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    Ruth's Parkside Cafe

    4.2 (212 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Ruth's Parkside Cafe Photos

    RUTH'S PARKSIDE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Ruth's Parkside Cafe

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    Chicken burger with potato chips: lettuce, cheese and red onion.
    Michael C.

    The food was delicious. Chicken burger and potato chips.Eric is a great server and made sure we had everything we needed. The restaurant had a great vibe, quaint and relaxing. Not a lot of loud talking.

    Salmon Salad Salad
    Scott N.

    I love the decor at Ruth's Parkside Cafe. It's just cool enough. We were there this past week for lunch. We made reservations for eight for 1 pm. We arrived a bit early, but the parking lot was packed. We lucked into one of the last available spots. When we entered the restaurant, a gentleman was putting the tables together for us and told us it would be ready by 1:00. We were seated and ready to go by 12:59. I had reviewed the menu online and still didn't know what I wanted. Good thing I waited because I opted for one of the specials, Salmon Salad Salad. I'm not sure that's the actual name, but in the description they explained that the Salmon Salad was much like tuna salad, but with salmon. And the Salmon Salad was served on a salad, so... Salmon Salad Salad. The salmon salad serving on the salad was large and easily lasted through every bite of the salad. With Champaign Dill dressing, it was all quite tasty. I won the clean plate (bowl) award. I didn't ask about anyone else's meal. We were too busy talking and catching up. I would not hesitate to come back.

    NY Strip
    Cody B.

    If I were to rate my experience this Friday in one word it would be disappointing. Typically I order pickup from Ruth's (with mostly positive results) but today I decided to eat dinner inside. Unfortunately it was a less than stellar experience. My date ordered the lamb chops and was told about 10 mins after placing her order that they were unfortunately out of lamb chops. That would've been fine, but she requested the NY strip with the sides included from the lamb chops if possible (mostly omitting the asparagus as both sides share similarities). Seems like an easy substitution but it was incorrect. If this were the only issue I'd likely not be as negative with this review, but both of our NY strips were VERY fatty, tough, and difficult to chew. We ordered medium but both cuts were closer to a medium-well done on some parts. I'm not sure if we were served lesser quality cuts because we're both younger than most of Ruth's customer base on average (seeing the average being about 20-30 years older than us) so perhaps it's assumed we don't know what we're ordering, but we do and we weren't pleased. Our entrees were plated decently, but it doesn't matter how good a dish looks if taste doesn't follow suit. The cheese plate was ok I guess (though definitely not worth $16 in my opinion), but if you're considering appetizers I suggest the corn risotto cakes.

    Pasta Ratatouille with tempeh
    Vandana M.

    Food: 4 stars Service : 4 stars Ambiance: 2 stars I love the food, it's the 'made from scratch' vibe. We were told the kitchen doesn't have a fryer which is a huge green flag. The taste and quality of the food is really good! I'd go back for the food. For the vegan population, there are vegan protein options like tofu, tempeh etc that can be added to most dishes. Service was casual and friendly. The server came around at appropriate times and asked the right questions. Ambiance: The place really needs a renovation. If the ambiance is set the way it is intentionally for some historic representation, the place could could still use a good carpet scrub and a good paint job. The outdoor space can also perked up a bit. Parking: There is plenty of open free parking outside

    Catfish
    Chad P.

    A friend of mine just moved in nearby and said that we should try this place. I always thought it was a bit strange being a cafe underneath a giant old factory that I guess is now apartments? Anyway I never really paid much attention to it but we finally decided to go. They have a good amount of space once you get around the entrance wall and they use it well! Service was very nice and you could tell this was a place where the same people have worked at for quite a long time. I feel like their menu selection was very eclectic as well as appealing to what most people might want. I had the cavatappi with the vodka sauce and I added Italian sausage to it. My friend had their catfish. My cavatappi was amazing! With the vodka sauce as well as the slices of mozzarella cheese on top and sliced asparagus, it was just amazing and full of flavor and you really got a big portion of it. I almost couldn't eat the whole thing! Make sure to ask for a side of bread which does not cost extra to sop up more of that sauce. My friend had the catfish which was on top of one of their fried butter ball and sauce. Butter ball is probably the wrong word. But it was some sort of fried thing that the catfish was sitting on top of and he said it was excellent. Definitely want to return here and try some more of their amazing dishes!

    View inside Ruth's
    Walter B.

    Delightful atmosphere for our lunch group. The service was friendly and very attentive. The owner stopped by several times to check on how our experience was. My Spinach Saute was served over pasta and was very flavorful. One of my lunch mates said it even looked and tasted healthy. I had a very favorable experience. I only 5 star if I am completely blown away.

    NY Strip
    Maya W.

    I was not expecting this little cafe to be so cute! The art everywhere is phenomenal and makes the dining experience even better. I ordered the steak with potatoes and asparagus. The service was great and the staff is very friendly.

    Mindy H.

    In the previous American Can factory building, Ruth's Parkside Cafe is right off of Mitchell and Spring Grove in Northside Cincinnati. I called ahead for reservations and stated my name when we arrived. Long after we had beefed seated & served, the hostess called me by name. That kind of personal use of my name made me feel very at home. The vibe is an artistic space- no apparent central theme, but artsy. Coca Cola products. In addition to the regular menus (menu for lunch & a different one for dinner), there is a vegan/gluten free menu available. We were well cared for by our waitresses, and enjoyed Appetizer: rosemary/gorgonzola gravy potatoes as well as entree: Spinach Saute with zucchini, squash, feta, and pasta.

    Greek Salad
    Courtney L.

    I really enjoyed Ruth's! Came here with my parents for lunch while visiting Cincinnati. We really enjoyed the wide variety of vegan options, our server was very sweet and on top of her game as well! The interior of the restaurant was super funky and had a cool vibe. My dad and I ordered the Greek salad and the Ruben. We split both and really enjoyed each. I definitely would go with the Ruben over the Greek salad but the salad wasn't too bad either! My mom loved her salad as well! I am looking forward to trying this restaurant out for dinner in the near future now that I'm living in Cincinnati!

    Roasted Beet Caprese
    Geri R.

    Ruth's is definitely off the beaten path and a little oasis in the midst of normally buzzing Northside. We dined on the patio and it was quiet and calming for a sunset dinner. The interior is bright and airy and I like the vintage vibe of the bar area. Service was too notch. The cocktails, appetizer (roasted beet caprese), and entrees (catfish and stir fry) were all on point with super fresh ingredients. Bonus that nearly everything on the menu can be vegetarian/vegan and they have many gluten-free options. That risotto corn cake...heavenly.

    More seating area.
    Nathan M.

    Ruth Parkside Cafe is a very popular place to eat, and it is no wonder why. It was delicious. My wife and I went here as night 3 of our 24 night Advent calendar. As a sign of Ruth's popularity, it opened at 5, we showed up at 5:15 and by 6:15 all tables were full. I love to see that as a great indicator of things to come. I hade the Buttered Salmon special, which came on polenta and had brussel sprouts and mushrooms in the side. It was very very good. My wife has the Spinach saute with Italian sausage and it was delicious as well. They had a nice selection of cocktails (full bar), beer, and wine. Plus the menu had many other highly desirable offerings that just meant we were gonna have to come back, which we will. Parking is very nice and the restaurant had a cool industrial chic vibe as it seemed to be nestled in a renovated factory space. I'm sure the factory workers of 100 years ago would have loved to have this place as well.

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    8 months ago

    Never come to Northside without a stop here! Consistently great food, and service. You will be happy you came and I believe you will return

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    2 years ago

    Great dinner with friends. The bartender was wonderful made my Manhattan perfectly. Dinner was delicious and the gooey butter cake yum.

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    4 years ago

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    Mary K.

    Thanks Bruce! We agree, come on in! We are always working at it!

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    1 year ago

    You have to try the catfish! It's lick the plate delish! Fun atmosphere. Great service.

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    2 years ago

    Much improved quality since last time I ate there many years ago. Excellent salmon Caesar salad!

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    3 years ago

    Wonderful food. I appreciate the vegetarian choices. I do wish they were open on Sundays.

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    BaCalls Cafe - Roasted red pepper soup with Gouda

    BaCalls Cafe

    3.8(124 reviews)
    3.0 miCollege Hill
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    This place was fantastic. I can see why they've been around so long and I hope they continue well…read moreinto the future! The hostess was wonderful and our waiter - whose name was either Jack or John; I just couldn't keep that straight - was perfect, answering questions, checking on us several times, engaging in just the right level of friendly conversation. We chose to sit on the bar side and I liked the atmosphere very much. The other side was pretty crowded when we arrived on a weekday around 1 PM. Food came quickly and was fresh and delicious. Soup of the day was a sausage chicken gumbo so I had to try a cup of that. Chunky, hearty and full of homemade flavor. My husband had the single grilled pork chop with vegetable of the day plus mashed potatoes. The chop was big and plenty satisfying. Potatoes were house-mashed, just lumpy enough with bits of red skin and an amazing gravy. He was very impressed that the veggies, including the carrots, were cooked so nice and tender. I had the Avocado Chicken Club which was perfection. I took the cilantro mayo on the side so I could apply it at leisure, and I also enjoyed dipping my parmesan fries in it. This was also an ultra-satisfying portion, in fact I decided to polish off the fries and took about half the sandwich home which was super delicious that evening. The roll was so soft and fresh - everything was super fresh. Although we were beyond full, the homemade dessert menu was impossible to resist so we took home a piece of bread pudding, which was, unsurprisingly, excellent. Convenient parking lot in the rear, just note there's no rear entrance so it is a bit of a stroll to get to the front door. BaCall's is quite a ways from my home, boo hoo, but we try to get out and about a lot so if I'm anywhere in the vicinity be sure I'll stop again. Winner!

    Top notch experience. Food was delicious and hot. Server was delightful and pleasant. The…read morerestaurant was filled with excitement. Great experience. People were having a great day.

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    BaCalls Cafe - Bar area

    Bar area

    BaCalls Cafe - Spinach salad

    Spinach salad

    BaCalls Cafe - Dessert board

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    Dessert board

    Five Stars Mediterranean Restaurant - Tabulie

    Five Stars Mediterranean Restaurant

    4.8(158 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    This is a wonderful family-run business that delivers more than just delicious food. Ahmed, the…read moreowner, once went out of his way to gather ingredients to fulfill our order that included tabouli. When I went in to pick up our order, he apologized for the extra wait to make our food and explained he hates telling customers that he is out of a certain type of food. This truly touched my heart, I wish I could support their business more than I do. I fully endorse the five star rating both in this review & the name of the business.

    Been eyeing this place for a while and finally made it out. Mediterranean is one of mine and my…read morewife's favorite cuisines, but haven't loved a lot of other places we've visited. Made it out here last night before seeing Pericles at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. We ordered a couple waters, which we didn't realize would be bottled, and some dawali to start. The wait was very short, maybe ten minutes. These were definitely the best stuffed grape leaves I've had, with a sweet and tangy sauce. Nice light appetizer. For our entrees, she chose the falafel platter, and I went for the Arayes, which is a dish we've made a couple times at home recently and has become a favorite. These plates arrived only a minute or two after we finished the grape leaves, so perfect timing. I must say, everything looked incredible. We both took a bite of falafel, then the arayes, then the salad. Everything was very undersalted. Usually, I think of this as a huge strike against a restaurant, but once we added salt to everything, the flavors popped. It wasn't that the food was bland or unseasoned, it was just undersalted, which didn't help the flavors stand out. This is the main reason I did 4 stars instead of 5. The entrees were $18, and came with a big bed of rice and salad, but I felt the protein for each platter was a bit sparse: 5 falafel for the plate, and 5 arayes, which had a very thin patty of meat in each. Both were topped with a delicious cilantro-tahini (I think) sauce, that i would have liked a bit more of, for the sides and the arayes which were on the bottom. The water bottles were $1.50 each, so I'd probably bring our own next time, but that's not a big deal. Overall, most of my issues are small and nitpick except for the salt, so if that was nailed next time, I think this place would be a home run.

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    Five Stars Mediterranean Restaurant - Lebanese salad

    Lebanese salad

    Five Stars Mediterranean Restaurant - Hummus

    Hummus

    Five Stars Mediterranean Restaurant - Street view as taken standing at the Dairy Queen.

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    Street view as taken standing at the Dairy Queen.

    Ruth's Parkside Cafe - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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