Cincinnati has a lot of character, and a lot of Cincinnati festivities focus on food and beverages. From Goetta Fest to the chain of Skyline Chili, Cincinnati depends on food and thrives on it.
1. Graeter's Ice Cream
It's probably the creamiest ice cream you'll ever taste, and the chocolate chips are bigger than your average morsel. Graeter's ice cream has been around for about 150 years in Cincinnati, and a shop can be found practically within fifteen minutes of any location. Not only can you just go in and get a scoop or two, but you can also take a pint home! It's not just an ice cream shop, because Graeter's is well known for their pastries, donuts, and cakes. If you're ever in the need for a cold, sweet treat, try it.
2. Skyline Chili
If you're not from Cincinnati, this might be a hard favorite to understand, but to the natives, Skyline is gold, but not Gold Star. Don't be discouraged by the look of it, the taste it great. The cheese is amazing, and no store brand can mock it. My favorite is a Chili Cheese Sandwich - a hotdog bun with chili and cheese that basically pour out of it. Skyline can be messy, but it's well worth it to indulge in the traditional 3-way chili - noodles, chili and cheese topped with oyster crackers. Just like Graeter's, it can be found pretty much anywhere, so go and try it. If you don't like it, that's okay, just see if you understand why it's a big deal here.
3. Larosa's Pizzeria
Whether it is the bread sticks, the pizza, or the spaghetti, Larosa's has it all. It's another big tradition in Cincinnati, and it's grown outward. Some people say the sauce is sweet, but it's a signature thing. You can even buy the sauce. It may look like all other pizza places, but it's definitely one to try.
4. Montgomery Inn
Looking on the fancier side of Cincinnati traditional dining? Try Montgomery Inn. Whether you go to the Boathouse down on the river, or go to Montgomery, you will get the experience. Their signature item is their sauce that you can get with almost anything you order there. It's a restaurant centered around meat, whether it's ribs, steak, fish or chicken, they have it, and it's good. If you're looking to spend a little more, this should be one of your picks.
5. Servatti's Pastry Shop
When you hear "pretzel bread" in Cincinnati, most people automatically think Servatti's. A pastry shop found in different areas around the tristate has bread, donuts, cookies, cakes, and sandwiches. They're normally in a smaller space, which gives the cozier, small, pastry-shop feel. Often, their sandwiches are used for catering, so if you go to an event and there's sandwiches with pretzel bread in the shape of a pretzel, it might just be Servatti's.
6. Tom + Chee
My favorite Cincinnati based franchise started under a tent on Fountain Square: Tom + Chee, short for tomato and cheese, two features you can get on any grilled cheese of your choosing. They have gluten free and vegan/vegatarian options, making it a good choice for just about anyone. You can either build your own, or pick one of their menu options. Did you ever think you could have a grilled cheese donut? That just happens to be one of their signature items. You can even get one with bacon and chocolate! If you ever go to Newport, there is a location right across from the Aquarium. It started small and has made its way up and about Cincinnati.
7. Findlay Market
Down in OTR, a place of history and culture that makes Cincinnati what it is, is home to many Cincinnati based restaurants and shops, and is famous all on it's own. Taste of Belgium started there, and it's also home to Dojo Gelato. If you're looking for a few hours to really grasp some of Cincinnati's history, go to OTR and find Findlay Market. It's very busy on Sunday's, but it's always cool to see. So go down to OTR and explore.
There's more than just these seven places, so go out on your own and see what the Cincinnati flavor is all about. If you're not from here, find a friend who is, and go fill your stomachs and have a good time.
