Cincinnati Seasonal Food 2026: By Season

What is in season in Cincinnati, and what to order when the market changes.

Next up in Cincinnati

31 Oct to 1 NovTurkey legs, steak on a stake, soup in a bread bowl, mead

Spring

Ramps: Wild Appalachian ramps surface in late March through May at Findlay Market and from the Madisonville and Hyde Park farmers markets.
Morels: Yellow and black morel mushrooms appear in southern Ohio woods through April and May, sold by foragers at Findlay Market's outdoor vendors.
Asparagus: Local Ohio asparagus runs late April through early June, peaking at Hyde Park's Sunday market and on every brunch menu in OTR.

Going to Bockfest?

Hotels in Cincinnati, 5-7 Mar 2027

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Ohio sweet corn: Ohio is a top-ten sweet corn producer. The August peak runs from local farms to Findlay Market vendors and shows up at every cookout in the city.
Heirloom tomatoes: August through September is tomato season at Madisonville, Northside and Hyde Park farmers markets, with the late summer Cherokee Purple and Brandywine peak.
Peaches: Southwest Ohio peaches arrive late June through early August. Burwinkel Farms in Ross and Werner Orchards run the local pick-your-own circuit.
Blueberries: Ohio blueberries run June and July at local U-pick farms and farmers markets, used in Sleepy Bee pancakes and Holtman's donut glazes.

Apples and cider: Ohio apples run mid-August through November. Burwinkel Farms in Ross, Iron's Fruit Farm in Lebanon and A&M Farm Orchard in Midland are the local U-pick anchors.
Pawpaws: Pawpaws are Ohio's native tropical-flavored fruit, ripening September. The Ohio Pawpaw Festival in Albany draws Cincinnati food-curious crowds in mid-September.
Pumpkins and squash: October pumpkin and winter-squash harvest runs every farmers market. Butternut and acorn squash anchor fall menus at the Pleasantry, Salazar and brunch rooms across the city.

Going to Germania Society Christkindlmarkt?

Hotels in Cincinnati, 6-8 Nov

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Cincinnati chili: The signature dish peaks in cold weather. Camp Washington Chili, Skyline and Gold Star run year-round but the December and January 5-way is the canon.
Goetta: The pork-and-pinhead-oats breakfast porridge is a winter comfort food, sliced and pan-fried golden alongside eggs at Sugar n' Spice and Sleepy Bee all winter.
Country ham and bourbon: Northern Kentucky country hams from Brown's, Finchville and Newsom's appear on Cincinnati holiday tables alongside Kentucky bourbon flights at Sundry and Vice.

Going to Cincy Winter Beerfest?

Hotels in Cincinnati, 7 Feb 2027

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