Hello dear
At Mita's Restaurant, flavors of Spanish and Latin American cuisine come alive in an elegant setting. Located in the heart of Cincinnati, this trendy eatery invites guests to indulge in a vibrant dining experience, accentuated by dishes like the renowned pork belly tacos and expertly crafted ceviche. Chef Jose Salazar's creativity shines through unique tapas, showcasing seasonal ingredients and bold flavors. With a welcoming ambiance and exceptional service, Mita's is perfect for intimate dinners or lively gatherings. The restaurant prides itself on inclusivity, offering a range of dietary options, including pescatarian and vegan delights, ensuring every guest leaves satisfied.
About
Welcome to Mita's Restaurant, a vibrant culinary gem nestled in the heart of Cincinnati at 501 Race St. Known for its exquisite Spanish and Latin American offerings, Mita's is not just a restaurant; it is an experience. From the moment you step in, the ambiance enchants you with its trendy yet classy decor, perfect for both intimate dinners and lively group gatherings.
Mita's stands out with its diverse menu that caters to a wide spectrum of dietary preferences, including pescatarian and vegan options. The restaurant embraces inclusivity, featuring gender-neutral restrooms and an ADA-compliant environment, making it accessible to all. Whether you're planning a special occasion or simply eager to enjoy a delightful meal, Mita's provides the perfect setting with covered outdoor seating and a full bar that enhances the dining experience.
The menu at Mita’s is a celebration of vibrant flavors and artistic presentation. Customers rave about the fried pork belly tacos, a spicy delight that ensures no one leaves without a thrill of flavor. The Octopus (Pulpo) is a must-try for seafood lovers; while personal preferences may vary, many find it perfectly tender. Other standout dishes include the Arroz Chafe de Pato, an unforgettable duck fried rice inflected with grilled pineapple and rich textures, and the Patatas Bravas, famously crispy and smoky, hailed as some of the best potatoes around.
As a food reviewer, it’s vital to convey not just the taste, but the emotions invoked by each bite. The medley of textures and flavors at Mita's creates a story on your palate, blending traditional Spanish influences with contemporary flair. Dishes like Ceviche del Sia and Ensalada de Jicama y Mango open your taste buds to a fresh, tangy adventure that leaves you craving more.
Even in moments when the service may stumble—as seen in some reviews—the unwavering quality of the food shines through. Enthusiastic remarks about the creativity of Chef Jose Salazar’s menu reinforce that dining at Mita's is about exploration and delight, a place where diners are encouraged to share and savor multiple plates.
In summary, Mita's Restaurant is a must-visit for both locals and visitors to Cincinnati. The harmonious blend of flavors, unique offerings, and a welcoming atmosphere ensure an immersive dining experience. Prepare to be enchanted and to leave with a full heart—and belly!
“ One of the best dinners I have ever had oh my goodness!!! the pork belly tacos are a MUST and so is the pulpo! You cannot go wrong here it's amazing! ”
“ I expected better. We have been wanting to dine at Mita's for a long time. We finally made it and had dinner with my nephew and his wife. Our reservations were early and we were just about the only patrons in the restaurant. The restaurant is indeed beautiful. The seating is varied and the restaurant is laid out in an interestingly unique way. The full windows provide a nice view of downtown. My nephew started off with three cheeses and an assortment of breads. We let them focus on this one, but we did have a small taste. Everything was good. We ordered Pan Con Aceite de Olivo y Salsa Romesco. I found this to be the best bite we tasted. Each of the three breads were unique and delicious. The olive oil and romesco sauce were fantastic. This dish comes highly recommended. Next on deck was Ensalada de Jicama y Mango, another very tasty dish. The Ceviche del Sia was tangy and delicious. The Pulpo was okay. I order octopus whenever I see it on a menu. I knew I was ordering this well before we arrived. The rest of the table was initially not interested, but after trying it they all found it quite good. I, on the other hand, was disappointed. The dish could have been made with anything, by which I mean the octopus itself was difficult to discern. It was very cheese and potato heavy, which made it yummy for the rest of the table. I suppose I'm an octopus purist and this dish didn't meet my expectations. The sliders were good. The were small, naturally, but were quite juicy. The fried pork belly tacos were tasty and they were spicy! One diner at the table, who does not care for spicy food, took a bite and was sorely upset. That said, for anyone interested in a dish with a kick, this is it. Even though I'm not a huge fan of spice, I'd give it a thumbs up. One of the better and larger dishes was Arroz Chafe de Pato - duck fried rice, grilled pineapple, celery root, duck egg, lucuma-hoisin sauce. There was enough for everyone to enjoy and it was very good. It was time for dessert, which included Tarta de Chocolate - spiced dark chocolate tart, pepita crust, dulce de leche, cinnamon whipped cream. If I recall, my nephew's wife enjoyed this dish. Two folks had Tarta de Queso - cheesecake with cherries. Both found it to be okay and a little dry. I had two dips of the ice cream. It never seemed to melt; it was disappointing. Overall the food was very good. Where the meal fell down was the way the servers managed the table. Our plates were not replaced between dishes, which left us with the remains of the previous dish intermingled with the next. I expected more from such a high end, expensive restaurant. Our plates and silverware should have been cleared and replaced often. This never happened. The food was good. The service was lackluster. For a meal I'd been anticipating for a long time, I was disappointed and won't likely return. That said, I think everyone should give Mita's a try. There were definitely some high points and I admit there were items on the menu I wish I'd tried. ”
“ Mita's is one of the premier restaurants of Cincinnati and headed by chef Jose Salazar. The environment is gorgeous and the service is very helpful. Chef Salazar swings for the fences with his creativity and hits the mark most of the time. The mango and watercress salad as well as rhe ceviche were very fresh, tangy, and flavorful. The textures were phenomenal and set a great precedent for the rest of the meal. That being said, the ceviche was a bit too sour for my liking. The patatas bravas were smoky and crispy and fluffy on the inside and some of the best potatoes I have ever had. The mole and blue masa dish was incredible; very rich, deep flavors balanced well by multiple textures. The hominy seafood stew was good, but mot great. The seafood was fresh and the dish was very ambitious with heavy flavors but the broth was too strong to be enjoyed as the base of a soup and would have been better as a sauce. Mita's swung for the fences on all of its dishes and connected perfectly on most of them. ”
“ My first time in Cincinnati and picked this restaurant to try their ceviche. Walked in without a reservation but they were very kind to accommodate me at the rush hour. Although place was packed, it only took 2 minutes to bring my cocktail. Service is 5/5. Ordered pulpo and ceviche. Ceviche was maybe 10 little cubes of fish. It was definitely not an entree. Tastes great but not worth to be an entree. Octopus was phenomenal. Perfectly cooked, tender with great base with hominy. Seasoning was also perfect. My only criticism would be a little oily. I had to wedge my napkin under the plate to move the oil to the side. Did that make me stop eating ? No. I loved it. ”
“ Absolutely love this restaurant. A tapas based restaurant offering unique flavor combinations that are always fresh and delicious. The service is good. It's always fun to go with a small group and share several different tapas. Don't forget to save room for dessert. ”
“ Last night was our first time at Mita's and we were a group of 10! Every single person in our party really enjoyed the food and service was excellent! I wish I took more pictures, but we ate so quickly because everything looked and tasted delicious! Highlights were: 1. Duck fried rice, this was almost everyone's favorite dish, so good that we ordered a second one! 2. Paella was delicious, order as soon as you sit down because it takes quite a while 3. Ceviche of the day was a red snapper and it was so so good We will definitely be back! ”
“ Top notch tapas spot! Every bite I've tried here was delicious, from their salads to their sliders. I also love the ambience - it's such a beautiful space no matter where you sit. ”
“ My husband and I thought the food was very good! We ordered the JAMÓN SERRANO, empanadas, TETELA DE HONGOS, and the paella. I was disappointed in the empanadas to be honest. They didn't have that much flavor and really needed the sauce to make it worth while. The TETELA DE HONGOS was AMAZING! It was so unique I have never had anything like that before and it was delicious. The paella does take a while to cook as they state on their menu. So if you know you want this make sure you have plenty of time to dine there. We placed the order for it as we were getting drinks then spent more time figuring out our other dishes. ”
“ First off, the ambience and the layout of the restaurant was so beautiful. The high ceilings and the shape of the restaurant was already so elegant. The lighting was poor, but again it was 9:15p. We ordered quite a few dishes tapas style - and I think we went in VERY hungry, because everything sounded so good. Thankfully, I saved my list so I'm going to go through the list and describe the food. The portions were definitely more than enough than just two people to share each dish. Our waiter was attentive and the service was excellent. Patatas Bravas - crispy potatoes with paprika coating. Yummy, but nothing too crazy about this. Pulpo - I was expecting grilled octopus tentacle. Instead it was chopped in a savory sauce with the lightest and fluffiest mashed potatoes. It was very tasty, just a bit heavier than I expected. Tacos de barriga de cerdo - impeccable textures and flavors. The pork belly was practically melting with how tender it was. Ceviche del dia - my favorite dish, a lot of bright flavors complemented by the pomegranate. A lot of delightful textures that elevated this red snapper / scallop ceviche. Tostones - the best ones I've ever had. The crispiest and flakiest and lightest tostones What a exploration of flavors of Latin / South American cuisine. Just a little disclaimer, I didn't mind it so much as I had a great experience - but read the little blurb they give you when you pay about tipping. There's an option to tip the kitchen too. Just so you're aware. ”