It’s About Time You Finally Visited Cincinnati’s Oldest Restaurant
With so many restaurants in Cincinnati, there are bound to be a few that you’ve heard of or driven past for years, but never ventured inside. We all have our favorite Queen City eateries, but it’s nice to branch out from time to time and to also try the restaurants that have been staples in the city’s dining scene for decades, or in this case, over a century! Mecklenburg Gardens is Cincinnati’s oldest restaurant and if you haven’t check it off your bucket list, you really should take the time to (finally) pay it a visit.
Since 1865, Mecklenburg Gardens has been a gathering spot and beloved restaurant in Cincinnati.
Its authentic German atmosphere and menu continue to celebrate our city's rich heritage. When the restaurant first opened, it was a popular meeting place for many of Cincinnati's German residents to learn about the American way of life. Even today it is still used as a destination for German Heritage Groups.
The interior of the restaurant transports you across the Atlantic to the heart of Germany.
There are still features that are original to the historic restaurant and the dark woods and earthy touches make it a unique spot to dine. The patio and beer garden has also been named one of the best in the country and is the perfect place to enjoy a cold German beer and savory meal.
The menu is filled with German favorites and there are definitely a few standouts.
Try a sampler of appetizer favorites like Potato Pancakes, Sauerkraut Balls, and Fried Pickles. The Mock Turtle Soup is also a deliciously unique menu item, and of course you have to try the Schnitzel.
All of this delicious German food is best washed down with a stein of your favorite beverage.
You can, of course, find a variety of German beers, but the restaurant also has an impressive offering of locally made craft beers on tap. For the oldest restaurant in the city, it manages to keep up with the modern times and the desires of its guests.
If a restaurant can stick around since 1865, then it deserves our respect and attention.
Of course, some things have changed over the years, but the German authenticity, one-of-a-kind garden, and delicious menu are all reasons you should finally get around to trying this Cincinnati classic.
Mecklenburg Gardens pays homage to Cincinnati’s German roots in an authentic, inviting way. Have you dined at our city’s oldest restaurant or enjoyed a beer in the garden? Share your experience with us in the comments!
Mecklenburg Gardens is located at 302 E. University Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45219. For more information, visit the restaurant’s website here.
And for several other Cincinnati restaurants that you absolutely must try, check out our previous article here.
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
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