Restaurants in the Cincinnati Metro Area

American

Bard’s Burgers
“The Dive that’s Worth the Drive.”  A favorite with the GBSC Facilities crew and any local who knows the secret of the best burger in town. Located in Covington. Open Wed-Sat.

Tom+Chee
“Not Your Mama’s Grilled Cheese.” Locations in Rookwood, Newport and Beechmont.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Rookwood Commons and Newport on the Levee

Mad Mike’s Burgers and Fries
Great burger joint in Florence, KY, and Newport, KY (more locations), offering a wide array of toppings, plus gourmet burgers. Check out the weekly special!

 

Asian

AmerAsia
Located just across the river in Covington, AmerAsia is weird. Funky. Small. Cheap(-ish). Tasty. Did we mention weird? The owner’s grandfather serves as chef, has cooked around the world and can claim training by the chef-lineage tracing back to imperial Chinese chefs. Cincinnati Magazine’s food writer loved it. But go at lunch, when the extensive beer list does not unduly influence the climate and when prices are cheaper. And don’t forget to ask about daily specials!

King Wok
Located near UC in University Heights, King Wok offers reasonable lunch meals, wide variety and good quality. Coupons in Bearcash.

Thai Express
No beauty, this takeout joint in University Heights has cheap, plentiful dishes with good flavors. Coupons in Bearcash.

 

Bakeries

Busken Bakery
Baking memories with lots of butter since 1928, this Cincinnati tradition was founded by Joe Buskin, Sr. and his wife Daisie. Locations are found in Hyde Park, Highland Heights, Springdale, and Eastgate with a walk-up location on Wasson Rd. All locations are closed on Sunday.

Cookie Jar Bakery
Old-timey bakeshop  in Newport, Kentucky.

The BonBonerie
Beautiful and Delicious Pastries since 1983

Wyoming Pastry Shop
Old -fashioned bakery serving pastries, bread, coffee, and tea since 1947.

 

BBQ

Eli’s BBQ
Stunningly good in an easy-to-drive-past location on Riverside Drive and also in Findlay Market.

City BBQ
5 locations in the metro area.

Lucius Q
“Epic barbeque. Straight outta the pit in Pendleton.”

Pig Candy BBQ
“Guaranteed to knock the taste out your mouth.”  Located not far from the Ohio River and housed in a former jail.

 

Bistros

Libby’s Southern Comfort
“We are in the heart of Duveneck Square, doing southern food at its best.” Founded by husband and wife team, Brad and Michelle Wainscott, this urban-southern eclectic is named for their daughter, Libby. Located across the river in Covington, Kentucky.

Market Street Grille
“Comfort. Created from Scratch.” Located in Harrison, Ohio.

Otto’s
Dinner, lunch and brunch in Covington, Kentucky.

Tano Bisto
“Simply Made to Matter.”  Locations in Loveland and Hamilton.

 

Breakfast

Maplewood Kitchen
California vibe. Organic sources. Good food. Located on Race Street in Downtown Cincinnati.

First Watch 
Covington, Hyde Park

Sugar and Spice
Locations on Syacmore St., Reading Road, and in Blue Ash.

The Echo
Located in Hyde Park.

Taste of Belgium
Four locations in the Cincinnati area including Findlay Market and Rookwood area.

Coffee Emporium 
The Hyde Park (a “house”) location sells various muffins, scones, etc. and they have good beverages. Very cool places to sit outside, outback, and even upstairs if you don’t mind sitting rather close to others, often college kids studying at the tables.

Holtman’s Donuts
In Madison, Loveland, West Chester and Williamsburg.

Bellevue Bistro 
Just over the river in Bellevue, KY.

Sleepy Bee Cafe
Two locations – Oakley and Blue Ash.

 

Cincinnati Chili

For the uninitiated, Cincinnati chili may seem odd. The dish combines pasta, beanless chili and cheddar cheese (kidney beans and onions may be added). Having its origins in Greek food, the chili tastes essentially nothing like “Tex-Mex” chili — instead, think chocolate, cinnamon, cumin. The basic three-way chili is pasta, chili and cheese. A four-way adds beans or onions, a five-way adds both. Variations abound, such as Blue Ash Chili’s six-way (adding deep-fried jalapeno slices). And chili parlors also tend to offer double-decker sandwiches — hey, you might even find Cincinnati’s own sausage, goetta, on the menu!

Blue Ash Chili

Camp Washington Chili

Dixie Chili
The first northern Kentucky chili parlor founded in 1929 by a Greek immigrant, “Papa” Nick” Sarakatsannis, this diner with locations in Newport, Covington, and Erlanger retains a vintage vibe.

Empress Chili
The original Cincy chili… now located, ironically, in Kentucky.

Gold Star

Skyline
Once-local chain now owned by an out-of-state entity.

 

Coffee

While Cincinnati includes the usual coffee chains — Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts — it also has local coffee shops and even roasters. The list keeps growing with one listing claiming the total to be over 140 as of 2023.  You can try one a week for almost 3 years and not have a do-over! Unless you want, of course.

BLOC Coffee Company
“Coffee. Community. Change.”    Opened by Dwight and Stephanie Young, founders of BLOC Ministries. Located in Price Hill’s Incline District.

Coffee Emporium
Multiple area locations, roasting their own coffee downtown — not unusual to spot the mayor, a member of city council or some other notable in the Over-the-Rhine location

Carabello Coffee
“Coffee and Compassion in Tandem”

Deeper Roots Coffee
“Relationally sourced. Purposefully shared. Simply Enjoyed.”  Locations in Over-the-Rhyne, Oakley, and Downtown Cincy.

Flatiron Café
Close to campus , this bistro opened its doors in 2022 from the landmark “flatiron” building constructed in 1875 in once affluent Mt. Auburn.  Once again serving up a taste of refinery to the community,  the menu offerings include specialty coffee beverages, all-day pastries and lunch options.

Fort Thomas Coffee
Craft coffee and tea. Across the river in Fort Thomas, Kentucky.

Kings Arms Coffee Roasters
Located in the West End of Downtown Cincinnati, this is an extension of the River at Tampa Bay Church in Tampa, Florida.

Lookout Joe

Roebling Books and Coffee
“Read, Eat. Drink.”  Locations in Covington, Newport, and Dayton.

Starbucks

The Coffee Peddlar
“Coffee. Connection. Community.” Opened in 2010 by a mother-daughter combination, this coffeehouse is in Harrison, Ohio (about 30 minutes from GBS).

The Kidd Coffee Company
Urban vibe. Good coffee.  Located in the Great American Tower, The Cincinnatian Hotel, and on 5th/Sycamore.

The Madison Place Coffee
“A coffeeshop for our neighbors and passersby.”  Eclectic, warm atmosphere. Located on Plainville Road.

The 86
“Coffee. Concerts. Creativity. Community.”  Located on Jefferson Avenue in Cincinnati.

 

Fast Food Nearby

Chik-fil-a
Newport Pavilion
95 Carothers Rd, Newport, KY 41071

Wendy’s
57 Carothers Rd, Newport, KY 41071

Chipotle
Several locations nearby including
2507 W. Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45219 and
93 Carothers Rd, Newport, KY 41071

 

Food Trucks

A trend in other cities arrived in full force in Cinci around 2010. Food trucks park and operate various places around town, with some downtown spots just minutes from the GBSC campus.

New Orleans to Go Po’ Boys and More
Stunningly good New Orleans food, prepared by a woman who came to Cinci with her husband and kids after Hurricane Katrina

Red Sesame Food Truck
Korean BBQ/Tacos

Empanadas Aqui
Authentic Venezuelan street food

Quite Frankly
Sandwiches and franks

Looking for something new? Check out the Street Food Finder.

 

Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, Popsicles

Graeter’s
Cincinnati’s own premium ice cream founded in 1870 by Charles Louis Graeter, handcrafted with his French Pot method. Probably best known for their huge chocolate chips which somehow remain soft in the freezer, their signature flavor is Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip which is often served on the GBSC campus for the annual Homecoming in October.

Hello Honey
Homemade Ice Cream and Desserts
Locations on Race Street, Madison Rd, Ridge Ave. and in Fort Thomas, KY

UDF
Another local favorite, United Dairy Farmers is part of the Lindner family’s businesses, and specializes in thick shakes, malts, and sundaes.

Pendleton Parlor 
“Ice Cream and Cookie Dough”
Locations in Pendleton (downtown), Old Milford and Mt. Washington

Streetpops
Started as a gourmet popsicle cart in local markets, Streetpops now has a storefront in Over-the-Rhine. Watch for them at local festivals as well.

Yagoot Yogurt
The youngest of the local dairy-dessert purveyors, Yagoot is owned by the Busken family.

 

Indian

Deep India/ Adeep India
Deep has a small seating area, so may work better for takeout. The menu includes dishes not widely available at other Indian restaurants in Cinci, prices run slightly lower than competitors, flavors are vibrant and fresh.
Coupons in Bearcash.

Dusmesh
Right across from Cincinnati State in a converted house, Dusmesh offers more variety than many Indian lunch buffets. (No dinner buffet is available.) Coupons in Bearcash.

Royal Taj
A bit further away from campus, Royal Taj has some of the best flavors in the city. A lunch buffet is small but of good quality. Setting is pleasant.

Indian Bistro
Near Eastgate, Indian Bistro offers a varied menu at a reasonable price: Lunch buffet $7.99 per person. Delicious food with some harder-to-find dishes.

Shaan Indian Cuisine
Offering a lunch buffet in addition to their regular menu items and coupons on their website, Shaan is a tasty option in Hyde Park Plaza.

Swad
Owned by the former owners of Dusmesh, Swad is a bit farther away from campus in North College Hill (map). Great buffet.

Baba India
In the Hyde Park/Oakley area.

 

Italian

Gabby’s Italian American Café
Home of DiStasi Lasagne and DiStasi Marinara Sauce

Sorrento’s Italian
Founded by Italian immigrants, Enrico and Santina DeLuca in 1956, this iconic Italian restaurant is located in Norwood.

 

Mediterranean & Mid-Eastern

Andy’s Mediterranean Grill
Local spot featuring $8 lunch specials. Try the labneh and shawarma wrap.

Marrakech Morrocan Cafe & Grill
Snug Moroccan restaurant serving traditional dishes & tea in an informal, brightly–painted interior.” Located in downtown Clifton. Delicious!

Baladi Restaurant & Bakery
Arabic and Syrian flavors near downtown Clifton.

 

Mexican

Tacqueria Mercado
Authentic Mexican food at multiple locations in the metro area — the nearest just across from the Main Library. Lunch specials offer affordable introductions to authentic flavor.

Mazunte
Small, unique decor, authentic menu, salsa bar, delicious! Some outdoor seating also available.

 

Pizza

LaRosa’s
Local “pizza-parlor” pizza, but offering salads, pasta, etc., as well.

Dewey’s
Based on southern Indiana, Dewey’s features more “gourmet” pizza. Calzones are notable options as well. Coupons in Bearcash.

Papa John’s 
2723 Vine St, Cincinnati (513) 961-7272

Domino’s
2901 Vine St, Cincinnati (513) 751-6262

American

Bard’s Burgers
“The Dive that’s Worth the Drive.”  A favorite with the GBSC Facilities crew and any local who knows the secret of the best burger in town. Located in Covington. Open Wed-Sat.

Tom+Chee
“Not Your Mama’s Grilled Cheese.” Locations in Rookwood, Newport and Beechmont.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Rookwood Commons and Newport on the Levee

Mad Mike’s Burgers and Fries
Great burger joint in Florence, KY, and Newport, KY (more locations), offering a wide array of toppings, plus gourmet burgers. Check out the weekly special!

 

Asian

AmerAsia
Located just across the river in Covington, AmerAsia is weird. Funky. Small. Cheap(-ish). Tasty. Did we mention weird? The owner’s grandfather serves as chef, has cooked around the world and can claim training by the chef-lineage tracing back to imperial Chinese chefs. Cincinnati Magazine’s food writer loved it. But go at lunch, when the extensive beer list does not unduly influence the climate and when prices are cheaper. And don’t forget to ask about daily specials!

King Wok
Located near UC in University Heights, King Wok offers reasonable lunch meals, wide variety and good quality. Coupons in Bearcash.

Thai Express
No beauty, this takeout joint in University Heights has cheap, plentiful dishes with good flavors. Coupons in Bearcash.

 

Bakeries

Busken Bakery
Baking memories with lots of butter since 1928, this Cincinnati tradition was founded by Joe Buskin, Sr. and his wife Daisie. Locations are found in Hyde Park, Highland Heights, Springdale, and Eastgate with a walk-up location on Wasson Rd. All locations are closed on Sunday.

Cookie Jar Bakery
Old-timey bakeshop  in Newport, Kentucky.

The BonBonerie
Beautiful and Delicious Pastries since 1983

Wyoming Pastry Shop
Old -fashioned bakery serving pastries, bread, coffee, and tea since 1947.

 

BBQ

Eli’s BBQ
Stunningly good in an easy-to-drive-past location on Riverside Drive and also in Findlay Market.

City BBQ
5 locations in the metro area.

Lucius Q
“Epic barbeque. Straight outta the pit in Pendleton.”

Pig Candy BBQ
“Guaranteed to knock the taste out your mouth.”  Located not far from the Ohio River and housed in a former jail.

 

Bistros

Libby’s Southern Comfort
“We are in the heart of Duveneck Square, doing southern food at its best.” Founded by husband and wife team, Brad and Michelle Wainscott, this urban-southern eclectic is named for their daughter, Libby. Located across the river in Covington, Kentucky.

Market Street Grille
“Comfort. Created from Scratch.” Located in Harrison, Ohio.

Otto’s
Dinner, lunch and brunch in Covington, Kentucky.

Tano Bisto
“Simply Made to Matter.”  Locations in Loveland and Hamilton.

 

Breakfast

Maplewood Kitchen
California vibe. Organic sources. Good food. Located on Race Street in Downtown Cincinnati.

First Watch 
Covington, Hyde Park

Sugar and Spice
Locations on Syacmore St., Reading Road, and in Blue Ash.

The Echo
Located in Hyde Park.

Taste of Belgium
Four locations in the Cincinnati area including Findlay Market and Rookwood area.

Coffee Emporium 
The Hyde Park (a “house”) location sells various muffins, scones, etc. and they have good beverages. Very cool places to sit outside, outback, and even upstairs if you don’t mind sitting rather close to others, often college kids studying at the tables.

Holtman’s Donuts
In Madison, Loveland, West Chester and Williamsburg.

Bellevue Bistro 
Just over the river in Bellevue, KY.

Sleepy Bee Cafe
Two locations – Oakley and Blue Ash.

 

Cincinnati Chili

For the uninitiated, Cincinnati chili may seem odd. The dish combines pasta, beanless chili and cheddar cheese (kidney beans and onions may be added). Having its origins in Greek food, the chili tastes essentially nothing like “Tex-Mex” chili — instead, think chocolate, cinnamon, cumin. The basic three-way chili is pasta, chili and cheese. A four-way adds beans or onions, a five-way adds both. Variations abound, such as Blue Ash Chili’s six-way (adding deep-fried jalapeno slices). And chili parlors also tend to offer double-decker sandwiches — hey, you might even find Cincinnati’s own sausage, goetta, on the menu!

Blue Ash Chili

Camp Washington Chili

Dixie Chili
The first northern Kentucky chili parlor founded in 1929 by a Greek immigrant, “Papa” Nick” Sarakatsannis, this diner with locations in Newport, Covington, and Erlanger retains a vintage vibe.

Empress Chili
The original Cincy chili… now located, ironically, in Kentucky.

Gold Star

Skyline
Once-local chain now owned by an out-of-state entity.

 

Coffee

While Cincinnati includes the usual coffee chains — Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts — it also has local coffee shops and even roasters. The list keeps growing with one listing claiming the total to be over 140 as of 2023.  You can try one a week for almost 3 years and not have a do-over! Unless you want, of course.

BLOC Coffee Company
“Coffee. Community. Change.”    Opened by Dwight and Stephanie Young, founders of BLOC Ministries. Located in Price Hill’s Incline District.

Coffee Emporium
Multiple area locations, roasting their own coffee downtown — not unusual to spot the mayor, a member of city council or some other notable in the Over-the-Rhine location

Carabello Coffee
“Coffee and Compassion in Tandem”

Deeper Roots Coffee
“Relationally sourced. Purposefully shared. Simply Enjoyed.”  Locations in Over-the-Rhyne, Oakley, and Downtown Cincy.

Flatiron Café
Close to campus , this bistro opened its doors in 2022 from the landmark “flatiron” building constructed in 1875 in once affluent Mt. Auburn.  Once again serving up a taste of refinery to the community,  the menu offerings include specialty coffee beverages, all-day pastries and lunch options.

Fort Thomas Coffee
Craft coffee and tea. Across the river in Fort Thomas, Kentucky.

Kings Arms Coffee Roasters
Located in the West End of Downtown Cincinnati, this is an extension of the River at Tampa Bay Church in Tampa, Florida.

Lookout Joe

Roebling Books and Coffee
“Read, Eat. Drink.”  Locations in Covington, Newport, and Dayton.

Starbucks

The Coffee Peddlar
“Coffee. Connection. Community.” Opened in 2010 by a mother-daughter combination, this coffeehouse is in Harrison, Ohio (about 30 minutes from GBS).

The Kidd Coffee Company
Urban vibe. Good coffee.  Located in the Great American Tower, The Cincinnatian Hotel, and on 5th/Sycamore.

The Madison Place Coffee
“A coffeeshop for our neighbors and passersby.”  Eclectic, warm atmosphere. Located on Plainville Road.

The 86
“Coffee. Concerts. Creativity. Community.”  Located on Jefferson Avenue in Cincinnati.

 

Fast Food Nearby

Chik-fil-a
Newport Pavilion
95 Carothers Rd, Newport, KY 41071

Wendy’s
57 Carothers Rd, Newport, KY 41071

Chipotle
Several locations nearby including
2507 W. Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45219 and
93 Carothers Rd, Newport, KY 41071

 

Food Trucks

A trend in other cities arrived in full force in Cinci around 2010. Food trucks park and operate various places around town, with some downtown spots just minutes from the GBSC campus.

New Orleans to Go Po’ Boys and More
Stunningly good New Orleans food, prepared by a woman who came to Cinci with her husband and kids after Hurricane Katrina

Red Sesame Food Truck
Korean BBQ/Tacos

Empanadas Aqui
Authentic Venezuelan street food

Quite Frankly
Sandwiches and franks

Looking for something new? Check out the Street Food Finder.

 

Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, Popsicles

Graeter’s
Cincinnati’s own premium ice cream founded in 1870 by Charles Louis Graeter, handcrafted with his French Pot method. Probably best known for their huge chocolate chips which somehow remain soft in the freezer, their signature flavor is Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip which is often served on the GBSC campus for the annual Homecoming in October.

Hello Honey
Homemade Ice Cream and Desserts
Locations on Race Street, Madison Rd, Ridge Ave. and in Fort Thomas, KY                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

UDF
Another local favorite, United Dairy Farmers is part of the Lindner family’s businesses, and specializes in thick shakes, malts, and sundaes.

Pendleton Parlor 
“Ice Cream and Cookie Dough”
Locations in Pendleton (downtown), Old Milford and Mt. Washington

Streetpops
Started as a gourmet popsicle cart in local markets, Streetpops now has a storefront in Over-the-Rhine. Watch for them at local festivals as well.

Yagoot Yogurt
The youngest of the local dairy-dessert purveyors, Yagoot is owned by the Busken family. Be sure to join the Yagoot email club to get special offers!

 

Indian

Deep India/ Adeep India
Deep has a small seating area, so may work better for takeout. The menu includes dishes not widely available at other Indian restaurants in Cinci, prices run slightly lower than competitors, flavors are vibrant and fresh.
Coupons in Bearcash.

Dusmesh
Right across from Cincinnati State in a converted house, Dusmesh offers more variety than many Indian lunch buffets. (No dinner buffet is available.) Coupons in Bearcash.

Royal Taj
A bit further away from campus, Royal Taj has some of the best flavors in the city. A lunch buffet is small but of good quality. Setting is pleasant.

Indian Bistro
Near Eastgate, Indian Bistro offers a varied menu at a reasonable price: Lunch buffet $7.99 per person. Delicious food with some harder-to-find dishes.

Shaan Indian Cuisine
Offering a lunch buffet in addition to their regular menu items and coupons on their website, Shaan is a tasty option in Hyde Park Plaza.

Swad
Owned by the former owners of Dusmesh, Swad is a bit farther away from campus in North College Hill (map). Great buffet.

Baba India
In the Hyde Park/Oakley area.

 

Italian

Gabby’s Italian American Café
Home of DiStasi Lasagne and DiStasi Marinara Sauce

Sorrento’s Italian
Founded by Italian immigrants, Enrico and Santina DeLuca in 1956, this iconic Italian restaurant is located in Norwood.

 

Mediterranean & Mid-Eastern

Andy’s Mediterranean Grill
Local spot featuring $8 lunch specials. Try the labneh and shawarma wrap.

Marrakech Morrocan Cafe & Grill
Snug Moroccan restaurant serving traditional dishes & tea in an informal, brightly–painted interior.” Located in downtown Clifton. Delicious!

Baladi Restaurant & Bakery
Arabic and Syrian flavors near downtown Clifton.

 

Mexican

Tacqueria Mercado
Authentic Mexican food at multiple locations in the metro area — the nearest just across from the Main Library. Lunch specials offer affordable introductions to authentic flavor.

Mazunte
Small, unique decor, authentic menu, salsa bar, delicious! Some outdoor seating also available.

 

Pizza

LaRosa’s
Local “pizza-parlor” pizza, but offering salads, pasta, etc., as well.

Dewey’s
Based on southern Indiana, Dewey’s features more “gourmet” pizza. Calzones are notable options as well. Coupons in Bearcash.

Papa John’s 
2723 Vine St, Cincinnati (513) 961-7272

Domino’s
2901 Vine St, Cincinnati (513) 751-6262