Visiting Cincinnati for the first time? One of the best ways to experience the Queen City is through its food. Cincinnati has a culinary identity all its own, shaped by German immigrants, generations of family-owned restaurants, and a few local specialties you won’t find quite the same way anywhere else.
From a bowl of Cincinnati-style chili to a scoop of locally made ice cream, these seven Cincinnati foods are worth seeking out. Some have been local favorites for more than a century, while others reflect the city’s evolving food scene.
If you’re wondering what to eat in Cincinnati, start here!
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1. Cincinnati-Style Chili
Where to eat it: Skyline Chili or Gold Star.
Forget what you know about Texas chili. Cincinnati chili is something entirely different!
The story begins in the 1920s, when Macedonian immigrant restaurateurs introduced a Mediterranean-inspired meat sauce seasoned with spices and served it over spaghetti and hot dogs. The result became one of Cincinnati’s most recognizable culinary traditions.
Cincinnati chili is a thin, aromatic meat sauce with a distinctive spice blend. It’s served over spaghetti or on a hot dog, then customized with toppings using a simple number system.
Here’s how to order:
Two-way: Chili over spaghetti.
Three-way: Spaghetti, chili, and a mountain of shredded cheddar cheese.
Four-way: Add either onions or beans.
Five-way: Add both onions and beans.
Cheese coney: A hot dog topped with chili, mustard, onions, and shredded cheese.
Oyster crackers and hot sauce are popular accompaniments.
Skyline Chili and Gold Star are the two best-known local chains. Their recipes differ slightly, and Cincinnatians can be surprisingly passionate about which one they prefer. Try both and decide for yourself!
2. Graeter’s Ice Cream
Where to eat it: Graeter’s Ice Cream locations throughout Greater Cincinnati.
Cincinnati’s signature ice cream has been delighting generations of locals since 1870, when Louis Graeter began making small batches by hand.
Graeter’s still uses the French Pot process, producing a dense, rich, creamy ice cream with a luxurious texture. But the real fun is in the chocolate chips.
Instead of ordinary little chocolate pieces, Graeter’s pours melted chocolate into the ice cream as it freezes. The chocolate hardens into substantial chunks that are broken apart by hand. Finding a particularly large piece is part of the experience!
One of the most popular flavors is Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip. Its deep purple color, fruity flavor, and generous chocolate chunks make it a memorable treat.
Whether you enjoy a scoop in a cone, take home a pint, or sample a seasonal flavor, Graeter’s is a Cincinnati tradition worth experiencing.
3. Goetta: Cincinnati’s German Breakfast Specialty
Where to eat it: Eckerlin’s Meats at Findlay Market.
So, what the heck is goetta? If you ask a Cincinnati native, you may get a smile and a question about where you grew up!
Goetta is a regional breakfast specialty with deep German roots. German immigrants brought their culinary traditions to Cincinnati in the 1800s, when the city had a thriving meatpacking industry and a large German-speaking population.
The original idea was practical: stretch meat further by combining pork and beef with steel-cut oats, onions, and seasonings. The mixture is slowly cooked, shaped into a loaf, sliced, and fried until the outside becomes deliciously crisp.
Today, goetta is a beloved local breakfast food, commonly served alongside eggs, potatoes, or toast. Some Cincinnati restaurants even incorporate it into burgers, sandwiches, and other creative dishes.
For an authentic taste, head to Eckerlin’s Meats at Findlay Market. The family business is famous for its goetta, and it has passed down its traditional recipe through generations.
If you’re visiting Cincinnati in the summer, look for local festivals celebrating this distinctive regional favorite.
4. Izzy’s Reuben Sandwich and Potato Pancakes
Where to eat it: Izzy’s at one of its Cincinnati-area locations.
Cincinnati’s food history isn’t just about chili and German specialties. The city also has a long deli tradition, and Izzy’s is one of its most recognizable names.
In 1901, Russian immigrant Izzy Kadetz and his wife, Rose, opened a kosher-style delicatessen in Cincinnati. Their restaurant became known for generous portions, lively personalities, and hearty sandwiches.
The star of the menu is the Reuben: thinly sliced corned beef piled onto rye bread with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Izzy’s signature dressing. It’s a substantial sandwich, especially when paired with the restaurant’s famous potato pancakes.
Those crispy potato pancakes are a destination in their own right. Add the pickles, and you have a classic Cincinnati deli meal.
Whether you’re a Reuben enthusiast or simply looking for a satisfying lunch, Izzy’s is a delicious stop for a taste of the city’s culinary history.
5. Montgomery Inn Barbecue Ribs
Where to eat it: Montgomery Inn, including the original restaurant on Montgomery Road and the Boathouse overlooking the Ohio River.
Cincinnati may be famous for chili, but barbecue ribs have earned their own place in local food history.
On November 1, 1951, Ted and Matula Gregory began building a restaurant around their love of ribs. Ted eventually earned the nickname “The Ribs King,” and the restaurant became a favorite among local diners, visiting celebrities, and sports legends.
The secret to Montgomery Inn’s reputation is its signature barbecue sauce, based on Matula’s family recipe from 1959. The sweet, tangy sauce complements the tender pork ribs and has become a Cincinnati staple in its own right.
For a memorable dining experience, visit the Montgomery Inn Boathouse on the Ohio River. The river views add to the atmosphere, especially around sunset. The original Montgomery Road location offers a different experience rooted in the restaurant’s history.
If you enjoy barbecue, put these ribs on your Cincinnati food itinerary.
6. LaRosa’s Pizza
Where to eat it: LaRosa’s Pizzeria at locations throughout Greater Cincinnati.
In 1954, Buddy LaRosa opened his first pizzeria on Cincinnati’s West Side. His father, who was born in Sicily, reportedly questioned the idea of selling pizza to Americans who were still discovering the dish.
The family joke proved short-lived. LaRosa’s grew into one of the region’s most recognizable pizza brands, with locations throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
LaRosa’s pizza has its own local following. Its signature style features a distinctive sweet tomato sauce, generous cheese, and familiar toppings such as sausage and pepperoni. For many Cincinnati families, ordering LaRosa’s is as much a tradition as it is a meal.
It may not be the city’s oldest food specialty, but it has become an important part of everyday Cincinnati dining.
If you want to understand what locals grew up eating, share a pizza with friends or family and see why generations have remained loyal to the brand.
7. Cincinnati Craft Beer
Where to drink it: Rhinegeist Brewery in Over-the-Rhine, or explore other local breweries throughout the Cincinnati area.
Cincinnati’s beer history runs deep. German immigrants helped establish a thriving brewing industry in the 1800s, bringing with them a passion for lager beer and the knowledge needed to produce it.
By the mid-19th century, Cincinnati had dozens of breweries. The city’s German heritage influenced not only its beer but also its architecture, neighborhoods, food, and social traditions. Historic lagering cellars and underground beer-storage spaces remain part of that story.
Although the brewing industry changed dramatically over the decades, Cincinnati’s beer culture has experienced a major revival.
Rhinegeist, located in a former bottling plant in Over-the-Rhine, is one of the city’s best-known modern breweries. Its taproom offers an opportunity to sample local beer in a neighborhood closely associated with Cincinnati’s brewing past.
You’ll also find breweries producing everything from traditional lagers and pilsners to hop-forward IPAs, stouts, and seasonal specialties.
For visitors who enjoy craft beer, exploring Cincinnati’s brewery scene is a great way to connect the city’s German roots with its modern food and drink culture.
Ready to Taste Cincinnati?
Cincinnati’s food scene tells the story of the city itself. German immigrants helped shape its beer and goetta traditions. Mediterranean influences gave the city its unmistakable chili. Generations of local entrepreneurs built beloved ice cream shops, delis, pizzerias, and barbecue restaurants.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or staying longer, make time to try at least a few of these local favorites. Start with a three-way chili, enjoy a scoop of Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip ice cream, sample crispy goetta, and finish the day with a local craft beer.
You’ll leave with a much better understanding of what makes Cincinnati—and its food—so distinctive.
Discover Cincinnati One Bite at a Time
Laura Noyes, co-owner of Riverside Food Tours, has spent more than a decade sharing Cincinnati’s food, history, and neighborhoods with visitors from around the world. Her favorite part of the job? Helping guests discover the flavors and stories that make the Queen City special. Whether you explore on your own or join a local food tour, Cincinnati is a city best experienced one bite at a time!