Top 5: Cincinnati Vegetarian Restaurants

February 4, 2009 in Columns, Feature, Restaurants

On the heels on the city’s Green Cincinnati Plan food task force recommendations (spoiler alert: Eat more fruits and vegetables), we asked Dan Korman, owner of Cincinnati’s green general store Park + Vine to give us his favorite vegetarian eateries in the city. Whether you are a full-fledged vegan or an omnivore who doesn’t skip the hummus, these five restaurants should hit the spot.

1. Melt, Northside – This comfort-food haven in Northside is an easy choice for vegans and vegetarians, and for good reason. Melt is accommodating to all food preferences and, unlike many restaurants, actually encourages adjustments to orders. The Avocado Bliss is my favorite sandwich anywhere and I’m in awe of how they turn nutritional yeast into the best cheese alternative ever.
2. Myra’s Dionysus, Clifton Heights – Famous for its savory homemade soups, this comfortable little spot on busy Calhoun Street across from the University of Cincinnati has hardly changed since I started eating here 20 years ago. The thick baba ghanouj dip and gado gado (a spicy Indonesian peanut sauce served over brown rice) are two of the things that make me even happier that I returned to Cincinnati after almost 11 years in New York and Chicago.

3. Tucker’s Restaurant, Over-the-Rhine – This Over-the-Rhine institution welcomes all walks of life and is equally receptive to making sure vegans and vegetarians are treated with the same care as omnivores. Instead of the regular meat-filled chili found at most restaurants around town, Tucker’s offers a filling vegan version.
4. Riverside Korean, Covington – We’re fortunate to have this little Korean food palace right here in our own backyard. I could eat the pan-fried tofu with spicy stir fried vegetables for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the complimentary kimchi-seaweed-potato pre-dinner appetizer plate always surprises me.
5. La Mexicana, Newport – This little Mexican restaurant on Newport’s historic commercial street serves fresh guacamole and very filling veggie burritos free of animal lard.


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10 Comments »

  • Katy

    Nice thoughts, Dan – Melt and Myra’s I expected, but the last three were surprises.
    And I have to give a shout out to the Veg Head up in Loveland. When I want a nice lunch at work, I get the black bean burger with hummus and their red cabbage and chips on the side.
    They have a varied menu, but I stick pretty close to the burger; It’s really good.

  • http://www.urbancincy.com/ Randy Simes

    I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve only been to three of those five restaurants (I’ll let you guess which three). Nice map to go with the post…and thanks for the link.

  • http://www.laurascarbonfootprint.wordpress.com Laura

    I’ve heard so many great things about Myra’s Dionysus — but have yet to try it. I need to put it on the fast track for sure.
    And, you can’t go wrong with Riverside. If I could afford it, I would eat there 3 times a week. Yum.

  • theboilover

    I’d throw the Coffee Emporium there too. Not only do they have a soup or two from Myra’s each day, but the Alligator Pear is one of my favorite sandwiches, and I’m not even a vegetarian!

  • http://quimbob.blogspot.com/ Quimbob

    Haven’t been there in awhile, but Tucker’s used to have a veggie burger, too.
    They used a Morningstar patty.

  • http://www.urbanup.net Sherman Cahal

    Nice! Riverside is one of my favorite Korean restaurants, and I highly recommend Asiana at Fountains Boulevard/Cin-Day Road at West Chester and The Korean House at 11371 Montgomery Road near Loveland for other vegetarian (and vegan) fare.

  • Lillian

    I’d have to add in Thai Express in Clifton Heights as well. They are super accommodating to vegans and vegetarians (just ask to get your food without fish sauce). And they’re cheap and delicious!

  • http://www.sunbathsoaps.com Amy

    I’m so excited to learn about the last three – I didn’t know!
    I also have to give a second shout for The Veg Head in Loveland. Not only do they have a creative menu catering to vegetarians, they use a separate grill for the veggie options, and they also offer vegetarian cooking classes. Check it out- you definitely won’t leave hungry!

  • VeggieLova

    A third for “Veg Head” in Loveland. i have had the “curry hummus pizza” as well as the “veggie wrap” and veggie philly ‘steak’ sandwich and veggie burgers. it’s made to order and a decent value.
    the homemade granola to go is amazing.
    Milford has a Korean restaurant that serves authentic Korean dish of beans and noodles if it fancies you. very authentic. it’s right behind the car wash off I-275 exit (think that’s rt 28 right there).
    kudos to the ‘east side vibe’ magazine for these recommendations. excellent finds.

  • gloria

    Amma’s Kitchen is hand’s down the best Indian food I’ve ever had. It’s the real deal. Afterwards, you’ll barf at the idea of Ludlow Indian. http://www.ammaskitchen.us/Home.html
    You gotta do the weekend lunch buffet so you can try everything, but unlike regular buffet’s it’s the good stuff, not the gross stuff. But be prepared for a full house. The weekend buffet is never empty.