The Cincinnati Regional Chamber has announced the winners of the 2026 Best of Taste competition ahead of this year’s highly anticipated Taste of Cincinnati, presented by Kroger — and if the results are any indication, festivalgoers should arrive hungry.

With more than 45 vendors competing across restaurant, Findlay Kitchen start-up, and food truck categories, this year’s competition showcased the creativity, flavor, and culinary diversity that continue to make Cincinnati one of the Midwest’s most exciting food destinations.

New for 2026, Taste of Cincinnati introduced the CinGourmand Selection, a distinction recognizing standout dishes that deliver exceptional flavor, creativity, and crowd appeal. These selections spotlight must-try menu items — including exclusive festival offerings and limited-time creations — that judges believe attendees should not miss.

In addition to Gold, Silver, and Bronze honors, the CinGourmand designation celebrates dishes that embody the energy, originality, and craveability of the Taste of Cincinnati experience.

Restaurant Winners

Snacks and Bites (Appetizers)

Gold: Pierre Entities Catering — Andouille Red Beans N’ Rice
Silver: Alfio’s Buon Cibo — Korean BBQ Empanada
Bronze: Kabobske Mediterranean — Grippos BBQ-Style Inspired Hummus with Pita Chips
CinGourmand Selections: Hankering Southern Kitchen — Shrimp & Grit Fritters and Paityn’s Place Soul Food Catering and Cuisine — Paityn’s Place Famous Soul Roll

Craveable Mains (Entrées)

Gold: Alfio’s Buon Cibo — Short Rib Pasta
Silver: Chino’s Street Food — Vietnamese Street Taco
Bronze: Lobsta Bakes of Maine — The LB Signature Shrimp Slider
CinGourmand Selections: Gee’s Caribbean Kitchen — Smoked Jerk Chicken and Oxtail and Taste of Belgium — Tropical Waffle Chicken Bites

Sweets and Treats (Desserts)

Gold: POP Bakery — Berry Cloud Cake
Silver: Sawasdee Thai Cuisine & Sushi — Mango Sticky Rice
Bronze: Hankering Southern Kitchen — Bourbon Bread Pudding
CinGourmand Selections: Pompilio’s Restaurant — Triple Berry Tiramisu with Lemon Curd Swirl and The Cheesecakery — Biscoff Cheesecake Cupcake

Findlay Kitchen Start-Up Winners

Snacks and Bites

Gold: Rocky’s Home Flavor — Puff Puff
Silver: Yee Mama — Wobble Wobble Cold Noodles
Bronze: Jay’s Nyam & Jam — Jerk Chicken Taco
CinGourmand Selections: Soleil Kitchen — Creole Shrimp & Smoked Gouda Grits and The Passion Plate — Greek Nachos (available Friday and Saturday only)

Craveable Mains

Gold: Yee Mama — Chicken & Basil and Pork & Bok Choy Wontons
Silver: Jay’s Nyam and Jam — Jerk Chicken Bowl
Bronze: Dat’s Ole School Cookin’ — Spicy Catfish Nuggets
CinGourmand Selections: Sabor Alaniz — Chicken Taquitos and Lotus Street Food — Chicken Drunken Noodles

Sweets and Treats

Gold: Walkerbar Bakery — Aley’s Monster Ice Cream
Silver: Olive Tree Catering — Mixed Baklava
Bronze: Tilita — Picarones
CinGourmand Selections: Banasun — Acai Bowl and Daveyboy’s Bourbon Pecans — Bourbon Pecans

Food Truck Winners

Snacks and Bites

Gold: Fusako — Street Corn Gyoza
Silver: Alley Baby — Tater Bombs
Bronze: Mama Bear’s Mac — Bruschetta Grilled Cheese
CinGourmand Selections: S.E.A. Cuisine — Asian Taco with an Egg Roll and Aphrodite’s — Hankey Panky

Craveable Mains

Gold: Alley Baby — Coconut Chicken Taco
Silver: Lasang Pinoy — Siomai Rice
Bronze: Mama Afrique Nigerian Cuisine — Oxtails Over Smoky Jollof
CinGourmand Selections: Mis Sabores — Fritada and Fifty West Brewing Company — Single Classic

Sweets and Treats

Gold: SugarSnap! Sweet Treats — Salted Caramel Brownie Sundae
Silver: Maw Maw’s Creole Kitchen — Tropical Pineapple Rum Beignet
Bronze: Little Trolley Donuts — Fiona & Fritz
CinGourmand Selections: Davis Cookie Collection — Strawberry Dream Bowl and Cheesecake Stuffed Banana Pudding Cookie

“Cincinnati’s culinary scene continues to impress, and this year’s competition was a great reminder of just how much talent we have in this city,” said Chelsea York, Vice President of Events and Experiences at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber. “Whether you’re a longtime festival fan or joining us for the first time, there’s never been a better year to come hungry.”

Four Days of Food, Music, and Community

Taste of Cincinnati returns Memorial Day Weekend to Downtown Cincinnati along Fifth Street between Elm Street and Main Street. For the first time, the beloved festival expands to four days, giving attendees even more opportunities to explore local flavors, discover new favorites, and enjoy live entertainment throughout the weekend.

Festival Hours

• Friday, May 22: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.

• Saturday, May 23: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

• Sunday, May 24: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

• Monday, May 25: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

This year’s festival is supported by presenting sponsor Kroger, The Ultimate Fish Stick Main Stage sponsor Trident Seafoods, Official Quicker Picker Upper Bounty, and Official Equipment sponsor United Rentals.

From award-winning bites and global flavors to beloved local traditions, Taste of Cincinnati 2026 is shaping up to be one of the festival’s biggest and most delicious years yet.