The best restaurants in Cincinnati to check out right now

Located atop Price Hill, it’s hard to beat Cincinnati gastropub Incline Public House in terms of views. The seasonal outdoor deck provides a stunning overlook of the Cincinnati skyline, making for a romantic backdrop for craft cocktails, local foods and a lengthy beer list. Incline Public House is known for its sweeping panoramic views, but its brick oven pizzas might very well be the best in Cincinnati. You won’t regret taking a bite out of the prosciutto fig pie.

Moerlein Lager House is a working microbrewery and brewpub in Smale Riverfront Park. The killer views and more than 80 beers alone are worth the trip, but the New American food is to die for, too. The boards, served with your choice of smoked meats and cheeses, get rave reviews. Cincinnati is a beer town, and Moerlein is one of the city’s flagship breweries but the soft pretzel with beer cheese and mustard is worth the trip alone.

The history of Cincinnati chili—seasoned with a distinct mix of spices, like cinnamon and cumin—began with a Greek immigrant, Nicholas Lambrinides, who named his restaurant after Cincy’s skyline. Skyline Chili locations throughout the region serve this filling, affordable regional favorite. It goes without saying that no visit to The Queen City would be complete without Cincinnati chili. Love it or hate it, you’ve got to try it! If you’re extra hungry, try a 3-Way (chili, cheese, and pasta) or a Coney chili dog.

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Chef and Owner David Falk, who’s worked in Rome, Florence and Chicago, has crafted a fine dining experience at Boca as diversified as Cincy itself. Enjoy Italian- and French-influenced steaks, seafood and pasta alongside seasonal sides. The “Golden Crouton” is one pricey snack, but it’s worth it, with Royal Osetra caviar and brioche. And even the most upscale restaurant in Cincinnati has got to have the Ohio classic: buckeyes! This one is served up with peanut butter nougat and gelato.

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It might seem odd to include ice cream parlors that also sell gasoline on a best-restaurant list, but that’s Cincy for you. With about 200 stores serving up hand-dipped ice cream, shakes, and farm-fresh dairy, United Dairy Farmers (UDF) has been a local mainstay for more than 75 years. UDF is a must if you’re on a road trip. Try the Dinosaur Egg—green vanilla crammed with egg-shaped cake bites—or the Super Moo, a cheery trio of yellow vanilla, red cherry and blue sweet vanilla ice cream.

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This Belgian/American hybrid eatery is most famous for its sweet-and-savory brunches, with Belgian waffles cooked to perfection as the centerpiece. Taste of Belgium has lively bistros at Over-the-Rhine and near Findlay Market, both perfect for people-watching and mimosa-downing. In addition to waffles, The Taste of Belgium is a great place to sample Cincinnati classics like goetta—a German-inspired meat-and-grain sausage. The goetta hash, with eggs, frites, pepper and onions, is one of the best goetta dishes in the city.

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Melt Eclectic Café, one of Cincinnati’s healthiest restaurants, sits in the Northside neighborhood. Melt has a funky, cheery vibe and a lengthy menu of fresh-made sandwiches, salads, soups, sweets, mac and cheese, vegan black bean chili and cocktails. It's the perfect place for vegan/vegetarian diners (and their carnivorous companions, too). The delectable vegan cashew cheeze, vegan mayo, and seitan are made in-house, and there are plenty of gluten-free and nut-free options for those with specific dietary needs.

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Eli’s BBQ knows how to do classics up right—and affordably. A pulled pork sandwich with Eli’s signature BBQ sauce, creamy mac and cheese and a generous portion of mashed potatoes will cost you less than most places. The flagship location also has a fun outdoor hangout spot, perfect for mingling, and live music. Cincinnati is known for its barbeque, and Eli’s BBQ is the best around. 

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Chef Jose Salazar calls the menu at Over-the-Rhine hotspot Salazar “farm-inspired,” reflecting a Cincinnati both old and new. There's an emphasis on sourcing locally and regionally, including the local grass-fed burger with aged cheddar, bacon and tomato on a potato bun—but everything on the menu is tasty. Salazar’s food is delicious, but the craft cocktail list is really killer. Favorites include the Smooth Criminal with tequila, guava liqueur, lemon, citrus cordial and IPA (this is a beer town, after all).