Salazar Cincinnati

We were privileged to eat at Salazar before he opened to the public, and then again before Christmas. We cannot be more thrilled that it is back! The place is lovely with different rooms that each have their own ambiance. We were seated in the room with the fireplace the first time, and it was lovely and full of energy. The second time we were seated in the room behind the bar, and it was more subdued and private. When we go again, I would request the room that would accommodate our needs for the night. The management is ever present, which is delightful. Our servers both times were fantastic. It is obvious that they like where they work, and respect Chef Jose and his concepts and food immensely. Here is what we ate and drank and our thoughts: The No.5, Papi Chulo, and Bruce Banner were perfectly balanced cocktails and tasty. Chicken Liver Mousse – Large portion of lovely mousse with a strawberry jam and yummy granola. We ordered this both times. Sunchokes – a surprisingly amazing combination of flavors. We ordered this both times as well. Didn't know what a sunchoke was, but we do now! Little Fried Oyster Slider – there is a reason why this was brought back from the original Salazar! Prime Beef Tartare – We love beef tartare and this was the most unique version we have ever had in a great way. Don’t think literally about the beef tartare you know, enjoy this take on it. Snow Crab Salad – A cool, perfectly dressed mound of deliciousness. My only issue is that it should be served with crackers and not two little biscuits. Parisian Gnocchi – ordered both times and fantastic. They were both a skosh different but each great. Mezzi Rigatoni – this was our least favorite that night, but still a good dish. A bite of the preserved lemon makes a punch that overpowers the other flavors. And the Brussel sprouts didn’t add much. The crab and crumbs were tasty. Chicken Breast – lovely combination of flavors and perfectly tender chicken. Scallops-we actually didn't have these here, but at his other restaurant Safi, and they are wonderful. With Chef Jose’s Mita’s across the street, you cannot go wrong on this corner of downtown Cincinnati. Highly recommended. He knows what he is doing with all things food and hospitality.

A Flawless Dining Experience at Salazar Salazar delivered one of the most memorable meals I’ve had in a long time. What truly amazed me was the consistency—every dish was exceptional. The bright, beautifully balanced salad, the silky and perfectly seasoned chicken mousse, and the incredibly flavorful chicken entrée each flowed seamlessly into the next. The flavors were bold yet refined, and the execution was flawless from start to finish. Add in warm, attentive service, and it became an evening I won’t forget. Salazar is pure excellence—highly recommended.

Salazar has excellent food, kind, thoughtful staff- and incredible service. I'd describe the atmosphere as elevated but chill. I loved the music and we met cool people. You also can't go wrong with anything you order. You'd be missing out if you didn't try it. 🥂 ✨

May this place never leave downtown Cincy ! I’ve never had a bad meal from any of the Salazar restaurants. It’s effortlessly inviting , sexy and the food is great . Date worthy , plenty of parking options and the drinks can contend with the best of them . Pictured is a NO.5 cocktail, The fried oyster sandwich, and the blue crab salad. This is your sign to go again and again.

What a great evening! The friendly welcome comes from the front of the house as the back of the house are very busy creating amazing breads and dishes.

I recently hosted a business dinner for seven at Salazar and had a great experience. We started at the bar, where the service was attentive and the seasonal cocktail was a standout for the group. Once seated, our server Paige walked us through the menu with helpful guidance. The potato gnocchi and creste de gallo were my favorites, while the smoked trout appetizer was the table’s top pick. The menu leans seafood-forward but still offers a variety of other options. The ambiance is refreshing, and the dining room’s proximity to the kitchen adds an energetic atmosphere. Overall, a great setting for a business meal with good food and service.

Recently opened. Still has a lot of service issues to resolve, especially with inattentive waiters which they seem to be weeding out. Beautiful venue. Comfort seating and noise level. Many dishes had unique ingredients or preparation. We dine out often but still needed to have several menu terms explained. We tried several appetizers, all delicious. Fish entrees were wonderful. Desserts were terrific! Impressed that management quickly and generously corrected the service issues we experienced. This place will quickly be in Cincinnati's top 10 places to dine.

Visited Salazar with a great group of friends ahead of the hectic Holiday week - the food was yummy and fresh, but the friendly service and amazing staff are what really elevated the experience. Despite the busyness of the venue, we never waited long for any order or dish to arrive. Our server was knowledgeable and offered on-point advice for navigating the menu and making the most of our dining experience. My husband also has many food allergies (gluten and dairy among them) and they went to whatever lengths they could to accommodate him, which we really appreciated! The food was very tasty, but for the price point we were expecting to be blown away– close, but not quite there. Beef tongue, scallops and risotto, and veggies were the stars of the show for us. The bread service I had was also fantastic! Overall worth a visit to try it out, I look forward to seeing how Salazar continues to concept new menu items.