Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Cincinnati / Dayton

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Cincinnati / Dayton? 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 (3228)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Cincinnati

About the restaurant

Mita's is the second restaurant from James Beard Finalist Chef Jose Salazar and 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 tapas menu focuses on both the traditional and modern foods and beverages of Spain and Latin America, with charcuterie, ceviches, and paella.

Top review

Sarah

Dined 4 days ago

Great food, fun atmosphere, good service. We really enjoyed the paella!

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Popular dish

Pulpo

Popular dish

Pastel de Tres Leches

Popular dish

Tostones y Guacamole

The Baker's Table

4.9

4.9 (113)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Cincinnati

About the restaurant

The Baker’s Table offers a true farm-to-table experience, with a unique and dynamic menu that features local produce, artisan sourdough, and handmade pasta. Guests can choose between a Five Course Chef's Tasting Menu or a la carte dining, with an optional wine pairing or spirit-free cocktail pairing available to complement the meal.

In 2019 the restaurant was named one of the Best New Restaurants in America by both EATER.com and USAToday.com. With extensive free parking available, and only a 6 minute drive from downtown, Baker's Table is an oasis of urban dining in historic Newport, Kentucky.

Top review

CharlesVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Very inventive farm to table dishes with delightful cocktails.

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Experience

The Baker's Table Semi Private

Safi Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (67)

$30 and under

Moroccan

Over the Rhine

About the restaurant

Safi is an exciting new concept from the renowned Chef Jose Salazar and his wife, Ann Salazar. Inspired by their travels in Morocco, Safi features a diverse selection of small plates, an extensive wine list, unique cocktails, beers, tea, and coffee. We welcome walk-in guests in our cozy lounge with ample seating at our bar and on our inviting 14th Street Patio. We look forward to welcoming you to Safi!

Top review

SHEILA

Dined 1 day ago

The lamb tagine was incredible! So delicious! Definitely recommend and we will be back.

Silas Creative Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (537)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Versailles

About the restaurant

Fresh + Unexpected Dining
Serving up an eclectic mix of globally inspired cocktails, wine and chef-driven cuisine, one would never guess that the key ingredients to Silas's success are sourced from a farm just down the road.

A bright sunlit space by day and a cozy candlelit venue by night, our main dining room makes an impact with contemporary decor and comfortable seating that’s swanky and sophisticated yet approachable to all.

Top review

EileenVIP

Dined on May 3, 2025

Fabulous as always! The new wild mushroom tart as a starter was delicious and shareable. It would be a great addition to the lunch menu! The short ribs and hummus are ‘melt in your mouth’ smooth, and explode with flavor. We also enjoy the ever changing seasonal vegetable plate, 100% from ordinary. And a new dessert, create a takeoff on a chocolate sundae was perfectly sized and divine. chef Aaron, you are amazing.

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Experience

Silas Tasting Experience

Livery - Montgomery

4.7

4.7 (395)

$31 to $50

Latin American

Montgomery

About the restaurant

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

Top review

BETHVIP

Dined on May 2, 2025

Great food, great server, great evening. We’ll be back.

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4.7

4.7 (859)

$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

Emily

Dined 3 days ago

Was so excited to try the new seasonal menu. Food was delicious as usual! Cornbread is always a hit and the tuna starter was my favorite. Can’t wait to come back

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4.7

4.7 (305)

$50 and over

Market Cuisine

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.

Our menu changes often and with the seasons. You can always find our current menu on our website www.theaperturecinci.com.

Top review

GregVIP

Dined 2 days ago

All of the food was very good, but the Black Maitake was our standout dish for the evening!

Metropole @ 21c Museum Hotel

4.6

4.6 (2907)

$31 to $50

American

Central Business District

About the restaurant

The culinary team at Metropole brings a menu that focuses on the joy of nourishing food with a contemporary take on old-world techniques. Metropole highlights a diverse offering that utilizes global techniques mixed with the culinary traditions found throughout the Ohio Valley. Metropole’s ever-changing menu showcases the area’s sustainable farmers and producers while paying homage to the full potential of often undervalued ingredients. The bar and lounge are inviting places to explore the rotating selection of craft beers on tap, house-made cocktails, Bourbons and a smart selection of old and new world wines.

Top review

Dave

Dined 4 days ago

Jeremy was very professional and made the evening very enjoyable

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4.6

4.6 (124)

$31 to $50

Contemporary British

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Crown Restaurant Group’s Newest Culinary Gem, Marigold, is about to Bloom!
~Located in Cincinnati’s Fountain District~

Top review

Tricia HVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Love Marigold and all of the Crown Republic Group of restaurants! Food excellent, service excellent and perfect for meeting family or friends! Losanti, Crown Republic, Rosie, Five on Vine, Marigold will always deliver a great food experience with family and friends.

Mode X Tequila Bistro

4.6

4.6 (92)

$30 and under

Mexican

Beavercreek

About the restaurant

A sophisticated twist on the Tequila bistro style of informal eating and drinking.........Welcome to Mode X Tequila Bistro, a place that praises the vibrancy of Mexico. Here you will find a fun and casual dining experience. At Mode X, we emphasize on using quality ingredients, from fresh-pressed tortillas to housemade sauce.

Top review

MaryVIP

Dined on May 2, 2025

This was our first time at the restaurant, and we will definitely be back. The food and service were great!

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