The Best Places to Go Get Appetizers in Cincinnati, OH

For some, dessert might be the finest part of a meal. However, at Performance Kings Honda, we think there’s nothing like sharing an appetizer to bring you together with friends at the start of a meal. That’s why we put together this list of the best places to go get appetizers in Cincinnati, Ohio. We encourage you to support our local community by visiting the restaurants on this list. After that, please make sure to come back let us know what you thought about our recommendations.

Best Appetizers to Share in Cincinnati

Image via Pixabay by Anestiev | License

First, try the dishes in this section, which we think are the best appetizers to share in Cincinnati.

Catch-a-Fire Pizza has two locations to choose from, and we’re so happy to report that they have the most delicious appetizers to share in each. And yes, they serve additional appetizers at the newer Blue Ash location, so you might just have to do a “tour” of Catch-a-Fire Pizza sometime soon.

Our absolute favorite appetizers to share at Catch-a-Fire are the Boursin Potato Skins and the Nati Bites. We’d like to admit that some of us at the dealership call the potatoes our new comfort food. Both of these starters include cheese. As we describe them, you’ll see why we love them. The potato skins feature a blend of Boursin and four more cheeses, plus chives. Nati bites are soft pretzel rolls served with beer cheese and beer mustard. 

What’s not to love? If you have a dairy restriction or need a lower-carb option before you order pizza, you can’t go wrong with the Wood-Fired Wings and Happy Amber BBQ sauce. At the Blue Ash location, try the Avocado Skins. Find these delectable starters at 9290 Kenwood Rd. (Blue Ash) or 3301 Madison Rd. in Cincinnati.

Lonely Pine Steakhouse, inspired by Texas steakhouses along Route 66, is another must-try. The bone marrow starter is fabulous; we recommend you pair it with a nice glass of Pinot Noir. Served with special rye bread, pepper jelly, and pickled peppers, this dish will not disappoint you. We love that Lonely Pine sources their rye and all other bread products from Cincinnati local bakery, 16 Bricks.

On Thursdays, you can enjoy $1 oysters by the half dozen or dozen. We recommend that you make a reservation if you choose to visit on a Thursday, as this is one of the most popular items on the Lonely Pine Steakhouse menu. The folks at Lonely Pine recommend reservations throughout the week. We see where they’re coming from, since the staff is delightful and makes you feel like a long-time friend of theirs. It’s not a wonder that they’re always busy!

Arnold’s Bar and Grill is another Cincinnati favorite. The prices are incredible, the food is delicious, and there is something for everyone! If you or your friends have any dietary restrictions, this is the place to get appetizers in Cincinnati, since they have vegan and gluten-free menus available. Starters are on their dinner menu; we choose the PBJ Wings and the Whipped Ricotta. Also, you don’t have to be a vegan to appreciate the Crispy Brussels. You’ll love the spicy Harissa Aioli they come with! Trust us, these are not like any brussel sprouts you’ve ever had before. 

Arnold’s is the Queen City’s oldest continuously operating bar (158 years!). Grab your friends, sit in the courtyard, and enjoy live music in this downtown Cincinnati institution. Find Arnold’s Bar and Grill at 210 East 8th St. The management recommends that you call (513) 421-6234 for the most up-to-date information before visiting, since hours of operation are subject to change.

Try the Dumplings and Samosas at Bridges in Cincinnati

Your mouth will water when you try Nepalese-style dumplings, called Momo. At Bridges, they come with either chicken, veggie, or pork as the filling and can be ordered fresh or frozen to take home. If you take them home you can either steam or pan sear them. 

This restaurant has a Northside and a downtown location, where you can also enjoy samosas and other Nepalese cuisine goodies. If you’re not familiar with them, samosas are triangular pastries with a savory filling. They can be either fried or baked, and the filling can be meat-based or vegetarian. At Bridges, they have a mildly spiced flaky crust, and you can choose chicken or veggie as your filling. It comes with a sweet and tangy sauce on the side, in mild, medium, or spicy. It’s your choice. 

We love the community feels at Bridges! Their website offers insight on where the name for the restaurant came from: they want to make a deep connection with every customer. They also wish to “bridge the gap” between Nepal and the Cincinnati community by offering a glimpse into Nepalese food, culture, and lifestyle.

Tour De Cincinnati’s Top Five Appetizers

Here at Performance Kings Honda, we love supporting our local community!  Today, we’d like to champion a local blogger, who has invested her time supporting businesses and tourism within Cincinnati for years without pay. Congratulations Tour De Cincinnati! We love your site, your love for our our beloved city, and we’re proud to spread your beautiful storytelling work. 

Here are the top five appetizers in town, according to Tour De Cincinnati:

• Poutine at Senate, located at 1212 Vine St.
• Whipped Ricotta at Red Feather, at 3200 Madison Rd.
• Brussels Sprout Salad at E+O Kitchen Hyde Park, located at 3520 Edwards Rd.
• Grilled Corn at Mazunte, at 5207 Madison Rd.
• Pork Belly Buns at Kaze, located at 1400 Vine St.

Check out the full blog called Favorite Five: Appetizers, where the Tour De Cincinnati author also includes a list of Honorable Mentions that are worth exploring as well. 

Well, Cincinnati locals, what did you think of our list of the best places to get appetizers? Please contact us to let us know!

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