While the phrase “hidden gem” is wildly overused in food and travel writing, the cliche rings true for Cincinnati, Ohio, an under-the-radar Midwestern dining destination that many people can’t spell, much less find on a map.
Typically, if someone does have an opinion about the city’s cuisine, it’s a hot take on how freaky Cincinnati chili is. But there’s much more to eat here than cinnamon-infused meat sauce and cheddar cheese on spaghetti (although, respectfully, you should try that, too). Cincy is quietly becoming a nationally recognized culinary hub thanks in part to its comparative affordability, rich immigrant history, and access to top-tier ingredients from the verdant Ohio River Valley. This means chefs are more easily able to open restaurants and execute their creative vision than in some of the more traditional big-city dining hubs, producing a glut of delicious dining options.
The proof is the James Beard recognitions in recent years—a matrix of culinary excellence that offers a natural starting point for dining in the city. Standouts include buzzy Wildweed, a pasta-forward favorite built on foraged ingredients and brain-tingling flavor combos; Creole-inspired Nolia; yōshoku ramen hotspot and bakery Café Mochiko; eclectic small-plates bar Mid-City Restaurant; and the acclaimed portfolios of husband-and-wife teams chef José and Ann Salazar (Mita’s, Salazar), and chef Hideki and Yuko Harada (Kiki).
But Cincy’s food story doesn’t end there (By the way, when people in Cincinnati talk about Cincinnati that includes the stretch of Kentucky just beneath the Ohio River). To truly understand the dining culture, visit the Beard-nominated names but be sure to venture beyond into the locally-beloved spots below. While they may be lesser-known on the national stage, each highlights something essential about the city, from old-school institutions and only-found-here dishes, to special-occasion dining and true neighborhood favorites. Together, these restaurants reflect chefs and owners deeply invested in their communities, acting as both cultural anchors and driving forces behind Cincinnati’s culinary evolution.
4154 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH
There are more than 200 “chili parlors” in Cincy, from historic family-owned diners to regional chains (Skyline Chili, Gold Star). All serve their variation on a meat stew invented in the 1920s by two Macedonian brothers, Tom and John Kiradjieff. The basic flavor profile and texture remain the same—a thin bolognese spiced with cumin, cinnamon, clove, sometimes cocoa powder—but many restaurants offer their own riffs beyond a “coney” hot dog or “3-Way” with cheese and spaghetti. Since 1967, the Petropoulos family has been serving a great, classic Cincinnati chili, all-day breakfast, and Greek eats out of the Blue Jay. Order a “Northsider” chili-stuffed omelet with a side of goetta, a hyper-local German pork-and-oat sausage. The interior—which has served as a filming location for movies including The Old Man and the Gun and The Killing of a Sacred Deer—is a cozy time warp with wood-paneled walls, Formica tabletops, and green vinyl booths.