Queen City Cuisine

Despite an overriding German influence, Cincinnati offers some eclectic and flavorful surprises.

Louis Charles Graeter began selling his small batch french pot ice cream from street carts in 1870. He and his wife, Regina, opened a Graeter’s store on E. McMillan, then later on Hyde Park Square and continued expanding from there.

When Nicholas Lambrinides arrived in Cincinnati, he carried a dream and his mother’s time-honored recipes. Inspired by the flavors of his childhood, he and his sons opened a restaurant in 1949 with a view of the cityscape that inspired the name, Skyline Chili.

Inspiring the annual Geottafest, Geotta (Get-uh) is more than just a breakfast food—it’s a flavorful Cincinnati tradition rooted in German heritage. Originally brought to the region by German immigrants, Goetta was created as a way to stretch meat by mixing it with hearty grains and spices. The result is a savory, satisfying dish that’s stood the test of time and earned a devoted following.

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