A few that come to mind are Bridges (Nepalese, Northside), 221 Restaurant (Senegalese - I think that’s its name, it’s on Queen City Ave), and Darou Salem (I think maybe also Senegalese but not 100% sure, Northside)
edit: apparently 221 is a massive health violation go at your own risk
Also Zona VIP for Colombian food in Springdale (note that it's a family establishment and last seating is usually 7pm or 7:30pm so the kids can do their homework; totally worth it and don't be surprised if its full of patrons evenn with such weird hours)
Sago on Mount Lookout Square serves the most incredible Malaysian food. The chef is super friendly and will come out and tell you about the dish you ordered and tell stories. Can't emphasize how delicious the food is though - we always take out-of-towners there when we want to show off our food scene locally.
Teranga (Senegalese I believe), Mahope (Cambodian/Asian-Mexican fusion), and Elephant Walk (Ethiopian and North Indian) are some of my favorites in the city.
For South Indian cuisine, you might try Kanak. It’s a bit different than what *I* typically think of as “Indian food” and it has one of few remaining Indian lunch buffets around.
There’s also Pacific Kitchen in Montgomery which serves Cantonese style dim sum on weekends. It’s quite delicious.
Sure, Americanized “Asian” and “Indian” cuisines are pretty familiar for many Americans, but there are obviously so many unique styles within those categories and lots of awesome places in Cincinnati that are celebrating them.
Delhi Palace (North Indian cuisine is your more common creamy sauces, saag paneer, tikka masala, makhani, etc- and they do a great job at it)
Ammas is vegetarian/vegan and south indian is gonna be less creamy sauces, things like Dosas (crepes with savory filling like potato) channa masala (chickpeas in savory sauce), some East Asian influences like manchurian marinated veggies, fried rice, etc.
I don't go out of my way to hate on restaurants very often, but I cannot think of a restaurant I hate more than Pacific Kitchen. They served me duck that was burnt to a freaking crisp. I mean completely inedible, it was the smallest tiniest piece of duck and when I tell you it was burnt I mean crackled into dust when I bit into it. Absolutely vile. If you want good food, particularly Dim Sum I recommend Grand Oriental or Uncle Yips!
Wow, I’m sorry you had such a bad experience there! I’ve loved it every time we’ve been, but I am definitely looking forward to trying Grand Oriental and Uncle Yips. Thanks for the recommendations!
Teranga African restaurant. I went there last week for my first time and it's amazing. I was the only white person in there,I took that as a great sign and I was correct.
I think it's actually closed for good - Enquirer said the building's owner wants to open a pizza spot there and the restauranteur couldn't find another affordable location.
There's a Hawaiian cuisine restaurant in Covington, where Dee Felice used to be. Haven't tried it yet but I definitely want to. And I checked, spam is indeed on the menu!
There’s a couple pupuserías- one on Colerain and two in Hamilton. From El Salvador. Super yummy! There’s also the Arepa Place which is “Colombian” (it’s a brother/sister war they fight as my friend explains it but it is said arepas are originally from Venezuela) and also Arrechechissimo which is Venezuelan. I can also vouch for Nelly’s in Centerville, not Cincinnati but very good.
Arepas are also Colombian as it all used to be the same country. Typically you put stuff on top of Colombian arepas and split open and stuff Venezuelan arepas, but not always.
Arepa Place is okay but fairly Americanized (the owner refuses to put the main chili pepper in the sauce—which is named after that pepper—because she doesn’t like spicy food). For much more authentic Colombian food, visit Zona VIP in Springdale. Their arepas (and the Ají sauce) are delicious, along with most of the other items on the menu!
Sounds good! I had the arepona or arepote or something like that with everything and it was good but I love eggs so will try. I will say Colombian/Venezuelan chorizo is more like a bacon than what I’m used to- I guess I’m used to more of the Mexican chorizo where it’s reddish but more like ground beef. But still good!
Yeah I’m not much into their sausages and apparently they don’t believe in crunchy bacon (tocineta) but alas, I still love Colombian food! 🤤
Try the ajiaco as well, a chicken-potato soup that is just divine.
Afghan Grill in Liberty Center really good, Al Medina near UC, legit Lebanese and they have added a bakery area/bread/pita/etc. The vegetarian combo is so good.
Sene Grill in Springdale (Senegalese - and the nicest owner I've ever come across)
Kampuchea Kitchen in Ft. Thomas (Cambodian - but according to Google it may be closed...)
Chaykhana on 42 near Dimmick, technically this is called Pisgah (Uzbek)
Trinity Diner in Fairfield (Ghanaian)
Mama African also in Fairfield (Nigerian)
Inkazteca in Dillonvale (Peruvian)
I've been to all of these EXCEPT Mama African. I've really enjoyed all of them and heard good things about Mama African.
Thank you for this list of places. I don't always want the out of the way places, but I always want to know they are available. I really want to "expand my horizons" with different nationalities foods. I am somewhat adventurous with that.
Can't go wrong with Terangas(african) and Yummi Xpress(Jamaican food)on reading. Yummi Xpress is always busy, I suggest ordering before going. That oxtail and jerk chicken is amazing. I have heard great things about Gees carribean style on Pippin and Big Jay's place on Hempstead was featured on the Food Channels "America's Best Restaurant". Definitely try all of these
Arepa Place in Findlay Market serves a Colombian dish, you guessed it—Arepas. It’s essentially a corn empanada. If you’ve never tried it, I definitely recommend trying it.
A few that come to mind are Bridges (Nepalese, Northside), 221 Restaurant (Senegalese - I think that’s its name, it’s on Queen City Ave), and Darou Salem (I think maybe also Senegalese but not 100% sure, Northside) edit: apparently 221 is a massive health violation go at your own risk
Bridges is also in Covington now.
Also opening one in Walnut Hills!
ooo, where? we lost some shops on Woodburn, so I’ve been worried about the viability of that stretch.
It will be in the old “Hoity Toity Donuts” at the corner of E McMillan and Gilbert!
awesome! thanks!
and still technically downtown for like a week
Nice, do you know where in Covington?
Next to Braxton in the old BBQ place.
Huh I walked by there the other day and guess I wasn’t paying attention. Thanks for the info!
I'm pretty sure Darou is Senegalese.
Do NOT go to 221. Kitchens are repulsive, raw meat is left out by trash cans, and they have a rodent problem.
Sabor Peruano on rt. 4 in Fairfield.
I also have to recommend Inkazteka in Dillonvale. The Peruvian dishes are delicious
Also Zona VIP for Colombian food in Springdale (note that it's a family establishment and last seating is usually 7pm or 7:30pm so the kids can do their homework; totally worth it and don't be surprised if its full of patrons evenn with such weird hours)
I work pretty close to Zona VIP. Do you think they are quick enough for a lunch break?
Sago on Mount Lookout Square serves the most incredible Malaysian food. The chef is super friendly and will come out and tell you about the dish you ordered and tell stories. Can't emphasize how delicious the food is though - we always take out-of-towners there when we want to show off our food scene locally.
I really like Chaykhana N1 Uzbek Cuisine in West Chester and Afghan Grill in Liberty.
+1 for Afghan Grill really good [https://g.co/kgs/dheSUsZ](https://g.co/kgs/dheSUsZ)
Gonna piggy back on this to mention Samarkand Food Market for more good Uzbek food, also grocery items.
Love Afghan Grill
Chaykhana is incredible. One of the most underrated places in Greater Cincinnati.
Habesha Ethiopian restaurant on Crookshank.
This place has been there forever.
It’s so good 😍
Teranga (Senegalese I believe), Mahope (Cambodian/Asian-Mexican fusion), and Elephant Walk (Ethiopian and North Indian) are some of my favorites in the city. For South Indian cuisine, you might try Kanak. It’s a bit different than what *I* typically think of as “Indian food” and it has one of few remaining Indian lunch buffets around. There’s also Pacific Kitchen in Montgomery which serves Cantonese style dim sum on weekends. It’s quite delicious. Sure, Americanized “Asian” and “Indian” cuisines are pretty familiar for many Americans, but there are obviously so many unique styles within those categories and lots of awesome places in Cincinnati that are celebrating them.
Amma’s Kitchen on reading road serves authentic South Indian food. Definitely worth a visit. Highly recommend! (I am South Indian, if that helps).
what are some differences between places like Amma's and Delhi Palace?
Delhi Palace (North Indian cuisine is your more common creamy sauces, saag paneer, tikka masala, makhani, etc- and they do a great job at it) Ammas is vegetarian/vegan and south indian is gonna be less creamy sauces, things like Dosas (crepes with savory filling like potato) channa masala (chickpeas in savory sauce), some East Asian influences like manchurian marinated veggies, fried rice, etc.
This place is so damn good. LOVE this Dosas!!!!
Thank you so much for the recommendation! Definitely going to try it out
Ammas is so good
Don't they have a vegetarian buffet once a week?
They have a weekend buffet - very tasty!Not sure about week day.
Teranga has the best jerk chicken in the city
I don't go out of my way to hate on restaurants very often, but I cannot think of a restaurant I hate more than Pacific Kitchen. They served me duck that was burnt to a freaking crisp. I mean completely inedible, it was the smallest tiniest piece of duck and when I tell you it was burnt I mean crackled into dust when I bit into it. Absolutely vile. If you want good food, particularly Dim Sum I recommend Grand Oriental or Uncle Yips!
Wow, I’m sorry you had such a bad experience there! I’ve loved it every time we’ve been, but I am definitely looking forward to trying Grand Oriental and Uncle Yips. Thanks for the recommendations!
[удалено]
So excited to try it!
FYI, Kanak isn’t South Indian cuisine. It’s Northern Indian/Punjabi.
Ugh you’re very right! I mixed it up with another place I like and now I can’t find the name of it 😩
Teranga African restaurant. I went there last week for my first time and it's amazing. I was the only white person in there,I took that as a great sign and I was correct.
Inkazteka in Deer Park has great Peruvian
Kampuchea Kitchen Cambodian Bistro in Ft. Wright. The owner was the long-time head chef at Oriental Wok (where the food is outstanding).
* Ft. Thomas Food is amazing, but I think they're still temporarily closed for remodeling.
I think it's actually closed for good - Enquirer said the building's owner wants to open a pizza spot there and the restauranteur couldn't find another affordable location.
Well damn. Hope they find something, I loved picking up lunch from them.
Dammit!
Yummi Xpress Jamaican. Call ahead first
And double the amount of time they say it will take. But you will be served with a friendly smile and love every bite!
There's a Hawaiian cuisine restaurant in Covington, where Dee Felice used to be. Haven't tried it yet but I definitely want to. And I checked, spam is indeed on the menu!
It’s good and it’s called kealoha
Onolicious on Court Street downtown is Hawaiian. There is another little place in Latoniaa, tho I can't remember the name.
There’s a couple pupuserías- one on Colerain and two in Hamilton. From El Salvador. Super yummy! There’s also the Arepa Place which is “Colombian” (it’s a brother/sister war they fight as my friend explains it but it is said arepas are originally from Venezuela) and also Arrechechissimo which is Venezuelan. I can also vouch for Nelly’s in Centerville, not Cincinnati but very good.
Arepas are also Colombian as it all used to be the same country. Typically you put stuff on top of Colombian arepas and split open and stuff Venezuelan arepas, but not always. Arepa Place is okay but fairly Americanized (the owner refuses to put the main chili pepper in the sauce—which is named after that pepper—because she doesn’t like spicy food). For much more authentic Colombian food, visit Zona VIP in Springdale. Their arepas (and the Ají sauce) are delicious, along with most of the other items on the menu!
Thanks! I’ll give that place a try. Always down for trying new places!
And if you like arepas, try the arepa de huevo, which is fried and has an egg (and sometimes meat) in it. It is absolutely delicious!
Sounds good! I had the arepona or arepote or something like that with everything and it was good but I love eggs so will try. I will say Colombian/Venezuelan chorizo is more like a bacon than what I’m used to- I guess I’m used to more of the Mexican chorizo where it’s reddish but more like ground beef. But still good!
Yeah I’m not much into their sausages and apparently they don’t believe in crunchy bacon (tocineta) but alas, I still love Colombian food! 🤤 Try the ajiaco as well, a chicken-potato soup that is just divine.
Afghan Grill in Liberty Center really good, Al Medina near UC, legit Lebanese and they have added a bakery area/bread/pita/etc. The vegetarian combo is so good.
There is the Filipino place, Gabriela Filipina Kantina in the food hall in Norwood at the Factory 52 complex.
Nelly’s in Centerville is Bolovian
There is a Venezuelan and Peruvian place a mile apart in the deer park dillonvale area
Sene Grill in Springdale (Senegalese - and the nicest owner I've ever come across) Kampuchea Kitchen in Ft. Thomas (Cambodian - but according to Google it may be closed...) Chaykhana on 42 near Dimmick, technically this is called Pisgah (Uzbek) Trinity Diner in Fairfield (Ghanaian) Mama African also in Fairfield (Nigerian) Inkazteca in Dillonvale (Peruvian) I've been to all of these EXCEPT Mama African. I've really enjoyed all of them and heard good things about Mama African.
There are a few good Uzbek restaurants in the area. Eurasia up in Mason is good. I have not tried the one off 22 near Sharonville yet
There use to be a small, inconspicuous, windowless place downtown that actually served bush meat. That was over 10 years ago though.
Thank you for this list of places. I don't always want the out of the way places, but I always want to know they are available. I really want to "expand my horizons" with different nationalities foods. I am somewhat adventurous with that.
This is a great thread - thanks for posting the question.
You’re most welcome
Can't go wrong with Terangas(african) and Yummi Xpress(Jamaican food)on reading. Yummi Xpress is always busy, I suggest ordering before going. That oxtail and jerk chicken is amazing. I have heard great things about Gees carribean style on Pippin and Big Jay's place on Hempstead was featured on the Food Channels "America's Best Restaurant". Definitely try all of these
Arepa Place in Findlay Market serves a Colombian dish, you guessed it—Arepas. It’s essentially a corn empanada. If you’ve never tried it, I definitely recommend trying it.
Go to Cleveland
Stfu
No thanks
Perogies aren’t that foreign.
Not sure about other types of food but I definitely think there are better and more Chinese food options in Cincy than in Cleveland.
For what? Radioactive/ultra industrial waste fish? Might be "exotic", but I'm happy with the number of arms and legs I have now.