Tuba Baking Co.: A Hidden Treasure in the Cincy Region (Plus Other Local Faves You Need to Try)

This blog is a part of an ongoing, year-long series in 2025 that will take a deep dive into the many hidden gems and local favorites in the Cincy Region. Stay tuned for more authentic, trip-planning inspiration from Callie Budrick.

Ready for a confession? I love a good hidden gem so much that I'm a little nervous to reveal these secrets to you. 

I am not one to gatekeep, but writing a list of all my favorite restaurants in the Cincy Region feels like a blessing and a curse. I am blessed because I get to show off the amazing talent of these independently owned businesses, and they deserve all the customers in the world. But I am, however, cursed because once I tell you about these places, you might snag my seat at the table before I can get there. 

Sure, downtown Cincinnati has its fair share of great spots. But it's out off-the-beaten-path restaurants that really show off the heart and soul of the region. These locally loved eateries range from tiny brunch spots to old-school steakhouses. Each one has a story (and menu!) worth experiencing. 

Tuba Baking Co.: German comfort food at its finest

Tuba Baking Co. is a small bakery and restaurant just southeast of downtown Cincinnati in Dayton, KY. Eating here is like showing up at your best friend's house parents' house for dinner when you were a kid. They're not actually your family, but they sure feel like it. 

Beer drinkers unite every weekend in Tuba's intimate dining room to enjoy hard-to-find brews like Reissdorf and Rothaus. Drew Rath, the head chef and part-owner of Tuba (it is a family business after all), spent a few years studying the art of Southern German cuisine by moving halfway around the world to study it. Originally focusing on Swabian-style laugenbrezels (house made rye and sourdough soft pretzels), Drew has since expanded Tuba's menu to include dishes like currywurst, house-made spätzle, and flammkuchen. 

Tuba keeps limited hours, which can make it tricky to get a table. But if you have the chance to stop by on a Friday or Saturday evening, you will immediately understand the allure of this locally-renowned eatery. 

Olla Taqueria Gutierrez: Best birria tacos you'll find in town

Also on the Northern Kentucky side of the Ohio River, you'll find Olla, a tiny-but-mighty taqueria serving up some of the most authentic Mexican food in the area. Their menu focuses on fresh flavors with dishes like carne asada, faji-alambre, and perfectly spiced elote. Everything is crafted with care, and the small space only adds to the intimate, welcoming vibes. Olla takes price in their craft, with their main goal being to "transport you to the streets of Mexico, where food is a language that unites people". 

Wunderbar: Where the sides steal the show

If you need another German-inspired eatery with laid-back vibes, Wunderbar in Covington is a must-visit. Located just down the street from Olla, Wunderbar's sausages and sandwiches are always solid choices, but the real magic happens when you start picking your sides. 

Their roasted broccoli is out of this world, and one of my favorite things to do here is order the "4 side platter" and load up on a mix of different flavors. They make limited amounts of each item every day, so once they run out of something, that's it - further proof that everything is made fresh. 

The Root Beer Stand: A nostalgic slice of Cincinnati 

Sometimes the best hidden gems are the simplest. The Root Beer Stand has been a Cincinnati institution since 1957 and is one of those places that transports you straight back to childhood summers. Their homemade root beer (which they serve in signature frosty mugs) is the real star here, but don't sleep on their footlong coneys and crinkle-fries. This is classic roadside Americana, the kind of place where you pull up, grab a meal at the picnic tables, and soak in some history and tradition. The stand is open seasonally, so be sure to check their website before making the drive from downtown to Sharonville. 

Swampwater Grill: Bayou flavors in the Midwest

Along the Ohio River, in the Columbia-Tusculum neighborhood of Cincinnati, is the Swampwater Grill, serving up Cajun and Southern-style cuisine. Their gumbo and smoked meats are well-known among locals, offering bold flavors that feel like they belong in New Orleans, not Ohio. This is one of the best restaurants for a celebration, featuring a large dining room that is always full of friendly faces - ready to bring you some of the crispiest catfish and most flavorful red beans and rice in town. 

Maury's Tiny Cove: An old-school Cincinnati favorite 

If you love a good retro steakhouse vibe, then you need to experience Maury's Tiny Cove. This West Side staple has been serving up classic steak dinners and cocktails since 1949, and walking inside really feels like stepping back in time. 

Expect dark, moody lighting and plush red booths. Maury's has the kind of nostalgic charm that's hard to come by these days. It's a spot locals swear by for perfectly cooked steaks, stiff drinks, and a little old-school Cincinnati charm. 

Cincy is a foodie paradise

The Cincinnati and NKY region is packed with off-the-beaten path restaurants that locals and visitors love. Whether you're craving authentic German, fresh Cajun flavors, or a throwback dining experience - these restaurants deliver unique and memorable meals in ways that other places just can't. 

Next time you're looking for a meal that's more than just food, skip the chains and head to one of these hidden treasures. And if I have to wait a little longer for a table at my favorite restaurants so they can get the limelight they deserve - so be it. See you there!

Ready to plan your trip? Order your free Official Visitors Guide (we'll send it straight to you!), check out the rest of our blog for the inside scoop, and peruse our local events calendar.