With A Robust Menu Of Old And New Classics, Kantine Is Redefining German Cuisine In Cincinnati, Ohio
By Sarah McCosham|Published August 03, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Cincinnati, Ohio, is known for, many things, but it’s German culture that most defines Zinzinnati. Not only does Cincinnati host the nation’s largest Oktoberfest celebration, but the city’s German roots poke through all around town, from the architecture of Over-the-Rhine to the menus of eateries like Mecklenburg Gardens and The Lübecker as well as biergardens like Moerlein Lager House. Within this zeitgeist, Kantine is a standout; this restaurant is redefining what German cuisine is and means in Cincinnati, Ohio.
When conjuring up images of an authentic German meal, certain key elements likely come to mind. Sausage and/or bratwurst? Yes.
Schnitzel and a vinegar-y warm potato salad? Yes and yes (and also -- there's something really quite delicious about the sourness of German potato salad. As a kid, I wasn't 100% sold, but as an adult? I'm a believer!).
You'll find these things on the menu at Kantine, of course -- and yes, all of these classic German favorites will be completely delicious and wonderfully authentic.
Kantine opened in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2021 as the fruition of a longtime dream and vision of chef-owner Peter Schuster. His homemade Döner Kebab had garnered rave reviews from Americans, and he wanted to share this delicious German street food -- and more -- with the masses.
As such, the menu at Kantine is unlike any other German restaurant in Ohio; it's a mix of German classics *and* globally inspired fare... with a Bavarian twist.
The Flammekuechen, for example, is a deliciously crispy flatbread topped with creme fraiche, speck, and onions. It looks like a pizza but tastes more like the kind of sandwich you'd get at a German deli.
The fare at Kantine reflects Chef Peter's German heritage and forward-thinking approach to the country's (and continent's) cuisine, and the ambiance is equally delightful. With lots of bike parking and outdoor seating, you might just think you've landed in the streets of Luebeck!
