Cincinnati chili is not your typical bowl of red. With sweet spices like cinnamon and cocoa, this unique sauce gets ladled over spaghetti and topped with mountains of cheese, beans, and onions to create the legendary 3-Way, 4-Way, and 5-Way dishes that locals crave. Whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned chili fan, this guide will take you to 15 must-visit spots where the tradition is alive, the coneys are perfect, and the cheese is always shredded just right.
1. Camp Washington Chili (Camp Washington)
Camp Washington Chili holds the crown as Cincinnati’s most celebrated chili parlor, earning a James Beard America’s Classics award back in 2000. This landmark has been slinging chili since 1940, and stepping inside feels like traveling back in time with its vintage counter and friendly staff.
Open nearly around the clock from Monday morning through Saturday afternoon, it closes only on Sundays. The 5-Way here is a masterpiece of layered flavors, and the cheese coneys are crispy, meaty, and absolutely addictive.
Locals and visitors alike make pilgrimages here because the quality never wavers. Every bite reminds you why this place set the standard for Cincinnati chili.
2. Skyline Chili (Clifton on Ludlow, plus many more)
Skyline Chili is the name most out-of-towners recognize, and for good reason. With dozens of locations across the region, it is the easiest entry point into the world of Cincinnati chili…