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Name: Melt
Address: 4165 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45223
Telephone: (513) 681-6358
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.31

Melt

4165 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45223

(513) 681-6358
Store is closed

Melt Menu

Baked Sandwiches

Artichoke Melt

Yeehaw BBQ

The Rachel

Verde Chicken

Muffaletta

The Hoffner

The Joan Of Arc

Three Cheese

Veggie Cheesesteak

A.T.L.T.
Sides

Organic Spring Mix

Roasted Herbed Potatoes

Zesty Kale Slaw

Hummus

Soup Or Chili

Buffalo Mac & Cheese
Whole Wheat Wraps

Turkey Bird

Avocado Bliss

East Village

Spicy Peanut Wrap
Plates Apps And Bowls

Vegan Chili

Soup Of The Day

Soup/salad Combo

Mediterranean Plate

Rudys Nachos

Veggie 3-Way with Spaghetti or Redskins

Vegan Shells and Cheeze

Buffalo Mac & Cheese
Salads

Blue Pear

Spring Roll Toss

Garden Bash

Apple Beet Salad

Marinated Artichoke Salad

Zesty Ceasar
Dressings

Curry Yogurt

Lime Cilantro

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Ginger Hoison

Miso Caesar

Red Wine Vinaigrette

8 oz. of any of our Housemade Dressings
Kids

Protein Choice

Cheese Quesadilla

Gourmet Pb & J

Baked "grilled" Cheese
Menu Notes

Vegan Options

Gluten-Free Options

Add Protein

Cheese Substitutions

Allergies

Other Menus
Brunch Items

Smoked Salmon Deluxe Melt

Northside Hot Brown

Salad of the Moment

Mr. Brisket

Vegetarian Huevos Rancheros

Goetta Melt

Challah French Toast

Vegan Biscuits and Gravy

Southwest Hash

Kid's Brunch Plate

The BELT
Brunch Sides

Garden Salad

Roasted Herbed Potatoes

Fruit Salad

Cheesy Grits

Tofu Scramble

One Vegan Biscuit with Gravy and Chives
Menu Notes

Vegan Options

Gluten-Free Options

Add Protein

Cheese Substitutions

Allergies

Other Menus
Call our market Picnic and Pantry to place your catering order"

Call to place an order: 513-681-8600

Prices shown on this menu are for pickup orders.

Delivery Charges

Rush Orders
Grazing Platters

Crudités (assorted fresh vegetables)

Mediterranean

Creamer Potatoes Dusted w/ Sea Salt

Antipasti

Charcuterie Arrangement

Savory Cheesecake
Heartier Sides

Roasted Grape Chicken Salad

Curried Coconut Chicken Salad

Mustard Dill Potato Salad

Apricot Shallot Potato Salad

Ginger peanut Potato Salad
Pinwheel Platters

East Village

Sesame Suzy

Hoffner's Sister

The Adrienne
Wrap Platters

East Village

Sesame Suzy

Bruce Park

Avocado Bliss

Johnny Appleseed

Spicy Peanut Veggie Wrap
Fresh and Lively Sides

Wheat Berry Salad

Cowgirl Succotash

Lentil Salad

Zucchini Caprese Salad

Brussels and Kale

Quinoa Broccoli Salad

Zesty Kale Slaw

Lime Zested Fruit Salad

Spinach Orzo Salad

Sunshine Couscous

Sesame Kale/Noodles

Texas Two Bean

Pesto Orzo Salad

Cucumber and Radish Yogurt Salad

Tomato Cucumber Salad

Quinoa Tabouleh
Signature Salads

Garden Bash

Blue Gingered Pear

Spring Roll Toss

Marinated Artichoke Salad

Apple Beet Salad

Zesty Caesar
Boxed Lunches

Tempeh Pesto Club

The Picnic Club

Bahn Mi

Turkey Bird

Sprout & Veggie Blast

BBQ Tofu

Chicken Salad Sandwich

The Smoked Salmon Delight

The Picnic Muffuletta

Trio Box

Nicoise Salad

Captain Cobb
Hot & Comfy Main Dishes

Caribbean Burrito

Samosa Burrito

Vegetarian 4-way with Spaghetti or Redskins

Vegan Shells & 'Cheeze'

Lasagna

Pork Cassoulet (GF)

Root Vegetable Cassoulet

Braised Beef Brisket with Fennel & Carrots *GF

Braised Chicken All'Arrabiatta (Angry Italian Style!) *GF

Balsamic Braised Pork Tenderloin

Mustard Pecan Chicken

Tandoori Style Chicken

Chicken Fricasee

Lemongrass Chicken (or Tofu)
Hot & Comfy Side Options

Buffalo Mac and Cheese

Cider Braised Vegetables

Brown Butter Beans & Greens

Au Grautins

Cheesy Polenta & Peppers

Wild Rice Pilaf

Corn Spoon Bread

Fasolakia

Sesame Green Beans

Caramelized Brussel Sprouts

Candied Sweet Potatoes

Curry Lentil Pilaf

Creamy Mushroom Orzo Risotto
Sweet Tooth

Cupcakes

Cupcakes: Cake Varieties

Cupcakes: Icing Varieties (Housemade)

Dessert Bites

Cookies

Healthy Meal suggestions for Melt

Baked Sandwiches

Artichoke Melt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yeehaw BBQ [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Rachel [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Verde Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Muffaletta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Hoffner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Joan Of Arc [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Three Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veggie Cheesesteak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

A.T.L.T. [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Organic Spring Mix [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Herbed Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zesty Kale Slaw [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hummus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup Or Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buffalo Mac & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Whole Wheat Wraps

Turkey Bird [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado Bliss [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

East Village [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Peanut Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Plates Apps And Bowls

Vegan Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup Of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup/salad Combo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mediterranean Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rudys Nachos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veggie 3-Way with Spaghetti or Redskins [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegan Shells and Cheeze [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buffalo Mac & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Blue Pear [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spring Roll Toss [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Bash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Apple Beet Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marinated Artichoke Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zesty Ceasar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dressings

Curry Yogurt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lime Cilantro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Balsamic Vinaigrette [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ginger Hoison [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Miso Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Wine Vinaigrette [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

8 oz. of any of our Housemade Dressings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Kids

Protein Choice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gourmet Pb & J [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked "grilled" Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Menu Notes

Vegan Options [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gluten-Free Options [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Add Protein [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Substitutions [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Allergies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Other Menus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Brunch Items

Smoked Salmon Deluxe Melt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Northside Hot Brown [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salad of the Moment [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mr. Brisket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian Huevos Rancheros [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goetta Melt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Challah French Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegan Biscuits and Gravy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Southwest Hash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kid's Brunch Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The BELT [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Brunch Sides

Garden Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Herbed Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fruit Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheesy Grits [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tofu Scramble [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

One Vegan Biscuit with Gravy and Chives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Menu Notes

Vegan Options [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gluten-Free Options [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Add Protein [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Substitutions [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Allergies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Other Menus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Call our market Picnic and Pantry to place your catering order"

Call to place an order: 513-681-8600 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prices shown on this menu are for pickup orders. [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Delivery Charges [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rush Orders [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Grazing Platters

Crudités (assorted fresh vegetables) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mediterranean [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Creamer Potatoes Dusted w/ Sea Salt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Charcuterie Arrangement [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Savory Cheesecake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Heartier Sides

Roasted Grape Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curried Coconut Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mustard Dill Potato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Apricot Shallot Potato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ginger peanut Potato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pinwheel Platters

East Village [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame Suzy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hoffner's Sister [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Adrienne [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Wrap Platters

East Village [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame Suzy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruce Park [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado Bliss [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Johnny Appleseed [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Peanut Veggie Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fresh and Lively Sides

Wheat Berry Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cowgirl Succotash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lentil Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zucchini Caprese Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brussels and Kale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quinoa Broccoli Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zesty Kale Slaw [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lime Zested Fruit Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach Orzo Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sunshine Couscous [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame Kale/Noodles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Texas Two Bean [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pesto Orzo Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cucumber and Radish Yogurt Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomato Cucumber Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quinoa Tabouleh [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Signature Salads

Garden Bash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blue Gingered Pear [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spring Roll Toss [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marinated Artichoke Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Apple Beet Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zesty Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Boxed Lunches

Tempeh Pesto Club [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Picnic Club [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bahn Mi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Turkey Bird [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sprout & Veggie Blast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BBQ Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Salad Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Smoked Salmon Delight [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Picnic Muffuletta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Trio Box [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nicoise Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Captain Cobb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Hot & Comfy Main Dishes

Caribbean Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Samosa Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian 4-way with Spaghetti or Redskins [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegan Shells & 'Cheeze' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lasagna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Cassoulet (GF) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Root Vegetable Cassoulet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Braised Beef Brisket with Fennel & Carrots *GF [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Braised Chicken All'Arrabiatta (Angry Italian Style!) *GF [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Balsamic Braised Pork Tenderloin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mustard Pecan Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tandoori Style Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Fricasee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemongrass Chicken (or Tofu) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Hot & Comfy Side Options

Buffalo Mac and Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cider Braised Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brown Butter Beans & Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Au Grautins [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheesy Polenta & Peppers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wild Rice Pilaf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn Spoon Bread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fasolakia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame Green Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caramelized Brussel Sprouts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Candied Sweet Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curry Lentil Pilaf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Creamy Mushroom Orzo Risotto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sweet Tooth

Cupcakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cupcakes: Cake Varieties [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cupcakes: Icing Varieties (Housemade) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dessert Bites [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cookies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.

Kfc ( 7716 Beechmont Ave )

Kfc ( 3006 Reading Rd )

TGI Friday’s ( 8150 Montgomery Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.

Kfc ( 7716 Beechmont Ave )

Kfc ( 3006 Reading Rd )

TGI Friday’s ( 8150 Montgomery Rd )

Write An Anonymous Review

Kathy M.

We had lunch here on my first day in Cincinnati. I had the Rachel which was great. It had wonderful flavors that all blended together so perfectly. They use all fresh and organic (pretty sure about that last part) ingredients and you can really tell. We sat on their outdoor patio and just enjoyed the wonderful food and the company. I would suggest that if you sit at the first picnic table be careful of the uneven table surface that is hidden below the tablecloth. We lost two glasses of water because of it! I would not hesitate to go back and try even more items on their menu.
(4)
Hanna T.

In love with the veggie philly cheesesteak vegan style. I can't really ever allow myself to get anything else but I will try! Also the vegan chocolate cupcake is amazing!!!
(5)
Will S.

The gal-pal and I are considering a move to Dayton, Ohio. Which we are mostly excited about. One of the things I'm going to miss the most about Memphis though, is going to be the food...because OH MY GOD there is a reason so many people are morbidly obese down here. That being said, many places around Cincinnati are relieving me of that concern. We have really enjoyed our visits around town. Melt being a big gold star on top of our visit. My girlfriend is not only super pregnant, but also Vegan and this place easily and beautifully satisfied her desire for tasty food. I'm not sure what she got but it was fantastic. My sandwich and buffalo mac and cheese was really damn good, and we got some hummus for the road that was great (although them putting the chips in the box with the hummus to get all soggy wasn't a great idea). Service was great and very warm, the wait (it was reasonably quiet while we were there) was minimal and the table numbers for them to bring you your order are fun. We will be visiting Melt on all our trips up there visiting and scouting, and will be making it a staple once we move out there. Cincinnati is quickly becoming one of my favorite places (outside of Memphis) and I'm more and more excited to be able to call that area home because of places like Melt.
(4)
KC K.

Seriously....why it took me so long to get here....no clue. People rave about it..ya,ya, I'll get there sometime. Damn...I've been missing out. Joan of Arc...love you! Black Tea...love you as well. Such a large menu for a small establishment, it's quite impressive. Bring your Vegetarian friends, bring your meat eaters, bring whomever...just please get over to Northside and get a table.
(5)
Tori M.

I have had to change my diet many times because of different health complications but have always been able to eat at melt without feeling like I am missing out. What is best about this however is I can bring anyone here no matter what they like and everyone seems to find something they enjoy. Many family members who are hesitant to eat with me because they think they will be eating 'hippy food' have no problem eating here. My only complaint is that I like my chilli much spicier than they serve it at Melt.
(4)
Sarah A.

I loooove this place!! I come here every time I'm in Northside; which unfortunately, isn't that often. I really crave their sandwiches and it's a treat when I finally get to indulge. (Their salads and homemade dressing always hits the spot too! It's nice that they sell their dressing if you want to take some home.) It can be a little pricey, but the quality of food makes everything worth it! You can tell they really care about what you're putting into your body.
(5)
Kristen C.

My husband and I stopped by this cafe for lunch last week and it was so great. The staff was friendly and the place was super cute. My husband had "The Rachel" and said it was one of the best sandwiches he's ever had. We will def be back the next time we pass thru Cincinnati.
(5)
Joe W.

Sandwiches are great. Fun place to eat. Very casual, very quirky art on the walls. Plenty of options for any eating preferences. My mac and cheese tasted reheated but I am a picky person. Artichoke flatbread is very good. BBQ sandwich is very good.
(4)
Devon C.

Update 2/26/14 I stopped in Melt today for lunch, having seen their full menu for brunch a few days ago, I could not stop myself from wanting to try one of their "melted" sandwiches. I ordered the "Joan of Arc", a delightful number with braised beef. It was absolutely delicious, juicy, tender, a lot of great flavor. My only complaint was that after I was finished my sandwich, I wanted more! --------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------- I went to Melt today for a nice Sunday brunch. For those who have never been it's a nice small little spot, and you order your food then can sit down after. Even with a group of 4 going to brunch around 11:20 am it wasn't too packed and we were able to get a table immediately after ordering. In terms of the food, I ordered the Southwest Hash, but also had bites of the Northside Hot Brown, Challah French Toast, and the Frittatta. Everything was absolutely delicious. The Southwest Hash had a nice blend of spices and was a little spicy which I enjoyed. As far as the sides, we had cheesy grits, biscuits and gravy, and redskin potatoes. The biscuits were a little dry but the cheesy grits were delicious. The only reason I'm giving this place 4 stars instead of 5 is because their brunch menu is a little limited compared to their normal menu and the items on their normal menu looked delicious and I wish I could have ordered them. Anyway, definitely recommend this spot for a nice breakfast, brunch, or lunch!
(4)
Karen D.

Yelp has a great selection of sandwiches, wraps and salads, another gem in Northside neighborhood. The Rachel is my favorite, I'm a sucker for a great turkey melt and served warm with the slaw and special sauce oozing off the sandwich, you will need napkins followed by a side of their roasted potatoes. The only negative for Melt is the wait, there's always a line, which is a good sign, but once you order it can take 20 minutes to receive your sandwich, which feel at times is just too long to wait for any food especially for a carry out order.
(3)
Linsey G.

I'd never been to this particular vegetarian-friendly restaurant's brunch. Therefore, I deemed absolutely necessary to document our tryst. Location: With a parking lot right across Hamilton Avenue partnered with a plethora of street spots, parking is pretty convenient, even if you have to either know how to parallel park or spend a couple of bucks to do so. Tucked between the likes of cafes and taverns, Melt enjoys close proximity to pretty much everything Northside has to offer (especially to Chicken Lays an Egg, which is a short walk up the street). Atmosphere: I really love the quaint, welcoming ambience inside of Melt. While we sat in the back on our last trip, we got to enjoy the front window seating for brunch this past weekend. The back is a bit more private, while the front is afforded the same privacy, but with a much better view. I also particularly enjoy how you order and pay at the counter (chalkboard menu!), and your food is run out to you when it is ready. Food: I had briefly forgotten that, after planning to have lunch at Melt, Sundays were reserved for brunch. So when we arrived, we only had the brunch menu to choose from. Emily, my brunch date (and close friend who just moved home from a 3-year stint across the country!), opted for the savory Huevos Rancheros with tofu scramble, while I leaned towards the sweet Challah French Toast (hold the fruit). We both wanted roasted potatoes on the side, which comes with curry ketchup. Emily had about half of her fare, while I devoured all of mine. It was delicious! In addition to our entrÃ©es, when we were at the register, there were "vegan chocolate" cupcakes. We got one to share, and Emily exclaimed, "If these are really vegan, this is the best vegan cupcake I've ever had!"
(4)
Grace D.

Had a great Easter brunch! The Smoked Salmon Deluxe was to die for! Wish I would have picked the roasted potatoes as a side instead of the biscuit, too sweet for my liking. Overall definitely recommended
(5)
Alex N.

To be honest when I walked in and saw signs that they were only serving a brunch menu at 1pm I was quite upset. Outside of the the eggs and sausage at a elffaW esuoH at 3am I do not like brunch food at all . . .I have been here once before a year ago and didn't remember too much from it. But this time was different, I was convinced to go with some friends and it pretty much changed my thought on A) vegan cuisine and B) brunch. I had the tofu hash with sausage and gravy (all vegan). It was Delicious! The texture was not mushy and soggy like I expected of most tofu and the biscuit did not taste like paper or was it hard as a rock. I will admit the taste was a bit different that the normal hash and gravy but it was a good different. My friend had a keesh that was also wonderful. To be honest I generally only skim through a menu and it ingredients so I actually had no idea I was eating tofu instead of eggs until later that day when my other pal who also had the same thing informed me. Astonishing right?...Place is pretty small with a front and rear seating area so be prepared for that if you are going at peak hours. I did notice a patio outback with tables, I imagine that would be a perfect place to have lunch on a nice Saturday afternoon. The coffee could use some work but hey that's only a minor setback because with the tea choices you can't go wrong.... Cheers,
(5)
Jessie T.

So I've been to this place three times before, which were all before I started this blog and it is definitely worth talking about. They take pride in their organic, vegan/gluten-friendly menu so I appreciate that they are able to achieve this while simultaneously making it super delicious. Today I ordered the Rachael, which is their spin on the Reuben. Instead of corned beef, they use turkey and instead of rye bread (bleh), they use whole grain. Topped off with some swiss, tasty mystery dressing, and homemade sauerkraut, it was like heaven melting in my mouth. Next to the Verde Chicken sandwich there, this was definitely one of my favorites. I paired it with herbed potatoes which were zesty and nicely cooked al dente.. and they were served with a homemade curry catsup.. YUM!! It was almost like a salsa but so very good. This place is one of the two that I've tried in Northside and I am planning to explore more of it for more eats this summer. I cannot wait!
(5)
Emily C.

This place is GOOD. My food is always served hot, fresh, and delicious. My only small, mini-complaint is the wait time for ordering during the lunch rush and getting your food after you've ordered. I know all the hot dishes are made to order, and usually I don't mind at all, especially because they'll keep your water cup/coffee mug refilled whenever you need it.
(5)
Kamal K.

I reviewed much of what had already been written before giving this place a shot and was a bit put off by some ambivalent experiences. But I had a wonderful experience here and leave satisfied with no ambivalence at all! I got the ATLT and vegan chili for a side. The sandwich was yummy and seemed light overall. The house made tempeh was excellent and cooked to a pleasing crispiness. The chili was good and seems like it would satisfy a meat-eater as well. It had a hint of sweetness to it which was unique. I look forward to sampling all their offerings and like having a healthier option available for a quick and reasonably priced dinner!
(5)
Marie S.

My favorite place to eat! Vegan, vegetarian and meat options (so good for everyone) Yeehaw vegan sandwich is the best! Sad to miss the vegan goetta which they only serve during Sunday brunch...definitely trying that next time. Great ambiance: both indoor and outside garden seating. Friendly staff. Unlike most vegan places The Melt serves large and filling portions. The area needs more places like this!
(5)
Martha C.

My friends love this place so one weekend morning we decided to head here for brunch. They insisted that I need to try it. While at Melt I ended up getting the Southwest Hash at the recommendation of the waiter at the cash register. I was between the Hash and the Huevos Rancheros. Sadly, I ended up walking away wondering if I would have liked the Huevos Rancheros better because for me, the Hash really fell short. For the Hash the flavor was good, but it was so dry that I had a hard time eating it. I ended up getting a small bottle of water that I had to chug simultaneously while eating my meal to combat the severe lack of moisture. And, sadly, I wasn't the only one who came away from that meal dissatisfied, my one friend didn't like her meal either. After one bite we were both looking to our other friends meal, which looked stellar, and feeling gypped. Maybe next time I will try the Melt lunch, hopefully that will be better.
(3)
Sal R.

Vegan huevos rancheros, where have you been all my life? During a recent Sunday brunch stop, I tried this for the first time ever. I'm not a huge fan of either scrambled eggs or tofu, but I went for the tofu option -- and it was so perfectly done -- the texture, the flavor, everything. Weeks later, I'm still craving this. For lunch, I've tried the ATLT sandwich. The tempeh was done well, and the srriacha mayo was delicious. The vegetarian chili is the best. It's amazingly "meaty" and flavorful, and their vegan cheese is yummy!
(5)
K P.

This place was an awesome place for a vegan meal! I got the vegan Mac and cheese which was great-I loved how it was served on some spinach leaves, and the spring roll salad- I will definitely be copying that salad at home! So good! The best part was the vegan chocolate cupcake- I've never had such a good vegan cupcake. You have to try it! The service was lovely and back patio was great too!
(5)
Tree S.

Cramped, uncomfortable seating. Unattractive space. Mediocre and uninspiring food. The nachos are horrible. I've tried to like this place but can't. My guess is that one reason it's so popular is because it provides Vegetarian and Vegan options which have been hard to find in the Cincinnati area. Fortunately, in recent years there are more choices for people who don't eat meat. The only positive thing I can say about Melt is the staff is consistently warm and friendly.
(2)
Alyssa H.

Yum! Melt is so good! There are plenty of tasty, healthy choices to choose from to satisfy everyone. Lots of vegan/vegetarian choices which makes me happy. Definitely would recommend stopping in here!
(4)
Shoshana K.

Melt.......is awesome. !!!! If you want the condensed version of this review, two thumbs up would sum it up. So why are u still reading - GO! Now. Melt appeals to the organic-locavore-vegetarian/vegan-friendly-but-Âalso-likes-humane-meat-and-poultry sides of me. There is something here for everyone and everything they serve here is guilt free. Your meal here will run you a few more dorrars than you may be prepared for....but remember that everything possible is house made with REAL FOOD! $10 bought me a satisfying and delicious amount of food. I can attest to the kale slaw and spicy peanut wrap-both yum! Ask for some sirracha on the side!!I used to get a roast beef Sammy here and remember that being uh-MAZING as well!! I think there was Bleu cheese on that RB sangwich.. Plenty of seating in the back if the front is full. Can't wait for my next visit to cinci so I can pop in again!!
(5)
Rachel M.

Melt was the first vegetarian-focused restaurant I found in Cincinnati, and it remains my favorite. There is nothing like their huge Sunday brunch to end a great weekend, and I pop in for lunch as often as I can. The food is always delicious and I love enjoying the outdoor seating when weather co-operates. I have brought so many people here, from my 60 year old meat-and-potatoes father to vegan sorority sisters, and everyone has loved it!
(5)
Jason W.

I'm more of a traditional style of food fan. Like food that tastes good. I did not like this place
(1)
Alexandria J.

Obsessed with this place. We were just passing through town and stopped; great decision! Delicious food and cutie patio!
(5)
Teena J.

I love this place for lunch the artichoke melt with the blue pear salad are my go to and when i am feeling like a real treat i go for the flourless chocolate cup cake. AMAZING!
(4)
Joe R.

Had today for the second time. Food was good. I had the Yeehaw BBQ and it was pretty good. My wife had the ATLT (avocado, tofu, not telling the other two). Hers was better. I like the atmosphere and drink selection. Plenty of your token Northside hipsters eating and working in this establishment. Only downside was the wait. I ordered our food to go and waited about 25 minutes. A little long for me but the food was arguably worth it.
(4)
Robin D.

Grace and I decided to try Melt when we realized that it was in a cool East Nashville type neighborhood. We miss home every week so down 75 we went. It didn't disappoint. Spicy peanut wrap. I had the Kirby and then today when we went back with the whole family, The staff suggested a great sandwich vegan style. This place is hip and fun, and the ice tea is great. I plan on sampling the entire vegany menu lol
(5)
Heidi T.

Yum!!! I don't get melt often, always stop when I'm in the area! Veggie cheese stake is fabulous!
(5)
Allan F.

Love going to the Melt for lunch and getting Yeehaw BBQ or brunch on Sunday for the Northside hot brown.... if you have not been there it is a must try.
(5)
Ang P.

A true gem! The atmosphere is comfortably unique and the servers are cordial. But most importantly, the food was incredible! Melt focuses on handcrafting every dish, and it really shows!! I had The Rachel along with the Vegan Chili and it was so tasty! The chili was hearty and so was the sandwich, but I didn't care because they both sounded so so good! Honestly I don't think you can go wrong with anything Melt makes!
(5)
Tabitha W.

Two years ago, I visited Cincinnati and ate lunch at Melt. I enjoyed it so much, I went back for brunch the next day. I just moved to Cincy about a month ago, but you better believe I've already made a Melt stop. This time around, I had a Veggie Cheesesteak - for an extra $2.25, you can upgrade your side from Sunchips, so I tried the Roasted Herbed Potatoes. They also had a display of baked goods at the counter, so I ended up with a cupcake with peanut butter frosting. Very yummy food! The interior seems like it could use a bit of a facelift - definitely eclectic! :-P I don't love the neighborhood. The actual street it's on seems ok, but I walked around a little bit to some of the neighboring streets and it definitely seemed less than ideal.
(5)
Jim S.

Our first time to eat here because I saw the show on Food Network. Very disappointed. My Rachel was pretty good(okay), but the white chicken chili I ordered as a side was tepid at best with nearly raw, hard garbanzo beans. Would you not think "if" you were in the kitchen, you would notice the chili when scooped out was not steaming??? My dining partner had the Yee Haw with chicken, (okay) and their side of Buffalo mac & cheese was old as the hills. The pasta was so over done it was literally disintegrating. A sandwich and a side for 10 bucks each plus a drink for both was over 24.00. Never Again!!!! Terry's Turf Club here we come as we drove from Anderson Township just to dine at Melt. Upon exiting a guy sitting on the stoop next door was trying to bum money from me. Not the restaurants fault. Not my side of town to feel safe in.......
(2)
Sarah F.

I used to think Melt was for the meatless masses, but a recent visit gave me a new perspective. They are still extremely vegetarian and vegan friendly, but they have dramatically expanded their protein selections. I was debating between a BBQ chicken sandwich and the Joan of Arc (roast beef with blue cheese & red peppers) and finally decided on the Joan of Arc with a cup of chilliquiles soup (like tortilla soup) on the side. The sandwich was very good: great flavor combo with the beef and blue cheese and nice toasty outside contrasting with the melty inside. My only complaint is that halfway through, the bottom piece of bread got very soggy and didn't hold up as a sandwich so got pretty messy. I just grabbed a fork and problem solved. If you've never been, it's an order at the counter & the meal is brought to your table place. Prices are high, but as they note on their menu chalkboard, they reflect the high quality ingredients. I can't argue with them on that--everything was extremely tasty and definitely a few cuts above your typical sandwich shop. Just be prepared to pay $8-12 for a sandwich and side. Good range of choices on sides: sun chips for no extra charge or a wide range of more creative choices for a bit more (salads, soups, etc.) Don't forget to finish with a cookie. The lemon cornbread one that my friend shared with me was definitely one of my favorite parts of the meal. Like a lemon-poppyseed cornbread muffin (sans poppyseeds) in cookie form. Not too sweet but very satisfying.
(4)
Jeff R.

Horrible experience - place is empty and I still had to wait almost 40 minutes for a salad, yes, salad and soup. I can't imagine ordering anything more elaborate and having to wait for it. Not impressed!
(1)
Pat L.

Really delicious homemade food, and reasonable prices. I got a sandwich with beef and blue cheese that melted in my mouth, truly delicious. I then shamelessly complimented that with their buffalo mac'n'cheese, which was also fantastic. I'll definitely go back if I'm in town.
(5)
Elaine W.

Melt, Melt, Melt. I can't get enough of you. Everything here is delicious and actually pretty healthy. They are known for their melted sandwiches. It's vegan friendly, but don't let that scare you away! It just means they can make almost anything you order vegan by substituting for soy milk, seitan, etc. Carnivores will still enjoy some of their best sandwiches--the roast beef "Joan of Arc" and the "Verde Chicken." What's especially unique is their VEGAN MAC N CHEESE!! Well it's actually called the Vegan Penne and Cheeze, and it's made with whole wheat penne and comes on a bed of spinach... how's that for health nuts? It's not as creamy-rich as your typical mac 'n cheese, but if you like soy you'll enjoy this. I've also had the Vegan Chili, which is good, and the Spring Roll Toss salad comes with a ginger hoisin vinaigrette that is outta this world. The inside looks small, but they have a whole back room behind the kitchen and a garden in the back.
(5)
Amalie F.

Awesome food! We were a table of 6 and everyone loved what they ordered. I had the vegan vegetable cheesesteak with roasted potatoes. So much food I should've shared but too good to let any go. The curry ketchup was so good!
(5)
Jill C.

This place is gluten free heaven and has an awesome menu that lives up to the hype. My husband and I stopped in for lunch on a recent Saturday afternoon. The place was still pretty packed but we were able to grab one of the last tables in the back. My husband has the gluten allergy and loved having so many options available for him. He ended up going with the Joan of Arc and side of the chicken and veggie soup. I went with the muffaletta (not a traditional muffaletta but still really yummy) and a side kale salad. The portion and price was right on. The food was delicious. The long wait was what keeps me from going for the 5 stars. It was at least a 25 min wait for the food. Hope to go back soon and try out some of the other menu items!
(4)
Coleen P.

Melt makes my heart melt.. ahhhhhhhh Northside. I love it during the day, but at night I am probably more hesitant. Walking up to Melt, the streets smelled like cigarette smoke but overall, Northside's boutiques and cute little restaurants make me very excited. Walking in to Melt, I fell in love immediately. The interior is just sooo cute. The menu is handwritten in chalk, the walls are decorated with cute pictures, and there's even a fun little magnet board to play with in the interim of getting your food. As it was our first time there, we asked the server for her recommendations. She suggested the Rachel and the Hoffner, which is what we went with! We also got our sandwiches with house sides (Hummus & Sunchips + Cream of Mushroom soup). The sandwiches were sooooo delicious. I can't even begin to describe how well the sauce + veggies + other ingredients went so well together. My favorite of the two was the Rachel. Only one thing though, I feel like the serving side was a little small for the price you pay. Sandwich + house side is usually $9.95. But overall a great soup&sandwich place!
(4)
Kasey P.

I have LOVED the ATLT, veggie chili (vegan option), and the veggie cheesesteak (vegan option). Will continue to go here frequently.
(5)
Jim M.

Excellent veg options! We went with a chef friend of ours while in town for a concert. He was impressed with the veg philly as we were. He said that the house made seitan in the Philly tastes better than meat! He was right and we cannot wait to go back to Cinci to try more from the menu
(5)
Samantha F.

The staff is very informative, friendly and suggestive of what you should order. Melt's environment has an open feel especially with the outdoor seating in the back. Great place to have brunch and relax while eating healthy and fresh food!!! The not so good part: food took a long while to come out.
(4)
Ashley B.

I work down the street from Melt, and their phone number is by my phone. It's a staple for me! I love their wraps and vegan chili. Their ingredients are of quality, organic and local when they can. If you're vegan, you'll have a field day here! My meat eating sibling also enjoyed his meal when I brought him in.
(5)
Kelsey S.

Sunday brunch! Had the french toast with red skins (really good!) and fiance had hot brown and tofu scramble-- tofu scramble was flavorful and hot brown had yummy sauce on it! Cosy atmosphere! Inside and patio area. They also have cupcakes!!
(4)
Aaron A.

I stopped in here and had a muffuletta for lunch one day. The sandwich was delicious with tons of stringy cheese. I wish I had gotten one of the sides because the sun chips were kind of boring. The menu overloaded my brain and I wasn't able to go over the whole thing. The restaurant is cute, there's a patio in the back. Given the opportunity I would be happy to visit Melt again.
(3)
Helen V.

Great place for "real food"! Appetizing and great tasting. I love the kale slaw! Yee-Haa is a great choice for meat lovers who want to transition to vegetarian or vegan.
(5)
Kitty H.

In the warmer weather it's a great place to have a date. The outdoor seating area is comfortable and inviting, enhancing a good conversation. The menu provides many healthy options. I like that you pay before dining to avoid waiting on the check. The staff is friendly and the food is served quickly.
(4)
Jamie L.

different food choices from the usual(good & healthy ingredients). very tasty with friendly & fast service. they are small, but have additional seating in the back. our table had the tuna melt, buffalo mac & cheese, the yeeha melt, vegan 3-way chili and 3 cheese sandwich. we also had some brownies and some cupcake. my sister really likes the "Rachel" too. Sooooo delicious! You can eat for under $10 or get a side and it be just over $10. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Northside! get there early for lunch for meter/on street parking or there is a small lot across the street.
(4)
Elise H.

Extensive, delicious vegetarian food (and non-vegetarian options, too but I am so impressed with their vegetarian options). I am pleased each time I go. So many great options to choose from, tremendous portions, very reasonable prices. One of my go-to's. Love.
(5)
John G.

Just had the artichoke melt. Awesome blend of artichokes, spinach, cheese and tomato. This place is a friendly neighborhood hangout in trendy Northside. I've never been disappointed here. Definitely recommend.
(5)
Thi Q.

Unique place and the melts was awesome!! The place is located in downtown, so parking was very limited. The restaurant is small but has a distinctive vibe to it. I ordered the artichoke melt and it was divine. The dough was perfectly crisp and the melt was on point.
(4)
Adam D.

Melt is a restaurant that I had been interested in trying ever since I made my way across the I-75 corridor to the Northside area of Cincinnati. Melt offers an assortment of sandwiches, wraps, and soup/chili that could satisfy even the pickiest of eater or vegetarian. Upon my visit there I ordered their interpretation of the Muffaletta (served on flatbread) and an order of roasted potatoes. While the Muffaletta wasn't just like what mom would order in the French Quarter the sandwich was very good. My potatoes were served with a curry ketchup which was pretty tasty as well. The decor of Melt is typical of the Northside neighborhood, rustic and homey. Overall I would definitely recommend Melt and am looking forward to trying their brunch offerings soon (I love breakfast especially when you can sleep in). So if you are in the mood for a good soup and sandwich type of meal on a cold winter day Melt is a great place to indulge!
(4)
Jamie B.

Delicious. Vegan friendly, which is awesome because there are not too many places my husband and daughter can safely eat when we are out without having to analyze the menus and talk to the chef's. They both have dairy allergies, so this helps take out that stress of looking at the ingredients closely.
(4)
Tarah D.

Oh, Cincinnati- I had almost written you off as a "vegetarian nightmare city" a'la many midsized Midwestern cities. "It's not your fault," I told myself as I searched, in vain, downtown for something good to eat. "It's the Midwest. It's Ohio. It's winter" (I was trying to help out with excuses here). At a conference in Cincinnati meant I was mainly stuck in downtown, and while there were a few Thai/pan-Asian options within a few miles, Cincinnati didn't strike me as a veggie-friendly place. I'm SO glad we were able to venture further afield to Melt. WORTH the drive. My non-vegetarian friend and I both raved about this place. Melt has an incredible selection of vegan and veggie options and it's well prepared, well seasoned, and delicious. The veggie biscuits and gravy was off the chain. As was the French toast monstrosity that showed up at our table (I may have ordered two meals worth of food...) The menu is huge, the people are nice, the interior is indi-hypster-chique (but we'll forgive you for that, and, most importantly, the food is delicious. Stop whatever you are doing and eat here. Now.
(5)
Yay B.

Very west coast! Reminds me of San Francisco cafes. Love this spot. Vegetarian yumminess is a rare treat in these parts. It always makes my day.
(5)
Kaitlin B.

Awesome place for the vegan and veggie crowd in Cincinnati! I have dined at Melt for brunch and dinner. On the brunch menu, I am a fan of the vegetarian biscuits and gravy. The gravy has a great constituency, not too thick and not to runny. On the lunch/dinner menu the Kirby Melt and Blue Pear Salad are great choices. Melt is small, so be prepared for a possible wait at peak times like brunch. I also love the atmosphere at Melt. It offers a great laid back and casual dining experience.
(4)
Stephen C.

Melt is a great restaurant for many reasons. They make most of their own offerings I house, and they are free of antibiotics, hormones and other bad stuff. The food tastes great and they can alter anything to accommodate any allergy or dietary need. You can also call and order ahead. That's good because speed is not something Melt is known for.....at all. You can not be in a hurry if you plan on eating here. In addition to the food being made, lots of people who take pride in taking forever to order. They like to ask what's in every sandwich, never mind the ingredients are listed on the board. Great food and a great place to chill for a while.
(5)
Carolyn B.

What a unique and pleasant eatery! It's so good, we've gone there more than once and will definitely go back. The food is packed with both flavor and nutrition! The only problem is trying to decide what to have!
(5)
Tonya R.

Took my mom here for her birthday and we all enjoyed it. Fresh foods, relaxed atmosphere and was very busy. Prices seemed a little high, but would definitely go back. Bathroom could have used some attention, because there was a leak on the floor, which I mentioned, but that wasn't enough to prevent me from going back.
(4)
Katherine M.

Hands down my favorite sandwich shop - their ingredients are so good! The restaurant is really cute - a chalkboard menu full of sandwiches and salads - I always miss stuff that I want! I enjoy it's location simply because afterwards we can walk around Shake It Records and what not - it's in Northside so there is a lot to do. There is a lot of local art on the walls that is always nice. The sandwiches are really great. We have a consistent favorite - mine is the East Village (a turkey, goat cheese, roasted red pepper, and arugala sandwich on french bread) and my husband loves one that I forget the name of, but it has turkey, white cheddar, cranberries, and red onions. I always mean to try their tofu based stuff but usually forget as I order in a rush. Their rosemary redskin potatoes are also addictive. We have had soup before and really enjoyed it. They sell some local sweets, some are from Take the Cake, for dessert. That is always a nice thing to share at the end of a meal. The drinks are also good - they have Virgil's root beer (really, really great stuff) and juices and what not by the bottle. They also have freshly brewed iced teas, but I always forget about them. Their sandwiches are different and they have something for everyone - vegan, vegetarian, or meat eater. It's great.
(5)
F D.

Superb, alway a great experience. Frequent it often, never disappointed !
(5)
Hannah P.

Let me start this by saying OMG, OMG, OMG.This place is divine! I've only been here once (shame on me, I know) because this is my new favorite place to eat. The prices were a tad high but totally worth it because I finished my plate feeling fully-satisfied by my food buzz. It's a soup and sandwich place and the variety in ingredients were paired perfectly. The Muffaletta turkey sandwich with olive spread was amazing accompanied with their smoked potato soup with turkey bacon. There are a ton of vegan/vegetarian options too if you're into that. The restaurant itself is quite trendy and is a lot bigger than it looks with two rooms to eat in and an outside area. There was art work for sale on the walls. A must-stop for those in the Northside area.
(5)
Erin H.

I had a really excellent meal here during Sunday brunch Labor Weekend while visiting town. I have to agree that the service was slow and we were ready to break with hunger by the time the food came, but when it did we were in heaven. I had a sandwich melt with wonderful grainy bread with turkey, avocado, tomato, bacon and herbed cheese - so fresh and tasty. My friend's tofu scramble was good too. And I loved the potatoes and the homemade catsup. They had 2 excellent iced teas with free refills too. Definitely will go back on my next visit.
(4)
Paige M.

Glowing review #126 for Melt! First things first, I love how Melt is a specialty restaurant that feeds all. There are equally tasty dishes here for vegans, vegetarians, and meat-lovers. I eat meat, but I've taken a strong liking to many of the vegan dishes here. Honestly, the vegan food tastes better and fills me up quicker than a similar dish with meat. I also have more energy after lunch and never feel after-meal lethargy. Melt is my go-to place if I need stamina for my day. So, what's good here? - Joan of Arc sandwich (roast beef, roasted red peppers, roasted garlic, blue cheese, caramelized onions and provolone melted on focaccia) - Rachel sandwich (turkey, rubykraut [red cabbage and apples], swiss and tangy sauce melted on sourdough rye) - Vegan cheese coney - Vegan biscuits and gravy - Garden Bash salad w/ CURRY YOGURT DRESSING!!! - Rosemary redskin potatoes w/ curry ketchup ...and always the specialty "iced tea of the day" to drink. Melt runs about $10-$15 per person, which is somewhat pricey for lunch but the quality is worth every penny.
(5)
Jimmy W.

Been coming off and on to Melt for the past few years and figured it was time to actually write a review of them. Yes, they are a bit more in price but I truly believe you get what you pay for. Pretty much every time I have been there, the food has been delicious. The only downside to the entire place is when it gets busy. If you are there during a rush, it gets real crowded and food may take a bit longer to come out but still completely worth it, in my opinion. Today for lunch, I had the Blue Pear salad and the Rachel with a side of sun chips and hummus. Mmm, Mmm good! The hummus was better than I remembered it and the Rachel (Turkey and a bunch of other good stuff :) was delicious. Really like the fact when ordering tea, you have two options and neither is the standard "crap" at every other store. I'd recommend going off hours but the food makes it well worth it!
(5)
S L.

Not that Melt needs another glowing review, but I think my story should be told. I'm probably the last person who should like a vegetarian-friendly restaurant. I grew up strictly meat-and-potatoes. Vegetarian? Blech! The only reason I went to Melt in the first place is because I lived in the neighborhood at the time and I supported local businesses. There has never been anything at Melt I didn't enjoy. After getting hooked on the vegetarian chili, I found myself coming back to try other things that specifically sounded disgusting to me, only to find out it was so delicious. Tofu scramble? Please. But then I taste it, and I find myself wondering how it could be so yummy. Melt is a Northside treasure.
(5)
Jesse F.

How have I never written a review of this amazing piece of Cincinnati? Laziness, that's why! Melt is simply great, no other way to put it. No matter whether your vegan, vegetarian or a carnivore, Melt will have something special for you. I always opt for one of their delectable sandwiches and the special potatoes they make. The curry catsup is a special treat. While it is more expensive than your average sandwich shop, this place is the epitome of "you get what you pay for." What you're getting at Melt is quality and lots of it. Nestled in the heart of Northside, Melt is a great place for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Be warned that the front of the shop is a little small, but the back and the patio has plenty of space. My advice, run, don't walk to Melt right now to start your Northside adventure.
(5)
Richy N.

Delicious! For those of you from Austin, this is exactly what you would find if you were in Austin. Had the Tuscan Melt and Chocolate Peppermint Swirl Brownie, both were amazing. Bravo.
(5)
Sandra F.

Outstanding food! Wide selection of vegetarian/vegan foods, great atmosphere and friendly staff!
(5)
Teresa S.

You can't go wrong with Melt. My favorite and repeated order is "The Rachel" with their fresh side salad and homemade cilantro dressing. The eclectic feel and service puts Northside on the map!!
(5)
Jeremy B.

I had heard a lot about Melt before I had went, and it was all overwhelmingly positive. When this happens, it tends to skew the experience, and I think that might be why I don't 5-star it. I really enjoyed the food. I got a melt of some sort, I think it was beef, but I'm not sure. And it was very good. What struck me was the price, though. I paid around $10 for a good sandwich, but not much else. I thought it was a bit steep. But if you are looking to eat at a very environmentally-conscious place with good food, look no further. I think they definitely sold their message and the staff seemed very into what they were doing. Very good experience, but not the best I've had.
(4)
Alex S.

I like Melt. I just don't think it likes me. Melt is a Vegan-friendly restaurant in the heart of Northside. It's beautifully furnished with wonderful and ever-changing local artwork. Come in periodically and it's never going to look the same twice. It's a really neat place to be. There are two sections to Melt. The first tiny room where you order your food and could possible grab a table near the window (don't press your luck. There are only two or three tables and they're almost always full). Otherwise, there's a back section with a few more tables and benches and places to sit if you're ordering in. Either way, it's going to be a tight fit - they will put as many people as they can and it can get a little cramped. Still, the atmosphere is light and pleasant and I've never seen anyone in a bad mood. If you come to Melt, you know what you're looking for and you're happy to be there. It's almost a Zen-like experience. However, I just can't get into the food. I want to and lord I've tried, but I can't do it. Every time I think I'll find something I like, I don't. I don't know why, but I've never had more than a, "meh" meal. I don't think this is they're fault though, as I know tons and tons of people who come on a regular basis and swear by Melt. (Seriously, the cuss words I've heard out of their mouths when it comes to how much they like this place, it's shocking.) I think it's just the organic food. I didn't grow up on it and I'm not used to it. I need some sort of Vegan sherpa who can guide me through this strange and foreign edible land - someone to ease me into the dangerous animal-friendly territory. Perhaps then I could fully appreciate Melt for what it is. Until then, I think I'll just look at the art.
(4)
Travis P.

Melt is great! Obviously one of the best places to get a delicious meal whether you are a vegan, vegetarian or omnivore. I have tried a number of the dishes and I have been amazed at the range of flavor. With all of the different vegetarian options, it is easy to try something new each time. Favorites include: Sweet Savage, Joan of Arc and the Veggie Cheesesteak. Brunch is amazing. Done.
(4)
Sarah M.

I absolutely love this place! The curry yogurt dressing is to die for! Anyone that is visiting from out of town I bring them here. This restaurant is great for vegetarians but also for paleo dieters like myself :)
(5)
Jessica N.

Melt is delicious. I've been here numerous times, and it is truly a unique place and one of a kind in Cincinnati. Melt uses organic products and local products when possible, and now offers Jeni's Ice Cream (Columbus, Oh). Prices are great for what you get. My sandwich recommendation would be the Rachel (has a great tasting slaw on it), and if you go for their Sunday Brunch, the bread pudding french toast is delectable. I believe Melt also offers baked goods from Take the Cake, which is located down the street. I recommend the chocolate bread pudding... and this post is beginning to have a bread pudding theme.
(5)
Rita E.

What a delightful cafe! I couldn't believe I found such a vegetarian-and-vegan-friendly restaurant -- I was staring at the menu board for a good five minutes, my eyes boggling at the number of things I could eat! And they're healthy, too! They have melts, salads and sandwiches here. I loved that they offered a "Halvsies," which is a half melt or sandwich plus half salad or soup. Perfect! So I tried half of the Art Melt (artichoke, tomatoes and cheddar) along with half of the spring roll toss salad. Pretty good! I'd say the food here is fine, though what I had did not knock my socks off. Perhaps if I was able to try more of the menu I'd think differently, but alas I don't live here. Melt also has a chill, organic/hippie vibe. The big back garden with its long communal tables is a great spot for large groups but seriously, they really need mosquito candles back there to shoo the insects away. Tip: don't buy a bottle of water here as they will give you water at the table. I learned this the hard way. :(
(4)
Alicia H.

This place was fabulous for vegetarians and non vegetarians alike. We will be coming back any time we are in the area. The artichoke flat melt and hummus were excellent. I actually said "wow" after my first bite, which was really surprising. My husband had the veggie chili and the chicken Caesar salad and thoroughly enjoyed both. He said it was the best veggie chili he has ever had. Definitely go by Melt for a unique restaurant with fabulous food!!
(5)
Becky S.

Best Feature: Mouthwateringly delicious food! Worst Feature: .... mm, none! We had heard rave things about Melt and with all the Yelp love, we finally decided on a random evening to take the trip out to Melt and try their dishes. We didn't even realize it was near one of our favorite stores, Shake It Records. I loved the interior decorating! They have areas to eat up front and in back, but we snagged a front window seat. It's colorful, lively, and I love the hand-written menu! We stared, wide-eyed, and the kind staff were generous with their help when they realized we were first time visitors. I ordered a soup and sandwich combo and my boyfriend had hummus + sandwich. As soon as I took a bite of a sandwich, I knew I was done for. Oh, Melt, your food is AMAZING! It was incredibly flavorful and very filling - and the veggie soup, which had olives in it (not a fan usually), was also fantastic! The service was fantastic, the interior had a real unique charm, and the food was absolutely worth stopping in for. If you have time, I'd definitely stop in. There's great shops in the area and their food is delicious!
(5)
Kristen B.

I met a friend here for some long overdue catching up one afternoon. So happy she suggested Melt! Since we were meeting post-lunch/pre-dinner, I was not hungry enough to order anything too substantial but I had a salad that was delicious. I don't remember the name of the salad, but it was Thai/Vietnamese inspired with a tasty peanut dressing. Looking at the rest of the menu, I saw many other items that sounded delicious. I also enjoyed a cupcake made by Take the Cake...another spot I definitely need to check out soon. Melt is on the "return again" list - especially when I'm hungrier!
(4)
Joanna C.

I have been driven to join Yelp just so I can leave a "disappointed" review for this restaurant. My boyfriend and I stayed in Cincinnati on a Saturday night and were looking for a good Sunday brunch spot. The Yelp reviews of Melt were overwhelmingly positive, so we checked it out, though now wish we hadn't. Food: nothing that exciting on the brunch menu (though in fairness some of the regular menu sandwiches looked pretty good), and the two dishes we ordered were middling, at best. Mine in particular (the redskin hash) looked and tasted like it had been sitting out for a couple of hours. The cheese was congealed and the potatoes had clearly been roasted hours previously. We both ordered the fruit salad side, and it was very obviously the frozen bulk mix you can get from Costco. The coffee was about as good as what you would expect from any average diner. Atmosphere: the kind of place that appears to be "cool" because it's mildly 'alternative' looking, but all that means is a hand-lettered chalkboard menu, mismatched chairs and bad photo-art on the walls. Servers: putting it nicely i would say they were inattentive; otherwise i would say they seemed like they just didn't give a shit. On our way back to the car we ventured into Take the Cake, and wished we'd eaten there instead -- the brunch menu was way more appealing, the vibe and crowd cooler and on top of all of that it was cheaper, too! I bought a scone from them as a consolation prize and it was really tasty, way higher praise than I can give to anything we had at Melt.
(2)
Alex L.

A definite favorite for lunch. Melt has a great selection of sandwiches that is very veggie-friendly and has meat if you're looking for that as well. Their ingredients are quite fresh and the food is tasty from the first bite to the last. Their side dishes are a plus as well. I've gotten both veggie and meat sandwiches and their salad and rosemary potatoes and they haven't gotten a complaint from me once about the quality of the food. The one thing I'd say is that it's a really good place for lunch but I'm not sure if I'd be full for dinner. That being said if you're down for a light dinner it wouldn't be bad either. The shop is quite small so depending on time of day you might be in for a wait and there are not too many tables, but I've never really had any trouble finding a table either so I'm just gauging by the size of the table.
(4)
Emily J.

I have always had great experiences at Melt. Their food is so delicious and fresh...always a great choice for lunch when you want something healthy, vegan or vegetarian. The prices are a little high, but are pretty much worth it considering the quality of the meals. Every sandwich and salad I've ordered there has been very good! The brunch is pretty delicious too! It can get pretty crowded during peak times, especially on the weekends during brunch...but worth it!
(5)
Stephanie S.

The food is excellent. Obviously, because the line to order food was out the door. It still went by pretty fast and the staff was very friendly. I have heard nothing but great reviews about this place so I was anxious to try it. I actually opted for the side sampler because I couldn't decide what to get. I would say yes to any invitation there for lunch, and I live close to 30 miles away from there.
(4)
Joe L.

Melt used to be one of the best kept secrets in Cincinnati. Now, it qualifies as the best place for lunch in town, and in one of the best neighborhoods as well. I can honestly say that I have never had a bad meal at Melt, and have tried about a dozen different menus items. That's not to say that some things are not better than others, but it's one of those rare places where it's easy for me to go away from a traditional favorite and not be disappointed. Melt is in Northside, right across the street from Shake It Records and next door to the Northside Tavern and might be the only vegetarian freindly restaurant in the area. If you want a hot panini sandwich or a cold sando, you get it with a nice choice of greens or fresh fruit and my latest find is the amazing bottled root beer (forgetting the brand) from the cooler that is made with pure cane sugar. If I have to complain about Melt, it's only for two reasons. 1) The menu is so large sometimes it can be a bit intimidating if you are new to the place. 2) Seating is very limited But overall, it's still an easy 5-star rating for me, and a must eat joint if you are record shopping across the street or need a pre-bar meal before hitting NST next door.
(5)
Chelsea V.

I have no idea where to start!!! Soup and a salad, salad and a sandwich, and dressings that are home made amazing, tastey awesomes!!!! A vegan menu so I can take all of my friends there with sweet meaty sandwiches dripping in home made, made to order sauces on a seperate grill. My mouth is watering just thinking about it, know what sweet spot I am hitting up for lunch today! Sorry, just can't help myself. Melt has to be one of my absolute favorite stops for delicious, fresh food. The menu is HUGE, but don't be overwhelmed, the servers, cooks and cashiers know it very well and are super friendly - they will help you find the meal for you. The menu ranges from simple salads to complicated sandwiches with eclectic cheeses and sauces on a panini or just plain whole wheat bread. From flavor bursting dressings and soups to the juicy, saucy Rueben. And if your like me and enjoy the blessings of both, I dig the half salad and sandwich deal with a simple greens salad with their amazing home made ginger dressing and the Lingo (named after one of the cross streets). So the food is devine, the service - amazing, what else? The atmosphere is calming and hip as can be. Melt continually supports the neighborhood with flyers laying on every window sill and my favorite bulletin board on the way back to the patio area (yes, a beautiful back patio area outside!). Not only do I get great food, but a heads up on events that I would not want to miss. With the MoBo bicycle coop only a few streets away and Northside Tavern right next door, I never miss out on the next sweet bike ride or great show in the neighborhood. Northside is a cultural depot and Melt falls right in line with hood's expectations. While snacking on your next vegan brownie accompanied with homemade Lemonade or Iced Tea, gaze at the bulletin board covered in flyers and be ready to take off for the next event you just CAN'T miss!
(5)
Stephanie L.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet! I've been a happy Melt repeat customer ever since I first heard about them. Most recently I went with a few colleagues for lunch this week. I was slightly nervous, as this was an Applebee's type group I was taking to one of my favorite independent restaurants, but I was pretty confident the food would win them over! We arrive shortly after noon on Thursday, during the lunch rush. It was about a 5 minute wait in line to order, and we were informed at that time it was about 20 minutes for food. As we were pretty hungry, I asked if it was OK to hop over to picnic & pantry and grab something for an appetizer. This was no problem at all, and about 2 minutes later I returned to my table with 4 individual servings of fresh, home-made salsa and a bag of tortilla chips to share while we waited on our food. This was very cool that they let us bring some food from their other business over! Ah, but then the true test, the food came! How would my suburban, flavor risk adverse co-workers handle food that wasn't blanded down to the point where it had no flavor to speak of. I don't know why I was even concerned! Everyone loved their dishes. Two of the more adventurous colleagues had ordered the Hoffner sandwiches and French onion soup, and had nothing but praise to give. The most conservative eater had ordered the "Hamburger" with coleslaw. Now, I knew that neither of these dishes were going to be what he expected, which he confirmed. However, I was thrilled to hear him say that both tasted even better than he had expected and he loved it! My Joan of Arc sandwich with a blue gingered pear salad were phenomenal- a perfect balance of flavors with bold taste. Verdict: Perfect place to take not only your foodie friends, but also pleasing for suburban corporate types!
(5)
Chris N.

Melt has a good, creative menu, with lots of healthy, tasty food-including vegetarian dishes that even-a non-vegetarian like me can really enjoy. I have been going to Melt for years. I really enjoy the Hoffner and Rudy's Nachos. The Sunday brunch is usually pretty good too. Unfortunately, in my opinion the Melt has taken a bit of a downturn in the past couple of years for three reasons. 1) They cut back how late they are open. The old hours are greatly missed by patrons. 2) Prices have increased substantially. I remember when you could get one of their great sandwiches for $6 to $7. Now it is $9 to $10. 3) Some of their sandwiches are also smaller. I know costs for their fresh local ingredients have gone up, but still don't think it quite justifies the size of the price increases or smaller portions size for some sandwiches. To warn you, they get very crowded, at peak business hours, don't be surprised if you have a bit of a wait. The service at Melt is always good, the place is very clean and artfully decorated. If they just lowered the prices slightly and increased portion sizes on all sandwiches to what they were, I'd give them five stars. Still one of my favorite places, but I can't afford to eat there as often as I used to.
(3)
Mike O.

Great recommendation by a friend as I was driving through Cincinnati around lunch time. While the wait for my sandwich was a little too long, it was great and I wish I had more time to sample/taste other items. Great veggie spot!
(5)
Emily U.

I've been vegetarian way too long to be overly impressed just by the virtue of a vegan/veggie-friendly menu alone. Not that I don't appreciate it; I do. But that in and of itself is not going to grab an extra star. Melt does have a really awesome-sounding menu, attractively sprawled across a ginormous chalkboard behind the counter. I think if I would have chosen a different sandwich, I might have been more impressed. There was something on the Avocado Bliss that completely overwhelmed the tofu, the smoked cheese and the avocado itself (like too much citrus in the avocado spread?). I actually ended up picking apart my sandwich because the overall taste was unappealing. I had a few bites of my companion's seitan cheesesteak and that was much better. The side of ginger slaw and the rosemary potatoes were also pretty good, but I wouldn't do a cartwheel over any of it. I do wish that Melt was in my town so I could try a few more things on the menu. There was a lot to give me hope. The decor was cozy-kitsch and the servers were super nice. I always want to love places like this. Maybe a few more visits would nudge me from like to love...?
(3)
Courtney S.

Great restaurant, though a little pricey. I had a yummy tuna melt. They are vegetarian and vegan friendly which was perfect for me. The restaurant is a bit small so finding a table with a group can be tricky, but they do have a back room with additional seating.
(4)
Benjie D.

My co-workers and I stopped by here for lunch. But it took a while to make our order so we had it to go. The wait took so long!! But after having the taste of their food, we realized it was worth the wait. Really good and I would strongly recommend this place!
(5)
Lauren K.

I had the Vegan Melt, which was okay, but too spicy for my liking. The heat really overwhelmed the flavors of an otherwise tasty sandwich. The rainbow slaw side made a good pairing, as it helped cool down my mouth, but lacked any real flavor of its own. My boyfriend chose the Vegan Penne & Cheese. We agreed that the nutiritional yeast-based "cheese" sauce was good enough, but didn't stand out. The atmosphere was nice, and I'd probably go back if I was ever in the area again. We Philadelphia Vegans are a spoiled bunch, but for the scant selection of Vegan cuisine in Cincinnati, we enjoyed a decent meal.
(3)
Kaleena C.

I absolutely love this place! With it being mainly vegan/vegetarian it is a great place for me to go for food. I got the vegan chili and the Rothko tofu sandwich. The vegan chili was amazing, I haven't had chili in such a long time (being vegetarian and all) and it is a great comfort food. The Rothko tofu sandwich had a peanut sauce which was delicious. The atmosphere is nice too, there are many places to sit (in front, in the back, or by the kitchen, where I sat). The decor is very colorful as well, which is a plus if you ask me. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone, vegetarian or meat eater. :)
(5)
Cherish H.

Melt is fabulous! The have vegan options galore, but is also a good place for a meatlover. They are very "hippie-friendly" as my friends like to say because they have a lot of organic, all natural alternatives, such as having Purevia instead of Splenda (all natural stevia plant extract)... They also have this awesome set of magnet walls, with magnetic words that you can play with and arrange sentences... so much fun! On to the goods.... we had: Ratatouille Melt- YUM! Squashes of all kinds, an awesome aioli type sauce, and CAPERS! The squash had an awesome marinade on it, and overall it was the tastiest sandwich ever! The only bad side is it was slightly oily for my liking. Avocado Bliss- Avos were very soft on rye bread, there was also a tofu patti. This was our least fave of the bunch... Artichoke Melt- Open faced sammy with an artichoke-spinach dip type topping. Very delicious, very tasty, and warm. Highly recommend. Side of potatoes- YUM! Side of hummus- Very good hummus with pita bread. Side of fruit salad w/ limey dressing- Citrus, what you would expect. One of our favorite parts of the trip was eating Jeni's ice cream. OMG it is so so amazing. We had the caramel salted flavor & it was heaven. We ate a pint between all of three of us. I am sure if you went to the actual Jeni's store it will be absolutely wonderful, but since it was farther, this was a good substitute. Also, on Best Thing I Ever Ate (Food Network), Jeni's Queen City Cayanne was a featured flavor.
(4)
Josh O.

I went here for the first time yesterday with my fiancÃ©e and a couple of our friends. We took a drive up to Northside for lunch and, after a brief search for parking, entered this cute little restaurant. The first thing I'll say is that if you are a vegan, Melt has excellent options for you. They have everything from vegan desserts to vegan tomato bisque soup. You certainly won't go hungry here. Not being a vegan, I ordered a half East Village sandwich, which is turkey breast on focaccia with herbed goat cheese, pesto, and arugala, and roasted red pepper. I also got a half Greek salad, which wasn't anything spectacular, but had great dressing. I was starving and both hit the spot. The staff was very nice and the service was pretty quick. I really liked the flexibility of the halve-sies this, where you can choose any two of a half of any sandwich, a soup, or half a salad. If really allows you to try more of their delicious food. For the level of quality you get, the food is pretty cheap, too. For two meals and two iced teas, I paid only $20. Not too shabby.
(4)
Dan M.

The food has great, fresh ingredients, but sometimes lacks a little in execution. The menu all looks absolutely delicious, and the price is right. Also, this place is definitely veggie/vegan friendly. Bottom Line: I'll be back - probably for lunch!
(4)
Elizabeth H.

Melt is my favorite Northside place for a meal. They food is good, hot, tasty and vegan friendly. They are almost always busy, so sometimes it take a while for the food to be ready, but it is worth the wait. The interior is fun, filled with local art and word magnets. The downside is that sometimes the food is a little inconsistent. I have had really great food, and times where the ginger slaw was missing the ginger and the lentil soup was missing the lentils. However, their food is homemade and fresh. Their salad dressings are amazing, and I alternate between the ratatouille sandwich and the YeeHaw BBQ with tempeh or seitan. I frequent this place.
(4)
Lily D.

Melt is pretty delicious. Has an emphasis on using locally sourced, organic food, with lots of vegetarian options... But is also good because it provides delicious options for the meat-lover as well so it doesn't exclude anyone. Has a lot of unique, well thought out sandwich options... even one with tapenade. God I love tapenade. Hummus is delicious, yee-haw barbecue is delicious, ratatouille is delicious... hard to go wrong... wait... the artichoke sandwich is a little skimpy... delicious but skimpy...beware hungry people. Hipster atmosphere, good ambiance. Can eat outside, 2 tops-tables ideal for 6+. ....Also give kudos for using biodegradable carry out packaging. The only reason I give this restaurant a 4 is because it is a little expensive (I never get out of here spending less than $10) and sometimes the portions can be small... and this is coming from a lady. Definitely worth eating, however!
(4)
Ann V.

It seems like now that Melt has made a name for themselves, they don't have to try as hard. I haven't been in awhile before today, and noticed that they have jacked up their prices and the portions are smaller than I remember at least for carry-out (its only been a couple of months ladies and gentlemen). Sundays they only serve the brunch menu and are only open from 11-3. By 2pm they were out of their bread pudding, mushroom frittata and what I ordered, a smoked salmon melt which I didn't know until after about 20 minutes. You would think with having a full service kitchen, would know by now how popular their brunch is and to stock more ingredients for the limited Sunday menu. I went over to their Picnic and Pantry. which I like because I can find unique and delicious items like their hot chocolate homemade marshmallows (they are hot like cayenne and chocolate flavored) or their truffle butter. The cook at Melt who knows me, came over to Picnic and Pantry to check on something while I was there (to see if their was more salmon?) and said hi, but I didn't find out until I got back that they were out of what I ordered. I decided to go with one of my long time favorites the rosemary redskin mess which came with my choice of sides (I chose the greens) the other choices were more rosemary skins or fruit, It was delicious, but for the portions almost 10 bucks seems an extreme price for basically some veggies, potatoes and eggs mixed up together with a side of greens, more the size of a snack, which is great for my waistline but not for my hunger. The guy who works there knows me too and offered me a free beverage since the redskin mess is cheaper than the salmon, which was nice, though their fridge wasn't stocked with as many choices. What happened to the Boylan soda's or the orange and lemon cans of Pellegrino? Although, after waiting 40 minutes for my food, (it was not crowded) I would have appreciated a free meal coupon for next time I came in. That would have gotten me through the door again atleast with a smile on my face. Its a good place to go if you are vegan or vegetarian, but it seems there are more options available now then there used to be when Melt first opened, like Fork Heart Knife downtown, Park + Vine who carry Melt items along with other vegan and veg options, Iris Book Cafe, Aquarius Star, and Sushi Bears at Findlay Market to name a few. I gave it 4 stars because their food is really good, and usually filling without meat or much of it. Their ratatouille melt is amazing, and so is their believe-it-or-not, celery soup, which is savory, creamy and also contains red pepper. Definitely a must if it is your first or third time visiting Northside. .
(4)
Lauren Y.

I've been going to Melt for years and I really like this restaurant. The sandwiches are delicious and reasonably priced. The cole slaw is not typical but very tasty. I've never had a bad meal here. The staff are very helpful and very nice. The restaurant is clean. Parking is on street and may be metered, but there is a city lot about a half block down.
(5)
Seth A.

Veggie lovers and vegans rejoice! This place knows how to pack flavor into their vegan options. Their Veggie Cheesesteak is convincingly meaty--the seitan is well seasoned and a near textural match to sliced steak. The sandwich has a good filling to bun ratio too. (Most of their sandwiches do a great job fulfilling this important sandwich metric.) You're not searching for filling, it's spread generously inside its whole wheat hoagie. The default side for their sandwiches and wraps are SunChips, which to me is kind of lame. SunChips are "healthy chips," but that's basically an oxymoron. So, to avoid getting chips the only real option is to go for one of their signature sides (which is really where it's at anyway.) I have trouble not getting a cup of their vegan chili. The other sides look great...but that vegan chili is like what other chilis grow up wishing they could be. Spicy, right mix of beans, just the right soupiness.... It's just so good I would hate to try something else and be upset I didn't get my chili fix. Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on their menu. If you're looking for fresh, healthy, veg-approved options then Melt should be a go-to destination.
(5)
Ben R.

Great place for Vegetarians and Vegans, just be ready for a wait... I always love taking people to Melt because they have a wide variety of options available to make everyone happy. Everything from vegan chili to gluten-free desserts. I always go for their muffuletta with the buffalo Mac and cheese as it provides the perfect meal size. The only problem is that they do tend to have a long wait time before you get your food. Always expect a wait of 30 mins to get your food and you won't be surprised. Why is it this way? Who knows. Is it still worth the wait? Definitely as long as you know what you're getting into.
(4)
Ria M.

Cons: Wait time; price; service Pros: Location, vegan I live in the neighborhood, and as a healthy eater, I've tried to love this place. I want to love this place. I really want to have an a positive experience! Yet, despite the half of dozen times I've given it, I keep on being disappointed. It's not unusual to wait 45 minutes for them to make your sandwich. Even if it's not particularly busy, say 3:00 on a Sunday afternoon, you'll still find yourself waiting almost an hour for a your lunch. And this is not a sit-down place, which is fine, but it makes the ridiculous wait all the more unacceptable. The meals, while are okay, aren't exactly worth 45 minutes of hunger. It's not exactly pricey, but it is expensive for what you're getting. The value is lost on me. Northside's filled with lots of other places. Littlefield's has a great Sunday brunch, Django's has some amazing tacos, and Ruth's and Bistro Grace have delicious burgers and entrees. You'll spend just as much, and be served much more warmly at any of these establishments--all of which have great vegetarian options, too. As a perpetual optimist, I'd love to visit this place again and be proven that this review is obsolete. So, until then....
(1)
Danny G.

Good place with good food. A little over pricey for how much food you really get. It is good doe. One thing I hate is the fucking tables and sitting. Please go dumpster dive for some new ones.
(4)
Nicole G.

I discovered Melt while watching Triple D on the Food Network. I usually make a list of places featured on the show and refer back to it when I'm visiting those places. That said, I couldn't wait to try the food here. I ordered the veggie cheesesteak and vegan chili. Both were VERY good. Although I'm not a vegetarian, I enjoy dishes without meat quite often. This is a quaint and comfortable cafe in what seemed to be an artsy area in the city. Cute spot for a first date.
(4)
Julie C.

The food is good, the atmosphere is relaxed. One of the only places in Cincinnati with a lot of vegan options. I went for brunch on Sunday, but everything contained soy. Unfortunately, I'm allergic and I was so disappointed. If you don't have food allergies, this is the best restaurant for brunch. For lunch and dinner, this is the best place to get a sandwich.
(4)
Katie H.

I've eaten and reviewed here before, but last night I tried a new sandwich that was absolutely delicious so I had to write again!I I get my sandwiches without bread, so they serve it on a bed of greens. It had smoked turkey, olive tapenade, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers and provolone cheese. All of these ingredients made for a delicious flavor combination that I am now in love with! They give you a very decent serving of turkey slices and that cheese on top looked as if it had been put under the broiler because of it's perfect melted and crispiness. For my side, I tried the roasted potatoes. They had a bit of a crunch on the outside and were soft and warm on the inside. I also ordered my favorite curry yogurt sauce to dip them in. What a perfect combination!
(5)
Jessi G.

I am not a vegetarian, but I had heard from so many people that Melt was great, so I had to check it out. To be honest, I was a little disappointed! First of all, we were here at 2pm on a Saturday, so not peak hours, but we got the only available table, so this place is really popular. That still does not excuse the fact that we had to wait OVER 30 minutes for our sandwiches. We were starving by the time our food came. I ordered the artichoke melt (of course), and my fiancÃ© ordered the most popular meat item, the joan of arc sandwich. Both were bland. Honestly, I think I make a better artichoke dip at home... Overall, I like the decor and that its a local business that serves natural food. The people working were nice too. But I wish the food was better and the wait was way too long for a sandwich place. Too bad!
(3)
Chris C.

My group of 9 ate lunch here on a Wed., arriving when they opened so we had no wait. The girl taking orders at the register was nice & efficient. The guy who brought our food was friendly and provided good service. The food was all so good! It was my first time here, and I got the penne pasta with a side of slaw. It was all very tasty and nicely plated, and was reasonably priced too. We ate outside in the back, under the trees and awning, and even on this hot & muggy day it was pleasant. We will be back!
(4)
Vicky N.

Melt is super funky/hip and adds to the coolness factor of Northside. It's a small cafe, with a unique personality and decor to match (if that makes sense? Home-y and comforting are better words...). If it's your first time here, I would suggest trying their (hot) sandwiches! My personal fave is the artichoke melt cause I have no idea how to cook artichokes, so I always try to order them when I can. I also tried their vegan mac & cheeze the last time I was here, and I will NEVER doubt fake cheese again!! From someone who adores cheese and all of the spectacular forms it comes in, this dish was PDD (pretty darn delicious). Not a huge fan of chili either, but theirs is definitely full of flavor and hearty! I haven't been to many vegetarian places, but Melt is one of the best around! I love coming here because it gives me an excuse to see this trendy area of Cincy!! Overall, even if you're not vegan/vegetarian/gluten-intolerant, there's something here for everyone to enjoy. It's a hard place not to like!
(4)
John Z.

Thanks to Yelp for guiding me and my friends to this place on our way out of Cincinatti. I'll be honest, I've had good experience with brunch places with monosyllabic names, so when I saw this one pop up with 4+ stars, I quickly shouted, "Take Exit 17". From there, my friends became skeptical about the shady neighborhoods we were driving through, but after a couple turns, we found ourselves in this kitschy little, hipster/hippy enclave with music shops and restaurants. Upon arriving, we found a small front dining room with a counter where you order and then retire to await your food. Instead of giving you a number to put on your table to help the waiter find you, they give you an old laminated photo of a (former) celebrity. For us, Phil Donahue. We walked to the back of the restaurant and found a groovily-decorated dining room behind the kitchen as well as an open courtyard/backyard patio area. We chose the inside only because the sun hadn't come out yet. After a short wait, the food arrived and looked amazing. I had the french toast with nutella filling and bananas. I'd expected the bananas to be sliced, but they were actually blended into a puree that had a sweet flavoring... almost like they had been whipped into cake batter and chilled... I was skeptical, but, in the end, I would have licked my plate clean. The fruit salad was legit, not something that looked like it had seen better days. My friends ordered savory dishes with eggs and they all raved about them. I was a little disappointed that the brunch menu was so small, and that it was more 'hippy-vegan' than I would have liked. The normal everyday menu looked good and it seemed to have more meat options. Overall, though, this place was really good. I do wish, however, our waiter's shorts were not so, umm, short.
(4)
Stephen S.

One of my favorite places to hit up whenever I'm in the 'nati. Melt has a lot of character (love the table numbers they hand out when you order the food), the inside is quaint and the patio is great on a nice day. The food here, delicious, the various vegetarian and vegan offerings make this place a must visit for those of you who don't partake of meat.
(4)
Jessica S.

Awesome artichoke melt
(5)
Sarah A.

My husband and I stopped by here on a road trip, which required some research ahead of time to find decent veggie-friendly restaurants along our route. You order at the counter and then seat yourself. We chose to sit out back, despite the bugginess. My only real complaint is that the service was super slow. They warned us it would be over 30 minutes until we got our food (after we'd ordered and paid), but we couldn't quite figure out why because there was only a party of 6 ahead of us and most of the tables were empty. Our server only came by the one time to drop off our food. That said, my food - the greek salad and artichoke melt - was fantastic. My husband's choice - the lingo with a side of chips and hummus - was ok but he was disappointed he didn't order what I did. Over all, I'd say the food options are great, but the quality is more coffee shop level than restaurant-like. I think it would have been more appropriate for lunch than dinner. The area was very cute, full of interesting and hip looking shops mixed in with old barber shops and the like. We enjoyed strolling down the street afterwards. If we'd had more time, we might have checked out the tavern nearby.
(4)
Stephen G.

I'll tell you what we learned at Melt. We learned that the woman sitting on the table next to us was "expecting again" and that she was hoping her waters didn't break whilst she is in a public place... "like last time", then went into unnecessarily gory detail about that last time. We also got informed about the best method of getting a newborn on your breast, and how the subsequent suckling "really takes it out of your nipples" This was followed by loud discussions about hospitals, terrible doctors and how one of the women was "never going to ____________ Healthcare again because they almost killed my first kid" Thank HEAVENS the food we ordered was relatively tasty enough to take our minds - and gag reflexes - off our inconsiderate and ignorant dining neighbors! Melt offers up fresh made-to-order deli sammiches, soups and gourmet salads in a colorful 'hipster' environment full of vintage melamine tables, seen-better-days chairs, funky artwork and chalkboard menus. It caters to the vegetarian and vegan very well, offering as many non-meat items as they do carnivorous options. My veggie missus had the "Custom Burger" made with seitan (otherwise known as "wheat meat"), which see informed me was not the tastiest thing she had ever tried on their menu but satisfied her immediate cravings after a long day at the office. (Curious to see what seitan tasted like I stole a bite, quickly declaring it as 'Soylent Green") I opted for the Tuscan Chicken sammich, a heady concoction of pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, chicken (d'uh!) and romaine, all of which was offset nicely by the addition of caramelized onions. The menu said it came on flat bread but my version inexplicably came out on regular ol' white sliced, so maybe I should point out that 'your mileage may vary' in terms of sammich construction by the kitchen? It too was tasty, but not great. We both chose the roasted herbed red potatoes as our side dish and these turned out to be the tastiest thing on either of our plates. Very delicious indeed. However, at $9 each our meals felt very expensive. I don't have a problem paying a bit more for fresh food - which all of this undoubtedly was - but $20 for a pair of sammiches seems at least $5 too high IMHO. However, it could be the case that Melt charge more so they can employ members of the public to sit amongst their regular customers and discuss the ins and (mainly) outs of their baby-making machinery? PS: Be very, VERY careful upon exiting the restaurant. Their front step slopes away from the door in quite a dramatic fashion, unexpectedly throwing you - possibly headlong if you're unlucky enough - onto the sidewalk. I'd be surprised if no-one has become a victim of its inherent evil and hope that Melt have plans to quickly rectify its dangerous nature.
(3)
Jessica L.

Awesome food but it comes out a bit slow. You can't go wrong with the food here. All of the sandwiches, soups and salads are great. They have a small seating area in the fron, but go to the back for a larger seating area. If you're going for lunch during work, make sure you have the time, but once you go you won't regret it!
(4)
Michelle C.

Love eating at Melt, the menu has so much to choose from and staff are friendly. Love the decor and who doesn't love Northside?
(5)
Carol J.

Awesome place for vegetarian/vegan food, but also plenty of options for meat eaters. I love the wraps, and the atmosphere in the restaurant is great!
(5)
Leigh H.

I don't ever really feel cool enough to eat at Melt, and let's be honest: I'm probably not. I've come to terms with that. I'm also not a vegetarian or vegan, so I'm not exactly their target audience. Melt is however, a great place to bring veg friends from out of town. They can get a decent meal, and even us meaties can chow down on fresh and fairly tasty fare. The Muffaletta sandwich is incredibly flavorful and melty, and I'm told the grilled cheese with tomatoes is one of the best (I'm not a tomato fan). For Sunday brunch, the Vegetarian Huevos Rancheros satisfied even my proudly carnivorous appetite. Service is essentially nonexistent, however, and it always seems to be a tight squeeze to find a spot to sit. The servers frequently confuse plates and tables, or there's a 5, 10, sometimes even 15 minute gap between one set of plates delivered to the table, and then the rest. Melt also has that unfortunate hipster hangout hallmark of being more overpriced than is really necessary. I understand vegan & organic ingredients cost a bit more, but that markup seems a little much at times. I'm not a regular, but Melt is a great little spot to show off some of Cincinnati's more creative, independent restaurant spots, a nice little excursion into the Northside scene, even for us non-cool folk.
(3)
Lindsay K.

My husband and I are new to Cincinnati and headed to Melt to grab lunch before checking out the Northside neighborhood. We thought we would be ordering sandwiches, but it was Sunday, and Melt is brunch-only until late in the afternoon. We enjoyed the food, but had to wait about 30 minutes to get it. The portions were large. Like a previous person said, the tables are really close together. They also don't serve fountain drinks, so be prepared to get something from the refrigerator case to drink while you wait. Melt was good, and we'd like to go back and try their lunch menu. Until then, it's not a place that I would go out of my way to eat at again.
(3)
Josh V.

Food here is amazing! My experience with most vegetarian restaurants is that they try too hard and you end up getting sub-par food. Melt on the other hand was very satisfying in a fun, comfortable atmosphere. The menu is huge and every thing I saw at other guests tables looked delicious. I can't wait until my next trip to Cincinnati to eat here again.
(5)
Rob L.

On our recent 11 hour driving trip, Cincinnati was our lunch stop and when we used YELP to find a cool place to have lunch we chose Melt based on the great reviews. It was a Sunday so we had Brunch. We liked the vibe from the moment we walked in and the food we ordered for our family of 5 didn't disappoint. My first choice was already sold out so my wife and I ordered the same thing (Huevos Rancheros) and it was great. Two kids had the strawberry french toast which they really enjoyed. If we were ever in Cincinnati again, we would return. My only recommendation to Melt is to make sure your cutlery on the tables is much, much cleaner. All available cutlery was permanently stained and looked 100 years old. That kind of old, eclectic charm is great for everything else in the restaurant except what your customers use to eat their food with.
(4)
Strea T.

Best vegan cheesesteak I've ever had! The bread was toasty and delicious, the steak was savory and very appealing, and the melted cheese was the bomb. They really seem to love vegans there. Vegan cheese was available and they had plenty of vegetarian options. One gripe: their bakery case wasn't well-marked. It appeared that none of their bakery products were vegan, but I did not ask. I just might have bought something if it stood out and said "I'm a vegan margarita cupcake!" Melt has a casual, eclectic atmosphere. If you're expecting a formal dining experience, you might be remiss, but if you're okay with a dining experience reminiscent of your artsy 20's, you'll be in heaven.
(5)
Zack F.

Now selling the amazing, delightful, fireworks-in-your-mouth sensation that is Jeni's Splendid ice cream by the pint (from Columbus). You HAVE to try some now. And wait, it gets better: they now offer single servings of Jeni's!!
(5)
Brieanne S.

I was on Cincysavers.com and saw that they were running a special for Melt. The last time, I was at Melt I did not have a good experience but I always cave in for a good coupon or special. For 10 dollars you could buy a 20 dollar gift certificate here, so I thought why not give Melt another try. This time I had a much better experience. Although it was busy in the restaurant, the line to order went pretty fast and we were happy to find a seat we liked. The food took about 25 minutes to come out but we didn't mind waiting. The food was pretty tasty and was affordable with the cincysaver. I was so full after I left here. I would not mind coming back here again especially in the spring when the deck is open for seating. I think too when I come back I will order something new. There are so many dishes to choose from here, I would like to branch out and explore what Melt has to offer. I am glad that I gave this place a second chance. I did enjoy the food, the ambiance of the restaurant, and the staff. I hope next time I come, I have the same pleasant experience.
(3)
Kyla L.

In LOVE with this place. I eat here at least two times a week or more. I work a block away from this spot and it is always busy. If your cramped for time just give them a call for a to go order and it will be ready! So delicious! I have tried almost everything on the menu and have yet to be disappointed. Jamie usually is working the register and she is such a sweetheart. Always has a smile on her face, and she is the reason I continue to come back!
(5)
Kara P.

I'm writing this review even though I haven't been to Melt in several months, because man, am I CRAVING Melt right now! I am not a vegan - not event vegetarian - but OMG their vegan foodies are so yummmm. The red skins are tasty and they have creative combinations on the menu. I really like Melt because their menu caters to carnivores, too (which means I can still eat here with my super carnivorous boyfriend). And everything is organic! And if you haven't had the chicken caesar salad, you haven't experienced a chicken caesar salad. The chicken is so good and such a great quality and the homemade vegan caesar dressing is cravetastic. LITERALLY. Craving it right now.
(4)
Sarah F.

Delicious. Take my sister's advice and get those red potatos. I almost didn't, since I sounded pretty boring, but thank GOODNESS I went for it. They were delicous, and came with homemade ketchup. Yum! Also had their most popular sandwich, something with spinach and cheese. So freaking good. Started to get super busy just as we were leaving Saturday for our early dinner. Probably best to come during random times for fast service. Either way the cashier was very friendly and make me feel right at home!
(5)
Kristi H.

It's embarrassing to say that the only reason I went to Melt in the first place was because my in-laws took me. (Thank goodness I didn't blow off their invitation.) Melt is one of my favorite restaurants. The employees are friendly and the atmosphere is fun and quirky. There is a great outdoor patio outback. My first visit was during the summer and a racoon walked underneath our table and climbed a tree next to us. True story. I'm not a vegetarian but I rarely order anything with meat here because everything is so flavorful it doesn't need meat or cheese to be tasty and filling. I love the vegan chili and the maple balsamic vinagrette. I wish this was the kind of restaurant that I could sit around all night with a glass of wine, but I don't mind settling for a glass of green tea.
(5)
Jordan L.

One of the best sandwiches I have ever had in my life! I had the Verde Chicken and boy was it delicious. It came with the unique side of sunchips and hummus. Yum.
(5)
Shannan S.

My absolute favorite lunch spot - for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores alike. The food is fast and fresh. The staff is quirky and friendly. I highly recommend the vegan melt and I'm not even vegan. They also offer a nice variety of baked goods for the sweet tooth. Would love to get the recipe for the Yogurt Curry dressing. I often stop in to buy a 12 oz. container for entertaining on the weekends - it makes a wonderful dip for veggies and bread. The atmosphere is eclectic and the ever-changing art work keeps things interesting. Can't wait to try their brunch!
(5)
Andrea R.

Melt was on my bucket list of places to go before moving out of Cincinnati, so I went for lunch on Saturday. The place itself is very cute and the menu had so many tempting options, I had a hard time choosing. I ended up selecting the Avocado Bliss and a black-bottom brownie/cheesecake cupcake. My friend ordered the artichoke melt and a vanilla cupckae with strawberry frosting. Total bill was $27, so not a cheap lunch, but considering we got dessert too, it was reasonable. My sandwich had good flavor and the bread was from Shadeau bakery, which has gotten rave reviews. I think that my expectations for melt were just so high, though, that I wasn't all that impressed. Again, the sandwich was tasty... I just wasn't in love with it. I also ordered a side of chips and hummus, and was surprised that the chips were sunchips. Odd combination. My friend's artichoke melt looked amazing though-- like a spinach and artichoke pizza basically. The desserts weren't anything to write home about, which was very disappointing. My cupcake was just dry and didn' t have a lot of good chocolate flavor. My friend said the frosting on her cupcake was good, but the cake itself was dry too. So at the end of the day, I can check Melt off of my bucket list, but I'm not sure I'd rush back next time I come back to town.
(3)
Angela C.

Fresh food, lots of vegetarian/healthy options, great quality. Melt, to me, is something of an embodiment of the Northside spirit to me. There's a great patio and the restaurant has a lot of local artwork inside. I'm not sure you really could go wrong with anything you order here. The prices are slightly higher for sandwiches, but you are paying for uniqueness and high quality ingredients, and supporting a great local restaurant- all in all, well worth it.
(4)
Travis F.

Melt is one of my favorite vegetarian-friendly restaurants in town. They have a wide selection of menu items (and yes, many for our carnivore friends too), and will even differentiate between vegetarian and vegan. Check out their sunday brunch, with menus that change monthly!
(5)
Lori R.

My husband and I ate at the Melt when we were in Cincinnati for the Ohio state football spring game. I had the the spring roll salad with the ginger hoisin dressing and he had the hoffner sandwich we agreed it was the best food we had eaten in a long time, we loved the ginger hoisin dressing so much we bought some to take home. I would drive to Cincinnati just to eat there. Excellent....
(5)
Matt R.

Solid place for either lunch or dinner. Melt is local and makes everything fresh. They cater to vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters too. I don't frequent sandwich places often, but the sandwiches here + the one side always hit the spot. The chili and potatoes is also a great choice. I haven't had anything bad here...If you're looking for a bottle of kombucha you can also pick that up here! Price is a couple dollars more so than the average sandwich but well worth it. When it is nice outside, their patio out back is a great place to hang out.
(4)
Elizabeth L.

Roughly ~$9 for the fabulous rosemary tofu scramble (forgot the name, sorry). But name isn't important...just get it for Sunday brunch. And sit outside in the back patio if you consider yourself a hipster. Kthxbye.
(4)
Moses B.

We had an amazing breakfast at Melt. The coffee was amazing -- strong and flavorful. We had a seitan barbeque sandwich with a side salad - very tasty and moist, on a good roll, and the salad was fresh and crisp; also a grilled cheese sandwich on crisp bread with some very tasty vegetarian chili. Service was great -- extremely friendly.
(5)
Hyatt G.

Nice! Super staff and menu items. Very flexible on item changes. Excellent ambiance and outdoor seating. Get their red potatoes if you can-they rock. Only thing is, the flavor of some of the sandwiches is very subdued: doesn't quite blow your socks off.
(4)
Alishia L.

Delicious cozy good price and good food. Very small but seating was adequate. Il a native of Northside and I will be back!
(4)
Anh L.

I am not from the area, but while I was here on a business trip, I found this place on Yelp! and suggested it to my best friend who lives here. She's a vegetarian, so I thought it'd be nice to go to a restaurant that focuses on vegetarian food vs. she having to focus on the stuff I like. I was pleasantly surprised. I loved this place! The first night, I had a pesto/sundried tomato chicken sandwiche, greek salad, and vegetarian chili. We split a chocolate cupcake. I seriously couldn't stop thinking about the cupcake and vegetarian chili the next day. They were soooo good! We came back and I had the greek salad, chili and cupcake (entire one this time). Once again, they were great. Cost: very reasonable. Didn't feel like i got ripped off going to a vegetarian place. Food quality was awesome. Plenty of tables. Had a "hole in the wall" place, but very clean. I wouldn't recommend going with a group bigger than 6. Might take a while since the place is narrow (tables in the back) and not a huge area.
(5)
Brian B.

Melt offers a genuinely good product and in the best way possible, FRESH!! Im tired of people thinking that subway is a great sandwich place, even though I love their buffalo chicken, there is no substitute to the quality that is available at Melt. This is an ideal restaurant to have business meetings, meet with friends, or stop by before the Northside Fourth of July Parade
(3)
Stacey L.

If you are concerned about what you put in your body and want to eat food that is trying to be minimally harmful to the environment and animals, check this place out. I enjoyed eating there recently and found the food to be flavorful and not bland like some healthy food options can be. If I recall, we looooved the curry ketchup. It was awesome. The workers are very nice and enjoy their jobs. I enjoy being in the multi-cultured Northside area, so people-watching all the different individuals that come through the door is fun too. The bathroom was clean so that is a nice thing to see. Seating area is not the largest so this place is probably best for groups under 5 in size. I refrained from ordering any of the dessert offerings, but I can safely assume that they would be scrumptious.
(5)
Ally H.

Amazing food! I dream about this place and my mouth waters just thinking about eating here. The best food around! Very healthy, fresh, & great quality! EAT HERE!
(5)
Maureen C.

YES! THANK YOU! This is exactly the kind of place that I was looking for in Cincinnati. See, I don't live in Cincinnati but I'm a frequent visitor (my partner's parents live there). In fact, we've been doing a lot of exploring, trying to find good spots to hang out and possibly even a vendor to make box lunches for our wedding rehearsal dinner. This place is wonderful! It reminds me of the hip, creative places that we're used to in Philadelphia but with MUCH FRIENDLIER SERVICE. The food was great, the prices great, and the atmosphere amazing (we hung out in the back yard). I'm a big fan, and I plan to be back often.
(5)
Jordan C.

This review is for Sunday Brunch only, as I do enjoy Melt for lunch or dinner. So here we go. My fiancÃ© and I went here very excited this morning to try their brunch menu, and left hour an hour and a half later with the WORST DINING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE! I ordered huevos rancheros which is one of my favorite brunch menu items of all time, I make it myself frequently and love to try it other places to get their spin on it. My fiancÃ© ordered the smoked salmon baguette. I've spent enough time in the kitchen to know how long it takes to cook these items. After a half hour of waiting we were becoming concerned with how long the food was taking, I then noticed the cook coming out and i thought she was going to come to our table to apologize, owever she was coming out to see if her kids ( who were sitting at an adjacent table with their grandparents) had enough to eat. Finally after 45 minutes someone came over and apologized for the wait and told us they would put our order in again but we would still have wait 15 minutes for our food. When the food finally came, 1 hour and 10 minutes after ordering, it was mediocre at best. The egg on my huevos rancheros was completely cooked through like a hard boiled egg would be, and my fiancÃ©'s salmon baguette did taste pretty good but was slightly small and was served with an over abundance of garnish. The highlight of the experience was walking out of the door. I can't express enough how HORRIBLE this brunch was! Stick to sandwiches Melt!
(1)
Keally D.

It's good to have another vegan-hip eatery in Cincinnati. And "Melt" may just be one of the greatest restaurant names in these parts. I mean, it connotes mouth-watering, oozy joy before you even step in the door. Their salads are exquisite and unique, combining unlikely flavors into successful pluralistic palate-delight. Surprisingly, the sandwiches sometimes are more underwhelming than other menu items. Some of the bread they use is just kind of dull and cardboard-y, and the goodness they wedge inbetween the lackluster slices doesn't make up for it. You wouldn't put a Picasso in a Wal-mart frame, right? Melt's ambiance is brightly colored, ramshackle, and appropriately rough around the edges. Eating here is like joining the cool kids in the lunch room. Just don't expect that everything you bite into is going to make you, er, melt.
(3)
Rebecca C.

If you know where Take the Cake or Honey is, this brunch place is on the same street. I met my girlfriend up for a pre-museum brunch on a rainy day here. The place is cozy and cute. You queue up and order your food in the front, and they bring it to your table for you. Each of us had a soup and a salad. I cannot recall the names of the items we had, but I can tell you that we both thought our food was delish! I have been to Honey for brunch several times, and I have to say that I think this place beats Honey. It is a different vibe, so maybe you can't compare and contrast apples to apples. If you compared brunch food to brunch food, then I would say Melt beats Honey hands down.
(4)
Charlene K.

I was looking for a place with vegan food on my road trip from Ohio to Tennessee, and the reviews for Melt on Yelp looked solid. The neighborhood was a little "up-and-coming" (read: somewhat sketchy), but a man walking his dog assured me that my car would be fine. I ended up parking in front of a United Dairy on a side street. Let's just say that I'm so glad I stopped here! I had the vegan melt, which tasted a little bit like a breakfast sandwich to me. The tofu was crumbly and I felt like I was eating a scrambled egg sandwich, which is fine, because I love breakfast foods! I picked the ginger rainbow slaw as my side and it was good too, but it didn't seem to have as much flavor as the sandwich. The front counter clerk was very nice and I'm only disappointed that I don't live closer to Cincinnati to eat here more often.
(4)
Erik S.

I have been here a few times, and each time it grows on me a little more. Great sandwiches and salads (I suggest doing with the halfsies which gets you half a salad or soup with half a sandwich) and it all tastes fresh. There are some vegetarian and vegan options as well. The place itself looks small, but there is ample seating in back. It can be busy at peak times so prepare to wait. Luckily, there are ways to entertain yourself such as the word magnets on the wall or the 80's /90's tv characters they use in place of table numbers. Seriously a great way to break the ice if you are meeting someone for the first time. What better way for them to find out you like star trek than a picture of LeVar Burton on your table? The prices and portions are decent. Its about what you expect for a place that serves fresh organic (I believe) fare. I keep trying new things but I always come back to the Muffaletta and Blue Gingered Pear salad. No matter, I am sure over time I will end up trying everything on the menu. I plan on being there enough to do just that.
(4)
Michelle L.

One of my favorite finds in cincy - not surprisingly in Northside. The restaurant stays true to its name: Melt Eclectic deli Melt has won over a wide array of guests I've brought here -from vegans to meat-lovers alike. Lots of personality in the dining atmosphere; you can trust that your food comes from a good place with love, and Melt also carries fresh & amazing cupcakes (my favorite in cincinnati) from Take the Cake down the street. The tofu scramble is delicious, the rosemary redskin mess is a must-have, and the rachel (I love anytime that apples are incorporated into a savory sandwich) is fantastic.
(5)
Juliane S.

The food is delicious with strong vegan and vegetarians choices but the lines can be very long and the service not so great so order ahead and pick up to go. Also the place is very small so sometimes finding a place to sit is difficult. As long as you stick with the food and not the environment you'll be fine.
(3)
Shawna K.

I'm a little nervous writing this review that the Yelp Police will come after me, since Melt seems to be a Favorite of Cincinnati. In fact it was all the wonderful kudos that my girlfriend and I try it for our first time. We were like kids at Christmas, visions of yummy sandwiches dancing in our heads. I will say that the staff was super friendly and all preggos, which made the ambience even more quaint, which was my favorite thing about the experience. We opted to sit in the patio area, since we are having a wonderful Indian Summer. I love patios, I mean I LIVE for patios and Melt's was so-so. Although in their defense, this time of year, who expects to sit on a patio, so they may have already quit sprucing it up for the winter. It looked pretty down and not well maintained. Now on the disappointing part: I opted for the 1/2 Joan of Arc and half Spring Roll Salad. Dressing on the Salad=Divine, but the Joan of Arc was seriously yucky! The meat was so old and out of date tasting, it was hard to choke down. Sandwich was luke warm and the flavor of the old meat overpowered all the remaining vegetables and cheese. The hummus seemed straight from a tub, sprinkled with paprika and served with straight from the package Sun Chips. I guess after they said that our lunch will be served in 20 minutes, I was expecting homemade hummus with homemade chips or veggies. I will say that my friends East Village sandwich did look much better than mine, but she didn't eat the entire thing and didn't take it home, so just sayin'. I am going to give Melt another try and order something different, because I do love Northside and the place does have a very charming feel to it. I just need to get the visions of my gross sandwich out of my head!
(2)
Sheila M.

This is another one of those places where I order the same thing every time. The "Art Melt", which I see many prior reviewers have described, is that thing. It doesn't have meat on it, just lots of cheese and artichoke-spinach spread, but it somehow gives me glorious food coma every single time. I also love the rosemary redskin potatoes with some of their curry ketchup -- delicious! The lentil soup is great as well. I've tried other things on the menu that weren't as good though, like the Ratatouille Melt. It sounded promising, but the veggies were undercooked and flavorless. Some of the sandwiches with meat, like Joan of Arc (I think?) were ok, but strangely not as filling. So I'd say you do have to know what to order before you come here. I brought my mom and sister here while they were visiting from out of town, and out of all the restaurants we tried in Cincinnati this was their favorite. I also don't know one person who hates the place. One thing I will say (as a paranoid person) is that the neighborhood is kind of iffy and there's street parking only, but come when it's light outside and you're good.
(4)
Devanka E.

Didn't know about the organic produce. Thanks for the comment Lisa. 5 stars!!!!
(5)
Maureen J.

Located in the heart of Northside, Melt is one of a few places in the city that offers cafÃ©-style vegan options. According to Lisa Kagen, owner and general manager, Melt opened to provide healthier casual eating for mainly vegetarians and vegans, but also caters to its carnivorous clients by providing meats which are raised humanely and produced with a higher level of quality (meaning antibiotic- and hormone-free). Melt ensures the integrity of its vegan foods by always placing them away from the regular orders so that animal products don't contaminate them. Staff is instructed to cut sandwiches in the order of vegan first, vegetarian second and meat last. Knives are sanitized between every meat/vegan order. Sandwiches are made on Shadeau Bread's preservative-free, vegan bread. Dressings, condiments and soups are all made in-house. Sandwiches come with your choice of Sunchips, purple slaw or mixed greens w/choice of dressing (maple balsamic, lime cilantro, ginger hoison, curry yogurt and Greek vinaigrette.) Picks: Salad: Get the Spinach Orzo Pasta ($4.50). Baby spinach, Kalamata olives, chopped red onion, Roma tomato and feta tossed with orzo pasta in a Greek vinaigrette...without the feta of course. Sandwich: The Yeehaw BBQ Seitan* ($6.75): sliced red onion, Roma tomato and banana pepper rings drizzled with lots of BBQ on a whole-wheat hoagie. Typically served with melted smoked mozzarella, you can swap out the mozzarella for the Rinotta, Melt's spicy spreadable blend of tofu*, cashews, herbs and spices. Soup: Try the African Peanut, when it's available; the soups change daily, with vegan chili as a constant. It's the perfect blend of mild, smoky Indian spices with tomatoes and a hint of peanut butter; perfectly light and delicious. Trust me, it's good. Usually soups are only $3.25 for a bowl. Highlights: On Sundays from 11 a.m.-2p.m. (or until the food runs out), Melt offers a vegan brunch. The menu changes every month, but typically there's vegan waffles, a main vegan dish such as breakfast burritos or vegan "quiche," and vegan biscuits and gravy. Either go early or go later, the place is usually standing room only on Sundays and who wants to have a brunch order to go? Gripes: I understand that Melt's "foodosophy" is all about using whole, unprocessed ingredients, but they really should consider using some good ole "junky" vegan cheese, such as the Vegan Gourmet line by Follow Your Heart. The Yeehaw would be perfecto with some ooey, gooey vegan mozzarella! Also, have more baked vegan treats available daily! They have the whole savory department squared away, now they just have to get some vegan cupcakes and cookies stocked up in the dessert case! Melt usually has desserts from the Take the Cake bakery (a few blocks away) for customers every day, but nothing vegan. They typically make their own vegan desserts and their reason for only having sporadic offerings is due to being super busy, but c'mon people! Make time for the baked goods! Vegans have a sweet tooth as well; at least I sure do!
(4)
Becky A.

Yay Melt! This is one of my favorite spots, even though I don't live in Northside. I'm not a vegetarian, but I eat veg a lot. Melt has a vegetarian barbecue sandwich (I had it with tofu, but I think you can also get seitan or tempeh) that was quite tasty (the toasted whole wheat bun made it). They also have a good roast beef sandwich--the Hoffner, I think it's called?--with mushrooms and onions on it. I actually accidentally ordered the Hoffner with tofu and it was still weirdly good. So, that's a win. They have good, housemade dressings for their greens, and their potatoes are good, too. If I lived nearby I'd be all over this all the time.
(5)
Cheery O.

Mediterranean plate....yum yum. Spent a week in Cinci and this was by far the best place I ate. I live in a little left wing hippie town in Nor Cal and Melt made me feel right at home. The pesto pita was delicious!! - the hummus just spicy enough, olive tapanaude - YES! and the tabbouleh was more about the cucumber than the lemon (too much lemon is not so good for my tum tum). The only thing I regretted was not ordering a side of the Rainbow Slaw - what is that? Sounds delightful :)
(4)
Erika H.

Nom nom yum yum. Delicious sandwiches and salads. I had some type of roast beef sandwich - and it contained a cut of meat, not lunch meat - and a Greek salad. This place is awesome for vegetarians, awesome for vegans, and from my experience, awesome for omnivores. You really can't say that about too many places. Cool artwork... probably rotates.
(4)
Jessica S.

My mom, sister and I went to Melt last night for dinner. My mom said she wanted to go to some place with good food and not too fancy. We agreed on Melt right away! I love how it looks when you walk in the door at Melt- so eclectic. I decided right away on the East Village Sandwich. It was really good. I enjoyed the mixture of goat cheese, pesto and turkey with a little kick from the arugula. I had a side of the Rosemary Redskins. They were really good and I loved the curry catsup. My mom had the East Village too and the Ginger Slaw. She liked the sandwich a lot but the slaw was a little oniony for her. My sister had the Lingo and the Ginger Slaw and really loved both! We sat outside and it was such a nice space! Also the food was quick and the service was excellent!
(4)
CÃ©lÃ¨ste B.

The atmosphere and staff are lovely. If it's warm, I suggest sitting outside in the back. This is a great place for vegans/vegetarians and their friends/family to come together and everyone will be happy. The curried yogurt salad dressing haunts my dreams. I would eat anything if I could dip it in this stuff. The vegan penne and "cheese" is lovely. I'm not even vegan but I love it. Just don't expect it to tastes like cheese; it's more of a cashew sauce with nice seasonings. (I suspect nutritional yeast is involved). The Sunday brunch is great as well, with the only downside being that it's quite busy, so you can't really linger.
(5)
Ryan L.

Yesterday evening I stopped by Melt for a light dinner and left very satisfied. I had checked out Yelp before hand and saw recommendations for the Joan of Arc, so I ordered on for myself. It came out as their take on a Philly cheesesteak, and I very much enjoyed it. Additionally, it came with a mixed greens salad instead of the usual chips or fries. Be sure to sit in the back patio during nice weather. Street parking wasn't much of an issue. Support your local community by eating at Melt instead of Panera, and you'll get much better quality!
(4)
Kailani N.

fresh delicious, highly recommend.
(4)
Gary S.

Melt is in the Northside area of Metropolitan Cinti, an eclectic redeveloped community which is conducive to strolling through the storefronts. The atmosphere at Melt is very cozy and warm and perfect for close intimate conversation. I had the Muffaleta "Sammie", a warm turkey sandwich on foccacia with a savory olive tapenade. It was delicious to the core, bite after bite. I also had an accompaniment of hummus, which was outstanding on its own merit. In addition, I had a delicious Loft side salad, a healthy portion of lettuce mix, pepitas, dried cranberries, and goat cheese, with a delicious dose of vinagrette dressing. Overall, there were so many choices that I could continued coming here and not get bored anytime soon. I had to pass on the homemade ice cream pints, made by a local Columbus Ohio creamery named Jenni's Ice Cream. But with flavors like Saigon Cinnamon, and Salty Caramel, I figure a late night sweet visit to Melt is in my future. My only disappointment was that I finished the meal too fast and that I had to leave. Melt was a perfect place for the perfect healthy meal on an otherwise drab winter afternoon. I know I'll be back soon.
(5)
Lindsay R.

Eat here, it's adorable! Yummy vegan vittles, I go here every time I pass through Cinci.
(4)
Aya R.

I love their curry ketchup. :) I had their artichoke pizza with chicken, and their pesto sandwich. I can't remember the names right now... But they were both delicious!!! Everything was very fresh, and I actually devoured the entire plate! They give you a choice of chips or greens. And I always choose the greens! They're fresh and yummy!!! :) I'm not one for salads, but I love love love it here at the Melt. It depends on what you like, I bet they'll have something in store for you! They even have a few good choices for meat eaters too! Great place. Beautiful and creative decorations... Healthy choices... This place is a great place to eat at!!
(5)
Kristy H.

Oh my, what a lovely breakfast. And I do mean delicious. I have a particular sort of affinity for vegan sausage and gravy with biscuits, and when we walked in to Melt on a dreary Sunday, my mouth started watering as soon as I saw it on the chalkboard. If you're vegan, this is the place for you. The brunch dishes are served with a delicious - and large - fresh fruit cup. The coffee is delicious. The bread for breakfast sandwiches is crusty and soft in all the right places. The juices are bottled Odwalla, and they have sodas, espresso drinks, teas, and brewed coffee. The restaurant itself is small, with maybe 15 tables in two crowded rooms. There is an outdoor seating area, but it was blustery and cool when I was there, and I didn't want to brave it. They were absolutely slammed on Sunday for brunch, and it took quite a while to get our food. But, it's worth the wait. For food that good, I'd have waited hours. The biscuits are large - almost the size of a CD - and covered in a spicy, thick gravy. The fruit served as a perfect counterpoint to the salty richness of the gravy and the light biscuits made heavy by soaking it up. This was a breakfast I'd drive well out of my way for, and you should, too.
(4)
Shelby M.

Atmosphere is everything & "Melt" has mastered the artsy 'Etsy'-style design in its' cozy little nook (in what appeared to an outsider), to be an up & coming neighborhood surrounded by little shops reminiscent of the Wicker Park/Bucktown area of Chicago, IL. On a weekend wedding-trip to Cincinnati, Yelp pointed in the direction of "Melt" where a family of 4 got lost in the city, amid an orange sea of people on their way to a Bengals game. We were guided in hilarity by a friendly Melter (ie: Let's just call her our lady in shining armor) who led us to what would be a meal to remember. We ordered everything but the kitchen sink from the extensive brunch menu (Northside Hot Brown & Rosemary Redskin Mess stick out as 2 favorites), including some amazing cake on display. With interior rooms that seemed to fill up quickly, we chose to enjoy our meals under the shaded trees of the patio & 'picnic'. Not being a vegetarian (or even passing for a look-alike), my carnivorous husband & I devoured our vegetarian meals. Aside from the detailed & highly-creative mouth-watering menu, one of the most impressive aspects of "Melt" was the personal customer service we received from the lady who guided us. The passion for service made the experience unforgettable. We're already planning a trip down, solely to visit "Melt."
(5)
Alexandra K.

I've dined here a few times and absolutely love coming here for a lunch or dinner sandwich. The store caters to vegetarians, vegans, meat eaters, and whatever else you might identify as. The main feature of their menu is of course melt sandwiches. I've enjoyed eating the Rachel, the Tuscan chicken, and the tuna melt. The Rachel features a ruby kraut which is to die for! The rest of their menu has various deli sandwiches, pasta salads, potato salads, and green leaf salads as well as many extras. The food is just so unique and tasty. I also enjoy that they carry good for you drinks as well. I always enjoy getting the Izze drinks as they are carbonated water with real fruit juice. Much healthier than a soda any day. You'll be transported out of Cincinnati when you visit this store. It has such a different cultural feel to it. It's so "hip"
(4)
James Chester Sharpless C.

Always excellent! Great for a quick bite. Not sure I would plan on a quick lunch but well worth any wait. Lisa is a delight and the rest of the staff follows her stellar lead.
(5)
David B.

The service was really quite lack luster. The poor staff is overworked and the food was really just 2-star quality. It's kind of a budding hipster area, but that will not be enough to draw me back there.
(2)
Tara W.

If you can get the mad anthony sandwich-do! Otherwise, pretty much everything is good here. They have TONS of veggie and vegan options here also. There is a shady outdoor area to eat in and if you go at night, they turn on the white lights that make it almost magical! To finish off the meal, grab one of their yummy vegan desserts-I suggest the betterfinger! Thanks Melt for being so amazing!!!
(5)
Murray P.

My wife and I got in off a red eye from San Diego and headed straight for this place. We're both vegan and addicted to caffeine so finding Melt and Sidewinder 100 feet apart was heaven. Everything positive said about Melt is true. The people are friendly and the food is excellent. I had the vegan melt with slaw. The homemade vegan smoky cheddar has a kick to it and the whole thing melted in my mouth. It sucks that this place is 2000 miles from California. Everyone thinks of California as a health food paradise, but I think it's quantity over quality out here. I'm continually amazed at how good the vegan food is in places like Cincinnati, Louisville and Atlanta. Melt was no exception. We returned for Sunday brunch and that ruled too! Highly recommended!
(5)
Adam B.

Unique delicious food. Vegie friendly Vegan friendly Brunch on Sundays. sometimes a little too fancy for my mouth, but a really great place. All the cutest girls in town work here. Hi girls ;)
(4)
Jeff R.

We stopped in for lunch on a Saturday and just beat the rush. Very nice selection of grilled sandwiches. We had muffaletta and Joan of Arc. Both good. The side of herbed potatoes was very good. I'm curious if they make the bread or get it local. A nice kids' menu. And a big plus for us: Lots of kids coloring books and stuff to keep them busy while we wait. Very enjoyable place.
(4)
Jenny O.

This was such a great place to just get some quiet time, eat a yummy and healthy meal, and watch the world go by. The price of all this was just $12 for hot tea and a platter. LOVED IT.
(5)
Marlo J.

We've been here several times and the food is consistently good - fresh, healthy, flavorful and affordable. What more could you ask for? Whenever we have friends/family in town, we take them here for a quick weekend lunch and it never fails to please. They have a great vegetarian menu (I LOVE the Ratatoullie Melt), but they are by no means a one-trick pony as the meaty sammies (i.e., The Hoffner) are also very good. The side dishes are great - the hummus and ginger rainbow slaw are our favorites. We have yet to try anything we've haven't liked. In addition to the great food, the atmosphere and staff are spot on. The order number placards are super cute and are always conversation worthy. The staff is a bit hipsterish giving the place a fun, inviting and hip vibe. Melt is doing everything right!
(5)
Natalie Y.

Ok..maybe Im the only one but Melt really didnt impress me or my friend.Besides it being really small,when I placed my order I asked for ice water.Cashier gave us water from a pitcher that was sitting in the sink.Sooo I changed it to a bottled drink.Food was okay nothing special for me to make the trip to go there.I ordered a greek salad....simple.Panera Bread makes the salads better to me.
(2)
Casey Y.

I love the food (especially the grilled cheese sandwich), but I can't stand the seating. The back patio is fine, but sitting in the front feels like eating lunch in a subway car. I couldn't cross my legs without playing footsie with the guy at the table next to mine. He was so close I almost felt like I should've included him in my conversation.
(3)
Puja G.

Wonderful for vegetarians. The outdoor patio is great for lounging in nice weather. I highly recommend the iced tea. Will definitely return
(4)
Sean Patrick H.

It was brilliant, one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. I had the BBQ Chicken, and my wife had the three cheese, also one of her favorites ever. Between the zoo and the Art Museum, a perfect stopover.
(5)
Madison B.

My friend's roommate talked up this place so much when I came to visit that one afternoon we HAD to stop by, and its not really on the way. Not being from town, I asked the waitress what was good and she offered the veggie chili, and although it was good, it was anything but chili. Half way through, i bit into a whole garlic glove that made my mouth taste horrible for the rest of the day. I mentioned to the waitress that this had happened, and all she said was, "Oh?!" I was a bit confused myself. The chocolate cake I got to go was amazing, but not really worth the half hour drive.
(3)
Alisa F.

I no longer live in Ohio, but when I did I was a regular here. Food was great, decently priced and I love the area it's in. Farmer's market across the street was a plus! My meat-eating boyfriend was not a fan, but he still scarfed down his seitan veggie cheesesteak - and he's a REALLY picky eater. Nice artwork on walls, great overall feeling. Comfortable and homey. Loved it!!
(4)
sunshine w.

i have never had a better brunch! My friends took me here while i was in town on business. it was the best meal i had during the trip. i want to come back soon and try a salad as they really looked good.
(5)
Deiah V.

One of my favorite places to get breakfast on a Saturday morning! A little small but the food is great!
(4)
Jeffrey M.

Melt reminded me of a Noe Valley type San Francisco restaurant translated through space to Cincinnati. It had a very eclectic crowd and staff. I tried a great melt with artichoke, spinach and cheese with fresh tomatoes on focaccia, served like pizza slices. Very tasty! Also I tried a turkey melt with olive tapenade and pesto and cheese. Melt has a nice combination of tasty vegan and choices with meat. Really, it's some of the more interesting food I've had in Cincinnati. I'm not vegan, but the vegan dishes here are worth trying even if you're not. The chips and greens are good as are the interesting natural drinks. The orange honey passion in the bottle was quite tasty. When I'm in Cincinnati, Melt is definitely ON my list of places to eat.
(5)
Matthew H.

Nestled next to the Northside Tavern, Melt is a true Cincinnati gem. This soup and sandwich spot receives my highest lunch recommendation when visiting Shake It Records on your next vinyl gathering expedition to Cincy. The staff was wonderful friendly and the food was excellent!
(4)
Lindsey O.

Fantastic! One of the best in the city. Healthy, unique, fun.
(5)
Erin Z.

This place has flavorful food, fresh ingredients, and a fun atmosphere. Much like the name states, it is an art-inspired, eclectic diner. The service is friendly and knowledgeable about the food. I had the Sprout Salad, the Roasted Red Pepper Soup, and the Vegan Pumpkin Cookies. I am a very picky eater, and everything was fantastic! I will absolutely be recommending and returning.
(5)
Ashley H.

I have only been here twice, but both times have been wonderful! I am a new vegan, so finding local places to eat that have animal-free food has been difficult. I was glad to find Melt, with their many options and reasonably priced meals. The staff has always been nice and helpful, and I love the outdoor seating area!
(4)
Ryan C.

Since my wife is a Vegetarian of almost 8 years (as of writing this), I have tried a lot of Veggie/Vegan places in Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati. Some of them are great & some of them...well...yeah. This one easily takes the crown as best place we have tried so far. This won't make me switch teams (Sorry VegHeads, it's just not going to happen. I've thought about it, but I can't give up my burgers & gyros.) but I would definitely get something non-meat here. I can't wait for our next visit. The place seems a bit cramp but there are more places to sit towards the back, so don't freak out if you walk in and there are no tables available.
(5)
Marie E.

Hipster place with lots of options. I loved the spinach artichoke sandwich I got but how could you not? It was basically spinach artichoke dip on bread. They do nachos on sun chips which I am not a fan of. The backroom is weird and I wouldn't want to eat there but there is a patio that is nice. The food overall is just barely good but it makes it to the good category in my book
(3)
Carl H.

If you like creative sandwiches with bold flavors you'll absolutely love it ... if you only like deli sandwiches you'll probably be disappointed
(5)
David C.

I concur with Julie S. I've never had any complaints about the food (once it arrives at my table, that is), but seating is scarce and the service has been painfully slow every time I've been here. They really need to work on a better system for turning around their orders. I'm always on the lookout for a great sandwich place, but whenever I consider going back to Melt I usually end up deciding it's just not worth the hassle.
(2)
Katy M.

Melt is THE restaurant for Cincinnati. Just about anyone could find something they'd like here unless all they eat is steak n potatoes (you know the type). Now that I'm vegan, I eat here even more often because there are so many delicious options. My favorite, which I tend to get every time despite all the options, is half-sies of the custom burger made with seitan, vegan cheezy sauce, vegan mayo & the vegan caeser salad with tofu strips. OMG BEST EVER! My husband gets the vegan coney often. It's a fake hot dog, vegan chili, spicy mustard, etc served open face. It's a huge coney. Try their Sunday brunch, lots of vegan options then too including biscuits & gravy.
(5)
Samia M.

Growing up in California, I have high standards for food. Melt is one of the those places in Cincinnati I genuinely enjoy and keep coming back to. I personally always get The Rachel -- I absolutely love the tangy sauce that comes on that and always ask for extra. I also love the balsamic vinagrette on their salads. Only downside is that I don't like the baked goods they sell, but those generally come from Take the Cake anyway. The brunch is good too - I haven't seen it on their menu recently, but their waffle with spiced vanilla whipped cream is to die for.
(4)
Gavin D.

Melt is only a little more than a stone's throw from our house, and as a mainstay on Northside's main drag - Hamilton Avenue - it does a great job mirroring the community ethos. With a substantial number of vegan and vegetarian options, local sourcing of ingredients, and creative combinations, Melt is a solid lunch, dinner, and brunch option for just about anyone. And Melt's even expanding their imprint in the neighborhood, recently launching Picnic and Pantry - "Micro Market & Specialty Foods" - where we bought our produce today! (This review is made smaller so it'll fit in Yelp - the whole thing, including links, info about the ingredients, setting, service, and story, is at our blog, Amateur Foodies) The Food: The menu when you walk into Melt can be a bit overwhelming - a large chalkboard is full of sandwiches, salads, and more. You quickly get the idea that you're in for a treat, with interesting ingredients and thoughtful pairings, it becomes clear that flavor will not be lacking. On this trip, we ordered 2 sandwiches, both of which come with a side. The Joan of Arc is a concoction that includes Applegate Farms roast beef, roasted red peppers, roasted garlic, blue cheese, carmelized onions, and melted provolone cheese, all on a focaccia bread. And then the Muffaletta - Applegate Farms turkey, roasted red peppers, olive tapenade, and provolone cheese melted on a focaccia bread. We had a side of Rosemary Redskin Potatoes (that come with a homemade curried ketchup) as well as mixed greens with a dressing (which I didn't pay close enough attention to to explain). The sandwiches were both solid. I particularly liked the olive tapenade (regular readers may be learning that I am a sucker for nearly all things salty), and bites that were full of chewy provolone were especially yummy. We added some of the salad dressing to the Joan of Arc because it was a bit dry, but the flavors were still tasty regardless. On the sides, the potatoes are always well seasoned and flavorful. The mixed greens are literally a small box of mixed greens - no nuts, berries, veggies, or anything else - so if you want super straightforward, this is the way to go. Otherwise there are plenty of salads as entrees to choose from. It should also be noted that Melt has Jeni's Ice Creams available. They are terribly good. I still haven't been able to get over the per pint price ($9.95), as much as I want to. I am very willing to pay extra for better quality, and while they do use local Snowville Creamery, pints in Cincinnati are between $1 and $3 more per pint than the same product up the road at their Columbus stores (UPDATE: Pints are $8.50 to $10 each in Columbus - I was wrong on this initially, so actually while you may be paying $1 more in Cincinnati on some pints, there are actually many that are 50 cents cheaper. Thanks to Ryan for the comment below, and to friendly employees at Columbus stores for verifying. I apologize for the error, either prices have changed or I just plain had it wrong.) However, I did just note that Picnic and Pantry has Jeni's macaroon ice cream sandwiches in their cooler and it's likely that I'm near a breakthrough. Those things are ridiculous. I am not going to walk over there right now and get one. The Ingredients: Melt has great information available about not just its ingredients, but also its practices at the restaurant in terms of packaging, recycling and more. There are some places around town that are supplying their customers with a good deal of information about the source of their ingredients, but Melt is definitely at the head of the class. It is simply awesome that owner Lisa Kagen has taken the time and space to write/explain for her customers about the sources of ingredients and how that ties in with the prices that are being paid. We need more knowledgeable consumers to support thoughtful businesses, but it takes time and energy on both sides to make it happen. If there was anything we'd love to see, it'd be a way to share more of this info on the menu board (which is already packed!) and the to go menu, so that folks don't have to dig much on the website to learn about Melt's great practices. But, this is really a small thing. Thanks for what you're doing, Melt - you're a model for other Cincinnati restaurants! Melt, like Take the Cake, Slims/Vout, and Honey, is another local option that we are blessed to have within such close proximity, and a place that we plan to be sampling from for a long time to come. We're wishing them the best of luck with Picnic and Pantry as well, and hoping for another successful enterprise in the community. If you enjoyed this review, there's more at Amateur Foodies.
(5)
Dusty S.

Eating healthy never tasted so damn good. Get the halvsies and try a hot sandwich and soup. I'm partial to the Joan of Arc (roast beef) and vegan chili, but really no matter what you pick you can't go wrong.
(5)
Nik N.

melt is a great little joint for some yum veg (and non-veg) sammich. i had the veg philly cheese steak ... it was a bit too dry for my liking... so i resorted to the curry ketchup to sauce it up a bit. it helped... melt is a sweet little joint that will satisfy in that "a-ok" sort of way.
(3)
A A.

Very impressive menu composed of sandwiches made with a wide array of ingredients. I don't remember the last time I saw such a unique selection of sandwiches, or melts as they refer to many of them. They also have a nice selection of salads and other items that looked great. There is likely something wrong with you if you can't find something you like at this place.
(4)
Whitney P.

i love this place. everything i've had has been delicious and they have the beeest sun dried tomato vinaigrette i've ever had. It's been crowded every time i've gone, but it's expected because ITS DELICIOUS. They have a nice patio out back where you can eat as well.
(5)
Allen C.

Melt specializes in vegetarian and vegan dishes, but they have a great variety of items for all food lovers. Don't struggle to find it, look for ShakeIt Records, The Northside Tavern, and Dana's Tattoo Studio -- it will be right there! Be warned though, if you hit the rush at the right time, or at the beginning of a holiday weekend (like I did this last time), you may wait an extended amount of time to get your food. You may choose another restaurant for your hour long lunch, but my office has been there four times in the last three weeks! Worth the wait; great rich food; try Melt in Northside!
(4)
Chicago G.

Had brunch here with friends when in town for a wedding - Was intrigued by the Yelp reviews. Totally laid back environment with great (and very different food). I was bummed that we weren't able to have anything on the sandwich menu (brunch only) but I had the Smoke Salmon melt with salad and it was GREAT!!! Everyone really enjoyed their dish. My only beef is that they request that you don't sit at a table until you've ordered at the counter. With 4 people that is virtually impossible. It's not a large enough space to restrict that sort of thing. And the girl who cleaned our table sprayed me with the cleaner. Not cool...
(4)
Lena S.

We got here HUNGRY and ordered a bowl of the Chili Cheese Skins, rosemary potatoes with chili & smoky vegan cheese on top, as an appetizer before our sandwiches. I was afraid that our eyes would be bigger than our stomachs, but, although we walked away mega-super-full, this was THE dish and totally worth feeling overstuffed. We came here two times during our jaunt to Cincy, and over the course of these visits, had: a) a veggie cheesesteak [my hubs wanted to try an "Ohioan take on a veggie cheesesteak" and while his Philadelphian sensibilities proclaimed the side-split configuration and overall assembly "not really a cheesesteak," he said it still tasted good] b) a Custom Burger with seitan topped with Vegenaise + lettuce & tomato + their smoky vegan non-cheez sauce, creamy and drizzly, on top: this was my order, and while their seitan is different than what I've made at home or had out--their texture and spicing and long-cut strips is reminiscent of the sort of prepackaged gyro meat strips you can get in bulk from import stores, curiously enough, which I understand is an esoteric point of comparison, but I digress--I'd argue that it's not really a burger, what with it being composed of the aforementioned strips, but this sandwich is made by the magic topping mixture of creamy non-dairy mayo mixing with their smoky cheez c) an Avocado Bliss with added rubykraut (I was in it for the rubykraut; I could have used more vinegary-apply fermented cabbage goodness on my sandwich, but the hints of apple and tartness added to the thinly-sliced tofu and plentiful but not overpowering avocado [it's forreal a magical fruit, man] was a nice and light, yet still filling, sandwich combo. I would suggest toasting the bread on this sandwich if you tend to like toastier/warm sandwiches like I do--I wished I had ordered it as such, but ate it as-was). But like I said, it's about the Chili Cheese Skins, man. Seriously. We came in DRENCHED from a torrential rainstorm, and the delicious, herby, roasted potatoes + super-toothsome black-bean vegan chili mixing with the creamy smoky non-cheez sauce (seemed to be made of nutritional yeast + mustard + maybe Vegenaise + a dash of perfection) was hot and filling and just...the kind of thing that you slurp and mop up the juices from and savor every warm bite. IT'S ABOUT THE CHILI CHEESE SKINS. Another plus: the desserts: we tried a mint chocolate swirl brownie, a cherry-almond cakey bar, and a VEGAN BUTTERFINGER BAR from Sweet Peace Bakery (titled a "Betterfinger") which, made with crushed cornflakes to approximate the...shardiness of the inside of a Butterfinger, truly did present a softer/chewier/but still crunch-featuring texture and taste of a Butterfinger candy bar. A cute idea impressively and tastily executed!
(4)
Rebecca K.

Yum! A favorite lunch or afternoon meeting spot for delicious food, melt's been a fave for a long time. Recently, enjoyed the cold gazpacho (lots of chunky tomato, crispy onions, and zingy herbs). Not sure if. Prefer this over a blended gazpacho yet. Love the Tangy Tuna. Hummus has healthy dose of garlic and comes with sun chips, not my fave. Lime cilantro dressing tastes better than it sounds, although I tend to opt for the balsamic vinaigrette. Will keep coming back.
(5)
Daria B.

Nice place to eat lunch, but seems like it gets really busy, really fast. The food was very tasty and the staff friendly. It is definitely not a place to go in a hurry, because everything is made to order, it takes a little while to get food. The wait is well worth it. Great to have discovered a nice little place for vegetarian delights.
(4)
Caroll G.

Definitely a place for the meat free eater, people who love meat but want to give vegetarian/vegan a try, this place is highly recommended by...me! Brunch is from 11-2, and usually around 12, it gets busy. I've only been a couple of times, and of the fews times, twice I had the Buckwheat Waffles. I highly recommend this super sweet treat. It's perfectly topped with the right amount of apples and cinnamon, with some whip cream. Although I must add, too sweet can be too much. I was disappointed when they no longer had my Faux Sausage Biscuits and Gravy because it was so damn good. You won't know the difference that it wasn't real meat! Gosh, I hope they bring it back. Northside is very art eclectic, so the vibe from the majority of the places you visit, offers art from local artists, and hip lounge scene. This is a great place for coffee and some vegan sweets!
(5)
Lauren A.

My husband and I went to Melt for bunch this morning. It's in a cute little gem of an area and it's one of those places where you order at the counter and wait for the food to be brought to your table (which I love). The guy working the counter was nice. He took our order, poured us some coffee and sent us to our table with our picture of Mrs. Keaton from Family Ties (more creative than a number). We sipped coffee at our tiny table in the front window and waited for our meal. I ordered the vegan biscuits and gravy with a side of roasted potatoes and my husband ordered the artichoke and roasted fennel frittata also with a side of potatoes. Both meals were very good and came out pretty quickly. On the table there was delicious homemade ketchup flavored with some Indian spices. It was very nice with the potatoes. The gravy and tempeh in it were excellent, although I have to admit that the biscuits were tougher than I like. And, I kinda wish that they had self-serve coffee, or brought it around more often because I found myself with just a little bit of cold coffee mid-meal. They also need self-serve water because I wanted some, but by the time I sat down at my table, there was a very long line at the counter and I didn't want to wait in it for water. Those are really minor details though because this is an awesome place with fresh, delicious food. We also went to their companion market (Picnic and Pantry) next door where I bought some tempeh and bulk brown rice. Aside from the regular grocery items, they have a hot bar with food and cold sandwiches in a case. I'll be back to try that out!
(4)
Lauren F.

Melt is probably my favorite place to eat in Northside. I'm hopefully a future vegetarian and the seiton they use is like a training wheel to me. Everything I've ordered has been fabulous and simple in a way I wouldn't expect from the ingredients. I suppose that's my way of saying they don't overpower the food with too many flavors, it speaks for itself. My favorites are the veggie cheesesteak and the house salad which in-itself is amazing because I usually avoid salads. If they are slow enough you can have your food delivered next door at the Tavern. Plan to wait a little bit if they are busy but it's a pleasant wait.
(5)
Sam N.

For vegans and vegetarians there are a variety of healthy, creative options that are hard to find other places in Cincinnati. The portions are often small and a little overpriced but I still think it's worth it. Ordering is done at the counter before you sit and your food is brought out to you...if you can find an open table. The interior has a lot of character and can feel cozy if it's not too crowded. Definitely worth a try.
(4)
John David B.

Being a vegetarian was never so easy. The food is always the highest quality, VERY unique, and decently affordable. Try the roasted reds (potatoes) with the curry ketchup... Wow! Parking across the street in the lot, or anywhere on Hamilton at a meter.
(5)
Carlee T.

Never been let down by any of their sandwiches, and they have healthy and unique sides. Wish there were more places like this around the city!
(5)
Dan J.

Melt is a fantastic restaurant that specializes in sandwiches and the like, with a healthy twist. Melt states on their website that their mission is "to provide a tasty variety of nutritious foods in simple, convenient, environmentally-friendly packaging as much as possible." Following a general trend in Northside of trying to do things healthy and environmentally minded, Melt does a wonderful job of living up to the standards they've set for themselves. As far as the food goes, I ordered the fantastic Lingo sandwich with pesto and goat cheese melted over baby spinach and roasted red peppers. It was a really great sandwich, even if it was a little on the small side. The storefront is quaint and the dining area is very welcoming. Oh, and another bullet point of their mission statement? "To fill bellies up with happiness! " Mission accomplished.
(5)
allie d.

so far my favorite food in cincy. now with AC! I love this place!
(5)
Rob J.

Delicious sandwiches. I'm not vegetarian, but if you are, they have tons of options. The hummus is delicious and garlicky and I highly recommend it. Prices are reasonable, seating is sufficient, but it can get crowded.
(5)
Teneka S.

I miss this place most of all! We randomly discovered this place for sandwiches, then fell in LOVE after a Sunday brunch experience! My favorite thing about living in Cincinnati indeed! An absolute must for everyone!
(5)
J R.

delicious. on my last two visits I've had the Tangy Tuna. next time I'm gonna get the Yeehaw BBQ.
(5)
Scott R.

Really great place in on of my favorite nieghborhoods! The Yee Haw BBQ made with Tempae is outta site. Made from scratch soup and vegan chili. If thats not enough for you great desserts from Take the Cake. All in all very enjoyable experience.
(4)
Ada K.

Healthy food, desserts from Take the Cake, great prices, eclectic decor - this is definitely a Northside Gem. The tangy tuna melt is a crowd pleaser, and I always get the mango lemonade w/fresh mint. The Hamilton is surprisingly good for a veggie sandwich, with some well chosen greens (no iceberg lettuce in this one!) and a little spicy mustard for extra kick. These guys also use biodegradable, corn-based utensils, cups and bags, which is reason enough to go there!
(4)
Karina M.

Thank you, Yelpers. Without your help, I may have never tasted the delights found at Melt. How I wish there were more places like this! I had difficulty choosing what to order, since everything sounded so tasty. I finally selected the YeeHaw BBQ, which is made with chicken breast, roma tomatoes, red onions, hot banana peppers, and mozzarella cheese, then topped with zesty BBQ sauce and placed on a hoagie roll. The sandwich was by far one of the best I've had in a very long time. As a side I chose the salad with ginger hoisin dressing. The homemade Asian dressing was fabulous, and next time I think I will purchase some to-go (all dressing can be purchased for $4.50). My boyfriend had the Tuscan chicken, which he thoroughly enjoyed. His side item, roasted potatoes, were covered in curry powder and rosemary and served with tangy ketchup. Very lovely. Without hesitation, I will drive from the Kentucky burbs to Northside very frequently now that I know about Melt.
(5)
David S.

In town on business, went with 2 others. Everyone was satisfied with the food. Relaxed atmosphere, and young energetic feel. Place had a good vibe and the food was good. The Tavern next door was a good stop on the way home, rustic and local.
(4)
b s.

This is my favorite spot in cincinnati....I truly wish it was in oakland California where we live. Awesome vegan options. Highly recommended!
(5)
Ryan H.

Got the Hoffner Melted Sandwich for lunch today... it was just an average sandwich, nothing special... I definitely wouldn't get it again. I'll give Melt another try sometime before I leave Cincinnati. I do have to say the outdoor seating is out-effin'-standing!
(3)
Chris B.

I stumbled across this gem while going to the barbershop around the block and needless to say this has been added to my favorite list for spots to eat around Cincinnati. Not the biggest spot to eat, but if you go around a good time, you shouldn't feel stuffed. Great food, great atmosphere and good location!
(5)
Opal K.

brunch = fail. 3 stars b/c their non-brunch items are pretty good.
(3)
Thor C.

Wow. If Northside had the kind of restaurants 15 years ago that it has today, I never would have moved. I mean Melt, really. I had just a moment when I was sure I was in Wicker Park in Chicago or Belltown in Seattle. Except the price is very Cincinnati. The fine combination of fresh and some local ingredients, with a profound knowledge of things cheesy, melty, and crunchy, made for a profund sandwiching experience. The ginger jewel slaw, a deceptively simple recipe, is the best thing to happen to cole slaw since mayonnnaise. One star off for lack of space and unsecured bulkheads.
(4)
Benjamin B.

Melt has gone WAY up hill since the last time I was there. First time I came here I got a Philly cheesesteak that was utter bullshit, it was just a seitan patty on a roll, not very good, that was 3-4 years ago. Since then they seem to have updated things, I didn't have the cheesesteak when I went again but I was told that it actually resembles a cheesesteak. Had the Yeehaw BBQ with tempeh and soy cheese and it was out of this world. baked goods could be a little better but it was still pretty good. I am a bit bugged that their menu is not exclusively vegetarian/vegan but I can get over it. As for brunch I'd rather go down the street to Honey and get a "GLT", not to say it's bad but the GLT is that good and they could offer more cool breakfast items.
(4)
Scot H.

good menu, decent atmosphere, staff can be entertaining to watch/interact with. great lunch place. we eat there regularly.
(3)
Jennifer G.

It's one of my cincinnati favorites. I could eat the vegan pennÃ© & cheese everyday of the week.
(4)
Ryan B.

A wide selection of delicious, fresh sandwiches in a fun neighborhood. Brunch is awesome here!
(4)
B W.

Always a favorite. It's the kind of place you can bring a party with a wide variety of dietary habits and everyone will leave pleased. I'm happy to see they're thriving.
(5)
Heather J.

It's all been said - it's great
(4)
Rayna Z.

This place was amazing. We stopped by on a road trip and the menu was crazy varied, awesome creative sandwiches, totally fresh and healthy, great chocolate cupcake. Funky neighborhood, not fancy. Artsy, delicious. Wish it were near our house!
(5)
Matt T.

I am not going to waste your time with another raving review since this place has enough as it is. But why I am writing is because this place has the best grilled cheese, now you ask yourself: grilled cheese? really? the best? Yes, it is the best. It has to be the cheese blend they use but if I want a grilled cheese (and yeah it does happen) I will be heading to Melt to get my cooked calicum carbo fix.
(5)
Marc K.

In from out of town and tried this place based on some of the reviews on Yelp. We weren't disappointed. The decor was interesting with cool scissor-cut art for sale on the walls. The walls were fun shades of purple and red. The service was really great as was the food. Melt does a nice job providing something tasty for everyone from the vegans to meat eaters. Our sandwiches were well prepared and quite tasty. Dessert was a blueberry spice cupcake from Take the Cake, which is just down the street (and was unfortunately closed). It was out of this world and far above and beyond the usually crap baked goods at restaurants. To peeps from out of town: this is definitely a transitional neighborhood. We'll definitely return to Melt on our next trip to Cincinnati.
(5)
Liz A.

last weekend the stars aligned and i finally got my wish for brunch at melt! i met up with jeff (who has a blog but it is anonymous so i do not know if i am allowed to link to it here) to celebrate him moving to my hood and us being awesome blogger buddies and we talked all things cincinnati and ate delicious brunch. yay! melt, if you have not been there, has an awesome vibe. jeff said, "i don't know if i am cool enough to be here." as for me, i am pretty much not cool enough to be anywhere so i don't let that bother me. i just nerd it up wherever i happen to be. melt is in northside and has lots of fun local art, chalkboards all over announcing specials and regular items, big windows letting in lots of light, plants, etc. jeff had: Vegan Southern Sausage Melt $8.75 - One big fluffy vegan biscuit sandwich with a vegan sausage patty, smokey "cheeze" & chives i had: Lover's Fiesta in a Basket $8.75 - One poached free-range egg with fresh spinach, tomatoes, onion, jalapenos, cilantro, & white cheddar in a multigrain toast "basket" both were delicious. well i think his was... he devoured it before i could even think to demand a taste. you also get a side with it. he got fruit (grapes, pineapple, i can't remember what else) and i got roasted potatoes. it was a huge serving and they were perfectly roasted... dark brown and almost caramelized on the outside, while soft and hot on the inside, with lots of rosemary. mmmm. i also got a huge as many refills as you want coffee, which is required if i am going to be even slightly coherent through a late morning/early afternoon weekend meal. note to vegetarians: melt is ridiculously veggie friendly. they have all kinds of fake meat. probably one of your best bets in the city. as if a fun atmosphere, great service, and tasty food were not enough, melt serves brunch on both saturday and sunday! what more can you ask for? well, i guess really awesome meals at times other than brunch. oh wait, they have that too! ok, i'll stop. but only if you promise to go eat at melt.
(4)
Sarah B.

The food is fine -- honestly, nothing special -- but I keep going here because I love the atmosphere and service. Tons of vegan options, which is a good enough reason to help keep this place in business -- vegans gotta eat too! Melt makes me feel warm and fuzzy about Cincinnati in general and Northside in particular, so I will keep giving them my business. Oh, and the people-watching isn't bad either.
(4)
Sean B.

Definitely one of the best sandwiches I have had in Cincinnati and a great patio in back. Order at the front counter and they'll bring your meal to your table.
(4)
A. M.

Awesome service and great food. Cute place too. I had a wonderful veggie melt with added avocado.....delicious!
(5)
Natalie B.

Melt is amazing. I always want to try something new, but I can't help but get the three cheese melt. It's so delicious. Vegan chili is also really really good.
(5)
Marian K.

The food here is excellent...I have never been disappointed. And the staff is always super friendly. When crowded, it can get a bit cramped but I've only had this problem once.
(4)
Jeremy F.

This place is as good as it gets. I live in Oakland now and I have yet to find my Melt replacement. You cannot beat the Yee Haw Bbq and the side salad with Hoisen (sp?) dressing on it. The staff here has always been beyond friendly and inviting. I even brought some not so hip people from work over here once and they were treated like real people and that is amazing for Northside! This place is also great because you can order it to go and sit outside at Northside Tavern's patio. Almost forgot the vegetarian coney dog blows away Skyline!
(5)
Kenley M.

I rarely eat at the same restaurant two days in a row, but Melt brought me right back. The menu has wide variety of great sandwiches, from roast beef to the artichoke melt, as well as soups like vegan chili and split pea curry. The friendly, patient, and helpful staff helped me make up my mind both times. The food was excellent. My neighborhood could use a place like this!
(5)
Angela B.

I could gush about Melt all day. It is my favorite restaurant in the city for brunch, lunch, and dinner. In general, there are few restaurants that offer healthy items on their menus; most dishes are loaded up with salt, sugar, and fat. Melt on the other-hand is all about healthy tasty meals. I love the style of this sandwich shop. They display local artist's work for sale. The tables, chairs, and dishes look like great finds from thrift stores. Another fabulous detail about this place is that they are environmentally conscious and use to go boxes that are made from recycled cardboard. The muffaletta sandwich is one of my favorites and after any meal I'm always tempted to buy one of the chocolate coconut cupcakes that are made by a neighboring bakery. During Sunday brunch hours between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. you must try the pumpkin waffle with candied pecans and creamy whipped cream.
(5)
Scott B.

It's all about the three cheese and the vegan chili. And the cupcakes.
(4)
Margee B.

I'm so lucky that Melt is just a few blocks down the street from my office. Otherwise I'd have to drive like crazy all over town trying to get there before they close. Delicious vegan, vegetarian, and meat salads, sandwiches, and melts. I must admit, the soup I've had there wasn't that great, and my friend's pasta wasn't the greatest, but everything else I've had there is DELICIOUS. Their Greek salad is the most amazing salad I've ever had. Seriously. And I'm a hippie salad eater from California - where rabbit food is plentiful.
(5)
Jakob B.

Great environment! Awesome food even if your not vegan or veggy crazy. The Yeehaw BBQ chicken is great! very laid back and the outdoor patio is also a plus!! Cute girls there always !
(4)
Kiki J.

This is a great place to grab lunch. The inside's a little stuffy, though. Go on a nice day so you can sit outside on the patio.
(5)
Michael G.

Melt is quickly becoming one of Cincinnati's most popular moderately priced restaurants. Quite an achievement for a place that specializes in vegan food! They have plenty of items for omnivores, but their veggie-friendIy dishes really stand out. A lot of reviewers have commented on how busy the place gets, and it often does, especially for Sunday brunch, but it's well worth waiting for. If you're in a rush, they offer a to-go cooler up by the counter where you can grab one of their tasty sandwiches or salads. Perfect fare for a picnic at one of the nearby parks. The restaurant has also started stocking a cooler at Park+Vine, a eco-minded store in downtown Cincinnati.
(5)
Lisa S.

Thanks, Yelpers! My brother was in Cincinnati for work and I decided to drive down from Cleveland to visit. I found this place on here and we tried it out on a Sunday. We love food, so we are accustomed to disappointment, but we were very, very impressed. We had a hard time choosing from all of the options; unfortunately, we couldn't get one of everything. We settled on the Vegan Melt and the Artichoke Melt, with rosemary potatoes and mixed greens salad with garlic dill dressing. We took our coffees to the back room, which was quite cozy. We enjoyed the friendly atmosphere while we waited for our food. The decor is comfy, yet interesting. The food looked and smelled great, and we were hungry, so we dove in. We happily ate until we could eat no more! Well, at least until the food was gone, anyway. And to top it all off, our coffee mugs were never empty. The only negative is that it is 4 hours away! Summary: Ambience: pretty good, a little crowded/cozy, but they use every square inch they have Food: outstanding Service: great Value: very high- we were extremely happy with the portion sizes and the quality of the ingredients for the price Food:
(5)
Sarah M.

The mango lemonade is a seriously addictive substance. So delicious! The melts, all of them, are amazing. When the weather is nice, I highly recommend the out-door patio on the back. Nice fenced in area, pretty white gravel on the ground, shaded by tall trees, very zen.
(5)
Robert M.

Was just here for a quick lunch, had a roast beef with blue cheese, super tasty
(5)
Eleanor L.

Good salad dressings and sandwiches. Didn't care for the vegan mac and cheese food or the vegan biscuits and gravy. Can be hard to get a seat. Cute decor.
(3)
Matthew L.

"The Nicest Between Two Slices" Restaurants are blowing up all over Northside. There's fine dining, a couple of greasy spoons and we're on the verge of our second pizza place. And then there's Melt, defying all classification. I have eaten at Melt a half dozen times and tried almost as many different menu items. The sandwiches are the standouts, my favorites include the Tuscan Chicken, the Artichoke Melt, and the unusual but tasty P.L.T. (crispy baked provolone served on toast with lettuce and tomatoes.) Sandwiches come paired with House Slaw, Sun Chips, or green salad with dressing. My advice is to opt for the salad as it comes with one of Melt's tasty homemade dressings. I am partial to the cool and delicious curry yogurt dressing, but also enjoy the ginger hoison. Team it up with a nice mango-mint lemonade and you're golden. Melt also offers soups and veggie chili along with locally produced baked goods and some interesting artisan ice cream flavors which I have yet to sample, but intend to. My hat is off to Melt for bringing a unique, healthy and delicious food option to Cincinnati and especially for bringing it to Northside.
(5)
Jennifer H.

If my parents' house wasn't about 20 minutes away from Melt, I'd be here every single day I spend in Cincinnati. I've yet to have anything here that isn't delicious, although I am very partial to their fantastic vegan chili (yup, vegan options in cincinnati-can you believe it?!) and the Lingo (a toasted sandwich of goat cheese, roasted red peppers, spinach and pesto). They keep expanding the menu and I need to get back and try all the new options, like vegetarian nachos (vegan chili, veggies and cheese on sunchips) and their Sunday brunch. Besides the great food, the atmosphere is fantastic too. Colorful walls, mismatched chairs-everything makes me smile. You will wait a bit for your food if you come around lunchtime when they get busy, especially if you order one of the "melts" as opposed to a regular sandwich or salad, but it's worth it. Trust me.
(5)
Tyler A.

just loved it nothing else to say
(4)
Matt W.

Located in an interesting area, some stores show a revival of Northside, but it still has a long way to go. Went for late breakfast/early lunch after a wedding on Friday night. At first, food seemed a little pricy, but wow, was it worth it. I think all that organic nonsense is crap, but this food was so tasty and filling! I went with the JOan of Arc (roast beef) which was excellent. Gypsy veggie soup was awesome. Highly recommend, worth the $10 - $15 per person.
(4)
Brian C.

Ah, Melt. What can I say? They make great food. Definitely some of the best that you can get in Cincinnati. All of the dishes are colorful, well-prepared, and promptly delivered to your table (assuming you can get one). I'm a big fan of their namesake dish and the ginger slaw (although I believe they took that off the menu) and their eclectic drink and dessert selection. The only problem I have with Melt is that you want everything there and you want it now. By the time I add up everything I want to get in one meal, the price jumps from $ to $$, and as a college student this makes Melt one of those stops that I can only enjoy every once in a while. I can't really blame them for the high-end pricing of their luncheon dishes because they really are excellent, I just can't eat them as frequently as I would like so I have to give them a four-star rating. (Why can't eating healthy be a little cheaper!?)
(4)
Courtney B.

Whenever I travel for business, I hop on Yelp and try to find some places away from the Chili's, Cracker Barrel, Outback establishments that choke the landscape around my motel. This is easier to do alone, as some travel companions can be skittish. However, after we nearly caught hepatitis at PF Chang's in West Chester, it wasn't difficult to convince my co-worker to make the journey downtown. Northside was very interesting, like an out of the way Chicago neighborhood, and Melt was just fantastic. Funky, artsy and all warm inside--the owner took our order and brought the food to our table. We sat in front and didn't even know there was a great little courtyard and more seating in back until the end, but our window table was nice. I love people watching , and that is prime in this neighborhood. Chili is a staple in Cin City, and my nachos were made with fresh red onion and Sun Chips with tons of gooey cheese and chili on top. Iced green tea was the perfect compliment to the meal, and my co-worker thoroughly enjoyed his melted sandwich on toasty foccacia. If only we had stayed closer to Melt and its neighboring venues (see Northside Tavern review). Made Cincinnati feel like home for a night!
(5)
Kyle F.

Melt is reason alone to go to Northside, but while your over there you might as well stop at Shake-It Records or some of the other eclectic little shops in the area. The food selection is inventive and fresh and it just makes you look forward to your next visit.
(5)
krissy r.

we ventured to melt on a friday night in lent, braving snow and ice. catholicism limited us to vegetarian/fish choices, but that was not an issue. there were so many delicious sounding meat-free choices. i had the albacore sandwich with fruit salad side, and i can not describe how this simple meal was so sublime. my husband, a fervent carnivore, ate a seitan burger for the first time in his life, and (this is important, kids) ACTUALLY ENJOYED IT. i would go back to melt anytime of day. i am dying to try their brunch. one caveat - this may not be the place for those with really large appetites. my husband, even though he enjoyed his dinner, was hungry approximately 10 minutes after we pulled out of our parking space.
(5)
Molly H.

ok. so i have to admit that i am not from cincinnati, but rather, the east coast. i miss the healthy food that we used to get at all of our local haunts. melt is about as close to east-cost-food as i can find and i adore it. their sandwiches are TO DIE FOR!
(5)
Chandler M.

Great food for a casual meal! Sometimes, I can feel the heat emanating from the kitchen and I feel really bad for the guys on the line.
(5)
Kevin S.

Ok. Love the atmosphere very bohemian and a bit overpriced. My sandwich is NOT what I expected but tasty. For what I paid I most likely would not go back. The staff was friendly and the restaurant is in cool neighborhood.
(3)
Angela C.

I have to admit, the food at Melt was pretty darn good but are they deserving of the current 4.5 star average? HELLS NO! Why you ask? The SLOW SERVICE really sucked. We ordered our food, then sat and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited. After almost 40 minutes had past, I went to the open kitchen area to make sure they even had our order, and man was the dude rude. So we patiently sat and waited some more, trying very hard to calm our growling stomachs. After another 10 minutes passed, our food finally arrived. Although there was a decent amount of people when we ordered our food at about 2:30pm, it wasn't busy to the point where it would justify waiting almost an hour for our food! And not once did someone stop by to ask 'how are things?' or say 'sorry for the wait'. If you're looking for fresh & tasty food, and have a lot of time on your hands and don't care about crappy service, then I would give it a try. Noticed on their menu they have a lot of vegetarian and even vegan offerings. Below is a quick review of the items our party had: Melted Sammies: ~ Tangy Tuna (tuna salad along with red onions, celery, tomato, Swiss cheese & lime cilantro dressing on sourdough) - The tuna salad was very good but the bread was so hard. Could've chipped a tooth if bitten at the wrong angle. ~ Tuscan Chicken (chicken, pesto, caramelized onion, sundried tomato & fresh romaine lettuce on focaccia) - This was very flavorful and my favorite of the 3 I tried. ~ Rachel (turkey, ruby kraut, Swiss cheese with a homemade tangy sauce on sourdough rye) - Not bad but not something I'd consider ordering again. Sides: ~ Tabouli - Not much flavor and I've definitely had better. I wouldn't recommend this. ~ Rosemary Redskins - Yum! Lots of flavor and the skin was oven roasted to perfection.
(2)
Tina S.

Awesome food!!! I tried it yesterday and it was delicious and fresh. Will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Ethan P.

Great place to stop by for lunch. They have a unique selection. The staff is friendly. I tried the Joan of Arc sandwich and will definitely stop in again the next time I'm in the area. Be sure to try the kale slaw as well.
(5)
B H.

Ate here recently Veggie Chili is awesome. After first seeing Melt on Diners Drive In and Dives with Guy Fieri. I had to try this place. Chicken Barbeque sandwich is good as well, my lady friend had that. I had risen by this place a million times and never stopped. Now its a must stop
(4)
Hannah D.

We stopped here while on a road trip. Such a cute place, and so many vegetarian options. I enjoyed an artichoke melt and had a delicious cupcake for dessert. We will definitely stop here again.
(5)
Jennifer M.

What a pleasant surprise on our drive back north! The cheesesteak was so good. They have virgils bottled drinks The wait is atrocious so either call ahead or make sure you have a half hour to kill.
(4)
Missy L.

Melt your name is so fitting because you provide me all the comforts of a big melty grilled cheese sandwich! Melt is deliciously magnificent! Where to start...the staff are all extremely personable and helpful. Many of their options (particularly the brunch menu) don't provide much of an explanation as to their ingredients, but every cashier is more than happy/prepared to tell you in detail about every item on the menu. They are all very sweet and you can tell they really take pride in their restaurant. The food is...superb! I went for the Sunday Brunch and couldn't have been more pleased. Though they specialize in sandwiches, I had their French Toast for brunch with fresh cut apples and whipped cream. As a side I got some of the most delicious roasted red potatoes I've ever eaten. They come with some sort of delicious sauce...no clue what it was only that it was delicious and unique and I used every last drop of it. Over half of Melt's menu is either vegetarian or vegan. I eat meat, but was very intrigued by their meatless options and hope to give some of them a try in the future. This place really understands flavoring and that's always key when creating a vegan entree. My whole brunch ended up being about $10 plus tip and I left full and happy, already planning on a return visit. It's a little more than I'm used to spending, but it was well worth it as a special Sunday treat. Melt is the perfect fit for Northside's main drag right on Hamilton Avenue. The locally owned feel perfectly compliments Northside's charm. Not only that, but Melt also offers delicious baked goods from another one of my favorite Northside establishments Take the Cake! So whether for brunch, lunch, or dinner Melt is a win. Whether you are vegan or not you are bound to find some delicious at Melt!
(5)
Chandri V.

Melt Eclectic Cafe - what an appropriate name for a truly eclectic food joint! Heavenly sandwiches and such homemade sides. I highly recommend the spinach artichoke sandwich for the vegetarians, herbed potatoes with curry catsup on the side and chicken verde for the meat eaters. I feel some might consider the place pricey, with the sandwich and side costing about $10 but the way I look at it, this price is perfect for the unique taste, the completely organic (therefore chemical-free) homemade food!!
(5)
Joe S.

Wow. Stopped by for lunch with a friend and my kiddo. Very friendly staff (even when I brought a baby) and the food was great. I love the neat ideas and variety on the menu, it's a shame (or a good thing) this isn't right around the corner from home. Try something new, you'll like it.
(5)
Kyla M.

I lived in Cincinnati for a year before going to melt for the first time, and I so regret that! I'm a vegetarian and my sister is gluten-free, so this place is a win-win, one of the only places we can go together. My daughter also loves this place, she says the vegan chocolate cupcakes are the best she's ever had. Everything I've had here has been awesome-the nachos, the veggie chili-everything is great. The patio area is also super cute and romantic, but my legs got eaten up by mosquitoes. Some citronella candles would be a nice touch. :)
(5)
Jennifer S.

Stopped here for lunch before heading to the zoo. Everything we ordered was great and the other menu items looked good too - will stay on my list to hit again when visiting Cincinnati
(5)
Andy C.

I've been to Melt a couple of times for brunch and always had a pleasant experience, they serve a very nice and interesting brunch menu. It was my dinner experience last night though, that prompted me to write a review. I've just recently become vegetarian and had the spicy peanut wrap with tofu. I was skeptical...I've had bad tofu experiences in the past. This wrap, however, was absolutely delightful. The texture of the tofu was excellent and that spicy peanut sauce was OUTSTANDING. Great flavor and aggressive spice that wasn't overwhelming (I'm no wuss when it comes to spice, but I don't need to put myself through pain). The other reason we came to Melt was one of my friends who found out that he was gluten intolerant about a year ago. He's struggled to find places to eat since then so we figured we'd bring him along and see how he liked it. He had a spicy bbq chicken sandwich (the hee haw I think?) and a flourless chocolate torte. He's a big fella who loves food so his diagnosis was pretty upsetting to him, and I genuinely can't recall a time I've seem him this happy/satisfied after a meal in a long time. On a service note, I've found in "hip" joints like this don't always have the friendliest of staff but the people who served us were very helpful, patient, and friendly. A great experience, highly recommended for anyone (regardless of dietary restrictions).
(5)
Anna K.

I've always loved Melt for lunch or dinner because they offer so many vegetarian options. I was a little disappointed when I went on a Sunday afternoon and they were only serving their brunch menu. I should have known that these offerings would be just a good as their regular menu. I think I was a little thrown off and a little over whelmed because I typically don't have breakfast options that stray from pancakes or French toast. I ended up choosing the Southwest Hash which was a layering of hash brown potatoes, tofu scramble with sautÃ©ed onions and peppers, enchilada sauce and cheese. Each dish comes with a side dish with options including red skin potatoes, fruit, or a salad. I chose the fruit and it was a fresh, sweet and colorful mix. I really like that all of the fruit and produce is organic and from local farms (when it's available). The staff at Melt are always friendly and helpful if there are any questions and don't have any issues making modifications to any meal. I definitely plan on coming back, no matter what menu is being offered!
(4)
Shelly S.

Just passing through found this vegan restaurant very cute and good food. Service very nice. Vegan cupcakes great.
(5)
Lucas C.

The red skin potato mess is amazing. This is really a great place. Fun experience, good food, cool part of town. Definitely not a place you'd take the fam. Little pricey but worth it.
(4)
Ryan Z.

This is a great little sandwich cafe on Hamilton Ave in the Northside. We had no trouble finding parking along the street, which is metered during the day. I had the Joan of Arc sandwich - roast beef, roasted red peppers, garlic, caramelized onions, and blue cheese/provolone on toasted focaccia bread. I got mine with a side of rosemary potatoes and curried ketchup. I'm not normally a big fan of curried anything, but this was delicious. The sandwich was excellent too. They have several dining areas, including a large outdoor patio in the back. The sandwich with side came out to a bit over $10 after tax, and that seems fair for the quality although I have to question how some of these places are able to charge prices that seem above the local demographic's spending levels. I wouldn't have expected the Northside to be able to support a ten dollar sandwich shop, but they seem to be doing just fine. Definitely worth trying if you're in the area.
(4)
Raymond G.

Outstanding. The vegan chili had just the right amount of spice and almost everything can be made vegan.
(5)
Scott M.

How to define Melt? Think...melts. It's their signature item! Despite the name, I cruised in here today and got myself the East Village Wrap and some Ice Tea. It was the perfect day (eighty-four and sunny) to enjoy the tree-shaded patio outback. Many forget that there is additional seating both behind the kitchen and on the patio, so don't feel you have to run away before you check these out. The front area can fill up pretty fast. Tea was perfect for today! The wrap...had too much Arugula. Does arugula have a flavor, or does it just suck flavor away from everything else? I'm avoiding arugula from now on. The East Village comes with red pepper and turkey as well, that's right, this place has some non-veggie options for my fellow omnivores. It also has a lot of solid veggie options for my not-so omnivorous comrades. I ordered the Hummus and Crackers as my side item and got the mushy chickpeas and...Sun Chips? The chips didn't really go with the hummus so I just dunked the East Village in my hummus in hopes of enhancing my bland-wich. I made the best out of a mediocre situation. I have to say I'm gonna try something different next time, this was not the best thing I've had here. Also, for a wrap and a tea, twelve dollars is a little much, no? One thing I really do love about this place though, you can order your meal and they will serve you next door at Northside Tavern. Well played, and a great call if you get hungry while you're drinking your sorrows away.
(3)
Brad K.

Quaint yet delicious. Food was fast and tasty. Price is maybe a little high for what you get but reasonable for the most part. Be sure to try some of the homemade desserts.
(4)
Sherry S.

Food was yummy! You order at the counter and they bring food to your table. It was packed but we actually found a table right in front. There is also a back room and a patio. I couldn't decide because everything on the menu sounded appetizing. I ordered the Spinach Artichoke Melt with Sun Chips which was delicious! My boyfriend ordered the 'Joan of Arc' which, of course, I had to take a bite out of and it was delicious. This place is very cute and artsy! I will definitely go back...
(4)
Jenny C.

From what I could see, the only parking available is off-street and metered. It's a good thing those meters took dimes, nickels, quarters and even cards. $2 for two hours is enough for a leisurely meal and a run into a store or two. My group consisted of five hungry folk coming from a University of Cincinnati tour... 3/5 of our group prefer meat in their meals! The woman who took our order was patient and very willing to assist us with food choices. The server who brought out our food was gloveless... It was off-putting... but whatever, I guess. My sister and I had an easy time deciding- the place is VERY vegan/vegetarian-friendly. The others mulled over a bit, but ended up ordering meatless dishes as well. We had: artichoke melt, hummus, cheese "steak", avocado bliss with mac & cheese, two orders of the "infamous" chili, vegan brownie and very blueberry cupcake. My artichoke flatbread was crispy/soft, but oozed with cheese, artichoke hearts, spinach and tomato- it was very good! My sister's cheese "steak" was pretty good considering it was made out of tofu. H's avocado bliss was good, but he could've done without the mac & cheese. He commented that the kick from the side overpowered the sandwich. The chills were noms! I gotta try that next time. The desserts were decadent and sinful- awesome!
(4)
Claudia A.

I love me some Melt. Can be awkward to order food sometimes, depending on when you're there. Got to know how to order there, there's many options. I can see how some might be disappointed. You cannot go wrong with the 3 Cheese Sandwich and Tofu (or chicken) Caesar Salad. Been getting that for the last 4.5 years and it still tastes like perfection. The bread is fresh and toasted beautifully with the right balance of cheese and tomato. The salad is always fresh with crisp greens, homemade croutons, and home made dressing. An order of herbed potatoes with their homemade ketchup couldn't hurt either. You're welcome.
(5)
John W.

Ordered the ATLT. Avocado, Tempeh, Arugula and Tomato on Multigrain with Sriracha Vegannaise with a side of chili and and a can of tea. Paid shy of $13. I'm not vegetarian but I loved it. Delicious, not skimpy on the avo or sriracha. Not cheap but there was no line. Drove in on my way from NE Ohio back to Nashville. Would come again.
(4)
Jason W.

My wife and I have repeatedly given Melt a chance since it is so well publicized and in our beloved neighborhood, but are constantly disappointed. The service is pitiful and there has always been some sort of significant problem with our experience. Usually the wait time. If you really want vegetarian food, then you might as well go to the store, buy the ingredients yourself, and make your own meal. It will be faster, more delicious, and more enjoyable. The first time we visited, for brunch at 10am on a Saturday, they were out of eggs! I was inclined to forgive them since they are advertised as a vegaterian restaurant and everyone in my group was willing to try something else, but then the food took a really long time to come out to us. Unfortunately the food did not live up to our expectations. Plus, while we were waiting for our food a massive line developed--it was out the door--and everytime someone stepped up to order I heard the woman behind the counter explain how they were out of eggs. It was ridiculous. Go and buy some eggs! You're three doors away from Picnic & Pantry and the brunch hour has just started! The second time we went, we chose to get takeout. The place wasn't too busy, but had a steady flow of customers. We saw two people who ordered after us get their food before we did and when I went up to enquire what the hold up was the woman looked confused. She walked back to the kitchen and came back out with a guy who pointed to a brown bag that was sitting on the counter behind her. That was our food, brought out many minutes ago and never given to us. There was no apology for the wait or confusion. Needless to say the food wasn't very warm, nor was it particularly delicious. At that point I swore I would never visit again. My wife being the kind hearted one recommended I give it a third try one day as we were walking past on our way home from church. We were both starving and since I was filled with the grace of God I was open to it. This turned out to be the absolute worst visit. We told the lady taking orders that we were starving and wanted something quick and filling. You can probably guess what happened: the wait for our food was 45 minutes. And for most of that wait we were two of only four people there, so it's not like they were slammed and behind on orders. Once again, the quality of the food did not live up to expectations. After her third bite, my wife looked at me with disappointed and apologetic eyes to say, "I give up on this place. We have to write a Yelp review. This is unacceptable." And with that I recommend you waste no more time considering Melt as a reasonable place to eat. No matter how many awards they win. It isn't worth it. They only get the second star because after reading this aloud to my wife she mercifully said, "The food is better than Wendy's." I really think they have a lot of possibility, so I look forward to a time 2 years from now when my wife convinces me to try them again and I find they've improved. Until then eat at Django, Bistro Grace, Ruth's Parkside Cafe, Blue Bird, or any other Northside establishment instead.
(2)
John R.

I was a little frustrated by Melt. The good: delicious food The bad: wait time I had heard Melt had been featured on one of the food tv shows and wanted to give it a try. And to their credit, the food was awesome! I had the Joan of Arc and the person with me had a mushroom burger (vegetarian). We both loved the sandwiches! We both had sides of the buffalo mac and cheese. It had a little kick to it but wasn't too hot, if you don't like spicy food. I was frustrated by the portion size. It felt small. Especially given my second and larger frustration; the wait time. After about a half hour, the person with me mentioned that although the restaurant was mostly full, no one had food in front of them. For a quaint little sandwich restaurant, I was shocked by the amount of time the food took to prepare. We ordered, filled up our cups with tea, sat down, and I checked in on Yelp. Our food arrived exactly 36 minutes after that (I was looking at the Yelp app when it arrived). So, approximately a 40 minute wait for two sandwiches. This was at 3:00PM on a Sunday...I can't imagine the wait time at noon on a weekday! Had we not been in somewhat of a hurry, I may not have cared as much. But objectively, a 40 minute wait for sandwiches is hard to justify. Otherwise the place is great. I love the way it's decorated and everyone was friendly. But I hope that my experience that day wasn't the norm at Melt.
(3)
Amy G.

Pretty good vegetarian and vegan food. Good location, great atmosphere and friendly staff. The omnivores in the group that don't usually eat vegetarian seemed pleased with their food, too. On a Sunday, we just beat the brunch rush, and were glad we got a table before there was a line. Food comes out as it's ready, and sometimes there's a pretty big gap between when people in the same party get food. Everything we tried was really good (I do suspect the "avocado" is pre-packaged guacamole) and the brunch cheesy polenta was the best I've ever had. Good price point, super affordable.
(3)
Michael E.

I was really impressed with this little place. I will be stopping back in here if I'm in town again. The food was a pleasant surprise as well as the demeanor of the people (working or dining).
(4)
Berenice R.

I was looking for a place to eat that had healthy food when I discovered Melt. After trying a bowl of their vegan chili, it was love at first bite. The food never gets old and there's always something for everyone. Whether you're looking for something vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, or just plain delicious then you should definitely hit up Melt. I also highly recommend the desserts, any of the vegan cupcakes with the chocolate ganache frosting (or any of their baked goods) are to die for! !
(5)
Cindy G.

I don't know if this place is getting busy, or too confident for quality control or what but the past 2-3 times I have been here I have been realllllly disappointed. Not only in the taste but one time specifically I got the artichoke melt to take over to Northside Tavern and when I got over there (literally right next door) and opened the box the melt was thrown in so sloppy it was basically inedible. Every ingredient had slid off and sauce was everywhere! I couldn't even piece it back together with a fork. Not sure I will be revisiting any time soon.
(2)
Rory B.

What an absolute disappointment. Melt is the type of restaurant that I really want to support and like. My trip there Sunday was a complete disaster. I was of the last two people to order from the brunch menus. Only a few people seated or waiting for food. 40 minutes from the time I ordered until I received my food. For a simple sandwich (smoked salmon on toast) a side biscuit and gravy and a side of breakfast potatoes this seems ludicrous. There was a line behind me when I ordered so I feel for the others. All made worse by flavorless, over cooked (macaroni), mediocre food. Are you people afraid of salt? The food was all so much less than what I was hoping for. Biscuit: center was colder than the edges that tatted as if it were microwaved. Hovered in a grey paste. Had buffalo macaroni, that they offered as a replacement for the even more delayed potatoes. The pasta was way over cooked and the only thing that hinted toward buffalo was the slightly pinkish color. Not at all spicy and frankly under seasoned all the way around. The only part of the meal that was even ok was the salmon. It needed seasoned as well and the cheese could have been a bit stronger in flavor but compared to the rest of te meal it was the winner. I just don't think I'll be going back.
(1)
Ji-Yeon B.

I paid over $12 for a "Joan of Arc" which is a beef-based sandwich but the whole sandwich could literally fit in my hand. The sides they give you are small and were a little disappointing to be honest. I had curry potato salad which was put into a bowl the size of a tennis ball. It was only filled two thirds of the way.... My friend ordered the "Chili 3 Way" which was $6.50 and filled up an entire pasta bowl! I tried some and nothing was so peculiar about it. I almost paid double of what my friend did but received less than half the portion. I have no qualms with the taste of the sandwich, but I am very disappointed by the kid-sized meal I received. If I had ordered from the their kids menu, I would've gotten more. Melt could really work on portion size.
(3)
Ed W.

Very fresh and very good. Me and my girl found the on Yelp. The food priced a little high, but it was understand why. We will good back for more.
(4)
Karli W.

I've been coming here since high school, and it never gets old. They get crowded easily, so I suggest hitting up the patio out back. Their brunch is unmatched. The vegan biscuits and gravy even impressed my husband, who is often picky about vegan-specific foods. The Joan of Arc is my favorite sammy from them, and I always pair it with their bottomless tea that they brew daily. A great little spot with a diverse menu.
(5)
Beth H.

Every vegan in Cincinnati search comes up with this place and with good reason. This is food I imagine I'd make if I could make food. I had some spicy lentil soup and some sort of wrap followed up with a chocolate cupcake. I hadn't had a cupcake in years. It was heaven in my mouth. The huge chalkboard of options is amazing. I can't wait to go back and try more.
(5)
Jessica H.

I really enjoyed this place! I love when I can find a restaurant based around healthy cuisine! My boyfriend & I went on a Sunday afternoon around lunchtime.... Bad idea! They get very busy at that time & the line can go out the door. Luckily we got there right before then but it was nerve wrecking trying to pick what I wanted b/c so many people were waiting to order behind me. So I took the cashiers advice & got the yee haw I believe. A "bbq" shredded chicken sandwich on a wheat sub roll. It was very good. Very fresh tasting! It has melty cheese, tomatoes, red onions, & what tasted like a salsa on it (bbq)? It had a lingering kick to it that a person who doesn't eat spicy food will easily feel. But to my bf who loves spicy food felt it wasn't spicy at all. lol He's a big meat eater so he got the sandwich (forget the name) that was shredded beef, cheese, & roasted red peppers I think. It was pretty good. But.... It was a little dry. We both split each others meals so we could try both. We thought the flatbread beef sandwich needed a sauce on it or more if it had one. Or if it was dipped in a brothy soup or au jus that would be great as well. But even as is I still liked it. But the yee haw chicken sandwich was bigger & more filling. We both got the buffalo Mac & cheese as a side & both liked it. You can tell its a vegan or healthier mac right when you taste it. But still good & good portion size. We both got water in a rush but after I looked at the menu longer I noticed they had natural pop which I was bummed to miss out on so I will def get that next time. Last but not least the fact that they have a patio outside makes me so happy! I love places that have that option. & a cute little cat seemed to be a frequent visitor of the area. & we didn't mind that one bit. We both love animals. So of course he/she got to try a bit of our meals as well. lol can't wait to go back & try more!
(4)
Nate S.

Absolutely amazing! Incredible! Friendly! Just a few words to start us off!! I've been in here a handful of times over these past couple months, and I am impressed and completely satisfied with my experience every time. The staff is perhaps the friendliest staff you'll ever meet in this city, and I'm not exaggerating. They always smile, they're chill, but attentive, they ask how you are & make sure everything is perfect. They really are the bomb. There is no negativity when it comes to these people. The menu is phenomenal, I have to say, I've had a different item each time, and I'm always thrilled with the taste! And, just about anything you order can be made vegetarian or vegan. There are a lot of those popping up in the city, but of the places of tried, this is one of the best vegan tasting places!! And, you can order it, and they'll deliver it to the bar next door. We went once, and we had an issue with the order, they didn't understand what we were asking, and I think it was really our fault. But, they took full responsibility, made a completely new order very quickly, and let us keep the messed up order (which was barely messed up at all). There are not many places that would handle it as polite and efficiently as these guys. I'll tell you, they've made a regular customer out of me with how awesome they are and how awesome the food is. Word of caution: I've heard brunch is pretty busy, but I haven't been to it a couple years.
(5)
Tiera A.

I'd heard nothing but good things about Melt so I was excited to try it out for Sunday brunch. We walked in around noon and were told that only the brunch menu was available. Being a first timer, this wasn't a big deal for me but I definitely noticed the disappointment on many peoples faces when they were told this as they walked through the door. The brunch menu is pretty limited (as most brunch menus are). My friend and I both ended up getting the Northside Hot Brown (basically an open-faced turkey sandwich) with a side of roasted potatoes. This cost us about $10 each. After about a 20 minute wait, the food was brought to our table. My friend and I both felt like we could have split the sandwich between the two of us because it was much larger than expected. The sandwich was pretty decent but the smoked turkey was amazing. I really could've eaten that by itself. My biggest gripe about the sandwich was the huge glob of cheese that was on top. The cheese was like a thick creamy spread and it was everywhere. If I hadn't scraped it off, it would've overpowered the sandwich completely. The potatoes were good and well seasoned. Overall, my experience at Melt was just okay. I'd be open to eating there again and maybe trying out one of their salads; which I hear are really good. Although this is not a place that I'd be dying to get back to, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good clean meal.
(3)
Alyssa F.

I came here for lunch on a Sunday. We were worried from the street that it was packed but when we came in there were plenty of tables, which was nice. We waited in line longer than we should have considering there was only 1 couple ahead of us, but the cashier was chatting with the person who was ordering...a lot. I was sort of underwhelmed by the menu- I wanted to try a signature "melt" but nothing sounded very good to me. I ended up with an east village wrap that was really good, and lunch date had the chili which I thought was good as well. We both felt like it was a little pricey- but honestly it wasn't any more expensive than getting a sandwich and bowl of soup at Panera and everything was definitely fresher. I'd like to come back for brunch sometime, I snuck a peek at that menu and it sounded delicious!
(3)
Hallie W.

My dad and I stopped in a few days ago and I was overwhelmed by all the vegetarian/vegan options! Everything looked delicious. I come from out of town and I was bummed I couldn't get skyline chili but then the girl at the counter pointed out their vegan three way. I ordered that instead of my original sandwich. It was awesome! Obviously not skyline but one of the best meatless chili dishes I have had. My dad has a sandwich and he really enjoyed it. We both noticed how friendly the staff seemed. Great service overall and great food! Especially for those who are vegetarian/vegan or want to support local businesses!
(5)
Esther K.

Absolutely delicious smoked salmon on a fantastic baguette. Lentils were an awesome side. Who knew? Can't wait to go back and try more!
(5)
Lauren M.

Lately I have been going to Melt in between work and some for-fun summer art classes at work. One of my favorite things about this place is the eclectic menu that is slanted a bit more towards vegetarian and vegan than most. Their vegan mac and cheese is probably my favorite thing I have gotten there, though there are tons of other things I have enjoyed. Green things mostly. Salads. Yes, yes, those. I am having a brain thing where words are hard. Moving on... I love when you dine in and they give you a little card with a celebrity picture on it. Last two times I went, I got Betty White and Dolly Parton as my cards, respectively, which made me a little too excited, and I hope I didn't freak out the staff. Speaking of dining in, the back patio area is cozy and has a really nice ambiance to it. Not sure if it is due to being one of the only people there just before 5pm or what, but service has always been fast and super friendly. At least this summer. I used to go here lots and lots years ago, but hadn't been in about 2 and omg could you not care more about the history of me going to this place? Sorry, moving on once again... So the one bummer about Melt is that I always end up wishing they had more of a beverage selection, but whatever, Boylan's Root Beer is my summer jam, my too-expensive, glass-bottled summer jam. I could probably just get a water, but Root Beer, you guys. Root beer is love.
(4)
Sherry T.

We arrived on a Saturday morning around 11:30, just before the lunch crowd. There are not many places to sit, so we were glad we beat the rush. Orders are placed at the counter and then delivered to patrons' tables. To avoid confusion and pressure, I suggest taking a look at the menu in advance. I knew I was going to order the vegan chili and the Joan of Arc, so I was in good form. Service was faster than what I had expected based on some other reviews. The woman who took our order and the man who delivered it were both friendly. Paul and I both had the Joan of Arc, which we both enjoyed. I thought the beef was a bit on the dry side, but it was still tasty. Paul had the buffalo mac & cheese. He didn't say much about it, but I thought it was pretty good. The vegan chili was the real star of the show. It was incredibly flavorful and whatever is used in place of meat honestly tastes like meat. I would not have known it was a vegan dish if "vegan" had not been in front of "chili."
(4)
Trint F.

Understand, Melts has a lot to offer for every diet!! Myself Vegan due to diabetes I love coming here and grubbing out. According to my wife Jeannette, who's a meat eater, she has never been dissatisfied. So, again they serve everyone and you'll leave full. Melts is very Urban-ish in Cincinnati, Ohio. Relaxing atmosphere everyone to themselves enjoying this organic sense of freedom eating delicious dishes. Don't expect chaotic rushed host or servers. Staff cares about your experience.
(5)
Leeda C.

This is my second time coming to Melt. The atmosphere is a cool local place to be in and has lots of character. Melt is GREAT if you're looking at vegan or vegetarian options! There are also gluten-free options which is a plus. Of course, there are traditional turkey and chicken meats in some of their items so the variety is great. The restaurant itself is fairly small, but there is more seating in the back. And, in warmer weather, they open their back door for outdoor seating! It's very pretty in the spring with the trees and such. The cashier was friendly and cheerful. However, our waiter was nonchalant and almost apathetic. He didn't come up to us and ask us about our meal while eating, but I did notice that he was looking over at our table to make sure everything was all right. I ordered the Veggie Cheesesteak. The "meat" was a soy/tofu and to say the least it was interesting. The grinder itself was toasted well and the cheese melted great. My sister ordered the Artichoke Melt. We both expected it to be sandwiched between flatbread but instead it was on top of one piece. It was tasty! The hummus it came with is made in-house as well. I love that Melt's ingredients are organic, local, and natural. It's also a short drive from UC; I'll be coming here during the semester for a casual eat-in!
(4)
Zeb M.

Cute little cafe my friend and I stopped at on a road trip. Neither one of us is vegan/vegetarian, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the hell out of our sandwiches. I imagine if I lived in Cincinnati, this would be a regular spot! Service was friendly, too.
(4)
Alyssa V.

I ordered The Rachel and paid a little extra for the house salad instead of the chips. It was very delicious, the combination of turkey and swiss and the sauce were very flavorful. The salad was just an ordinary spring mix, but I got the Ginger Hoison dressing with it and it was very tasty. The food seemed to have taken a while to come out, but it did seem pretty busy when I went with a friend. My friend and I ate outside in the patio area - clean and great for groups! Overall, very good!
(4)
Kim P.

Now that I eat gluten-free, I'm finding this place particularly appealing! Many options, generous portions and fabulous taste. Everything was fresh and recipes were unique. Tremendous lunch rush, but evening carry-out was quick and easy.
(5)
John A.

The ambiance was low key and hip. It took forever to get food, and the portion sizes were off - too small and too large. They are just very slow. But it was fun. I'd go back just for the chilled out atmosphere.
(3)
Tabitha H.

Good vegan/vegetarian food choices. Very good customer service. Chill atmosphere. Homemade/hormone-free food. We split the veggie cheesesteak. Very good. They only have regular brewed coffee which isn't that good unfortunately. It tasted like its been sitting a while. May be an off experience. Other than that, great!!
(4)
Henry J.

Melt was visited by Guy Fieri. With that out of the way, the food is actually pretty good. The consistent line of people here attests to the quality of their locally-sourced food. While their prices are slightly higher than comparable fare found in comparable restaurants, they justify it by pointing out that: A). Their vegetables are organic, fresh, and locally sourced. B). Their meats are natural and not injected with hormones or fed GMO grains. Overall, you can definitely taste the freshness in their food, because they are really mostly from local farms. The prices are worth it. I do kind of question the virtue of supplying Sun Chips with their hummus, though. I imagine it would be far cheaper to make n' bake pita bread in-house. Oh well, that's the business professor inside me talking. So ignore that.
(4)
Mike S.

Melt is very good. I am writing only about Sunday. Know that until 2 they only serve their brunch menu. It's very limited and they run out of items very quickly. Poor planning I guess. Regular service starts at 2 so wait to then if you're thinking of their regular blackboard menu.
(4)
Tiffany D.

Melt has really good Gluten Free and Vegan food. I stumbled upon Melt on Yelp when I was on a hard core diet and I like to eat gluten free and dairy free items sometimes. Their biscuits and gravy & their chicken verde sandwich are very good. Even if you aren't GF/DF you will like Melt. My fiancÃ© was a little skeptical about it at first bc he isn't big into GF/DF but he even enjoyed it, and he can be picky at times. We also tried the veggie 3-way with spaghetti and it was good.
(4)
Emma F.

Even my non-vegetarian friends love this place. I crave their sandwiches - i could eat here every single day. I've only been for dinner - but the food is so high quality - eat there now! You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Linda S.

I love Melt and am never disappointed. The vibe is great, friendly and welcoming. The wraps are great and the vegan chili is amazing! I eat at Melt a lot and NEVER get tired of it.
(5)
Megan K.

Great little spot! It's on the busiest part of the main strip of Northside, so if you blink you may just miss it! Nab a parking spot on the side of the road and walk on it to see a tiny but adorable, hipster-packed sandwich shop. Just as a side note, be sure to lock your car before you head inside. There are something... Interesting people walking around outside each time I'm in this area. Questionable at best. It's very endearing and charming inside. Not many tables, but enough! One of the tables is right in front of the window so you can people watch while enjoying your meal. I tried a sandwich (I'm sorry, I can't remember which one)! And it was delicious. I also tried the buffalo mac-and-cheese because just the thought got me excited. It was very good, but not great. It was a little crumbly, but I did like it! Workers are friendly, prompt and frankly.. They're all attractive! That certainly doesn't hurt. For a simple and light meal that will leave you feeling full but not stuffed, I recommend Melt.
(5)
Lonnetta P.

Lunch here for the first time today. The place is clean, small with indoor/outdoor seating. Chalkboard menu with a little something on it for everyone (vegan friendly). The chicken caesar salad was delicious.
(3)
Adrian C.

Yummy food!!! They have a large selection of items in their all clean, all organic menu. My friend had the spinach/artichoke flat bread which was so good I cried! I wish I had gotten that as my meal but instead I had the 3 cheese grilled cheese. That was very good but not as decadent as the artichoke flat bread.
(5)
June C.

So tasty!! We tried the avocado wrap with tofu and hummus! ! Very filling and tofu has the best taste and texture! The bbq chicken sandwhich. ..the smell alone is worth the visit! Then the taste is magical...not your normal bbq sause, this one has pieces to tomatoes. The sause has a kick...but a little kick! The artichoke melt...is creamy spread and artichoke mix is heaven. Add fresh tomatoes and melted vegan cheese...yummy! We tried the cream of chicken soup too...a light cream full of veggies and chicken. When you come here, walk to the back of the restaurant and sit outside. Peaceful!
(5)
Kevin C.

Super tasty wraps and salads. I had the east village and the roasted red peppers and goat cheese are a great combo. The kale salad and mac and cheese are also great sides.
(5)
Lauren S.

Several vegan options. So many places claim to be vegan friendly when in reality they just offer plain salad with some substitutions. Not only is it a breeze to order here, but the food is magnificent. I absolutely love the seitan "cheesesteak"! I also love the side potato and the penne and cheeze. My non vegan friends love this place too! My number 1 vegan choice.
(5)
Steve A.

Interesting good. I'll be back at some point to try something different. Im sure there are better dishes but I'll need to fee out the menu. I had the special tuna melt and it was pretty tasty. Mac and cheese was again interesting good and the oatmeal cookie was pretty decent.
(4)
Cindy W.

This was my first time in Melt. I loved the quaint restaurant with the chalkboard menus displaying all of this featured items. It looks like it is a very small facility, but they have a back room as well as an outdoor patio. I loved sitting outside on the patio, and I would recommend enjoying outside under the patio lights strung from the walls. Very cute garden too! If you are a fan of vegan food (or even if you're there just for friends who are vegan), you are going to get a good meal that is tasty and healthy. I went for brunch, and the restaurant did exactly what I wanted it to do: good food, healthy, and an opportunity to socialize with friends on a nice day. If you are doing brunch, make sure you try the French toast with cinnamon butter!
(3)
Stephanie H.

I am in love with Melt. I had been here a few times throughout the years and always got the Yeehaw BBQ and a small salad. I love just about all of their house made dressings, especially lime and cilantro and now the balsamic after today. The BBQ sandwich was always a safe choice and good because I was slightly more picky in the past. Today, however, I had an amazing experience. I tried their Blue Pear Salad. It may have changed my life. It's organic spring mix, toasted walnuts, blue cheese and sliced pear and served with balsamic vinaigrette. I already want another one! The inside is super quaint with a great patio space out back. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for flavorful and delicious all natural, vegetarian, and vegan options.
(5)
Jim G.

I was rushed on a recent visit to the neighborhood and half stumbled into Melt confusing it with the nearby coffeehouse. I know, travelers, right? They weren't rushed or overly baffled by my awkwardness so I decided to go ahead and order carry out. I had questions. They answered them. It was a 15 minute wait for a real nice Spicy Peanut (Tofu) Wrap but I was soon well-fed, slowed down a bit, but happier. Highly recommend that wrap. I might have to get another one myself.
(4)
Win K.

My favorite restaurant in Cincinnati. Been here several times! They can make any item on their menu vegan. They're sustainable. Their vegan verde chicken is AMAZING! They also offer kombucha! They have a separate brunch menu too and were accommodating with our reservation requests too! Yummiest food in Cincinnati; hands down!!
(5)
Dawn B.

DELICIOUS! Eating healthy doesn't mean bland tasting food or boring. Not if you eat here anyway. I tried their tofu spicy peanut wrap, oh man was it goooooood. I loved their vegan chili too. The menu had so many options on it, I will definitely have to go back and try more.
(5)
Joe B.

As a sometimes vegetarian with an allergy to eggs, I sometimes have trouble finding tasty food that makes me feel good in the Greater Cincinnati area. But Melt consistently delivers. Try the Rachel - a reuben with turkey. Genius.
(4)
Christie P.

I love little places with big hearts. This is definitely one them. The food is fresh and amazing. They have a very kind menu but it still taste great. I got the artichoke flat bread. Was so good I wish I ordered two.
(5)
Heather G.

Melt is amazing! We used yelp to find a healthy place to grab lunch while we were passing through Cincinnati from Louisiana and boy let me tell you, what a treat! Not only was the food so fresh and delicious, the service was awesome. We had the verde chicken sandwich with tempeh instead of chicken (incredible), the green salad with ginger dressing (incredible), the kale slaw (was pretty good but we added some curry yogurt dressing to it and it was much better), the spicy peanut wrap (incredible), & the compost cookie (incredible). Go here!!!! And make sure you go sit in the back patio area :) it's so cute. We'll for sure be stopping by when we pass through that area in the future. Thanks melt!
(5)
Jennifer D.

Melt, I love youuuu! I have been here a few times, and had great experiences each time. The first time I went with no dietary restrictions and got a delicious salad with chicken added to it. It was DE-LICIOUS! The second time I went back during a fast where I was eating only vegan. I had a wrap which was also super tasty. They do everything right here. I've heard fantastic things about their Vegan Sunday Brunch as well, and I can't wait to try it. I love the atmosphere in here, too. There are all different kinds of people enjoying their food and conversation. There are fun little games and things to read. They give you a cut-out picture of a celebrity as your order marker so they know who to deliver the food to. It has always been very quick and the folks working there are pretty friendly. We even went there once with a big group of our friends from high school, during the lunch rush and we had a great experience. I will keep going back. :)
(5)
Joan J.

Soo good! Wish we had this place in Naperville. The St Joan of Arc. The best!! H had the Verde Chicken. Loved it! Kudos to Melt for good quality, healthy food!
(5)
Jessica S.

Melt is one of my favorite places in all of Cincinnati. The people who work there are the friendliest around - you can tell they love the place! I'd first like to make it known that I am not vegan, nor am I a vegetarian: I'm a full-fledged omnivore who just happens to enjoy freshly-made local eats such as that found at Melt. I'm a regular here, especially for sunday brunch. (I think I've had their brunch a dozen times in the past 5 months.) I also enjoy their regular menu of salads, sandwiches, soups, and amazing dishes. My personal favorite is the Rosemary Redskin Mess. The rosemary potatoes are simple but amazing; I don't know what they do to them to make such a basic vegetable so delicious! When you get the redskins as a side dish, they're great (especially with their specialty, home-made ketchup that is second to none). Top it with vegan chili and vegan "cheese" and it's delicious. Top it with tofu scramble, vegan "cheese", onions, peppers, and mushrooms, you have something downright heavenly that you will never experience anywhere else - the Rosemary Redskin Mess. There are so many gems on the menu, and I can't do any of them justice. In addition to the food, the space itself is great. Definitely a hipster feel to it, but who says "eclectic" is a bad thing?? When you walk in you are greeted by constantly-changing art made by local artists who donate their works to be shown at Melt. There are about a half dozen tables in the main dining area, but behind the kitchen there is more indoor seating. Beyond that, there is an outside patio that is very quaint and just a very enjoyable place to enjoy a meal with friends. Just try it; either you'll love everything about Melt or you'll simply appreciate it for the fresh, local, creative food. Either way, it's a place that everyone - visitor or local, vegan or omnivore - needs to experience [at least] once!
(5)
Bill E.

I have been coming to Melt off and on ever since it opened, on my most recent visit which was last Friday I noticed some changes, first the Half and half option is gone and that made Melt unique. I liked ordering a half sandwich and half salad so I could try the best Melt has to offer. I ordered my standard the Joan of Arc which has roast beef, caramelized onion, blue cheese and roasted red peppers. The sandwich was delicious, I also wanted a half Caesar salad and adding that on added to my bill. Service has always been great and I like the option of getting your own bread and butter from the service table in the corner. Also to newcomers there are tables in the back and also if nice outside sit in the patio as the front comes overcrowded.
(4)
Rachael G.

I love the Northside, and I absolutely love Melt. Their unique twists on standards make it appealing for foodie-types AND our kids (or our friends who are not adventurous food people). I have had brunch, lunch and dinner here, and I can honestly say I've never had anything I didn't absolutely love. As a non-dairy person, I appreciate their vegan options as well. Also, Melt will deliver food to you at Northside Tavern; it's quite literally the best of both worlds. The only reason I don't give Melt 5 stars is because parking tends to suck (I hate pay-to-park lots that only take cash, which I never seem to have on-hand), and I've noticed that, for some odd reason, whenever I spend any length of time sitting in the restaurant, everything I'm wearing smells absolutely terrible when I walk out. Not sure what that's about, but I can put up with gross-smelling clothes any day if I get to eat her.
(4)
Bryant M.

Go here. For brunch. Right now. (Really, wait for the weekend when they actually serve brunch.) On a recent weekend trip to Cincinnati, the Mister and I wanted some delicious brunch before heading home to Columbus. And, of course, the trusty Yelp app did not lead us astray! Melt is an adorable little vegan/vegetarian-friendly restaurant situated in the heart of the charming and hippie Northside. On the weekends, they only serve brunch, and luckily, that's exactly what we were in the mood for! The interior of Melt is very bohemian and mismatched - in a great way. The servers are insanely friendly and helpful, and nobody seems to take anything too seriously - except the food. Here's what we ordered: 1. Hot brown (with turkey) 2. Vegan mess (I think that's the name of it!) 3. Vegan biscuit with sausage gravy Before I tell you how much we loved the food, I need to explain that the Mister and I are not vegetarians or vegans. But good lord was this stuff amazing! Seriously. The hot brown was a crusty bread topped with turkey, greens, and a white sauce. It was delicious. The Mister had the "mess" - which is scrambled tofu and other goodness - and he couldn't get enough! But the real highlight of our meal? The vegan biscuit with sausage gravy! For real, this tasted amazing! We were putting the gravy over everything! I would most definitely go back to Melt the next time I'm in town, and I'll be getting a plate of biscuits and sausage gravy all for myself.
(5)
Red P.

I have not been to Northside in ages and I know that there are a lot of culinary treasures there so I headed out to find a great spot for lunch. I should have done some homework because I was starving and it was cold so walking around the area I didn't find anything that drew me in but I finally settled in Melt. It was tiny, crowded and loud but the chalkboard menu had many interesting choices so I got in line to place my order. I chose the Joan of Arc which was a delicious sandwich with roast beef, roasted peppers, garlic, blues cheese , caramelized onions and provolone melted on foccaccia. It was crunchy and tasty but I think the caramelized onions and peppers gave it a little sweeter taste than I liked. I had food envy over my friends choice which was chicken, artichoke, zucchini, sundered tomato blend, pesto, provolone, arugula and balsamic drizzle melted on flat bread. The Melt is a funky spot that pulls in a big crowd and next time I'd like to try their breakfast. I bet it's really great!! I especially liked their market next door-Picnic and Pantry. It was a darling little market catering to the urbanites and it is exactly what we need in Newport, Ky. Who's willing to open up shop in my neighborhood. What's your favorite place in Northside? Red Pearl
(3)
Katherine B.

This place is always delicious try their brunch item "herb roasted redskin mess". Get there early on Sundays otherwise you will be waiting. Vegan and gluten free options.
(5)
Christine M.

Melt is a frequent candidate for a lunch/brunch to catch up with friends for me. It is this for a few reasons: the food, the atmosphere, and the non-fussy service. From the top, there are a lot of good food options-veg, vegan, meat eating alike. All the food has flavor, texture, crunch (unless it's the soup...maybe?) and leaves you full and satisfied. The sensation is to me, a lot like others' descriptions of "comfort food"; the difference is this doesn' t make me feel like I've auto-clogged my arteries. It's good, fresh, and I believe largely local, products. Yum! Also, as I mentioned, it's generally a good place to be. The staff is friendly and helpful in your selections, but once food is served, they don't come check on you a lot, nor do they push you out. I've debated 'life changing' topics here regularly without ever feeling like I wasn't welcome. I'd hesitate to take too much time when others were waiting, but it seems people get to go orders in the area and unless it's right at brunch, the turnover and availability of tables is good. I've waited before, but not too long. It was always worth it, to boot. In summary, the art work on the walls is changing and interesting, there is giant magnetic poetry by some tables, the people are nice, and the food is good. What more do you want? That said, you should be on your way...right about now!
(5)
Susan L.

We ate an early lunch there today and really enjoyed it; delicious food, great/very friendly service and a pleasant/low-key atmosphere. We each got a wrap with a "side" (the latter was vegan chili soup for my husband and vegetable soup for me). The cost was $9.75/each plus tax and the portions were quite adequate. There's a small garden with seating, although it was too cold for that today. Also, the restroom was clean.
(5)
Brandon A.

Wow, dont let size fool you. Walking into this small restaurant is misleading. Its menu of organic, vegan and antibiotic free meats tastes as good as it feels to know you are eating quality ingredients. The selection is good for all- vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters. The staff were very friendly and knew about all the dishes when asked about gluten free options, vegan options etc. All the ingredients in my yahoo BBQ sandwich seemed very fresh and the herb roasted potatoes with curry ketchup were amazing. As far as the building itself, the front is small but a long hall extends back to more seating in the rear with an outdoor shaded patio behind the building. All in all, a very good, very reasonably priced dinner experience in a hoppin little area of northside.
(5)
Vicki H.

Great restaurant. Had the spicy peanut wrap & my wife had the artichoke open face sandwich. Both were awesome! Super friendly wait staff. Will def go back!
(5)
Amanda C.

Melt is my favorite place to take my out-of-town vegetarian friends, especially in the warm months, when we can enjoy our lunch in the charming backyard. Personally, I'm not vegetarian, but I love this sandwich/brunch spot. They serve delicious, healthy food that you can feel good about eating in a fun, funky atmosphere. The table "number" cards are 80s TV show characters, for pete's sake. The only thing I won't try again are the vegan doughnuts, but maybe they taste good if you haven't had butter in ages.
(5)
Dana S.

My awesome friends brought me to this cool, funky place when I visited Cinci, and now I like both my friends and the city more. Melt totally had me at the giant magnetic poetry, and then I saw the menu. There are enough veggie AND meat options to keep everyone happy. In fact, there are so many options the best idea may be to come here with a friend or three who like to share. My awesome friends and I split the artichoke melt, the BBQ tempeh sandwich, and the ratatouille melt. All were awesome, tho the artichoke melt would have been to rich to finish by myself. The cute girl at the counter recommended the roasted potatoes, which were delicious, and the coleslaw was also a win, nice and light and gingery.
(4)
Tara S.

I admit to being a bit of a suburbanite. Of course, all that really means is that I hate a challenging parking situation. I always think I'm going to have one when I go to Northside, but it's never been an issue (knocks furiously on laminate fake wood). And Melt is so worth it, even if I had to look a bit. The quality ingredients! One really can taste the quality. And they allow all kinds of modifications--have this instead of that or this or on this, or whatever. And they like customizing your grub. It's a good thing. And they know how to work an avocado. Eat in the casual storefront or take it to go (among other options). I like ordering it to go and walking down to the Sidewinder coffee house for a tasty beverage. By the time I'm back, the sammie and/or chili is usually ready to go! New(ish) to Melt is a little convenience store kind of a place a few doors down: Picnic and Pantry. There are fun surprises (and a great soup and other stuff buffet) awaiting discovery by you. Plus, they sell Jeni's ice cream. So good.
(5)
Anshu G.

Amazing vegetarian options ! Also there cupcakes and desserts are to die for, a proper balance of sugar where you don't feel like injecting yourself with glucose. Highly recommended! !
(5)
Scott N.

Five Stars for starters because how cool is this place... especially in Cincinnati?!? A vegetarian restaurant here is really out of place. Don't get me wrong, it's the right thing, but it really is out of place. So my first visit was on Mother's Day for breakfast. How cool, I'm taking my mom to this real hip place. I was excited. I ordered vegan goetta. Talk about an oxymoron! It was good. Did it taste like goetta? Uh... NO! Was it good? It was okay. The rest of the meal was fine, but it didn't blow me away. There was a lot of self-serve going on, too. I think I'll just subtract one star for this visit. Next visit was still early enough that I wanted breakfast. I remember seeing the biscuits and gravy being served on my first visit. Vegan biscuits and gravy, that is. I am not afraid of vegan food. I'm not a vegan, but there is nothing that I've not tried and enjoyed. The vegan biscuits and gravy, however, was not good. WAY too much biscuit and not enough gravy. It didn't taste bad, but it was in no way outstanding. Nothing about it told me I needed to come back and try more. As a second visit, I'll admit I was a little disappointed. I'm removing one more star. So that leaves me at A-OK. I think that's about right. Have I given up? No, I will be back and I will try again. I love the idea and I do love the ambience. I am a fan of the art they sell. I love the vibe. There are many good things going on here. I really want to like this place... but I still need convincing. I'm sure I'll be back.
(3)
Jes O.

Melt is great for people with food allergies (like myself) and vegan/vegetarians. They have a great Sunday brunch menu, so try to make it out for brunch. If the weather is good, eat out back on the patio, we did today, and it was very relaxing!
(5)
Heather W.

If you're in the mood for a low key but delicious meal check out melt. They have options for everyone and some of the best gluten free options in Cincinnati. I love the ruby red kraut you can get on their sandwiches as well as the vegan options they offer. They make their own condiments including an awesome ketchup (and I don't even like ketchup). Service is always friendly and knowledgable. They also have great seasonal dishes such as gazpacho in the summer and a la carte treats - including delicious gluten free options. Check it out.
(4)

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Address : 4165 Hamilton Ave
Cincinnati, OH, 45223
Phone (513) 681-6358
Website https://www.meltcincy.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes

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Melt

4165 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45223

Melt Menu

Baked Sandwiches

Sides

Whole Wheat Wraps

Plates Apps And Bowls

Salads

Dressings

Kids

Menu Notes

Brunch Items

Brunch Sides

Menu Notes

Call our market Picnic and Pantry to place your catering order"

Grazing Platters

Heartier Sides

Pinwheel Platters

Wrap Platters

Fresh and Lively Sides

Signature Salads

Boxed Lunches

Hot & Comfy Main Dishes

Hot & Comfy Side Options

Sweet Tooth

Healthy Meal suggestions for Melt

Baked Sandwiches

Sides

Whole Wheat Wraps

Plates Apps And Bowls

Salads

Dressings

Kids

Menu Notes

Brunch Items

Brunch Sides

Menu Notes

Call our market Picnic and Pantry to place your catering order"

Grazing Platters

Heartier Sides

Pinwheel Platters

Wrap Platters

Fresh and Lively Sides

Signature Salads

Boxed Lunches

Hot & Comfy Main Dishes

Hot & Comfy Side Options

Sweet Tooth

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