Last updated: 2025-03-21
Cincinnati’s upscale dining scene blends historic charm with modern sophistication. From the panoramic views at Primavista overlooking the Ohio River to the elegant ambiance of Orchids at Palm Court in the art deco Netherland Plaza, each venue offers distinctive Queen City character.
Celebrated establishments like Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse downtown and Carlo & Johnny in Montgomery serve as culinary landmarks, while innovative spots like Sotto and Mita’s bring contemporary flair to the urban core. Over-the-Rhine’s Boca and Salazar showcase the neighborhood’s gastronomic renaissance.
Discover the finest tables in the Queen City!
Featured Fine Dining Spots in Cincinnati
- Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse
- Orchids at Palm Court
- Boca
- Carlo & Johnny
- Primavista
- Sotto
- Bouquet (Covington)
- Mita's
- Nicola's
- Prime Cincinnati
Fine Dining in Cincinnati
Alara
What to Expect
Immersive open kitchen experience
Description
Alara offers a modern, luxurious dining experience with a focus on contemporary American cuisine. The menu features prime meats like Wagyu, fresh seafood, and innovative dishes such as pork shank tacos and crispy chicken sliders. The restaurant boasts an open kitchen, providing guests with a front-row view of culinary preparation. Alara's atmosphere is enhanced by lush greenery, large chandeliers, and a spacious bar area. It features an expansive wine list and signature cocktails, including the 'Smoked Pear' served in a glass smoke dome. Alara is ideal for those seeking upscale fine dining with a unique, immersive experience.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Alara
Boca
What to Expect
Contemporary European cuisine with French precision
Description
Boca offers a refined dining experience, blending Italian and French flavors with precise French technique. The menu features seasonal dishes crafted with simplicity and elegance, complemented by an exceptional wine program. Its sophisticated ambiance and attentive service make it ideal for special occasions.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Boca
Nicola's
What to Expect
Historic Setting with Housemade Pastas
Description
Nicola's offers upscale Italian cuisine in a historic setting, featuring exposed brick walls and a warm atmosphere. The menu includes housemade pastas, gnocchi, and creamy risottos. A chef-crafted tasting menu is available, along with a la carte options. The restaurant's unique setting, once a barn for the city's incline trollies, adds to its charm. Nicola's is particularly noted for its intimate dining experience, making it ideal for special occasions.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Nicola's
Orchids at Palm Court
What to Expect
Historic French Art Deco setting
Description
Orchids at Palm Court offers upscale fine dining in a stunning 1930s French Art Deco setting, featuring two-story Romanesque murals and an original Rookwood pottery fountain. The restaurant serves modern American cuisine with French techniques, providing a sophisticated dining experience within the historic Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. It is particularly noted for its accessible design and elegant ambiance.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Orchids at Palm Court
Primavista
What to Expect
Panoramic city views
Description
Primavista offers upscale fine dining with breathtaking views of the Cincinnati skyline and Ohio River. Chef Chris Prince crafts Northern Italian dishes, specializing in veal and seafood. The restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows, providing a spectacular view from every table, and offers private dining spaces for special occasions.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Primavista
Quarter Bistro (Mariemont)
What to Expect
Contemporary American cuisine with seafood and steak options
Description
Quarter Bistro offers a sophisticated dining experience with a focus on contemporary American cuisine, seafood, and steak. The menu features dishes like Blackened Ahi Tuna Tacos and Pan Seared Filet Mignon, complemented by an exceptional wine list. The restaurant provides a casual yet elegant atmosphere, making it ideal for special occasions.
Where: Mariemont | More Info: Quarter Bistro
Sotto
What to Expect
Underground Italian dining
Description
Sotto is an upscale Italian restaurant located in Cincinnati's Central Business District. It offers a unique blend of traditional Italian cuisine with a modern twist, set in a rustic yet elegant underground setting. The menu features dishes like truffle pasta and wood-fired branzino, complemented by an extensive wine list. Sotto provides a sophisticated dining experience with attentive service, making it ideal for special occasions.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Sotto
Farm-to-Table in Cincinnati
Bouquet (Covington)
What to Expect
Local and sustainable farm-to-table cuisine
Description
Bouquet Restaurant offers elevated, seasonal cuisine in a relaxed setting, emphasizing local and sustainable farming practices. It features a tasting menu, extensive bourbon collection, and a full bar. The restaurant is known for its high-quality service and creative dishes, making it a standout for upscale dining.
Where: Covington | More Info: Bouquet
Salazar
What to Expect
Farm-inspired New American cuisine
Description
Salazar offers farm-inspired New American cuisine in a setting that blends old and new elements. The menu is creative, refined, and playful, reflecting the changing seasons. This restaurant is particularly noted for its multicultural influences and community-oriented atmosphere, making it a standout for upscale fine dining.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Salazar
Cincinnati Steakhouses
Carlo & Johnny
What to Expect
Historic mansion setting
Description
Carlo & Johnny is an upscale steakhouse housed in a historic mansion with a rich past as a stagecoach stopover, speakeasy, and gangster hideout. It offers world-class U.S.D.A. Prime steaks, a renowned raw bar, and live entertainment. The restaurant features five private dining rooms, each with unique historical elements, making it ideal for special occasions. Carlo & Johnny also offers sushi and a noteworthy wine list, enhancing its fine dining experience.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Carlo & Johnny
Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse
What to Expect
Luxurious Art Deco ambiance
Description
Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse offers an upscale dining experience with premium steaks, seafood, and sushi. The restaurant features an Art Deco design, a replica of the Wall Street bull, and a luxurious ambiance with live entertainment. Private dining rooms, including the Legacy Room and Gatsby Room, provide unique settings for special occasions. The steakhouse is renowned for its exceptional service and attention to detail, making it a standout for fine dining in Cincinnati.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse
Lisse (Covington)
What to Expect
Dutch-inspired steakhouse cuisine
Description
Lisse offers upscale fine dining with a unique blend of traditional American steakhouse fare and authentic Dutch flavors. The restaurant features a spacious setting across three floors, including private rooms and a cigar lounge. Its menu highlights prime cuts of beef, locally sourced ingredients, and distinctive Dutch-inspired dishes.
Where: Covington | More Info: Lisse
Prime Cincinnati
What to Expect
Signature dry-aged beef offerings
Description
Prime Cincinnati offers upscale fine dining with a focus on premium meats and seafood. The menu features US Certified Angus Beef, Ohio Reserve Wagyu, and signature dry-aged beef, complemented by sustainably sourced seafood. Located in downtown Cincinnati, it provides a sophisticated setting for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Prime Cincinnati
The Precinct
What to Expect
Historic Police Patrol House Conversion
Description
The Precinct is Cincinnati's longest continuously-running fine dining restaurant, located in the historic former Police Patrol House No. 6. It offers a sophisticated dining experience with dry-aged U.S.D.A. Prime steaks and rare Wagyu beef. The restaurant features a restored Romanesque building with original sliding doors and a massive Brunswick Majestic bar. Private dining rooms, including The Loft, provide unique event spaces. The Precinct is renowned for its exceptional service and culinary excellence, making it a standout for upscale fine dining.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: The Precinct
Fusion in Cincinnati
Mita's
What to Expect
Eclectic Spanish and Latin American cuisine
Description
Mita's is a 130-seat restaurant in downtown Cincinnati, offering a blend of traditional and modern Spanish and Latin American cuisine. The menu features tapas, ceviches, cured hams, cheeses, and paella, complemented by a wine program emphasizing Spain and the Old World. The interior combines old and new world aesthetics with Moorish patterns, reclaimed wood, and luxurious fabrics. Mita's provides a unique dining experience with its eclectic menu and warm hospitality, making it ideal for upscale fine dining.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Mita's
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