• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Hummusapien logo
  • RECIPES
    • RECIPE INDEX
    • DIET >
      • Vegan
      • Gluten Free
      • Vegetarian
      • Dairy Free
      • Nut Free
      • Grain Free
    • METHOD >
      • 30 Minute
      • One Pot
      • No Bake
      • Baking
      • Instant Pot
    • BREAKFAST
    • SNACKS
    • MAINS
    • SOUPS
    • SALADS
    • DESSERT
    • SIDE DISHES
    • DRINKS
    • BABY AND TODDLER
    • SEASON >
      • Winter
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
    • HOLIDAY >
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
      • Mother's Day Brunch
      • Fourth of July
    • ROUND UPS
  • DINNER
  • DESSERT
  • LIFESTYLE
    • MOTHERHOOD
    • SHOP
    • HOME DECOR
    • MUST READS
    • TRAVEL
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • HOME
  • RECIPE INDEX
  • DIET TYPE
  • DINNER
  • DESSERT
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • Γ—

    Hummusapien Β» Lifestyle Β» Travel Β» What to Do and Eat in Cincinnati

    What to Do and Eat in Cincinnati

    Published Dec 29, 2016 Β· Modified Sep 6, 2022 Β· by Alexis Joseph Β· 10 Comments

    The boyf and I took our talents to Queen City a couple weekends ago and just like Louisville, we were SO pleasantly surprised by the local food scene and energetic vibe of our neighboring big city!

    cinci20

    We'd both been to Cincinnati before but never to spend a weekend doing what we do best---eating, drinking, and laughing. We'll definitely be making this a regular road trip!

    cinci1

    Where to Stay

    Remember when we spent time in the Louisville 21c? Well ever since we experienced the greatness that is 21c, we promised ourselves that we'd actually stay there next time we visited a city that had one.

    cinci4

    If you're not familiar with the concept, 21c Museum Hotel is redefining Southern hospitality with their unique  boutique hotel + contemporary art museum concept all rolled into one. The 21c Cincinnati is located right in the heart of downtown and it's pretty much a hipster dream.

    cornersuite_f

    photo courtesy of 21c

    We're in a love love relationship with this hotel and have a goal to stay at all six of their locations around the country (and eat at their respective restaurants, duh).

    cinci8

    The design is eccentric chic meets modern minimalist; yet it's still quite unpretentious and inviting. Our friends at 21c hosted us in a spacious corner sweet, complete with the bathroom of my dreams. As soon as we walked in the boyf and I looked at each other and blurted out, "Can we live here?"

    cinci9

    In addition to the entire hotel being an art museum, they also have renowned spa services and an incredible restaurant with a super cool bar that we were lucky to dine at on Saturday evening.

    Meet 21c's mascot, the yellow penguin. You'll find him and his friend bopping around the hotel and if you're really lucky (which we were), they'll place one right next to your dinner table!

    penguin

    Since it was so cold on Saturday night, we stayed at the hotel after dinner and were totally entertained without ever having to leave the building. The Cocktail Terrace is on our list once the arctic tundra subsides!

    What to Do

    Hyde Park Square

    This is one of Cinci's oldest yet hippest shopping areas, home to over 175 classics like LuLu Lemon and Gap, boutiques like Leeli + Lou, and plenty of yummy places to eat like The Weekly Juicery.

    cinci10

    Fountain Park

    Located downtown, this area is especially fun in the Winter since you can ice skate!

    ice-skating

    The Conservatory

    This was on our list but we didn't actually make it over there. I've heard wonderful things about this place and I'm sure it's just beautiful. It's going on my list for our next visit!

    Over the Rhine (OTR)

    otr

    One of the most beloved historic districts in Cinci, OTR is known for its many boutiques, breweries, restaurants, and shops. We especially loved Article and Continuum for his and her shopping.

    cinci17
    cinci19
    donut
    store

    What to Eat

    Metropole

    You guys. I don't know where to start. Our dinner at Metropol (the restaurant at 21c) on Saturday evening was one of the best meals we've had in a really long time. After ordering a couple drinks, we started off with the Burnt Carrot Salad which had avocado, pickled onion, cilantro, and toasted pumpkin seeds. It was the perfect balance of bright flavors and textures.

    bread-copy

    We then tried the 7-hour egg, warm olives, and cheddar, which came with local bread and the most insane smoked grapes, stone fruit chutney, truffle honey, and dijon. I'm obsessed with olives so it wasn't a surprise that those were inhaled almost immediately. But the truffle honey on the toast with all the aforementioned accompaniments...heaven.

    dinner

    I ordered the Fall Vegetables entree and Jeff got the Pan Roasted Aleppo Chicken. Both were delicious, especially the quinoa fritters and salsa verde. I told Jeff we were 100% getting dessert since I knew it would be incredible: Chocolate Budino for me and Apple Hand Pie for him. I can't describe in words how foodgasmical my dessert was, so just imagine a super creamy and decadent (yet not overly sweet) thick pudding with salted crunchy bites, coffee ice cream, and chewy little chocolate and coconut squares that made the whole dish a textural home run.

    dessert

    Next time we're in Cinci we'll definitely be brunching here.

    Sleepy Bee

    What I would give to have this adorable breakfast and lunch nook in Cbus! Sleepy Bee has an awesome selection of pancakes, omelettes, coffee drinks, smoothies, and specials all made in house with local and organic ingredients plus tons of vegan options. This place truly speaks to food with purpose. Started by a pediatrician and an artist, they have two locations and one on the way downtown.

    brunch

    We obviously wanted the entire menu, so we ordered a taste of everything! We began with an almond milk latte, the tofu and cauliflower scramble "Avi style" with avocado, tomato, spinach, mushroom, and onions, an almond, quinoa, and buckwheat flour "bee cake" with blueberries, maple and honey butter, a buttermilk "nutty bee" with peanut butter, chocolate, and bananas, multi-grain toast, the chorizo omelet (boyf) with breakfast potatoes, and fruit!

    cinci7

    It was brunch perfection. I couldn't get over how fluffy the pancakes were! Everything from the super sweet staff to the cozy vibe was perfect. We can't wait to go back!

    standing

    And you better believe I'm always willing to stand on chairs to get the perfect pic.

    Maplewood

    Organic and local brunch goals right here. Maplewood has an incredible airy interior and scrumptious breakfast fare complete with Cold Pressed Juice Mimomas and Avocado Toast with pistachios and honey straight out of your dreams.

    brunch3

    I liked the style of ordering at the counter and having everything brought to the table. Per usual, we got a huge spread to sample including the Avocado Toast, Pastel Omelet, Super Green juice, Whipped Goat Cheese and Ricotta Toast, Avocado Benedict, Chicken Tinga, and the best damn Lemon Ricotta Pancakes in the world.

    lunch

    I was beyond full before I laid mouth on the pancakes and proceeded to lick the plate clean. I don't eat much dairy but the staff brought us the goat cheese toast and OMG...it was insanely delish. They also serve dinner. Maplewood is a must!

    Mita's

    We came to Jose Salazaar's beautiful Spanish and Latin American inspired restaurant right when we got into Cincinnati on Friday evening. We started with drinks at the bar: wine for me and a yummy tequila drink with ginger and jalapeño for the man.

    bread

    To start, we ordered the Jicama and Mango Salad with watercress, frisee, and cilantro vinaigrette. It was the greenest salad I've ever seen and quite tasty! But the House Bread Plate...holy moly. I actually had to close my eyes and savor the Blue Oven olive and multigrain bread with smoky romesco spread and Portuguese olive oil. I'm still drooling over it.

    cinci5

    For the main course, I ordered the Vegetarian Entree which was quinoa, harissa roasted carrots, brussels sprouts, butternut squash, sweety drop peppers, cipollini onions, and butternut squash puree. The boyf got the seafood and hominy stew with cilantro and avocado. I stole a few bites and we were really pleased with both entrees!

    Krueger's Tavern

    My good friend Theresa of Fusian told me I had to go to Krueger's Tavern in OTR for their veggie burger, so you better believe I listened.

    burger

    The boyf got the Classic Krueger Burger and I got the Veggie Burger with pesto aoili, spicy pickled greens, whole grain mustard, on a Challah bun. Totally delish! We also shared some dreamy fries. They have a nice beer selection, too.

    Cheapside

    cheapside

    This eclectic little coffee shop was a short walk from 21c and Maplewood so we stopped there for java on Sunday morning. They had awesome coffee, some really tasty looking breakfast sandwiches, and an overall great vibe.

    Rooted Juicery + Kitchen

    I of course always do my juice bar research before I travel because I love me some inspiration! I was super impressed with this place.  They have a huge kitchen in the back which I was pretty jealous of. From small plates like avocado toast and loaded nachos to power bowls, cold-pressed juice, treats, and smoothies, this place is killing the organic plant-based game.

    bowl2

    We were still full from lunch but we tried the Dr. Dragonfruit bowl with apple, orange, pitaya, banana, and strawberry topped with mango, kiwi, coconut, and granola. Delish! We also had a juice with kale, orange, jalapeño, and fennel that knocked my socks off.

    cinci13

    We also got an AMAZING Queen Healer latte with cashews, coconut milk, dates, cacao, cordyceps, reishi, cacao at The Weekly Juicery!

    Huge thanks to 21c for providing wonderful accommodations and dinner at Metropol. Additionally, thank you to Mita's, Sleepy Bee, Krueger's, Maplewood, and the Cincinnati Visitor's Bureau for providing delicious meals and travel tips, respectively. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.

    About Alexis Joseph

    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

      Leave a comment & rating! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    1. top.resume says

      February 28, 2019 at 1:53 pm

      Oh yeah. How I love Cincinnati. One of my any cities at all. And what is there yummy edm. Chewing. The fact that you have shown is definitely good, but there is not only this, believe me. Just go there.

      Reply
    2. Sam @ Hygge Wellness says

      January 01, 2017 at 10:32 pm

      I love your dedication by standing on that chair!! ☺️ I've never been to Cincinnati but this makes me want to plan a Philly --> Cincinnati trip soon! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    3. Andi Zaferes says

      January 01, 2017 at 9:31 pm

      Thank you for painting Cincinnati in such a positive and delightful light! You literally hit almost all my fave spots and I could talk hours upon hours about the lemon ricotta pancakes at Maplewood - seriously, give me a shout if you ever need to to gush about them further.

      Reply
    4. Tiffanie says

      December 29, 2016 at 4:24 pm

      My girls were giving me a hard time about photographing our meals last night. I showed them the photo of you standing on the chair and told them this is my goal for our next meal out. They may only be eating the coconuts on the beach to avoid eating out with me until we return to Ohio ....

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        December 29, 2016 at 6:30 pm

        Haha! Chair stander for life right here. Gotta do what you gotta do for dat shot πŸ™‚

        Reply
    5. ACKTIVE LIFE says

      December 29, 2016 at 1:02 pm

      LOVE that photo of you on the bench taking the photo! Beautiful photos, food, and post...Thanks for sharing! XOXO

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        December 29, 2016 at 6:28 pm

        Thanks love!! It comes with the blogger life we lead πŸ™‚ Happy New Year!

        Reply
    6. Karlie says

      December 29, 2016 at 12:28 pm

      This looks like such a perfect trip!!! Not too far from me putting it on the weekend trip list πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        December 29, 2016 at 6:25 pm

        Its a must-go! So easy and fun.

        Reply
    7. Rose, RD, LD @ The Donut Dietitian says

      December 29, 2016 at 11:47 am

      you ate some of Cincy's best! I live less than a half mile walk from sleepy bee and it's so so dangerous (for my bank account). that carrot salad at metropole is hands down one of my top 10 favorite dishes in the city.

      next time your back, coffee emporium in hyde park is a must visit for you--their almond milk lattes + a chocolate chip scone = TO DIE FOR.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Well HELLO there, pal! I'm Alexis. Welcome to Hummusapien, a fantastical food blog brimming with nourishing (always delish!) recipes from a Registered Dietitian plus life tidbits to inspire you to live your most joyful, balanced life. Grab a super hot cup o' joe and let's get cookin'.

    Tell me more... β†’

    Most Loved Recipes

    • Banana Zucchini Baked Oatmeal Cups
    • Easy Vegetable Teriyaki Stir Fry
    • Homemade Vegan Lasagna with Tofu Ricotta
    • Incredible Vegan Banana Bread
    • The Best Vegan Broccoli Salad Ever
    • Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    • BLOG
    • ABOUT
    • CONTACT

    Join the recipe club!




    • FAQ
    • POLICIES
    • RECIPES

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright Β© Hummusapien LLC 2011-2023 Hummusapien is a registered trademark of Hummusapien LLC.