Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Cincinnati / Dayton

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Cincinnati / Dayton? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Somm Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (533)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Cincinnati

About the restaurant

Somm is the Incline Districts favorite American Bistro and Wine Bar. Offering an indoor dining room, full bar, and Cincinnati's favorite outdoor dining on an acclaimed garden patio, Somm Wine Bar features approachable, curated wine selections and an ever-expanding menu highlighting the region's best eclectic cuisine. Fine dining elements abound on this renewed and bustling neighborhood corner touchstone, vibrantly adorned with new age artwork and classic Cosmopolitan hardwood decor. Beautiful charcuterie, weekday features, unique events, and weekend live music make this Cincinnati's top date-night and celebration dining destination.

Top review

Beverly

Dined 1 day ago

Always a good meal and experience at Somm. Ou companions were first visit and LOVED it. Only downside was very loud and had uncomfortable conversation.

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Experience

Join us for our New Year's Eve celebration!

The Quarter Bistro

4.8

4.8 (2090)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Mariemont

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Quarter Bistro, located in the heart of historic Mariemont Square, only minutes from Montgomery, Maderia, Indian Hill and Downtown.
The award-winning combination of seasonal cuisine and sophisticated ambiance are just the beginning of an unforgettable experience.
As Cincinnati's premier "contemporary" bistro, the menu presents all things classic and creative in balance. Fresh fish and game daily? Of course. Outstanding wines at a great value? No Question. Whether it's a beautiful summer evening on the patio, a romantic wine and dine for two, or a down-to-business dinner for ten, The Quarter Bistro has it covered.

Top review

WilliamVIP

Dined today

Great experience per norm heightened by Christmas holiday spirit evident throughout restaurant

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Popular dish

PEI Mussels

Court Street Kitchen

4.7

4.7 (96)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Alluring, Vibrant, and Undeniably Trendy, Court Street Kitchen serves up a sincere, luxe, and upbeat dining experience in the heart of Downtown Cincinnati. By combining old-world inspiration and training with a new-found take on the freshest ingredients and contemporary vibes, "CSK" serves all of their offerings with a flare that both the casual and seasoned diner are sure to love. Whether you're in the mood for the Perfect Power Lunch, an Opulent Wine and Dinner experience, a Vibey Bar Scene, or a Buzzing Sunday Brunch, CSK is the place for all Cincinnati revelers in search of great food, exceptional service, and a restaurant culture rooted in celebrating the good life. Further, Court Street Kitchen also offers one of the city's best happy hour specials, along with a sultry DJ-backed night-time party experience at their connected speakeasy on Friday and Saturday nights. And, ladies... don't forget about the No Boy Boys Allowed Brunch every Sunday at 11am.

Top review

Jane

Dined 3 days ago

Unique menu, excellent food and great service. Cool vibe! Louder than prefer but still enjoyable and will be back!

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Experience

Happy Hour

Tano Bistro - Hamilton

4.7

4.7 (933)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Hamilton

About the restaurant

Inspired by Hamilton’s new energy and old history, our Tano Bistro-Hamilton location offers a fresh dining experience in a contemporary dining space located directly across from the beautiful Marcum Park. Chef Tano and team offer a seasonally changing menu prepared with the very best ingredients focused on local sourcing, sustainability and simplicity.

Top review

MelisaVIP

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Good food and great vibe Waiter was good. We loved the salt and pepper shakers but they wouldn’t sell us a set! Haha. Will return!!

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The Red Feather Kitchen

4.7

4.7 (2383)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Hyde Park

About the restaurant

The Red Feather is a contemporary American farm-to-table restaurant located in the Oakley neighborhood of greater Cincinnati. We offer an upscale casual dining experience with an emphasis on classic culinary techniques and slow, careful preparations. Enjoy our wine list curated by our house sommelier, designed to pair with the seasonal menu and craft cocktails. The bar is perfect for an after work drink, meeting friends, sharing a bottle of wine, or enjoying some plates to share. Warm woodwork surrounds our three separate dining areas each with its own personality, from cozy and intimate to bright and airy. The Red Feather stands for innovation, rough luxury, and honoring those who worked to bring us the products that we are proud to serve and enjoy.

Top review

Ginger

Dined 3 days ago

What a wonderful evening at such an iconic place. Thanks to the family and staff for the highest level of cuisine possible! So sorry to see the closing, but I will never forget that night. Much love to all of you who have put your heart and soul into this terrific and unique dining.

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Popular dish

Potato Gnocchi

Popular dish

Scallops & Pork Belly

Popular dish

Shrimp & Grits

Coach House

4.7

4.7 (369)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Hamilton

About the restaurant

Bringing creative flare and community-driven roots to the growing Hamilton food landscape, the Coach House’s focus on hand-crafted cuisine is distinctive. With seasonal, locally sourced fare, thoughtfully crafted cocktails, mocktails and wines, and an atmosphere that marries fun with sophistication – a seat at our table is an experience you don’t want to miss.

Reservations hold tables for an amount of time based upon the size of your group. Groups sizes 2-5= 1.5 hours, groups 6+ 2.0 hours. Tables sized over 6 people may be seated at separate tables located next to each other.

To offer you the very best dining experience, reservations are recommended for lunch and dinner service. Groups of 6 or more should call for availability.

Top review

FoodieVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Delicious food and excellent service! Loved the salt and pepper calamari!

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Experience

Holly Jolly Brunch

TRIO

4.8

4.8 (5969)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Cincinnati

About the restaurant

Trio, one of Cincinnati's favorite restaurants for over 25 years, is known for serving fresh seafood daily, along with great steaks, extraordinary pasta dishes, generous portions of specialty salads, California style pizzas, & a wide range of sandwiches. Trio has become the hot spot of Cincinnati for its extensive wine list. Trio currently serves over 20 different wines by the glass, offering the best California wines by the glass or bottle. During the spring, summer & fall Trio diners may prefer to dine in the Veranda. Trio can accommodate private parties from 24 to 70 guests in one of the private dining rooms.

Top review

Terri

Dined 1 day ago

Lovely and efficient service by Jennifer. Enjoyed our food!

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4.7

4.7 (378)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Cincinnati

About the restaurant

Forged from the fires of Covington, Ky. Opal is a casual, chef-driven, fine-dining restaurant that offers wood-fired grilled foods, craft cocktails, and a curated wine menu using locally focused products. The menu, developed by the company's culinary director, Chef Eric Polhamus, features Contemporary American dishes. Opal is the third restaurant installment in the portfolio of Bill and Morgan Whitlow. Opals are known to be the stone that represents justice, harmony, protection, love and passion. Just like the gemstone, Opal Rooftop Restaurant & Bar is different from every angle you approach it from. Patrons will enjoy a 360-degree backdrop of downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky or dine indoors as the flames from the unique Grillworks grill reflect off of the bar. For more information and a glimpse of the menu, follow us on Facebook or visit opalrooftop.com.

All tables are booked with a two hour window. If you would like more time please leave us a note to accommodate!

Top review

JayVIP

Dined 3 days ago

First time eating at this fascinating restaurant with a really excellent view that is different from most Cincinnati Riverside views. Great outdoor and indoor venue at this 7th floor rooftop setting. Unique cooking system with a complete wood-burning grill centered in the dining room, I walked up to look at the fire and the engineering for the immense grill/oven. There is an enticing, smoky aroma in the restaurant when you first enter. If smoke bothers you then what the heck are you doing coming to this restaurant? Because all of the food tastes absolutely wonderful imbued as it is in that incredible white oak, cherry, apple and pear wood smoke. I would get an appetizer or a side rather than the dessert, because the mushrooms were lovely though with a tart taste that I’m not used to having.. That melded with the smoke did make them very memorable. We also tried the crab/scallop/cheddar cheese, dip. Paired with large brioche style bread, freshly toasted of course, which I actually saw them do over the coals. Cheddar and shellfish, who knew? My barbacoa style short rib with sweet potato, tomatillos and quest fresco was a smoky deliciousness. My wife’s chicken was moist with crispy skin. My daughters duck did not stay on the table long enough for me to examine. It was great I’m told. Every morsel of meat had that smoky undertone. Fascinatingly enough the mushrooms stood the smokiest. Will definitely come back, with friends to smell, eat and gaze at the view. Half off bottles of wine on Wednesdays!!

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4.6

4.6 (2211)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Dayton

About the restaurant

You'll always feel welcome at Coco's.

We're a Dayton Original, an independent restaurant where you can have your power lunch, a rehearsal dinner, a fun night, or a place to propose. You'll enjoy contemporary American food, always with amazing service, and reasonable prices for wine and spirits. Thank you Dayton - we love you as much as you love us.

Top review

Marie

Dined 4 days ago

The risotto was excellent. Ordered protein on the side. Drinks were good.

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Meritage - Cincinnati

4.7

4.7 (2375)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Glendale

About the restaurant

Looking for a reservation? Call us at (513) 376-8134 and we will do our best to accommodate you. Looking for private dining? We can accommodate groups of 10-100. Call us for more information.

Meritage Restaurant is located in the quaint historic Glendale Square, creating a unique ambiance for any occasion. The eclectic menu features fresh seafood, hand cut steaks, specialty sandwiches, and an impressive variety of salads. Each menu item from the salad dressings to the desserts is made in house using only the freshest ingredients. The wine list features wines from around the world that have been personally selected to compliment the menu. The perfect blend of professionalism and warmth provided by the service staff combined with the food and atmosphere makes Meritage a premier dining destination.

Top review

Denise

Dined 4 days ago

Entire experience was outstanding, hostess Alice was exceptional! Can’t wait to go back.

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Popular dish

Wedge Salad

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