The Most Flavorful Sandwiches in Cincinnati

Sleepy Bee Cafe - Downtown

★★★★☆ 4.2 (680) • $$

"While looking for a breakfast/brunch spot close to where I was staying, I found Sleepy Bee was close by and had great reviews. Me and a couple of my coworkers decided to come here.It wasn't too busy and we were seated right away. Everything sounded really good from the menu and looked really good from all the photos online. I got eggs, bacon, and chose to do a chocolate chip pancake on the side instead of toast. It was really good and the bacon had a sweet taste that made it so much better.Our server was nice and friendly. She gave us recommendations. The price was really good (we're coming from CA so comparing it to that). I'll definitely be back next time I'm in town."

Sleepy Bee Cafe - Blue Ash

★★★★☆ 4.1 (636) • $$

"Sleepy Bee has always been a solid choice for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. I came here after a workout class with friends and had The Queen City Bee. The sweet and savory taste of the sandwich is delicious and the milk bun ties the ingredients together nicely. Our server was very helpful when we were deciding on our sides. The interior is decorated with bee merchandise with a lot of information about how important bees are for our ecosystem and food supply. The local farms and vendors were listed, as well. I liked knowing I was supporting local farms and businesses with my meal. My meal was an incredible way to start my day. I've always liked Sleepy Bee but admire them even more after learning about their dedication for giving back to our environment and saving the bees."

Pies & Pints - Lexington

★★★★☆ 4.2 (605) • $$

"This place is deceiving it looks small when you walk but the place is huge-there are great large picnic styles tables in the way back of this place -so cool. Pizza was great dough was a fresh and so were the ingredients my husband I had the steak and mushroom pizza and the Sriracha shrimp pie both were great-the house salad was huge and a small salad is all you need! Service was good and they stay busy! It is worth the wait bc during game days they are packed!!! I highly recommend!!"

Doodles

★★★★☆ 4.1 (521) • $

"Fun breakfast place. Order at the counter, grab a seat and they bring it out to you. Outdoor patio is dog friendly. Had the quiche and biscuits and gravy. All delicious. Coffee was a little weak and self served."

Arthur's

★★★★☆ 4.2 (481) • $$

"Amazing food! Amazing service! The turkey burger is my favorite item here. I haven't eaten outside yet but the atmosphere is pleasant. Parking could be better but it's honestly worth driving around for a spot."

Press on Monmouth

★★★★☆ 4.4 (435) • $$

"The food was good and fresh and the service was quick! The restaurant was neat and tidy too."

Blue Ash Chili

★★★★☆ 4.1 (436) • $$

"We had the best service and greatest food. The Chili Lasagna is one of the best things I've eaten in my life."

Lucky's Taproom & Eatery

★★★★☆ 4.1 (342) • $$

"Service was friendly, knowledgable and very courteous. The food was generous servings. It was done according to request in every serving. We had four in our party."

Boosalis Baking and Café

★★★★★ 4.8 (243) • $$

"There's no reason to get a breakfast sandwich anywhere else in town. A croissant that just came out of the oven? Fresh fluffy eggs? Bacon... I don't even eat cheese but that would have made it even better. But really, though, the pastries....magnifique! When someone says you MUST try the kouign-Amman, don't snooze on that! They are the most delicate, slightly sweet, buttery bit of deliciousness..! But the raspberry danish and chocolate croissant are also amazing. Their chocolate chip cookie is the closest to the holy grail cookie that I've been searching for snd brings back memories of my childhood and local Italian bakery in the Boston area. Love love the food. The ambience is negligible, and the coffee is ok. But you won't be disappointed with the food!"

Big Bad Breakfast - Brownsboro Crossing

★★★★☆ 4.2 (317) • $$

"This was a good brunch spot. The service was quick and the wait time wasn't too bad! The portions weren't huge which I appreciated. I wasn't wowed but overall a good experience."

Pompilios

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (484) • $$

"This is quickly becoming my favorite Italian restaurant in the Cincinnati area. Located right across the river in Covington, you can find this legit Italian restaurant tucked away among the historic East row Victorian homes. Not to mention, this is the Italian restaurant where the movie Rain Man was filmed. If you make your way into the bar area, you can see some old posters and paraphernalia. The food is great! If you're looking for a non-commercialized version of Italian food that feels like it has its roots literally in Italy, this is it. Bread is provided, but if you are hungry, upgrade to the garlic bread. Get a side of meatballs to chomp down on while you wait for your food--it's worth it!! Make sure you ask for a box, because you will definitely leave with leftovers!"

Morning Fork

★★★★☆ 4.3 (284) • $$

"Delicious brunch dishes and excellent service in a quaint location. The cinnamon roll is a must!"

Joe Bologna's

★★★★☆ 3.8 (359) • $$

"Stopped here for early dinner while passing through town. We all had pasta of various types and salads. All the food was delicious. Of course, the star of the meal was the breadstick! Service was fast and attentive and the ambiance was lively. Would return to try the great looking pizza."

Camp Washington Chili

★★★★☆ 3.6 (338) • $

"Camp Washington is some places I always try to stop when I'm visiting or driving through Cincinnati. The food is delicious with lots of great options. The service is friendly and it is family owned. On this occasion they were filming some kind of story on this place. The interior had a retro diner feel."

Danny Mac's Pizza

★★★★★ 4.5 (214) • $$

"Great service. Pizza was a little bit pricey, but every bite was well worth. The prices of the old menu pictures are outdated. I will definitely come back for more. The bartender gave me a 5 diamond caliber treatment. Thank you. The restroom super clean. Ambiance was acceptable"

Old Louisville Tavern

★★★★☆ 4.1 (254) • $$

"Nice neighborhood spot for drinks and a meal. I had an excellent burger and the others enjoyed salads and a steak. Service was prompt. We liked sitting on the patio. The only negative was the lack of outdoor lighting making completion of our meal a little tricky."

Tom & Chee - Newport

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (352) • $

"OMG! The BFG + creamy tomato soup + donut cheese with bacon. Super friendly staff. Can't wait to come back Newport!"

County Club

★★★★☆ 3.8 (277) • $$

"My recent experience of having brunch with a friend here was one of the very best. I've been several times over the years and always had delicious food but the latest was way above expectations. I was hesitant to get the brisket pho for brunch at first but wow was I happy with my choice. This dish was expertly created with their fall-apart melt in your mouth brisket, a fried egg and a toasted bagel to top it off. Some of the typical pho toppings like bean sprouts, cilantro, basil, and jalapeños, made this dish taste quite familiar, yet having this brunch version was interesting. I love the take on one of my favorite Asian dishes and had never seen it brunchetized before. I would highly recommend to any pho lovers who are open to a unique take on this Vietnamese cuisine to give this a try."

Mad Mike's Burgers & Fries

★★★★☆ 3.9 (262) • $

"Great service and great burgers! Ashamed that I've lived in the area for so long and only recently made my first visit (carry out). The burger was delicious and the fries were as well. The man working the counter was friendly and helpful. Inside was quite nice and next time I will try eating in. I usually have good luck with metered street parking in this area but there are a couple of surface lots nearby. It's a good value too, their prices don't seem to have increased the way similar fast-casual and sit-down spots have. My new favorite burger spot in the area- give them a try!"

Galvin's

★★★★☆ 4.1 (235) • $$

"We visited Galvin's tonight. The bone-in wings and buffalo chicken dip were both great choices. Our waiter David was attentive and fun. The atmosphere is nice."

BLOC Coffee Company

★★★★★ 4.7 (174) • $

"I had noticed this coffee shop on a previous trip over here for dinner. I had a day off, and decided to give it a try. Ordered their old fashioned French toast with a side of bacon, and their peanut butter pie latte. First, the latte - very nice, subtle peanut butter flavor. Doesn't slap you in the face. I really liked this. While I was waiting for my food to come out, I had time to check out the vibe of this place. Good music selection playing in the background, not so loud that you couldn't have a conversation. Plenty of seating. The building sits on a corner, so plenty of natural light coming in as well. Chill vibe, I dig it.Finally, the food. They make their French toast using challah bread, which is a favorite of mine. It was delicious. The side of bacon was a nice serving as well (4 pieces).Really enjoyed this shop, will definitely come back!"

Bunz Burgerz

★★★★☆ 3.9 (250) • $

"Amazing burgers! I had the pleasure of visiting Bunz Burgers twice last month (February 2024), and each time was a delightful experience. We tried the Californian, Baxter, and Red burgers, and all three were absolutely delicious!Note that these are hearty, juicy burgers, perfect for those who enjoy a classic, flavorful experience. If you're looking for lighter fare, this might not be your ideal choice.Overall, Bunz Burgers stands out as my top burger spot in Louisville so far. I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu!"

The Table

★★★★★ 4.8 (155) • $

"Omg, new favorite lunch spot for sure. I've been wanting to try this place for over 2 years but the days/hours of operation always didn't seem to be right when I was thinking about it. But today I got there and holy crap I have been missing out. I ordered the Veggie Pepperoni sandwich and the watermelon salad. They were both sooooo good. The smoked vegan pepperoni is so flavorful, the bread so soft and the red pepper cashew cheese so smooth and creamy. The watermelon salad was so fresh and crisp with an amazing flavorful dressing. And to top it all off when I went inside to pickup I was greeted with amazing smiling faces and great customer service! That's not something you see too many places anymore. Awesome place! Can't wait to try more!"

Zim’s Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.9 (232) • $$

"Zim's Cafe is a fantastic lunch spot in downtown Lexington. Their selection of appetizers, burgers, and sandwiches make it difficult to choose a meal! The service was very friendly, and I truly appreciated their candor about the sandwiches they thought were made the best in house. I went with their recommendation, and it was worthwhile! Easily a top 3 sandwich shop in Lexington, and I plan to return whenever I am in need of a well-priced and tasty meal downtown'"

Chicago Gyros and Dogs

★★★★☆ 3.9 (228) • $

"100% a weekly meal for me!!! I've been better taking care of my health so a weekly Greek salad with gyro meat and a side of tzatziki sauce has become a go to favorite! Don't get me wrong, there are so many great dishes here! Absolutely recommend one of there all beef hotdogs in almost any form. Really like the one wrapped in bacon with beer cheese...so mouth watering! Regardless, I door dash from here every week to be a bit more on the healthy side and will argue that the house made greek dressing is a must try on any salad you do. They always give plenty of portions, the staff is always accommodating, and it's a classic Chicago meets Cincinnati themed restaurant. Plenty of places to seat or good enough to order out!"

J & W Sandwich Shoppe

★★★★★ 4.5 (171) • $

"I love this place! Nothing better than a hole in the wall sorry say that but only with great rating. Food was wonderful and the employees were friendly and professional. Food was excellent and will be making this a regular. Great quantity of food"

Meritage

★★★★☆ 3.8 (238) • $$

"Fantastic experience and food. My girlfriend and I went in for a happy hour appetizer and beer. We let the server know this and he was soo kind and engaging (I think his name is Ryland). We sat at his table for several hours, as we were catching up on each others lives. I reminded us, several times, to hang out as long as we wanted and just stop him if we need anything. The bruschetta was delightful and all ingredients tasted very fresh. My girlfriend got the French onion soup and said it was amazing.She ended up getting the basil pasta to-go and later messaged me that "that basil pasta was legitttt."Beautiful building inside that looks like an old historic home, with lovely live music."

The Elusive Cow Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.9 (221) • $$

"Cute little bar/grill in Bellevue, serving a nice mix of upscale dishes and classic favorites, all with quality ingredients. Service is friendly but I've been here many times over the years and it's never been quick. Just something to know going in- ie not the best for hungry little kids (learn from my mistake LOL). As long as you're aware and don't go in starving, you'll enjoy your experience here. My go-to is the chicken sandwich and their fries are some of the best I've ever had. Natural style with peel, perfectly crispy and nicely seasoned. Helps make up for the fact that they no longer serve their onion rings with cornmeal breading which were the absolute best. Keep an eye on their specials as well."

Brewfontaine

★★★★★ 4.5 (152) • $$

"Our server/bartender was great. Everyone's food was good but mine was not great. I ordered the loaded tater tots as an appetizer they came out with the meal and they were not hot. My entree was the French Dip. The meat and onions were cooked perfectly and the au jus was good. My only problem was the bread was just a smooshed hoagie bun. A sandwich like that needs to be served on a nice French Bread or Italian roll. The Hoagie bun was soggy and smashed."

Streetside Brewery

★★★★☆ 4.3 (165) • $$

"Oh! Now the beer we had at Streetside Brewing was definitely an enjoyable one! If the one we had was any indication that the rest of their beer is that good then this brewery is a real gem! And if it happens to not be the case then just keep on getting the beer we had! Return of the Mac was the name of the beer Steve and I immensely enjoyed. It was a coffee blonde ale that was just oh, so good!Flavors in this lovely beer are coffee, vanilla and coconut. Very light and sweetness that is just right. The balance on this beer is simply wonderful! I do love my blonde ales and though some are better than others Return od the Mac simply soars!"

Krimmer's Italianette Pizzeria

★★★★☆ 3.9 (200) • $

"A perfect little pizza parlor in Cincinnati with charming looks and a cozy atmosphere. The pizza and breadsticks were phenomenal. Hand tossed and hand rolled to perfection. The cheese and pepperoni were high quality. Even the bacon and ham on the Hawaiian was appreciated. The service was a little slow but I can't complain when they had a moderate crowd with tons of takeout orders going out the front. The calzones also looked great at our neighbor table. This is a picture perfect pizza parlor I can happily visit again when in town."

Black Coffee Lounge

★★★★★ 4.9 (124)

"Short & sweet review to highlight the many wonderful things about this coffee shop. The location is great, the staff is incredibly friendly, and the coffee is made with care. It's pretty easy to find street parking nearby, since this shop is on the corner of Elm and Ninth. I stopped here to work remotely for a few hours on a Thursday, and I would definitely come here regularly. There was smooth R&B playing, which totally amplifies the creative, community vibe this place has. I love the wall mural and the decorative art that highlight Black culture.The prices are also right on ... I ordered a "Woah Latte" and a bagel with cream cheese, and spent about $10. The barista was extremely thorough, asking what type of milk I preferred, and how to spell my name. I also love that they feature desserts from Sweet Petit! I'll definitely be back to the intersection of Community & Culture very soon!"

Saigon Noodle Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (160) • $$

"So glad Yelp led me here for lunch with a coworker! My hotel was nearby and soup sounded like the perfect choice. We arrived around 11:30, beating the crowd. I chose the beef pho with brisket and meatballs. The broth was amazingly flavorful. I also loved the sides of sprouts and various sauces or chili paste was available to add but I didn't want to cover up the broth. I also ordered an iced coffee. The flavor was good but the cup was only filled up 3/4 and that was with ice. The value didn't match the price.Fantastic service and our meal was delivered to the table quickly. The menu is expansive beyond pho. Pay at the counter once ready. I'll be recommending this restaurant to my coworkers and friends in West Chester."

Highland Morning - St. Matthews

★★★★☆ 3.6 (228) • $$

"I have been here twice so far and it does not disappoint! The food is sooooo good! The last time I went I couldn't decide what to get so I got two breakfasts for myself and both were amazing!"

Charlie Brown's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (175) • $$

"If you're a French fry lover.... order nothing else to eat, and get a basket of fries. The texture of their fries are amazingly crispy while not being anywhere near overcooked. Excellent fries. Coldest bottled beer in town!"