Taste of Cincinnati

View on map
Food & DrinkCincinnati
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forRegional food & drinkThe festival began in 1979 as a single-day
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryFood & DrinkFestival type
The story

Taste of Cincinnati in Cincinnati

Taste of Cincinnati is the longest-running culinary arts festival in the United States, held along Fifth Street in downtown Cincinnati every Memorial Day weekend since 1979. More than 40 local restaurants serve festival-portion dishes, judged for annual 'Best of Taste' awards, while four stages showcase country, rock, pop, and jazz acts. The free three-day street festival draws roughly 500,000 visitors.

Its long history and large restaurant showcase make it a core Ohio food row.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival began in 1979 as a single-day event in Piatt Park after Karen Maier, then Frisch's vice president of marketing, encountered the 'Taste of the Big Apple' concept in Nation's Restaurant News

02

The mystery stays covered

Attendance was about 5,000 that first year

03

The city starts moving

Organizers added a second day in 1981 and a third in 1988, the three-day format still used today

04

The water draws everyone in

The event relocated first to Central Parkway, then in 2007, after Fountain Square's $42 million renovation, to Fifth Street, where it now spans several blocks between Vine and Sycamore streets

05

The old stones answer

In 1997, Events Business News named it Food Event of the Year among more than 40,000 competing events nationwide

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Annual 'Best of Taste' awards judged across categories including appetizers

Water and renewal

Living ritual

soups and salads

The sacred route

Living ritual

vegetarian dishes

The local code

Living ritual

and desserts

Tradition 5

Living ritual

four themed music stages running concurrently

Tradition 6

Living ritual

and a fixed three-day Memorial Day weekend schedule unchanged since 1988

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

Downtown street closures and parking matter.

What to wear

Casual warm-weather street-festival clothing and comfortable walking shoes, since guests spend hours moving between food booths and stages; light layers help for hot Memorial Day sun that...

Safety

Use normal food-market caution, hydrate, and leave time between crowded stalls.

Where to stay

Cincinnati

Tickets/cost

Entry may be free while tastings, meals, or special tables are paid locally.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map39.13 N, 84.51 WOpen in Google Maps

Cincinnati, OH

TransportDowntown street closures and parking matter.
Stay areaCincinnati

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Cincinnati via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Cincinnati, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearCasual warm-weather street-festival clothing and comfortable walking shoes, since guests spend hours moving between food booths and stages; light layers help for hot Memorial Day sun that can turn cooler by evening.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Taste of Cincinnati?

Taste of Cincinnati is listed for May · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Taste of Cincinnati take place?

The festival is listed in Cincinnati, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Spring is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Cincinnati, OH

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLtasteofcincinnati.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusOfficial source linked
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