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The Best Bars for Foodies in Cincinnati

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by The OpenTable Team
Updated February 26, 2020

The city of Cincinnati, known as the "Pearl of the West" and the "Queen City," lies in a gorgeous location on the north bank of the Ohio River. Surrounded by hills, it is a largely industrial city in the state of Ohio with a wide range of cultural and recreational facilities and beautiful neighborhoods like Over-the-Rhine and Mount Airy. Check out a Cincinnati Reds game at the Great American Ball Park, visit the Cincinnati Art Museum or wander around magnolia gardens in lovely Eden Park. It's a booming metropolis of sports, entertainment, cultural, historical and outdoor opportunities - and a rapidly growing culinary and nightlife scene! Foodies have an abundance of options to choose from, including vegan joints, haute-cuisine, and trendy bars. If you're looking for a place to enjoy a great cocktail or craft beer with your meal, check out our Tastemaker list of the best bars in Cincinnati.

A photo of Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Centerville, OH restaurant
4.8
4.8 (5155)
$30 and under
American
Centerville
About the restaurant
Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant is a fantastic place to go for award-winning wines, flavorful food and a cool, Napa-style tasting room. Located in Liberty Center, shoppers can head here for a break from the stores and refuel with their diverse menu of dishes specially designed to pair with wine made in their own private winery. Step inside and discover an inviting atmosphere with a sophisticated style and attentive service. The Tasting Room gives you a chance to sample the winery’s latest selections.
Top review
Jennifer
Dined 3 days ago
Food was excellent, Ben, our server was also excellent, knowledgeable, friendly and very helpful in wine tasting. A wonderful night
A photo of Jag's Steak & Seafood restaurant
4.9
4.9 (7480)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
West Chester
About the restaurant
Jag’s Steak and Seafood, centrally located between Cincinnati and Dayton, is a perfect spot for impressing a client, dancing the night away or relaxing with a date. It’s definitely one of the best bars in Cincinnati for fantastic food and an award-winning wine list. The piano bar is a cool addition to the fine dining experience! Menu items here include Certified Angus Beef Steaks, fresh seafood like Chilean Sea Bass, Diver Scallops, Alaskan King Crab and an extensive raw bar/sushi options.
Top review
Larry
Dined 4 days ago
Another excellent dining experience, great ambience with outstanding service from Sarah, thank you for a making my birthday a special day!
A photo of Arnold's Bar and Grill restaurant
4.7
4.7 (691)
$30 and under
American
Cincinnati
About the restaurant
With over 150 years of history, Arnold’s Bar and Grill is Cincinnati’s oldest continuously operated tavern! Located on 8th Street in Cincinnati, it is a legendary downtown destination with a reputation for good food served in friendly surroundings. The popular establishment also has a treasured courtyard for outdoor dining as well as a great stage for live music on the weekends. Whether you’re in the mood for their signature Greek Spaghetti, one of their famous sandwiches or just appetizers and a cold beer, Arnold’s has it all!
Top review
Mariannevip
Dined 4 days ago
Stopped by before a show at the Aronoff. Got to sit upstairs for the first time in a long time. Had one of the rooms to ourselves with a delightful waitress with perfect timing. Food was great as usual and so different from typical restaurant fare. 5 stars across the board from me
A photo of Nicholson's Fine Food & Whisk(e)y restaurant
4.6
4.6 (3040)
$30 and under
Gastro Pub
Central Business District
About the restaurant
Located in downtown Cincinnati across from the Aronoff Center, Nicholson’s is a restaurant and bar serving fine food and drink in a genuine Scottish tavern setting. The bar takes inspiration from the public house found throughout Great Britain and it certainly feels like you’ve stepped into another country! In addition to high-quality food, they offer a wide variety of beer, wine and spirits with one of the best selections of single malt scotch whiskeys in the area. The food menu includes pub classics like Bangers and Mash and Shepherd’s Pie.
Top review
Chuck
Dined 2 days ago
Food is always good. Our server could not have been better. Friendly, quick and accurate. He was really outstanding!
A photo of Bakersfield - OTR restaurant
4.8
4.8 (920)
$30 and under
Mexican
Over the Rhine
About the restaurant
Located on Vine Street in the Gateway Quarter, Bakersfield OTR is a tacos, tequila and whiskey bar owned by Joe Lanni. Many locals consider it one of the best bars in Cincinnati and you can choose from a selection of 45 tequilas, 45 American whiskeys and a menu of authentic Mexican street food. It’s a warm and spirited place to hang out and they have a great selection of Craft beer and wine. The cocktail menu is also fantastic, with specials like the Bakersfield Sour, made with Buffalo Trace, Grand Marnier, St. Germain, Agave Nectar, House Sour and Bourbon Cherries.
Top review
Kevinvip
Dined 6 days ago
Great place for a casual meal and drinks! Tacos are innovative, fresh, and you can mix and match. Our server was friendly and efficient. This is a good place to meet friends for a pre-concert dinner if you’re headed to Music Hall!
A photo of Coppin's - Hotel Covington restaurant
4.7
4.7 (2227)
$31 to $50
American
Covington
About the restaurant
The Hotel Covington Cincinnati Riverfront occupies the iconic 1910 Coppin’s Department Store building. The space is approachable, intimate and comfortable without giving up a strong sense of style and sophistication. The culinary team here uses sustainable sourcing of meat, fish and game and seeks out the best ingredients from local farmers and artisans. The menu changes seasonally to reflect what is available. Locals and visitors alike love the bar, which offers seasonal cocktails like the Summer Sangria, with Sparkling Wine, Lemon, Peach, Mango, Hibiscus and Lavender.
Top review
Katy
Dined 1 day ago
We loved Coppin's! We were celebrating our anniversary, and they took very good care of us the whole evening, from our pre-dinner drinks at the bar to the dinner itself. It's a lovely restaurant, delicious food, and top-notch service. We'll definitely be back.
A photo of Grandview Tavern restaurant
4.6
4.6 (984)
$30 and under
American
Fort Mitchell
About the restaurant
Located just outside Cincinnati proper in Fort Mitchell, Grandview Tavern is a popular bar and restaurant with lively energy and friendly service. It is the newest addition to Northern Kentucky’s premier food and beverage entertainment business. Not only are they open for dinner on Monday, a rarity for many restaurants in the area, but they also offer half-price bottles of wine with dinner! Come in to check out the fantastic American cuisine from Executive Chef Michael Nelsen.
Top review
Jay
Dined on Nov 9, 2024
Good food. Good music. The black and blue steak salad is really good. They also have great burgers.
A photo of Carlo & Johnny restaurant
4.8
4.8 (9421)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Montgomery
About the restaurant
Carlo & Johnny is Jeff Ruby’s 1930s Chicago style steakhouse and supper club. They offer the same great Ruby steaks as his other restaurants, but with an Italian accent! They strive for excellence in the quality of the food, the energy and the elegance of the atmosphere, as well as the impeccable service and overall dining experience. Come in for one of their signature craft cocktails at the exquisite bar, known for the live entertainment and vibrant scene.
Top review
Julie
Dined today
We came to Carlo and Johnnys to celebrate our daughter’s birthday and everyone went out of their way to make sure it was a special night and wonderful experience. Thank you to our server, Cam, and the rest of the Jeff Ruby family for a great night!
A photo of Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse - Cincinnati restaurant
4.9
4.9 (9068)
$50 and over
Steak
Central Business District
About the restaurant
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, located on Walnut Street in the Central Business District, Jeff Ruby’s is a 1940s art deco style steakhouse. It features dry aged-on-premise steaks and fresh seafood along with a selection of salads, Steakhouse potatoes, vegetables and desserts. The convenient location in Cincinnati's entertainment district is within walking distance of downtown hotels and the convention center. The bar is a big draw and features fantastic cocktails combined with nightly entertainment and a swanky atmosphere.
Top review
Lauren
Dined 1 day ago
I cannot say enough about our experience last night. Erick and Kumar did such an amazing job and never left us wanting. Big shoutout to Chef Tone and the rest of the culinary team as all of our food was on point! Thank you for such an incredible evening. We will definitely be back!
A photo of Tony's of Cincinnati restaurant
4.8
4.8 (5271)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Cincinnati
About the restaurant
Tony’s of Cincinnati is a modern steakhouse located on Montgomery Road in the northeastern suburbs. The menu combines the classic American steakhouse with fresh, modern fare, an expansive and diverse wine list, and award-winning service. They do up the luxury without any pretension. And the bar here is famous for having a super vibrant scene! The happy hour is long and generous and they offer live music along with great cocktails, wine, and spectacular food.
Top review
Debra
Dined on Nov 18, 2024
As usual the food and service was excellent. Tony’s is surely one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati.
A photo of Tano Bistro - Hamilton restaurant
4.8
4.8 (926)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Hamilton
About the restaurant
Tano Bistro, located on Riverfront Plaza in Hamilton, sits directly across from the beautiful Marcum Park. The restaurant offers a fresh dining experience in a contemporary dining space. It’s a classy yet comfortable spot with a menu of seasonal and local fare, including tapas-style dishes like candied bacon, crab cakes, Monfongo, and Baked Brie. Many locals think it has one of the best bars in Cincinnati and love the energetic and friendly atmosphere. Come in to check out the artisan beverages and expertly selected wine menu!
Top review
K.vip
Dined 3 days ago
We had an absolutely delicious meal at Tano Bistro. I’m still dreaming of the Tuscan chicken sandwich. Everybody at our table loved what they ordered!
A photo of Moerlein Lager House restaurant
4.6
4.6 (6275)
$30 and under
Gastro Pub
Cincinnati
About the restaurant
The Christian Moerlein Lager House is a world-class restaurant and brewery focused on the heritage of Cincinnati’s storied brewing history. Prominently situated in the dynamic Smale Riverfront Park, this restaurant offers a guest experience unlike any other! They have a working microbrewery that produces a full line of Moerlein craft brews along with delicious food offerings, including sandwiches and smoked rotisserie meats.
Top review
OpenTable Dinervip
Dined 3 days ago
We had a large table for a birthday dinner. They were extremely accommodating and were even able to modify the reservation for a last minute rsvp, day of! Kept up with our table really well and the drinks were great!
A photo of Krueger's Tavern restaurant
4.7
4.7 (865)
$30 and under
American
Over the Rhine
About the restaurant
Krueger’s Tavern is from the same group that brought you Bakersfield and The Eagle. It’s a stylish, seasonal New American kitchen with a menu of small and large plates and a rooftop patio. The goal here is to bring cuisine back to a simpler time by preparing and grinding fresh meats in house every day and serving up burgers and sausages with awesome craft beer and spirits. With 44 cans of beer on the menu as well as sausages flavored with a global influence, it makes sense that locals think this is one of the best bars in Cincinnati.
Top review
Voulavip
Dined 3 days ago
The food was amazing!!! We had 3 different kinds of burger and a spicy Parmesan chicken sandwich. All very delicious and would highly recommend. The only downside to our experience was that we felt rushed. Could not sit and just enjoy our meal and have a conversation.
A photo of Matt the Miller's Tavern- West Chester restaurant
4.5
4.5 (1336)
$30 and under
Pub
West Chester
About the restaurant
Matt the Miller’s, located on Civic Centre Boulevard, offers an upscale tavern experience that’s hard to beat. It features a chef-driven menu of tavern favorites with a unique twist. They offer Original Flatbreads as well as fresh seafood and steak selections featuring the finest and freshest ingredients. They also have an exciting bar and offer premium wines by the glass, craft and local beer and an extensive inventory of fine spirits and artisan cocktails. It’s a high-energy place, perfect for enjoying time with family and friends.
Top review
Kathyvip
Dined on Nov 9, 2024
We had a reservation and it was crowded but we were seated right away. Drink order came pretty quickly - I wish you offered an option of 2 wine pour sized. I had the chopped salad with chicken - ordered dressing on the side and came as ordered. Good mix of ingredients in the salad but chicken portion was small - maybe 3 oz. Club sandwich was well stacked. Staff was friendly, watered refilled often, service prompt for such a busy night.
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