The Tiny Town Near Cincinnati With The Most Scrumdiddilyumptious Restaurants
Cincinnati is a great city for foodies, whether you enjoy a fine dining experience or a classic greasy spoon. With all the attention often given to downtown and Over-the-Rhine, it’s important to remember that there are several small towns near the city that have their fair share of scrumdiddilyumptious restaurants. One such tiny town can be found just across the river in Kentucky, just a short drive away. Alexandria may be small, but this area has a surprising number of delicious spots for a memorable meal.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Just 25 minutes southeast of downtown, Alexandria has an appealing small town, rural feel with an unexpected feature - its incredible food!
Although less than 10,000 residents call Alexandria home, they obviously love a good meal because this tiny town has scrumptious options for every meal of the day.
Recently named the best diner in Kentucky, Sparetime's Belly & Soul has only been open a little over a year but is already a local favorite.
Family owned and operated, they specialize in breakfast (hello, goetta!), lunch, and homemade pies. Their burgers are fantastic and the whole restaurant has a great nostalgic feel. Their motto is "Come hungry.. leave happy!" and you definitely will after a meal at Sparetime.
You may not expect to find an authentic Italian restaurant in small town Kentucky, but Dominic's is just that!
Open for lunch and dinner Monday - Saturday, Dominic's focuses on locally sourced, organic ingredients whenever possible. Their menu items are freshly prepared and authentically Italian. The simple cafe atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for the mouthwatering food.
Alexandria happens to be one of the few places left near Cincinnati where you can enjoy Empress Chili.
Known as the original Cincinnati-style chili parlor and open since 1922, Empress Chili is a must-try for every local. And for something different, try the chili pizza (pictured above).
Traditions Family Restaurant perfectly matches its name, as they serve traditional food in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Breakfast is the star of the show here, along with the stellar customer service. You'll find friendly people who are eager to greet you with a smile and fill your belly with wholesome, homemade food.
For a true hidden gem experience, you will be pleasantly surprised with your time at The Hidden Dragon.
As one of the highest rated restaurants in Alexandria, guests rave about the unique and flavorful food, variety of options, and incredible service. It may not be what you'd expect in a tiny town, but it is truly one of the best around!
You can't spend time in a small town without paying a visit to a charming, locally-owned bakery.
They've been around since 1968, so they obviously know their baked goods. Their homemade donuts are quite possibly the best around, which makes sense given the foodie reputation this tiny town near Cincinnati is developing.
When you’re looking for some fresh air, small town feel, and amazing food, head south and check out Alexandria for any meal of the day! Have you ever eaten in this small town? Or if you’re from Alexandria, did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know in the comments!
And for another small town just north of Cincinnati that has wonderful food, 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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