Love it inside and out. Great daily specials. I have the pork and the salmon. Starting with awesome bread, the main courses were delicious service was friendly and fast. Great suggestions for desserts we enjoyed pies ala mode to finish off a great meal. Highly recommended just off Hamilton in North Side. Plenty of parking and even a patio for the nice weather read more

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I've had much better pasta elsewhere. Spiced up my leftovers at home to finish it off. Was the sausage dog food? The service was mediocre and the ambiance was nice. read more

What a lovely use of an old factory building. Ruth's Parkside Cafe is actually one of several businesses that inhabit the space. On nice days, outdoor seating is available. Menu is a mix of American and Mediterranean dishes. I tried the grilled bagel #4, with chicken, and house made curry yogurt sauce. There was a nice caramelization of the onions, as well as char on the vegetables. There were supposed to be olives in the dish, but they seemed to have been left off of mine. They probably would have clashed with the curry sauce, and their absence was probably a good thing. The person I was with tried one of their pasta dishes. She seemed to enjoy it. Her dish included chicken, even though she did not order it. I did hear someone at another table having a problem with something they ordered as well. Service was pleasant. All employees I encountered seemed appreciative of our business. The vibe is more relax and enojy. Truly a more European cafe feel. As such, service is on the slower side. Not being in a hurry, this was not a problem. If you are looking to be in and out in an hour tops, this will not be the place for you. Though I recomed coming back when you do have the time. read more

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Food, service and ambiance is perfect! We go there regularly and never disappointed. The customers help make it a great experience.

My boyfriend and I were looking for a nice dinner place during our day trip to Cincinnati and decided to come to Ruth's because the menu looked good and - most importantly so we didn't have to attempt to find street parking - because they had a private parking lot! For entrees, he got the Shrimp Arrabbiata ($18.50) which was cavatappi noodles tossed with roasted romas, chilies, onion, fresh basil, and pecorino. I got the Grilled Australian Lamb Chops ($29.50) served with roasted carrots and bulb onions, fingerling potatoes, and a black currant demi-glace. I absolutely loved my dish, especially because of the sauce! The lamb was also cooked perfectly. I didn't like the Shrimp Arrabbiata that much, although the shrimp were nice and large. For dessert, we shared the Chocolate Cake with a scoop of Salted Caramel Gelato. They were technically sold separately, but a waitress highly recommended it to us, saying that the chocolate cake was the best one she'd ever had and the cake + gelato pairing were made for each other. That sold us! I don't think it was the best chocolate cake I've ever had, but I did really enjoy the gelato. Because we were feeling particularly crazy, we got another dessert as well - the German Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake. Mmmm this was a great choice! It was a special, but if it's no longer on the menu, I'm almost certain their original Gooey Butter Cake will be delicious too! read more

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I stopped by here for lunch today. It's a nice, spacious place with plenty of seating. I ordered the burger and my total came out to be about $11. The burger was delicious, well made, and unique, but it was quite small. Regardless I left feeling full for lunch. The lunch menu seemed slightly overpriced, but nothing drastic. I think I would prefer this place for a dinner rather than a lunch. read more

Ruth's Parkside Cafe - Burger - New American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

We were there recently and the hostess who sat us seemed very put out that we did not have a reservation for 5 people for lunch. She rearranged the plates on a six top, sighing the whole time and acting very disgruntled. She was never friendly in her interactions with us the whole time we were there. We were five paying customers and should have been treated better. read more

This place is my home away from home. I think there's at least one thing on the menu to please anyone that comes in the door. The staff is the best anywhere. Period. Just great people. I love to sit at the bar and just drink it all in. I'd be there now if they were open on Sundays! read more

You know, if I would have came for the butter cake and nothing else, it would have been 5 stars. I'm low key upset with Ruth's. I was looking for a spot in Northside for my friend and me to eat at after her yoga class. She's a vegetarian, so I was pumped to find that Ruth's doesn't close till 10. It's located in a new building behind Hamilton, and the outside is absolutely charming. The inside is beautiful as well! You're greeted by bar instead of a hostess stand, which I found to be a little awkward. I was going to wait for my friend at the bar but the guy (not sure if he was a worker, manager or what) insisted I sit in a booth he had available. I went over and waited for my friend to arrive. When she did, we took in the menu. There are a lot of options for every type of dietary preferences and palette. I was pleased to see that as promised, there were many vegetarian options for my friend to choose from. She decided on the spaghetti with tomato herb sauce, while I went with the creole catfish. I've seen many pictures of the catfish on Yelp and it always looked beautifully prepared. The restaurant is charming inside, and does very well with the space they're occupying. There's a lot of quirky trinkets scattered throughout, but the color scheme and lighting bring it all together to make the restaurant feel welcoming and intimate. Considering the size of the space, I wouldn't necessarily consider that an easy task. The food arrived and it all looked as gorgeous as advertised. However, the taste left a lot to be desired. My friend was rather hungry and ate most of her food, but she stated it definitely could have been enhanced by some more seasoning. I felt the exact same way about my catfish. While beautiful, the flavor of the catfish, grits and greens were sad. It desperately needed salt and pepper - but as much as I put on, it just didn't help. It was that bland. I can't believe that someone seasoned the food prior to cooking it, because it was sorely missing the most important aspect of food. I was on the fence about ordering the ooey gooey butter cake. On one hand, it's one of my favorite desserts of all time. On the other hand, all the other food underwhelmed me so much I was afraid of being disappointed. I'm very happy to report I wasn't. The cake was cooked slightly longer than a typical ooey gooey cake - but that made it all the better. The actual cake part still had that 'gooey' texture but the cake crust was a little harder, which made an amazing contrast of textures. I was pretty full but worked hard to finish it because there was no way in hell I was wasting it! Everything on the menu looks fantastic, but it is seriously lacking in the flavor department. I'd be down to try Ruth's again, but I seriously hope it'll have some seasoning to it. Otherwise I'm just going to eat a large portion of cake for dinner. read more

Ruth's Parkside Cafe - Creole catfish & grits - New American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Find quality dining in a casual atmosphere. Everything is exquisitely done and the service is amazing.

Doesn't look like much when you're driving pass it but it's got a really cute patio area and it's a great little spot to stop at for lunch. Picked up a foster dog from the shelter near here and stopped on their dog friendly patio for a quick lunch. The staff here were very friendly, service was great and I only tried a salad but it was good! They gave the dog her own water bowl an overall it was a good experience and I would go here again an try other items on their menu. read more

What a charming space! I did not expect it to be so open and airy. The design is retrofitted to fit inside a warehouse type of space with high ceilings and exposed air ducts. The design is nice and welcoming and the artwork is a nice addition. They have games- I'm guessing for the wee ones but lets talk food: I kept it simple and ordered a burger. It came out so moist and succulent. It nearly melted in my mouth it was so tender. What I didn't know beforehand is that along with whatever spice they add to the burger they also add Bloody Mary mix to give it that extra uhmpff. It was a welcomed surprise and a divine burger. It was kind of small but I think I was just really hungry. Alongside the burger came a choice of chips and pickled veggies. I opted for the veggies and it turned out to be not only the healthy choice but a flavorful one as well. I finished the meal with a large piece of apple pie alamode and didn't even feel guilty! Not so humbly submitted, Michael C. read more

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This place was awesome! Atmosphere was so friendly and decor was unique. Food and service were great! I think they swap the menu out pretty often but everything my group got was delicious. read more

Ruth's Parkside Cafe - Roasted Beet Caprese - New American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This would have been the second time experiencing this restaurant. The menu is just the right size with something for everyone. I have only had sandwiches but intend on trying the Red Beans and Rice on my next visit. Very nice staff and atmosphere. read more

A really lovely space serving up some fine-good food. I have been in here a handful of times and the staff is always also fine-good. The staff does the basics really well and the customer service is, well, fine. It just isn't amazing. I get the sense when I walk in that they are fine if people walk in, or if they don't. It isn't unwelcoming, per se, but I always feel like no matter what time I come in, they are in the middle of opening or closing. There is never anyone at the front to greet you, save a sign that says "please wait to be seated." Then an unassuming waiter or waitress that behaves more like a librarian quietly beckons you to a seat. Again, it isn't rude, but just missing that extra sparkle of customer service. The menu is chock full of interesting sounding dishes like the Orange Szechuan Stir-Fry or the Grilled Peanut Butter Sandwich, and something called a Yvonne. On my last visit I had the tempeh Reuben with pickled vegetables. It was really quite delicious and a gigantic portion of food. The pickled veggies were as advertised and fine. It might have been nice to have a side a potatoes to break up the sauerkraut sour, but the options for sides are chips, slaw (which is ewwww), or the veggies. I will say that I have tried other dishes-including the red bean burrito and the veggie burger-and found them to be rather bland. So it can be a mixed bag. I absolutely despised the Mediterranean Plate. The eggplant had a weird aftertaste that ruined the entire rest of my meal on that visit. And I am a vegetarian! Overall, I think the prices are pretty reasonable considering the amount of food you get, but be cautious about what you order-you might get a lot, but if it doesn't taste like anything is it really worth the 11-18 dollars? I can highly recommend that Reuben though! So, much like the feeling I get from the staff: Go to this restaurant...or don't. read more

I enjoyed the Airline Chicken- lightly seasoned. I added pretty much salt & pepper. My sister had the Mediterranean plate- she thought it was really good and tasted homemade. read more

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I cannot say enough good about Ruth's. The ambience is very pleasant and comfortable. The service is courteous and professional with just the right amount of friendliness. I've never had a menu selection which was less than excellent, although the spinach saute' is my favorite. I like the option of adding a protein to the vegetarian entrees. The desserts vary by the day and are delicious. Ruth's is not inexpensive, but if you want to have a comfortable but first class dining experience, its' worth it. read more

My wife and I have this interesting deck of cards. It has restaurants throughout Cincinnati and every so often, we'll pull a card and go for it. Well, Ruth's Parkside Cafe was the card, tonight. Seated quickly as it didn't seem too busy. Ambience is sort of casual. Relaxed might be a better description. Not too noisy, plenty of light. Waiter seemed ok. Not very talkative, seemed almost like he would have preferred to be somewhere else. but, still, polite. He got our drink order, then came back for our food order. Didn't mention any specials, even though they were having a special entree that evening. Yes, it was on the add-on menu, but, still, a little conversation is usually expected. Maybe a recommendation. none of that. We ordered the Grilled potatoes w cheese for an appetizer. Nicely done. Simple, grilled potatoes, with cheddar cheese on top. but, perfectly seasoned, tasted great! Main dishes were the Spaghetti w/ Tomato Herb Sauce, (from the menu: thick & rich sauce w/ herbs & garlic topped w/ shaved pecorino) And two addtional meatballs. Too many times the sauce will be rather bland, or very sweet. This was interestingly sweet AND tangy. Almost spicy. Very good. The meatballs tasted of a combination of beef and spicy sausage. Really good. not too hot, just enough Zing! Second main dish was the Linguine Ratatouille, (from the menu:eggplant, roasted romas, zucchini, squash, bell pepper, mushroom, kalamata, onion topped w/ shaved pecorino and fresh basil) My wife must have thoroughly enjoyed it, because even when she is hungry, she'll almost always leave some to take home. Not Tonight! So, it was really good! We both enjoyed our meal. Pricing was reasonable. atmosphere was nice, as I said, not too noisy. It can be casual, or you can dress up a bit. Nice place for before or after a show. We'll definitely go back and try something different, since it all sounded good. And, they have a good variety of entrees for vegetarian or vegan folks. read more

My friend had been telling me about this place for awhile so we finally met up and had a late lunch. I walked in and was impressed with the decor and the really high ceilings. It felt unusual in all the right ways. The hostess (who might have been a manager?) seated me and brought me a glass of water. When no one had come to the table, she returned and took my drink order and apologized profusely. My friend arrived and our server came to take our orders. I had a burger with cheese (and extra ketchup) and chips. It was very tasty and while not huge, it was good for the $9.95 price point. My friend had spaghetti, which was so large she took half of it home. We both had a slice of their carrot cake, which was excellent - especially the icing. I can see this becoming a regular hangout for us. read more

Food very tasty. Service was slow and unenthusiastic. My soup and entry were both warm, not hot. I would have sent back if not with a group. Disappointed. read more

My wife and I love this place and eat here a couple times a month. There are a few must try's including the beet caprese, the meatballs, all of the the bagel open faces, and just about anything else on the menu. Great for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. The place is cool and the ambience is always good and the artwork changes routinely and is usually for sale. Located in part of the American Can Loft building. read more

Ruth's Parkside Cafe - The amazing automated I don't know what flying overhead...a little scary and cool at the same time. - New American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Many great vegetarian options. The service is great, and the decor is pleasantly different.

Like so many places in Northside, this place is in an old industrial building repurposed for multi-use. It sits back from the road quite a way, so look for the sign near the entrance. Inside it's quite spacious, over 100 seats I would guess, even though the restaurant only occupies one corner of the building. The main décor is a mildly disturbing demon sculpture hanging from the ceiling. I have been here for both lunch and dinner now. Lunch is okay, a decent option if you have work colleagues or an out of town visitor you want to take someplace "nice." Dinner has more interesting options. The cheese plate was pretty generous for an appetizer, and pretty tasty. Garfield salad was also pretty good. Service was the kind you should get in a "nice" place. read more

Food was great!!!! service was great!!!!! such a vibe!!! Love the art on wall with affordable prices!

Good food, nice and quirky ambiance, service is hit or miss, but mostly good. Value for money is good.

I was disappointed to see some of the negative reviews. This to me is further evidence that healthy, eclectic food struggles to be successful in Cincinnati and that's unfortunate. Some people said they had trouble finding it. Well, this is Northside, but they do have giant signs on the street and a big sign on the front of the building. Basically, just go to the old warehouse that was converted into upscale condos (American Can Lofts). That's where it is: corner of Hamilton and Blue Rock (on the East side). There is parking in front of the cafe! Otherwise, there is a Northside Parking lot half a block away towards Hamilton. They have a good selection of new American style food with some great vegetarian options. I particularly liked the Tempeh Reuben, which can be ordered with meat if you prefer. The pickled vegetables were a nice touch. They have vegan and gluten free options as well! The interior is spacious, and modern eclectic with a bit of an industrial feel. They have a great patio for warm weather and lots of windows to let the light in. The staff is friendly, and somewhat laid back. This is not a fast food restaurant. read more

Ruth's Parkside Cafe - Tempeh Reuben - New American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Everything I've had here is delicious. My go to is the burger, it's simple and everything you want from a good burger: soft bun, crisp veggies, and a high quality patty cooked to your liking. I'm also a big fan of the hummus and veggie appetizer. Top it all off with a local beer and you're all set. The atmosphere is great for a date or a group gathering. It's eclectic and if you run out of conversations, just start staring at the interesting art decor! read more

I've been to Ruth's twice now and for my most recent visit, they get five stars-I've been doing the Whole30 for the month of February which makes eating out a bit nerve racking (whole foods only: no grains, dairy, sugar, beans, soy). After combing through local restaurants and reviews, I thought Ruth's might be able to meet my needs for a nice meal out. They came through on all fronts! Upon request, they modified the scallops special to be served on a bed of kale (instead of pasta) tossed in the same sauce. Before serving, our waiter came back to ask if the chef could add cheese. I was so thankful for the diligence of the staff and creativity of the chef. It took what could have been an anxiety-filled meal back to being an enjoyable experience where I could focus on my company. The ambiance is nice and the crowd was quite diverse. I could see where this place may draw an older crowd given it's parking lot, ease of entrance and amenities that many of the local places can't offer. Overall, it's nice to have an option for those with special dietary needs and preferences that doesn't make a big deal about it. read more

Oh Ruth... dear, sweet Ruth... Somehow you're busy, sometimes.. I think it's the easy parking? The comfortable booths? It's not the menu. It's just not While they are accommodating for dietary restrictions, they don't really season anything appropriately and also have a bizarre match up of flavors; not traditional or particularly impressive or tasty. Hard pass unless you need good parking or a comfy seating arrangement. read more

We have been looking forward to trying this Northside restaurant and it did not disappoint. The salmon was cooked to perfection and served beautifully. The ratatouille was delicious with lots of wonderful flavors. Our server was awesome and attentive adding to a great dining experience. Our new go to local restaurant. read more

My sister in law was in town from California. We wanted to dine out but wanted to try something new that serves Vegan. I looked up on yelp and this place pops up on my search. I like that they serve everything from seafood, chicken, steak, pork to tempeh, and tofu! Great options and selections on the menu. Very simple so it's easy to pick out your meals. Located in the community of Northside off Hamilton and Spring Grove Ave. This used to be the old American Can Building. Renovated and decorated contemporary with a twist of Morrocan Middle Eastern theme. Love the bright colors that pop, spacious and the natural lighting (huge windows all over, gives it a beautiful glow). We came to dinner on a Friday night around 6:30pm. I called earlier and asked if they take reservations. It's first come, first serve. We were seated right away. Server came to our table after a couple of minutes to take our drink order. I got their special on the menu- Pinot Noir from Oregon for $7.50. For dinner I ordered the Grilled Salmon Filet-sautéed with zucchini, fennel, tomato, brown rice (I was able to substitute the rice for fingerling potatoes), grilled asparagus, dill buerre blanc. My sister in law got the Orange Szechwan Stir Fry. She was able to sub the chicken for tempeh. Last my friend ordered the Garfield Salad which had roasted turkey, cucumber, tomato, red onion, watercress and walnuts. For vegetarians and vegans-tofu, tempeh, chorizo, and chicken can be added to meatless items for $2.00 extra on any entree. Before dinner, we were offered a basket of Bread which was fresh and warm. We got our food pretty quick. Within 15-20 minutes. We all loved our meals! I really liked the blanc sauce on the bottom and drizzled on top of my meal. It wasn't salty, it had a suttle flavorful taste. The service went downhill after we got our bread. We had to ask another server for refills on waters and our wine. When he did checked up on us on how we liked our meals, we were already finished. My sister in law and my friend wanted dessert. They got the vegan peach cobbler pie and ice cream gelato. That came out really fast too. Overall, the experience was nice except for the service. I would return because the atmosphere and food was awesome. Hopefully next time the service is better. I wish yelp would allow us to give 1/2 stars on the ratings. I would give it a 5 but 4 1/2 stars for me because of service. Bathrooms and restaurant clean. Plenty of parking on the private lot, but extra parking across the street if full. read more

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Enjoyed my lunch here immensely. Love the healthly, creative options, as well as they have standard sandwiches and salads. I ordered the Spinach saute with chorizo over rice. It was fantastic, probably large enough for to have a small second serving, but I was hungry (and heck, it's healthy). Also, liked the flavors in the lemon herbal iced tea. The staff was welcoming, attentive and made some great suggestions. It's a fun, creative space, with colorful hanging art (including kites and lanterns) and wonderful natural light. Looking forward to another visit already. read more

Ruth's Parkside Cafe - Fantastic space. - New American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Solidly decent place to visit for lunch. My mom was given a gift card so we decided to pay a visit yesterday. She got a burger, added cheddar and chose a side of coleslaw. She seemed very happy with everything. I went for the Park Side Salad - greens with bacon, bleu cheese, roasted hazlenuts, tomatoes, cucumbers and green apples. It was a pretty decent sized salad and just what I was looking for. We also ordered some roasted potatoes with cheddar cheese to share. They were seasoned perfectly and the cheese was nice and gooey! We took a slice of Gooey Butter Cake for later. Having lived in STL for the past seven years, I've had plenty of gooey butter cake, but only ever in STL. I was very surprised to see it on a Cincinnati menu and was excited to give it a try. I have to say that texture wise it was dead on! It was like a yellow cake on the bottom, gooey in the middle and had a nice caramalized crust that had formed on top! However, the flavor was simply sweet, it didn't have any of the cream cheese flavor I'm used to. Regardless, it was delicious and I would gladly eat one again!! read more

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I love this place. I always get the creole catfish and one of the mix drinks. This is a great restaurant.

I stopped in here mid afternoon to get coffee and decided to have a meal after looking at the menu. I had a substantial and lovely plate of rice and beans with a side of yummy cornbread that was a delight. Well seasoned and with a little kick, it was nice to have the side of diced tomatoes and sour cream. Easy parking, interesting atmosphere, friendly staff. read more

Ruth's Parkside Cafe - New American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This is a neighborhood standby. It's for those nights when we want real food but we can't be bothered to cook it ourselves. That's the kind of food to expect. It's not fancy but it is fresh, traditional and consistent. There is a nice range of dishes from red meat to pure vegan. (There is a strong vegetarian showing.) The wine list is just okay. But the desserts are over the top. Not fancy but pure yum. The servers are always too busy (they seem to be constantly under staffed) but they are friendly, hard working and efficient. The atmosphere is chilled and relaxed. Nice patio. read more

I love Ruth's! It's definitely one of my favorite casual restaurants in Cincinnati. They've got an eclectic menu so pretty much anyone can find something they'll love. Personally, I have trouble keeping away from the Orange Szechuan Stir-Fry with Tofu (you can choose from a variety of proteins). It's got a tangy, spicy flavor that I'm totally addicted to. Speaking of addictions, save room for dessert. Their homemade pies are some of the best I've ever had. I look forward to every meal at Ruth's and you will too! read more

I highly recommend Ruth's for a quick lunch or an early dinner. The food is great! The ambiance can be a little noisy during the normal lunch and dinner times. read more

From the exterior, an old industrial warehouse; from the interior, Disney World circa 1985. An unexpected and enjoyable space filled with all the po-mo whoop-dee-doo you need to admire its nostalgia. I can tell you how much I admire seeing a space like this. It's a real throwback to my youth with primary shapes and colors, an acoustical grid ceiling minus the acoustical, and some bizarre yet charming artscapes. The affable waiters dress as the cast of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" and were attentive enough to keep us happy. Ruth's currently sports a limited, but carefully selected menu of libations including Seven Falls Merlot, Rhinegeist Cougar on tap, and a handful of exciting cocktails. Upon my family's first foray to the Parkside Cafe, we decided to go tapas style with our meals, each sharing our selections with one another. The Orange Szechuan with chicken was good, but ran a bit heavy on sesame, which was a bit overpowering. The Mushroom Soup lacked a little something. It seemed to be merely mushrooms in broth, which to me was a bit disappointing. The Cafe takes a unique twist on bruschetta, combining it with tapenade. My father loved this combination, but it was too salty for me. Seemingly, the fan favorite was the red beans and rice, which came with a side of tortilla chips and sour cream. Ruth's boasts a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan friendly items as well as a large price range. Meals can be had from $7 to $30 per plate. Having its own parking lot was a nice frill, as Cincy seems to be becoming more pedestrian than vehicle friendly, even in parts of Northside. All told, the Parkside Cafe is a fabulous atmosphere with better-than-average food. We had such an enjoyable time that we stayed just for another drink. I will definitely be back to try some more. read more

I'll be brutally honest. I know it's good because old people eat here. They have a wide variety of food, vegetarian and beef, pork, chicken, and fish. As well as a fair amount of appetizers (the cheese plate comes with apple slivers and honey! But for $10 could stand a few nuts as garnish) and sandwiches. With the wide variety of food comes a wide range of prices $10 - 30 per person for an entree. And the outstanding service is always a draw. You always leave full. But I'd recommend boxing up half your food and opting for dessert. Left overs are better the next day (especially the red beans and rice - with CORNBREAD) and the dessert is divine. Good wines as well! It's all a little alternative and you'll leave feeling a little more cultured than when you came in. read more