Walk into the Mariemont Inn and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back into a version of England that maybe only exists in storybooks. The Tudor timbering and the heavy stone are impressive, sure, but the real soul of the building isn't in the lobby. It’s downstairs. That’s where you find the National Exemplar Restaurant Mariemont Ohio, a place that has basically become the unofficial living room for the village since 1983.
It’s a weird thing, honestly. In a world where restaurants open and close within eighteen months, the Exemplar just... stays. It doesn't try to be a fusion-tapas-speakeasy. It doesn’t have a neon sign for Instagram. It’s just a basement restaurant with wood paneling and some of the most consistent food in the Cincinnati area.
What the National Exemplar Restaurant Mariemont Ohio Actually Is
People get confused. Is it a hotel restaurant? Technically, yes, it’s tucked into the bottom of the Best Western Premier Mariemont Inn. But if you call it a "hotel restaurant," locals might look at you funny. It functions way more like a neighborhood anchor.
The vibe is distinct. You’ve got these deep leather booths, flickering fireplaces, and a sort of "old money" comfort that feels expensive but isn't actually that pricey. It’s where you go when you want to hear the person across the table from you without shouting over a DJ.
The Breakfast Legend
If you ask anyone in the 45227 zip code about the National Exemplar, they’re going to talk about breakfast first. It’s their thing. While most places treat breakfast as an afterthought or a "brunch only" weekend event, this place runs a serious morning operation seven days a week.
The Maine Blueberry Pancakes are the stuff of local legend. They aren't those thin, pathetic disks you get at a diner. They’re thick, loaded with actual fruit, and served in a way that feels oddly formal for 8:30 AM on a Tuesday. Then there’s the "Exemplar Benedict." They use real hollandaise—not the powdered stuff—and the eggs are consistently poached to that exact point where the yolk runs but doesn't swamp the plate.
The Architecture Matters More Than You Think
You can't talk about the National Exemplar Restaurant Mariemont Ohio without talking about Mary Emery. She was the visionary behind Mariemont, wanting to create a "National Exemplar" (hence the name) of a planned English-style village.
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The restaurant reflects that.
The ceiling is low, which creates this acoustic intimacy. The brickwork is heavy. It feels permanent. In a city like Cincinnati, which loves its history, the Exemplar feels like a preserved bubble. You’ll see three generations of a family sitting together—grandparents who came here in the 80s, parents who had their first dates here, and kids coloring on the white paper tablecloths.
Why the Dinner Crowd is Different
Breakfast is high-energy. Dinner is a whole different beast.
When the sun goes down, the lighting in the basement gets moody. It’s one of the best "hidden" bars in the city. They do the classics right. If you order a Manhattan here, it’s going to be stiff, cold, and served by someone who has probably worked there for a decade. That’s another thing—the staff retention is wild. You see the same faces year after year. That matters for the "E-E-A-T" (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust) that Google loves, but more importantly, it matters for your dinner. They know which table is wobbly. They know if the kitchen is running behind on the prime rib.
Speaking of the food, the menu is American.
- Roasted Prime Rib (available on weekends, usually sells out)
- Pecan Crusted Trout
- Maryland Crumb Crab Cakes
- The Souffle of the day (yes, they still do these)
The trout is probably the sleeper hit. Most people go for the steak, but the pecan crust on the trout gives it this crunch that works perfectly with the lemon butter. It’s simple. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel, and honestly, that’s why people keep coming back.
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Common Misconceptions About the Exemplar
One thing people get wrong: they think it’s stuffy.
Look, it looks stuffy. The Mariemont Inn is grand and the village of Mariemont is, well, posh. But the restaurant itself? You’ll see guys in golf shirts sitting next to a couple in a tuxedo heading to a gala. It’s weirdly democratic.
Another misconception is that it’s just for hotel guests.
Actually, on a typical Sunday, probably 80% of the people in those booths live within a five-mile radius. It’s a community hub. If you want a table at 10:00 AM on a Sunday, you better be prepared to wait in the lobby, staring at the historic photos of the town, because the locals have already filled the place up.
The Soufflé Situation
We have to talk about the soufflés.
They are one of the few places left in the Midwest that does a proper individual soufflé. It’s a dying art. It takes 20-30 minutes, you have to order it ahead of time, and it’s basically a cloud of sugar and egg whites. If you go for dinner and don't order the chocolate soufflé, you’ve sort of missed the point of the evening. It’s the "National Exemplar" experience in a nutshell: old-school, slightly difficult to execute, but worth the wait.
The Practical Side: Parking and Logistics
Mariemont is beautiful, but the parking is a nightmare. It just is. The streets were designed for horses and Model Ts, not modern SUVs.
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- The Lot: There is a small lot behind the Inn. It fills up fast.
- Street Parking: You’ll likely end up parking on Wooster Pike or one of the side streets.
- Reservations: They take them. Use them. Especially for dinner. For breakfast, it’s mostly first-come, first-served, and the line moves decent, but still.
The National Exemplar Restaurant Mariemont Ohio also handles a lot of private events. The "Soukup Room" is a common spot for rehearsal dinners or business lunches. It has that same heavy-timbered feel, but you get a bit more privacy.
Is It Still Worth It in 2026?
Food trends come and go. We went through the kale phase, the avocado toast phase, and the "everything is fermented" phase. The Exemplar ignored all of them. They just kept making omelets and searing salmon.
There’s a comfort in that.
When you go to the National Exemplar Restaurant Mariemont Ohio, you know exactly what you’re getting. You’re getting a heavy cloth napkin, a server who knows the menu, and a meal that tastes like it was made by someone who actually cares about the basics. It’s not "edgy." It’s not "innovative." It’s just excellent.
In a world of digital noise, a basement restaurant with a fireplace and a really good piece of pie is a necessary refuge.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip, don't just eat and leave. Mariemont is a National Historic Landmark. After your meal, walk across the street to the Mariemont Square. Look at the "Family" statue. Walk down to the concourse that overlooks the Little Miami River. The restaurant is the anchor, but the whole village is the experience.
- For Breakfast: Order the Maine Blueberry Pancakes or the Eggs Benedict. Don't skip the coffee; they keep the mugs full.
- For Lunch: The chicken salad is a staple. It’s the "Classic" version—no weird grapes or walnuts unless you want them.
- For Dinner: Check the daily specials. Their seafood is surprisingly fresh for being in the middle of Ohio, thanks to some solid sourcing.
- The Bar: Go for a classic cocktail. A Gin Gimlet or an Old Fashioned. They don't over-complicate them with hibiscus foam or whatever. Just booze, bitters, and balance.
The National Exemplar Restaurant Mariemont Ohio remains a cornerstone because it understands its identity. It’s the "National Exemplar"—the example of how things should be done. It’s reliable, it’s historic, and it’s still one of the best places in Cincinnati to hide away for a few hours.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To ensure you have the best experience at this Mariemont staple, follow these specific tips based on local patterns:
- Avoid the 10:30 AM Rush: On weekends, the transition between breakfast and lunch (around 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM) is absolute chaos. Arrive before 9:00 AM if you want to sit immediately.
- Request a Booth by the Fire: If you’re booking for dinner in the winter, specifically ask for a booth in the "Fireplace Room." The ambiance is worth the extra wait.
- Check the Soufflé Flavor Early: The dessert soufflé flavor changes daily. Ask your server the moment you sit down for dinner, as they require a lead time of at least 25 minutes to prep.
- Park in the Wooster Pike "Island": If the Inn lot is full, there is often angled parking in the center of the street nearby. It’s often easier to find a spot there than circling the residential side streets.
- Join the Rewards: If you’re a local or a frequent visitor, ask about their loyalty programs. Since they are part of the Best Western Premier footprint but independently managed, there are often specific perks for regulars.