The Mercer OTR

Name: The Mercer OTR
Address: 1324 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH, United States, 45202
Telephone: (513) 421-5111
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.6

4.6

1270 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Top Tags:

The Mercer OTR offers European-inspired New American cuisine. The dining room offers a comfortable place to enjoy great food and the bar is the perfect spot for a classic cocktail or light bite.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(513) 421-5111

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Modern European, American
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–8:30 pm
Phone number
(513) 421-5111
Website
http://www.themercerotr.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Corey Graham
Private party facilities
We do not have a private party room at The Mercer, however we do rent out the restaurant completely at times. Our main dining area is quite quiet and large business dinners do well despite the space not being private.
Private party contact
Emmy Friedrichs: (513) 421-5111

Location
1324 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Neighborhood
Over the Rhine
Cross street
Mercer Street
Parking details
Garage parking, street parking, no valet at this time
Public transit
Bus line, Streetcar Vine/12th Stop
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Kosher, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Popular dishes

Lobster Bisque$8.00
crème fraiche, tarragon, chive oil
Smoked Guacamole$8.00
pico de gallo, tortilla chips, plantains
Ricotta Bruschetta$10.00
grilled allez sourdough, ricotta, port wine onion jam
Smoked Wings$12.00
house bbq or spicy thai chili sauce
Tempura Shrimp$14.00
shiitake mushrooms, spicy aioli, ponzu
Charcuterie Plate$21.00
bresaola, finocchiona salami, speck taleggio, cambozola, ricotta

Salads

Classic Caesar$7.00
romaine, parmesan crisps, croutons
Green Goddess$7.00
bibb, roma tomato, watermelon radish, candied pecans, gorgonzola, goddess dressing
Chopped Iceberg Wedge$7.00
bacon, egg, tomato, chive, 1000 island or blue cheese dressing

Salads Additions

Chicken$8.00
Shrimp$10.00
Salmon$12.00

Dinner Plates

Seared Salmon$30.00
melted leeks, yukon gold smash, beurre rouge
Baby Back Ribs$18.00
vietnamese street vendor style or BBQ
Amish Chicken Breast$29.00
garlic & chive gnocchi, mushrooms, asparagus, chicken jus
Mercer Burger$17.00
two patties, boursin, bacon, caramelized onion, arugula
Classic Style$15.00
cheddar, bibb lettuce, tomato, truffle aioli

Sides

Roasted Brussels Sprouts$8.00
Poblano Chili Macaroni & Cheese$8.00
Roasted Cauliflower$8.00
Yukon Gold Smashed Potatoes$6.00
Duck Fat Fries$6.00
Allez Baguette$5.00
whipped butter, maldon salt

What 1,270 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.6

4.6 based on all time ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.5Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

C
Cherk
Cincinnati
21 reviews
5.0
21 reviews
Dined on January 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food and service!
Is this helpful?
LD
LisaD
Chicago
39 reviews
vip
5.0
39 reviews
Dined on January 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding dining experience. The food was phenomenal. The cauliflower appetizer was delicious, the endive salad amazing, and the salmon was lick your plate clean spectacular! Wonderful service. Can’t wait to go back.
Is this helpful?
RM
RachelM
Cincinnati
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on January 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a really neat place to have dinner. The food was great, the waiting for fun, and it was a great place to hang out with friends.
Is this helpful?
DH
DanielleH
Cincinnati
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on January 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Food was excellent, especially the chicken wings and risotto. Half price wine bottles on a Friday was awesome too. Our waiter was very personable.
Is this helpful?
FS
FrankSound
Cincinnati
29 reviews
5.0
29 reviews
Dined on January 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Who would have thought that olives as an appetizer would have been great but they were! Deviled eggs were good too with a delicate touch of dill. Risotto was really good. Involtini(?) chicken might have been a bit salty but only in hindsight when we realized our thirst and our rings were more difficult to remove in the evening, LOL. Oh, and the pork belly appetizer was seriously good too. Love that parsnip purée! Our server, Ebba, was excellent and informed. The only negative was the a shortish wine list and a $100 for The Prisoner Red Blend too much even by restaurant standards.
Is this helpful?
GC
GabbyC
Louisville
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This place BLEW us away… the ambiance was AMAZING. We loved the NYC vibes and incredible service. The food was even better! this will be the first place i take my family when they come into town.
Is this helpful?
MG
MeganG
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
My husband and I split the burger and it was incredible! We also got the truffle fries and a salad and it was the perfect amount of food and everything was excellent quality. Wine bottles are also half price on Fridays which is an incredible deal!
Is this helpful?
CB
CourtneyB
London
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on January 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved our wait staff and all of the food was delicious! We wanted to take the house bread home in loaves and the other two courses were just as delectable. Great drinks, view, and menu. A hidden gem of OTR!
Is this helpful?
DS
DonaldS
Cincinnati
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on January 8, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Second time I have dined at Mercer. Food was great and nice craft cocktails. Green Goddess salad is awesome and split to share. Chicken Involtini was amazing! Will be sure to go back!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Cincinnati
8 reviews
vip
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on January 8, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
Lovely time
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Cincinnati
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had an excellent meal last night. Several Open Table reviewers have commented on poor service in the past, but this has certainly not our experience. Our server, Kenzi, was terrific…friendly, informative, and attentive. Other staff also checked in on us, promptly cleared, etc. We have been there a couple of times over the past several months and can recommend the short ribs and the salmon as worth the trip. We like the atmosphere. It’s a bit quieter than other OTR restaurants, and tables are appropriately spaced for the pandemic.The restaurant also is nicely accessible given the parking garage next door. Also easy distance from Washington Park and Music Hall. We agree that, with wine and drinks, Mercer can be a bit pricey (worth it, though),but would be an excellent value if coming on half-price wine nights.
Is this helpful?
J
Justin
Kansas City
7 reviews
3.0
7 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience3
The wings were very good and had a great smoke flavor. The risotto was average the rice did not get evenly cooked and some of the rice was not done. The cesar salad was very plain, fresh black pepper was not offered and the salad had a strange fishy flavor. The staff never asked how our meal was and didn't even question the fact that the salad was hardly touched.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Western NC
6 reviews
vip
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2021
overall4food5service4ambience3
The food was outstanding. Cocktails were average. I would still go back.
Is this helpful?
AL
AutumnL
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on December 31, 2021
overall4food4service5ambience5
We had a great time at this restaurant. We will be back.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Cincinnati
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 30, 2021
overall4food5service5ambience4
I got the salmon and my husband got the short ribs. Both were delicious! We also got the 3 layer chocolate cake which was really good. It was a very slow night for them so service was great and fast. Overall we had an enjoyable birthday dinner.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 22, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Birthday dinner. We had a lovely time.
Is this helpful?
b
bettinar
Cincinnati
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 19, 2021
overall5food5service3ambience5
Hostess and food were great. Server was not great, but then another server stepped in
Is this helpful?
EF
EmilyF
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 19, 2021
overall5food5service4ambience4
Great date spot! A little drafty next to the windows.
Is this helpful?
TT
TiramisuT
Cincinnati
37 reviews
vip
5.0
37 reviews
Dined on December 17, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Kensie took great care of us. She had recommendations and was cheerful and sweet. The food was all wonderful - fried cauliflower and bruschetta trio appetizers, seared salmon, burger and fries, and bolognese. Yummy!
Is this helpful?
SK
SheilaK
Cincinnati
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on December 15, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a great meal. Chef Corry did a great job dealing with my allergies and serving a very tasty meal.
Is this helpful?
JG
JohnG
Cincinnati
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 12, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food and ambience. Sat in the bar area, but was very comfortable and not overly loud. Santa-con was in process, so enjoyed the sideshow.
Is this helpful?
LT
LTWatt
Las Vegas
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on December 11, 2021
overall5food4service4ambience4
There was a faulty light fixture and upon us pointing it out the manager moved us without attitude or issues. Our server seemed new or very young. Made some minor errors not worth ruining our evening.
Is this helpful?
T
Tyler
Cincinnati
80 reviews
vip
5.0
80 reviews
Dined on December 11, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great meal and experience. Server was attentive and helpful.
Is this helpful?
LA
LizA
Cincinnati
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 10, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is this helpful?
B
Bobby
Cincinnati
343 reviews
vip
4.0
343 reviews
Dined on December 10, 2021
overall4food4service4ambience4
Everything here is very good. I believe this is a place you could throw a dart at the menu and be very happy with your selection. The Mercer is definitely our go-to place in OTR when we go to Ensemble Theatre. So, I rate it the best on Vine. Highly recommend the mushroom risotto and short rib entrees.
Is this helpful?
LC
LaneC
Oklahoma City
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 10, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful food, attentive wait staff, and a lovely experience!
Is this helpful?
TG
TimmyG
Cincinnati
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 5, 2021
overall5food4service5ambience4
6 people Booth. I don’t like Booths
Is this helpful?
S
Steve
Cincinnati
36 reviews
vip
5.0
36 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food very good as usual. Ate in the bar area which was comfortable. Nice evening
Is this helpful?
g
gates
Cincinnati
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2021
overall4food5service5ambience5
The Mercer Food was excellent. I had the risotto, but overall we felt somewhat overpriced, especially the burgers. Any extras cost extra, nothing included, loved the ambiance. We had Dante who was an excellent, friendly, server.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Cincinnati
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Such a wonderful experience! amazing and attentive servers and hostesses, fabulous cuisine. Highly recommend!!!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Cincinnati
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on November 27, 2021
overall1food1service4ambience3
Our server was very nice, Mackenzie, and our cocktails tasted great. The drawback is that they were both extremely short pours. We tried the appetizer special, mushroom truffle bruschetta. It came out as a single crostini, the glaze was bright purple (re: Barney), and the taste was not good. The serving size was ridiculously small as well. We also tried the butternut squash soup. It had a good taste but it was not even warm. We shared our feedback with our server. The manager returned and was rude, saying she could’ve done something if we had told her. Um…..no one came to our table for quite a while, and when our server stopped by — we told her our issues. Hello! We left, skipping entrees. We will not be back, and we will be happy to influence our friends and associates to AVOID The Mercer!
Is this helpful?
C
Campbell
Louisville
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 21, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
We were not expecting much from the Mercer but it was well beyond our expectations. We had a fantastic meal. Service was great despite us being boisterous. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for an upscale meal in OTR
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Cincinnati
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 20, 2021
overall5food5service4ambience5
Our waitress was
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Cincinnati
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 20, 2021
overall4food5service5ambience4
Got together with a friend and had some wonderful service. They respected my allergens and has great wine!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 13, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great ambience, drinks, and service. Very accommodating with food restrictions.
Is this helpful?
D
Diningwell
Cincinnati
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 7, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food and staff.
Is this helpful?
GZ
GeoffZ
Minneapolis
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 6, 2021
overall5food5service4ambience4
I've had the burger 2x times now and probably will get it again whenever I go back for the 3rd time. It's become my favorite casual date night spot with my wife.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Cincinnati
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 6, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
The Mercer never disappoints. The Chicken Involtini was out of bounds amazing and the cocktails are always top notch.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 5, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
All great. Love the bar area and food!
Is this helpful?
JG
JeffG
Cincinnati
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 5, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Really great setting, not too loud. Menu was outstanding and food quality was fantastic. Highly recommend.
Is this helpful?

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Protective equipment
- Waitstaff wear masks

FAQs

The Mercer OTR offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (513) 421-5111.

The Mercer OTR is rated 4.6 stars by 1270 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(513) 421-5111

1324 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Additional information

Cross street
Mercer Street
Neighborhood
Over the Rhine
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–8:30 pm
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Modern European, American
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Garage parking, street parking, no valet at this time
Public transit
Bus line, Streetcar Vine/12th Stop
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Executive chef
Corey Graham
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Kosher, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.themercerotr.com/
Phone number
(513) 421-5111
Private party facilities
We do not have a private party room at The Mercer, however we do rent out the restaurant completely at times. Our main dining area is quite quiet and large business dinners do well despite the space not being private.
Private party contact
Emmy Friedrichs: (513) 421-5111

The Mercer OTR

Not available on OpenTable

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

Additional information

Best Restaurants in Cincinnati

The Best Bars for Foodies in Cincinnati

Seared Salmon

Ricotta Bruschetta

Mercer Burger

Snacks

Marinated Olives$6.00

Classic Deviled Eggs$6.00

Candied Bacon$7.00

Small Plates

Lobster Bisque$8.00

Smoked Guacamole$8.00

Ricotta Bruschetta$10.00

Smoked Wings$12.00

Tempura Shrimp$14.00

Charcuterie Plate$21.00

Salads

Classic Caesar$7.00

Green Goddess$7.00

Chopped Iceberg Wedge$7.00

Salads Additions

Chicken$8.00

Shrimp$10.00

Salmon$12.00

Dinner Plates

Seared Salmon$30.00

Baby Back Ribs$18.00

Amish Chicken Breast$29.00

Mercer Burger$17.00

Classic Style$15.00

Sides

Roasted Brussels Sprouts$8.00

Poblano Chili Macaroni & Cheese$8.00

Roasted Cauliflower$8.00

Yukon Gold Smashed Potatoes$6.00

Duck Fat Fries$6.00

Allez Baguette$5.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Cleaning & sanitizing

Physical distancing

Protective equipment

FAQs

Does The Mercer OTR offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is The Mercer OTR restaurant rated?

Not available on OpenTable

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

Additional information

Featured in

Best Restaurants in Cincinnati

The Best Bars for Foodies in Cincinnati