Zagat, a rating service for restaurants, has named Sotto among the top Cincinnati restaurants. Other Cincinnati restaurants on the list include Alfio’s Buon Cibo and Branch and Night Drop. In this article, we’ll cover a few of our favorites. And if you’re in the mood for some Italian food, you can always head to Mazunte. Zagat’s top 10 restaurants list also includes two Cincinnati restaurants from Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment.
Zagat named Sotto as one of the top 10 restaurants in Cincinnati
Sotto has been around for about two and a half years, but its name is hardly new. The restaurant is named for Tony Ricci, the managing partner. Its pastas are prepared with a touch of mint and green olive, and its steaks are seasoned with black pepper and served with onions and garlic. It’s located in Symmes Township. You might also want to check out Tony’s Bar and Grill, located a few minutes away from downtown.
Pepp & Dolores and Sotto are two of the best restaurants in Cincinnati, according to the online restaurant reservation service OpenTable. The restaurant was named among the top 100 in the nation for seven consecutive years by OpenTable, a leading website for comparing ratings of restaurants. OpenTable analyzes more than 10 million verified user reviews and selects the restaurants that provide the best dining experience for diners.
Alfio’s Buon Cibo
Alfio’s Buon CiboFor Italian cuisine with a modern twist, head to the intimate space of Alfio’s Buon Cibu. In addition to Italian classics, the menu also includes Argentine fare. The casual atmosphere makes this restaurant a perfect spot to unwind with a drink and enjoy your meal. It is also one of the top 10 restaurants in Cincinnati for a reason: the food and cocktails are superb!
The rustic, basement dining room features Argentine dishes and a bar area. The menu is extensive, and guests can order from an extensive wine list. The restaurant also features decadent desserts and a full bar. Reservations are required on weekends. Sotto Cincinnati has become a staple in the area, with a growing clientele and a stellar reputation for excellent service.
Branch and Night Drop
Two new restaurants in downtown Cincinnati are worth a trip to the city. Branch Café offers cozy seating with green benches along the wall and dark wood tables. There’s even a mosaic reflecting the Prohibition era adorning one wall. Night Drop serves more casual food but offers a full bar. Both restaurants have been featured on the New York Times’ Best New Restaurants list. Both are located in historic buildings.
The Allen Brothers’ beef burger with Oaxacan cheese, chicharrones and jalapeno jam is sure to delight. Other signature dishes include a Korean braised pork shoulder with rice wine pickles, mint chutney, and a grilled baguette. Drinks are plentiful here too. Choose from local beers such as Cincinnati IPA, Sonder blanc, or the popular Old World.
Mazunte
If you’re looking for authentic Mexican food, Mazunte is the place to go. Owner Josh Wamsley took a trip to Mexico to learn how to make fresh, authentic cuisine. He even recruited an Oaxacan tortilla maker to help him create the perfect taquito. Mazunte is a top-notch taqueria in the Madisonville neighborhood, serving authentic street foods from Oaxaca. You can get chorizo tacos and fish tacos, chicken tacos and steak, or other prepared dishes. You can dine in or order carry out or have your meal delivered. There’s a Mercado on site too, a market where you can find many of the same ingredients that make up the food you’ll be ordering.
You can also get authentic Mexican food in Cincinnati at Mazunte, a popular Mexican restaurant near Madisonville. The restaurant specializes in burritos and tacos, and its prices are very reasonable. Mazunte also has locations in Cincinnati, including a location in Norwood. There is a full menu and an indoor and outdoor seating area. The prices are affordable and the service is friendly and attentive.
Taqueria Mercado
If you’re craving authentic Mexican food, head to Taqueria Mercado in downtown Cincinnati. This authentic Mexican eatery serves straight from Mexico, using fresh ingredients. The menu offers breakfast, lunch combos, vegetarian dishes, and desserts. Loyal customers recommend the Carne Asada, Cheese Enchiladas, and Chimichanga. Chicken strips, shrimp, and Mexican rice are also on the menu. You can even choose to order a house special.
In late 2020, birria tacos went viral on social media. They’re a common Mexican street food, but they’re now appearing on local menus. These tacos originated in Jalisco, Mexico, and were traditionally prepared with goat meat, but they’re now available in many variations made with beef, lamb, chicken, and lamb. The restaurant also features an outdoor patio for dining, as well as a full-service bar.
Nada
If you’re looking for a delicious Mexican restaurant in Cincinnati, try Nada, which is a funky Mexican restaurant with a pop-culture flair. This restaurant offers authentic Mexican flavors in a vibrant atmosphere, and the décor combines fantasy Mexico with pop culture influences. It’s unlike any other Mexican restaurant in the country, so don’t expect to see the traditional fajitas or chimichangas. The restaurant has also avoided cliches that usually come with Mexican dining. The décor includes bright blue chairs, a large table covered in yellow rose chintz, and orange upholstery. It has a tile floor, as well.
Nada offers brunch, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant’s menu is diverse, offering everything from traditional tacos to more contemporary dishes with fusion edges. You’ll find grilled Mahi, chicken, pork belly, and guacamole on the extensive menu. You can also get cocktails and margaritas to pair with your meal. Nada also accepts reservations, which makes it a great option for large groups and private parties alike.
