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National Exemplar, Cincinnati, OH

National Exemplar

4.8
4.8
1916 Reviews
$30 and under
American

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 p.m.
Booked 14 times today

About this restaurant

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

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

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

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Additional information

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

What 1,916 people are saying

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

Overall ratings and reviews

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

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

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Cincinnati / Dayton

    American

  • Cincinnati

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Cincinnati

    American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
National Exemplar delights with "terrific service" and "excellent food" in a cozy, historic setting. Renowned for its prime rib, Hungarian mushroom soup, and carrot cake, guests praise the "outstanding" meals and "warm atmosphere." Ideal for special occasions, it offers a consistently "wonderful dining experience" under the attentive management of Lisa.
1,916 Reviews
  1. Scott VIP

    Columbus22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent as always a great place! The food is great

    Is this helpful?

  2. Richard

    Cincinnati20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Steven, the waiter, was excellent and our food terrific.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Tom VIP

    Cincinnati13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A wonderful experience with terrific service and delicious food. 

    Is this helpful?

  4. Tim VIP

    Cincinnati12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was excellent - service was outstanding. Wonderful evening had by all.

    Is this helpful?

  5. dave

    Cincinnati17 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 22, 2025

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

    Is this helpful?

  6. Thomas

    Cincinnati12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 22, 2025

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

    Is this helpful?

  7. Barbara VIP

    Cincinnati59 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 20, 2025

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

    Is this helpful?

  8. Martin VIP

    Charleston46 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 14, 2025

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

    Is this helpful?

  9. Jeffrey VIP

    Greater Boston120 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 14, 2025

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

    Is this helpful?

  10. VeryBusy

    Cincinnati5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 13, 2025

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

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

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

National Exemplar is rated 4.8 stars by 1916 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation


Booked 14 times today
Google Map for National Exemplar

6880 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45227

Additional information

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