard. You can also swap the bun for a brioche bun or Texas toast or add American or Monterey cheese, jalapeños, bacon or avocado. Sauce lovers can also ask for their spicy ketchup or famous honey butter, both of which go great with fries. Other all-time favorites include the Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger, the Whataburger Patty Melt and a Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich. If none of those are hitting you, the menu, which varies based on location, also lists chicken strips and sandwiches, breakfast options, fries, onion rings and a selection of delicious shakes and malts – including a limited-time Dr. Pepper shake that looks divine, if only because we can’t get our hands on one.

All the Delicious Menu Items You Can Order for $10 During Cincinnati's Asian Cuisine Week

Cincinnati's Asian Cuisine Week is bringing you deals and secret menu items from over 40 Asian restaurants throughout the Greater Cincinnati area…

By Katherine Barrier

Jan 6, 2023

Lalo Restaurant
26 W. Court St., Downtown
$10 Featured Dishes
1. Pork and Shrimp Noodle Soup
2. Mexi Pad Thai
3. Asian Street Tacos
4. Pork Belly over Rice (Pictured)

Photos: Inside Northwood Cider Company, Cincinnati's First Brewery Dedicated Only to Hard Ciders

Greater Cincinnati's first brewery and taproom dedicated only to hard ciders recently opened in Norwood. The lack of a dedicated cidery in…

By Brian Cross

Jan 5, 2023

17 slides

We'll Miss These Greater Cincinnati Restaurants and Bars That Closed in 2022

As we close out the year, we look back at all the restaurants the Greater Cincinnati area lost in 2022. While we're…

By CityBeat Staff

Dec 23, 2022

Lil’s Bagels
Failed lease negotiations led to the closure of beloved Covington bagel shop Lil’s Bagels in December. Owner Julia Keister said she was originally optimistic about the upcoming lease renewal, but in April, unforeseen and sudden circumstances triggered a nearly seven-month-long lease negotiation, one that eventually proved to be too costly. "We feel very disrespected,” Keister told CityBeat in an interview published in early December. “And the amount that we feel like we go above and beyond for our customers and community, just because we think that that's the right thing to do, not for any strategy, that's just how we are as a business. They are a business and we are their customer, and they are treating us like we are getting it for free or like we've done something wrong, or we should be begging them or something. I don't really know, but to me, it’s very disrespectful.”However, Keister said that with community support, she’s making plans to keep her craft bagels going, with an announcement expected early in 2023.

22 slides

People Photographed the Hell out of These Five Greater Cincinnati Places in 2022, Yelp Says

Cincinnati is incredibly photogenic, there's no denying it. And not only do we have a super Instagrammable skyline, bridges and parks, we're…

By CityBeat Staff

Dec 22, 2022

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
3400 Vine St., Avondale
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden holds all kinds of wonders to photograph. Adorable animals let guests act as nature photographers, with subjects like sassy hippo Fiona and her baby brother Fritz and the playful polar bears and massive elephants. Annual events like Zoo Blooms turn the sprawling zoo and botanical garden into a vivid kaleidoscope with its array of colorful tulips. The Festival of Lights that illuminate the zoo at night during the holiday season gives shutterbugs plenty of opportunities to capture something interesting.

25 slides

Photos: Inside Somerset's Stunning Winter Glow-Up, Complete with Festive Decor and New Cocktail Menu

Over-the-Rhine's Somerset bar is now sporting quite a chic winter glow-up. On Dec. 21, the bar hosted a Winter Solstice party to…

By Ashley Moor

Dec 22, 2022

Somerset's new winter decor | Dec. 21, 2022

17 Greater Cincinnati Restaurants Open on Christmas Day

The holidays can be stressful, and maybe you don't want to add to that stress by cooking a big Christmas meal (or…

By Katherine Barrier

Dec 20, 2022

The Pacific Kitchen
8300 Market Place Lane, Montgomery
Open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

17 slides

New Restaurants Coming to Greater Cincinnati in 2023 We're Excited to Try

As we look forward to goals for the new year, we're also looking forward to the new dining options coming to the…

By CityBeat Staff

Dec 13, 2022

Bridges Nepali Cuisine - Elmwood Place
6304 Vine St., Elmwood Place
Bridges Nepali Cuisine is bringing their popular dumplings, called momos, to a third location, this one in Elmwood Place. Spicy, savory and packed with fresh herbs, the menu at Bridges is inclusive (vegans and carnivores will both find many delectable options on the menu) and presented in a manner that’s meant to appeal to any diner’s palate. For those who have not had the pleasure, Nepali cooking can be contextualized as a hybrid between Chinese and North Indian cuisine, and lentils, cilantro, onion, ginger, garlic and a variety of assertive spices can be found in a number of Nepali favorites at the table. An opening date hasn’t been announced yet.

14 slides

Greater Cincinnati Restaurants and Bars That Opened in 2022

In 2022, the Greater Cincinnati area welcomed a lot of new and exciting restaurant concepts to the local dining scene. From tried-and-true…

By CityBeat Staff

Dec 9, 2022

Nolia Kitchen
1405 Clay St., Over-the-Rhine
Nolia opened in April, adding some Southern flair to Cincinnati’s foodie landscape. Their unique dishes are inspired by Chef Jeff Harris’ upbringing in New Orleans – but, at the same time, they stay authentic to Harris rather than to his hometown’s traditional cuisine. The dining environment is upscale, yet approachable, offering a menu stacked with dishes like delectable roasted chicken, cider-braised greens and andouille-crusted redfish. All of the side dishes are vegan and, while you should not expect them to play ragtime or serve hurricane cocktails in novelty cups, their drink menu will truly laissez les bon temps rouler, non?

40 slides

Photos: Take a Tour of Augusta Distillery, a Bourbon-Centric Destination in Bracken County

On Dec. 2, Augusta Distillery in Bracken County invited CityBeat staffers for a fun, team-bonding experience touring the distillery and barrel-thieving. We…

By Katherine Barrier

Dec 8, 2022

CityBeat staff take a tour of Augusta Distillery.

23 Greater Cincinnati Bars and Breweries With Immaculate Holiday Vibes

Bars and breweries across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are breaking out the tinsel and holly for some festive fun. Whether you're in…

By CityBeat Staff

Dec 7, 2022

Northside Yacht Club
4231 Spring Grove Ave., Northside
This rock and roll bar and gastropub gets a bit of a naughty holiday makeover as the mermaid mascot dons a pair of sparkling red pasties and a Santa-beard merkin. Keep an eye out for colored lights, a giant mounted fish in St. Nick cosplay and Santa beards on almost every item in the establishment.

24 Cincinnati Bars and Restaurants with Igloos, Heated Patios for Outdoor Drinking This Winter

These Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky bars, breweries and restaurants make drinking outdoors delightful, even when our weather gets frightful. From heated igloos…

By CityBeat Staff

Dec 2, 2022

The View at Shires’ Garden
309 Vine St. 10th Floor, Downtown
The rooftop deck at Shires’ Garden has brought back its igloos and special garden greenhouses for the winter. Reservations are required in advance for parties of two, four and up to eight people to snag a spot for up to two hours. Each dome has a heater and individual speakers, plus a food and drink minimum. A $50 deposit is required.

17 Greater Cincinnati Bakeries and Restaurants Where You Can Still Order Thanksgiving Pies and Desserts

As Thanksgiving approaches, if you need to order a pie, dessert or rolls, you still have time, but hurry! Many Greater Cincinnati…

By Katherine Barrier

Nov 18, 2022

Happy Chicks Bakery
4035 Hamilton Ave., Northside
This vegan bakery will be offering pies like pumpkin with bourbon caramel and pecans, spiced apple, sweet potato with tomato jam and mixed berry and thyme for pickup on Wednesday, Nov. 23. All pies are $35, but you can request gluten-free for an extra $10.

17 slides

Photos: All the Delicious Food We Saw at the Annual Mac & Cheese Throwdown

Things got real cheesy as local restaurants competed in the annual Mac & Cheese Throwdown at The Phoenix on Friday, Nov. 11.…

By Katherine Barrier

Nov 14, 2022

The annual Mac & Cheese Throwdown at The Phoenix on Nov. 11, 2022.

68 slides

Iconic Cincinnati Restaurants Where You Need to Take Visitors

When your family and friends visit you in Cincinnati, you want to show the city off! And there may be no better…

By CityBeat Staff

Nov 11, 2022

Zip's Cafe
1036 Delta Ave., Mt. Lookout
Zip’s Cafe has been open since 1926 and is known for its Zip Burger, which Food & Wine named the best in Ohio. The small space is separated into a dining area and a bar by a saloon-style door with a model train circling above. Head to the back bar for a local beer on draft while you wait for space at a booth or a seat at one of the shared family-style tables.

All the $9 Pizzas You Can Buy During Cincinnati Pizza Week

Cincinnati Pizza Week is back from Nov. 7 to Nov. 13, and all week long you can enjoy special pizzas from participating…

By Katherine Barrier

Nov 7, 2022

Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria
336 Monmouth St., Newport
1990 N. Bend Rd., Hebron
1 E. High St., Lawrenceburg
8794 Reading Rd., Reading
10336 US-42, Union
Pizza Alla Vodka: A 10-inch pizza with Strong’s famous vodka cream sauce, mozzarella, seasoned mushrooms, spinach and prosciutto.

21 Spots to Grab a Drink on the West Side of Cincinnati

Whether you're a lifelong West Sider or an East Sider looking to "stamp your passport" and explore new parts of Cincinnati and…

By Katherine Barrier

Nov 3, 2022

West Side Brewing
3044 Harrison Ave., Westwood
The aptly named West Side Brewing was the West Side’s first brewery. Since opening its doors in 2017, the brewery has offered a spot for the community to grab a drink, catch up with old friends (or make some new ones) and spend time with family of all ages. West Side offers a wide selection of its craft beers and cider that are rotated out seasonally, including some experimental IPAs. And with a packed event calendar and visiting food trucks, you can spend your whole day here!

21 slides

Photos: Rosie's Italian in Downtown Cincinnati Debuts Makeover and New Menu

In September, Crown Restaurant Group reopened one of its downtown eateries after the former Rosie's Cocktails & Pies temporarily closed. After a…

By Katherine Barrier

Oct 28, 2022

Photos: Inside Uncle Leo's, the New Bar Located in Former BarBar OTR Space

A short-lived Over-the-Rhine bar is getting new life under new owners. Married duo and veterans of the industry, Leroy and Jamie Ansley,…

By Brian Cross

Oct 21, 2022

The 15 Worst Kroger Stores in Greater Cincinnati, According to Reddit Users

While Greater Cincinnati offers its fair share of grocery shopping options, no store is quite as trusted as Kroger. Kroger’s popularity is…

By CityBeat Staff

Oct 12, 2022

Newport (130 Pavilion Parkway)
“Bad food handling (leaving trucks out too long, zero hand washing, eating while preparing food with no gloves, mice everywhere, workers who would pull the dead mice off the traps and reuse them.)” - Roesty79, current employee.

15 slides

Tasty $2 Tacos You Can Eat During Cincinnati Taco Week, Oct. 17-23

Taco lovers rejoice: a week of $2 tacos is right around the corner for the Fifth Annual Cincinnati Taco Week, Oct. 17-23.…

By Katrina Eresman

Oct 7, 2022

Oakley Pub & Grill
3924 Isabella Ave., Oakley
Nashville Hot: Fried chicken tenders tossed in our house Nashville Hot sauce with romaine lettuce, pico de gallo and our house ranch

28 slides

23 Staff-Favorite Greater Cincinnati Restaurants to Grab a Meal for Under $13

With inflation sending grocery costs soaring, high gas prices and a looming recession, the saying “a dollar doesn’t go as far as…

By CityBeat Staff

Oct 5, 2022

El Barril Mexican Sports Bar & Grill
940 Pavilion St., Mt. Adams
Mount Adams welcomed this dining establishment to its quaint hilltop neighborhood last fall, taking over the space formerly occupied by Next Chapter. As its name suggests, the eatery is part restaurant — boasting both Mexican street food and bar bites — and part sports bar. Across the board, menu prices are pretty reasonable, but if you’re looking for a real bang for your buck, opt for the burger and taco combo ($12.99). The meal comes with your choice of burger (options include the breakfast burger with goetta, bacon, cheese, fried egg and Sriracha mayo or the El Barril Burger with guacamole, sauteed mushrooms, onions and American cheese), two tacos and a side of fries. (HB)