Featuring one of the best views of Cincinnati available anywhere in town, Primavista lives up to its name and reputation as one of the area's best Italian restaurants. The quiet elegance is offset by the coziness here - and the view makes it a great spot for a drink as well as a meal.
Palace Restaurant
601 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202 | 800-942-9000
You'll find a formal and elegant, but relaxed environment at the Palace Restaurant, inside the historic Cincinnatian Hotel downtown. A special occasion destination.
This Cincinnati dining tradition draws a sophisticated crowd for its four-star steakhouse fare, cool jazz and fabulous view. The Incline Lounge serves a broad range of wine by the glass, as well as martinis, single malts, bourbons and cocktails. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Wash down that mahi-mahi with some sake, wine or one of the specialty martinis at this casual but classy neighborhood eatery.
Cafe Istanbul
One Levee Way Newport, KY 41071 | 859-581-1777
Cafe Istanbul offers a warm, friendly Turkish atmosphere where dining becomes an adventure.
Daveed's at 934
934 Hatch St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 | 513-721-2665
Owner/chef David Cook calls his cuisine "contemporary, eclectic" with an ethnic influence, executed in a "French technique". This spot nestled in the heart of Mt. Adams is sleek, but comfortable and upbeat - reflecting the spectacular cuisine. Original art for sale hangs on the walls.
3200 Madison Road Cincinnati, OH 45209 | 513-542-2022
Intimate and upscale, Boca is where you to go to brag about where you went to dinner last night where you go to surround yourself with other fashionable people. The Trattoria side is small but cozy, more casual and less expensive.
Orchids at Palm Court
35 W. 5th St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 | 513-421-9100
Located in the Art Deco masterpiece that is the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza in downtown, Orchids is a destination just for the historic beauty of the architecture and surroundings - urban and elegant with echoes of a bygone era.
Contemporary and spacious, the restaurant was once a car barn for incline trolleys in the 19th century and retains that historic charm. Nicola Pietoso, a native of Italy, first brought the culinary traditions of Tuscany to Cincinnati in 1996.
Jo An Japanese Restaurant
3940 Olympic Blvd. Erlanger, KY 41018 | 859-746-2634
Nearly hidden away in an office park building surrounded by business suites, this modest sushi spot is no secret to the local Japanese community. While Jo An Cincinnati restaurant is approachable enough for beginners, it’s even more of a treat for those familiar with Japanese cuisine.
This Blue Ash spot offers a sophisticated and eclectic cuisine in a modern yet intimate setting. Relax at the bar for cocktails, a signature martini list and a diverse selection of excellent wines.
There's a Chicago-style steak house elegance here, in the richly designed decor and general ambience, but with an Italian twist. Three unique dining rooms plus a lovely outdoor patio welcome diners. This Cincinnati restaurant is a place to relax and enjoy the good life, with live music.
700 Walnut St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 | (513) 784-1200
Got a special occasion? Get dressed up and let the tuxedo-clad wait staff spoil you. If you're not up for the pricey meal, check out the bar, which is as classy as the restaurant but perhaps more fun. There's live entertainment every night.
Slims
4046 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45223 | 513-681-6500
Modest but exotic, Slims is the anchor to Northside's sea of good taste. It's been around long enough to build a devoted following, but with a menu that changes frequently, Slims can feel like an adventure on each trip.
Cincinnati, OH Cuisines:
Skyline Chili
Check out the sleek and efficient little chain of restaurants that have become synonymous with Cincinnati and that mystical concoction known as Cincinnati-style chili. The Greek-inspired recipe is also available in grocery stores nationwide. The downtown location on Fourth Street hosts happy hour during the week and on Saturday with bottled beer.
Graeter's
Returning downtown after nearly a year absence, Graeter's 1,750 square foot Fountain Square location is the perfect place to enjoy a frozen treat in the heart of downtown Cincinnati. You don't have to limit yourself to just ice cream, though, as the location has plenty of pastries and other treats ready to help your sweet tooth get its fix.
The taste and texture of Aglamesis ice cream rivals Graeter's, but the Oakley and Montgomery parlors might beat Graeter's in pure "cute factor." A perfect spot for a date, grab a stool by the "soda fountain" and pore over the giant menu of sweets. A very old-fashioned feel, beloved by locals and crowded throughout the year.
Izzy's
A deli Cincinnati Cuisine founded in 1901, Izzy's most popular food item is actually in the restaurant's official name: Izzy's Famous Corned Beef.
Montgomery Inn
Cincinnati's most famous spot for barbecue is also a great place to get a post-work drink (with Saratoga chips, of course). The Boathouse downtown is a sports bar and restaurant, with river views from the patio tossed in for good measure. Located near Quality Hotel and Suites, Cincinnati.
LaRosa's Pizzeria
In 1954, Buddy LaRosa, a Cincinnati native, opened a small neighborhood pizzeria that has grown to serve hundreds of neighborhoods throughout Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and beyond. This Cincinnati Cuisine location hosts happy hours and has a full service bar.
Kentucky's got its own thing going on when it comes to Cincinnati-style chili. Dixie, now with three locations, was Northern Kentucky's first chili parlor. You can feel the history at the original location in Newport, opened in 1929. Order at the counter, put your favorite songs on the jukebox and wait for your order.
Behle Street Cafe
This casual, eccentric and fun cafe handles the modern classics smoothly, from pasta to seafood to steaks, fajitas and great salads. The decor is a kitschy delight - from the salt-and-pepper shaker collection to old movie-star glossies. You can graze or eat a full dinner at the bar or on the patio, which has its own full service bar. Live music Thursdays and Saturdays in this Cincinnati Cuisine near Quality Hotel and Suites, Cincinnati.
This hidden Blue Ash gem serves up delicious food in an unpretentious setting. The exterior resembles an old train station, and the simple wooden interior gives the feeling of an oversized dining room. The fresh, homemade food and friendly service only reinforce that feeling.
What's for Dinner?
3009 O'Bryon St. Cincinnati, OH 45208 | 513-321-4404
Decorated in granny-chic, this upscale deli has a comfy eat-in area as well as a bustling take-out counter. Friendly staff will help you put together a great meal from the daily selections - a terrific way for a busy person to take home dinner or eat and go at this vegetarian restaurant of Cincinnati. If you want to linger and unwind, that's fine too.
Myra's Dionysus Restaurant
121 Calhoun St. Cincinnati, OH 45219 | 513-961-1578
Housed in an elegant Victorian townhouse, the intimate dining room is a comfortable respite from noisy construction sites and hazardous traffic. Enjoy many ethnic foods from around the world at this vegetarian restaurant of Cincinnati, OH.
The Comet
4579 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45223 | (513) 541-8900
Eclectic music from up-and-coming bands four to five nights a week is the big draw here. Grab a brew from dozens of choices and settle in for a night of people-watching. Check out the popular karaoke nights on the first Wednesday of each month, and pull a new friend into the photo booth. Don't forget the Comet Bluegrass Allstars.
Seafood at Cincinnati, Ohio:
Mitchell's Fish Market
Casual elegance describes these upscale but family-friendly establishments. Inside, burnished wood floors welcome guests. Outside, the patio offers great people-watching.
Bonefish Grill
Visitors can find a sophisticated choice for fresh, expertly-prepared fish at this restaurant. The decor is pleasant and stylish, appealing to a young professional crowd.
Mike Fink Restaurant
This historic, enclosed two-level riverboat offers views of barges and pleasure craft lazily passing by and a breathtaking look at the Cincinnati skyline from its Kentucky waterfront mooring. Regulars relax in the bar and catch the game on TV. The Historic Register vessel nestles in at the southern end of Cincinnati's beautifully ornate Roebling Suspension Bridge. Smoking in bar only.
Mount Adams Fish House
Wash down that mahi-mahi with some sake, wine or one of the specialty martinis at this casual but classy neighborhood eatery.
Jag's Steak & Seafood
Offering casual upscale sophistication, Jag's features six dining rooms each with its own impeccable decor and central fireplace. Private wine boxes are at the entrance for regular customers. Stretch the season around a firepit on one of two dining patios. There's a beautiful piano lounge featuring daily live entertainment and a year-round enclosed porch with an additional bar.
South Beach Grill at the Waterfront
The South Beach Grill, on the water in Covington, offers the classic view of the Cincinnati skyline through its large windows. The ambience evokes the Art Deco feel of Miami's famed hotels, with impeccable service to match. Smoking permitted only at the piano bar, where live music plays during the later hours.
Alabama Fish Bar
A tasty fish bar on the corner of Liberty and Race in Over-the-Rhine. The geniality and quickness of the staff will astound you as they move customers in and out with ease.
