1 Findlay St., Over-the-Rhine
ESSEN is no ordinary take-away. Sure, the kitchen serves up soups, salads and sandwiches like any other respectable establishment. But there aren’t any chicken Caesars or ham and Swiss sammies to be found here. In fact, ESSEN doesn’t stock any meat, dairy or eggs at all: The entire menu is plant-based. Chef Yasel López, a graduate of the University of Havana with a degree in food science and a résumé that lists stints in restaurants from Cuba to Lexington, got creative and crafted a menu to appeal to not only vegans but also vegetarians and omnivores alike. López plays with color and texture just as much as he experiments with flavor.
Photo: facebook.com/essenkitchen” data-title=”
ESSEN
1 Findlay St., Over-the-Rhine
ESSEN is no ordinary take-away. Sure, the kitchen serves up soups, salads and sandwiches like any other respectable establishment. But there aren’t any chicken Caesars or ham and Swiss sammies to be found here. In fact, ESSEN doesn’t stock any meat, dairy or eggs at all: The entire menu is plant-based. Chef Yasel López, a graduate of the University of Havana with a degree in food science and a résumé that lists stints in restaurants from Cuba to Lexington, got creative and crafted a menu to appeal to not only vegans but also vegetarians and omnivores alike. López plays with color and texture just as much as he experiments with flavor.
Photo: facebook.com/essenkitchen” itemprop=”image” />
Good Plates Eatery
235 W. McMillan St., Clifton
Good Plates focuses on simple foods and bold flavors, offering a variety of sandwiches and bowls (of the quinoa and salad variety). Each item has a little twist that takes it from standard to satisfying, often found in the sauce. Several menu stand-outs include the meatball sub, made with chorizo and beef, complemented by a sweet red sauce (there’s also a vegetarian version); as well as the Smashed Chickpea Salad, which is made with chickpeas instead of chicken. All bowls and salads come vegetarian, but patrons have the option to add meat.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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Good Plates Eatery
235 W. McMillan St., Clifton
Good Plates focuses on simple foods and bold flavors, offering a variety of sandwiches and bowls (of the quinoa and salad variety). Each item has a little twist that takes it from standard to satisfying, often found in the sauce. Several menu stand-outs include the meatball sub, made with chorizo and beef, complemented by a sweet red sauce (there’s also a vegetarian version); as well as the Smashed Chickpea Salad, which is made with chickpeas instead of chicken. All bowls and salads come vegetarian, but patrons have the option to add meat.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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Melt Revival
4100 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diners aren’t an afterthought at Melt. A plethora of sandwiches, wraps, soups and salads tempt every palate. Sandwiches include items like the veggie cheesesteak made with seitan; an incredibly delicious vegetarian chili; and Sunday brunch offerings like vegan biscuits and gravy and a tofu scramble.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger” data-title=”
Melt Revival
4100 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diners aren’t an afterthought at Melt. A plethora of sandwiches, wraps, soups and salads tempt every palate. Sandwiches include items like the veggie cheesesteak made with seitan; an incredibly delicious vegetarian chili; and Sunday brunch offerings like vegan biscuits and gravy and a tofu scramble.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger” itemprop=”image” />
Unwind Wine Bar
3435 Michigan Ave., Hyde Park
This expansive indoor and outdoor space around the corner from Hyde Park Square has fused an upscale-casual ambiance with a wide selection of New World and Old World wines and small plates that complement the drinks. All of the food is either vegetarian or vegan (the owners are vegan). With choices such as crostini, flatbread, warm olives, cheeses and a hummus sampler, along with a few desserts, there’s enough for a light meal — or at least some satisfying bites to accompany your wine.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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Unwind Wine Bar
3435 Michigan Ave., Hyde Park
This expansive indoor and outdoor space around the corner from Hyde Park Square has fused an upscale-casual ambiance with a wide selection of New World and Old World wines and small plates that complement the drinks. All of the food is either vegetarian or vegan (the owners are vegan). With choices such as crostini, flatbread, warm olives, cheeses and a hummus sampler, along with a few desserts, there’s enough for a light meal — or at least some satisfying bites to accompany your wine.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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The Whole Bowl
364 Ludlow Ave., Clifton
This is the perfect spot for people who don’t like to make decisions, since Whole Bowl offers one menu item. While there is an easy vegan alternative, Whole Bowl’s titular dish is comprised of brown rice, beans, black olives, cheddar, avocado slices, salsa, sour cream and a lemon-garlic sauce. The only real choice a diner needs to make is whether or not they want a small or large portion.
Photo: Facebook.com/TheWholeBowlCincinnati
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The Whole Bowl
364 Ludlow Ave., Clifton
This is the perfect spot for people who don’t like to make decisions, since Whole Bowl offers one menu item. While there is an easy vegan alternative, Whole Bowl’s titular dish is comprised of brown rice, beans, black olives, cheddar, avocado slices, salsa, sour cream and a lemon-garlic sauce. The only real choice a diner needs to make is whether or not they want a small or large portion.
Photo: Facebook.com/TheWholeBowlCincinnati
” itemprop=”image” />Northside Yacht Club
4231 Spring Grove Ave., Northside
A loosely nautically themed and ironically landlocked Rock club from two local music and mixology veterans, the Northside Yacht Club is all fun. Lay down a base layer with a bar-food menu that features veggie-conscious eats like their popular cauliflower wings, tofu tendies, vegetarian or vegan mac and cheese, fried broccoli or the creature fries. The cocktails — served by tattooed bartenders in the vein of Sailor Jerry — are masterful, made with fresh juice, fruit and herbal garnish. The tropically themed and navy-inspired drinks are deceivingly potent.
Photo: Kellie Coleman
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Northside Yacht Club
4231 Spring Grove Ave., Northside
A loosely nautically themed and ironically landlocked Rock club from two local music and mixology veterans, the Northside Yacht Club is all fun. Lay down a base layer with a bar-food menu that features veggie-conscious eats like their popular cauliflower wings, tofu tendies, vegetarian or vegan mac and cheese, fried broccoli or the creature fries. The cocktails — served by tattooed bartenders in the vein of Sailor Jerry — are masterful, made with fresh juice, fruit and herbal garnish. The tropically themed and navy-inspired drinks are deceivingly potent.
Photo: Kellie Coleman
” itemprop=”image” />B&A Street Kitchen
1500 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Offering everything from TexMex-influenced comfort food, tacos and tortas to craft sodas on draft, perhaps the best part of B&A is their focus on vegan and vegetarian items. You can substitute chorizo tofu, vegan goetta, black bean patties and vegan scrambled eggs in different dishes, or just order a veggie option to begin with like their huevos rancheros, guacamole toast or meatless Dia de Los Nachos.
Photo: Brittany Thornton
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B&A Street Kitchen
1500 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Offering everything from TexMex-influenced comfort food, tacos and tortas to craft sodas on draft, perhaps the best part of B&A is their focus on vegan and vegetarian items. You can substitute chorizo tofu, vegan goetta, black bean patties and vegan scrambled eggs in different dishes, or just order a veggie option to begin with like their huevos rancheros, guacamole toast or meatless Dia de Los Nachos.
Photo: Brittany Thornton
” itemprop=”image” />Rollin’ Bowls
Find upcoming truck locations online
Rollin’ Bowls is a plant-based food truck with Monica Meier in the driver’s seat. Meier made the switch to living a fully plant-based lifestyle several years ago and says it dramatically impacted her health and energy. “I wanted to share that plant-based food can taste great with people who believe the myth that plant-based food tastes awful,” she says. The most popular menu item is the Dynamite Bowl — a crunchy and colorful blend of veggies with teriyaki-marinated soy tenders over a bed of fluffy long-grain rice. It’s finished off with a thick drizzle of vegan yum yum sauce made from scratch. Beyond the bowls, Meier serves quesadillas and tacos, soups and sandwiches, including plant-based burgers.
Photo: Paige Deglow
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Rollin’ Bowls
Find upcoming truck locations online
Rollin’ Bowls is a plant-based food truck with Monica Meier in the driver’s seat. Meier made the switch to living a fully plant-based lifestyle several years ago and says it dramatically impacted her health and energy. “I wanted to share that plant-based food can taste great with people who believe the myth that plant-based food tastes awful,” she says. The most popular menu item is the Dynamite Bowl — a crunchy and colorful blend of veggies with teriyaki-marinated soy tenders over a bed of fluffy long-grain rice. It’s finished off with a thick drizzle of vegan yum yum sauce made from scratch. Beyond the bowls, Meier serves quesadillas and tacos, soups and sandwiches, including plant-based burgers.
Photo: Paige Deglow
” itemprop=”image” />Tickle Pickle
4176 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Northside’s Rock & Roll-inspired environmentally conscious burgers cater to both meat-eaters and non. Vegetarians can opt for a Buns N Roses (a housemade vegan black bean burger on a vegan bun topped with ketchup, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle) or a When Buns Cry (a mushroom cap topped with balsamic, spinach, tomato and caramelized onion on a pretzel bun). Or sub in a plant-based Impossible Burger on any meaty menu creation. They’re also known for their thick and creamy vegan milkshakes. Voted one of the best veggie burgers in the 2020 Best of Cincinnati issue.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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Tickle Pickle
4176 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Northside’s Rock & Roll-inspired environmentally conscious burgers cater to both meat-eaters and non. Vegetarians can opt for a Buns N Roses (a housemade vegan black bean burger on a vegan bun topped with ketchup, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle) or a When Buns Cry (a mushroom cap topped with balsamic, spinach, tomato and caramelized onion on a pretzel bun). Or sub in a plant-based Impossible Burger on any meaty menu creation. They’re also known for their thick and creamy vegan milkshakes. Voted one of the best veggie burgers in the 2020 Best of Cincinnati issue.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
” itemprop=”image” />Condado Tacos
195 E. Freedom Way, Downtown; 3329 Vandercar Way, Oakley; 5070 Deerfield Blvd., Mason
Condado commits to the build-your-own tacos concept down to the type of tortillas. For protein, customers have several options — even multiple ones for vegetarians! — like Thai chili tofu, BBQ pulled jackfruit, black beans and roasted portabello. They’ve got the toppings, too; cilantro and onions, jicama and cabbage slaws, queso fresco and more.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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Condado Tacos
195 E. Freedom Way, Downtown; 3329 Vandercar Way, Oakley; 5070 Deerfield Blvd., Mason
Condado commits to the build-your-own tacos concept down to the type of tortillas. For protein, customers have several options — even multiple ones for vegetarians! — like Thai chili tofu, BBQ pulled jackfruit, black beans and roasted portabello. They’ve got the toppings, too; cilantro and onions, jicama and cabbage slaws, queso fresco and more.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
” itemprop=”image” />Goose & Elder
1800 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Chef Jose Salazar opened Goose & Elder, a sort of comfort food destination with self-described “Midcentury grandma” décor, adjacent to Findlay Market last year. Though it feels more casual or at least more affordable than Salazar’s other eateries, Goose & Elder’s menu is just as creative, boasting fun takes on easy eats. The baked mac and cheese is infused with pickled jalapeno; the housemade falafel veggie burger comes topped with halloumi; and the “Big Salad” is more interesting than your average lettuce mix with seasonal vegetables, hard-boiled eggs and green olives. Goose & Elder also offers avocado toast and a grain bowl, in addition to retro cocktails, and a brunch menu.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger” data-title=”
Goose & Elder
1800 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Chef Jose Salazar opened Goose & Elder, a sort of comfort food destination with self-described “Midcentury grandma” décor, adjacent to Findlay Market last year. Though it feels more casual or at least more affordable than Salazar’s other eateries, Goose & Elder’s menu is just as creative, boasting fun takes on easy eats. The baked mac and cheese is infused with pickled jalapeno; the housemade falafel veggie burger comes topped with halloumi; and the ::Big Salad:: is more interesting than your average lettuce mix with seasonal vegetables, hard-boiled eggs and green olives. Goose & Elder also offers avocado toast and a grain bowl, in addition to retro cocktails, and a brunch menu.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger” itemprop=”image” />Bridges Nepali Cuisine
4165 Hamilton Ave., Northside; 133 E. Court St., Downtown
The restaurant name — Bridges — encourages diners to use food as a means of connecting to new cultures. Owner Ashak Chipalu creates Nepalese food using his mother’s recipes. The dishes are rich with spices — like ginger, garlic, cumin, chili pepper and cilantro — that elevate the simple ingredients like potato, lentils and cauliflower. In addition to its bowls and curries, it’s known for its unique and wide-ranging samosa selection, as well as momos, aka Nepalese dumplings.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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Bridges Nepali Cuisine
4165 Hamilton Ave., Northside; 133 E. Court St., Downtown
The restaurant name — Bridges — encourages diners to use food as a means of connecting to new cultures. Owner Ashak Chipalu creates Nepalese food using his mother’s recipes. The dishes are rich with spices — like ginger, garlic, cumin, chili pepper and cilantro — that elevate the simple ingredients like potato, lentils and cauliflower. In addition to its bowls and curries, it’s known for its unique and wide-ranging samosa selection, as well as momos, aka Nepalese dumplings.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
” itemprop=”image” />The Kitchen Factory
1609 Chase Ave. Northside
The Kitchen Factory specializes in vegan pizza and offers a variety of housemade sauces, dough, sandwiches soups and salads (plus some meat for those who want it). In addition to menu options like the Dig the Fig pizza, there are myriad sandwiches including a veggie meatball hoagie, veggie burger, barbecue tofu sandwich, vegan nachos and their famous vegan baked mac and cheese.
Photo: Emerson Swoger
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The Kitchen Factory
1609 Chase Ave. Northside
The Kitchen Factory specializes in vegan pizza and offers a variety of housemade sauces, dough, sandwiches soups and salads (plus some meat for those who want it). In addition to menu options like the Dig the Fig pizza, there are myriad sandwiches including a veggie meatball hoagie, veggie burger, barbecue tofu sandwich, vegan nachos and their famous vegan baked mac and cheese.
Photo: Emerson Swoger
” itemprop=”image” />Rooted Juicery + Kitchen
3010 Madison Road, Oakley; 6844 Wooster Pike, Mariemont; 17 E. Sixth St., Downtown
From coolers housing a rainbow display of juices to vegan meal bowls to a mini bakery, Rooted is out to prove that plant-based eating offers a vast variety of flavors and quality options. The Mexican grain bowl (quinoa, black beans, guacamole, walnut crumble, cashew cheese) is a favorite in the bowl category. Everything is as locally sourced as possible and the downtown location features a full coffee and matcha bar.
Photo: Rooted Juicery + Kitchen
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Rooted Juicery + Kitchen
3010 Madison Road, Oakley; 6844 Wooster Pike, Mariemont; 17 E. Sixth St., Downtown
From coolers housing a rainbow display of juices to vegan meal bowls to a mini bakery, Rooted is out to prove that plant-based eating offers a vast variety of flavors and quality options. The Mexican grain bowl (quinoa, black beans, guacamole, walnut crumble, cashew cheese) is a favorite in the bowl category. Everything is as locally sourced as possible and the downtown location features a full coffee and matcha bar.
Photo: Rooted Juicery + Kitchen
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Ruth’s Parkside Cafe
1550 Blue Rock St., Northside
Located in a factory bay at the American Can Building, Ruth’s offers diners a mix of comforting, well-known classics from the owners’ former restaurant Mullane’s, such as the spinach sauté and red beans and rice, as well as new dishes. Everything is from scratch, and you can add a slab of tofu or tempeh to just about any dish. If you don’t order an appetizer of Sixteen Bricks bread and their specialty cult-favorite curry yogurt dressing, you’re doing it wrong.
Photo: Jesse Fox
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Ruth’s Parkside Cafe
1550 Blue Rock St., Northside
Located in a factory bay at the American Can Building, Ruth’s offers diners a mix of comforting, well-known classics from the owners’ former restaurant Mullane’s, such as the spinach sauté and red beans and rice, as well as new dishes. Everything is from scratch, and you can add a slab of tofu or tempeh to just about any dish. If you don’t order an appetizer of Sixteen Bricks bread and their specialty cult-favorite curry yogurt dressing, you’re doing it wrong.
Photo: Jesse Fox
” itemprop=”image” />Harmony Plant Fare
Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
This New York City-inspired vegan deli offers a variety of cold cuts, salads, dips, housemade seitan and vegan cheese (that melts!), plus sandwiches and vegan pantry essentials.
Photo: facebook.com/harmonyplantfare
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Harmony Plant Fare
Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
This New York City-inspired vegan deli offers a variety of cold cuts, salads, dips, housemade seitan and vegan cheese (that melts!), plus sandwiches and vegan pantry essentials.
Photo: facebook.com/harmonyplantfare
” itemprop=”image” />Abigail Street
1214 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
With a Mediterranean lean and wines on tap, Abigail Street is the tapas bar to satisfy all members of your dining party. The fresh and seasonally rotating menu features small plates for vegetarians and omnivores alike, including crispy falafel, housemade ricotta and honey and a family-recipe fattoush, plus inventive dishes like “Kung Pao” chickpea tofu, with hoisin, bell pepper, broccolini, squash, peanut and scallion. The menu is about evenly divided between meat/fish dishes and veggie-friendly options.
Photo: facebook.com/abigailwinebar
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Abigail Street
1214 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
With a Mediterranean lean and wines on tap, Abigail Street is the tapas bar to satisfy all members of your dining party. The fresh and seasonally rotating menu features small plates for vegetarians and omnivores alike, including crispy falafel, housemade ricotta and honey and a family-recipe fattoush, plus inventive dishes like “Kung Pao” chickpea tofu, with hoisin, bell pepper, broccolini, squash, peanut and scallion. The menu is about evenly divided between meat/fish dishes and veggie-friendly options.
Photo: facebook.com/abigailwinebar
” itemprop=”image” />Conscious Kitchen
2912 Short Vine St., Corryville
Located on Short Vine near the University of Cincinnati campus, this health-conscious eatery offers a chef-crafted menu of items like salmon, turkey or veggie burgers; veggie or “aquatic” egg rolls; hearty salads; and more.
Photo via Facebook.com/ConsciousKitchen513” data-title=”
Conscious Kitchen
2912 Short Vine St., Corryville
Located on Short Vine near the University of Cincinnati campus, this health-conscious eatery offers a chef-crafted menu of items like salmon, turkey or veggie burgers; veggie or “aquatic” egg rolls; hearty salads; and more.
Photo via Facebook.com/ConsciousKitchen513″ itemprop=”image” />For Goodness Shakes and Juicery
4119 Hamilton Ave., Northside
This Northside juicery offers plant-based smoothies, juices, frutacado bowls, specialty drinks and food. There are rice bowls, like the vegan Spicy Thai with brown rice, lentils, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, green beans and curry cashews; fruit-forward smoothies; green juices; and “no-gurt” frutacado bowls made with a base of fruit and avocado and topped with granola, coconut flakes, organic raisins, kiwi and banana.
Photo: facebook.com/fgsandj
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For Goodness Shakes and Juicery
4119 Hamilton Ave., Northside
This Northside juicery offers plant-based smoothies, juices, frutacado bowls, specialty drinks and food. There are rice bowls, like the vegan Spicy Thai with brown rice, lentils, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, green beans and curry cashews; fruit-forward smoothies; green juices; and ::no-gurt:: frutacado bowls made with a base of fruit and avocado and topped with granola, coconut flakes, organic raisins, kiwi and banana.
Photo: facebook.com/fgsandj
” itemprop=”image” />Elephant Walk Injera & Curry House
170 W. McMillan St., Clifton
Clifton’s Elephant Walk Injera & Curry House does double duty as both an Indian and Ethiopian restaurant. The two-sided menu features cuisine from both countries, which have somewhat similar flavor profiles. If you’ve never eaten Ethiopian food, it’s kind of like Indian — both offer stew-style dishes consisting of ingredients like chicken, lentils, cabbage and lamb, but Ethiopian dishes also rely heavily on beef, which you won’t see in Indian cuisine. Both also have their own special breads with which to scoop your food, but instead of naan, Ethiopian food is served with injera, a sourdough flatbread with a spongy texture and slightly tart taste that you will either love or really, really hate. The multiple vegetarian dishes — many of which are also vegan — are best enjoyed on a combo platter, served on a bed of injera with yellow lentils, seasoned collard greens, red lentils and cabbage.
Photo: CityBeat Archive
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Elephant Walk Injera & Curry House
170 W. McMillan St., Clifton
Clifton’s Elephant Walk Injera & Curry House does double duty as both an Indian and Ethiopian restaurant. The two-sided menu features cuisine from both countries, which have somewhat similar flavor profiles. If you’ve never eaten Ethiopian food, it’s kind of like Indian — both offer stew-style dishes consisting of ingredients like chicken, lentils, cabbage and lamb, but Ethiopian dishes also rely heavily on beef, which you won’t see in Indian cuisine. Both also have their own special breads with which to scoop your food, but instead of naan, Ethiopian food is served with injera, a sourdough flatbread with a spongy texture and slightly tart taste that you will either love or really, really hate. The multiple vegetarian dishes — many of which are also vegan — are best enjoyed on a combo platter, served on a bed of injera with yellow lentils, seasoned collard greens, red lentils and cabbage.
Photo: CityBeat Archive
” itemprop=”image” />Olive Tree
Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Olive Tree catering and pop-up is helmed by Ibtisam Masto. Masto is from Aleppo, Syria, but fled to neighboring Lebanon after the civil war broke out. It was there that she developed her culinary skills at a local market for refugees. When the UN Refugee Committee relocated Masto to Cincinnati, she decided to continue pursuing her culinary dreams in America. Olive Tree offers Middle Eastern cuisine ranging from mahshi bi bulgur (zucchini and eggplant) to mutabal with vegetables and pomegranate and special Syrian ma’amoul cookies. Masto currently sells her food at the Findlay Market Biergarten on Fridays and in the Farm Shed on weekends.
Photo: facebook.com/olivetree.cateringllc
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Olive Tree
Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Olive Tree catering and pop-up is helmed by Ibtisam Masto. Masto is from Aleppo, Syria, but fled to neighboring Lebanon after the civil war broke out. It was there that she developed her culinary skills at a local market for refugees. When the UN Refugee Committee relocated Masto to Cincinnati, she decided to continue pursuing her culinary dreams in America. Olive Tree offers Middle Eastern cuisine ranging from mahshi bi bulgur (zucchini and eggplant) to mutabal with vegetables and pomegranate and special Syrian ma’amoul cookies. Masto currently sells her food at the Findlay Market Biergarten on Fridays and in the Farm Shed on weekends.
Photo: facebook.com/olivetree.cateringllc
” itemprop=”image” />Branch
1535 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills
East Walnut Hills’ Branch — located in a rehabbed historic Art Deco bank — is helmed by chef Shoshannah Anderson. The menu is punily divided into “Shares,” or small plates, and “Stocks,” or entrées, with delicious international influences. For mains, there are many meats of varying origins — land, sea, air, etc. — that are probably delicious. But Anderson’s ability to transform tofu is basically unparalleled. Tofu is frequently wet, bland and crumbly but Anderson applies a smoker, intense flavors and the correct preparation to create a seriously satisfying, texturally interesting and extremely filling vegetarian main. And, whatever you do, don’t leave without dessert. Her sweets will leave you speechless; some are classic chocolate creations and others are more adventurous with savory herbal and interesting liquor accents. Speaking of liquor, house cocktails also play on the bank theme with names like the Joint Account (a dirty Vesper martini) and the Accelerated Depreciation (a new fashioned).
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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Branch
1535 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills
East Walnut Hills’ Branch — located in a rehabbed historic Art Deco bank — is helmed by chef Shoshannah Anderson. The menu is punily divided into “Shares,” or small plates, and “Stocks,” or entrées, with delicious international influences. For mains, there are many meats of varying origins — land, sea, air, etc. — that are probably delicious. But Anderson’s ability to transform tofu is basically unparalleled. Tofu is frequently wet, bland and crumbly but Anderson applies a smoker, intense flavors and the correct preparation to create a seriously satisfying, texturally interesting and extremely filling vegetarian main. And, whatever you do, don’t leave without dessert. Her sweets will leave you speechless; some are classic chocolate creations and others are more adventurous with savory herbal and interesting liquor accents. Speaking of liquor, house cocktails also play on the bank theme with names like the Joint Account (a dirty Vesper martini) and the Accelerated Depreciation (a new fashioned).
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
” itemprop=”image” />Amma’s Kitchen
7633 Reading Road, Roselawn
Amma’s serves only vegan and vegetarian Indian food, but you won’t miss the meat when the flavors are this complex and amazing. Features include familiar dishes like vegetable korma and chana masala, as well as unique items like the uthapams, a South Indian style pancake. Homemade breads include the puffy pillows of cooked dough called batura. This September, the lunch buffet reopened weekends only with staff serving each diner.
Photo: Facebook.com/AmmasKitchen” data-title=”
Amma’s Kitchen
7633 Reading Road, Roselawn
Amma’s serves only vegan and vegetarian Indian food, but you won’t miss the meat when the flavors are this complex and amazing. Features include familiar dishes like vegetable korma and chana masala, as well as unique items like the uthapams, a South Indian style pancake. Homemade breads include the puffy pillows of cooked dough called batura. This September, the lunch buffet reopened weekends only with staff serving each diner.
Photo: Facebook.com/AmmasKitchen” itemprop=”image” />
OTR Chili Co.
1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Housed in the old Sartre space in the Rhinegeist Brewery building, OTR Chili Company is a retro diner-style spot offering self-proclaimed “authentic Cincinnati chili” in addition to burgers, salads and shakes. The chili menu features all the classics: a 3-, 4- or 5-Way made with 100-percent beef and secret spice blend, plus a vegetarian way. They also offer Impossible Burgers and some incredible pies. For booze fans, you can add a shot of bourbon to your malted chocolate or vanilla shake for just $4.
Photo via OTR Chili Co.’s Facebook” data-title=”
OTR Chili Co.
1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Housed in the old Sartre space in the Rhinegeist Brewery building, OTR Chili Company is a retro diner-style spot offering self-proclaimed ::authentic Cincinnati chili:: in addition to burgers, salads and shakes. The chili menu features all the classics: a 3-, 4- or 5-Way made with 100-percent beef and secret spice blend, plus a vegetarian way. They also offer Impossible Burgers and some incredible pies. For booze fans, you can add a shot of bourbon to your malted chocolate or vanilla shake for just $4.
Photo via OTR Chili Co.’s Facebook” itemprop=”image” />The Elusive Cow
519 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
This corner cafe brings quality and craft into their housemade burgers and sandwiches — striving to use only locally sourced, organic meat and greens. There’s plenty to choose from on their lengthy food and drink menus including a variety of shareable bites, like a hummus plate and caprese flatbread, plus popular tempeh sliders, a veggie burger, a veggie stir fry and plenty of local beer. There is also much for your omnivore friends to enjoy.
Photo: facebook.com/TheElusiveCow
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The Elusive Cow
519 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
This corner cafe brings quality and craft into their housemade burgers and sandwiches — striving to use only locally sourced, organic meat and greens. There’s plenty to choose from on their lengthy food and drink menus including a variety of shareable bites, like a hummus plate and caprese flatbread, plus popular tempeh sliders, a veggie burger, a veggie stir fry and plenty of local beer. There is also much for your omnivore friends to enjoy.
Photo: facebook.com/TheElusiveCow
” itemprop=”image” />Happy Chicks Bakery
4035 Hamilton Ave., Northside
The café and bakery offers cakes, cookies, cupcakes, pies and more all with fresh, seasonal flavors, plus light lunch or brunch options, including waffles, sandwiches, salads and soups. All menu items are all freshly prepared from non-processed foods and are free from preservatives and animal products.
Photo via Facebook.com/HappyChicksBakery
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Happy Chicks Bakery
4035 Hamilton Ave., Northside
The café and bakery offers cakes, cookies, cupcakes, pies and more all with fresh, seasonal flavors, plus light lunch or brunch options, including waffles, sandwiches, salads and soups. All menu items are all freshly prepared from non-processed foods and are free from preservatives and animal products.
Photo via Facebook.com/HappyChicksBakery
” itemprop=”image” />Phoenician Taverna
7944 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason
Phoenician Taverna serves up superb, authentic Lebanese food in a Mason strip mall. Owned by Wassim Matar, the restaurant has established a glittering reputation in its half-dozen years of operation. The menu lists less than a dozen main dishes, but vegetarians can make a meal out of mezza here. Appetizers are listed in three sections: cold mezza vegetarian, hot mezza vegetarian and not vegetarian. The hot mezza vegetarian list offers mouth-watering items such as a cheese pie and a spinach pie (fatayer b’sbanigh in Lebanese), described as homemade dough filled with spinach, pine nuts and sumac onions in lemon and extra virgin olive oil. There’s also cauliflower with tahini, spicy hot potatoes, beet dip, spiced aged feta and pumpkin kibbeh on the unique list of hot and cold dishes.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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Phoenician Taverna
7944 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason
Phoenician Taverna serves up superb, authentic Lebanese food in a Mason strip mall. Owned by Wassim Matar, the restaurant has established a glittering reputation in its half-dozen years of operation. The menu lists less than a dozen main dishes, but vegetarians can make a meal out of mezza here. Appetizers are listed in three sections: cold mezza vegetarian, hot mezza vegetarian and not vegetarian. The hot mezza vegetarian list offers mouth-watering items such as a cheese pie and a spinach pie (fatayer b’sbanigh in Lebanese), described as homemade dough filled with spinach, pine nuts and sumac onions in lemon and extra virgin olive oil. There’s also cauliflower with tahini, spicy hot potatoes, beet dip, spiced aged feta and pumpkin kibbeh on the unique list of hot and cold dishes.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
” itemprop=”image” />The Loving Hut
6227 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge
The mission behind Loving Hut is to offer affordable, healthy, vegan cuisine. The restaurant’s environment was created using many found, reclaimed and reused materials. For disposable goods like containers, cups and utensils, they choose biodegradable and/or recyclable products. As far as the menu, there are tons of panini, wraps, sandwiches and burgers to choose from.
Photo: Facebook.com/LovingHutCincinnati
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The Loving Hut
6227 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge
The mission behind Loving Hut is to offer affordable, healthy, vegan cuisine. The restaurant’s environment was created using many found, reclaimed and reused materials. For disposable goods like containers, cups and utensils, they choose biodegradable and/or recyclable products. As far as the menu, there are tons of panini, wraps, sandwiches and burgers to choose from.
Photo: Facebook.com/LovingHutCincinnati
” itemprop=”image” />Baladi Restaurant and Bakery
3307 Clifton Ave., Clifton
This Syrian restaurant offers a broad menu: there’s hummus, falafel, kebabs and gyros, but branch out and try something you won’t find on other Middle Eastern-leaning menus, like Foul (fava beans, olive oil and lemon juice) or Fatayir (a “cheese boat” baked in handmade dough). Do yourself a favor and save room for a handmade dessert, like kunafa (filo dough, ricotta cheese and cream) or the mint lemonade.
Photo: facebook.com/BaladiRestaurantandBakery” data-title=”
Baladi Restaurant and Bakery
3307 Clifton Ave., Clifton
This Syrian restaurant offers a broad menu: there’s hummus, falafel, kebabs and gyros, but branch out and try something you won’t find on other Middle Eastern-leaning menus, like Foul (fava beans, olive oil and lemon juice) or Fatayir (a “cheese boat” baked in handmade dough). Do yourself a favor and save room for a handmade dessert, like kunafa (filo dough, ricotta cheese and cream) or the mint lemonade.
Photo: facebook.com/BaladiRestaurantandBakery” itemprop=”image” />
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