Best Ethnic Food Restaurants in Cincinnati, OH

Eating a diverse collection of foods can help you learn more about local communities and enjoy some of the best dishes Cincinnati’s diverse population has to offer. From tender, marinated meats to sweetly sauced noodles, exploring Cincinnati’s array of ethnic cuisines can expose you to new flavors, different cultures, and delicious food. Whether you’re planning a family dinner, a date night, or an evening out with friends, read on for Performance Kings Honda’s recommendations for some of the best restaurants for ethnic cuisines in Cincinnati, OH.

Veracruz Mexican Grill

Image via Cincinnati Refined

A local favorite for Mexican food, Veracruz Mexican Grill is a family-owned restaurant serving authentic Mexican food in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Guests love the generous portions you get with appetizers like the Chori Queso, a hot bowl of meaty queso dip, or the Super Nachos, a plate of chips smothered in vegetables, guacamole, beans, cheese sauce, and feta crumbles with options to add meat. Popular entrees include the fajitas, which come fresh in a cast-iron skillet with your choice of steak, shrimp, or chicken. You could also order one of their three specialty fajitas dishes:

• Veracruz Fajitas, which combines all three meats.
• Azteca Fajitas, which combines all three meats, then adds chorizo, mushrooms, and cactus.
• Hawaiian Fajitas, which combines all three meats, then adds ham and pineapple.

People also rave about the enchiladas, which you can order traditional, in a creamy chipotle sauce, or drowning in a bed of mole sauce. There are also vegetarian-friendly options loaded with cheese, beans, and seasoned vegetables. No matter your order, locals agree that this is some of the best Mexican food in the area. You can visit Veracruz Mexican Grill in the East Price Hill Incline District on the west side of Cincinnati at 3108 N. Price Ave. If you need some extra help with the inclines in the area, check out a vehicle with Hill Start Assist.

Lemon Grass

Lemon Grass is one of Cincinnati’s favorite spots for authentic Thai cuisine. With full menus for meatless and seafood-based options, Lemon Grass is a great option if you have a party with varied dietary restrictions. Plus, they’re happy to alter the spice level in each dish to meet your preferences, whether you want a mild, sweeter flavor or maximum heat. One of their most popular entrees is the paht see ew, a plate of soft rice noodles in a rich sauce with broccoli, egg, and carrots, plus your choice of meat.

Vegetarians might enjoy the Seven Elements, an assortment of fresh stir-fried vegetables flavored to perfection with basil, ginger, peanuts, hoisin sauce, and, as you might expect due to the restaurant’s namesake, lemon grass. The soups are another staple. Favorites include the iconic lemon grass soup, a mushroom, cilantro, and scallion concoction that excites the senses, and the Wun-Tun Soup, a seasoned broth with chicken dumplings. Cincinnati locals love Lemon Grass for its flavorful meats, plentiful vegetarian options, and adaptable spice levels. Lemon Grass is at 2666 Madison Rd. in Cincinnati’s Hyde Park neighborhood.

Andy’s Mediterranean Grille

With a fun, bar-like atmosphere, generous servings, and fast service, Andy’s Mediterranean Grille is a local favorite for Mediterranean cuisine. To learn what all the buzz is about, order the lamb shanks, marinated to perfection, drenched in a house sauce, and paired with meaty rice. For a vegetarian-friendly option, try the veggie kabob, three skewers packed with fresh grilled vegetables, or the tangy mushroom sauté, cooked in red wine and olive oil.

If you’re looking for a dish the whole table can share, opt for the Lebanese Zaatar. Picture a pizza on pita bread with fresh thyme, a drizzle of olive oil, and tomatoes. Pair your dinner with a bottle of Lebanese or Greek wine, and finish it off with a slice of nutty, honey-soaked baklava. Visit Andy’s Mediterranean Grille in the Walnut Hills district at 906 Nassau St.

Teranga Restaurant

Teranga Restaurant serves authentic West African and Jamaican dishes fused with the influence of American cuisine. Locals rave about Teranga’s authentic dishes, low prices, and friendly atmosphere. If you’re coming in a group, consider sharing the red snapper or whole chicken. For a taste of Senegal, try the maffe, a lamb dish with a peanut butter and tomato sauce or the thiebu djeun, a traditional dish that comes with fish, fresh vegetables, and rice in a flavorful tomato-based sauce.

For an affordable meal that’ll keep you full for hours, explore Teranga’s $6 Meals menu, where you’ll find the Senburger, a Senegalese hamburger, and chawarma with your choice of chicken or beef. Teranga also serves Jamaican dishes, the most well-known of which is the jerk chicken. Guests say it’s some of the best jerk chicken around, but it’s especially spicy, so come prepared. If you have a sweet tooth after your meal, try the tiakri, a West African dessert made of sweet couscous. Teranga Restaurant is in Cincinnati’s Hartwell neighborhood at 8438 Vine St.

Ando Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar

Some people expect the Midwest to be devoid of great sushi, but those people haven’t visited Cincinnati’s Ando Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar. Locals flock to this hot spot for fresh, high-quality sushi and traditional Japanese fare in the form of small plates, or izakaya. Consider the Tonkatsu, fried Japanese pork with a side of vegetables, or Donburi, a Japanese rice bowl with your choice of fried pork, fried shrimp, or barbecue eel. Popular sushi dishes include the Rainbow Roll, an inside-out roll packed with fish, and the mackerel and yellowtail nigiri, which come with fresh seafood on top.

The quality of Ando’s fish will impress even diners with the most refined sushi palette. Plus, you can top off your meal with a treat from their rotating menu of traditional Japanese desserts. Ando invites diners to bring your own bottle of wine, and they’ll pour it and keep it cold for you. You can find Ando Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Blue Ash at 5889 Pfeiffer Rd.

That wraps up Performance Kings Honda’s collection of great ethnic restaurants in Cincinnati, OH. Do you have a delicious spot we missed? Send us a message letting us know, and we’ll add it to the list. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a new vehicle to explore Cincinnati in, visit our Honda dealership. Whether you’re looking for something athletic and adventurous or spacious enough for a growing family, we can get you a great deal on a new or used Honda.

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