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    Alara

    4.5 (82 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Alara Photos

    ALARA ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Alara

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    Lauren J.

    Visited Alara for a family new era birthday and it was the perfect location! A good switch up for fine dining from the regulars, so a a must checkout place. They have a great cocktail and wine menu. Everyone was able to find something to enough and they even put personal touches to finish the beverage. The food menu while not huge had a little bit of everything to meet anyone's palette. I enjoyed the Beef Tip Pappardelle, which was fantastic! I loved the burrata inclusion in the dish and even had some to take home. The service was great and everyone left happy and full! I hear they have a good happy hour, which I'll have to check out sometime.

    Olivia M.

    If you're looking for elevated vibes, stunning décor, and a menu that delivers both flavor and flair--Alara is it. From the moment you walk in, the ambiance feels like something out of a chic big-city lounge, but with that signature Cincy charm. We came for my bday and were blown away. The drinks? Immaculate. Thoughtfully crafted cocktails with just the right balance of bold and smooth. The food? Every bite was a vibe--creative, fresh, and beautifully plated. (The chicken Milanese was Chef's kiss.) Service was top-notch, too. Attentive without being overbearing, and they made us feel like VIPs from start to finish. Whether you're celebrating something special or just want to feel a little fancy on a random Thursday, Alara checks every box. Already planning my next visit!

    Chicken Pomodoro
    Soriah B.

    We went to Alara to celebrate my in-laws anniversary and it was such a wonderful experience. My first impression was calling the restaurant to confirm their dress code and I got Dylan on the phone. He was very warm, polite and welcoming when answering my question. Parking was easy and getting to the restaurant from the parking garage was fairly simple. Interior was upscale and the lighting was very easy on the eyes. The seating was very comfortable. The service? Incredible. The manager and the waiter greeted us and took care of us. They were very personable and made sure that the rest of the staff was made aware of a shellfish allergy from my father in law. They even took a step further to inform him of the any sauces that could contain fish sauce. They were very attentive and it was great. Now to the food. The Focaccia was more on the toasted side but that truffle butter was divine. Oh my goodness, if they could just sell that in stores, that would be amazing. Had potato wedges and it was alright. The truffle butter elevated the taste. Chicken Pomodoro: EXCEEDED expectations. The chicken was so fresh, so tender, made with care, ohh my goodness. The sauce? Incredible. Flavorful, fresh, almost damn near perfect. Like the portions were great. I tore that plate up. Here's the thing: I'm being completely honest here. As far as tomato dishes go? This was the best tomato pasta dish ever. My husband had the steak and it was cooked perfectly!! We've been to several places where a steak was burned or cold but not at Alara. I had a bite and was very pleased. My mother in law said that the pork chops were incredible and the strawberry-pomegranate gastrique gave it a nice balance. I do not eat pork but this was the most prettiest, well plated pork chop that I have seen. The dessert was great. I think this is an excellent date night spot, elevated experience with friends, or just want to have an amazing meal with incredible service.

    Lobster Mac + cheese
    Ashley C.

    Most Improved! What a difference a year makes. I'm glad I gave Alara a second chance--they really surprised me today. The Chicken Milanese was perfect, and the mac & cheese came out hot (without breadcrumbs, just the way I like it). The cocktails did not disappoint--Mi Amaro was my favorite. I wasn't impressed when they first opened, but they've definitely stepped it up.

    Sauces to accompany the Australian waguye strip
    Douglas K.

    Our server was Devin and she was super friendly and helpful. I will request her next time I come back. The food was served hot, fresh and quickly. And every dish from appetizers to the amazing desserts were 10 out of 10! Perfect for date night and all special occasions. Make sure you ask for Devin - she will give you the best experience

    Anna O.

    Came for happy hour, they have sliders for $4. They were pretty good and juicy although my burger was overcooked. The other two were great. They are sliders so I know you don't get much, but the toppings on them felt small. $2 off wine, $6 well drinks and $1 off beer. I would come back again if they ever changed the happy hour menu.

    Surf and Turf was wonderful
    Doug M.

    Alara is a wonderful addition to the Cincinnati dining scene. The restaurant's contemporary design and very spacious interior create an atmosphere that feels both stylish and comfortable. For dinner, I ordered the surf and turf, which was perfectly prepared and full of flavor. My wife enjoyed the lobster pasta, which was equally outstanding. We finished with desserts that were light, beautifully presented, and not overly heavy -- just the right finish to a memorable meal. The staff went above and beyond to celebrate our 51st wedding anniversary, surprising us with complimentary desserts that made the evening even more special. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to returning.

    Sauces for the Lamb Chops
    Sandra F.

    I've seen videos and pictures on Instagram and instantly wanted to come here. My best friend made reservations for my birthday on a Saturday. She too was excited to dine here. She was impressed with their menu. We were greeted and they check in our coats. We were seated right away. I love the inside. So cozy and inviting. The lighting gives a romantic feel. Our server was Christina. She was very detailed and helpful with the menu. They serve mainly tapas style. I love a restaurant that offers that. You can share and try a variety of foods. Appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, a la carte sides and desserts. Drink menu has wine, beer and specialty drinks. We ordered: Drinks: -Cucumber Collins -Pinot Noir A to Z Essence Small Plates: Flock Bakery Focaccia Dinner: Willow Bend Farms Lamb Chop Chicken Milanese Yukon Gold mashed potatoes (a la carte) Dessert: Apples and Cream From the beginning to the end was magnificent. The food is top notch. The bread was super fresh and the truffle butter just melts in your mouth. I didn't think I would like the lamb but it was cooked to perfection (medium rare). The sauces complimented well with it. The chicken was very flavorful and loved the citrus arugula salad. The mashed potatoes were the best I've ever had. I love that the manager came to our table to check on us. At the end of the meal, they were so nice to give me a complimentary birthday dessert. The apples and cream were divine. What a great experience! Christina treated us like royalty and made me feel special. One of the best service I've ever received. I will definitely return and can't wait to take my Mr here and try other items on the menu.

    Beat and Goat Cheese Salad
    Doug K.

    A fantastic experience from start to finish! We came here with some friends to celebrate New Year's Eve and had a lovely time! We got a reservation well ahead of time which is good as the restaurant was quite full. They have an open kitchen concept with tables all over as well as a smaller room towards the back with more tables. Our server was excellent and gave great suggestions. The food: - Chilled Seafood Platter - Beat and Goat Cheese Salad - Lobster and Butternut Squash Carbonara - 32oz. Tomahawk Ribeye - Swiss Chard and Shiitake - Brussel Sprouts and Butternut Squash - Creamsicle Cloud - Apples and Cream The chilled seafood platter was divine, probably my favorite part of the entire meal. Comes with all sorts of different seafoods and is a perfect dish to share for 4 people. The Lobster and Butternut Squash Carbonara was also another crowd favorite: creamy and rich and delicious. Everything was so well prepared, beautifully presented, and tasted amazing. The menu is definitely a little on the pricier side but the food is so worth it! We'll definitely be back to celebrate more special occasions!

    Scallops
    Jessica W.

    Started with a lovely tartare before diving into our salads. I'm a sucker for a good beet salad, and this did not disappoint! R went for the Cesar because that's just how he rolls. I was excited to try the scallops on a bed of shaved Brussels sprouts and leek. Omgggggg so good. The Hubbs had beef tip pappardelle and loved it. The service was five stars from start to finish. Definitely recommend!

    Beet and goat cheese salad and Caesar salad

    We had a date night and tried Alara upon recommendation by a friend. Service was absolutely impeccable. Our server Stevie did a wonderful job. The appetizer we ordered was the Hearts of Palm and it was delicious , the beet and goat cheese salad was enough to feed two people. However my boyfriend wanted the Caesar salad which was delicious as well. For our entree we shared the scallops , we were already full by then . The one comment we have was that the scallops were too salty but otherwise delicious. The manager came by and graciously offered us free dessert . It was very nice offer so we decided on the banana dessert . Very good indeed with my rooboos tea and latte for my boyfriend. Altogether a very pleasant experience and we highly recommend you all give this place a try

    Melody V.

    Bria & Kylia made the experience a 10/10! Every recommendation was fantastic. This was definitely a must try culinary experience. My personal favorite was the Korean corn dogs, the soy pearls were so unique and elevated the dish. We got the tomahawk to split for a group of 3 which was the perfect amount. The Vietnamese dipping sauce was fantastic. My favorite cocktails were the smoked pear & espresso martini.

    I love the sauce purée in this scallops dish.
    Siripug A.

    Incredible service is real. Every staff was nice and they were so helpful. We sat at the chef table which was a great experience. The place is so beautiful and I love watching kitchen making orders. Great quality of ingredients, tasty and nice portions. The server told us about their menu goes by seasons so I would go back and try them again.

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    Ask the Community - Alara

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    Overlook Lodge: A Rustic Watering Hole

    Overlook Lodge: A Rustic Watering Hole

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    I came out in December for their Miracle pop-up in 2025…read more As someone who has gone to a ton of holiday cocktail bars and pop-ups over the last 10 years, Overlook Lodge's is probably the best I've ever been to. Be aware it will be FAST. Look at the order ahead of time if you're a picky eater/drinker. They run your appointment like clockwork, and you'll be in-and-out, gulping down cocktails, through the entire experience. Your two drinks are included (this year, anyway), and I'd honestly be surprised if you managed to have time for a third. Time zips by fast. That being said, because they do it this way, you essentially have constant service, there's "events" that happen at the end of your reservation time, (I don't want to spoil it, but cover your drink!), and then they kick you out. Service was friendly, though, and I saw the server make time to take group photos for all of the tables (including ours) with someone at the table's camera. (No bullshit "group photo" upsells here) It's kinda loud, though, and I wouldn't recommend this as a chill meet-up-and-socialize spot. (If you wanna talk, they have an addendum, Christmas-themed laid-back bar next door.) It's more of a "get blasted in the face by Christmas for an hour and then leave" experience. It's pretty loud, and talking can be a bit difficult over the music and constant interruptions (more drinks? Photos? Cute Christmas video montage?) But this works in its favor as it feels the most Christmas, over-the-top, and seasonal out of all the holiday bars I've ever been to. It also keeps it from feeling too crowded as reservations are required, so you for-sure have a seat and you don't have to stand forever in line to wait for drinks. I'd probably guesstimate that bar staff is making all of their seasonal drinks, constantly, and servers just pick one up to deliver. With the capacity in here, it would make sense. No idea what the bar is like the rest of the year; this is just a review for the Miracle pop-up which, again, is probably the best I've been to in the Midwest. Cincinnati, you're spoiled down here. (Sidenote, I was absolutely taken aback by their TV presentation on the wall. It's hard to describe, but it isn't just a projector showing a giant rectangle. It's specifically slotted into the holes in-between holiday decorations. Staff told me that had to hire special technicians to get it to show up that way and that's seriously a level of detail I am so amazed by.)

    Oh my! Merry Christmas on overdrive! Couldn't be more excited to share this unique experience with…read moremy adult children. We started with a shot and then the two cocktails. Such an amazing experience

    Overlook Kitchen + Bar

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    After sending a formal complaint to the general manager, she invited me back (with a plus one) for…read moredinner. Our experience was ten times better. We started with the cherry bomb mocktail (for my friend) and the pineapple mule mocktail (for me). Both were phenomenal - very yummy! Then our server brought us some bread and butter - I could eat the whole basket. It was a honey butter with everything bagel seasoning mixed in - never had it before and didn't think those flavors would work, but we ordered another basket of bread! So good! For our meals, we both ordered the salmon, well done & blackened. Instead of the broccolini, I ordered a side Caesar salad. I'm not a fan of the risotto but that's only because I don't eat dairy regularly- I avoid it. My friend loved the risotto, the salmon and the broccolini. To finish, we ordered the carrot cake and the chocolate tarte. The tarte was very rich but so good! It's a very nice, quiet restaurant & bar with a great rooftop. Great for a date night or small dinner gathering

    Stayed at the hotel for a friends wedding and decided to eat here. Tried this place TWICE and both…read moretimes is did not impress. Service is slow. Came for dinner the first night towards the end of service and the server straight up told us he hasn't worked in 4 weeks and didn't know the menu. Then proceeded to tell us we have 5 mins to order to disappear and not even take our drink orders. Had to ask the bartender to find our server so we can order. It was also empty and we were put in a dark corner instead of a well lit table. For the price, the flavors were ok. Maybe because it was the end of service but it wasn't anything spectacular. We were rushed out and told if we wanted to stay to hang at the bar which we ended up doing. The next morning we went for brunch. Went maybe 30 mins into service to find no one in the restaurant. Thought we read the sign wrong but we were right. It took over 20 mins to get the server to get our drink orders (just an AJ and coffee) then ordered our breakfast which took another 30 mins to come out for it to be cold. I had the steak and eggs: asked for medium rare, got it blue and cold. Was never asked how I wanted my eggs and those were also cold. Only hot thing on my plate was the potatoes. Friend also ordered waffles that were cold and dry so we knew the food was sitting out for a while before it came to our table. Disappointed with the service when the hotel and concierge were really nice.

    Alara - salad - Updated May 2026

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