Best Lunch Restaurants in Cincinnati

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodJapaneseChinese

Regions

Cincinnati

Neighborhoods

BellevueCentral Business DistrictCincinnatiCovingtonFort MitchellHyde Park

Top Rated

CharmingGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunchGreat for craft beer

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

32 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Sotto

4.9

Exceptional(8528)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Central Business District

Booked 196 times today

It is a concept of casual intimacy and communal romance. Sotto is the art of simplicity, a steward of restraint. It’s undressed, gutsy and human. It is fire, meat, wheat, and laughter. Above all, Sotto is Italian.Now Open for Lunch Service Monday - Friday, 11am - 2pm

2. Pepp & Dolores

4.8

Exceptional(4454)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Over the Rhine

Booked 122 times today

INSPIRED BY THE SPIRIT AND SENSE OF HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCED AT SUNDAY SUPPER IN THE HOME OF OUR GRANDPARENTS, PEPP & DOLORES IS A CASUAL ITALIAN RESTAURANT THAT PAYS HOMAGE TO FAMILY AND TO THE FOOD THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER. FEATURING HOUSEMADE PASTAS, CAREFULLY CURATED WINES, AND A BALANCE OF CHERISHED FAMILY RECIPES WITH FRESH, VIBRANT FLAVORS THAT MAKE US FEEL: THIS IS HOME.

A photo of Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse - Cincinnati restaurant

3. Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse - Cincinnati

4.8

Exceptional(9665)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steak • Central Business District

Booked 147 times today

Jeff Ruby's is a reimagined art deco style steakhouse featuring U.S.D.A Prime Steaks and Fresh Seafood...not to mention our extensive selection of sushi, signature salads, Steakhouse sides, and desserts. Jeff Ruby's is conveniently located across from Fountain Square and is within walking distance of downtown hotels and the convention center. When you demand the very best in dining experiences, choose Jeff Ruby's. Discover the distinction for yourself!

A photo of Court Street Kitchen restaurant

4. Court Street Kitchen

4.9

Exceptional(259)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Central Business District

Booked 40 times today

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.

A photo of Pennyflower Bistro and Bar restaurant

5. Pennyflower Bistro and Bar

4.2

Awesome(104)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Cincinnati

Booked 7 times today

Pennyflower Bistro and Bar is a contemporary American Bistro with a chic yet casual atmosphere. From a tantalizing crudo menu to perfectly curated & ethically sourced entrees, our menu is an eclectically comforting selection of bites—whether you decide to come join us for coffee, lunch, or dinner. We are conveniently located in The Clair Hotel on the east side of downtown Cincinnati near to P&G headquarters and the Fountain District.We look forward to serving you!

6. Nada - Cincinnati

4.7

Exceptional(6182)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Mexican • Central Business District

Booked 63 times today

Energy, creativity, and the desire for a really great taco inspired the Nada concept. Downtown Cincinnati needed a place to go, revive, and relax after the busy pace of the metropolitan work scene. Since 2007, Nada has been delighting guests with craveable twists on the classics and border-blurring dishes inspired by food from around the globe. Nada has expanded to Columbus and Indianapolis. Each location is integrated into the local community and focuses on delivering an approachable, casual Mexican experience in a beautiful space. Snag guacamole and salsa to share, and dig in to punched-up tacos, Nada is all about great food and good times with amigos.

7. 1931

4.2

Awesome(487)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Cincinnati

Booked 8 times today

Nestled in downtown Cincinnati's iconic Hilton Netherland Plaza, 1931 offers a sophisticated dining experience in a stunning Art Deco setting. Marvel at soaring painted ceilings, exotic wood columns, and historic Rookwood pottery while savoring contemporary American cuisine.From indulgent breakfast classics to refined lunch offerings and elegant dinner selections, our seasonal menus showcase the finest ingredients with modern flair. The bar features artisanal cocktails.Located in the heart of downtown, 1931 provides the perfect backdrop for romantic dinners, business lunches, or pre-theater dining. Experience the perfect blend of historic grandeur and contemporary cuisine in one of Cincinnati's most celebrated architectural treasures."

A photo of Rusk Kitchen + Bar restaurant

8. Rusk Kitchen + Bar

4.4

Awesome(237)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Cincinnati

Booked 18 times today

A full-service restaurant and bar offering eclectic American cuisine, beer, elevated house-made cocktails, and wine. Rusk is the perfect place to catch your favorite teams, brunch on the Sunday's, lunch with coworkers, wine and dine for date night, grab dinner with the family, and enjoy cocktails with your friends on the 2nd-floor rooftop patio. Our vision is to be a favorite neighborhood spot for everyone to gather.

9. Subito

4.6

Exceptional(1280)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Cincinnati

Booked 16 times today

Indulge in Northern Italian Cuisine with an air of European sophistication and influence at Subito. Savor homemade pastas, scratch-made sauces and hand-selected, perfectly seared steaks, finished in our infrared broiler. Along with the freshest seafood, flown in daily from the ports, Subito offers brick oven pizzas, a raw bar and traditional antipasti. Enjoy fine Italian and American wines from the cellar or a libation made by one of the restaurant's talented mixologists. Order up premium hand-crafted cocktails and bourbons, as well as the best of the region's beverages, like negronis, bellinis and our own Lytle Park limoncello. Pair one of these amazing beverages with Chef Helm's selection of shareable plates.

10. The Davidson

4.6

Exceptional(758)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Central Business District

Booked 41 times today

An American-style bistro drawing inspiration from French, Italain and American fare. The Davidson, which honors Tyler Davidson, the namesake of the fountain just across the street.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

B
BillVIP
Cincinnati / Dayton •42 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Always a top notch experience at Ruby's restaurants.
More info
Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse - CincinnatiPrice: Very Expensive• Steak• Central Business District
•
4.8
P
Peggy
Cincinnati / Dayton •23 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Always a wonderful experience of excellent food with wonderful service. Wait staff is the best around.
More info
SottoPrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Central Business District
•
4.9
L
LindaVIP
Cincinnati / Dayton •48 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
The food was great and the server gracious but no attention given to the pace of the meal. After a delay getting humus, all the other courses came out at the same time. No room on the table, food sitting in the sun, it was not nice. Next time, we'll be more directive about pacing and the fact that we had 90 minutes to enjoy the meal and not 30 minutes.
More info
Court Street KitchenPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Central Business District
•
4.9
D
DianeVIP
Dallas - Fort Worth •4 reviews
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
Our server was grumpy but otherwise great experience!
More info
Pepp & DoloresPrice: Moderate• Italian• Over the Rhine
•
4.8
P
PattiVIP
Cincinnati / Dayton •90 reviews
4.0
Dined 6 days ago
All was generally good but after mentioning several times that we had no time constraints, our server was at our table every 5 minutes to move us along. We had cocktails, appetizers, and entrees and we were paying our bill 1 hour and 5 minutes from the time we walked in. Felt very rushed.
More info
Pennyflower Bistro and BarPrice: Moderate• American• Cincinnati
•
4.2

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