Cincinnati

Budget

Budget
$
Aglamesis Bros
3046 Madison Road (Oakley)
+1-(513)-531-5196

A long-time competitor of Graeter's in the gourmet ice cream category. Take a step back in time as this parlor is largely unchanged since it was opened in 1913!

Budget
$
Graeter's Ice Cream
2704 Erie Avenue (one of several locations)
+1-(513)-321-6221
About $4 per person, unless you opt for more expensive treats. In that case you could spend upwards of $20
Hours: M-Su 7AM-10:45PM
Hyde Park, right at Hyde Park Square

Quite possibly Cincinnati's greatest gift to humanity. No drive through Cincinnati is complete without Graeter's ice cream or another one of their delicious desserts. Often Cincinnati natives who have moved to different cities make it a priority to stop here if they are in town. There are other locations throughout Cincinnati, including one store directly on the Hyde Park Plaza. Celebrities such as Oprah and Jessica Simpson have claimed it to be their favorite ice cream.

Budget
$
Ingredients
21 E. 5th St
513-852-2740
Downtown, inside Westin Hotel Atrium

Ingredients is restaurant with a unique concept and motto: "some assembly required". Ingredients serves salads, paninis, sandwiches, and pizzas all made to order. The ingredients used are all gourmet and very tasty!

Budget
$
Izzy's
800 Elm Street
+1-(513)-241-6246
M-F 8AM-8PM, Sa 8AM-5PM
Downtown

Izzy's is well known for its reubens and other corned beef sandwiches. This deli has other delicious sandwiches and its corned beef is available to purchase at any Kroger's grocery store. Served with your sandwich is a big potato pancake. There are multiple locations in the Cincinnati area.

Budget
$
Gordo's Pub and Grill
4328 Montgomery Rd.
Norwood

Owned by Raymond Gordo, former chef de cuisine for local celebrity and restaurateur Jean-Robert, Gordo's is reknown for their semi-extensive beer list and delicious burgers.

Budget
$
Krishna Indian Carryout
313 Calhoun St
+1-(513)-961-2878
Clifton

Located at the top of Clifton across from the University of Cincinnati campus, Krishna is tiny by nearly all standards with only four tables along the wall. Opposite, the staff cooks excellent Indian cuisine atop a four burner stove. Heaping portions with delicious naan.

Budget
$
Quatman Cafe
2434 Quatman Ave
+1-(513)-731-4370
M-Sa 11AM - 10:30PM
Norwood

"Keep it simple, stupid" is the motto here. No frills, but many locals will tell you this greasy spoon is home to the best burger in town.

Budget
$
Tucker's Restaurant
18 East 13th St
+1 (513) 721-7123
$10 or less
Over-the-Rhine

Tucker's has been dishing out food since 1946 and is well-known amongst Cincinnatians. Joe Tucker, the owner, has become famous for socializing with his guests.

Budget
$
Zips Cafe
1036 Delta Ave
+1-(513)-871-9876
$5-$10
M-Sa: 10:30AM - 11:30PM, Sun: 11AM - 11:30PM
Mt. Lookout Square

Zips Cafe is not only the absolute best place in Cincinnati to get a burger The Zip Burger, but it is also a bar! Perfect for the budget traveler!

Budget
$
World Food Bar
1801 Race St. Cincinnati, OH 45202
513.342.1968
$5-$10
T-F 9AM - 6PM Sat. and Sun. 10AM - 4PM

World Food Bar is a catering, dinner-club and carryout operation bringing high quality gourmet foods at an affordable price to the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area. Freshly prepared world and ethnic foods using local and organic ingredients are WFB's specialty.

Budget
$
The Echo
3510 Edwards Road
+1-(513)-321-2816
Roughly $10 or less
Hyde Park

Great diner located just off of Hyde Park Square. Try the fish special on Fridays closed after lunch except Th-Sa.

Budget
$
Mayberry
915 Vine St. Cincinnati, OH 45202
$7- $10
M-F 7:30AM - 3PM

Mayberry is an grassroots American style eatery ,open for breakfast and lunch. Savor a little piece of history - some Americana in your mouth.

Budget
$
Arthur's Cafe
3516 Edwards Rd
+1-(513)-871-5543
M-Sa 11AM-2:30AM, Su 11AM-9:30PM.
Hyde Park

Great bar and cafe in trendy Hyde Park neighborhood. Excellent burgers that are borderline amazing. On Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays, Arthur's has "burger madness" where burgers are $5.50 with unlimited toppings.

Budget
$
Jim Dandy's Family BBQ
2343 E Sharon Rd.
+1-(513)-771-4888

Jim Dandy's, although rather new, is considered by many as one of the best traditional barbecue restaurants. Jim Dandy himself is usually on hand to handle the customers, oversee the smoking, and just hang out with whatever crowd is eating.

Budget
$
Lendhardt's
151 W McMillan Ave
1-513-281-3600
$5-$15
T-Th 4PM-10PM, F 11AM lunch, 4PM-10PM, Sa 4PM-10PM
Clifton Heights, at corner of Moerlein and McMillian

Housed in a mansion built by famous Cincinnati German beer baron Christian Moerlein, this is an authentic Hungarian/German restaurant which also includes a rathskeller and beergarden. The rathskeller bar is known as Christy's which people sometimes mistakenly refer the restaurant as. Comfortable and elegant dinning at a reasonable price, great food too!

Midrange

Midrange
$$
Porkopolis
1077 Celestial Street
+1-(513)-721-5456
$10-$20
Hours: Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM

Porkopolis formerly Rookwood Pottery is a burger and ribs restaurant, which is housed in the National Historical Register Building that used to house Rookwood Pottery.

Midrange
$$
Indigo Casual Gourmet Cafe
2637 Erie Avenue
+1-(513)-321-9952
$10-$25
M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-midnight
Hyde Park

Indigo is a small, but chic place to eat. The atmosphere is relaxed and offers a great outdoor patio. Menu consists of pastas, pizzas, and salads. Highly recommended.

Midrange
$$
Nicholson's Tavern & Pub
625 Walnut Street
+1-(513)-564-9111
$20-$50 a person
Hours: M-Th 11AM-11PM, Fri&Sat 11AM-1AM, Sun 11AM-9PM
Downtown, Across from the Aronoff Center
Midrange
$$
Primavista
810 Matson Place
+1-(513)-251-6467
$6-$30
Mon.-Thu. 5:30-9:30PM, Fri. 5:30-10PM, Sat. 5-10:30PM, Sun. 5-9PM

Where the food is as captivating as the view of Downtown Cincinnati, Primavista specializes in fresh fish and veal dishes & also offering seafood, steaks, lamb, poultry, and pasta.

Midrange
$$
Shanghai Mama's
216 E 6th Street
+1-(513)-241-7777
$10 - $15
M-Th 11AM-9:30PM, F 11AM-3AM, Sa 5PM-3AM, Su closed
Downtown

Shanghai Mama's is a great place to grab some late-night grub. You can't go wrong with any of their noodle or rice dishes. They also feature soups and vegetarian options.

Midrange
$$
Mecklenburg Gardens
302 E University Avenue
513-221-5353
$8-$23
M-Th 11AM-9PM, F 11AM-10PM, Sa 5PM-10PM
Corryville near the University

Established in 1865, this is arguably the only original of the once plentiful German biergartens that were all over the city prior to Prohibition. Lovingly restored, this beergarden features a Large selection of German beers, and food. The garden is quite nice during the summer for a pleasant evening meal.

Midrange
$$
Cumin Indian Fusion Cuisine
3520 Erie Avenue
+1-(513)-871-8714
Lunch hours: M-F 11:30AM-2:30PM
Hyde Park

A boutique Indian cuisine restaurant.

Midrange
$$
Nicola's Ristorante
1420 Sycamore Street
+1-(513)-721-6200

Italian fine Dining in downtown Cincinnati. Wine list is so-so, but atmosphere and food are excellent.

Top end

Top end
$$$
Boi Na Braza
441 Vine St
+1-(513)-421-7111
$51 and up

Boi Na Braza is a Brazillian Steakhouse located in the Carew Tower in Fountain Square. They serve steak, lamb, chicken and pork dishes.

Top end
$$$
The Celestial Steakhouse
1071 Celestial St
+1-(513)-241-4455
$22 for the least expensive, expect $35+
Mon.-Thu. 5-9:30PM, Fri.-Sat. 5-10:30PM, Sun. 4-9PM, Lounge: Fri.-Sat. 4PM-1AM
Mt. Adams

Rated the Most Romantic by the Cincinnati Enquirer and the New York Times, Celestial's seasonal menu is eclectic and contemporary, with delightful steak and seafood offerings. Wine connoisseurs might appreciate the hundreds of vintages available from the wine cellar.

Top end
$$$
Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse
700 Walnut Street
+1-(513)-784-1200
Roughly $31 and up
M-Th 5PM-10PM, F,Sa 5PM-11PM
Downtown, Across from the Aronoff Center

Upscale Steakhouse owned by Jeff Ruby, who gained fame for kicking OJ Simpson out of his restaurant in Louisville.

Top end
$$$
Montgomery Inn Ribs
925 Riverside Drive (formerly Eastern Avenue)
+1-(513)-721-7427
M-Th 11AM-10:30PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa 3PM-11PM, Su 3PM-10PM
Riverfront, near Sawyer Point

Renowned as the place to go for great baby-back ribs, Montgomery Inn has become one of Cincinnati's most beloved eateries. The flagship restaurant is in the village of Montgomery, in the northeast suburbs.

Top end
$$$
Palomino
505 Vine Street
+1-(513)-381-1300
$31-$50
Lunch: Monday - Saturday: 11:30AM - 2:30PM Dinner: Su-Th: 5PM - 10PM, F-Sa: 5PM - 11PM
Fountain Square

Palomino is a vibrant restaurant, bar and rotisserie famous for its style, hardwood fired Mediterranean cooking and versatile, imaginative menu.

Top end
$$$
The Precinct
311 Delta Ave
toll free +1-(877)-321-5454
$30+
Sun.-Thu. 5-10PM, Fri.-Sat. 5-11PM
Columbia-Tusculum

The Origional Jeff Ruby Steakhouse, set in a former police precinct!

Top end
$$$
Teller's of Hyde Park
2710 Erie Avenue
+1-(513)-321-4721
$14-61
Hyde Park

Tellers is a trendy restaurant located in old bank building in Hyde Park Square. Tellers has an excellent outdoor patio for dining in the summer. The food is very contemporary American fare.

Top end
$$$
Cincinnati Dinner Train
11013 Kenwood Rd. Cincinnati, OH
513-791-7245
$69.95 / person
Sa 6PM departure
Trip starts by BBQ Review 4725 Madison Rd, Madisonville

Train ride with 1940s era dining cars that gently rides down tracks towards Downtown, including the Oasis line where the neighbors defeated intercity rail, but for some reason can tolerate this weekly train excursion. Price includes 3 course meal and there is also a bar car on board. Check website for details on special trips, including excursions to popular events like Riverfest. Book ahead to reserve tickets.

This guide uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
Budget $15 or less
Mid-range $16 - 25
Splurge $25 or more