27 Hidden Gem Restaurants Only Found in Cincinnati Strip Malls

Uncle Yip's

10736 Reading Road, Evendale
Uncle Yip's serves authentic southern Chinese cuisine along with dim sum specialties. Dim sum consists of small portions of food delivered in steamer baskets; dishes like the shrimp dumplings, barbecue pork buns and chicken sui mai are popular (and only $5.95 each).

Noodle & Hot Pot

4750 Fields Ertel Road, Mason
Yuke Qiu and Jennifer Niu opened Noodle & Hot Pot in 2018. Hot pot is kind of like fondue dining meets a hibachi grill — everyone at the table cooks their food in the boiling soup at the center of the table. The restaurant offers seven different soups: nine boxes spicy, spicy, bone, wild mushroom, tomato, tom yam and curry. They also have a hot pot buffet special, a Thursday lunch special and bubble tea.
Photo via Facebook.com/hotpotohio

Maranata Store

1215 Rulison Ave., Price Hill, 513-244-2494
Price Hill’s burgeoning Guatemalan community offers a taste of Central America at this tienda, which stocks groceries and serves colorful cilantro-infused ceviche, pork pupusas, fried plantains and three-milk cake from its modest restaurant. The Guatemalan-style tamales alone are worth the trip.
Photo via Facebook.com/MaranataStore

Tong’s Thai

1117 Main St., Milford
If you’re looking for authentic Thai that won’t break the bank, look no further. Tong's bento boxes, priced at $11.95, come with two sushi rolls, a side, a Thai main course and miso soup. They have 20 sushi rolls to choose from with many being half priced Monday-Thursday (dine-in only).
Photo via Facebook.com/officialtongsthai

Uncle Yips

10736 Reading Road, Evendale
Nestled in the Evendale Plaza, Uncle Yip’s serves authentic southern Chinese cuisine with full dim sum service during weekend brunch. Dim sum consists of small portions of food delivered in steamer baskets; dumpling dishes like shrimp dumplings, barbecue pork buns and chicken sui mai are popular (and only $3.95 each).
Photo via Facebook.com/UncleYips

Full Circle Pies

4105 N. Bend Road, Cheviot
Full Circle Pies stands out from the sea of Domino’s and Papa John’s pizza chains. Their New York-style speciality pizzas are one of a kind, like the Mac & Cheese Pie, the Breakfast Pie, the Dried Berries Pie and the Chicken Wing Pie. The calzones and strombolis, sandwiches and homemade mozzarella sticks will make you want to dedicate a gym day to cardio.
Photo via Facebook.com/fullcirclepies

Sebastian’s Gyros

5209 Glenway Ave., Cheviot
The longtime West Side joint is just as delicious as you remember it. An ethnic meat-lover’s heaven, the menu offers numerous Greek items and what many consider the best gyro in Cincinnati.
Photo via Facebook.com/SebastiansGyros

Phoenician Taverna

7944 Mason Montgomery Road
Fabulous Lebanese food in a Mason strip mall? Really? We were skeptical, too, until we were dragged out to Phoenician Taverna. Perfectly executed meze (small plates) — both hot and cold — are the way to go for a large group. Try the baba ghannouge, labneh or any of the shawarma. If you’re going carb free, make this your cheat night: the flatbread is to die for.
Photo via Facebook.com/PhoenicianTaverna

New Krishna Indian Cuisine

11974 Lebanon Road, Sharonville
If you’re looking for a spot to eat your heart out in Sharonville, New Krishna Indian Cuisine should be your go-to. The enormous buffet is open for lunch and dinner. You’ll find all the traditional Indian dishes like curry, masala or samosas and a tasty variety of others you may not recognize (but should absolutely indulge in).
Photo via Facebook.com/newkrishnarestaurant

Bridgetown Finer Meats

6135 Bridgetown Road, Cheviot
Bridgetown Finer Meats opened its doors in 1979 and has been selling all things local ever since –– meat, produce, dressings, salads and more. They even have a wine shop, so when you’re buying cookies from Jenny’s Homemade Cookies, a storefront a couple of feet away, treat yourself to a bottle of wine. Make sure to stop by during Lent for one of the best fish sandwiches in town.
Photo via Facebook.com/BridgetownFiner

SuRa Korean Cuisine

7876 S. Mason Montgomery Road, Mason
‘SuRa' in Korean refers to the meals of the king and royal court during the Joseon Dynasty. This Korean restaurant was opened in 2010 by Dr. InHwan Oh and his wife. The appetizers are reasonably priced ($7-$15) and the dinner menu offers both cheaper options (Korean ramen) and pricer meals (bossam).
Photo via Facebook.com/SuRaKorean

Mazunte

5207 Madison Road, Madisonville
An homage to the street food of Oaxaca, Mazunte’s dishes reflect the culinary diversity of the homes, markets and vendors of central and southern Mexico. Options range from pork or chorizo tacos with avocado salsa to chicken tamales in a corn husk with rajas and salsa verde and traditional pozole with hominy and red radish. A glass of horchata or agua de limon — or, let’s be real, sangria — is a must.
Photo: Patty Salas

Buddha Barn Thai

6625 Gracely Drive, Sayler Park
Buddha Barn Thai is a cute hole-in-the-wall serving up some of the freshest Thai food in the city. When you pop in, check out the buddhas placed throughout the restaurant, try out their lemon Thai iced tea and the Cashew Pineapple dish is a must.
Photo via buddhabarnthai.com

Marx Hot Bagels

9701 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash
If you take your bagels with a side of New York attitude, Marx is the ultimate Kosher deli for a salad or schmear. Certified by Vaad Hoier of Cincinnati and in operation since 1969, Marx’s bagels are boiled then baked and contain no preservatives, butter or oil but are more than indulgent. There are 30 varieties made fresh daily, plus tuna salad, egg salad and nova lox that come with their own mascot: Bagel Man, the superhero-outfit-clad owner who may or may not be behind the counter offering a side of sass with your order.
Photo via Facebook.com/MarxHotBagels

Pho 96

7844 Kingland Drive, Mason
Pho originated in the early 20th century in northern Vietnam, apparently southeast of Hanoi in Nam ??nh Province. Luckily, you don’t have to travel that far to enjoy the meal. Pho 96 has hot and cold noodles, Vietemese sandwiches, bubble tea and weekly deals.
Photo via Facebook.com/Pho96

Baladi Restaurant and Bakery

3307 Clifton Ave., Clifton
Suhail and Hanan Barazi left Syria in 1986 and followed family to Kent, Ohio in search of the American dream and a better education for their children. Hanan and her daughter Rana finally realized that dream when they opened Baladi Restaurant & Bakery in Clifton. According to the restaurant’s website, Baladi means “my country” in Arabic, which describes how the Barazis want their guests to feel — welcomed and at home.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Aroma’s Java and Gelato

6407 Bridgetown Road, Cheviot
Located in a small strip mall on Bridgetown Road, Aroma’s isn’t your average coffee shop. They offer homemade, creamy gelato, quiches, wraps, salads, quesadillas, soup and, of course, delicious coffee and non-coffee drinks.
Photo via Facebook.com/AromasGelato

Habesha Restaurant and Cafe

5070 Crookshank Road, Covedale
Habesha is a great hidden-gem restaurant offering Ethiopian dishes and an Ethiopian-style coffee ceremony. While it looks like a hole-in-the-wall from the outside, the cuisine is on par with Ethiopian eateries in Washington, D.C. — which is saying a lot.
Photo: Liz Davis

J & J Restaurant

6159 Glenway Ave., Western Hills
This old-school diner serves huge double-decker sandwiches, good chili, cheese coneys and all-day breakfast at a great price. Tucked into a strip mall, this is a no-frills neighborhood staple with lots of regulars and quick service.
Photo: Paige Deglow

Tavern on the Bend

5471 N. Bend Road, Cheviot
Hidden in a strip mall, Tavern on the Bend is a great neighborhood hangout. Nightly specials and over 20 specialty beers on tap keep the menu interesting, and their signature mac and cheese recipes will keep your tastebuds wanting more.
Photo via TavernOnTheBend.com