Taste of Belgium Clifton
2845 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH, 45219
Taste of Belgium Clifton Menu
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Address :
2845 Vine St
Cincinnati, OH, 45219 - Phone (513) 394-7105
- Website https://authenticwaffle.com/locations/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Victoria K.
One of my favorite brunch spots in Clifton, if not in Cincinnati. If the OTR location is too cramped for your liking, head on over to Short Vine. Ample seating, great customer service and wonderful food makes any dining occasion pleasant. Favorite dishes include Chicken & Waffles, Machine Gun, Goetta Hash, Smoked Salmon Baguette, etc etc etc. The coffee drinks are always great, the beer selection is fantastic, and last time I was there (Friday) I saw they had sangria pitchers for $15. Could this place be any better? If you haven't been yet, do yourself a favor, and go!
(5)Kyle W.
Just visited here for brunch with my girlfriend. The food was great and the atmosphere was neat. I would recommend this place to anyone in the area who is looking to try some Belgian food. I'm not sure if it's completely authentic, but from what I saw myself, it sure seems like it! I had the Traditional Crepe, which is made with a gluten-free buckwheat and had a honey Dijon mustard glaze. It was amazing. My girlfriend got the Smoked Salmon Sandwich which was also good, although the salmon may be a little different some people's tastes as it is smoked and not grilled. She loved the bread. Along with these things we got to try some of the Fritas which had some amazing dip and we had a bowl of mixed berries that seemed to be fresh picked!
(4)Emilia L.
I have been to Cincinnati many, many times and had always noticed Taste of Belgium in OTR. I didn't realize it was a local chain, so when my sister-in-law asked what I wanted for lunch while visiting Cincy recently, I decided on Taste of Belgium! We ended up at the Clifton location because our first stop at the Rookwood(?) location had an hour wait. We ended up waiting 45 minutes at the Clifton location, anyway. Argh. Along with the long wait, I made the unfortunate decision to eat outside (it's so NICE out!) and we had a bee trying to join us for lunch. We all ordered the "Waffle and Chicken," as it is listed on the menu. It is, by far, the most popular choice. Now, keep in mind that the waffles here are truly Belgian-style... if you are picturing the plate-sized light and crispy waffle that you get at most brunch spots, this is not it. A true Belgian waffle is irregularly shaped (but closer to a rectangle), extremely dense with a hint of sweetness in the batter. As we were waiting to be seated, we watched the waffles being made. Instead of a liquidy batter, they are balls of extremely thick dough, very much like Play-Doh or clay. The balls of dough get smushed in the waffle iron and turned into Belgian waffles. Just a friendly little PSA for those not in the know! For me, I did not enjoy the authentic, dense waffle as I do the kind that is served in most other brunch spots. I think that was the problem. The waffle was also served with hot sauce (think Texas Pete, not very spicy in my opinion, more sour than anything) and maple syrup. I used the syrup more than the hot sauce, for sure. The chicken tenders were very light and crispy, and not very greasy. Unfortunately, I found them a tiny bit bland, so I did end up using some of the hot sauce. Additionally, service was extremely slow. I don't know if it had to do with the fact that we were seated outside. My SIL told me service is always this slow. Would I go again? Probably on a weekday at an off-hour, yes. I'd try something different next time.
(3)Timothy D.
had the chicken and waffle and the goetta bowl. The chicken and waffle was absolutely terrible. Very dry and too many sweet notes. Bowl was pretty good but not outstanding.
(2)Carrie H.
Alright well I am by no means a Taste of Belgium fan based on the OTR location, but the Clifton location has redeemed it. First of all there's space! You aren't sitting and/or standing on one another. The food is the same but let's talk about the bar. They have around 20 beers on draft. And over 12 local beers in cans also, among others. Now I know our bartender doesn't work everyday but he was good. Andy wasn't just a bartender, he had great places to suggest around the city to try. He was very knowledgable about all the craft beers they had and when I wasn't a huge fan of one he suggested another. The environment was very trendy and they have a garage door they can open on nice days with outdoor seating. They had great prices for craft beer. If you are in Clifton definitely stop for a beer at the bar!
(5)Elizabeth Y.
I arrived 15 minutes before the place opened, but they were really nice in letting me come inside and avoid waiting outside in the cold. Few minutes later, they told me I could sit at the bar until they open, but the bartender was nice in letting me get a coffee once it finished brewing. I was new to the city, so he offered some suggestions for exploring more food options. THis place gets an A for customer service! Now for their waffles - I ordered their banana nutella waffle for a decent price of $5! I have to say, I've never had waffles like this. Usually you get waffles that have a fluffy pancake like texture (of course usually most places use the same pancake mix to make waffles as well). But the waffles from this place are more buttery and crumbly, like a scone. Turns out that their waffles are made from dough which gives them more density. And if that wasn't enough, I also ordered their Beer Cheese Pretzels - 2 pretzels served with a cheese dip infused with raspberry lambic and topped with some chives. Pretzels were so soft and warm, and melded very well with the cheese dip. I would highly recommend. Overall I would highly recommend this place to anyone who comes to visit or for anyone at all. Fairly close to the UC campus.
(5)Dana O.
This place is absolutely fantastic!!! There is seating outside and inside, and all the staff is friendly and knowledgable. I had a waffle and eggs. I mixed smoked Gouda with my eggs and almost died because both were so ridiculously delicious. The waffles are small and dense; they have a good texture and flavor - they don't even need butter! My dining companion had the Goetta Hash and it was a perfect mix of ingredients. I tried it and it was amazing - better than any breakfast scramble I've ever had. They also have a huge beer selection, both on tap and in cans or bottles. They have the basics, but they also have a great selection of craft beers. You MUST ask for Gabe. He's incredible and I pretty much wished he was dining with us the entire time we were eating. He knows everything about Cincy and is super friendly and personable. I wanted him to come on the other side of the counter (we were sitting at the bar) and join us in eating and taking shots, but alas, he was working. If you're looking for brunch, breakfast, or any other food in Cincy, you have to try Taste of Belgium.
(5)Nicole M.
Came here for brunch. I ordered the savory Nati crepe which was good, but a little dry for my taste. I asked for salsa on the side but the salsa is more of a pico. It just seems like it's missing something...needs more cheese and some kind of sauce. The crepe itself was the best part, very thick. I also tried the banana Nutella waffle. Nothing spectacular here either. Waffle was very dense. Service was good, but expect a wait if you come during peak breakfast times.
(4)Katy S.
Oh YUM! When a friend suggested brunch here, I was excited based on the name alone! We arrived and were told we would have a wait. We stopped at the bar and put in an order for mimosas. As soon as they arrived our table was ready! The service was quick and the food was delicious! The spiciness of the chicken on the chicken and waffles was perfect - probably the best chicken and waffles I've ever had. I also had some of the ham and brie omelette and the fries. All were good. The dinner menu looked quite interesting too! Great spot for waffles!
(5)Mary P.
If you are looking for the best brunch in the city, I might have to recommend ToB. We usually head to the Clifton location, especially when UC is out since it is larger and typically less crowded than the OTR spot. The food is excellent at both places and you can't tell a difference. As someone that has sampled bloodies around the city, this might be the best one. I still want the fancy add-ins like The Eagle, but the sauce is delicious and spicy. So, so good. The first time you try ToB definitely go for the chicken and waffle and get a side of frites. The chicken is deliciously spicy, so at this point I usually switch to a beer to balance the heat. The frites are perfectly fried, not too greasy, and come with a sauce I want to bathe in. Everything I've tried is delicious, from the sweet waffles and crepes to my other favorite, the goetta hash. Add some bechamel sauce for a decadent hangover cure. Can't wait for the Rookwood location to open, though I'll probably be frequenting far more often!
(5)Claire W.
We came with a group of 9 and the kind wait staff was able to seat us within 30 minutes. While waiting we sat at the bar and helped ourselves to some coffee. Our waiter was extremely nice and quick to refill our water and drinks, but unfortunately the kitchen was running extremely slow and it took a very long time to receive our brunch meal. My friend ordered fresh berries after he finished and it took over 15 minutes for them to bring it out which was disappointing. The meal itself was extremely delicious- I got the McWaffle. I did feel like the portions were a little small and I wished that they have a more extensive side menu. The waffles themselves seemed to have some syrup baked into them which was a great surprise. Overall I loved this restaurant and I would go back, but be prepared for a wait!
(4)Bianca D.
tl;dr pastries aren't that great. good drink selection, dinner menu is the best part Okay, I've explored the whole menu of ToB and still have to say my 3 stars still stand: 1) Macarons- not good 2) Other Pastries (cheesecakes and tarts)- good but not impressive 3) waffles- I prefer american ones. The dense buttery shortbread texture just doesn't hit the spot for me. 4) Dinner fare- the best part of the menu. Great burgers, mussels, the chicken part of the chicken&waffles dish is the best part, the salad is quite good. 5) great beer and wine selection (huge!) 6) Good and strong espresso, Average milk foaming skills 8) quality vanilla bean gelato 9) crepes are too thick and doughy 10) service is always fabulous This ToB is a little more corporate feeling! The atmosphere is a bit huge with high ceilings and stone floors. The other ToB locations feel more like cute cafes. My other review of OTR ToB will tell you that I am not a fan of european style waffles (and consequently their chicken waffle dish)or their macarons. However I'm determined to try ToB until I find something I like! Today I tried the 'natti crepe with goetta, cheese, egg, and sauteed peppers. ($7) I think the crepe was WAY too thick, and the egg cooked in between just weighed it down even more. The goetta did not contribute much flavor since it was ground into tiny pieces, the cheese and the peppers were the best parts. I also had an Affogato, DELICIOUS ($5). A shot of espresso poured over vanilla bean gelato. The gelato was top notch, and you could see and taste the vanilla bean (my fav)! It's usually $8 and comes with a waffle, their "waffogato" but I ask for it sans waffle and was charged for each thing separately, very kind of the waiter. On a more positive note, my friend really enjoyed the burger and fries ($12), aioli included ! She did say the goat cheese was a little overpowering, but a little does go a long way. Burger also included apple and bacon, came on a brioche bun. The waiter even asked how she wanted her burger cooked, I like that! Nothing is worse than a well done burger. Update: I went back today just to try some confections from their desert case. While they weren't bad, I wasn't wow-ed either. The cheesecakes have a crust made of their waffles, but it was overall just too sweet. Maybe throwing some salt in that crust would help? It tasted a little one-note symphony. The chocolate hazelnut torte was not impressive. It just tasted like nutella thrown in a premade chocolate cookie shell. The espresso here is always good an strong! Today I had a cortado and I have to say they get a B- on milk foaming. There are visible milk bubbles, and the foaming might have been rushed. While the foam was good, it was not great.
(3)Thara N.
ToB has a really casual vibe with a brunch menu of great variety. Their cocktail and spirits menu really covers a wide selection of tastes, from classic American beverages to Belgian spirits. Many of their brunch options include their signature liege waffle. For a cheap, filling, and delicious option, I suggest their McWaffle. All around great place for all people.
(4)Shelley C.
Well, Hello Taste of Belgium Clifton! It was very nice to meet you! Okay, so I know we have been living under a rock, since we have not been here before, but we finally made it - and we were not disappointed! We had sampled Taste a couple of times at the Zoo, so we already had an idea of what was offered, but we definitely wanted the full experience. We were lucky that we came in on Saturday mid afternoon between lunch and dinner - yay us! So we bellied on up to the bar and grabbed a couple of seats...and beers! We started out with the Beer Cheese Dip & Pretzels while we decided on our entrees. Oh my.....that was DELICIOUS! Our Bartender was was very friendly and knowledgeable of the beers and the menu. He was happy to make suggestions for both. He asked me what kind of beer I typically drink, then made a few suggestions and gave me a sample before I settled on a Made Tree Lift. My boyfriend went with the Bells. He is simple...me, I can't make a decision for the life of me on beer. For food....he went with the Chicken and waffles -complete with the largest crispy breaded chicken breast I have ever seen doused in Ohio maple syrup and hot sauce - what what! and I went with the Carbonnades beer-braised beef- that literally melted in my mouth with frites and salad. My only comment here is that my frites were a little stale - I could tell they were not made fresh, but they were hot. For dessert we had the Fruit & Cream Waffle - strawberries and whipped cream ....ooohhhh yay!! The only thing missing for me was a drizzle of chocolate syrup. For me the star of the show was the Chicken and Waffles - that was AMAZING! I will definitely get this when we go back, it was soooooo good! We will definitely come back.....because everyone needs waffles in their belly! For all of you who saw Guy F. on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives - They have a special for the Beer Cheese Dip, Carbonnades and Fruit & Cream Waffle for dessert for $27 - not a bad deal.
(4)Amanda D.
Taste of Belgium has become a Cincinnati staple for weekend brunch and there's no question as to why...their food is out of this world. We started off brunch today with mimosas which were more like glasses of champagne with a dash of orange juice but hey I can appreciate a heavy pour. I then ordered a McWaffle which was one of the best brunch meals I've ever had. It was a waffle sandwich with bacon, egg, Gruyere cheese and maple syrup on the side. The cheese selection on this sandwich was perfect! Taste of Belgium truly are the masters of sweet and savory. To finish I had a s'mores waffle. I watched them hand-torch the marshmallow so it arrived nice and gooey. I liked it but not as much as that McWaffle. GET THE MCWAFFLE. The Clifton staff is super friendly! We were well taken care of and the wait staff were talkative and approachable. Felt like brunch with friends. The one and only reason they receive four stars instead of five is because the wait is out of control. BUT in the words of Mean Girls, they shouldn't be punished for being well liked. They can't help it they're so popular.
(4)Andy K.
Y'know. Up until a week ago, I'd never really grokked the whole "chicken and waffles" thing. I'm hardly a 'son of the South', so I have no real cultural ties to the burgeoning meal phenomenon. That changed with my visit to Taste of Belgium. Down in Cincy for some service to our car, Jules and I decided to try something new and, considering that neither of us had indulged in Belgian food before, we drove the 10 minutes out of our way to Taste of Belguim in Clifton. Now, Jules had sampled some of their wares at the North Market location in Columbus, but North Market's selection pales in comparison to the actual restaurant itself. I can't necessarily attest to the 'authenticity' of Taste of Belgium's food, but a great number of the entrees focus on waffles, crepes, and frites, all of which are done in savory applications. I opted for the aforementioned chicken and waffles, while Jules chose "The Machinegun" sandwich, which featured merguez sausage, frites, and pickled onions on a roll. For whatever reason, the "heat-to-sweet" ratio of my chicken and waffles was dead on. I received a gigantic breaded chicken breast, very obviously tossed in a mild hot sauce, served atop a dense waffle, all of which were drenched in maple syrup. Together? A delicious bite that hit the spot. I did wish that I received more than one waffle on my platter--one wasn't quite enough, but I had ordered a side of frites as well, so that finished filling my stomach. Jules' sandwich was particularly good and I'd been eyeing it up on the menu before she ordered it. The sausage was notably 'piggy'--it tasted fresh, with a good deal of spice and flavor without unnecessary heat. The frites were crisp and particularly good when dipped in the provided chipotle mayo. Our service, all told, wasn't much to scream about--functional, but not outstanding--but the food is really what screams to me here. If I have one regret, it's that we didn't have a chance to sample any of the delectable desserts or coffee varieties available! Our second visit, I won't be making that mistake. Give this place a try! Step out of your comfort zone and enjoy!
(4)Khiemo S.
All I have to say is :-)
(3)Aly S.
Brunch perfection! The vibe here is really fun and laid back. You'll have to wait if you go on Sunday for brunch but it's worth it. You can just hang around the bar and get a beverage or coffee. You can snag a bar seat rather easily. They have the best mimosas! They also have spicy Bloody Mary's which are not really very spicy. We had chicken and waffles, which are pure perfection. We also had the trio of profiteroles. We were expecting regular profiteroles which are traditionally just like cream puffs, but these were filled with ice cream. The puff itself was just ok, kind of dry. They had 3 different sauces: chocolate, caramel and raspberry. I would have liked them better if they were just cream I think, probably wouldn't get them again. Regarding groups- they have 2 rather large tables at the back which would seat at least 10 each, I don't think you can reserve ahead of time, I believe you have to come and put your name in like the rest of us Also worth noting - they have a special brunch menu for Sunday brunch, it doesn't include all the regular items but you can still find something filling like a burger or meatballs if you want
(5)T.j. K.
My wife and I went to Cincinnati for a concert and needed somewhere to eat breakfast before heading back to Indy and Taste of Belgium is a recommendation that I'm glad we took. Since this is a place we may never have a chance to go back to due to being a few hours out of town we wanted to try a lot of different things. My wife got the chicken and waffles with a hot sauce maple syrup and a cinnamon sugar crepe. I got the breakfast burger and a side of goetta. All of the food was very good with the only possible complaint it the crepe could have maybe used a little more butter but it was our first time so we may just have not known what to expect. The service was outstanding and the actual restaurant was very cool. The only real complaint I would have it they were not super busy but seated us directly under a fan that was easily the strongest fan I've ever been under and it was pretty chilly. With all that said if we lived in Cincy this would definitely be a regular spot for us.
(4)John Henry E.
Always order the chicken and waffle, my favorite. Service is always great here. Its nice how UC students get a discount.
(4)Marco D.
Really, it's not Belgian at all. Chocolate is not good, tasted like one from the supermarket. Creaps dough is salty.
(1)Chris H.
If you want Taste of Belgium, and don't want the crowds of their OTR location, this is your spot. My wife and I have found ourselves at this location a few times over the past few months. Its easy to pop in a grab a drink, and a small bite. They do offer a full menu, but I usually end up eating something from their starters. I recommend the beer cheese or the corn dogs. The beer cheese is served with pretzels, and the corn dogs are actually made from lamb and served with a delicious curry ketchup. If you are in the mood for a full meal, you can't go wrong with their chicken and waffles. There is a sweet, spiciness to their chicken that pairs perfectly with their waffles. The service hasn't been consistent, but nothing to cause me worry and want to avoid this place. I am not sure of their live music schedule, but I have enjoyed all the bands I have been witness to. I'll be back soon.
(4)Staci W.
I was seated immediately and usually there is an hour wait at this time on a Sunday morning. Atmosphere is very casual and open. Food: The Belgium Chocolate waffle had chocolate drizzle with whipped cream. The waffle is harder, more like a sweet pastry than a pancake soft waffle style. I ordered the berries/fruit on the side and combined it with the waffle. The hot chocolate was very mild and tasted more like a swiss miss and arrived lukewarm. If you are looking for a delicacy type of breakfast, this is a great place. If you are looking for a hardy breakfast this is not your best choice.
(3)Charles S.
I really prefer this location for Taste of Belgium. I recently stopped in and bought a burger and it was delicious. They were very accommodating for our large group. Service was speedy and the waitress was excellent at answering questions. It wasn't crowded. I did not buy a crepe because that's normally not my sort of thing but the three at our table made me wish I had. They were very large and much cheaper than the other items I believe. Others ordered the mussels and even went so far as to say they would probably order it every time without trying anything else on the menu. They recommended you get to the bottom of your bowl of mussels to get the sauce. She wished she hadn't eaten so many of hers before getting to it. This place has my ideal beer selection. If you like Belgian ales then this is a great stop. If I could give this 4 and a half stars I would.
(4)Darpan P.
This brand is a Cincinnati brunch icon and must try but I would advise people to hit the original. The overall experience at the Clifton/UC location felt underwhelming. I understand that service can suffer when a place is slammed. I understand patience is a necessity for a customer as well but this was a general let down. Goetta hash seemed like it sat around, our drinks were forgotten, no courtesy from the bartender. Chx & Waffle was really good. In Clifton for brunch I would still recommend it but maybe check out Hangover Easy.
(3)Emily E.
I love Taste of Belgium, but this location is my favorite, as it's much larger than their downtown spot, and usually, a lot less crowded. The food... how to explain the sheer joy my mouth experiences every time we eat here.... I can't. I simply can not explain in words. Their waffles literally melt in your mouth and have the most delightful texture I've ever experienced in a waffle! The spicy syrup on the chicken in the Waffle and Chicken dish is spot on ! ! ! The sweet and savory mix is everything you want in chicken and waffles. My fiance and I love it here and have had all of their appetizers [delicious] especially the snails. :) Trust me on this one, you won't be disappointed, and the mini corn-dogs! Their waffle burgers are amazing... it's all amazing and you're a fool if you don't try it at least once! ! !
(5)George B.
Awesome place to bring friends or family! Chicken and waffles are great combination of sweet/spicy! Best place around this area BY FAR!
(5)John M.
It is nice to have a locale near the campus. The place is nice and has great music. As for the food, the chicken and waffles are amazing. The chicken is breaded and cooked to perfection. I've also had the burger and frites, which are great in their own right as well.
(4)Courtney P.
This location is a great alternative to the OTR location which can get very crowded and hard to reach. Both times I've dined here there was no wait, the service was great, and the food was just as good as OTR. I won't go in depth about the food because I think it's been established they have good stuff. Highly recommended when you don't want to deal with the crowds of OTR!
(5)Kate L.
I have to say, after my last trip where the service at TOB was lacking, I returned for brunch last weekend and the service was great. Our server, Johnathan, was very helpful. My biggest complaint with TOB was that there are not a lot of savory vegetarian items on the menu. Our server, who also happened to be a vegetarian, recommended the mcwaffle substituting the bacon for tomato and arugula. It was really yummy! It was a tad more sweet than I would have liked, so next time I won't pour all the syrup over the sandwich. But the flavors worked really well together. I also tried the soup of the day which was potato and leek soup - this was delicious! Like lick the bowl good. I wish it was something they kept on the menu at all times. Of course the fries are to die for, but vegetarians beware - make sure you order the vegan version... Our server also told us the the regular fries are cooked in some sort of beef product. I didn't realize this before! I love the atmosphere of TOB, and I can't wait till it warms up and the patio is open. Overall this is a great spot to grab brunch with friends. My only recommendation is for them to add a veggie burger or veggie sausage option to the menu and I will be a very happy patron of TOB.
(4)Jessie T.
I came here for dinner a few weeks ago and had a very good experience. I had eaten at the OTR location a few times and wanted to compare it to this one. As far as the food went, it was just as delicious and the service was equally great. We had the cheese croquettes to start and they were absolutely delicious. Although it was a little on the salty side, the drizzle of sweet dressing and the arugula balanced it out very nicely. For my dinner, I had the mussels & frites and have decided it will from now on be my go-to meal there.. the mussels taste so fresh and are very flavorful. And those frites? Heaven on earth. They also offer all you can eat mussels on Wednesday's for 14.99, which is fantastic. As for the atmosphere, it definitely fits into the college-y campus scene and has a lot more seating than the OTR location. If you are looking for a more intimate setting, I'd recommend the OTR location.
(4)Kati H.
The waffles. The chicken. TOGETHER, MY MOUTH EXPLODED WITH AWESOMENESS. The waffles are light, soooo flavorful and a perfect pair for the juicy chicken. Service was speedy and nice. Atmosphere was tough to judge as my husband and I stopped by early Saturday morning passing through town so not many other patrons. SO good that I was sure to recommend my family to taste them when we were in North Market in Columbus near their booth a few months later.
(5)Larry A.
The food is really good. They are known for their chicken and waffles. The chicken comes breaded with hot sauce and the waffles are made from dough not batter and include Ohio maple syrup. The atmosphere is simple and modern. The service is fast and friendly. They have great Belgium beers and desserts as well. A must try for sure.
(4)Mark F.
One of Cincinnati's best! Top echelon food, service. Every menu item is unique and tasty. Not yo' father's waffle. Unlike any waffle you've ever had. Biggest selection of Belgium beers in the Midwest. Great for dates, da boys or alone.
(5)Santeri P.
The Taste of Belgium in Clifton is a nice location with a different feel than the OTR location. Overall, I still like the one in OTR better but I like Clifton too. The same good food is offered and the beer selection is bigger. They have 24 beers on tap at a time. With so many taps they always have a good selection of local, American craft, and of course Belgian beers. The bartender or server is always happy to help you make a beer selection by providing descriptions or recommendations. You can even sample a couple beers to see if you like it before you order. They also have a good bottle selection. They have a great happy hour with half price appetizers which offers great things like lamb corn dogs, escargot, and frites. The inside is big and roomy with dining tables, cafe tables, bar seating, and kitchen bar seating. The garage door walls open up if the weather is nice and make the place seem even bigger. There are multiple TVs throughout the place to allow you to watch a sports game if you are interested. I came here for the Belgium vs USA World Cup game and it was packed. They had even put up a projection screen in the dining room for the game. The patio is also big with two sections, one on each side of the main entrance. It's right on the sidewalk on Short Vine so they are always lots of people walking and it's great for people watching and enjoying the day. Whenever I visit we try to sit outside if possible. Taste of Belgium is a great addition to Clifton and I will definitely visit again.
(4)Yuna D.
Really unhappy with the service. Boyfriend and I came here to grab a quick bite on Sunday around 1:30PM before attending a family member's graduation. We never had an issue before, but this time w were really unhappy. Regarding the food: I tried the "hash" this time around. I know everyone loves the chicken & waffles, and the 'nati crepe is great, but I wanted something more carby. Hash is misleading--it's a bunch of fries with stuff on top. It's not even mixed in, the goetta is just sprinkled on top... super weird. I just asked for a side of chipotle mayo to eat with my fries because it was just... an order of fries? Boyfriend got the grilled cheese sandwich. Harvati cheese makes it unique, but otherwise it's not mindblowing. Now, to the service. Ugh. We got there at 1:30, and we didn't even get to leave until way past 2 because our food took 40 minutes to come out. That's kind of ridiculous. It was busy, but not 40 minutes for your food busy. They also sat us down right below the stupid air conditioning/fan, so it kept blowing away everything, and the air was right up in your face. While waiting, a server dropped a glass that shattered everywhere. He missed several pieces under my foot, and I guess he didn't notice? I had to point it out for him to clean it up. I was wearing sandals. Diligence, anyone? That's such a major health hazard, dude. Makes me not want to come here anymore.
(1)Maggie B.
The Best Cappuccino. Delicious Waffle and Chicken and the Brunch Burger is a must try. Staff is amazing.
(4)Matt S.
Let me start by saying that I love Taste of Belgium. I eat at one of their locations probably once or twice a month. I definitely prefer the Over The Rhine location, but I love their food in general. It's the only authentic Belgian waffle I've had in the US, and their waffle 'n chicken is simply incredible. However, today was definitely the most average visit I've had at Taste of Belgium, hence only 3 stars. As I said, I prefer the OTR location (It just has more character. And I love OTR). We came to the Clifton location though because we had a coupon for Buy One Get One Free Lunch. It's a great deal! The fine print requires you to buy 2 beverages, but that's the only restriction listed. Even so, our server told us that they can't accept it, because the coupon is for Lunch, and since its a Sunday they don't do lunch, they do Brunch. It was noon. That is lunch. Yes, I get that technically it was brunch, but our server even mentioned them needing to have their hours and such added to their coupons because it's vague and confusing. I generally expect that when a restaurant is vague and confusing in the terms of their coupons (i.e., they have no terms), then they should honor it regardless of if that's what they intended. The only reason we went there, to ToB in general and the Clifton one specifically, was because of the coupon. I would have gone somewhere else, but the coupon swayed our decision, but once we were seated we weren't going to leave, so we stayed but it set us off to a poor start to our lunch. Belgian Frites are amazing. They are a must-order at taste of Belgium, so of course we ordered some. Unfortunately, the fries we got were way over-salted. Like visible salt covering all sides of every fry. I like salt, especially on fries, but it was just excessive. I think it was more frustrating because of the coupon issue, but it just made our meal even less enjoyable. My 'Nati Crepe was great though. No complaints there. If you aren't looking for a huge meal, and have already ordered the waffle 'n chicken 5 times in a row, give the 'Nati crepe a try! Although this was a less-than-stellar visit, the food was still good and I'm general I'd still normally give them 4 or 5 stars. If you have the opportunity though, go to the OTR location. It might have a longer wait, but on average it's a better experience.
(3)Jill C.
I'm a ToB fangirl. A recent dinner at the new Short Vine location made it a three-waffle-week. There, I admitted it. Whew, what a relief, having that off my chest. What is it they say about admitting the problem? Cincinnati does food, and the ToB waffle will soon be thrown in the care packages of canned Skyline and Montgomery Inn sauce that get shipped over the world. Of course I'm going to consider all things at the SV location relative to the OTR shop. Obviously they are similar-when one does things right, there's not much inertia to change. So, some of the differences, if you're trying to choose between the two: SV has more room, MUCH more room-inside there are two dining areas, the bar, and outdoor space that will be great when it warms up. Have a group of 8? No worries, they can accommodate you here. The front windows of the place are the equivalent of firehouse doors which let in a ton of light, and will also open in the summer. All without feeling like you're always in the way or squeezing between people to make your way to the restroom. It's clear that the SV location is branded for its location-a block from a college campus. The menu is approachable with the same items (I feel like the menu has all of the OTR items+more), but with different, very American names::read::approachable for college kids and their parents. They offer weekend brunch and great international beers, but also some standards. Every Thursday they tap something new, and you get to take home a glass. They have a projector projecting on the wall on one side of the room-I'm guessing this comes in handy on game day, (It certainly has the potential to be your pre/post game stop.) and gives it just the slight sports bar feel. Our server, Will, was very attentive, clearly well versed in the menu, prepared to assist in decision making and answer questions, as has been my experience in OTR. What you'll miss at the SV location is the bakery case. The menu includes a listing of crepes and dessert waffles-waffogato is genius, seasonal waffles are brilliant. They do have take-home packages of waffles for sale. And the waffles, don't forget the waffles. But, even if the waffles aren't your thing (for shame!), you can still find solid menu items (pretzel & cheese, burger, grilled chicken, steak) that are prepared with the same intentional pairing and care as the mussels and waffle 'n chicken. There are no second-rate items here. Parking is available on the street, or the lot/deck directly around the corner (entrance off University Ave), The only downfall I can see is that the city's busiest firehouse is across the street. But hey, a 5-alarm shot is offered every time the sirens go off... So, for nearly the same great food experience without the wait,(slight) pretension, and more elbow room, venture up Vine. I could also see it being a great place for business lunches that happen daily throughout Corryville/CUF/Clifton. It's just going to take people realizing that Short Vine is becoming an option (again).
(5)Alyssa F.
I love this location! It's really big, first of all. And has awesome doors that open up entire walls when it's nice out. Such a change from the overcrowded location in OTR. I brought my dad here for Father's day, and we arrived around 2pm and were able to sit down right away, tons of tables! Our server was really helpful and even let us change an order after placing our order when my brother changed his mind :) Everything came out really fast, and was cooked well.
(5)Lauren G.
Very happy with this place! The food is excellent and the service was great. The hostess was very unpleasant but once we got thru her the rest was wonderful. Great for gay people. All inclusive place. Chicken and waffles!!
(5)Mary A.
Nice place near the University. Casual atmosphere, very industrial ceiling look with open pipes, cement floor, wood tables and chairs. Smallish bar area, good light and upbeat music. I had the beer cheese dip with the homemade pretzels. This was great, the dip was thick, creamy and with a light beer flavor that was not overpowering. My entree was the mussels and frites. The mussels were in a fresh tomato, garlic, onion and wine sauce, the serving was large and the frites were large cut and had a sauce that was a bit spicy. I will be going back when I am in town again.
(4)Chelsea L.
What a great place! Our server was exceptional, she was attentive and down to earth. I wish I could take her in my pocket anywhere to be my personal server. She had awesome mermaid eyeshadow. The food was insanely good. Loved every bit of it. Wish I had this restaurant back home.
(5)Ted K.
Amazed by the service today! We went with my handicapped sister-in-law today and we were also crunched for time. The steps that the staff went to to accommodate us were outstanding. They allowed us to order in advance of seating, and handled us with grace and kindness The food was outstanding as well. Chicken and waffles plus the McWaffle were tremendous. The frites I stole from others plates were great as well.
(5)Luke S.
I wanted to write a quick review for the Clifton location. It's bigger than the OTR space and I actually like the set-up better. Great view into the kitchen and nice bar area. Service was fantastic and food seemed identical to OTR location, (meaning it was DELICIOUS). If you want to avoid the OTR crowds I highly recommend going just a bit farther up the road to Short Vine and enjoy the same food in a better location. It's also a great excuse to see the revitalization of the area. (OTR Part 2?)
(5)Maria M.
Very hip / modern looking resturant. Friendly staff. The food was okay. Classic mussels in Belgium are with white white , parsley , shallots but these where with tomatoes?? Being Italian I am not opposed to "red" sauce in my mussels but these did not have much flavor. The waffles are make from a formed dough ball so they are not as light and fluffy as American waffles are - not my favorite. Overall a Okay experience.
(2)Juanita G.
thank god i made it to brunch at taste of belgium in clifton after waiting 15 minutes for service at national exemplar. the service was friendly and fast. the environment is hip and bright (and fast). the internet was hassle-free and the food (and bloody mary) was the best i have had in the Cincinnati area night or day. you killed it, Taste of Belgium. Nice job!
(5)Allie B.
I honesty love this location much more than their original OTR one! The service and food at the Clifton location is all around BETTER! Service: much more attentive and accommodating. Food: to me it's more fresh and warm, also more flavorful even! The thing that's lacking from this one is the atmosphere very bare and modern but missing some warmth because it's so large, I can overlook that though. Every visit I have had to the OTR location has been terrible, I felt rushed and unattended, my food has been cold and one time I got a burger with no toppings because the chef forgot? Odd. I'm glad they hit the nail on the head with this Clifton store. Check it out, get some beer, I love it!
(4)Sarah F.
I'm a huge Taste of Belgium fan. More like, I was always a Belgian waffle fan but never ever in my wildest dreams expected to see them just pop up all over Cincinnati. I was an easy sell. And now! I don't even have to go downtown! I live much closer to this location and don't have to deal with parking and such. It gets docked one star because the main one is still better. It's trendier, less sportsy and then, well...there's that whole university issue. Seeing as we lived in Bloomington, IN for 3 years, we are well aware with this problem. The service kind of sucks. Because it attracts college applicants. And college servers always kind of suck. Please note, the service at this restaurant sucks in regards to the original, which is usually flawless. They still probably have the best waitstaff in the university area. But they are prone to being flighty and absentminded. But then I get my chicken and waffles and then I stop caring all together. And then I get the duck fat fries and dip them in mayo...and really...who gives a crap about the service? As long as I get my food...
(4)Beth M.
Had the chicken sandwich. It was very good. Service and atmosphere great. Chicken and waffles to-go-great!!!
(5)Bobby S.
One of the best places to eat in Clifton. Great service and great food! The service is the best in the area.
(5)Audrey W.
Awful service. We normally frequent the TOB in OTR but figured we try out Clifton since it's closer to home. I wish we didn't waste our time. The food was delicious as always, but the service and attitude of the staff was slow and rude. Never will go back here.
(2)Steve B.
Stopped by around 4:30 on Saturday to try the chicken and waffles. The food was alright. Wasn't bad, but wasn't great either. I guess I was expecting something a lot better. The service on the other hand was terrible. The restaurant wasn't busy at all, but we could barely get any refills or anyone to check on us. We had been finished with our meal for probably 15 minutes before I had to personally walk to the bar to get our bill. I also have to mention that when the people seated next to us got up to leave, the staff never bothered to wipe down the table before seating the next patrons. Gross!!!
(2)Patrick M.
It's all true, except for the one review that apparently had poor service. We hadn't planned on coming to this location but when we went down to the OTR spot, they said they were "closed for filming" and wouldn't say more. We speculated all the way to Clifton that it might be DDD and Guy Fieri, which has now been confirmed. Woohoo! We love to seek out Triple-D locations and this is the first time we ever beat him to it! The restaurant wasn't opened yet (it was 10:45 and we were after an early lunch before a 12:00 appointment) but they let us in and seated us anyway.We were actually just there to try the goetta since I had read about it as a Cinci specialty and this was one of the few places I found where it was on the menu. Turns out that they only had the goetta as part of a crepe (except on the Sunday brunch menu) but the waiter checked and confirmed that I could get it as a side. Otherwise, we left the choices to the recommendations of the waiter (slyly asking him "if a Food Network host were visiting, which dish do YOU think he would select?...) and had the Waffle n' Chicken and a side of Frites. All of the food was outstanding and the service was great. By 11:30 the place was getting pretty busy but we had several people check on us throughout. The goetta lived up to my expectations (it's a sausage made with ground pork/beef/oats) and the maple syrup/hot sauce combination was perfect with the chicken and waffles. The frites were great and the sauce was worth a second serving. Can't wait to see it on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, although this place obviously doesn't fit any of those. Good food though, so Guy should be a happy man!
(5)Kristen G.
Love this place! Such interesting combinations and they are all delicious. Good selection of beers and drinks. There is seating inside and outside. One of the best brunch places in Cincinnati. It really is an original place to take people from out of town.
(5)Melissa C.
I went during Sunday brunch with a large group of friends. We lucked out and got one of the community tables. It was a great meal. Service was prompt and the food was so delicious. Brunch prices were acceptable but I have heard that dinner is expensive. I got the chicken sandwich (and asked for the fried chicken). It was a hearty piece of chicken (had to cut the sandwich in half) and the frites were just right. I would definately recommend checking it out for brunch.
(5)Megan K.
Although I love the location in Over the Rhine, the Clifton location seems much more laid back. I love the openness of the restaurant and the food is always amazing. They have a great patio which offers live music on some nights. I would recommend this to anyone visiting Cincinnati. Definitely one of my favorite places to eat.
(5)Melissa G.
I have now visited the Short Vine location of Taste of Belgium 4 times. Each time, regardless of the size of my dining party, it has been fantastic. Last night my boyfriend and I sat at the bar for happy hour and enjoyed the great deals and the knowledgable bartender. He talked to us about Belgian beer and the history of the restaurant. Our meal, chicken and waffles for me and bolognese for my boyfriend was delicious. Normally we order sides and apps as well but didn't tonight, but try the daily potatoes or Brussels sprouts with your entree and you will be wowed. I can't emphasize how delicious the food is. It has depth and shows creativity without ever remotely seeming fussy. The space on Short Vine is inviting and open. And the staff: managers, hosts, bartenders, and servers makes you feel welcome and are always able to answer questions effectively.
(5)Amy B.
Great dining experience. Good food, prompt service, nice atmosphere. We will definitely be back.
(5)Elianne R.
Just happened to be in town and in a "chicken and waffle" mood. Andy was my server and he was wonderful, he made excellent recommendations on beer and dining. I would come here again! The food and service was fantastic!
(5)Niko D.
Gabe has the best hospitality and the house shot, the fire alarm, is amazing!!! Highly recommended.. xoxo sing off fam!!
(5)Bryan L.
Ok place. Good Belgium beer selection. Ordered mussels and they were cold, chicken and waffle overcooked and waffle was old and stale. Service is wonderful but food is not that good. Limited and poorly constructed menu.
(1)Chris A.
Food is always good here. Everything is cooked to order and prepped daily. I don't even think they have a freezer. I love the mussels and frites the most, but the waffle and chicken is always a fan favorite. They have an amazing beer selection and Chuck behind the bar is a really good guy. They usually have some beers on tap that no other place in the U.S. is offering. Would've received five stars but they are pretty expensive, especially the beers.
(4)Bridgette P.
First timers. Waiter was friendly and made a suggestion for chicken and waffles. The sweet and spicy contrast was original. We also had fries with spicy mayo and poured out the last bites. Prices weren't bad. We'll be regulars.
(4)James B.
Waffles and chicken are great. Best waffles ever had
(4)Mallory T.
Loved the burger and fries I got today. Also tried the salted caramel crepe with walnuts which was also tasty. The only reason I'm not giving this place 5 stars is because the service was slow, she only had another table besides us and didn't seem interested at all to be at work.
(4)Beth C.
Chicken and waffles! Enough said!
(5)Bryson M.
Can take a minute to be seated, but food is just as good as the location in over the Rhine!
(5)Jesy H.
My family is already a fan of Taste of Belgium and we have been to the OTR location several times. I was able to get to the Short Vine location during a Creative Mornings Cincinnati Breakfast and couldn't wait to get back with my family. My toddler (and husband) love the nutella waffles with strawberries and banana. I am still a fan of the classic chicken and waffles. We do love that this location has a different menu.
(5)Sharon B.
I went three days after the opening. I was amazed how big it was compared to the OTR location. We got seated very quickly. I was confused on the sausage appetizer. We order it thinking it would be for two people since it is an appetizer. We were wrong, it is one corndog on a stick. I order the soup of the day and turkey crepe. They were both great. My boyfriend got the chicken & waffles and he was quite satisfy with his too. The only thing I did not like, was they do not post the pricing on the beer. So, I was a little shocked seeing how our beers were each $8 a glasses. Where as I can get the same beer at another place for only $5 . We will be back to try the other items on the menu.
(4)Karen D.
I attended Creative Mornings breakfast event in January here at Taste of Belgium Clifton. Nice to see new development on Short Vine as I've spent time on this block on Vine street going to many shows at Bogarts back in the day. You must have a waffle, waffles are the heart of Taste of Belgium and best right out of the griddle nice & warm. The staff was very friendly to everyone serving fresh waffles & hot coffee as there was a crowd of 50 people for this event. I can't wait to return in the evening for dinner an enjoy a Belgian beer or two or three during my next visit.
(4)Lavender L.
1 star for nice waitress. The prices are too high, portions are too small, only a few authentic Belgium dishes on the menu. Salad w chicken salad for $11 should be more than 5 leafs of lettuce, 1 walnut and a couple flakes of cheese and a chunk of dry chicken..the menu says chicken salad! Hello!....GIVE ME A BREAK!
(1)Coleen P.
Having a Taste of Belgium within walking distance from school is a dream come true! Even better, this location is much more spacious than the one in OTR, meaning less wait time and more eating time! The staff was very welcoming and friendly. Upon entering the restaurant, we were immediately seated and taken care of. I ordered my usual Waffle & Chicken which tasted AMAZING! The service was very fast. We received our food within 10 minutes of ordering it. Our glasses were never empty - we always felt attended to. Both service and deliciousness get an A+. Some constructive criticism for the business owners: We came at around 4 pm on a Saturday afternoon and were 1 of the 3 parties in the entire restaurant. Meanwhile, there was about 10 wait staff members lounging around the bar area/near the restrooms chit chatting and playing on their cell phones. At this hour, the restaurant was definitely over staffed and crowded with extraneous employees. It looked a bit unprofessional and the extra staff honestly just looked bored. It would probably save a few bucks on the overhead to lessen the number of staff at this time. Also, there were a ton of open tables in the restaurant - I have no clue why they seated all 3 parties immediately next to each other. Maybe spacing out the customers would have felt more comfortable. Other than that, definitely a great visit to Taste!
(4)Lauren S.
Oh my god. This is an eating experience I did not see coming at all. Came in with a friend, and the server waxed poetic about how excellent the waffle and chicken was. My knee jerk reaction was: there is no way I am eating chicken on a waffle. He did such a great job selling it, I caved and decided to be adventurous. I shit you not, this was GREAT. The chicken is perfect. The waffle is thick and chewy [read: delicious]. The sauces compliment each other really well. This is an excellent thing to eat. Our service was excellent; the server was polite, friendly, and had great recommendations. The venue is airy, and warm. I WILL be back here!
(4)Gary C.
Tonight I had dinner at your restaurant and it was one of the worst dining experiences I've had. It started out when we ordered drinks. I ordered a dark ale and it came out in what looked like a wine glass that would hold about half as must much as a regular beer glass. I can understand the restaurant wanting to serve it in a different glass but what bothered me was I got a light colored beer when I ordered a dark ale. The waitress was nowhere to be found, so I drank some of the beer and waited for my meal. Our meals came for everyone except for one in our party. The waitress had to go back and order that meal while our friend kept saying "go ahead and eat everyone". The meal did come in about five minutes. The meal was eatable but nothing special. The food was definitely over priced for what you got. If you looking for a good meal in Cincinnati this is one place you don't want to waste your time or money on. Gary
(1)Ryan P.
There isn't much more I can say about this place than I've already said about the Taste Of Belgium Bistro in OTR. The menu is about the same, but here the draft beer selection is better, the parking is easier, and it's less crowded. You can't beat that! I stopped in on a Tuesday evening for beer and dinner before a show at Bogart's. The place was very laid back, just a few tables here and there, and a couple of UC students at the bar, where I bellied up for my stay. The first thing you notice about the bar here compared to the one in OTR is the draft selection. There's a wall of 30 something taps, mostly Belgian or Belgian-inspired beers. I'm just fine with that! The bartender (couldn't remember her name, but she had straight dyed red hair) was very knowledgeable about all the beers, and didn't hesitate to give me a sample of anything I wanted to try. I had the Hennepin, Rodenbach, and La Fin Du Monde. All were excellent of course! For food, I got my favorite dish from Taste Of Belgium, the waffle & chicken with a side of frites. I've had this several times at the OTR location, and it's always been amazing. Somehow, they made it even better here in Clifton. The waffle was perfectly dense and sweet with syrup, while the chicken was tender, juicy, crispy, and had just the right amount of hot sauce. The frites were the best I've had from ToB so far. You will not find better fries in Cincinnati. The atmosphere here is nice. I love the simple clean lines of the interior, and they have nice large open doors that lead to their outdoor patio on nice warm days. It's a great place to people watch, as all walks of life can be found walking Short Vine. The staff here were all super friendly, and the service was great. The beers were priced well for Belgians, and the food is an amazing value. You've done it again, Jean Francois!
(5)Chris K.
By far the most delectable waffles I've ever tasted. It's easy to see that careful attention has crafted each menu item from the staple to the whole plate. An experience in causal dining and a delight to the palate. Try Taste of Belgium. Waffles, entrees, beer, coffee...what's not to like?
(5)Amy D.
If you are going for drinks, this is a five star establishment. Happy hour features a selection of $3 drinks from 3 to 6PM. The bartenders are very friendly and knowledgeable. They feature a variety of Belgian beers and a few Belgian liquors. They are happy to offer tastes of beers on tap. Specialty cocktails are delicious and unique. The establishment itself is well maintained and very clean. Service can be slow for dinner, and I have been a bit disappointed with catering, however the experience at the bar is excellent.
(5)Lauren Z.
I just ate here with my husband and it was one of the best meals (for breakfast) we have ever had. The chicken and waffles are amazing. The McGriddle is great as well and even the beer is delicious! It is a Belgian restaurant after all. If we ever drive through Cincinnati again we will absolutely be back! Great service too.
(5)Allison R.
Love Taste of Belgium so much!! One of my favorites in clifton! Waffle and chicken is my favorite and crepes/desserts are a must here!
(5)Adam B.
Try the lemon and lavender crepe for dessert! The Chicken and waffle is the main staple of the place
(5)Natalie F.
Chicken and waffles, of course! Really good food, although...slightly more expensive than I would have guessed, but quality ingredients showed Good beer selection and friendly staff.
(4)Calliope O.
I had heard all the hype, but had never been till my daughter took me this past weekend. WOW! The chicken and waffle entree was amazing. The coffee was some of the best I ever had. The place was crowded, but we never felt cramped. The restaurant is quite large with plenty of seating. Love, love, love this restaurant and plan on going back. If you have not been there ...... you need to check it out. I understand one is opening in Hyde Park soon. I highly recommend Taste of Belgium and it is casual European fun for young & old.
(5)Luke G.
Okay, so for some reason this isn't as good as the long vine reason but it's still delicious. Recommend the classic chickens and waffle as well as the amazing burger. Great service. Fantastic food. And a beer list that will suffice but your attention will be on the food. Priced perfectly for what it is.
(5)Kermit S.
I had the mussels appetizer which were delicious. The burger was excellent. The frites were not what I was expecting; to me they were just fries. Frites in my experience are "fries al-dente." These were good fries, don't get me wrong, just not what I expected. There were many beers from which to choose. The specialty is the chicken and waffle. I tried a piece of the chicken and it was prepared perfectly. I couldn't get my friend to give up a bite of the waffle so it had to be good! I enjoyed the good at this place! "Thanks" to the staff for a good dinner.
(4)Peter B.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon with a group of friends. It was busy but we were seated within a couple of minutes. My wife and I both got chicken and waffles. That seems to be the favorite with most everyone. We also got a side of fries. Despite being busy (Belgium was playing Russia in the World Cup) she was attentive and kept our glasses filled. Our food came out within 10-15 minutes and everything was great. The combo of sweet and savory with the chicken/hot sauce and waffle/syrup was delicious. I'll bring family here next time they come visit. The fries were good, but nothing special. They come with a dipping sauce that is some sort of seasoned mayonnaise. The fries remind me of the fries at Red Robin. Good, but not worth ordering again when the chicken and waffles alone are plenty filling and far more delicious. The coffee is worth trying. My wife got a caramel latte and proclaimed it to be among the best lattes she'd ever had! This location had one or two large TVs, a small one at the bar, and a large projection screen at one end of the restaurant. You would have had a good view of the game from just about any seat in the place. Belgium won that game! Too bad Taste of Belgium didn't give out free waffles to celebrate.
(4)Angel L.
The food is great, but the service is not good at all. We had the Waffles & Chicken with the hot sauce & syrup on the side, and the cone of frites to share. I asked for a cherry coke, and received a regular coke instead. Our server was nowhere to be found, so after a while we stopped another server to ask for a coffee & the cherry coke. That's when we were informed that they were out of cherry coke but they could make one with Grenadine. That was fine with me, but it would have been nice to have been offered this up front instead of being given a regular coke instead. I really would have been able to overlook all this, but when the server decided that our meal was finished she just began clearing away plates & took away the plate that I was still eating from. I was not finished. The other 2 people at my table were finished but I was not. In fact, I had just placed a bite in my mouth & began to chew when she zeroed in on my plate. I felt like that was incredibly rude. I would have asked for my plate back, but she was so efficient in clearing away the table that she placed another plate on top of it quite quickly. When she brought the checks, she actually stood there & waited for us to get our cards out to pay & said "I'd like to take the checks while I'm still standing here." Who does that? I'm not sure if she was getting off soon (it's 1:10 pm and I'm writing this as I sit in the restaurant) or if the staff just needs a crash course in customer service, but I'm highly dissatisfied. Again, the food was great. The chicken was nicely breaded and fried just right, the waffle was beyond perfect and the fries were awesome. I just wish the service matched the food. ***Update: The General Manager happened to stop by our table just as I finished posting the pictures to Yelp. He asked how things were, & I expressed my dissatisfaction that my plate was taken away before I finished eating. I did let him know the food was excellent. He was very apologetic & even gave us some complimentary pastries from the bakery case. I'm happy that he did something to rectify the situation, that means a lot! Thanks Gabe!*** ***Update #2: I received a message from the owner stating that he worked with the manager to identify the server & would be seeing to it that she receives the proper retraining. How cool is it that the manager takes the time to read the reviews people leave and actually do something about it? I'll definitely be back!***
(3)Jacqueline M.
The manager was kind enough to mail us a gift card to try them out again. We had the merguez corn dogs, the endive salad, the snails and the chicken and waffles. The corn dogs were good, with a spicy mustard, my husband loves merguez. He definitely enjoyed the snails but the bread would have been better to be grilled or warm. The chicken and waffles are by far the best dish here and probably what we'll stick to from now on. Very good! The Endive had a great flavor with a strong blue cheese. Over all we are very happy with our second visit and our server was excellent. We will stick to OTR location for ambiance and service.
(3)Mary W.
I love the food here especially the chicken and waffles but despite that I am not coming back. The past few times my boyfriend and I have come here for brunch we have been seated at "community tables" where they actually just sit you at a regular sized table with people you don't know. Sometimes you get stuck with other peoples children or today a guy that's coughing every two seconds. Also they have run out of regular dishware which is annoying. Maybe I'll be back when they decide to not try to serve more people than they have capacity for... ***Update*** I had the chance to speak with the manager after the meal, and he apologized for the dishware situation. He said they just had some glasses break and were waiting on replacements. (I'm still not happy my cup had dirty fingerprints on it though.) The manager said he would remember me and not seat me at a "community table" again but when I suggested the host should ask everyone before being seated, he did not seem to see the significance. He offered a gift card as well. Also, the owner of the restaurant reached out after he saw my review. He said the host is always supposed to give you an option to sit at the community table or not. (I've never been asked by the host.) The owner offered a gift card too. I feel slightly better about the experience. However, considering the fact that I've been seated at a "community table" the last few times, I don't feel the atmosphere is worth a $50 brunch for two.
(2)Alissa S.
We'd been to the OTR Taste of Belgium numerous times, bringing out of town friends there for brunch. My waffle bias led me to believe that this was best as a brunch spot so I was actually dismayed to discover that the Groupon we purchased for this location was for dinner only. I shouldn't have been. I had the Steak Frites which was perfect and my husband had the Carbonnades and a side order of the Stoemp du jour. We finished our meal off with a waffle with gelato and espresso. I really could not have been more satisfied or satiated when we tumbled out of there. My only complaint is that I had painstakingly mentally tasted all of the entrees shown on the website and had decided to get the Filet Americain. Sadly, the menu in-house was different and I had to go with my (thankfully delicious) second choice.
(4)Neil P.
Went for Sunday brunch. The food was on the okay side. Some people may like the open atmosphere but it felt a little cold and uninviting, almost like a college cafeteria. The service was great though and I think it would be a cool place to visit for happy hour or dinner and drinks.
(3)Adam B.
INSANE Waffle and Chicken! It's tough to sit outside with the fire house, but inside is fine. They turned the music down when I asked.
(5)Peter H.
Finally they have one that is even closer to my apartment! I have been in the one at OTR which is busier than this one. That's a huge plus for me since I hate waiting. I find that the quality of the service is equivalent to the one at OTR . I'd definitely recommend coming to this place if you haven't had a chance. Their chicken and waffles are a must for those who haven't had the chance to try it at least once :)
(4)Matt U.
So I have been to the Taste of Belgium in Over-the-Rhine as well, but this location is the place to go during the summer at peak breakfast hours on the weekend because all the UC students have flocked home. The atmosphere is great with the large garage style doors opened up to the patio so you feel like you are eating outside, without actually being outside. The server Charlie was quick to our table to take our drink order and he was very enthusiastic about the food when asked what he suggested. His attitude made me feel like I made a great choice in choosing to eat here. Based on Charlie's suggestion I tried the Nati savory crepe; which has eggs goetta, roasted red peppers and onions, and provolone cheese. AMAZING! is the one word to describe this crepe that is the perfect savory brunch wrapped up in an airy but crisp package that looks like it would be easy to take on the go. The presentation of the crepe reminds me of how the street vendors in Paris wrap them up to keep all the ingredients in place while you walk around. The perfect 'cherry on top' was the "drinkable" (as described by Charlie) chipotle mayo with just the right amount of spice. After the two times I have been here all I can say is that it is worth the trip even if you have to wait awhile at the busier Over-the-Rhine location.
(5)Enisa H.
I absolutely love this place especially now that it's close to my work. I will die for their banana nutella crepe. I've had my share of nutella over the years but theirs just tastes so much better and is so much richer. My go to meal is chicken and waffles. You get a pretty decent piece of fried chicken which is a little darker than what you might be used to. First time I had it I thought it was burned but that wasn't the case. The coating is very crisp but the chicken is moist and then they cover it with some kind of hot sauce that is just enough hot to win over even the people who don' t eat hot sauce at all. Their waffles are different, they are made out of yeast so they are not fluffy but dense. I think they put sugar in the dough....it tastes sweet to me that I always ask for maple syrup on the side and not even use it. Don't take my word for it just go there and eat it. They also have waffles to go! I am enjoying their Clifton location very much as it is very specious unlike their OTR location. I've had lunch there 4 times in the last couple of months and never had to wait one minute. There is always street parking but you can also park in the back and pay $1/per hour. Their staff is just phenomenal. Food comes up quickly and perfect every time. Oh em gee! I forgot to say something about the fries! The best fries ever! Crispy and tender, more on the brown side which is what I like and it comes with this amazing dipping sauce that's a little tangy. I cannot wait for some warmer weather so I can sit on their outside patio for lunch and happy hour. They might have to kick me out at that point.
(5)Jake E.
Facemeltingly good waffles and chicken. This place has an awesome wait staff and great craft beer selection!!! I'll be back. Parking kinda sucks so be ready for a walk!
(5)Teresa M.
Chicken and waffles were great! Beer selection good. Pretzels and beer cheese. The lemon lavender dessert was not tart enough. Great service and fun atmosphere.
(4)Karen C.
I'm happy that Taste of Belgium has been so embraced by the people of Cincinnati that it has grown from its outpost in Findlay Market and the flagship restaurant on Vine Street in the heart of the gentrified part of OTR. Mostly because the owner very smartly expanded to the Clifton location, catching the UC undergrads and grads who all live in the area. This location is beautiful, with its open kitchen concept on one side (the waffle bar) and hightop tables, which progresses to bar seating with many tempting drafts that would push any budding alcoholic over the edge to do some morning drinking, and ending in an alcove with traditional table seating. It's my charge to try them all, Goldilocks-style, to find the seat that's JUST right. Customer service - it's amazing! From the moment you're greeted by the hostess to when you're seated, get your drinks and food ordered and brought to you, to the moment you leave, everyone is super polite and genuinely cheerful. Even though some of the servers are a little green, they certainly do give it the old college try and I commend them for that. Now let's talk food. Taste is known for its chicken and waffle - I wasn't the hugest fan but I'm not the biggest fan of savory and sweet together. But Taste adds hot sauce in the mix. The fried chicken is crispy and juicy but paired with the Belgian waffle (which is already sweeter than your normal waffle) and the maple syrup, it was just too sweet for me. I'd prefer it a little more savory. Let's move on to the Goetta Hash, which is easily my favorite thing at Taste. If you're not familiar with Goetta, it's THE Cincinnati breakfast meat - sausage mixed with steelcut oats - with the frites and red peppers. It's perfectly seasoned, and the chipotle aioli that is the house sauce pairs wonderfully with the dish. There's also a merguez sausage that is served on a baguette with some lovely pickled onions. I love the merguez which is appropriately spiced; I'm not sure if they make the sausage at Taste though. I also love the baguette but then again, I've never met a carb I didn't like, and I'm particularly fond of baguettes. It's a crusty bread, so if you're not a fan of crusty bread or would prefer something a little more on the soft side, you probably don't want the baguette. And who knew pickled onions could taste so good?? Finally, we get to dessert. I've had the plain waffles that are pre-packaged and they are delicious, especially when you reheat them in the toaster. The fruit and cream waffle is good, because how can you not like whipped cream and sliced fruit? But the waffle itself seems to err on the more...not fully cooked side. It was doughy for me and seemed a little raw. I actually sent it back to have them cook it for a few minutes longer than the designated cook time, and it was still that same raw, doughy quality. Maybe I just need to cook it twice, like they do Belgian frites!
(4)Win K.
Crepes are amazing. If you go on Sunday, expect to wait a while. Desserts are yummy! They offer almond milk for their beverages, so that makes this vegan happy! The OTR Location is awesome too!
(5)Katie F.
I have visited twice and can report that they have improved with more time. I had a kind of disappointing experience using a Living Social deal here, but the second time I visited, with a large group, things went very smoothly. The food quality holds up to the flagship's and the service was excellent. Our group of 10 fit around their big table and they had no issue splitting up the checks. Their lunch special was outstanding-for $20, two people could each get a soup or salad, share a cone of frites, and get their own sandwich/crepe/salad. Lots of people ordered chicken and waffles, and everyone enjoyed their dishes. I got the house salad (with yummy Gorgonzola) and a delicious, huge, vegetarian crepe with goat cheese, roasted red pepper, spinach and balsamic. Great selections of beer too!
(4)La'Keyta H.
Ummm, why did it take me so long to come here?!?! I loved the Clifton location because it is much bigger and closer to where I live now. I tried the chicken and waffles and they did not disappoint. I also had a mimosa which was pretty strong which is just the way I like it. The thickness of the waffle and the flavor was surprisingly amazing. The chicken was battered in a mixture (sorry I can't remember) which was delicious. I will be back and am so excited to try many of their other dishes
(4)Taylor L.
Love the new & easy location. I had the popular chicken and waffles and it was GREAT! Only downside is it's served with hot sauce and syrup already on the chicken and waffles, I would have preferred it on the side. But besides that, it tasted just as good as everyone says. Very crispy fried chicken with a sweet waffle with a little tossed salad on the side! The service was OK, it took awhile for someone to notice my boyfriend & I sitting there. We waited around 5-10 mins before we were asked if someone had seen us yet. And our server was a little rude and seemed to not care much. Anyways, a place to definitely visit!
(5)Jill N.
The BEST mussels I have had in Cincinnati. No joke. Provencal is my favorite and I cannot be sure, but I believe this broth has a hint of saffron. It's so good you will drink it out of the bowl! BTW, frites are pretty good, too! Unfortunately they got completely upstaged by the mussels. This location does not come close to having the same great charm and ambiance as the OTR location. But because we did not have to spend a lot of time looking for parking or waiting for a table, this is a pretty irresistible spot in my book. Also, I enjoyed the extra elbow room. On a side note: I was skeptical when I first head about ToB expanding so quickly -- especially the new stand at Great American Ballpark. I am happy to report that my friend had the chicken and waffles at a game the other night and claims it was as good as the ones she's had at OTR. The chicken was served in two large strips instead of one filet. But it looked like a good amount of food for $10.
(5)Mary A.
Nice place near the University. Casual atmosphere, very industrial ceiling look with open pipes, cement floor, wood tables and chairs. Smallish bar area, good light and upbeat music. I had the beer cheese dip with the homemade pretzels. This was great, the dip was thick, creamy and with a light beer flavor that was not overpowering. My entree was the mussels and frites. The mussels were in a fresh tomato, garlic, onion and wine sauce, the serving was large and the frites were large cut and had a sauce that was a bit spicy. I will be going back when I am in town again.
(4)Chelsea L.
What a great place! Our server was exceptional, she was attentive and down to earth. I wish I could take her in my pocket anywhere to be my personal server. She had awesome mermaid eyeshadow. The food was insanely good. Loved every bit of it. Wish I had this restaurant back home.
(5)Ted K.
Amazed by the service today! We went with my handicapped sister-in-law today and we were also crunched for time. The steps that the staff went to to accommodate us were outstanding. They allowed us to order in advance of seating, and handled us with grace and kindness The food was outstanding as well. Chicken and waffles plus the McWaffle were tremendous. The frites I stole from others plates were great as well.
(5)Luke S.
I wanted to write a quick review for the Clifton location. It's bigger than the OTR space and I actually like the set-up better. Great view into the kitchen and nice bar area. Service was fantastic and food seemed identical to OTR location, (meaning it was DELICIOUS). If you want to avoid the OTR crowds I highly recommend going just a bit farther up the road to Short Vine and enjoy the same food in a better location. It's also a great excuse to see the revitalization of the area. (OTR Part 2?)
(5)Maria M.
Very hip / modern looking resturant. Friendly staff. The food was okay. Classic mussels in Belgium are with white white , parsley , shallots but these where with tomatoes?? Being Italian I am not opposed to "red" sauce in my mussels but these did not have much flavor. The waffles are make from a formed dough ball so they are not as light and fluffy as American waffles are - not my favorite. Overall a Okay experience.
(2)Juanita G.
thank god i made it to brunch at taste of belgium in clifton after waiting 15 minutes for service at national exemplar. the service was friendly and fast. the environment is hip and bright (and fast). the internet was hassle-free and the food (and bloody mary) was the best i have had in the Cincinnati area night or day. you killed it, Taste of Belgium. Nice job!
(5)Allie B.
I honesty love this location much more than their original OTR one! The service and food at the Clifton location is all around BETTER! Service: much more attentive and accommodating. Food: to me it's more fresh and warm, also more flavorful even! The thing that's lacking from this one is the atmosphere very bare and modern but missing some warmth because it's so large, I can overlook that though. Every visit I have had to the OTR location has been terrible, I felt rushed and unattended, my food has been cold and one time I got a burger with no toppings because the chef forgot? Odd. I'm glad they hit the nail on the head with this Clifton store. Check it out, get some beer, I love it!
(4)Sarah F.
I'm a huge Taste of Belgium fan. More like, I was always a Belgian waffle fan but never ever in my wildest dreams expected to see them just pop up all over Cincinnati. I was an easy sell. And now! I don't even have to go downtown! I live much closer to this location and don't have to deal with parking and such. It gets docked one star because the main one is still better. It's trendier, less sportsy and then, well...there's that whole university issue. Seeing as we lived in Bloomington, IN for 3 years, we are well aware with this problem. The service kind of sucks. Because it attracts college applicants. And college servers always kind of suck. Please note, the service at this restaurant sucks in regards to the original, which is usually flawless. They still probably have the best waitstaff in the university area. But they are prone to being flighty and absentminded. But then I get my chicken and waffles and then I stop caring all together. And then I get the duck fat fries and dip them in mayo...and really...who gives a crap about the service? As long as I get my food...
(4)Beth M.
Had the chicken sandwich. It was very good. Service and atmosphere great. Chicken and waffles to-go-great!!!
(5)Bobby S.
One of the best places to eat in Clifton. Great service and great food! The service is the best in the area.
(5)Audrey W.
Awful service. We normally frequent the TOB in OTR but figured we try out Clifton since it's closer to home. I wish we didn't waste our time. The food was delicious as always, but the service and attitude of the staff was slow and rude. Never will go back here.
(2)Steve B.
Stopped by around 4:30 on Saturday to try the chicken and waffles. The food was alright. Wasn't bad, but wasn't great either. I guess I was expecting something a lot better. The service on the other hand was terrible. The restaurant wasn't busy at all, but we could barely get any refills or anyone to check on us. We had been finished with our meal for probably 15 minutes before I had to personally walk to the bar to get our bill. I also have to mention that when the people seated next to us got up to leave, the staff never bothered to wipe down the table before seating the next patrons. Gross!!!
(2)Patrick M.
It's all true, except for the one review that apparently had poor service. We hadn't planned on coming to this location but when we went down to the OTR spot, they said they were "closed for filming" and wouldn't say more. We speculated all the way to Clifton that it might be DDD and Guy Fieri, which has now been confirmed. Woohoo! We love to seek out Triple-D locations and this is the first time we ever beat him to it! The restaurant wasn't opened yet (it was 10:45 and we were after an early lunch before a 12:00 appointment) but they let us in and seated us anyway.We were actually just there to try the goetta since I had read about it as a Cinci specialty and this was one of the few places I found where it was on the menu. Turns out that they only had the goetta as part of a crepe (except on the Sunday brunch menu) but the waiter checked and confirmed that I could get it as a side. Otherwise, we left the choices to the recommendations of the waiter (slyly asking him "if a Food Network host were visiting, which dish do YOU think he would select?...) and had the Waffle n' Chicken and a side of Frites. All of the food was outstanding and the service was great. By 11:30 the place was getting pretty busy but we had several people check on us throughout. The goetta lived up to my expectations (it's a sausage made with ground pork/beef/oats) and the maple syrup/hot sauce combination was perfect with the chicken and waffles. The frites were great and the sauce was worth a second serving. Can't wait to see it on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, although this place obviously doesn't fit any of those. Good food though, so Guy should be a happy man!
(5)Kristen G.
Love this place! Such interesting combinations and they are all delicious. Good selection of beers and drinks. There is seating inside and outside. One of the best brunch places in Cincinnati. It really is an original place to take people from out of town.
(5)Melissa C.
I went during Sunday brunch with a large group of friends. We lucked out and got one of the community tables. It was a great meal. Service was prompt and the food was so delicious. Brunch prices were acceptable but I have heard that dinner is expensive. I got the chicken sandwich (and asked for the fried chicken). It was a hearty piece of chicken (had to cut the sandwich in half) and the frites were just right. I would definately recommend checking it out for brunch.
(5)Megan K.
Although I love the location in Over the Rhine, the Clifton location seems much more laid back. I love the openness of the restaurant and the food is always amazing. They have a great patio which offers live music on some nights. I would recommend this to anyone visiting Cincinnati. Definitely one of my favorite places to eat.
(5)Melissa G.
I have now visited the Short Vine location of Taste of Belgium 4 times. Each time, regardless of the size of my dining party, it has been fantastic. Last night my boyfriend and I sat at the bar for happy hour and enjoyed the great deals and the knowledgable bartender. He talked to us about Belgian beer and the history of the restaurant. Our meal, chicken and waffles for me and bolognese for my boyfriend was delicious. Normally we order sides and apps as well but didn't tonight, but try the daily potatoes or Brussels sprouts with your entree and you will be wowed. I can't emphasize how delicious the food is. It has depth and shows creativity without ever remotely seeming fussy. The space on Short Vine is inviting and open. And the staff: managers, hosts, bartenders, and servers makes you feel welcome and are always able to answer questions effectively.
(5)Amy B.
Great dining experience. Good food, prompt service, nice atmosphere. We will definitely be back.
(5)Elianne R.
Just happened to be in town and in a "chicken and waffle" mood. Andy was my server and he was wonderful, he made excellent recommendations on beer and dining. I would come here again! The food and service was fantastic!
(5)Niko D.
Gabe has the best hospitality and the house shot, the fire alarm, is amazing!!! Highly recommended.. xoxo sing off fam!!
(5)Bryan L.
Ok place. Good Belgium beer selection. Ordered mussels and they were cold, chicken and waffle overcooked and waffle was old and stale. Service is wonderful but food is not that good. Limited and poorly constructed menu.
(1)Chris A.
Food is always good here. Everything is cooked to order and prepped daily. I don't even think they have a freezer. I love the mussels and frites the most, but the waffle and chicken is always a fan favorite. They have an amazing beer selection and Chuck behind the bar is a really good guy. They usually have some beers on tap that no other place in the U.S. is offering. Would've received five stars but they are pretty expensive, especially the beers.
(4)Bridgette P.
First timers. Waiter was friendly and made a suggestion for chicken and waffles. The sweet and spicy contrast was original. We also had fries with spicy mayo and poured out the last bites. Prices weren't bad. We'll be regulars.
(4)James B.
Waffles and chicken are great. Best waffles ever had
(4)Mallory T.
Loved the burger and fries I got today. Also tried the salted caramel crepe with walnuts which was also tasty. The only reason I'm not giving this place 5 stars is because the service was slow, she only had another table besides us and didn't seem interested at all to be at work.
(4)Lauren G.
Very happy with this place! The food is excellent and the service was great. The hostess was very unpleasant but once we got thru her the rest was wonderful. Great for gay people. All inclusive place. Chicken and waffles!!
(5)Beth C.
Chicken and waffles! Enough said!
(5)Bryson M.
Can take a minute to be seated, but food is just as good as the location in over the Rhine!
(5)Jesy H.
My family is already a fan of Taste of Belgium and we have been to the OTR location several times. I was able to get to the Short Vine location during a Creative Mornings Cincinnati Breakfast and couldn't wait to get back with my family. My toddler (and husband) love the nutella waffles with strawberries and banana. I am still a fan of the classic chicken and waffles. We do love that this location has a different menu.
(5)Sharon B.
I went three days after the opening. I was amazed how big it was compared to the OTR location. We got seated very quickly. I was confused on the sausage appetizer. We order it thinking it would be for two people since it is an appetizer. We were wrong, it is one corndog on a stick. I order the soup of the day and turkey crepe. They were both great. My boyfriend got the chicken & waffles and he was quite satisfy with his too. The only thing I did not like, was they do not post the pricing on the beer. So, I was a little shocked seeing how our beers were each $8 a glasses. Where as I can get the same beer at another place for only $5 . We will be back to try the other items on the menu.
(4)Kati H.
The waffles. The chicken. TOGETHER, MY MOUTH EXPLODED WITH AWESOMENESS. The waffles are light, soooo flavorful and a perfect pair for the juicy chicken. Service was speedy and nice. Atmosphere was tough to judge as my husband and I stopped by early Saturday morning passing through town so not many other patrons. SO good that I was sure to recommend my family to taste them when we were in North Market in Columbus near their booth a few months later.
(5)Mark F.
One of Cincinnati's best! Top echelon food, service. Every menu item is unique and tasty. Not yo' father's waffle. Unlike any waffle you've ever had. Biggest selection of Belgium beers in the Midwest. Great for dates, da boys or alone.
(5)Larry A.
The food is really good. They are known for their chicken and waffles. The chicken comes breaded with hot sauce and the waffles are made from dough not batter and include Ohio maple syrup. The atmosphere is simple and modern. The service is fast and friendly. They have great Belgium beers and desserts as well. A must try for sure.
(4)Darpan P.
This brand is a Cincinnati brunch icon and must try but I would advise people to hit the original. The overall experience at the Clifton/UC location felt underwhelming. I understand that service can suffer when a place is slammed. I understand patience is a necessity for a customer as well but this was a general let down. Goetta hash seemed like it sat around, our drinks were forgotten, no courtesy from the bartender. Chx & Waffle was really good. In Clifton for brunch I would still recommend it but maybe check out Hangover Easy.
(3)Victoria K.
One of my favorite brunch spots in Clifton, if not in Cincinnati. If the OTR location is too cramped for your liking, head on over to Short Vine. Ample seating, great customer service and wonderful food makes any dining occasion pleasant. Favorite dishes include Chicken & Waffles, Machine Gun, Goetta Hash, Smoked Salmon Baguette, etc etc etc. The coffee drinks are always great, the beer selection is fantastic, and last time I was there (Friday) I saw they had sangria pitchers for $15. Could this place be any better? If you haven't been yet, do yourself a favor, and go!
(5)Kyle W.
Just visited here for brunch with my girlfriend. The food was great and the atmosphere was neat. I would recommend this place to anyone in the area who is looking to try some Belgian food. I'm not sure if it's completely authentic, but from what I saw myself, it sure seems like it! I had the Traditional Crepe, which is made with a gluten-free buckwheat and had a honey Dijon mustard glaze. It was amazing. My girlfriend got the Smoked Salmon Sandwich which was also good, although the salmon may be a little different some people's tastes as it is smoked and not grilled. She loved the bread. Along with these things we got to try some of the Fritas which had some amazing dip and we had a bowl of mixed berries that seemed to be fresh picked!
(4)Emilia L.
I have been to Cincinnati many, many times and had always noticed Taste of Belgium in OTR. I didn't realize it was a local chain, so when my sister-in-law asked what I wanted for lunch while visiting Cincy recently, I decided on Taste of Belgium! We ended up at the Clifton location because our first stop at the Rookwood(?) location had an hour wait. We ended up waiting 45 minutes at the Clifton location, anyway. Argh. Along with the long wait, I made the unfortunate decision to eat outside (it's so NICE out!) and we had a bee trying to join us for lunch. We all ordered the "Waffle and Chicken," as it is listed on the menu. It is, by far, the most popular choice. Now, keep in mind that the waffles here are truly Belgian-style... if you are picturing the plate-sized light and crispy waffle that you get at most brunch spots, this is not it. A true Belgian waffle is irregularly shaped (but closer to a rectangle), extremely dense with a hint of sweetness in the batter. As we were waiting to be seated, we watched the waffles being made. Instead of a liquidy batter, they are balls of extremely thick dough, very much like Play-Doh or clay. The balls of dough get smushed in the waffle iron and turned into Belgian waffles. Just a friendly little PSA for those not in the know! For me, I did not enjoy the authentic, dense waffle as I do the kind that is served in most other brunch spots. I think that was the problem. The waffle was also served with hot sauce (think Texas Pete, not very spicy in my opinion, more sour than anything) and maple syrup. I used the syrup more than the hot sauce, for sure. The chicken tenders were very light and crispy, and not very greasy. Unfortunately, I found them a tiny bit bland, so I did end up using some of the hot sauce. Additionally, service was extremely slow. I don't know if it had to do with the fact that we were seated outside. My SIL told me service is always this slow. Would I go again? Probably on a weekday at an off-hour, yes. I'd try something different next time.
(3)Timothy D.
had the chicken and waffle and the goetta bowl. The chicken and waffle was absolutely terrible. Very dry and too many sweet notes. Bowl was pretty good but not outstanding.
(2)Carrie H.
Alright well I am by no means a Taste of Belgium fan based on the OTR location, but the Clifton location has redeemed it. First of all there's space! You aren't sitting and/or standing on one another. The food is the same but let's talk about the bar. They have around 20 beers on draft. And over 12 local beers in cans also, among others. Now I know our bartender doesn't work everyday but he was good. Andy wasn't just a bartender, he had great places to suggest around the city to try. He was very knowledgable about all the craft beers they had and when I wasn't a huge fan of one he suggested another. The environment was very trendy and they have a garage door they can open on nice days with outdoor seating. They had great prices for craft beer. If you are in Clifton definitely stop for a beer at the bar!
(5)Elizabeth Y.
I arrived 15 minutes before the place opened, but they were really nice in letting me come inside and avoid waiting outside in the cold. Few minutes later, they told me I could sit at the bar until they open, but the bartender was nice in letting me get a coffee once it finished brewing. I was new to the city, so he offered some suggestions for exploring more food options. THis place gets an A for customer service! Now for their waffles - I ordered their banana nutella waffle for a decent price of $5! I have to say, I've never had waffles like this. Usually you get waffles that have a fluffy pancake like texture (of course usually most places use the same pancake mix to make waffles as well). But the waffles from this place are more buttery and crumbly, like a scone. Turns out that their waffles are made from dough which gives them more density. And if that wasn't enough, I also ordered their Beer Cheese Pretzels - 2 pretzels served with a cheese dip infused with raspberry lambic and topped with some chives. Pretzels were so soft and warm, and melded very well with the cheese dip. I would highly recommend. Overall I would highly recommend this place to anyone who comes to visit or for anyone at all. Fairly close to the UC campus.
(5)Nicole M.
Came here for brunch. I ordered the savory Nati crepe which was good, but a little dry for my taste. I asked for salsa on the side but the salsa is more of a pico. It just seems like it's missing something...needs more cheese and some kind of sauce. The crepe itself was the best part, very thick. I also tried the banana Nutella waffle. Nothing spectacular here either. Waffle was very dense. Service was good, but expect a wait if you come during peak breakfast times.
(4)Katy S.
Oh YUM! When a friend suggested brunch here, I was excited based on the name alone! We arrived and were told we would have a wait. We stopped at the bar and put in an order for mimosas. As soon as they arrived our table was ready! The service was quick and the food was delicious! The spiciness of the chicken on the chicken and waffles was perfect - probably the best chicken and waffles I've ever had. I also had some of the ham and brie omelette and the fries. All were good. The dinner menu looked quite interesting too! Great spot for waffles!
(5)Dana O.
This place is absolutely fantastic!!! There is seating outside and inside, and all the staff is friendly and knowledgable. I had a waffle and eggs. I mixed smoked Gouda with my eggs and almost died because both were so ridiculously delicious. The waffles are small and dense; they have a good texture and flavor - they don't even need butter! My dining companion had the Goetta Hash and it was a perfect mix of ingredients. I tried it and it was amazing - better than any breakfast scramble I've ever had. They also have a huge beer selection, both on tap and in cans or bottles. They have the basics, but they also have a great selection of craft beers. You MUST ask for Gabe. He's incredible and I pretty much wished he was dining with us the entire time we were eating. He knows everything about Cincy and is super friendly and personable. I wanted him to come on the other side of the counter (we were sitting at the bar) and join us in eating and taking shots, but alas, he was working. If you're looking for brunch, breakfast, or any other food in Cincy, you have to try Taste of Belgium.
(5)Mary P.
If you are looking for the best brunch in the city, I might have to recommend ToB. We usually head to the Clifton location, especially when UC is out since it is larger and typically less crowded than the OTR spot. The food is excellent at both places and you can't tell a difference. As someone that has sampled bloodies around the city, this might be the best one. I still want the fancy add-ins like The Eagle, but the sauce is delicious and spicy. So, so good. The first time you try ToB definitely go for the chicken and waffle and get a side of frites. The chicken is deliciously spicy, so at this point I usually switch to a beer to balance the heat. The frites are perfectly fried, not too greasy, and come with a sauce I want to bathe in. Everything I've tried is delicious, from the sweet waffles and crepes to my other favorite, the goetta hash. Add some bechamel sauce for a decadent hangover cure. Can't wait for the Rookwood location to open, though I'll probably be frequenting far more often!
(5)Claire W.
We came with a group of 9 and the kind wait staff was able to seat us within 30 minutes. While waiting we sat at the bar and helped ourselves to some coffee. Our waiter was extremely nice and quick to refill our water and drinks, but unfortunately the kitchen was running extremely slow and it took a very long time to receive our brunch meal. My friend ordered fresh berries after he finished and it took over 15 minutes for them to bring it out which was disappointing. The meal itself was extremely delicious- I got the McWaffle. I did feel like the portions were a little small and I wished that they have a more extensive side menu. The waffles themselves seemed to have some syrup baked into them which was a great surprise. Overall I loved this restaurant and I would go back, but be prepared for a wait!
(4)Khiemo S.
All I have to say is :-)
(3)Bianca D.
tl;dr pastries aren't that great. good drink selection, dinner menu is the best part Okay, I've explored the whole menu of ToB and still have to say my 3 stars still stand: 1) Macarons- not good 2) Other Pastries (cheesecakes and tarts)- good but not impressive 3) waffles- I prefer american ones. The dense buttery shortbread texture just doesn't hit the spot for me. 4) Dinner fare- the best part of the menu. Great burgers, mussels, the chicken part of the chicken&waffles dish is the best part, the salad is quite good. 5) great beer and wine selection (huge!) 6) Good and strong espresso, Average milk foaming skills 8) quality vanilla bean gelato 9) crepes are too thick and doughy 10) service is always fabulous This ToB is a little more corporate feeling! The atmosphere is a bit huge with high ceilings and stone floors. The other ToB locations feel more like cute cafes. My other review of OTR ToB will tell you that I am not a fan of european style waffles (and consequently their chicken waffle dish)or their macarons. However I'm determined to try ToB until I find something I like! Today I tried the 'natti crepe with goetta, cheese, egg, and sauteed peppers. ($7) I think the crepe was WAY too thick, and the egg cooked in between just weighed it down even more. The goetta did not contribute much flavor since it was ground into tiny pieces, the cheese and the peppers were the best parts. I also had an Affogato, DELICIOUS ($5). A shot of espresso poured over vanilla bean gelato. The gelato was top notch, and you could see and taste the vanilla bean (my fav)! It's usually $8 and comes with a waffle, their "waffogato" but I ask for it sans waffle and was charged for each thing separately, very kind of the waiter. On a more positive note, my friend really enjoyed the burger and fries ($12), aioli included ! She did say the goat cheese was a little overpowering, but a little does go a long way. Burger also included apple and bacon, came on a brioche bun. The waiter even asked how she wanted her burger cooked, I like that! Nothing is worse than a well done burger. Update: I went back today just to try some confections from their desert case. While they weren't bad, I wasn't wow-ed either. The cheesecakes have a crust made of their waffles, but it was overall just too sweet. Maybe throwing some salt in that crust would help? It tasted a little one-note symphony. The chocolate hazelnut torte was not impressive. It just tasted like nutella thrown in a premade chocolate cookie shell. The espresso here is always good an strong! Today I had a cortado and I have to say they get a B- on milk foaming. There are visible milk bubbles, and the foaming might have been rushed. While the foam was good, it was not great.
(3)John Henry E.
Always order the chicken and waffle, my favorite. Service is always great here. Its nice how UC students get a discount.
(4)Marco D.
Really, it's not Belgian at all. Chocolate is not good, tasted like one from the supermarket. Creaps dough is salty.
(1)Shelley C.
Well, Hello Taste of Belgium Clifton! It was very nice to meet you! Okay, so I know we have been living under a rock, since we have not been here before, but we finally made it - and we were not disappointed! We had sampled Taste a couple of times at the Zoo, so we already had an idea of what was offered, but we definitely wanted the full experience. We were lucky that we came in on Saturday mid afternoon between lunch and dinner - yay us! So we bellied on up to the bar and grabbed a couple of seats...and beers! We started out with the Beer Cheese Dip & Pretzels while we decided on our entrees. Oh my.....that was DELICIOUS! Our Bartender was was very friendly and knowledgeable of the beers and the menu. He was happy to make suggestions for both. He asked me what kind of beer I typically drink, then made a few suggestions and gave me a sample before I settled on a Made Tree Lift. My boyfriend went with the Bells. He is simple...me, I can't make a decision for the life of me on beer. For food....he went with the Chicken and waffles -complete with the largest crispy breaded chicken breast I have ever seen doused in Ohio maple syrup and hot sauce - what what! and I went with the Carbonnades beer-braised beef- that literally melted in my mouth with frites and salad. My only comment here is that my frites were a little stale - I could tell they were not made fresh, but they were hot. For dessert we had the Fruit & Cream Waffle - strawberries and whipped cream ....ooohhhh yay!! The only thing missing for me was a drizzle of chocolate syrup. For me the star of the show was the Chicken and Waffles - that was AMAZING! I will definitely get this when we go back, it was soooooo good! We will definitely come back.....because everyone needs waffles in their belly! For all of you who saw Guy F. on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives - They have a special for the Beer Cheese Dip, Carbonnades and Fruit & Cream Waffle for dessert for $27 - not a bad deal.
(4)Amanda D.
Taste of Belgium has become a Cincinnati staple for weekend brunch and there's no question as to why...their food is out of this world. We started off brunch today with mimosas which were more like glasses of champagne with a dash of orange juice but hey I can appreciate a heavy pour. I then ordered a McWaffle which was one of the best brunch meals I've ever had. It was a waffle sandwich with bacon, egg, Gruyere cheese and maple syrup on the side. The cheese selection on this sandwich was perfect! Taste of Belgium truly are the masters of sweet and savory. To finish I had a s'mores waffle. I watched them hand-torch the marshmallow so it arrived nice and gooey. I liked it but not as much as that McWaffle. GET THE MCWAFFLE. The Clifton staff is super friendly! We were well taken care of and the wait staff were talkative and approachable. Felt like brunch with friends. The one and only reason they receive four stars instead of five is because the wait is out of control. BUT in the words of Mean Girls, they shouldn't be punished for being well liked. They can't help it they're so popular.
(4)Andy K.
Y'know. Up until a week ago, I'd never really grokked the whole "chicken and waffles" thing. I'm hardly a 'son of the South', so I have no real cultural ties to the burgeoning meal phenomenon. That changed with my visit to Taste of Belgium. Down in Cincy for some service to our car, Jules and I decided to try something new and, considering that neither of us had indulged in Belgian food before, we drove the 10 minutes out of our way to Taste of Belguim in Clifton. Now, Jules had sampled some of their wares at the North Market location in Columbus, but North Market's selection pales in comparison to the actual restaurant itself. I can't necessarily attest to the 'authenticity' of Taste of Belgium's food, but a great number of the entrees focus on waffles, crepes, and frites, all of which are done in savory applications. I opted for the aforementioned chicken and waffles, while Jules chose "The Machinegun" sandwich, which featured merguez sausage, frites, and pickled onions on a roll. For whatever reason, the "heat-to-sweet" ratio of my chicken and waffles was dead on. I received a gigantic breaded chicken breast, very obviously tossed in a mild hot sauce, served atop a dense waffle, all of which were drenched in maple syrup. Together? A delicious bite that hit the spot. I did wish that I received more than one waffle on my platter--one wasn't quite enough, but I had ordered a side of frites as well, so that finished filling my stomach. Jules' sandwich was particularly good and I'd been eyeing it up on the menu before she ordered it. The sausage was notably 'piggy'--it tasted fresh, with a good deal of spice and flavor without unnecessary heat. The frites were crisp and particularly good when dipped in the provided chipotle mayo. Our service, all told, wasn't much to scream about--functional, but not outstanding--but the food is really what screams to me here. If I have one regret, it's that we didn't have a chance to sample any of the delectable desserts or coffee varieties available! Our second visit, I won't be making that mistake. Give this place a try! Step out of your comfort zone and enjoy!
(4)Aly S.
Brunch perfection! The vibe here is really fun and laid back. You'll have to wait if you go on Sunday for brunch but it's worth it. You can just hang around the bar and get a beverage or coffee. You can snag a bar seat rather easily. They have the best mimosas! They also have spicy Bloody Mary's which are not really very spicy. We had chicken and waffles, which are pure perfection. We also had the trio of profiteroles. We were expecting regular profiteroles which are traditionally just like cream puffs, but these were filled with ice cream. The puff itself was just ok, kind of dry. They had 3 different sauces: chocolate, caramel and raspberry. I would have liked them better if they were just cream I think, probably wouldn't get them again. Regarding groups- they have 2 rather large tables at the back which would seat at least 10 each, I don't think you can reserve ahead of time, I believe you have to come and put your name in like the rest of us Also worth noting - they have a special brunch menu for Sunday brunch, it doesn't include all the regular items but you can still find something filling like a burger or meatballs if you want
(5)T.j. K.
My wife and I went to Cincinnati for a concert and needed somewhere to eat breakfast before heading back to Indy and Taste of Belgium is a recommendation that I'm glad we took. Since this is a place we may never have a chance to go back to due to being a few hours out of town we wanted to try a lot of different things. My wife got the chicken and waffles with a hot sauce maple syrup and a cinnamon sugar crepe. I got the breakfast burger and a side of goetta. All of the food was very good with the only possible complaint it the crepe could have maybe used a little more butter but it was our first time so we may just have not known what to expect. The service was outstanding and the actual restaurant was very cool. The only real complaint I would have it they were not super busy but seated us directly under a fan that was easily the strongest fan I've ever been under and it was pretty chilly. With all that said if we lived in Cincy this would definitely be a regular spot for us.
(4)Chris H.
If you want Taste of Belgium, and don't want the crowds of their OTR location, this is your spot. My wife and I have found ourselves at this location a few times over the past few months. Its easy to pop in a grab a drink, and a small bite. They do offer a full menu, but I usually end up eating something from their starters. I recommend the beer cheese or the corn dogs. The beer cheese is served with pretzels, and the corn dogs are actually made from lamb and served with a delicious curry ketchup. If you are in the mood for a full meal, you can't go wrong with their chicken and waffles. There is a sweet, spiciness to their chicken that pairs perfectly with their waffles. The service hasn't been consistent, but nothing to cause me worry and want to avoid this place. I am not sure of their live music schedule, but I have enjoyed all the bands I have been witness to. I'll be back soon.
(4)Staci W.
I was seated immediately and usually there is an hour wait at this time on a Sunday morning. Atmosphere is very casual and open. Food: The Belgium Chocolate waffle had chocolate drizzle with whipped cream. The waffle is harder, more like a sweet pastry than a pancake soft waffle style. I ordered the berries/fruit on the side and combined it with the waffle. The hot chocolate was very mild and tasted more like a swiss miss and arrived lukewarm. If you are looking for a delicacy type of breakfast, this is a great place. If you are looking for a hardy breakfast this is not your best choice.
(3)Charles S.
I really prefer this location for Taste of Belgium. I recently stopped in and bought a burger and it was delicious. They were very accommodating for our large group. Service was speedy and the waitress was excellent at answering questions. It wasn't crowded. I did not buy a crepe because that's normally not my sort of thing but the three at our table made me wish I had. They were very large and much cheaper than the other items I believe. Others ordered the mussels and even went so far as to say they would probably order it every time without trying anything else on the menu. They recommended you get to the bottom of your bowl of mussels to get the sauce. She wished she hadn't eaten so many of hers before getting to it. This place has my ideal beer selection. If you like Belgian ales then this is a great stop. If I could give this 4 and a half stars I would.
(4)Emily E.
I love Taste of Belgium, but this location is my favorite, as it's much larger than their downtown spot, and usually, a lot less crowded. The food... how to explain the sheer joy my mouth experiences every time we eat here.... I can't. I simply can not explain in words. Their waffles literally melt in your mouth and have the most delightful texture I've ever experienced in a waffle! The spicy syrup on the chicken in the Waffle and Chicken dish is spot on ! ! ! The sweet and savory mix is everything you want in chicken and waffles. My fiance and I love it here and have had all of their appetizers [delicious] especially the snails. :) Trust me on this one, you won't be disappointed, and the mini corn-dogs! Their waffle burgers are amazing... it's all amazing and you're a fool if you don't try it at least once! ! !
(5)George B.
Awesome place to bring friends or family! Chicken and waffles are great combination of sweet/spicy! Best place around this area BY FAR!
(5)Kate L.
I have to say, after my last trip where the service at TOB was lacking, I returned for brunch last weekend and the service was great. Our server, Johnathan, was very helpful. My biggest complaint with TOB was that there are not a lot of savory vegetarian items on the menu. Our server, who also happened to be a vegetarian, recommended the mcwaffle substituting the bacon for tomato and arugula. It was really yummy! It was a tad more sweet than I would have liked, so next time I won't pour all the syrup over the sandwich. But the flavors worked really well together. I also tried the soup of the day which was potato and leek soup - this was delicious! Like lick the bowl good. I wish it was something they kept on the menu at all times. Of course the fries are to die for, but vegetarians beware - make sure you order the vegan version... Our server also told us the the regular fries are cooked in some sort of beef product. I didn't realize this before! I love the atmosphere of TOB, and I can't wait till it warms up and the patio is open. Overall this is a great spot to grab brunch with friends. My only recommendation is for them to add a veggie burger or veggie sausage option to the menu and I will be a very happy patron of TOB.
(4)Jessie T.
I came here for dinner a few weeks ago and had a very good experience. I had eaten at the OTR location a few times and wanted to compare it to this one. As far as the food went, it was just as delicious and the service was equally great. We had the cheese croquettes to start and they were absolutely delicious. Although it was a little on the salty side, the drizzle of sweet dressing and the arugula balanced it out very nicely. For my dinner, I had the mussels & frites and have decided it will from now on be my go-to meal there.. the mussels taste so fresh and are very flavorful. And those frites? Heaven on earth. They also offer all you can eat mussels on Wednesday's for 14.99, which is fantastic. As for the atmosphere, it definitely fits into the college-y campus scene and has a lot more seating than the OTR location. If you are looking for a more intimate setting, I'd recommend the OTR location.
(4)Courtney P.
This location is a great alternative to the OTR location which can get very crowded and hard to reach. Both times I've dined here there was no wait, the service was great, and the food was just as good as OTR. I won't go in depth about the food because I think it's been established they have good stuff. Highly recommended when you don't want to deal with the crowds of OTR!
(5)John M.
It is nice to have a locale near the campus. The place is nice and has great music. As for the food, the chicken and waffles are amazing. The chicken is breaded and cooked to perfection. I've also had the burger and frites, which are great in their own right as well.
(4)Santeri P.
The Taste of Belgium in Clifton is a nice location with a different feel than the OTR location. Overall, I still like the one in OTR better but I like Clifton too. The same good food is offered and the beer selection is bigger. They have 24 beers on tap at a time. With so many taps they always have a good selection of local, American craft, and of course Belgian beers. The bartender or server is always happy to help you make a beer selection by providing descriptions or recommendations. You can even sample a couple beers to see if you like it before you order. They also have a good bottle selection. They have a great happy hour with half price appetizers which offers great things like lamb corn dogs, escargot, and frites. The inside is big and roomy with dining tables, cafe tables, bar seating, and kitchen bar seating. The garage door walls open up if the weather is nice and make the place seem even bigger. There are multiple TVs throughout the place to allow you to watch a sports game if you are interested. I came here for the Belgium vs USA World Cup game and it was packed. They had even put up a projection screen in the dining room for the game. The patio is also big with two sections, one on each side of the main entrance. It's right on the sidewalk on Short Vine so they are always lots of people walking and it's great for people watching and enjoying the day. Whenever I visit we try to sit outside if possible. Taste of Belgium is a great addition to Clifton and I will definitely visit again.
(4)Thara N.
ToB has a really casual vibe with a brunch menu of great variety. Their cocktail and spirits menu really covers a wide selection of tastes, from classic American beverages to Belgian spirits. Many of their brunch options include their signature liege waffle. For a cheap, filling, and delicious option, I suggest their McWaffle. All around great place for all people.
(4)Lauren S.
Oh my god. This is an eating experience I did not see coming at all. Came in with a friend, and the server waxed poetic about how excellent the waffle and chicken was. My knee jerk reaction was: there is no way I am eating chicken on a waffle. He did such a great job selling it, I caved and decided to be adventurous. I shit you not, this was GREAT. The chicken is perfect. The waffle is thick and chewy [read: delicious]. The sauces compliment each other really well. This is an excellent thing to eat. Our service was excellent; the server was polite, friendly, and had great recommendations. The venue is airy, and warm. I WILL be back here!
(4)Matt S.
Let me start by saying that I love Taste of Belgium. I eat at one of their locations probably once or twice a month. I definitely prefer the Over The Rhine location, but I love their food in general. It's the only authentic Belgian waffle I've had in the US, and their waffle 'n chicken is simply incredible. However, today was definitely the most average visit I've had at Taste of Belgium, hence only 3 stars. As I said, I prefer the OTR location (It just has more character. And I love OTR). We came to the Clifton location though because we had a coupon for Buy One Get One Free Lunch. It's a great deal! The fine print requires you to buy 2 beverages, but that's the only restriction listed. Even so, our server told us that they can't accept it, because the coupon is for Lunch, and since its a Sunday they don't do lunch, they do Brunch. It was noon. That is lunch. Yes, I get that technically it was brunch, but our server even mentioned them needing to have their hours and such added to their coupons because it's vague and confusing. I generally expect that when a restaurant is vague and confusing in the terms of their coupons (i.e., they have no terms), then they should honor it regardless of if that's what they intended. The only reason we went there, to ToB in general and the Clifton one specifically, was because of the coupon. I would have gone somewhere else, but the coupon swayed our decision, but once we were seated we weren't going to leave, so we stayed but it set us off to a poor start to our lunch. Belgian Frites are amazing. They are a must-order at taste of Belgium, so of course we ordered some. Unfortunately, the fries we got were way over-salted. Like visible salt covering all sides of every fry. I like salt, especially on fries, but it was just excessive. I think it was more frustrating because of the coupon issue, but it just made our meal even less enjoyable. My 'Nati Crepe was great though. No complaints there. If you aren't looking for a huge meal, and have already ordered the waffle 'n chicken 5 times in a row, give the 'Nati crepe a try! Although this was a less-than-stellar visit, the food was still good and I'm general I'd still normally give them 4 or 5 stars. If you have the opportunity though, go to the OTR location. It might have a longer wait, but on average it's a better experience.
(3)Lauren Z.
I just ate here with my husband and it was one of the best meals (for breakfast) we have ever had. The chicken and waffles are amazing. The McGriddle is great as well and even the beer is delicious! It is a Belgian restaurant after all. If we ever drive through Cincinnati again we will absolutely be back! Great service too.
(5)Allison R.
Love Taste of Belgium so much!! One of my favorites in clifton! Waffle and chicken is my favorite and crepes/desserts are a must here!
(5)Karen D.
I attended Creative Mornings breakfast event in January here at Taste of Belgium Clifton. Nice to see new development on Short Vine as I've spent time on this block on Vine street going to many shows at Bogarts back in the day. You must have a waffle, waffles are the heart of Taste of Belgium and best right out of the griddle nice & warm. The staff was very friendly to everyone serving fresh waffles & hot coffee as there was a crowd of 50 people for this event. I can't wait to return in the evening for dinner an enjoy a Belgian beer or two or three during my next visit.
(4)Jill C.
I'm a ToB fangirl. A recent dinner at the new Short Vine location made it a three-waffle-week. There, I admitted it. Whew, what a relief, having that off my chest. What is it they say about admitting the problem? Cincinnati does food, and the ToB waffle will soon be thrown in the care packages of canned Skyline and Montgomery Inn sauce that get shipped over the world. Of course I'm going to consider all things at the SV location relative to the OTR shop. Obviously they are similar-when one does things right, there's not much inertia to change. So, some of the differences, if you're trying to choose between the two: SV has more room, MUCH more room-inside there are two dining areas, the bar, and outdoor space that will be great when it warms up. Have a group of 8? No worries, they can accommodate you here. The front windows of the place are the equivalent of firehouse doors which let in a ton of light, and will also open in the summer. All without feeling like you're always in the way or squeezing between people to make your way to the restroom. It's clear that the SV location is branded for its location-a block from a college campus. The menu is approachable with the same items (I feel like the menu has all of the OTR items+more), but with different, very American names::read::approachable for college kids and their parents. They offer weekend brunch and great international beers, but also some standards. Every Thursday they tap something new, and you get to take home a glass. They have a projector projecting on the wall on one side of the room-I'm guessing this comes in handy on game day, (It certainly has the potential to be your pre/post game stop.) and gives it just the slight sports bar feel. Our server, Will, was very attentive, clearly well versed in the menu, prepared to assist in decision making and answer questions, as has been my experience in OTR. What you'll miss at the SV location is the bakery case. The menu includes a listing of crepes and dessert waffles-waffogato is genius, seasonal waffles are brilliant. They do have take-home packages of waffles for sale. And the waffles, don't forget the waffles. But, even if the waffles aren't your thing (for shame!), you can still find solid menu items (pretzel & cheese, burger, grilled chicken, steak) that are prepared with the same intentional pairing and care as the mussels and waffle 'n chicken. There are no second-rate items here. Parking is available on the street, or the lot/deck directly around the corner (entrance off University Ave), The only downfall I can see is that the city's busiest firehouse is across the street. But hey, a 5-alarm shot is offered every time the sirens go off... So, for nearly the same great food experience without the wait,(slight) pretension, and more elbow room, venture up Vine. I could also see it being a great place for business lunches that happen daily throughout Corryville/CUF/Clifton. It's just going to take people realizing that Short Vine is becoming an option (again).
(5)Amy D.
If you are going for drinks, this is a five star establishment. Happy hour features a selection of $3 drinks from 3 to 6PM. The bartenders are very friendly and knowledgeable. They feature a variety of Belgian beers and a few Belgian liquors. They are happy to offer tastes of beers on tap. Specialty cocktails are delicious and unique. The establishment itself is well maintained and very clean. Service can be slow for dinner, and I have been a bit disappointed with catering, however the experience at the bar is excellent.
(5)Yuna D.
Really unhappy with the service. Boyfriend and I came here to grab a quick bite on Sunday around 1:30PM before attending a family member's graduation. We never had an issue before, but this time w were really unhappy. Regarding the food: I tried the "hash" this time around. I know everyone loves the chicken & waffles, and the 'nati crepe is great, but I wanted something more carby. Hash is misleading--it's a bunch of fries with stuff on top. It's not even mixed in, the goetta is just sprinkled on top... super weird. I just asked for a side of chipotle mayo to eat with my fries because it was just... an order of fries? Boyfriend got the grilled cheese sandwich. Harvati cheese makes it unique, but otherwise it's not mindblowing. Now, to the service. Ugh. We got there at 1:30, and we didn't even get to leave until way past 2 because our food took 40 minutes to come out. That's kind of ridiculous. It was busy, but not 40 minutes for your food busy. They also sat us down right below the stupid air conditioning/fan, so it kept blowing away everything, and the air was right up in your face. While waiting, a server dropped a glass that shattered everywhere. He missed several pieces under my foot, and I guess he didn't notice? I had to point it out for him to clean it up. I was wearing sandals. Diligence, anyone? That's such a major health hazard, dude. Makes me not want to come here anymore.
(1)Maggie B.
The Best Cappuccino. Delicious Waffle and Chicken and the Brunch Burger is a must try. Staff is amazing.
(4)Alyssa F.
I love this location! It's really big, first of all. And has awesome doors that open up entire walls when it's nice out. Such a change from the overcrowded location in OTR. I brought my dad here for Father's day, and we arrived around 2pm and were able to sit down right away, tons of tables! Our server was really helpful and even let us change an order after placing our order when my brother changed his mind :) Everything came out really fast, and was cooked well.
(5)Coleen P.
Having a Taste of Belgium within walking distance from school is a dream come true! Even better, this location is much more spacious than the one in OTR, meaning less wait time and more eating time! The staff was very welcoming and friendly. Upon entering the restaurant, we were immediately seated and taken care of. I ordered my usual Waffle & Chicken which tasted AMAZING! The service was very fast. We received our food within 10 minutes of ordering it. Our glasses were never empty - we always felt attended to. Both service and deliciousness get an A+. Some constructive criticism for the business owners: We came at around 4 pm on a Saturday afternoon and were 1 of the 3 parties in the entire restaurant. Meanwhile, there was about 10 wait staff members lounging around the bar area/near the restrooms chit chatting and playing on their cell phones. At this hour, the restaurant was definitely over staffed and crowded with extraneous employees. It looked a bit unprofessional and the extra staff honestly just looked bored. It would probably save a few bucks on the overhead to lessen the number of staff at this time. Also, there were a ton of open tables in the restaurant - I have no clue why they seated all 3 parties immediately next to each other. Maybe spacing out the customers would have felt more comfortable. Other than that, definitely a great visit to Taste!
(4)Gary C.
Tonight I had dinner at your restaurant and it was one of the worst dining experiences I've had. It started out when we ordered drinks. I ordered a dark ale and it came out in what looked like a wine glass that would hold about half as must much as a regular beer glass. I can understand the restaurant wanting to serve it in a different glass but what bothered me was I got a light colored beer when I ordered a dark ale. The waitress was nowhere to be found, so I drank some of the beer and waited for my meal. Our meals came for everyone except for one in our party. The waitress had to go back and order that meal while our friend kept saying "go ahead and eat everyone". The meal did come in about five minutes. The meal was eatable but nothing special. The food was definitely over priced for what you got. If you looking for a good meal in Cincinnati this is one place you don't want to waste your time or money on. Gary
(1)Ryan P.
There isn't much more I can say about this place than I've already said about the Taste Of Belgium Bistro in OTR. The menu is about the same, but here the draft beer selection is better, the parking is easier, and it's less crowded. You can't beat that! I stopped in on a Tuesday evening for beer and dinner before a show at Bogart's. The place was very laid back, just a few tables here and there, and a couple of UC students at the bar, where I bellied up for my stay. The first thing you notice about the bar here compared to the one in OTR is the draft selection. There's a wall of 30 something taps, mostly Belgian or Belgian-inspired beers. I'm just fine with that! The bartender (couldn't remember her name, but she had straight dyed red hair) was very knowledgeable about all the beers, and didn't hesitate to give me a sample of anything I wanted to try. I had the Hennepin, Rodenbach, and La Fin Du Monde. All were excellent of course! For food, I got my favorite dish from Taste Of Belgium, the waffle & chicken with a side of frites. I've had this several times at the OTR location, and it's always been amazing. Somehow, they made it even better here in Clifton. The waffle was perfectly dense and sweet with syrup, while the chicken was tender, juicy, crispy, and had just the right amount of hot sauce. The frites were the best I've had from ToB so far. You will not find better fries in Cincinnati. The atmosphere here is nice. I love the simple clean lines of the interior, and they have nice large open doors that lead to their outdoor patio on nice warm days. It's a great place to people watch, as all walks of life can be found walking Short Vine. The staff here were all super friendly, and the service was great. The beers were priced well for Belgians, and the food is an amazing value. You've done it again, Jean Francois!
(5)Chris K.
By far the most delectable waffles I've ever tasted. It's easy to see that careful attention has crafted each menu item from the staple to the whole plate. An experience in causal dining and a delight to the palate. Try Taste of Belgium. Waffles, entrees, beer, coffee...what's not to like?
(5)Lavender L.
1 star for nice waitress. The prices are too high, portions are too small, only a few authentic Belgium dishes on the menu. Salad w chicken salad for $11 should be more than 5 leafs of lettuce, 1 walnut and a couple flakes of cheese and a chunk of dry chicken..the menu says chicken salad! Hello!....GIVE ME A BREAK!
(1)Adam B.
Try the lemon and lavender crepe for dessert! The Chicken and waffle is the main staple of the place
(5)Natalie F.
Chicken and waffles, of course! Really good food, although...slightly more expensive than I would have guessed, but quality ingredients showed Good beer selection and friendly staff.
(4)Calliope O.
I had heard all the hype, but had never been till my daughter took me this past weekend. WOW! The chicken and waffle entree was amazing. The coffee was some of the best I ever had. The place was crowded, but we never felt cramped. The restaurant is quite large with plenty of seating. Love, love, love this restaurant and plan on going back. If you have not been there ...... you need to check it out. I understand one is opening in Hyde Park soon. I highly recommend Taste of Belgium and it is casual European fun for young & old.
(5)Luke G.
Okay, so for some reason this isn't as good as the long vine reason but it's still delicious. Recommend the classic chickens and waffle as well as the amazing burger. Great service. Fantastic food. And a beer list that will suffice but your attention will be on the food. Priced perfectly for what it is.
(5)Kermit S.
I had the mussels appetizer which were delicious. The burger was excellent. The frites were not what I was expecting; to me they were just fries. Frites in my experience are "fries al-dente." These were good fries, don't get me wrong, just not what I expected. There were many beers from which to choose. The specialty is the chicken and waffle. I tried a piece of the chicken and it was prepared perfectly. I couldn't get my friend to give up a bite of the waffle so it had to be good! I enjoyed the good at this place! "Thanks" to the staff for a good dinner.
(4)Jacqueline M.
The manager was kind enough to mail us a gift card to try them out again. We had the merguez corn dogs, the endive salad, the snails and the chicken and waffles. The corn dogs were good, with a spicy mustard, my husband loves merguez. He definitely enjoyed the snails but the bread would have been better to be grilled or warm. The chicken and waffles are by far the best dish here and probably what we'll stick to from now on. Very good! The Endive had a great flavor with a strong blue cheese. Over all we are very happy with our second visit and our server was excellent. We will stick to OTR location for ambiance and service.
(3)Peter B.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon with a group of friends. It was busy but we were seated within a couple of minutes. My wife and I both got chicken and waffles. That seems to be the favorite with most everyone. We also got a side of fries. Despite being busy (Belgium was playing Russia in the World Cup) she was attentive and kept our glasses filled. Our food came out within 10-15 minutes and everything was great. The combo of sweet and savory with the chicken/hot sauce and waffle/syrup was delicious. I'll bring family here next time they come visit. The fries were good, but nothing special. They come with a dipping sauce that is some sort of seasoned mayonnaise. The fries remind me of the fries at Red Robin. Good, but not worth ordering again when the chicken and waffles alone are plenty filling and far more delicious. The coffee is worth trying. My wife got a caramel latte and proclaimed it to be among the best lattes she'd ever had! This location had one or two large TVs, a small one at the bar, and a large projection screen at one end of the restaurant. You would have had a good view of the game from just about any seat in the place. Belgium won that game! Too bad Taste of Belgium didn't give out free waffles to celebrate.
(4)Angel L.
The food is great, but the service is not good at all. We had the Waffles & Chicken with the hot sauce & syrup on the side, and the cone of frites to share. I asked for a cherry coke, and received a regular coke instead. Our server was nowhere to be found, so after a while we stopped another server to ask for a coffee & the cherry coke. That's when we were informed that they were out of cherry coke but they could make one with Grenadine. That was fine with me, but it would have been nice to have been offered this up front instead of being given a regular coke instead. I really would have been able to overlook all this, but when the server decided that our meal was finished she just began clearing away plates & took away the plate that I was still eating from. I was not finished. The other 2 people at my table were finished but I was not. In fact, I had just placed a bite in my mouth & began to chew when she zeroed in on my plate. I felt like that was incredibly rude. I would have asked for my plate back, but she was so efficient in clearing away the table that she placed another plate on top of it quite quickly. When she brought the checks, she actually stood there & waited for us to get our cards out to pay & said "I'd like to take the checks while I'm still standing here." Who does that? I'm not sure if she was getting off soon (it's 1:10 pm and I'm writing this as I sit in the restaurant) or if the staff just needs a crash course in customer service, but I'm highly dissatisfied. Again, the food was great. The chicken was nicely breaded and fried just right, the waffle was beyond perfect and the fries were awesome. I just wish the service matched the food. ***Update: The General Manager happened to stop by our table just as I finished posting the pictures to Yelp. He asked how things were, & I expressed my dissatisfaction that my plate was taken away before I finished eating. I did let him know the food was excellent. He was very apologetic & even gave us some complimentary pastries from the bakery case. I'm happy that he did something to rectify the situation, that means a lot! Thanks Gabe!*** ***Update #2: I received a message from the owner stating that he worked with the manager to identify the server & would be seeing to it that she receives the proper retraining. How cool is it that the manager takes the time to read the reviews people leave and actually do something about it? I'll definitely be back!***
(3)Mary W.
I love the food here especially the chicken and waffles but despite that I am not coming back. The past few times my boyfriend and I have come here for brunch we have been seated at "community tables" where they actually just sit you at a regular sized table with people you don't know. Sometimes you get stuck with other peoples children or today a guy that's coughing every two seconds. Also they have run out of regular dishware which is annoying. Maybe I'll be back when they decide to not try to serve more people than they have capacity for... ***Update*** I had the chance to speak with the manager after the meal, and he apologized for the dishware situation. He said they just had some glasses break and were waiting on replacements. (I'm still not happy my cup had dirty fingerprints on it though.) The manager said he would remember me and not seat me at a "community table" again but when I suggested the host should ask everyone before being seated, he did not seem to see the significance. He offered a gift card as well. Also, the owner of the restaurant reached out after he saw my review. He said the host is always supposed to give you an option to sit at the community table or not. (I've never been asked by the host.) The owner offered a gift card too. I feel slightly better about the experience. However, considering the fact that I've been seated at a "community table" the last few times, I don't feel the atmosphere is worth a $50 brunch for two.
(2)Alissa S.
We'd been to the OTR Taste of Belgium numerous times, bringing out of town friends there for brunch. My waffle bias led me to believe that this was best as a brunch spot so I was actually dismayed to discover that the Groupon we purchased for this location was for dinner only. I shouldn't have been. I had the Steak Frites which was perfect and my husband had the Carbonnades and a side order of the Stoemp du jour. We finished our meal off with a waffle with gelato and espresso. I really could not have been more satisfied or satiated when we tumbled out of there. My only complaint is that I had painstakingly mentally tasted all of the entrees shown on the website and had decided to get the Filet Americain. Sadly, the menu in-house was different and I had to go with my (thankfully delicious) second choice.
(4)Neil P.
Went for Sunday brunch. The food was on the okay side. Some people may like the open atmosphere but it felt a little cold and uninviting, almost like a college cafeteria. The service was great though and I think it would be a cool place to visit for happy hour or dinner and drinks.
(3)Adam B.
INSANE Waffle and Chicken! It's tough to sit outside with the fire house, but inside is fine. They turned the music down when I asked.
(5)Peter H.
Finally they have one that is even closer to my apartment! I have been in the one at OTR which is busier than this one. That's a huge plus for me since I hate waiting. I find that the quality of the service is equivalent to the one at OTR . I'd definitely recommend coming to this place if you haven't had a chance. Their chicken and waffles are a must for those who haven't had the chance to try it at least once :)
(4)Matt U.
So I have been to the Taste of Belgium in Over-the-Rhine as well, but this location is the place to go during the summer at peak breakfast hours on the weekend because all the UC students have flocked home. The atmosphere is great with the large garage style doors opened up to the patio so you feel like you are eating outside, without actually being outside. The server Charlie was quick to our table to take our drink order and he was very enthusiastic about the food when asked what he suggested. His attitude made me feel like I made a great choice in choosing to eat here. Based on Charlie's suggestion I tried the Nati savory crepe; which has eggs goetta, roasted red peppers and onions, and provolone cheese. AMAZING! is the one word to describe this crepe that is the perfect savory brunch wrapped up in an airy but crisp package that looks like it would be easy to take on the go. The presentation of the crepe reminds me of how the street vendors in Paris wrap them up to keep all the ingredients in place while you walk around. The perfect 'cherry on top' was the "drinkable" (as described by Charlie) chipotle mayo with just the right amount of spice. After the two times I have been here all I can say is that it is worth the trip even if you have to wait awhile at the busier Over-the-Rhine location.
(5)Enisa H.
I absolutely love this place especially now that it's close to my work. I will die for their banana nutella crepe. I've had my share of nutella over the years but theirs just tastes so much better and is so much richer. My go to meal is chicken and waffles. You get a pretty decent piece of fried chicken which is a little darker than what you might be used to. First time I had it I thought it was burned but that wasn't the case. The coating is very crisp but the chicken is moist and then they cover it with some kind of hot sauce that is just enough hot to win over even the people who don' t eat hot sauce at all. Their waffles are different, they are made out of yeast so they are not fluffy but dense. I think they put sugar in the dough....it tastes sweet to me that I always ask for maple syrup on the side and not even use it. Don't take my word for it just go there and eat it. They also have waffles to go! I am enjoying their Clifton location very much as it is very specious unlike their OTR location. I've had lunch there 4 times in the last couple of months and never had to wait one minute. There is always street parking but you can also park in the back and pay $1/per hour. Their staff is just phenomenal. Food comes up quickly and perfect every time. Oh em gee! I forgot to say something about the fries! The best fries ever! Crispy and tender, more on the brown side which is what I like and it comes with this amazing dipping sauce that's a little tangy. I cannot wait for some warmer weather so I can sit on their outside patio for lunch and happy hour. They might have to kick me out at that point.
(5)Jake E.
Facemeltingly good waffles and chicken. This place has an awesome wait staff and great craft beer selection!!! I'll be back. Parking kinda sucks so be ready for a walk!
(5)Teresa M.
Chicken and waffles were great! Beer selection good. Pretzels and beer cheese. The lemon lavender dessert was not tart enough. Great service and fun atmosphere.
(4)Karen C.
I'm happy that Taste of Belgium has been so embraced by the people of Cincinnati that it has grown from its outpost in Findlay Market and the flagship restaurant on Vine Street in the heart of the gentrified part of OTR. Mostly because the owner very smartly expanded to the Clifton location, catching the UC undergrads and grads who all live in the area. This location is beautiful, with its open kitchen concept on one side (the waffle bar) and hightop tables, which progresses to bar seating with many tempting drafts that would push any budding alcoholic over the edge to do some morning drinking, and ending in an alcove with traditional table seating. It's my charge to try them all, Goldilocks-style, to find the seat that's JUST right. Customer service - it's amazing! From the moment you're greeted by the hostess to when you're seated, get your drinks and food ordered and brought to you, to the moment you leave, everyone is super polite and genuinely cheerful. Even though some of the servers are a little green, they certainly do give it the old college try and I commend them for that. Now let's talk food. Taste is known for its chicken and waffle - I wasn't the hugest fan but I'm not the biggest fan of savory and sweet together. But Taste adds hot sauce in the mix. The fried chicken is crispy and juicy but paired with the Belgian waffle (which is already sweeter than your normal waffle) and the maple syrup, it was just too sweet for me. I'd prefer it a little more savory. Let's move on to the Goetta Hash, which is easily my favorite thing at Taste. If you're not familiar with Goetta, it's THE Cincinnati breakfast meat - sausage mixed with steelcut oats - with the frites and red peppers. It's perfectly seasoned, and the chipotle aioli that is the house sauce pairs wonderfully with the dish. There's also a merguez sausage that is served on a baguette with some lovely pickled onions. I love the merguez which is appropriately spiced; I'm not sure if they make the sausage at Taste though. I also love the baguette but then again, I've never met a carb I didn't like, and I'm particularly fond of baguettes. It's a crusty bread, so if you're not a fan of crusty bread or would prefer something a little more on the soft side, you probably don't want the baguette. And who knew pickled onions could taste so good?? Finally, we get to dessert. I've had the plain waffles that are pre-packaged and they are delicious, especially when you reheat them in the toaster. The fruit and cream waffle is good, because how can you not like whipped cream and sliced fruit? But the waffle itself seems to err on the more...not fully cooked side. It was doughy for me and seemed a little raw. I actually sent it back to have them cook it for a few minutes longer than the designated cook time, and it was still that same raw, doughy quality. Maybe I just need to cook it twice, like they do Belgian frites!
(4)Win K.
Crepes are amazing. If you go on Sunday, expect to wait a while. Desserts are yummy! They offer almond milk for their beverages, so that makes this vegan happy! The OTR Location is awesome too!
(5)Katie F.
I have visited twice and can report that they have improved with more time. I had a kind of disappointing experience using a Living Social deal here, but the second time I visited, with a large group, things went very smoothly. The food quality holds up to the flagship's and the service was excellent. Our group of 10 fit around their big table and they had no issue splitting up the checks. Their lunch special was outstanding-for $20, two people could each get a soup or salad, share a cone of frites, and get their own sandwich/crepe/salad. Lots of people ordered chicken and waffles, and everyone enjoyed their dishes. I got the house salad (with yummy Gorgonzola) and a delicious, huge, vegetarian crepe with goat cheese, roasted red pepper, spinach and balsamic. Great selections of beer too!
(4)La'Keyta H.
Ummm, why did it take me so long to come here?!?! I loved the Clifton location because it is much bigger and closer to where I live now. I tried the chicken and waffles and they did not disappoint. I also had a mimosa which was pretty strong which is just the way I like it. The thickness of the waffle and the flavor was surprisingly amazing. The chicken was battered in a mixture (sorry I can't remember) which was delicious. I will be back and am so excited to try many of their other dishes
(4)Taylor L.
Love the new & easy location. I had the popular chicken and waffles and it was GREAT! Only downside is it's served with hot sauce and syrup already on the chicken and waffles, I would have preferred it on the side. But besides that, it tasted just as good as everyone says. Very crispy fried chicken with a sweet waffle with a little tossed salad on the side! The service was OK, it took awhile for someone to notice my boyfriend & I sitting there. We waited around 5-10 mins before we were asked if someone had seen us yet. And our server was a little rude and seemed to not care much. Anyways, a place to definitely visit!
(5)Jill N.
The BEST mussels I have had in Cincinnati. No joke. Provencal is my favorite and I cannot be sure, but I believe this broth has a hint of saffron. It's so good you will drink it out of the bowl! BTW, frites are pretty good, too! Unfortunately they got completely upstaged by the mussels. This location does not come close to having the same great charm and ambiance as the OTR location. But because we did not have to spend a lot of time looking for parking or waiting for a table, this is a pretty irresistible spot in my book. Also, I enjoyed the extra elbow room. On a side note: I was skeptical when I first head about ToB expanding so quickly -- especially the new stand at Great American Ballpark. I am happy to report that my friend had the chicken and waffles at a game the other night and claims it was as good as the ones she's had at OTR. The chicken was served in two large strips instead of one filet. But it looked like a good amount of food for $10.
(5)