Cincinnati is an absolute foodie central. If you're a Cincy-fan and you love nomming, check out the following fabulous eateries. You won't be disappointed!
1. Pi Pizzeria
I think we can all agree that pizza is the elixir of life. It's the universally accepted food, the ultimate comfort, and one of the most versatile food groups out there. Pi Pizzeria located downtown on E 6th Street (walking distance from Fountain Square) is home to perfection actualized within the family of Chicago-style deep dish pizza.
Pi is a chain and has locations in St. Louis, D.C. and now, Cincinnati! (Thank goodness.) The pies are stuffed and baked to a delicate consistency of crispy satisfying crustiness on the exterior, and gooey melty gourmet goodness inside. If you don't give Pi a try, you are missing out.
2. Izen's Drunken Bento
Drunken Bento is a University of Cincinnati go-to favorite. Tucked away in a little strip on W McMillan St., this place is totally hoppin' at any given time. Its hole-in-the-wall-sushi-joint atmosphere makes the restaurant all the more trendy. While Drunken Bento is famous for its deliciously extensive sushi menu, its entrees sometimes fly under the radar. Bento's Korean dishes are absolutely mouthwatering.
Next time you go, opt for some steamy Ramyun or Udon noodles with egg, rice cakes and dumplings. Or a sizzling stone bowl of 'Dolsot Bibimbap' - a staple Korean dish consisting of crunchy rice, vegetables, choice of meat and a fried egg on top.
Another fun little Bento hack: you can have ANY roll completely deep fried in tempura batter for $2 extra. So indulgent and sosososo worth it.
3. Macaron Bar
Macaron Bar is Cincy's first official macaronerie! Rejoice! These delicate pastries can also be found at Taste of Belgium and Buonna Terra. However, Macaron Bar wins when it comes to flavor selection, ambience and overall cuteness in presentation.
Authentically made macarons are so very special because of how much of a delicacy they are. They are gluten-free, made entirely from the finest almond flour folded into an egg-and-sugar amalgam whipped into a meringue consistency, with buttercream or preserve fillings. These addicting little melt-in-your-mouth cookies will have you reaching for more and more and more. And Macaron Bar collaborates with other local cincy confectionaries such as Dojo Gelato (another must-try, located in Findlay Market), and sometimes feature extra special gelato-filled macarons *heart-eye emoji*.
So please. Treat yo'self by heading over to one of Macaron Bar's three locations (OTR, Kenwood Towne Center, Hyde Park) and buy yourself a box of heaven.
4. Aladdin's Eatery
Aladdin's isn't exactly located in the Cincinnati area, but it's not too far off. It's about 30 seconds away from IKEA Westchester, so next time you're there shopping for that new dorm/apartment or trying to find that perfect rug for your living room, skip out on the swedish meatballs, and head to Aladdin's for a change. I guarantee your stomach will be eternally grateful. Aladdin's specializes in Meditteranean and Lebanese cuisine, featuring items like Falafel, Baba Ganoush, Hummus+Pita, fabulous salads and shareable platters, and the most beautiful case of pastries and cheesecakes. Everything is so fresh and satisfying.
Special mention for their Tiramisu -- it definitely wins MVP of the universe.
5. Holtman's Donuts
Holtman's is a magical place where unicorns prance and rainbow pixie dust flutters through the air, aka, it's a beautiful shop with very tasty (very famous) cake-donuts. Yes, this is exactly what it sounds like. Imagine a donut. Now imagine that the consistency of this donut is literally cake. Fried and smothered in sugary sweet glaze, covered in rainbow sprinkles. If you haven't had the spiritual experience of trying a Holtman's cake donut, you need to go to OTR and do this immediately. You can't miss it, the line is always out the door, but totally worth the wait!
6. Cilantro Vietnamese Bistro
It doesn't get fresher or fiercer than Cilantro. The proximity to UC's campus makes it a perfect place to grab delicious and nutritious lunch in between classes. The menu features a variety of traditional vietnamese dishes, including Pho, Noodle Bowls, Rice paper wrapped spring rolls, all with a very healthy/modern variations, including a number of vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free options.
7. Nada
Don't be fooled by the name. If your knowledge of high school spanish has temporarily failed you, i'll help you out: nada means nothing. But this fine-dining restaurant serves up pretty much everything, rather. Tacos, Quesadillas, Fajitas, Enchiladas, you name it. All in an upscale atmosphere with a stylish spiral staircase to accent its two-story layout, excellent presentation and beautiful decor. Perfect for downtown date night, girls night out, or an elegant dining experience before catching a show at the Aronoff Center, conveniently located right next door.
MVP comfort food item on the menu definitely goes to The Mexican Mac and Cheese -- Pasta shells covered in an incredibly rich, cheddary, smooth, sauce simmered with poblano and jalapeno peppers, (adding that extra kick) topped with toasted/seasoned breadcrumbs. The Portobello Tacos, Guac and Smoked Queso dip are must-eats as well. Party in your mouth, basically.
8. Quan Hapa
Another fancy OTR hang. Quan Hapa features a sort of pan-asian "street food" menu with a very casual dining atmosphere. The menu isn't huge, but you know what they say, less is more. Their specialty items will most definitely satisfy all of your asian foodie dreams. Featured foods include Ramen and Yakisoba noodle bowls, Banh Mi Vietnamese sandwiches, a number of tasty appetizer selections and Okonomiyaki, which is a sort of a fried savory Japanese pancake. The Okonomiyaki is pretty popular, because of how indulgent it is, and has a few different variations on the menu including toppings like enoki and shiitake mushrooms, caramelized onions, bacon, tonakatsu, fried egg, japanese mayo, kimchi, korean bbq sauce, etc.
Quan Hapa also has a create-your-own-ramen option which gives you all kinds of creative foodie freedom. So much power, so many options, wow. Quan Hapa is one of those restaurants that deceives you with its seemingly small menu filled with an infinitely number of delicious options.
9. Krishna - Indian Carryout
Krishna is sort of your quintessential Americanized Indian carry-out joint for college kids. It may not be authentically Indian, but when it tastes that good, who cares? Krishna's lunch special is the queen of all queen baes. A gigantic portion of any dish your heart desires, with a boatload of steaming hot rice (you are guaranteed to have leftovers. for days.)
Popular staples include Saag Paneer (creamed spinach with paneer, a sort of fresh cheese) and Chicken Tikka Masala (pieces of tandoori chicken marinating in a spicy tomato/cream gravy). The best part about the lunch special is the free garlic naan. Who doesn't love free garlic bread? Amazing.
10. Tiger Dumpling
Tiger Dumpling is just plain awesome. It's fairly new to the Clifton campus-town area, and if you haven't tried it yet, you should be questioning your life's existence right now. These dumplings are ginORMous, and you get an order 5 of them for $5. You have the option of Pork, Chicken or Veggie, and the order comes with either a spicy sauce or regular 'tiger' sauce, both of which are zingy and oh-so-delightful for your tastebuds. Tiger also has soups of the day, and a lovely selection of seasoned edamame, perfect for sharing.
Did I mention that Tiger Dumpling delivers? Until 3 a.m.? Every day? Yeah.
Food is an integral part of every day life. So you might as well enjoy every moment of it! Live to eat. Love to eat. Enjoy Life! Happy Fooding!
