The holiday season is right around the corner, bringing friends, family and loved ones back home to celebrate. As calendars quickly fill with seasonal gatherings, it’s the perfect time to showcase the incredible culinary landscape across the Cincy Region.

If you haven’t explored Cincy’s food scene lately, there’s a lot to catch up on. Between longtime favorites, neighborhood gems and new places opening across the region, there’s no shortage of options for your next meal. And we’re not the only ones noticing.

Whether you are raising a glass of local bourbon, catching up over craft brews, or sharing a memorable meal around a crowded table, here is your guide to some of the best places to gather this holiday season.

A Culinary Scene Earning Its Long-Overdue Spotlight

Cincy’s culinary scene has long been one of the region’s standout attractions, and a growing wave of national and international recognition is bringing well-deserved attention to its talent. Food & Wine recently featured Cincy, highlighting restaurants on both sides of the Ohio River, including Wildweed, Nolia Kitchen, Sudova and Baker’s Table in Newport. Wildweed also earned a spot on The New York Times‘ list of America’s 50 best restaurants. 

Three regional chefs, Sarah Dworak of Sudova, Jeff Harris of Nolia Kitchen and Dave Willocks of Baker’s Table, were also named finalists for the prestigious 2026 James Beard Awards.

In June, Cincinnati joined the MICHELIN Guide‘s forthcoming American Great Lakes edition, putting the region’s restaurants in the running for international recognition. Inspectors are currently evaluating restaurants across the region, with the first selections expected in April 2027.

From inventive fine dining to distinctive local flavors, Cincy’s chefs and their teams have been creating memorable culinary experiences for years. Now, the spotlight is catching up — and there’s never been a better time to experience the region’s remarkable dining scene firsthand.

Local Favorites Making National Headlines

In a recent Condé Nast Traveler guide to the region, restaurants including Sotto, Café Mochiko Wildweed, Nolia, Sudova, Mita’s, Salazar, Kiki, Mid-City Restaurant, Blue Jay Restaurant,Young Buck Deli and Zip’s Café in Cincinnati, along with Otto’s, Wayfarer Tavern, Walt’s Hitching Post and Baker’s Table in Northern Kentucky, earned mentions.

Northern Kentucky’s food scene also had plenty to celebrate this year. Covington advanced to the final four in The Local Palate‘s 2026 “Best Culinary Town in the South” competition, recognizing a dining scene with something for everyone, from neighborhood favorites to chef-driven restaurants. The publication’s special edition, scheduled for December, will give readers a look at what makes Covington a great place to eat. In addition, Carmelo’s was voted the No. 2 Best New Restaurant in the country in USA Today‘s 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

While many of these great restaurants may offer a more high-end experience, the list of recognition goes beyond fine dining.

Some of these restaurants are relatively new, while others have been serving local families for generations. It’s a good reminder of some local staples to add back to your list to revisit soon.

Food Finds for the Whole Family

Fine dining and iconic classics aren’t all we have to offer here. We also have great culinary explorations for the entire family to enjoy.

Findlay Market, Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market, is approaching its 175th anniversary in 2027. It’s been part of Cincinnati’s food culture since 1852 and remains a favorite place to shop, grab lunch, or spend a Saturday. Jungle Jim’s International Market is another local favorite, where you can spend hours exploring international foods, specialty products, and ingredients you won’t find at your neighborhood grocery store. With locations in Fairfield and Eastgate, it’s a favorite for locals and visitors alike. Reka’s and Wyoming Meat Market are also great places to pick up something to take home and share with family and friends.

You can’t talk about local food without mentioning Cincinnati-style chili. Skyline Chili earned the No. 2 spot in USA Today‘s 2026 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Regional Fast-Food Restaurant, following two consecutive years at No. 1, while longtime favorite Camp Washington Chili earned a spot among the country’s top 10 roadside diners. 

Your Next Great Plate Awaits

There’s plenty happening across the Cincy Region’s restaurant scene, with new places opening and more on the way. In Cincinnati, James Beard finalist Jeff Harris is preparing to reopen his New Orleans-inspired restaurant, Jimmie Lou’s, in Pendleton. Meanwhile, celebrity chef Makoto Okuwa is bringing contemporary Japanese cuisine to Madisonville with his new restaurant, Suzu. Across the river, the owners of Carmelo’s are bringing a new American chophouse to the former Frisch’s location in Fort Wright, while Bella Vita has joined Boone County’s dining scene. It’s another reason to venture beyond your usual dinner spots and see what’s new across the region.

With 52 neighborhoods and 36 cities making up the Cincy Region, there’s always something new to try. Maybe it’s finally making a reservation at a restaurant you’ve been hearing about, heading across the river for dinner or revisiting an old favorite. National recognition is exciting, but the best part is getting out and experiencing it for yourself with others this holiday season.

Explore more of Cincy’s culinary scene at visitcincy.com.