The Best American Food in Cincinnati
Sections
- Eat , on. Can't turn off the last section 149
- Drink , off. Turn on 1 Only Drink
- Stay , off. Turn on 7 Only Stay
- Do , none in this area
Tap another section to add it.
The best American food in Cincinnati, according to the experts: James Beard Awards, Esquire, and AAA have all weighed in, and their honors are what rank this list. Nolia comes out on top.
More Less
20 Brix and Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse hold the next two places. AAA and Cincinnati Magazine show up on more of this list than any other guide.
-
Rank 1. Nolia
Southern
The kitchen is literally front and center here, open to the room so the whole team works in full view, moving like they own the place, which they kind of do. Nolia is a casual dinner spot where servers wear branded sweatshirts and the skillet cornbread arrives with a scoop of cane-syrup butter melting dramatically on top. Southern ease, exposed brick, and a menu that quietly runs gluten-free without making a cause of it. The house hot sauces are made from scratch, and one will have you fanning yourself.
The awards
- James Beard Awards James Beard Awards: 2023 · Nominee · Best New Restaurant
- James Beard Awards James Beard Awards: 2026 · Nominee · Best Chef: Great Lakes · Jeffrey Harris
- Esquire Esquire: The Best New Restaurants in America
- James Beard Awards 2023 · Nominee · Best New Restaurant
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Nominee · Best Chef: Great Lakes · Jeffrey Harris
- Esquire The Best New Restaurants in America
-
Rank 2. 20 Brix
American
The awards
-
Rank 2. Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse
American Steakhouse
The awards
-
Rank 2. S.W. Clyborne Co. Provision & Spirits
Southern American
The awards
-
Rank 2. Stone Creek - Montgomery
American
The awards
-
Rank 6. BRU Burger Bar - Cincinnati
American
The awards
- AAA AAA: Approved
-
Rank 6. Maplewood Kitchen and Bar
American
The awards
- AAA AAA: Approved
-
Rank 8. Harmony Plant Fare
Vegetarian American
The awards
- Cincinnati Magazine Cincinnati Magazine: 2025 · Vegan Sandwich · Best of the City
-
Rank 8. Northside Yacht Club
American
The awards
- Cincinnati Magazine Cincinnati Magazine: 2025 · Monthly Specials · Best of the City
-
Rank 8. Onolicious Hawaii
Hawaiian
Glazed, caramelized Spam wrapped in nori is on the menu, and at Onolicious it is a completely reasonable lunch. This casual Hawaiian spot grew from a food hall stall into its own brick-and-mortar, serving shoyu chicken and musubi to a city that has taken the whole thing rather seriously. The team brings a laid-back luau spirit to downtown Cincinnati, which is a sentence that works out better than you'd expect.
The awards
- Cincinnati Magazine Cincinnati Magazine: 2025 · Hawaiian Restaurant · Best of the City
-
Rank 8. The Oak Tavern
American Dive Bar
The awards
- Cincinnati Magazine Cincinnati Magazine: 2025 · Cheese Curds · Best of the City
-
Rank 12. Alcove
American
Nearly 3,000 plants grow out of the walls at this American kitchen and bar in Over-the-Rhine, which is either the most calming dining room in Cincinnati or proof that someone really committed to a concept. The living wall runs over 300 square feet of ferns, monstera, and ficus, maintained by a local specialist. It's the kind of room that makes you feel vaguely healthy regardless of what you order.
The awards
- Cincinnati Magazine Cincinnati Magazine: 2024 · Living Wall · Best of the City
-
Rank 12. Mr. Gene’s Dog House
Chicago-style American
The awards
- Cincinnati Magazine Cincinnati Magazine: 2024 · Chicago Dog · Best of the City