Cincinnati's food scene gets better each year with new, delicious restaurants opening up alongside longstanding favorites. We have family-owned diners tucked away in alleys, chili parlors scattered around the city, and fine dining options with stellar city views. With so many incredible opportunities for memorable meals, it can feel overwhelming to want to try them all. Thankfully, Cincinnati has an answer to this dilemma with our city's extremely popular Taste of Cincinnati event, held each year during Memorial Day Weekend. This epic outdoor food fest is happening in just a few days and it's a Cincinnati gathering that you simply cannot miss.
The Taste of Cincinnati is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year as our country's longest running free culinary festival.
Every year, locals flock to downtown to taste the best our city has to offer.
With over 550,000 visitors, it's definitely the most epic outdoor food fest in Cincinnati and one of the largest in the nation.
This year, more than 50 restaurants and food trucks will line 5th Street downtown between Main Street and just east of Sentinel Street.
You'll be able to find a little of everything as you walk these four scrumptious blocks of downtown.
You can expect to find a wide variety of tasty food at the booths and food trucks that line the street at Taste of Cincinnati.
There's a full list of participating eateries on the festival's website (linked below) so you can check to see if your favorite restaurant will be there. Even if it's not, make the trip down there anyway and try something new!
In addition to the dozens of food booths at the festival, there are also plenty of drink options to wash it all down.
The festival also offers a section just for the city's best food trucks and historic Findlay Market basically sets up shop in its own area of the event.
While most visitors make this an annual tradition to try the food, the entertainment is also a major highlight.
This year, the festival will have its first ever Music Bash on Sunday evening.
Though the food festival is free to attend, this special event does require a purchased ticket. The concert includes stellar performances by The B-52s, Rick Springfield, and Loverboy. You can spend the day trying the best food in Cincinnati, and then relive the '80s with this awesome lineup. There are also activities and rides available throughout the weekend, making it a great family-friendly event.
The Taste of Cincinnati takes places this weekend, May 26-28, 2018, along 5th Street and is free to attend. You simply pay for the food and drinks you wish to try, as you enjoy the lively atmosphere and fun-filled vibe of this can't miss event.
If you have yet to make a trip to the Taste of Cincinnati an annual tradition, add it to your schedule this Memorial Day Weekend and taste the best the Queen City has to offer.
Taste of Cincinnati is a tradition in the Queen City that you really can't miss. Do you attend this outdoor food fest every year? What's your favorite food spot to hit up during the festival? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
To learn even more about the Taste of Cincinnati, visit the festival's website here or follow along on their Facebook page here.
For another food festival in Cincinnati that is also worth a visit, check out our previous article here.
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