Cincinnati is known for many things, and the food is definitely one of them. When visitors come to town, we are always quick to list off all of the restaurants, foods, and snacks that they simply must try. If you’ve been in Cincinnati for a while, then chances are you’ve fallen in love with our local food, which includes some pretty epic snacks. These nine delightfully delicious Cincinnati snacks are unique to the city and belong at any gathering in the Queen City.

1. Skyline Dip
Facebook/Skyline Chili
Of course, this mouthwatering dip must top the list of the best Cincinnati snacks. Skyline is a local way of life and turning it into a dip is genius. Cream cheese, Skyline chili, and plenty of melted cheese pair perfectly with tortilla chips or Fritos!
2. Grippo's
Facebook/Grippo Potato Chip Company
Grippo's potato chips are another local food that Cincinnatians love to snack on. The company makes a wide array of snack options, from the famous Bar-B-Q chips to other perfectly flavored varieties.
3. Graeter's Ice Cream
Facebook/Graeter's Ice Cream
For a sweet snack, there's no better option in Cincinnati than Graeter's Ice Cream. There are plenty of flavors to choose from and everyone has a favorite. Get it in a cone, a dish, or topped with whatever you like, and enjoy what we consider to be the best ice cream in the world.
4. Salami Roll-Ups
Facebook/Salami & Cream Cheese Roll Ups
This snack may not be a brand, but it still finds its way onto many Cincinnati party menus. It's simple, delicious, and a staple for Queen City gatherings.
5. Hen of the Woods Chips
Facebook/Hen of the Woods
Newer to the snacking world in Cincinnati, Hen of the Woods Chips are now all over the place. Cincinnatians first tasted these at Findlay Market, but they can now be found in over 100 stores across five states. If you have yet to try them, get snacking!
6. Montgomery Inn Saratoga Chips & Onion Straws
Facebook/Montgomery Inn
Montgomery Inn may be a BBQ restaurant, but many visit just for the snacks. Any meal at this popular Cincinnati restaurant should begin with an order of Saratoga Chips & Onion Straws (dipped in their famous BBQ sauce, of course).
7. Busken Smiley Face Cookies
Facebook/Busken Bakery
If you're craving a sweet treat, head to a Busken Bakery for a smiley face cookie. These are perhaps the happiest snack in Cincinnati, and you can also pick up a variety of donuts and other cookies while you're at it.
8. Servatii Pretzel
Facebook/Servatii
If you want the ultimate crowd-pleaser at your next party, order a giant pretzel from Servatii. They will slice it up for you and serve it alongside a couple of their delicious dips.
9. Taste of Belgium Waffle
Facebook/Taste of Belgium
Taste of Belgium may now have several local restaurant locations, but it all began with their unique and incredibly delicious waffles. They make for the perfect snack while roaming through Findlay Market, but now you can enjoy them as a part of a menu filled with even more tasty options.

If you weren’t hungry before reading this, you’re likely already making a mental note of when you can next enjoy one of these nine delightfully delicious snacks that are uniquely Cincinnati. Did your favorite Cincinnati snack make the list? What else would you add? Let us know in the comments!

And for more local food fun, check out these 10 worst food mistakes you can make in Cincinnati. Our biggest faux-pas? Twirling Cincinnati chili noodles! This may be a bit controversial, but it’s a common belief that the “right” way to enjoy your 3, 4, or 5-way is to cut it with your fork, not twirl it like spaghetti. Perhaps it’s because cutting allows you to get a full bite that includes all of the delicious ingredients, or maybe it has to do with the crackers, which wouldn’t make it on your fork if you twirl. Whatever the reason, Skyline just tastes best when cut with the side of your fork, rather than attempting the faux pas of twirling.

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Cincinnati snacks

Sarah M. | September 28, 2022

What food is Cincinnati most known for?

Hands down, the eponymous Cincinnati-style chili is the Queen City's biggest culinary claim to fame. Spaghetti noodles, heaps of shredded cheddar cheese and chili with a hint of cinnamon come together to create this interesting dish. It's one of those things that truly is the sum of its parts; taken individually, it just wouldn't be the same. Plain spaghetti? Boring. A bowl of chili on its own? No thanks! But together, with a mountain of cheese? Yes, please! The Cincinnati area's Skyline Chili chain challenges the norm, and many (though not all) find it delicious. It's not just Skyline that makes killer chili, either -- Camp Washington Chili is widely regarded as the best of the best, and folks drive from all across the state to dine at this legendary Ohio chili parlor!

What's the weirdest snack in Cincinnati?

While some folks eschew the thought of putting chili atop spaghetti, that's nothing compared to the weirdness of goetta. Yes, goetta. Ever heard of goetta? It's a Cincinnati favorite -- especially for brunch or a case of the late-night munchies. In Cincinnati, Glier's Goetta is a household name, with an entire food festival in its name! So, what is goetta, exactly? Unless you're a Glier, you might never truly know. But we do know it is made up of pork, beef, seasonings, and pin oats. Some compare it to sausage, but it really deserves its own category in the breakfast world.

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