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    The Davidson

    4.4 (191 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    The Davidson Photos

    THE DAVIDSON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Upscale
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Davidson

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    Reviews With Photos

    Salad
    Jonathan B.

    Really terrific happy hour -- we sampled many apps and the grilled chicken sandwich which was outstanding. The salad was exceptional! Wine and margarita a cut above. Outstanding service. The ambience of the space is a real winner : all around great

    Happy hour menu
    Tes H.

    Amazing happy hour deals. They even have a Saturday happy hour menu - this is the sole reason we went here. Food was 3.5 stars. Mushroom bisque was flavorful and the best happy hour item. We also got fries, vegetable salad, and tuna tartare cones which were good but not living up to the hype of the reviews I read. Maybe it was an off day. Service was wonderful. Sat at the bar and the waiter gave great suggestions for drinks and knew the menu well. Ambiance is good for a date or even a business dinner.

    Pork chop with kale and squash
    Carolynne P.

    Had dinner downtown before a jazz performance and I am so glad we did! The GM was right up front to greet us, and very welcoming. Our waitress was wonderful and very attentive and the meal was fantastic! One of the best pork chops I have ever tasted. Drinks, sides and everything was delicious. Thank you!

    Molly L.

    Food was decent... came in to get the brick pressed chicken but they no longer had it on menu . Was going to settle for the chargrilled chicken but they wouldn't let me substitute the fingerling potatoes with olives and capers for mashed potatoes so I decided to get the chicken sandwich; which had great flavor, but I feel like the arugula that was on it threw the flavor of the sandwich off. Also wasn't a fan of the Bernaise sauce with the fries would've done like a garlic aïoli instead. I tried the pork chop, which was really good and the Panna cotta was decent. Might come back if they put the brick press chicken back on the menu. In my opinion, the sides that were paired to a certain proteins didn't really mesh well and the menu is kind of limited. Food arrived fast and the service was great.

    Grilled Chicken sandwich
    Jason S.

    Stopped into The Davidson after checking out of my hotel and had some time to kill before a flight. Luckily, it was Sunday and they were running happy hour huge win. Started with the tuna tartare cones and an espresso martini. The cones were phenomenallight, flavorful, and perfect as an appetizer. Kept the espresso martinis coming since they were so good. For my main, I went with the grilled chicken sandwich (also on the happy hour menu for only $15), and it was excellent. Juicy, well-seasoned, and way better than I'd expect at that price point. The vibe is upscale but still relaxed feels like you can enjoy a nice dinner without it being too formal. I was there in a baseball jersey. Bartenders and servers were super chill and made the whole experience easygoing. I hung out for a couple hours, and even with multiple drinks and a full meal, my bill wasn't bad at all. For an upscale spot right in downtown Cincy, The Davidson's happy hour is a fantastic deal. Definitely a place I'd go back to next time I'm in town.

    Kim S.

    We stopped by here on a whim when we were downtown looking at Christmas lights. It was freezing outside but inside The Davidson was warm and inviting. We just wanted a cocktail and a light bite so we decided to sit at a two top in the bar. The bartender, who was also our server, was very friendly and checked back on us several times. I got the espresso martini, which was disappointing unfortunately. It was very pretty, with a fleur-de-lis sprinkled on top, but it just tasted like strong coffee, not like a typical espresso martini. However, we loved the bread service with 3 butters: shallot compound butter, cacio e pepe butter, grass-fed Irish butter! The cacio e pepe was especially good. We hope to come back to dinner sometime to try some of their other dishes as well.

    Chicken
    Amy J.

    Service was really great! The vibe is nice and restaurant is clean and organized. For my birthday the server gave the four of us some champagne. It was a really nice gesture. The peach burrata was interesting. The sourdough was butter grilled. I enjoyed the addition of tomato. My bff got the pesto pasta and added grilled chicken. The chicken was served separately. She did say the pasta was really good, and her bf said it was the best pesto he's ever had. My bf got the chicken dinner. It was small and not enough food for him. It was also overwhelmingly lemon. But overall, ok. My steak frites was good but I've had better at Losanti and Collette. The sauce was very peppery which was fine but just a heads up. My filet was good - more medium well than medium but it was edible. The fries were just ok. Not fresh cut, and mostly cold. The cocktails were good, but the old fashioned and Bellini were very sweet. The cosmo was on point though. Overall it was a nice experience, but we've had much better at this price point so would probably not return.

    Side scallop
    Ika I.

    Great location, wonderful hospitality, but average food! On my business trip to Cincinnati, I dined in The Davidson one evening. Located within steps to the Fountain Square, this restaurant is in an excellent location for many hotels and businesses. When I walked in, I was greeted immediately and brought to a table. Service was prompt and friendly. For my dinner, I ordered the aracinni appetizer, the house made pesto pasta as entree, and a sude of scallop. The aracinni tasted good, but would benefit with some corns and peas added. My pesto pasta entree was highly recommended by my server, but the pasta was too hard and the sauce was too salty. The side of seared scallop was excellent and was done perfectly. My dinner came to $72 with tips included, which was a bit disappointing as my entree was too salty.

    Vodka rigatoni and their house wine
    Tayler S.

    Davidson was my bartender for the afternoon and provided an excellent happy hour experience. His knowledge on the restaurant and food selection was superb as well as his honest recommendations. I had the vodka rigatoni and a glass of red wine and it was everything I could have asked for. Even the fresh parmigiana on top was a nice personal touch. This location could be great for a quick lunch get away or a romantic evening located conveniently on the corner of 5th and Vine in downtown Cincinnati walking distance from the convention center.

    Scallops
    Doug K.

    Came here with my wife for dinner on a weekday evening. We were sat quickly at our reservation time. I really, really wanted to love this place but it just did not do it for me. We got two cocktails, an app, a salad, and two entrees. We got the tuna crudo for an app, the Italian salad, the Davidson Burger for an entree and the scallops for the other entree. The food came out quickly but was just overall uninspiring. The tuna crudo was in a citrus-based sauce but was quite soggy and somewhat bland. The salad was good, but nothing special. The burger was also fine and cooked well, but nothing out of the ordinary. The scallops were quite delicious, definitely the best part of the meal. On top of the food being mediocre, our service felt rushed and our server kept trying to take plates before we were done. Overall, for a restaurant on the more expensive side of the spectrum, I was unimpressed.

    Pesto pasta
    Paige S.

    Delicious food, Al dente pasta, with lots of bite and flavor. It was hand made too! The staff were SO kind and helpful. And the inside was very clean and lovely.

    French Onion Dip
    Annie C.

    The Davidson came as a recco from a friend turned Cincy local - and the review came through! This is the sister restaurant to Pepp and Dolores, which was an incredible meal and I had to check this one out as well. Brought a group of 10 here and everyone loved their meals and were well taken care of by our server. While their menu isn't especially extensive, their options are all quality choices. We tried a little of everything - standout apps were the Moroccan Roasted Eggplant (a different spin on eggplant!) and tuna tartare cones. Both were eaten so fast I couldn't even snap a pic! For entrees, the crowd favorite were the scallops. Wonderfully seared and served on a house crouton (a giant toast square!) that worked so well with the sauce. We sat on the patio and even on a chilly spring evening, the heaters kept the space comfortable.

    Hamachi
    Betsy B.

    My first experience at The Davidson was only ok. We had a party of 10 for a birthday and they sat us out on the enclosed patio. This was January in Cincinnati and the weather was not ideal for this seating arrangement. There were heaters but when they were on they were very intense and when they were off the temperature was uncomfortable. My toes were nearly numb by the time we left. The Hamachi was worth the entire trip, the balance between the citrus and the basil is a nice accompaniment to the hamachi. I ordered the scallops and was slightly disappointed in the quantity. The photos I had seen of the entree online that inspired me to order the dish had more scallops than I received, so that was a disappointment. I would give this restaurant another shot as long as I could sit inside, but I wouldn't order scallops again

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    Food is awesome! I prefer to sit at the bar, great drinks from scratch, appetizers are nice size and the meals are always cooked perfectly

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    10 months ago

    Good but not great, I would say the Hugo spritz cocktail was better than the actual meal. there's better options in Cincinnati!

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    1 year ago

    Excellent service, excellent food! I had the Roasted Tomato Cannelloni - sooo good. Also loved the house white wine - highly recommend!

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    1 year ago

    Delicious food and presentation. The service is top-notch. I loved the eggplant and chicken. Will definitely be back.

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    1 year ago

    Went for brunch before a show. Amazing chicken sandwich as promised. Will be back. Great place at Fountain Square.

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    10 months ago

    Interesting and well balanced food. Beautiful restaurant with great outdoor seating.

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    Page 3 of 5

    Ask the Community - The Davidson

    Where r they?

    right by fountain square across from the fountain

    View All 3 Questions

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    4.8(29 reviews)
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    Pilar is one of my favorites and it's not just the cheap happy hour prices. The bartenders are some…read moreof the best in the business, not just with their drink creation but their service as well. I don't love the cocktail bars with aloof service that seem to think ignoring you is excellent customer service. The happy hour slaps - the prices are actually really good and it goes until 7pm. My bestie is obsessed with their low price on La Marca. I have tried several of their daiquiris and cocktails and haven't found a loser yet. They don't have food but that just means they are pet-friendly. There is plenty of food in the area (for pete's sake, OTR Kroger is across the street). I wouldn't mind some snack availability but it's fine. I love the Key West/Hemingway-inspired decor. You'll be comfortable no matter how dressed up or dressed down you are. I love when the weather allows for the big windows to be open. The patio is great people watching. There is also several parking options nearby. The meters on Court St, a pay lot on the next block, or if you spend at least $15 at Kroger, you can get three hours of free parking. And that's the perfect amount to spend on snacks! Check out Pilar if you're looking for a laid-back vibe and decor but top-shelf service and cocktail options. Don't forget your dog!

    I tried this place during the Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl and was so excited I found it. It's not large,…read morebut there's a great outdoor area. The bartenders are top notch. The holiday special, the Sugar Cookie Martini was DELICIOUS! I wil definitely be back.

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    Cocktails menu

    Pilar - Sugar Cookie Martini

    Sugar Cookie Martini

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    Overlook Lodge: A Rustic Watering Hole

    Overlook Lodge: A Rustic Watering Hole

    4.5(161 reviews)
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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

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    Overlook Lodge: A Rustic Watering Hole
    Overlook Lodge: A Rustic Watering Hole
    Overlook Lodge: A Rustic Watering Hole - So festive

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    So festive

    The Härth Room - Pork Belly Lays

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    4.6(85 reviews)
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    Chill spot for a fancy cocktail…read more The atmosphere here is classy, but relaxed. Great for drinks, coffee, and live music. The relaxed vibe seems to extend into the service team as well. The only things that are high strung here are the instruments.

    I have wanted to go to The Härth Room for quite some time so was excited when we happened to be a…read morefew doors down at an event this afternoon and finally had the chance to stop in! It was cold outside so it was the perfect time to visit, since they have multiple fireplaces and it's nice and cozy inside. It was early afternoon and not busy, so the only employee we saw was the bar, but she kept everyone's drinks full and was very friendly. She told us to have a seat wherever we wanted but to come to the bar to order our drinks. We both got cocktails, an Old Fashioned and a Kentucky Mule and both were quite good. They don't have much food, just some pre-packaged chips and such but some of the chips were from China with pretty odd flavors, so that was kind of fun to give a try. The photos I have seen online don't do this place justice. It's cute and comfy and super clean. Even the women's bathroom had cute decor! As we were leaving, a band was setting up to play later that evening. I was pleasantly surprised to see they often have live music and on Fridays and Saturdays, they have a band from 5-7 and another from 8-10.

    Photos
    The Härth Room - Great room with live jazz

    Great room with live jazz

    The Härth Room - Therapy session with a friend.

    Therapy session with a friend.

    The Härth Room - Picture from our table notice the golden penguins.

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    Picture from our table notice the golden penguins.

    The Davidson - french - Updated May 2026

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