Get ready to dig in because Taste of Cincinnati is around the corner.
Judges recently sampled and rated dishes entered into the Best of Taste competition, which represents over 80 culinary pros from restaurants, Findlay Kitchen start-ups and food trucks.
Gold, silver and bronze awards were granted in three categories: appetizers/side dishes, entrees and desserts.
The festival also debuted a new distinction, the CinGourmand Selection, this year, which highlights must-try festival favorites that judges believe attendees should not miss, including exclusive or limited-time items available only during Taste of Cincinnati.
Taste of Cincinnati returns to Downtown over Memorial Day weekend, May 22-25. Here are the dishes that took home the glory at the pre-event competition this year.
Best of Taste 2026 restaurant winners
Snacks and Bites (appetizers)
CinGourmand: Hankering Southern Kitchen – Shrimp & Grit Fritters. Paityn’s Place Soul Food Catering and Cuisine – Paityn’s Place Famous Soul Roll.
Entree
CinGourmand: Gee’s Caribbean Kitchen – Smoked Jerk Chicken and Oxtail. Taste of Belgium – Tropical Waffle Chicken Bites.
Dessert
CinGourmand: Pompilio’s Restaurant – Triple Berry Tiramisu with Lemon Curd Swirl. The Cheesecakery – Biscoff Cheesecake Cupcake
Best of Taste Findlay Kitchen winners
Appetizer/side dish
CinGourmand: Soleil Kitchen – Creole Shrimp & Smoked Gouda Grits. The Passion Plate – Greek Nachos (both available Friday and Saturday).
Entree
CinGourmand: Sabor Alaniz – Chicken Taquitos. Lotus Street Food – Chicken Drunken Noodles.
Dessert
CinGourmand: Banasun – Acai Bowl. Daveyboy’s Bourbon Pecans – Bourbon Pecans.
Best of Taste food truck winners
Appetizer/side dish
CinGourmand: S.E.A. Cuisine – Asian Taco with an Egg Roll. Aphrodite’s Hankey Panky.
Entree
CinGourmand: Mis Sabores – Fritada. Fifty West Brewing Co. – Single Classic burger.
Dessert
CinGourmand: Davis Cookie Collection – Strawberry Dream Bowl. Davis Cookie Collection – Cheesecake Stuffed Banana Pudding Cookie.
When is Taste of Cincinnati 2026?
The annual food festival takes place Memorial Day weekend in downtown Cincinnati, stretching from Fifth Street between Elm and Main streets. It takes place during these times:
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Best of Taste winners revealed for Taste of Cincinnati 2026. See list
Reporting by Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
