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National Exemplar, Cincinnati, OH

National Exemplar

4.8
4.8
1854 Reviews
$30 and under
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 17 times today
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
The National Exemplar, located on the first floor of the Mariemont Inn, is a popular neighborhood restaurant. It offers American-style cuisine in its spacious dining room or relaxing outdoor patio. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the National Exemplar offers an outstanding experience.

Southerby’s Pub, located off the lobby, offers dining as well as a cozy place to have a drink and features oversized chairs overlooking one of the original 1920’s fireplaces. In the evening settle down in an over-stuffed sofa and savor a drink with the locals in this intimate lobby pub.

In April of 1983, The National Exemplar began operation in the Mariemont, Ohio landmark, the Mariemont Inn. The Inn was constructed in the mid-1920's as a small piece of the very unique Mariemont community, founded by Mary Emery. The National Exemplar Restaurant was named after learning that Mary Emery once referred to her developing community as the National Exemplar, meaning national model community.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast/Lunch Daily 7:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (513) 271-2103
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Ed P.
  • Catering
    Full-service menus available upon request. The National Exemplar is part of The Phoenix Restaurant Group which is a full-service restaurant management company located in Cincinnati, OH. Specializing in full-service restaurant dining, catering, banquets, special events and rehearsal dinners.
  • Private party facilities
    We offer two Private Dining Rooms, The Chess Room and The Tudor Room, that can accommodate from 12 to 40 guests depending on the function and floor plan.
  • Neighborhood
    Mariemont
  • Cross street
    Plainville Road
  • Parking details
    Exit I-71 at Red Bank Road, follow Red Bank Road to 50 East, take 50 East (Wooster Pike) to 6880 Wooster Pike, on the circle in Mariemont (inside the Mariemont Inn).
  • Entertainment
    Live music in Southerby's Pub every Thursday evening 6:00-9:00.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,854 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Cincinnati / Dayton

    American

  • Cincinnati

    American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
National Exemplar offers an inviting atmosphere with "excellent food" and attentive service in the charming Mariemont Inn. Guests rave about the "best prime rib in Cincy" and tantalizing dishes like Hungarian mushroom soup. Known for its consistency, this Cincinnati treasure is perfect for special occasions or casual dining alike.

1,854 Reviews
  1. robin

    Cincinnati

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding food and service. Looking forward to our next visit.

    Is this helpful?

  2. alex

    Charleston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent as always a great night at The National Exemplar

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  3. Joe

    Cincinnati

    35 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    35 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A very enjoyable meal and evening. My wife enjoyed a nice birthday dinner.

    Is this helpful?

  4. richard

    Cincinnati

    63 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    63 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    One of our favorite Cincinnati restaurants. Consistently good. Bring back the potato salad side dish.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Anne

    Cincinnati

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I was served the smallest oysters I have ever seen! Isn't there a size requirement for harvesting oysters? Have to guess these oysters were way too young!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Mary Ann

    Cincinnati

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    lovely evening celebrating dear friends Birthday, delicious food, great service and complimentary glasses of Prosecco!

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  7. Rich

    Cincinnati

    61 reviews

    5.0

    61 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As is the norm, we had a wonderful meal, tasty and well prepared food along with exceptional service. This establishment is so well run with very friendly and welcoming staff, a rarity these days it seems. We will be back!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Amy

    Cincinnati

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely dinner at the National Exemplar celebrating my daughter's birthday. Beautiful table right by the roaring fireplace in the main dining area.

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  9. Bruce

    Cincinnati

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Awesome ! From Service to Food to Ambience, Outstanding ! We will return.

    Is this helpful?

  10. W

    Cincinnati

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Steven provided excellent service and was professional and personable. Food was excellent. Would definitely recommend the National Exemplar.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

National Exemplar does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. National Exemplar also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (513) 271-2103.

National Exemplar is rated 4.8 stars by 1854 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 17 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for National Exemplar

6880 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45227

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Plainville Road
  • Neighborhood
    Mariemont
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast/Lunch Daily 7:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Exit I-71 at Red Bank Road, follow Red Bank Road to 50 East, take 50 East (Wooster Pike) to 6880 Wooster Pike, on the circle in Mariemont (inside the Mariemont Inn).
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Ed P.
  • Entertainment
    Live music in Southerby's Pub every Thursday evening 6:00-9:00.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (513) 271-2103
  • Catering
    Full-service menus available upon request. The National Exemplar is part of The Phoenix Restaurant Group which is a full-service restaurant management company located in Cincinnati, OH. Specializing in full-service restaurant dining, catering, banquets, special events and rehearsal dinners.
  • Private party facilities
    We offer two Private Dining Rooms, The Chess Room and The Tudor Room, that can accommodate from 12 to 40 guests depending on the function and floor plan.
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