We celebrated my son's 26th birthday at Nolia and came ready for great food and exceptional service. We got both! Henry was incredible. Fun, attentive, engaging, and gave us great recommendations throughout the evening. We started with the oysters, Skillet Cornbread, Pork Belly Skewer, and H20 Melon. The cornbread was, without a doubt, the best we've ever had. Subtly sweet, pillowy without being cakey, with this amazing sweet-savory depth. The whipped Steen's butter was the perfect complement. WOW! The pork belly was another standout. The coconut Alabama BBQ was rich and flavorful without being heavy. The melon was beautifully plated, and the country ham added the perfect salty contrast. The oysters were the only miss for me. They had a little more of that "fishy" quality than I prefer, but I'm admittedly particular about oysters. For dinner, the Jollof was flavorful and beautifully prepared. The Lamb Neck was a little gamier than I personally prefer, but my son clearly disagreed because he devoured it down to the bone. Then came the IBÉRICO. When I tell you how good this was...we finished it and ordered a SECOND one! The pork with corn maque choux, chimichurri, and lime was incredible. Rich, bright, savory, and beautifully balanced. Easily the star of the evening. We finished with the Key Lime semifreddo, which was light and airy. I also had a Paper Plane, a simple cocktail that many places surprisingly don't get right. Nolia nailed it. Fresh citrus, quality ingredients, and perfectly balanced. I also loved the hospitality. The chef greeting guests as they arrive is such a small thing, but it immediately makes the experience feel warm and personal. Between the food, Henry's service, the cocktails, and the hospitality, this was such a lovely place to celebrate my son. If you haven't been to Nolia, GO. And order the Ibérico. Honestly, you may as well order two. We did! read more

This visit was such a treat! I made a reservation and got a front row seat of the kitchen by sitting at the bar. Both my server and manager were so engaging and friendly, it didn't feel like I was dining alone. The space itself definitely doesn't make it feel like you're in Cincy- very warm and inviting. I settled on the cornbread, which is a menu staple. The butter on top felt so decadent and the cornbread itself was very savory. For my entree, I chose the jollof and the veggie selection for the evening which was grilled okra with a banana gastrique. That alone felt so cool, I had to order it. The jollof was so good, so filling, perfectly spiced and Chef actually broke it down for me all the spices he used to capture that flavor. I wish I had room for dessert, but I didn't want to go too crazy! Between the service (which they make it a point to open the door for everyone), the open kitchen, the food and then since I was a tourist they gave me recs for so many places to go in the city, I'm happy to rate this place 5 stars. read more

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Have been to Nolia at least a dozen times. Chef Jeff always has an interesting menu that changes quarterly. Through all of our visits, we've had some truly wonderful meals, but this one may have been the top! We were immediately greeted at the door by Kristen who welcomed us back and showed is to our preferred table. Shortly after, Henry introduced himself as our server. Having already previewed the just dropped summer menu, we had a pretty good idea what we wanted. Henry shared some specials and we got to to ordering. The tuna appetizer was a great start. Three different cuts of tuna with a peach and oil sauce. The fish was amazing with the slight peach flavor amping it up a notch. Great start. Next we had the pork belly skewer. The pork belly was grilled with a drizzle of Alabama bbq. The pork belly was so tender and flavorful. Again, plenty of smiles to go around. For the main course, we shared the fish and iberico mains. The fish this night was swordfish which was so flavorful and moist. The iberico was tender and, for me, the corn maque choux made the dish. I could have eaten a big bowl of that goodness! Though we dont normally order desert, we did get to peach skillet cobbler. A perfect light tasty finish to the meal. Throughout the evening, Henry was the perfect server, happy to share his observations and always with a smile. Love when we get a minute with Chef Jeff as well. So glad we got to experience this menu so early. We well for sure be back before the next seasonal switch. read more

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Went here for my birthday and sat at the chefs table (bar in the front). Was so great getting to watch the kitchen from our seats, they were shucking oysters right in front of us. The place is small but it allows for it to never get too loud. The food was amazing. The oxtail with grits was so delicious and had so many flavors that complimented each other nicely. The cornbread tasted like my mamaw use to make, the butter on top melted in for a little sweetness. Pork belly melted in your mouth with just a little char on the edges for extra flavor with citrus glaze. The pickled fruit was not my thing. Highly recommend this place, their menu changes with the season from top to bottom except the cornbread is always on it. Staff were friendly and efficient. Even got to talk to one of the chefs for a minute. read more

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This is a favorite of anyone who has ever eaten here. Hands-down some of the best food you'll eat in Cincinnati. The menu is always changing, but trust me it'll still be excellent. If you're like us, and tried to go in without a reservation and were somewhat rudely laughed at or turned away by the hostess, rest-assured if you just take a moment, hop on OpenTable, book whatever is available, you're experience will be completely different. It's worth checking if you are walking by, but just expect to be turned away so you aren't upset. read more

Nolia - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Honestly some of the best food I've had in the city. Whatever they got going on here is the good stuff. My friend and I got cornbread as an appetizer and I got the fish as my entree. The cornbread was awesome - the butter that's on top makes the bread a bit soggy and sweet in the best way possible and the fish was really good. I also don't think that the portions were as small as many other boujee restaurants. With regards to service, we sat at the bar, and the bartender was really cool too. Definitely would come back! read more

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This visit fabulous just like all others. Excellent food, spectacular chef and delicious cocktails. There is nothing more to ask for. I only updated review to show summer plates. The space is small but well utilized. I love the open kitchen. Seeing the genius live is icing on the cake. read more

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Great food, great ambiance and service. We sat at the bar where we could see the kitchen and take in the whole New Orleans Cincy experience. Definitely recommend. read more

Everything about this place was amazing. The location, the vibe, the food! The chef stops at each table to check on the guests and the ongoing experience, and it is a very appreciated gesture! His take on Southern food is brilliant and definitely worth trying and coming back. read more

Nolia - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Nolia will be hard to beat. A perfect spot for our date night from start to finish. A quaint, swanky spot on a side street of OTR with the ambiance just right. Our service was great, and our server was very knowledgeable about the kitchen. A small menu but enough to have a few choices. The scallops were cooked to perfection and everything looked photoshoot ready. True dedication to crafting nice food. Highly recommend! read more

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Had a great experience at Nolia, after a recommendation from one of the chef's (childhood friend). He gave us the run down of what to get! We got the fried squash donuts (amazing with the sauce) The crab bisque was perfect for a cold day. The lamb my wife stated she liked a lot, her first time having it like a steak. I can say the scallops were FANTASTIC!!! Perfectly cooked and flavorful. The dessert as corn bread and icecream to top it off. If you need a nice romantic cozy restaurant that has awards you'll find that here. read more

Nolia - Scallops & lamb - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Where else are you going to get a unique and fun menu like this in Cincy?! Intimate setting with a limited number of tables, all of the staff from the owner/chef Jeff to our server were super friendly and made you feel like you were dining at one of their houses. I have an allergy and the kitchen was accommodating so that I could enjoy all the dishes while not taking anything away from the rest of our group. Owner is from New Orleans and brought that energy to Cincinnati. Delicious, fresh food and good times, what more could you ask for?? Jeff told us about some events coming up this spring/summer, I'm keeping my eye out! read more

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Nolia was such an amazing experience. The kitchen is open to the dining area so you can watch all the food being made. The food is delicious and the service is great! The skillet cornbread is to die for and I love how their menu changes, so there's always something new on the menu. The oysters were so fresh, I could eat a dozen myself. I definitely recommend getting yourself a drink while you're there, and they have wonderful option for cocktails ands even mocktails! They know how to make some good drinks. While I was there, they had a coconut espresso martini. I got it as a mocktail and had to get another for I ended the night. Please go try out Nolia, it is totally worth it! You won't regret it. I will definitely be coming back for some date nights with my boyfriend! read more

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If you want a real dining experience visit Nolia. Tucked on E14th St. ...sits this tiny but mighty gem. I've been here only twice and the first time I brought a colleague from San Francisco trying to impress him with some Cincinnati flair, and it did not disappoint. Saturday I brought my boyfriend as a wrap up for birthday festivities for him. He travels extensively so he's not easily overwhelmed, yet again Nolia delivered in a big way! He had the beef Tongue and let me try a bite. It melted in my mouth! We also had the skillet cornbread ( essentially pre-meal dessert) and the pork belly ( mind blowing flavor) to start. I added a photo of the Carolina Chicken. It's enough for two! Nolia hands down is one of Cincinnati's top restaurants. Run... don't walk, but make a reservation first! There's limited seating. Oh! I forgot- the best server I've had in years! Lovely young woman. Madeline. read more

Nolia - Washington Park drink - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Saturday night out with a great food, excellent service and cozy atmosphere, great combination for a family dinner . Very recommended. read more

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We went to Nolia for Valentine's Day with my wife and were very impressed! It felt like the whole restaurant was interacting with us, from the host to the kitchen staff to the server. The open kitchen worked extremely well for the intimate setting -- the kitchen operation was very calm to the point of the chefs talking to us about the food and menu and giving us advice as they worked. The dishes were cohesive, cooked perfectly, and elevated yet unpretentious. It blended a bistro and fine dining atmosphere both in the ambiance and dishes, and resulted in just a really fun, joyful, and memorable dining experience. read more

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Nolia is one of my absolute favorite restaurant in the city. They have the best customer service I've come across in Cincinnati as well as a well curated menu. The entire staff acknowledges you. The owner went out of their way to provide me with places to go in their hometown of New Orleans. The food is absolutely amazing. This is and will always be my recommendation to others read more

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Had a lovely experience at Nolia! Had a group of 5 so we could share and honestly, the best decision. We heard they update the menu seasonally - looking forward to next time! Sharing pics of our favs! read more

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Nolia delivers the kind of dining experience that feels both deeply personal and quietly refined. The space is intimate and thoughtfully designed, creating an atmosphere that invites you to slow down and settle in. Service was warm, attentive and effortless. We were seated immediately and felt genuinely welcomed from the first moment. We began with the gnocchi and their celebrated cornbread, paired with the Oh Nana and Hotti Totti cocktails. Each dish arrived with intention and balance. The food reads like elevated comfort, rich yet composed, soulful yet precise. The cornbread was unforgettable, tender, flavorful and easily one of the best gluten free bites I have had anywhere. As someone who eats gluten free, the confidence of knowing the entire menu is safe transformed the experience from cautious to celebratory. Nolia is the rare place where technique meets heart. Every plate felt like comfort served with artistry, and every detail reflected care from kitchen to table. This is not just a restaurant to visit once. It is a place to return to again and again. read more

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Don't think you are just walking in here to eat ! You better make an reservation for this intimate place serving up flavor . It's a fast space open kitchen with big ideas and a small menu. The cocktails took thought , and the menu has intent on showing homage to one of thebest places to eat ! (New Orleans ) . This is for sure James beard award worthy !( iykyk) . The caviar was good , the sea bass was cooked perfect . They lacked nothing ! read more

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To begin with we were so lucky to get a wonderful waiter he made our night. The menu is constantly changing depending on what the chef feels is fresh and good quality. We have been twice the food was great both times. The only downside is that if you order something once and you love it you might not be able to get it the next time. We love that you are pretty much sitting in the kitchen. Everything is out in the open and fresh and fun. read more

We felt honored to be able to dine at Nolia. It was my fiancé's birthday and I could not have asked for a better place to dine than Nolia! From the fresh oyster's and tuna to the lamb neck and iberico pork, we were delighted! Super friendly staff, we felt like family at the raw bar table! We will be making the one hour trip to dine many times again!!!! Superb! read more

Food was delicious. The chef checked on me and made sure that I had a wonderful experience. read more

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The food here is incredible and honestly some of the best in the city. The recently James Beard nominated chef really knows what he's doing and was a pleasure to meet. The cornbread is incredible, as was their coconut ice cream; some of the best I've ever had. If I had any criticism of Nolia it would simply be that some of the portion sizes are a little small for the prices that they charge and I don't love the layout of the space. I really think they could elevate things if they had a different, upscale dining layout. I would recommend coming if you've never been and I look forward to returning for the next seasonal menu. read more

I was absolutely blown away with how amazing the food here was! The cornbread is an absolute MUST. I will dream about it until we can get it again. We got the scallops and grits which is just absolutely perfect. The flavors are elevated and just... Perfect. Goat gnocchi was also fabulous. The jerked goat and the tad sweet gnocchi was the most magical take on goat I've had. We also got the beef skewers and the grill was PERFECT as the inside was still juicy! The crudo was also a huge twist with the sauce which I could drink. read more

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I came here for a work event on a Saturday evening. Our reservation was for 8 of us, which I was impressed they fit as the restaurant is so small. They seated us in the front area, meaning we got to watch the chefs at the plating table at work, which was cool. All of us started with a beverage. I had a glass of red wine, the red blend chateau virgile on the menu. It was pleasant and easy to drink. Another person from my party ordered a coffee and was given the French press to press it themselves. The drinks kept us occupied while they prepared our first courses, which did take awhile given the size of our party and how busy the place was. For my first course, I had the corn and crab bisque. It was amazing. Perfectly creamy, a tad spicy, and the crab was great. I also got to sample the squash donuts, which were also great! That would've been another great choice for a first course. For my main dish, I had the scallops. Again, they were mind blowing! They melted in your mouth and had the best buttery flavor. The grits below the scallops was also so savory and filling. I was sad when my meal ended so soon. I also tried the lamb that evening, as someone else in my group ordered it. It found it way too gamey, making me very thankful that I did not order it. It would have probably ruined my meal. I also split potatoes and caviar with another member from my group. The caviar went great on my scallops, but they give you so much that I could not use it all! The potatoes were also so so good. So good in fact, that someone ordered them for dessert when they saw everyone enjoying them so much. For dessert, I had the rum cake. While the cake was drier than I am used to with a rum cake, the icing it made up for it and its flavor was perfect. It came topped with candied pecans, which might have been my favorite part of the dessert. Our server was great, albeit a bit nervous. He tripped up a few times describing the menu and specials to us, confusing some members of the table who are not used to this style of dining, but nothing that was detrimental to the experience. All of this amazing food was worth the price, and the price was definitely high. This is a fine dining experience meant for special occasions, and it will for sure be an experience you will remember! read more

During my quick trip to Cincinnati, I was able to try out Nolia. The ambiance of the restaurant was immaculate. I always appreciate small restaurants with an attention to detail of the design and decor. I also loved being able to watch the chefs in their element as the finished plating dishes. Our waiter was very kind and helpful with going through the menu. I had a lemonade to drink and honestly that set the tone for me. It was perfectly sweet and refreshing. I had the chicken gizzards and spinach, which were both pretty good. The gizzards were a bit tough for me but still tasty. I tried some West Coast oysters which tasted very fresh. Also got to try the Mama Wanda, a take on shrimp and grits. It was very delicious. My favorite entree was the Lamb Neck. It was so tender and flavorful. The pepper purée paired very well with it! I wish they would keep this one in the menu, but I think they rotate it every 90 days. I can't wait to return and see the new menu! read more

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What an incredible experience! We were a little bummed that the only reservations left were bar seats, but it ended up being more of an experience! We got to speak with the head chef/ owner throughout our dinner and hear his story, recommendations, and more. The tuna was the best tuna you could ever find in Ohio. And the pork? Phenomenal. I don't know how I could eat pork again after enjoying this. Overall, it was a great meal and wonderful experience. We will be back! read more

What a wonderful date night. The food was absolutely delicious - from each small bite to large plate, we tried as many as we could. Each bite was so inventive and flavorful, the ingredients truly spoke for themselves. The service was amazing, it was even great to meet and speak with the chef and owner who does it all. We would recommend and will absolutely be going back soon, especially when the menu changes (which we heard was every 90 days) to try some new, unique bites! Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time. read more

Nolia - Swordfish, tamales, street corn - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Always an amazing menu. Looking forward to the winter menu next time I am in town. Servers are always knowledgeable of the menu and ingredients. Chef always checks in and makes sure you are enjoying your meal. read more

Nolia - Crudo - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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between the drinks, food, ambience and amazing staff Nolia is an absolute 10/10. Chef and owner Jeff was there cooking along with the other amazing chefs. We were seated at the kitchen bar so it was very fun to see everything going on and interact with the people putting the love into the food. They change their menu often so you're always getting the best seasonal ingredients. I am still dreaming of the wagyu Suya from the first pic. The vibe is amazing in there from the playlist to the decor. Nolia is 10000% in my top fave Cincy restaurants now and I cannot wait to go back!! read more

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My boss and I went to Nolia when she was in town for some in-person training. I had been wanting to try Nolia for some time and it seemed like the perfect occasion. We were both blown away by everything. The interior of the restaurant is absolutely beautiful and so tastefully decorated. We ordered gazpacho, pickles, crab boulettes, and cheesecake to go. Everything was *chef's kiss*. In fact, the chef himself came out to check on us. Service doesn't get much better than that! I am excited to go back and try even more culinary masterpieces from Nolia. read more

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Excellent food ...and the Chef/Owner was entertaining and so very nice. He explained all about the food we were eating. We enjoyed every bit of this eating experience. read more

I am at a complete loss on how to review this restaurant. It's almost upsetting to me. In my line of work, I try many of the downtown restaurants so that I can recommend places when needed. Here goes... The food is a 10 plus. Every bite you take makes you stop and go "yuuuummmmm." Scallops, yes please! Coconut balls of heaven, yes please! The atmosphere is a 10 plus. So small and quaint you feel like you're in a friend's home. Exposed brick walls. Kitchen in the middle of the restaurant. Cozy. Now the bad part. What is going on with the service?? The manager (woman) was lovely. So kind and welcoming. Our server was average. He was a low talker and stoic but I can get past that. He didn't smile, laugh, or seem remotely friendly, but whatever. I don't go to dinner with him so I can look past that. Now the worst part. What I can't look past. There was one individual - not sure of his role. Tall bald man. Why he would be at the front door as a first impression is beyond me. I greeted HIM when I entered and he just stared at me. As if I had offended him. No words. Just a stare. He had very unkind words to people when no one was around. Shockingly so. I have never been so uncomfortable and offended by a restaurant employee in my life. If we could have gotten up and left, we would have, but we had already ordered. We were on edge so we said nothing because we thought he was going to say more angry things to us. I won't be back, but I will always dream of that skillet cornbread... read more

Hands down, this restaurant is a 10/10!!! From its authentic and carefully designed cuisines, to the amazing staff AND owner/chef- loved the entire experience and ambiance of this charming restaurant. Was told that the menu changes every 3 months, so if you find something that you like on the menu, make it worth your while! I had the Jerk Goat w/ Gnocchi. The owner recommended it; at first I was like "eehhh", even though I do enjoy some goat meat...but OMG!!! I'm so glad that I went with his suggestion! Will definitely be back within the next week or so! read more

We had reservations at 7:45 on a Thursday night and were seated right away. Our server Chris was attentive and lovely all night. We started with a Digby Park, and I chose to add caviar, and a LaFreniere Park cocktails. They were both good drinks but adding the caviar to the Digby Park was not worth the additional cost. Before I mention the food, I just have to say how cool it was to have Chef Jeff Harris serve most of our dishes. I don't know of any other restaurant in Cincinnati where the chef is so involved with their patrons. We asked him about the seasoning on the pork shank and he told us exactly how he did it. After each dish we were able to tell him what we thought. Refreshing! We ordered 6 east coast oysters and they were great. The crudo was kampachi (a variation of yellowtail) and it was a very unique and a delicious presentation. We have never had a crudo with a creamy sauce. We also had the cornbread, which was good, and everybody raves about it, but tasted like an extremely buttery pancake you would have on a Sunday morning. The pork shank was cooked beautifully and so, so tender. The spices were authentic to the Chef's roots. Cardamon, Garam Masala, and a lot of other warm spices and a delectable glaze. Our favorite dish of the night was the cauliflower....yes, cauliflower. Three types, perfectly seasoned. We can't wait to go back to taste the spring menu, which starts on April 2nd! read more

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One of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had at a restaurant. we ordered almost everything on the menu. The food was amazing, but so was the service. Everybody was very attentive in the chef even came up and talked with us a little bit sharing a story of how he got into this business of cooking. Looking forward to going back.. read more

This place is really hit or miss for me. Their prices keep going up but their portions are getting smaller. Service is always great. The energy is good too with limited seating. I just wish they had more memorable/knockout starters and sides besides the cornbread. I'm also just worried about how much they are charging. It makes the place less appealing to the regular crowds. read more

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We were so lucky to snag a last minute reservation. Food, service and vibe is amazing. Highly recommend (if you can find it ).

Nolia was on my list for a while. The decor and ambience of the restaurant are super cute. Our waiter Scott was very nice and attentive. I was very disappointed with the food. We ordered the carrots, the cornbread, the chicken, and the beans with ham. 1- carrots: they assembled them in advance, put them in the fridge and just give them to you. The menu did say these carrots were roasted but they were so COLD!!! I paid $12+ for 6 small carrots that looked like my 11 year old plated. 2. The cornbread was premade. They had then all in a line so they just warm them up and scoop butter and put it on top. 3- The chicken was super dry, and the seasoning did not have me licking my fingers. It was actually hard to eat. 4. The beans and ham were flavorful and warm BUT worth the $14 for a cup? Absolutely not. My husband asked if I wanted to get dessert but I looked over and it looked like pie you Could get at cotsco. I am so disappointed because I was expecting so much more. I left wanting more. This Place will probably close in less than a year. I just Don't see people wanting to come back for some cold carrots or pay $32 for dry roasted chicken. read more

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