10 Best Cafés in Cincinnati

10 Best Cafés in Cincinnati

The city’s trademark food item is the Cincinnati chili. It is said that Greek immigrants who opened restaurants here introduced this style of chili. But in whole honesty, how many people think of chili when considering Greek cuisine?

Cincinnati has been called the “Chili Capital of America” and “of the World” because it has more chili restaurants per capita than any other city in the United States or in the world.

1. Coffee Emporium

Coffee Emporium – Flickr

Coffee Emporium was founded in 1973 making it one of the longest-running coffee shop in Ohio. It is located in a Victorian house in East Hyde Park.

The café offers an incredible selection of delicious catered food. From coffee and pastries to salmon and beef tenderloin. They also provide a wide variety of vegetarian options and meals that can accommodate special diets.

Fun fact the building once housed the Ohio Mechanics Institute, the oldest technical school west of the Alleghenies.

Coffee Emporium boasts of being voted as Best of Cincinnati for 13 years straight. Reviewers describe its menu as of high-quality meats, cheeses and small plates. Their coffee has been described as exception, with the majority of reviewers recommending a Cold Brew.

2. Urbana Café

Urbana Café – Flickr

Urban Café was founded in 2013 as part of the innovative progress of the city of Cincinnati, serving specialty coffee while using some of our resources to help local animal shelters. Located in East Walnut Hill.

Fun fact the East Walnut Hill café brunch of Urbana Café doesn’t have Wi-Fi, as a result this encourages its customers to truly enjoy a drink and meal without accessing the internet.

The café is highly recommended as a great place to hang out and have a conversation with a friend over a beverage. Reviewers highly recommend try the fruit tart.

3. Rohs Street Café

Bad Veins performing at Rohs Street Café – Flickr

Rohs Street Café grew out of University Christian Church’s desire to connect with the Clifton Heights community, and to see social justice and fair-trade practices brought to the forefront of coffee culture in Cincinnati.

Located at the corner of McMillan and Rohs Street, inside University Christian Church. The café serves traditional espresso drinks and brewed coffee. It is important to note that the entrance to the café is around the side of the church building on the corner.

Reviewers have described the café as serving great Deeper Roots coffee and treats. There are also big tables and plenty of outlets, great for group meetings or working for a while.

4. Café Mochiko

Café Mochiko- Café Mochiko

Café Mochiko is an Asian American restaurant serving coffee, pastries, and Yōshoku café fare. It is open in the daytime serving pastries and coffee and, in the evening, serving Asian American comfort food.

The café is located at 1524 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45206 and owned by chefs Elaine Townsend and Erik Bentz. In 2022 Townsend was nominated as a semifinalist for the James Beard Awards for Outstanding Baker.

Majority of the reviews have described Café Mochiko as having a cute bakery with high quality and unique pastries that is guaranteed to make your day. While their Ramen is described as tasting like drinking Skyline Chili, an out of this world experience.

5. Lookout Joe

Lookout Joe – Foursquare

Lookout Joe strives to provide everyone from the beginner to the coffee connoisseur with a casual, informative atmosphere in which to enjoy, experience, and learn about one of the world’s premier beverages.

Located in eastern Cincinnati in a bustling shopping area, the café has been in operation since 1992. Originally known as Blue Mountain Coffee however, due to a forced name change it became known as Lookout Joe.

Lookout Joe has been described as having the best coffee in the USA, and some reviewers have even gone to the extent of saying Lookout Joe’s coffee puts the Starbucks to shame.

6. Mom ‘n ‘em Coffee & Wine

Mom ‘n ‘em Coffee & Wine – Cincinnati, USA

Mom ‘n ‘em Coffee serves pastries, breakfast items, coffee, tea and in addition is open at night for tinned fishes, retail wine and a few other alcoholic beverages.

Located on the corner of Colerain and Bates in Camp Washington, Cincinnati. The café began operations in 2015 by the owners Tony and Austin Ferrari. Mom ‘n ‘em Coffee & Wine is dedicated to Theresa Ferrari, Tony and Austin’s mother.

The café is described as having tons of seating, naturals light and the decor is amazing. Their menu never fails hitting the mark.

7. Luckman Coffee Company

Lookout Joe – Foursquare

Luckman Coffee is dedicated to “The Art of Roasted Coffee”. The beans are roasted in small batches and each varietal, estate and blend has its own profile. Their Goal is to “Romance” the optimum unique quality from each bean. They want to create a repeatable profile for every roast which will generate consistent quality in the customer’s cup.

The Original Luckman Coffee opened Dec 14, 2006 at 5200 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati.

In 2009 Luckman Coffee won the “Love Cinci” Award for their Peg Leg Jim Blend and Cincinnati Magazine awarded the café with the best coffee in Cincinnati.

Reviewers have described the Luckman Coffee experience as exceptional with the majority of them recommending white mocha, pumpkin spice muffins, a number 2, ice tea.

8. Cream + Sugar Coffeehouse

Cream + Sugar Coffeehouse – Cincinnati Refined

Cream + Sugar is a place where every walk of life is welcomed and encouraged to engage. They pride themselves on creating a space perfect for business meetings, catching up with friends and family, and a place to refuel or to simply be inspired through the eclectic and artistic vibe of the café.

Located at 3546 Montgomery Rd, 45207, Cincinnati, Ohio and owned by two African American ladies. The café offers breakfast and lunch.

The café is described as offering a nice coffee house ambience. There is plenty of seating/workspace, pleasant background music, they serve top-notch coffee and the food is stellar.

The only downside to Cream + Sugar is their hours. Unfortunately, they don’t open until 8 AM and close 2 PM.

9. Highland Coffee House

Highland Coffee House – Flickr

Highland Coffee House offers a unique experience from other cafés by getting to know their customers and creating a mellow, laid-back environment, and each of their employee brings his/her own uniqueness to their shift.

Located at 2839 Highland Ave Cincinnati, Ohio. The café has been operational since 1978 and owned by Mike C. Highland Coffee House offers coffee, food, booze, and great music.

Highland Coffee House is described as a great coffee shop for a perfect date.

10. Sitwell’s Coffeehouse Act II

Sitwell’s Coffeehouse Act II – Workfrom

Sitwell’s Coffeehouse Act II is an eclectic neighborhood staple café, restaurant, and full bar with an extensive coffee menu, local beers + wine, specialty coffee cocktails, and exquisite dishes ranging from light and delicate to hearty and robust.

Located at 324 Ludlow Avenue, Cincinnati, OH.

Sitwell’s Coffeehouse Act II is known to offer wider range of food selections in their menu and have plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.