"While the phrase "hidden gem" is wildly overused in food and travel writing, the cliche rings true for Cincinnati, Ohio, an under-the-radar Midwestern dining destination that many people can't spell, much less find on a map. Typically, if someone does have an opinion about the city's cuisine, it's a hot take on how freaky Cincinnati chili is. But there's much more to eat here than cinnamon-infused meat sauce and cheddar cheese on spaghetti (although, respectfully, you should try that, too)."
"Cincy is quietly becoming a nationally recognized culinary hub thanks in part to its comparative affordability, rich immigrant history, and access to top-tier ingredients from the verdant Ohio River Valley. This means chefs are more easily able to open restaurants and execute their creative vision than in some of the more traditional big-city dining hubs, producing a glut of delicious dining options."
"The proof is the James Beard recognitions in recent years-a matrix of culinary excellence that offers a natural starting point for dining in the city. Standouts include buzzy Wildweed, a pasta-forward favorite built on foraged ingredients and brain-tingling flavor combos; Creole-inspired Nolia; yōshoku ramen hotspot and bakery Café Mochiko; eclectic small-plates bar Mid-City Restaurant; and the acclaimed portfolios of husband-and-wife teams chef José and Ann Salazar (Mita's, Salazar), and chef Hideki and Yuko Harada (Kiki)."
Cincinnati is becoming a nationally recognized culinary hub due to affordability, immigrant influences, and access to ingredients from the Ohio River Valley. Chefs can open restaurants and pursue creative visions more easily than in expensive big-city dining hubs, leading to a surge of varied dining options. James Beard recognitions validate the city's growing excellence, with notable spots such as Wildweed, Nolia, Café Mochiko, Mid-City Restaurant, Mita's, Salazar, and Kiki. Local favorites and Kentucky neighborhoods across the Ohio River further enrich the dining culture. Cincinnati's food scene includes unique regional specialties like Cincinnati chili alongside innovative, foraged, and globally inspired cuisine.
Read at Conde Nast Traveler
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]