Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Cincinnati

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Cincinnati? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Mita's

4.9

4.9 (3036)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Cincinnati

About the restaurant

Mita's, the second restaurant from acclaimed Chef Jose Salazar is named after his Colombian grandmother - his "Mita." The beautiful 130 seat restaurant designed by MSA Architects is located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati at the corner of Fifth and Race Streets on the ground floor of the 84.51 Building. Mita's eclectic, farm inspired menu focuses on both the traditional and modern foods and beverages of Spain and Latin America, with tapas, ceviches, cured hams, cheeses and large plates.

Top review

Kenny

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful food, amazing service. Absolutely perfect for our anniversary dinner date.

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Popular dish

Pulpo

Popular dish

Pastel de Tres Leches

Popular dish

Tostones y Guacamole

SOB Steakhouse

4.8

4.8 (2041)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Liberty Township

About the restaurant

The era of a stuffy steakhouse has now evolved into something magical.  From the founders of award-winning Agave & Rye, who have been cited with accolades such as “Top 5 Hottest Brands 2021” from NRN, as well as “Top 20 NEXT-GEN Brands 2021” from FSR, S.O.B (Son of a Butcher) offers everything desirable in a top steakhouse, without the white tablecloths, pretentious service, and boring atmosphere. The steakhouse has something for everyone, including USDA Prime cuts, Wagyu, Caviar, Shaved Truffles and Gold Leaf options, plus Fresh Seafood, Scratch Pasta, and memorable desserts. Our service focuses on true hospitality with the mission to leave our guests wanting for nothing. With every detail, design and inspiration revolving around our Core Values, our guests will enjoy a fun, elevated environment, innovative menu, craft cocktails, and simply a damn good time. 

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 7 days ago

Had an amazing meal and our server, Brenden, was fantastic!

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4.7

4.7 (317)

$31 to $50

Latin American

Montgomery

About the restaurant

Livery is a neighborhood gathering place with a Latin influenced menu.

Top review

kathleenvip

Dined 5 days ago

Exceptional food! Exceptional service! Good company❣️. Enough said👍

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Gyu-Kaku - Cincinnati

4.7

4.7 (454)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Cincinnati

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was delicious, it was a fun interactive experience!

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Experience

Prix-Fixe Yakiniku Courses for Everyone!

Nolia Kitchen - OTR

4.7

4.7 (737)

$31 to $50

American

Cincinnati

About the restaurant

Chef Jeff Harris is serving classic southern flavors at Nolia Kitchen, as well as imaginative and unconventional twists to familiar staples.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

Quick trip to Cincy and Nolia did not disappoint. Must try the kettle cornbread. Friendly staff, great scene. Amazing dessert!

Alara

4.7

4.7 (217)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Oakley

About the restaurant

A contemporary American restaurant located at Madison Square in Madisonville. Alara invites you to an immersive dining experience that encourages exploring, sharing, and tasting your way through innovative dishes that are expertly prepared and exquisitely presented. Featuring a seasonal menu emphasizing prime meats and seafood, the culinary team utilizes luxury ingredients to create fun and approachable dishes for every diner. With an open kitchen that fosters a social atmosphere, Alara strips away the conventional formalities of fine dining while focusing on high-quality food and next-level hospitality in a lively yet elegant setting.

Top review

Billvip

Dined 5 days ago

Alara is a new gem of a restaurant for Cincinnati. Each dish was unique and delicious. We’ll be back!

The Aperture

4.7

4.7 (52)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Cincinnati

About the restaurant

The Aperture, the first full-scale restaurant project from Chef Jordan Anthony-Brown. The menu reflects the concept of Mediterranean mezze style dining, consisting of many small plates, rustic in nature and reflective of seasonality and creates a natural progression and flow for the dining experience. The Aperture’s menu reflects three fundamental tenets: intention, balance, and focus. The menu - and its individual dishes - are approached with the objective of putting critical thought into every component, eliminating the extraneous, and ensuring a natural flow across the menu. The culinary program is heavily influenced by the cuisine of the broader Mediterranean region and the simple, seasonal cooking of Southern France, Italy, Greece, and the Levant.

Top review

Kimvip

Dined 4 days ago

Fantastic experience from start to finish! Innovative food and spectacular service!

LaLo Chino-Latino

4.6

4.6 (445)

$30 and under

Latin American

Cincinnati

About the restaurant

LaLo is where Latin and Asian food collide. LaLo offers you a unique experience with fusion dishes full of flavor, asian and latin inspired drinks, and lively exciting latin music.

Top review

KatherineA

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

The service and ambience are good. It’s a good portion of food and I always have some to take home! I got the Mexi Pad Thai and it was very good!

Baru

4.4

4.4 (237)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Central Business District

About the restaurant

An elevated dining experience with an atmosphere to match.
Cincinnati’s prime spot for cocktails and sushi. Lit up in red and purple, Baru’s atmosphere submerges patrons into a nightlife experience awash in Tokyo aesthetics.

Top review

Markvip

Dined 4 days ago

Great food and even better service. Brussel Spouts tasted heavenly. Thought it was hard to hear around our table but everyone is obviously enjoying.

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Experience

October Omakase - Chef's Tasting Menu

Quan Hapa

4.3

4.3 (62)

$30 and under

Asian