March 2026
Features
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Best Restaurants Q&A: Heather Brady
The co-owner of Etxe talks about the Spanish steakhouse culinary residency’s impact on the local dining scene.
Best Restaurants Q&A: Fabio Viviani
The “Top Chef” alum opens his Italian restaurant concept in Madisonville this spring.
Best Restaurants Q&A: Alfio Gulisano
The Noche chef zeroes in on pasta, cocktails, and a more intimate dining experience.
Best Restaurants No. 1: Boca
With such exquisitely and creatively crafted dishes on the menu, it’s no wonder why Boca is the top destination for fine dining in the city.
Best Restaurants No. 2: Wildweed
Fresh pasta crafted with local and seasonal ingredients paints a delicious culinary portrait of the Midwest.
Best Restaurants No. 3: Sotto
This rustic Italian kitchen known for lovingly handmade pasta may be underground, but it’s no secret to Cincinnati foodies.
Best Restaurants No. 4: Nolia Kitchen
Chef Jeffery Harris’s restaurant may have multiple James Beard nominations, but his homey Bayou dishes are as delicious and welcoming as ever.
The Ballad of Bart
During the early years of Jim Tarbell’s ownership, Bart adopted Arnold’s Bar & Grill and Arnold’s accommodated Bart, a bona fide dog.
Bockfest Beginnings
How Jim Tarbell helped the Merchants of Main Street launch Bockfest in 1993, according to those who were there.
For Whom Tarbell Tolls
All of Cincinnati is connected through Jim Tarbell, as two new books make clear.
Best Restaurants No. 5: Sudova
Chef Sarah Dworak’s elevated Eastern European dishes are giving Cincinnatians a delicious modern twist on Old World cuisine.
Best Restaurants No. 6: Abigail Street
Top-notch Mediterranean small plates have made this wine bar an OTR mainstay for 15 years.
Best Restaurants No. 7: Mita’s
Chef Jose Salazar’s beloved tapas joint takes you on a flavorful journey through Spain and Latin America.
Best Restaurants No. 8: Colette
Chef Danny Combs is serving up fresh French-ish delicacies with beautiful parkside views.
Best Restaurants No. 9: Phoenician Taverna
You’re part of the family at this authentic Lebanese taverna and grill in Mason.
Best Restaurants No. 10: Salazar
The beloved restaurant from Chef Jose Salazar is back and better than ever with a menu focused on innovation, detail, and seasonality.
The Best Things I Ate in 2025
After sampling many a dish at many a Cincinnati restaurant, here are a few favorites.
Best Restaurants Q&A: Jackson Rouse
The former Bauer Farm Kitchen chef takes the helm at Hamilton’s Carmagnola Trattoria.
Sweetgum Manor’s Social Sanctuary Heals the Mind, Body, and Soul
Abby Allen’s Sweetgum Manor in North Avondale breaks down the barriers to connection. Take off your shoes and stay a while.
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Radar
Antique Meets Luxury in Over-the-Rhine Property
This rare house blends historic charm with modern amenities and proximity to a bustling neighborhood.
Local Watchmaker Crafts Passion into Timepiece Designs
Josh Jacob customizes each one-of-a-kind watch he creates.
It’s Easy Being Green with These Verdant Finds
Shopping local for these chic emerald goods could save you from getting pinched on St. Patrick’s Day.
Columns
Editor’s Letter: March 2026
Editor-in-Chief John Fox looks back on the evolution of this year’s Best Restaurants issue.