The

The Restaurant Issue



This month marks Cincinnati Magazine’s 20th consecutive Best Restaurants issue, an annual ranking of the area’s top dining destinations with and occasional focus on the year’s top new spots. Like the food industry itself, though, our plans got scrambled over the past two years by COVID. With all the upheaval—restaurants pausing operations, switching to takeout, and struggling to hold on to staff and suppliers—it makes no sense to attempt to evaluate and compare Cincinnati’s best dining experiences.

This year, we focus on classic restaurants that have stood the test of time. The centerpiece is a refresher course on nine restaurants from the original 25 featured in 2003 that are still going. A few have changed locations and even owners, but they’re chugging along thanks to loyal customers. We’re thankful they’re still here.

By Aiesha D. Little, Sam Rosenstiel, and Brandon Wuske

Staying Power: These Cincinnati Restaurants Have Stood the Test of Time

What’s kept our longest-running best restaurants going for the last two decades? Impeccable service and even better food.

Cincinnati’s New Classic Restaurants

We think these new local restaurants might make the classics cut in the future.

Classic Cincinnati Restaurants Are Reborn

What’s old is new again for Cincinnati diners who have experienced the rebirth of several local restaurants with exciting new offerings.

Best Restaurants 2022: Restaurateurs Share the Secrets to Their Lasting Success

We asked these four Best Restaurant owners how they've managed to keep delighting Cincinnati diners over the last two decades.

Read a digital copy of our March issue!

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