Over-The-Rhine, more often known as “OTR,” is one of Cincinnati’s most vibrant and unique districts. OTR is a diverse collection of shops, restaurants, clubs, pubs, and other businesses located north of Downtown’s Central Business District.
Many locals believe that if you have time to visit the city for one weekend, OTR is the one neighborhood you should spend time exploring because it has so much to offer.
For visitors visiting for the first time, the fact that OTR was formerly one of the country’s most violent and dangerous areas will come as a complete shock. However, the region has experienced a significant change in the last decade, thanks mainly to significant investments by the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp, or 3CDC.
We’ve put up a comprehensive guide to Over-The-Rhine, along with a map of exciting locations to visit, a little history of how it got to be the neighborhood it is today, and a list of the top restaurants, bars, breweries, pubs, shops, and other attractions in the area.
Places to Visit on a Map
The map below displays the locations of several exciting attractions to visit in OTR.
A Quick Overview of Over-The-Rhine
Germans originally arrived in the Over-The-Rhine area in the 1830s, and after the failed German revolutions of 1848-1849, they came in huge numbers.
Many German working-class people had to cross the Miami and Erie Canal, which ran through the city’s heart, to work in the downtown area. The canal was given the name “the Rhine” after the Rhine River in Germany. As a result, the area north of the channel was dubbed “Over the Rhine.”

Miami and Erie Canal in Cincinnati, 1841. (Photo Source)
The area’s population continued to rise, and by 1900, it had increased to 45,000 people.
The canal grew less popular as railroads became a more effective means of transporting products. It was eventually filled in following the Great Dayton Flood of 1913, which caused massive damage to the canal’s infrastructure. After an unsuccessful attempt to convert the canal bed into a subway system, the land was filled in and paved to construct Central Parkway.
Fun fact: The largest abandoned subway tunnel system in the United States is the Cincinnati Subway.

The development of automobiles in the 1940s, following World War II, allowed many citizens to leave the city and relocate to the suburbs. As a result, trade has declined throughout time, while crime and poverty have increased. OTR has earned a reputation as a dangerous and unattractive place to live by the turn of the century.
The city’s bad reputation peaked in 2001 when the shooting of an unarmed young black man sparked four nights of violence and social disorder. OTR became renowned as one of the most violent cities when the riots were broadcast on national media. By 2009, the neighborhood’s population had dropped to 5,000, and many residents thought it was unsalvageable.
Things began to turn around when the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp (3CDC), a private non-profit real-estate development and financing corporation cooperating with the City of Cincinnati, began making significant investments in the neighborhood.
New companies, pubs, stores, and apartment buildings began to spring up in the region one by one. Crime was reduced as commerce and business grew. The area gradually lost its bad rep and became renowned as a bustling, enjoyable location to visit and live.
Over-The-Rhine is currently one of Cincinnati’s most exciting and active districts to explore; history abounds, there’s enough to do, and the city is brimming with culture.
The Most Basic Layout
OTR includes several square miles, although many consider it to be divided into two sections, separated by Liberty Street, which runs through the heart of the neighborhood.
The majority of the neighborhood’s restoration has occurred in the last decade. In the coming years, many of the streets and buildings in the northern part will be restored.
Rhinegiest, one of the city’s most prominent breweries, and Findlay Market, the city’s leading farmers’ market, are the two main attractions that pull people to the neighborhood’s northern end. The majority of OTR’s other stores, restaurants, bars, and other attractions are primarily located south of Liberty Street.
Visit OTR’s interactive map for a comprehensive list of pubs, bars, restaurants, churches, shops, art galleries, fitness studios, barbershops, and other individual businesses in OTR.
We’ll provide a handpicked list of our favorite locations to visit in the neighborhood for the rest of this post.
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[…] Look no further than the Mount Adams area in Cincinnati for magnificent vistas, a diverse selection of pubs and restaurants, and easy access to renowned nightlife destinations such as Downtown, The Banks, and Over-The-Rhine. […]
[…] no further than Smith & Hannon Bookstore in Over-The-Rhine if you’re seeking for a bookstore to visit. They focus on African American literature as well as […]
[…] Over-The-Rhine, located just north of Downtown, has turned from a crime-ridden neighborhood to one of Cincinnati’s most vibrant and buzzing neighborhoods in the last decade. […]
[…] Q, located in Pendleton, just outside of Over-The-Rhine, is the next stop on our list of the greatest BBQ joints in Cincinnati. This spot offers amazing […]
[…] walking distance. Aside from that, it’s only a 10–15-minute drive from Downtown, Mt. Adams, and Over-the-Rhine, which makes it an attractive location to reside if you like being close to the excitement […]
[…] Plant Fare, an all-vegan business in the historic Findlay Market of the Over-The-Rhine area, is another popular vegetarian eatery. “You may order a sandwich, buy meats, cheese, and salads […]
[…] Another Part of the Forest record shop, just outside of Over-The-Rhine that has the finest name on our list. This shop, which has a wonderful selection of vinyl and CDs, […]
[…] of the city’s greatest urban parks, Washington Park, is located in the centre of the Over-The-Rhine neighbourhood and features plenty of green space, an outdoor patio area, and walking routes. Live […]
[…] Hapa is a tiny, stylish café specializing in Asian street food and beverages in the center of Over-The-Rhine. Sesame waffle fries, mushroom ramen, spicy papaya salad, shitake mushrooms, and a […]
[…] Tavola, an Italian eatery in Over-The-Rhine and Madeira, is another excellent place to eat Italian food. Their menu includes a variety of […]
[…] Eagle, located in Over-The-Rhine, is famed for its southern comfort food, including fried chicken served with various tasty sauces. […]
[…] Wine Bar, located in the center of OTR, offers an excellent collection of wines that may be enjoyed in an elegant atmosphere. They’re […]
[…] Fish Bar, a tiny seafood restaurant in Over-the-Rhine noted for its fish and fries, is located in the center of Over-The-Rhine. The cuisine is fantastic, […]
[…] Cincinnati Music Facility, a classical music performance hall located in Over-The-Rhine that has been established in 1878 and stages a range of public and private performances throughout […]
[…] Root is an urban winery located on the northern end of Over-The-Rhine. It is housed on the second storey of a nondescript building and offers a basic menu of wines and […]
[…] Over-The-Rhine, Cobblestone OTR, a cocktail bar, delivers amazing beverages in a modern […]
[…] Beast, a diner in Over-The-Rhine, is recognized for offering excellent burgers in a welcoming ambiance. The double cheeseburger with […]
[…] Street Kitchen is a breakfast and sandwich restaurant in Over-The-Rhine, just a short walk from Washington Park. The BELT, which has an unbelievable amount of […]
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[…] another great brunch eatery in Over-The-Rhine, is another fantastic option. On the weekends, this fashionable spot is known for delivering fresh, […]
[…] is a high-end steakhouse found in the center of Over-The-Rhine. It is famous for the excellent steaks, seafood, and pasta dishes that it serves and the […]
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[…] is Christian Moerlein Brewing, a brewing company founded by Christian Moerlein in Cincinnati’s Over-The-Rhine area in […]
[…] of the city’s greatest urban parks, Washington Park, is located in the centre of the Over-The-Rhine neighborhood and features plenty of green space, an outdoor patio area, and walking routes. Live […]
[…] in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, the Brewery District is a historic area that played a crucial role in the city’s brewing […]
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