Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Cincinnati / Dayton

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Pho Lang Thang

4.9

4.9 (109)

$30 and under

Vietnamese

Over the Rhine

About the restaurant

Vietnamese restaurant located on Race St. by Findlay Market.

Top review

Anne

Dined on Jun 9, 2025

Pho Lang Thang has become a top three (Cincinnati - IYKYK) go-to food must-haves while family visits. Fresh. Delicious. Hot. Always. Servings are generous and reasonably priced.

Arnold's Bar and Grill

4.8

4.8 (755)

$30 and under

American

Cincinnati

About the restaurant

Always eager to show of it's 150 plus years of history, Arnold's Bar and Grill is Cincinnati's oldest continuously operated Tavern. Here are a few of Arnold's more recent awards and Accolades... Citybeat 2016: Best Live Music While You Eat, Thrillist 2015: The Most Iconic Bar in Ohio, The Daily Meal 2015: The 150 Best Bars in America, Cincinnati Magazine 2015: Top 45 Burgers in Cincinnati, Cityvoter 2015: Top 5 Beer Selection, Citybeat 2014: Best Outdoor Dining, Esquire Magazine 2013: Best Bars in America, Buzzfeed 2013: List of America's Oldest and Coolest Bars

Top review

Cyndi

Dined on May 31, 2025

Great service, from first checking in with the hostess to being served by wait staff. Perfect night for the courtyard.

Ghost Baby

4.8

4.8 (1553)

$31 to $50

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Over the Rhine

About the restaurant

Our Rattle Room welcomes you when joining us 4 floors below Vine street. The Rattle Room does not require reservations and is seated on a first come first serve basis.
Reservations are recommended and prioritized for our Den. If you have a reservation, please check in with the host at the front door before waiting in line. Reservations in our Den will be held for 15 minutes and are a total of 2 hours long (Excluding Saturday reservations before 6:30 which are an hour and a half).

We do not serve food, nor allow outside food.

Ghost Baby exists to rattle the extraordinary. Our cocktail lounge and music venue claims a 170-year-old space that once served as a lagering tunnel for a brewing company. Come as you are and enjoy an inventive cocktail, a stiff drink, your favorite canned beer, or a glass of our hand-selected wine. Reserve your spot for an intimate, unique performance in the Den or join us in the Rattle Room (front bar) on a walk-in basis.

21+ | Dress Code Enforced

Top review

Barry

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Excellent experience! Would definitely go back next time in Cincinnati. Service was excellent. Maryssa was excellent! Attentive and knowledgeable which always makes going to a new place easy! Great overall experience. Definitely would go back

Mode X Tequila Bistro

4.8

4.8 (99)

$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

JohannaVIP

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

If you are someone who cares about the details Mode X fits the bill. We have been coming since they opened and it is consistently excellent. The food is delicious! The service is excellent. The restaurant is beautiful and clean. Highly recommend this place.

Cincinnati Distilling

4.6

4.6 (550)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Milford

About the restaurant

Nestled in the charming town of Milford, Ohio, Cincinnati Distilling has been dedicated to crafting exceptional spirits since 2017. Our commitment to quality and passion for innovation drive us to produce a diverse range of craft spirits, including bourbon, rum, vodka, gin, and more.

Our on-site restaurant offers an inviting atmosphere where guests can enjoy elevated American cuisine. Whether you’re seeking a cozy dinner with family, a casual meal with friends, or a memorable dining experience for a special occasion, our menu is designed to delight.

One of the highlights of Cincinnati Distilling is our stunning rooftop bar. Here, guests can unwind with a cocktail while taking in panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Please note that for parties greater than 8 people, we ask that you call us to make arrangements. Additionally, we do not reserve tables for the roof bar or patio. The kitchen closes one hour before the bar. Food service begins at 3:00 on Mondays.

Top review

Charles

Dined 4 days ago

Great food. Waiter was extremely kind and brought out for different drinks for my six year old who couldn't find something he liked. Location was beautiful.

Taste of Belgium - Rookwood

4.5

4.5 (436)

$30 and under

American

Norwood

About the restaurant

Taste of Belgium is a modern Belgian brasserie that fuses Belgian and American cuisines with locally sourced ingredients for both brunch and dinner. Taste of Belgium offers a carefully curated beer list featuring an unequaled selection of Belgian brews and craft cocktails to enhance every meal. In 2023, Jean-François Flechet, our founder, was honored with a knighthood by the prestigious Knighthood of the Brewer's Paddle, recognizing his dedication to Belgian brewing traditions. Our journey began in 2007 at Cincinnati's historic Findlay Market, where Jean-François introduced a traditional Liège-style waffle recipe and a 120-pound cast-iron waffle maker from Belgium. Since then, Taste of Belgium has expanded to seven full-service neighborhood brasseries across Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. Discover more about our Belgian-inspired dining experience at www.tasteofbelgium.com.

Top review

Haley

Dined on May 11, 2025

It was the perfect place for Mother’s Day brunch. And when my son showed up and surprised me, our waiter happily found us another table to accommodate the extra person. Service and Food was exceptional.

Discover more

Braxton Brewing Co - IGLOOBAR

4.5

4.5 (165)

$30 and under

American

Covington

About the restaurant

PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE 21 & UP ONLY. Outside food/beverage & dogs are also not permitted.

Braxton - IGLOOS can be reserved through OpenTable's Experiences.

Seating Schedule:
- Wednesday & Thursday: 4pm / 7pm
- Friday: 3pm / 6pm / 9pm
- Saturday: 12pm / 3pm / 6pm / 9pm
- Sunday: 12pm / 3pm / 6pm

Welcome to IglooBar- your private oasis in the cold winter months. Each igloo features seating for up to 8, a dedicated Bluetooth speaker upon request, & cozy decor. During your 2-hour time slot, you can enjoy food from Dewey's Pizza and an array of drink options, including beer, cocktails, & spiked hot beverages. To reserve, select your preferred date and time. We ask for a $35 reservation fee that is paid upon booking. Reservations may be modified up to 2 days before the scheduled date, but please know the fee will not be refunded after that time.

Our igloos are heated, but we encourage guests to dress for the weather. Food is delivered to igloos and drinks are ordered through bar staff.

Top review

JanaH

Dined on Mar 14, 2025

This was the last weekend for the igloos so there were some miscommunication between Dewey’s and Braxton regarding the food that was being served, but we didn’t care and we went with the flow and it was awesome! Can’t wait to do it next year!

Wild Ginger Asian Bistro

4.4

4.4 (157)

$30 and under

Sushi

Norwood

About the restaurant

Welcome to Wild Ginger Asian Bistro, the most hip Thai and Sushi restaurant in Hyde Park. At Wild Ginger, you will discover a unique combination of our authentic Thai food and wide ranges of different styles of sushi. Come join us and let your dining experience exceed your expectations! Locally owned and operated with a dedication to fine food and excellent service.

Top review

Susan

Dined 4 days ago

Yummy food, great service, and quiet atmosphere.

King Corona Latin Kitchen & Cantina - West Chester

4.3

4.3 (50)

$30 and under

Latin American

West Chester

About the restaurant

Indulge in a regal dining experience that transcends the ordinary, where culinary artistry meets Mexican tradition. At King Corona, we invite you to step into a world of exquisite flavors, premium ingredients, and an ambiance that truly redefines the essence of fine dining.

Top review

Jeff

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

We were invited by friends to dinner. Our first experience was incredible, the service was great. The menu is very broad and offers many options. We ordered Margaritas and wow, they were incredible. Our second visit we brought some other friends. They loved it as well. We have a new restaurant that we will frequent often. Highly recommended.

Dewberry 1850 Restaurant and Lounge - Marriott at the University of Dayton

3.3

3.3 (20)

$30 and under

American

Dayton

About the restaurant

Dewberry 1850 is a newly founded restaurant inside the Marriott at the University of Dayton Hotel. We proudly feature New American Cuisine with locally sourced ingredients, a large selection of regional craft beers as well as masterfully created spirits for our guests enjoyment. Dedicated to providing an engaging ambiance, and fantastic food options paired with specially prepared libations we feel Dewberry 1850 is the perfect place to Eat, Drink & Gather.

Top review

Denise

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

I can't say enough about Dewberry 1850 and the manager Christian. There was a bit of misinformation given to my party of 7. Christian went above and beyond to rectify the situation. The food is absolutely incredible. I can't wait to go back.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Cincinnati / Dayton

Explore more Diners' Choice lists