Do You Like Food AND Art?

Cincinnati is a city made up of 52 separate neighborhoods. On the doorstep of Downtown Cincinnati and tucked away next to Over-the-Rhine is a neighborhood called Pendleton. Off the beaten path yet easily accessible, historic Pendleton has maintained its unique residential character. Within just a few blocks, you can find several unique restaurants and bars, a brewery, a coffee shop, a wine shop, and an ice cream parlor, but the compact geographical nature of Pendleton limits the space for future growth.

Nevertheless, there is a lot to see in Pendleton. The 19th century row houses take you back to the days when the neighborhood was populated mainly by European immigrants, who often worked in nearby breweries. Massive church buildings dominate the hillside and tiny alleyways connect hidden courtyards. Recent additions are large scale murals and street art scattered among the historic buildings.

Standing 8 stories tall amidst the homes and businesses in this little neighborhood looms a former warehouse transformed in 1990 by the Verdin family into the Pendleton Art Center. It is now home to more than 200 artists, the largest collection of artists under one roof in the United States. Known for open studio walks on the last Friday of each month, the Pendleton Art Center hosts “Final Fridays” where visitors can see the galleries, speak with the artists, and buy works directly from them.

In 2025, Cincinnati Food Tours offers The All-American Food Tour in Pendleton to coincide with Final Friday at the Art Center. Walking tasting tours take place from 2-5 pm on the last Friday of each month (with the exception of October). Following the food tour and at no additional charge, guests can choose to accompany the guide for a studio walk beginning at 5 pm. Guests will meet local artist Dave Flege, discuss his works, and then can wander the Pendleton Art Center galleries at their leisure. Final Friday runs from 5-9 pm and is the best way to discover the breadth of local art in our region.

Make a plan to combine Food + Art in 2025.