Boca, Nicola's among 21 Cincinnati restaurants on AAA's first Diamond list of 2024

Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer
·1 min read
Mita's in downtown Cincinnati is one of 21 restaurants to land on AAA's first Diamond Designation list of 2024.
Mita's in downtown Cincinnati is one of 21 restaurants to land on AAA's first Diamond Designation list of 2024.

Looking for a fine dining experience with an upscale atmosphere, remarkable service and outstanding cuisine? AAA has you covered.

Over a dozen Greater Cincinnati restaurants made AAA’s first Diamond Designation list of 2024. AAA has been giving travelers recommendations for the best hotels and restaurants nationwide since 1937. Restaurants featured on the list are evaluated based on cleanliness, comfort, cuisine and consistency, and then placed into one of four possible categories:

  • Five Diamonds: Offers leading-edge cuisine, ingredients and preparation, and has extraordinary service and surroundings.

  • Four Diamonds: Offers a distinctive fine dining experience, good service and an upscale ambiance.

  • Three Diamonds: Offers trendy food skillfully presented in a remarkable setting.

  • Approved: Meet the industry-leading standards of AAA inspections.

Although no Cincinnati area restaurants made the Five Diamond category, two local eateries received Four Diamond ratings: Boca in downtown Cincinnati and Nicola's in Pendleton. The following 12 restaurants earned Three Diamond ratings:

  • 20 Brix (Milford).

  • Jag's Steak & Seafood (West Chester).

  • Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse (Downtown).

  • Mita's (Downtown).

  • Pepp & Dolores (Over-the-Rhine).

  • Phoenician Tavern (Mason).

  • The Precinct (Columbia Tusculum).

  • Primavista (East Price Hill).

  • The Quarter Bistro (Mariemont).

  • Sotto (Downtown).

  • S.W. Clyborne Co. (Mason).

  • Truva Turkish Kitchen (Kenwood).

Hofbrauhaus Newport was one of seven local restaurants featured on AAA's Approved dining category.
Hofbrauhaus Newport was one of seven local restaurants featured on AAA's Approved dining category.

Seven local restaurants received AAA's Approved designation:

  • Arthur's (Hyde Park).

  • Hofbrauhaus Newport (Newport).

  • Maplewood Kitchen and Bar (Downtown).

  • Moerlein Lager House (The Banks).

  • Senate (Blue Ash).

  • Taste of Belgium: Bistro on Vine (Over-the-Rhine).

  • Taste of Belgium (Liberty Township).

Whisky's Family Restaurant in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, also received an "Approved" rating.

To be considered for the Diamond Designation list, restaurants must apply for and pass an unannounced inspection. AAA Diamond lists are updated monthly, as inspectors visit hotels and restaurants throughout the year.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 21 Cincinnati restaurants make AAA's first Diamond Designations of 2024