Nolia Kitchen

Small intimate chef owned restaurant with a nod to elevated southern cooking. The staff was warm and welcoming happy to share insights on the food and the restaurant. It is a small location but is well worth seeking out. You have great views of the kitchen and the chef does a nice job of checking on guests when possible. The cocktail list is fun, especially if you grew up in the Cincinnati area. You really must have the corn bread, it is out of this world and worth every calorie. The pork belly is a little piece of heaven smoky, sweet and crunchy cooked to perfection. We also had the oyster and the tuna appetizer, all beautifully prepared and served. For entrees we tried the chicken served with the Caroline sauce and greens, it was cook to perfection and the sauce is perfect. We also tried the fish dish of the evening with had unicorn grits, totally fun and interesting to try. Our dessert was a strawberry crumble with fresh homemade whipped cream, a perfect finishing item. Even though it is a smaller location, they changed up their menus, so there is always something to look forward to.

Fantastic Cinci restaurant inspired by New Orleans fare. Deserves a Michelin star as far as I’m concerned. Detailed plates with very unique thought behind each dish. Be prepared for a culinary experience. Service is fantastic, chef came to check on the meal. Highly recommend their take on a Martini with Okra.

Drove up from dayton for my wife’s bday. We liked our experience and food but for $240 we should have loved it and didn’t. The soup and cornbread were the stars of the show and if we would have stopped there we would have been elated. I had the duck and my wife had the shrimp and grits. We both looked at each other afterwards and said “it’s was fine” The wait staff was excellent but the lady at the front seemed irritated. The last little thing is they put a water pitcher on the table which is awesome but they literally came to the table 5 times to top off the water. I felt like they were part of our date.

Nolia is top notch. I have been here twice now, once in September and once in October so two separate menus since they change it ever 90 days or so. The food was amazing both times. Every bite is so flavorful. The cornbread is a must. The pinchos (pork cheek) were bursting with flavor, we savored every bite. The oysters with the Nolia hot sauce were so good, we could have made a whole meal of them. We also split the potato dumplings and the partridge entrees. The potato dumplings were my favorite out of the entrees. The service was also great. We were checked on regularly, but not to the point where it would be annoying. Our drinks were kept full. The servers were knowledgeable of the menu. I loved being able to see the head chef and other cooks at work, being able to see the art of the meals from start to finish. The chefs were so personable with their greetings when we walked in and left, despite being busy. We really enjoyed our experience and I can’t wait to come back for the next menu and bring more friends and family!

Underwhelming and overpriced. The service and ambience were good (we sat in the back "bar"), but the food was surprisingly bland and dangerously undercooked. It's never great when the best thing you can say about a meal is that the bread was good. Even worse when it's cornbread, the world's cheapest bread, that sells for $15 for a 4" skillet. Did you know you could eat lukewarm, rare duck? Apparently you can, but it wasn't pleasant. The play on shrimp grits also featured a showy but meager and undercooked (partially translucent) protein. The grits had the most flavor and were tasty, but looked like vomit. Each main plate you see here was $45-50. No salad or sides included. We got the green beans and they were decent, but not spectacular. Cocktail was showy but just ok. After $90 per person, I left underwhelmed and still a bit hungry.

We didn’t have a reservation and they were able to accommodate us. Small restaurant with the space creatively managed. I didn’t drink so cannot comment on the drinks menu. Cornbread - this is their staple. It was good but not sure I liked the grit taste. The butter saved it Roasted mushroom - my favorite. The texture, the presentation and the taste was a great combination Half kitchen - it was just okay. Nothing specular Pork/rice - it came with slices of pork, greens and some rice. Overall, good combination Bread pudding - it was warm and it tasted fresh Overall, pleasant experience and great staff. I just didn’t like seeing the cooks touch the food without washing their hands. This is a pet peeve of mine. They were wiping their hands on a towel but seeing all that and having to eat the food put a distaste in my mouth.

The service was excellent. Cocktail was good. The entrees did not meet our expectations from the menu description. I specifically avoided the raw bar on this occasion because I didn't have an appetite for raw seafood. So I was disappointed when the scallops seemed to be ... raw. This was not indicated on the menu. I was overwhelmed. My date ate the inside of the shrimp head and got sick later that night.

Our Latest experience the evening on 8/15/25 has to be updated. Lets start with having a reservation but wound up sitting at the very end of the back side bar in stools, with my left shoulder literally resting on the brick wall. Anyway. We ordered The Watermelon Cocktails. Yes, its a tasty & refreshing drink, I really enjoyed the pureed fruit, but they surely pour the Minimum amount of alcohol, then dazzle it up with a cutesy flower petal. For an average martini sized drink, its definitely not worth keeping them coming for what you get. I asked for a beer instead only to learn they dont serve dosmetics on the beer list, so I settled for there Mexican beer. We ordered the pork belly. It was tender, but I'd rate it just basic/ okay. The reason is I think the pork lacked season overall & the outer layer was still kind of wiggly. I thought it could use some crisp on the fatty side of of the dish, as well as different cutlery, to actually slice through the decent sized portions, rather than pull with the butter styled knives they set out. 2) We were offered a salad to pair up with our Sea Bass. What came to the bar was a small plate, of slightly unriped, not juicy, sliced red tomatoes, some still green at the crown,sliced in halves served with a bland vinaigrette dazzled over & around them. SO WHERE IS THE SALAD part? Nothing green? smh. We tried it anyway but wound up pondering Why anyone would think this unseaaoned dressing would compliment the tomatoes. Needless to say the tomato dish was forgettable. 3) 25 mnts later our Sea Bass finally arrived. It was served over a peppery like sauce and I guess a sliced cabbage type cooked vegetable? Overall the sauce and season on the bass simply clashed with the savory flavor & delicacy of Bass. It seemed to get worse as we tried to imagine what direction the Chef- creator of this dishes intentions were. But it was a Horrible. The Chef came out and kindly apologized for the delay. The bartender Jake was cool. We still like the Vibe there. And have always felt welcomed. Maybe just an off night. Maybe We'll give them another try on there season menu. Just an opinion

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!

Came for the first time on a Friday night for dinner as a friend of mine and I wanted to try out a new place we've never been to. I have heard about Nolia and seen IG posts so thought it was a nice day to try it out. We were seated at the bar in the back for our reservation. The place is very small and tightly spaced (maybe room for 8 in the back and about 10-12 in the front). The staff was friendly and the owner (or manager) checked in on us when we got our food. Service for the bar/server was a bit slow so you have to try and make sure you have enough time planned and may have to just get their attention. I ordered the Central Parkway drink as it said smoked coconut milk which sounded amazing and the drink met all expectations. It's a very creamy and rich drink but I love that. The smokiness added a wonderful flavor. For food we got the chicken gizzards with chimichuri, and the Mama Wanda which had shrimp, grits and scallop. We were not starving so wanted to share. We also decided to get the curried potatoes which was the winter special side. The chicken gizzards were wonderful. So tasty and the hot sauces and chimichuri they have added so much flavor. I have never tried gizzards but glad my first time was here. The Mama Wanda was a bit underwhelming. I didn't realize it would be one large shrimp we have to cut into and there were no scallops at all, unless it was inside the grits or tiny pieces in the garnish on top. For a $45 dish I didn't think this was worth it. (Forgot to take a picture). Not very much food at all or much unique flavor. We were still hungry by the end and that's why we ordered the potatoes. The potatoes were also expensive for what you get. They have curried slices and an aioli type sauce with edible flowers to garnish on top. However, not worth $14 for that. Also, all the sauce is on the bottom so just make sure you realize that before eating all the potatoes. I do think the presentation of the food was lovely with all the edible flowers. The vibes are also intimate and welcoming. Overall, this place is on the expensive side for value so not sure I'd dine here often. The gizzards and chimichuri were amazing though so willing to try it out for any new specials they bring. The drinks are also expensive as the cocktails were $16 so I feel I would come for a happy hour or just drinks with the girls but not stay too long and maybe grab 1 drink to start or end the night. Glad I tried something new out and thanks for the experience, Nolia.

I walked away saying this was one of the best meals I have had in years. We had the best seats in the house adjacent at the bar next to the open kitchen. Its not a big space so it was great to interact with the kitchen, they were very pleasant and answered any questions we had. We had two different types of oysters, East and West coasts. Both were delicious. We had the tuna, cornbread, rabbit and the daily fish. All were wonderful. The cornbread maybe the best I have ever had, very sweet. Overall I would go back in a minute, although it is pricey.

Nolia was an interesting experience! The Mt. Storm Park was a great drink. The alligator andouille came with a nice dipping sauce. The redfish was cooked perfectly. The sous vide beef tongue was, as promised, a revelation and a treasure. A buttery cornbread made a good if scant starch. The kitchen is in front and open, and the bar is in back (which we found out about later). The décor is industrial eclectic. Because of the small space the tables are close so be ready for possible loud patrons. The chef came by to chat with us which we always appreciate. (One final thing: several hours after our 6 pm meal I got hungry again, which is not usual for me!)

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.

Nothing like getting a last minute reservation to your favorite restaurant and having them exceed your expectations! Pork rinds, crunchy and spicy. Shrimp toast, omg so moist and tasty! Smoked chicken. What could be so good about smoked chicken? Well, our server recommended, first of all. Second... moist, oh so moist. Spicy, but not hot. Tender. Not the chicken that grandma or the kids get. So effing good. Red snapper, just moist, flaky, tender, and bursting with flavor. Did I mention my drink? The Mahalia Jackson. Clarified bourbon and red wine. I rarely order a special drink, but tonight... two! Chef Jeff, you've outdone yourself. Fantastic. We'll see you again soon!

Couldn't have asked for a better anniversary dinner experience than the amazing meal my husband and I shared at Nolia this week. Big thanks to my kids for the gift cards that prompted us to go. Expert and personable server Cole guided us through the menu and helped us make great choices, which included oysters, groundnut soup, skillet corn bread and pork belly to start followed by the lamb neck and veggies main dish to share. As if we weren't already there, we definitively tipped over into the serious greed category with the ooey gooey cake to wrap things up but hey, it was our anniversary. Nolia is a cozy, intimate spot where chef Jeff Harris serves up some serious eats that are as delicious as they are unique. I was not surprised to see that Harris and Nolia made James Beard's list of finalists for the national Best New Restaurant category in 2023. You do pay for the quality but it's worth saving your money to come here and enjoy an absolutely memorable meal.

Small but mighty! This place isn't large inside but goes big in every other manner possible. The service was perfect. Not pretentious just pleasant and patient. I had the Duck, Cauliflower, Cornbread and Sweet Potatoes . The first three of the four are all next level. They also have a nice cocktail list. I had two of the Washington Park( see photo). It's comfortable, with great portion sizes and easy to share on starters and sides.

I am a food enthusiast and seek out fine restaurants when traveling all across the US. After five nights of exploring the food scene in Cincinnati, I can say this was hands-down my favorite restaurant. The cornbread alone could give this restaurant 5 stars. I love cornbread and this was the best I've ever had. The butter recipe is unique and contains a special sugar/syrup only available in New Orleans and they bring it in for this dish. We had the fresh rockfish special with sauteed mushrooms perfectly cooked in a cream sauce that was light but loaded with flavor. The southern chicken was also incredible, skin on, perfectly crisped but tender inside on a bed of roasted corn and vegetables. The dessert amazing as well. Our server Cole was outstanding--clearly a foodie himself with a passion for this restaurant that you rarely see anymore. His suggestions and knowledge of the menu was fantastic. This is a small restaurant that is easy to miss so map it. The interior was impeccable, relaxed, inviting and not too noisy. This is a must visit restaurant when in Cincinnati, I'm so glad we found it.

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!

I heard so many amazing things about this place and I really wanted to love it but I think we just came at the wrong menu rotation. We started with strawberry gazpacho which to me tasted like strawberry yogurt with tomatoes and I really didn't like it, it was off-putting. Cornbread was good, albeit there was way too much butter on top that we removed. Our entrees were the rockfish au poivre with shoestring fries and iberico secreto with fried rice, both of which I thought were very bland in both taste and color. However, we were absolutely delighted with roasted carrots and carrot top pesto.

As a former resident of Nawlins I was pleasantly surprised that this spot is a love letter to the wards. Small, quaint and personable the place and service were exquisite. I saw the small expertly curated menu and was happy to explore. Grabbed a glass of Chaos Theory and my partner shared several dishes like the Crudo Yellowtail with Jalapeño , Caviar Waffle, Skillet Cornbread that can also be a dessert , Entree Fish and rounded out with Bread Pudding. We left full, happy and missing my second home of Nawlins. See pic of menu for prices!

If you're not willing to go in with an open mind and trust the chef, don't go. This is not for picky and anti seafood people. If you're willing to be open minded and just try the most random insane dishes, you'll love it. Server was super helpful in describing things and we weren't disappointed with anything. Such a fun experience to say we ate all this crazy shit. Chef came over twice and was so kind - so much pride in his food art!

I came in from out of town for a wedding and they did not disappoint! My pedicure was beautiful! friendly services

We enjoyed the company of others in the right seating space. Our service was great from the comic of a server. The Giant shrimp was novel.

Delicious!!! The service is great with an open air kitchen. The owner is also the head chef and walks around and engages with everyone. Each dish is prepared with care and they go the extra mile.

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.

I cannot say enough good things about this place. It's inviting, exciting, and the food is absolutely delicious! When I think of southern New Orleans style food I think of great flavors with heavy food. This place definitely brought the flavor but the food didn't feel "heavy". Each bite was a joy in my mouth. We started with their fish dip which was a great introduction to the food. The pinchos were perfect little bites of pork belly. We got the fish and potato dumpling entrees. It was truly a family affair in the kitchen and we enjoyed watching them cook and send the food out. The space is beautifully decorated and located in a corner spot in a near neighborhood. I wish we had this restaurant in my city!!!

This place brought me back to my southern roots in the most modern way. I loved having collard greens in almost every dish. They had a collab with Pata Roja this night with southern style tacos and soup. The flavor combos were so interesting and delicious. They do use squid in all of their cocktails which is definitely unique but overall didn't really change the flavor of the drink. This is a great cozy spot and is beautifully designed.

If you're in Cincinnati I HIGHLY recommend visiting Nolia!! We checked into our hotel and found this restaurant on Yelp. Loved the reviews and OMGGGGGG the food is to die!! We kept on ordering plates because everything was just so delicious. My faves were Shrimp Toast, Crudo, Cornbread, Squash & Fish Au Poivre. Note: Menu changes every 90 days!! Plus, the attention to detail we witnessed in the open kitchen was impressive. And, the Chef constantly came by to chat and check on our experience. Edit: You guys!!! The chef just came out and opened the door for us as we were leaving and thanked us for coming. Could this place get any better? Next time, we're in the state of Ohio, we will be coming here!

Went back to Nolia on Saturday night and guess what... it's still incredible. The menu is changing on Wednesday and I can't wait to try the new stuff. For the first time we had the crawfish remoulade, oysters, and the turnips. All were bomb. The mignonette for the oysters was crazy good. Perfectly acidic and vinegary. The crawfish remoulade was shockingly light and refreshing. The blue oven bread puts it over the top. The turnips are a surprise to the senses. Seared like a scallop. The peas that come with it are crazy. Service is top knotch. Max made the night awesome. The restaurant is perfect. Would eat there every night if I could. It's clean and the vibes are immaculate. Please go and keep this place busy!

Y'all! It's obvious why this restaurant is always booked! Everything from the drink (strong and delicious) to the service (phenomenal), the music, the vibe and of course the FOOD was amazing. I have never tasted a catfish like this one. There was love in it. I ate slow, savored it all and stayed around a while because I was so comfortable. I sincerely cannot wait to go back and try the next menu.

I had heard great things before going but I was sadly disappointed. The food was underwhelming and overpriced. The only good thing was the cornbread skillet.

i was in town for a few days and lucked up on snagging a late dinner resy with my besties. the vibe, food, service, aesthetics - all amazing!!! if you have a chance to check this place out, please do yourself a favor and treat yourself. the establishment is small, but makes for a very cutesy and quaint experience. the food was insane - so good! hats off to the chef - who is hands on in the kitchen and ensures that his guests are welcomed. such a great otr addition - i will def be back!

Now this - this dinner was an experience. An experience that deserves five stars, there's no doubt in my mind. I was in town on business and needed to make a dinner reservation, preferably somewhere I've never been. Nolia was recommended and after checking them out on Yelp, I was sold. I made a reservation about a week in advance and while the time slots were limited, that just sealed the deal even more. Make a reservation well in advance, friends. When I arrived I was greeted right away by what appeared to be the entire staff for the night. I didn't know what to expect but the kitchen was right there in the middle of the dining room and I loved it! They were all gathered around discussing their new fall menu and I was thrilled that I happened to be there the first day it was out. While the menu was limited, it was super creative and the way our server described each dish made it very hard to make a decision. Eventually I settled on their cucumber gazpacho to start, on the crab small plate for my entree, the street corn as my side, and their cheesecake for dessert. Everything came out beautifully and it didn't take long for each dish to follow the other. The gazpacho totally changed my mind on cold soups. The street corn was ok. The crab cakes were top notch. And you can never go wrong with cheesecake. It's no wonder that the chef is a 2023 James Beard Award nominee. Not only was the menu and ambiance wonderful, Chef Jeff came right over to our table to make sure everything was great. Talk about amazing service. I was definitely blown away by my dining experience here and I can't wait to come back. I definitely recommend it.

I am very torn on this review. This restaurant is up for a James Beard award for new restaurant. I thought the owner was absolutely lovely and I want to support his business. The service was really great. The interior a nice place for dinner. I felt like the food was hit or miss- as I really loved several items and didn't love a couple. My two favorite things were the cornbread and the sweet potato pie. Both were excellent. I also really enjoyed a taste of my friends flounder... And I am a fish snob so I have a high bar and the dish met it. I was not a big fan of the duck and oyster gumbo or in the goat gnocchi. I wouldn't order either again.

This spot is definitely a Cincinnati southern gem. My husband took me here for my birthday dinner and I was pleasantly surprised by the ambiance as soon as I walked in the door. The seasonal menu included foods that gave Southern comfort and new feel and classic dishes that hit the spot. The service was exceptional and our server made sure we were even able to meet the chef and owner. I'd say this was definitely a birthday to remember.

Everything about this place is incredible. The service is always phenomenal, the food is amazing, and the ambiance is perfect. This is typically our night out go to and every time we bring someone new they love it. You can't go wrong with any of their menu options and they switch up the menu to keep it seasonal. There was one crab claw dish that they had that I can't stop thinking about to this day!

Been wanting to check to this place out since they opened up. I loved the concept and the dream behind it all. The place is small but spacious, very well decorated and spotless. Overall the atmosphere is great, hence its small you still have privacy. One things that stool put for me was the service. The restaurant feels like a higher end place but at the same time it homey. they make you feel comfortable and homey . Their food and drink menu has enough options for all kinds of taste buds. We ordered the the Juvie and the Soulja slim, both were incredibly tasty. Soulja slim is for a fresh sweeter taste, and the Juvie is more of a bitter taste. To eat we had the greens as a side, the Quail and the special of that night which is not in the menu, I believe it's a half bird. Both places were delicious I can't even describe how well cooked everything was. Also, the hot sauce on the table is on point! Plates were a really good portion, so we had cornbread to go, that is deft a must try. I love this place, I will for sure be coming back and highly recomend it.

Wowowow so happy that we made reservations for their last Sunday brunch for the season. What an absolute gem of a place. Green accents and open kitchen right in the center that makes you feel like you're in someone's Southern home for Sunday brunch, The food was incredible. The fried chicken was crispy and cooked perfectly. Biscuits were fluffy and fresh. The fried green tomatoes were AMAZING. So crispy and thin - paired perfectly with a creamy dill sauce. Also got the stewed okra with grits which was so comforting and filling. Will need to come back here again to check out their dinner menu soon!

Can't say enough! Nolia has put a creative twist and made southern NOLA cooking upscale and delicious! It's got a quaint atmosphere with an open cooking area. I chatted with the staff the whole time. Cocktails were on point with an ode to Ninth! Tip : try the Juvie for an ode to No Limit Soldiers! The redfish is delicate and in a flavorful sauce. Corn Maque Choux topped with two crunchy oysters was delish. They described the oysters as "jerk" which didn't come through tho :( the fried green tomatoes were sizable but fried a bit too hard for my taste. They came with a slamming aioli. My friend had the board and the pickled okra and terrine were to die for! Our waiter Max was excellent! Actually we had the best time with all the staff!

I have been wanting to eat at Nolia for a while. Followed chef from Oakley Kitchen, where I ate often. Nolia was next level experience! We, of course, started with drinks, I had the specialty cocktail of the day, and my friend had the H2O melon drink. We enjoyed it so much we had a 2nd round. We opted for the crab boulettes and skillet cornbread as our apps. The crab dish was amazing, as was the cornbread. I also love and appreciate the presentation! The beginning was so good I ended up eating Jerk rabbit for the main course. The waiter was so convincing. I have never had rabbit. My family is from the south, and many of them eat it, but Nolia got me to try it. Let me say I am glad I went for it. The jerk seasoning was awesome. I'm amazed. My friend had the monk fish with crab special. She was pleased too. It was a great evening.

Nestled in the heart of OTR, this corner building is small probably seats 20 maximum but it's a very clean kitchen that is also efficient in service. My guy dropped me off so he could find a parking spot and not miss our reservation spot. I was immediately seated where Brooke promptly greeted me with water and a smile. I ordered the fried tomatoes as an appetizer. They came out hot and crispy with a creamy dill sauce that paired very nicely. The tomato itself was a little raw (I like it a little more tender) but tolerable. We both ordered a waffle to go with a 4 piece of chicken, and an order of red beans and rice (small bowl). Keep in mind they only have dark meat at this place. It's just the way it is. The chef brought our meat and waffles out to us. The breading on the chicken was brown, flavorful and crispy. They had a dark molasses type syrup that reminded you of Alaga (old school southern favorite), if it weren't. I shook a little hot sauce on my chicken and drizzled the syrup on my waffle and chicken and ate heartily. It was very good. Even the red beans and rice was a hit in my book. We told the chef we'd be back! For dinner next time!

I can't believe this place has such good reviews. Service and cocktails were great. The food was not good. I am so confused about the Chef's menu choices. Maybe we just came at a really bad time of year as I know the menu changes. I love raw oysters and these were really bad. They were creamy in the middle and I literally almost gagged at the table. The mignonette was also not vinegary and shallot-y enough. It was slightly sweet and didn't have good flavor. The cornbread and butter were probably the highlight of the night, but still tasted slightly stale. Almost like it was cooked that morning and re-heated. The kebab skewers were REALLY disappointing. I am still so confused about the chef's choice here. They are short rib skewers and served rare. Who does that? Short ribs are really tough unless they are cooked for a long time. I've never heard of someone cooking short ribs on the grill and served rare?! So chewy and weird. I love my steak medium rare and I can handle a bit of a chew, but this was inedible. The sauce was similar to a pesto and didn't pair well with the beef. Do not order this dish. The swordfish was also really weird. They served it with a picatta-esque sauce and shoestrong potatoes on top. This was okay I guess, but very odd combination that didn't work. The meal was over $200 and I left feel disappointed. Overpriced and food was just bad, I'm sorry!

Have been wanting to try Nolia and it did not disappoint! A very charming little restaurant with an upscale, modern interpretation of southern cuisine. My friend and I split the jerk rabbit, blackened ham, and a side of street corn. While our server told us the jerk rabbit is their most popular dish (and it was delicious) the ham was our favorite - so well flavored and tender, I've never had ham like that before. Served with peach bbq baked beans that had a delightful smokey flavor + a spicy cabbage slaw, both perfect complements. The jerk rabbit was flavored to perfection and came on a plantain mole that was delightful and unique. Corn was also very good. All around a wonderful meal. Gluten free friends - the menu is clearly marked with plenty of options! The food was amazing, but the drinks were mixed. Get the Pitbull, which was almost like a light piña colada! Very good and a much better cocktail vs. the whiskey sour type drink I got. Next time, I'll stick with wine.

We have been a couple times and Nolia is only getting better and more refined in flavor. The service was fast and chef is so personable! Not too loud ever and nice vibe! We will be back!

Vibes: intimate, cafe-style seating surrounding an open kitchen; bring a date or a couple good friends Tasting notes: - Big Tymers: served in a tall glass; very sweet but refreshing; ginger forward; fizz comes in the back end of the sip; deceivingly strong drink - Crab claws: lightly marinated with herbs; very fresh and sweet meat; appreciated the de-shelling that made it easy to access the meat and dip into the cocktail sauce - Cornbread: very generous dollop of soft butter; bread itself had an incredible crust from the cast iron that made for a delightful and addicting spoonful; neither too dense nor too airy in terms of crumb - Lamb steak: thick, juicy, buttery bite; herbs added a mild flavor; grains were almost creamy - Pickled vegetables: loved the umami-rich paste reminiscent of miso on the collard greens; radish, plum, string beans were very crunchy; complemented the rich fattiness of the lamb - Dunkunu: presented with pansies; lightly spiced with slightly bitter aftertaste; texture itself was a thick mush Other thoughts: - Friendly, attentive service - Above courses were satisfying for two moderately hungry adults and very shareable in portion size - Every table seemed to order the cheesecake, and they ran out near the end of dinner service! Impression: absolutely a dinner to remember - I could eat five more pans of the cornbread and several plates of the crab claws!

This was my first time at this restaurant and it was a great experience. The ambiance was cozy with some nice mix of hip hop jams playing softly in the background. The service was quick, friendly, and helpful. The food was outstanding, except for one sour note. We ordered the crab boulettes, which tasted like how crab cakes wished they tasted. The cornbread, which came with what I think was apple butter and was perfect in taste and texture. The brussel sprouts were cooked perfectly with a great charred crisp and had a nice sweet front with a mild spice in its finish. The seafood combo came with good cold seafood accompanied by a very tasty cocktail sauce and some sort of vinegar dip, both of which complimented the seafood well. There was also an order of potatoes cooked to a nice fluffy interior with a great crispy exterior. The main proteins were a jerk rabbit and pork belly. The jerk rabbit was cooked well though the jerk seasoning may have muted some of the more mild rabbit flavors, it was nonetheless cooked and flavored well. The pork belly was ok, it tasted just fine but it was a bit more underwhelming in flavor. Generally, pork belly needs a strong seasoning to cut through the fat and provide a wider range of flavor, something lacking a bit in this dish. The real sour note were the beans accompanying the pork belly. The beans were pinto beans, cooled in literally the worst way possible. They were dry, chalky, and lacking seasoning. I think the idea was to make it in maybe the style of a chinese/asian red bean, but it was bad- but too small of a detail to affects the review. I highly recommend this place! Fyi... Our car got broken into during dinner so be careful where you park.

By far our fave new restaurant in Cincinnati. Nolia was delish and a great experience. A beautiful space and lovely, attentive service. We had the oyster maque choux, cornbread (couldn't stop eating it), bbq chicken and pork and peas (huge serving). I meant to take pics of everything but honestly we devoured it all and I only got a pic of the cornbread. I would order all of these dishes again but look forward to trying others too. Can't wait to come back. I almost forgot, definitely try their homemade hot sauce. So good!

Everything was DELICIOUS! We tried so many things and really enjoyed all of it. The staff was very friendly and attentive. It was hot when we arrived and they brought a fan out for us to help keep us cool. Highly recommend the corn bread. It's great for an appetizer or my favorite, dessert.

All around incredible dining experience from start to finish. Our service was fantastic, as was our food. We started with cocktails - absolutely loved the Young Thug (definitely try if you enjoy Sazeracs). Then we had the skillet cornbread - the generous helping of butter on top was perfect. Then came the crab boulettes - sort of like crab cakes, but more crab, less breading and more delicious. The sea trout was our main entree - it was incredibly flavorful and I could have finished two easily because it was that good. We finished with the creole cheesecake - again, only regret is I didn't order another dessert because it was so tasty. Highly recommend coming here for the best food!

Really enjoyed our dinner experience, it was our first time dining here and we were greeted immediately by Chef upon entering the restaurant. We had reservations and were seated right away. The table service was phenomenal, we had our place settings changed out between each course. Our table was next to the kitchen and we had a front row to all the action. Oysters were delightful, they came with a vinegar sauce which was very refreshing and something we hadn't had before. The cornbread is a must along with the catfish and pork chop. We really enjoyed our experience and look forward to our return.

2nd time back and there's a new dinner and cocktail menu! (They change every 90 days). We're officially hooked on this establishment!!! Everything we had was absolutely delicious. We did not leave a single morsel of food on the plates. The duck dish, 12/10.

My wife and I are foodies/like to try new things. We travel a ton and coordinate restaurants well in advance of our arrival. Nolia... in our own city, turned out to be one of the best meals we've ever had. Jeffrey and his group are just amazing... Food, ambiance, attitude, and service. Five Stars all around.

I really can't say enough wonderful things about this place. Every dish is incredibly well thought out. Unexpected ingredients and flavors abound. There were no bad bites, but the pecan flounder is worth the reservation. The chef had a little time and spoke to our table for a long time. Made me like this place even more learning his incredible story. Overall, one of my favorites in the area!

Finally made it in to Nolia, and on Mardi Gras no less . Started with some wine (half off full bottles during happy hour), and started with the jackfruit (meaty texture fried, with a sour pickled salad--real interesting but I definitely made use of the house made hot sauce to bump up the flavor), and goat gnocchi( 8/10 gnocchi, 10/10 goat--so tender and not gamey at all!). We went for the duck breast and fried oyster gumbo as a main and it was amazing! Duck breast was well cooked and seasoned and the oyster was well-fried (not too heavy at all). This dish is definitely more meat than gumbo, and I'm all for that. Not pictured, but the blue corn grits side was superb and the dessert rice pudding and ice cream were interesting. I miss Please that used to be here, but will definitely be back again to try the rest of the Nolia menu!

Rushed to make a reservation since this restaurant was listed as one of the best new restaurants in the US. The cornbread was definitely the best thing we ordered - the butter on top was delicious. Callaloo was not great and kind of bitter, only ordered it due to limited vegetable options. Cornish hen and lamb shank were good but overpriced. I think we would have left the dinner on an okay note until the dessert arrived. We were severely disappointed by the buttermilk pie.... It looked like a sad deflated quesadilla. :( Really wanted to like this place but in general was simply too expensive for what you get.

Nolia is top notch. I have been here twice now, once in September and once in October so two separate menus since they change it ever 90 days or so. The food was amazing both times. Every bite is so flavorful. The cornbread is a must. The pinchos (pork cheek) were bursting with flavor, we savored every bite. The oysters with the Nolia hot sauce were so good, we could have made a whole meal of them. We also split the potato dumplings and the partridge entrees. The potato dumplings were my favorite out of the entrees. The service was also great. We were checked on regularly, but not to the point where it would be annoying. Our drinks were kept full. The servers were knowledgeable of the menu. I loved being able to see the head chef and other cooks at work, being able to see the art of the meals from start to finish. The chefs were so personable with their greetings when we walked in and left, despite being busy. We really enjoyed our experience and I can't wait to come back for the next menu and bring more friends and family

Outstanding service. Creative food choices. Definitely worth the trip. It's a small dining room, so my best advice is to get there early with preservations. The place fills up fast. A little hard to find so allocate extra time for parking. We are already playing our next visit !