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National Exemplar, Cincinnati, OH

National Exemplar

4.8
4.8
1912 Reviews
$30 and under
American

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 14 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
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.

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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
  • 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 1,912 people are saying

National Exemplar reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Cincinnati / Dayton

    American

  • Cincinnati

    Neighborhood gem

  • Cincinnati

    American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
National Exemplar offers a charming dining experience with "great service" and "excellent food." Regulars rave about the "prime rib," "scallops," and "Hungarian mushroom soup." The atmosphere is "cozy and warm," perfect for special occasions. "Lisa runs a wonderful establishment," ensuring memorable visits with attentive staff and "delicious" dishes.
1,912 Reviews
  1. dave

    Cincinnati17 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very cozy. Great service and excellent food. Pork shank is worthy of reward.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Thomas

    Cincinnati12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always the very best! Lisa runs a wonderful establishment. Food and service always top notch. Our go to place for very special occasions which are several.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Barbara VIP

    Cincinnati58 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Nice evening and great food. We always enjoy eating here!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Martin VIP

    Charleston46 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great Birthday celebration for my wife and friends Food was delicious, tasty, and hot - as always and the Lemon dessert was amazing Thanks for the complementary champagne toast

    Is this helpful?

  5. Jeffrey VIP

    Greater Boston120 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was very good and could not ask for better service.

    Is this helpful?

  6. VeryBusy

    Cincinnati5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our favorite place to dine…always a good experience

    Is this helpful?

  7. Dean VIP

    Chicago5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    This was our first time at National Exemplar. We road tripped from Columbus and it was worth it. Enjoyed the mushroom soup, beet salad, mussels carbonara, bread, branzino, veal shank and carrot cake! We’ll make the road trip again!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Stephanie VIP

    Cincinnati25 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service, food came out exactly as described, very, very good.

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  9. Michael

    St. Louis5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was a special birthday celebration. The scallops, in particular, were exquisite.

    Is this helpful?

  10. John VIP

    Cincinnati30 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on February 28, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Apparently, the scallops were very good, but the prime rib was not up to the usual quality and preparation that I have come to expect at this restaurant.

    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 1912 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation


Booked 14 times today
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
  • 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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