Contemporary Indian Cuisine prepared to perfection by renowned Chef Yajan Upadhyaya. Wonderful Cuisine with an elegant ambiance, Mantra on the Hill offers something for everyone. Dine in one of our three dining rooms or watch Chef Yaj cook outside at our Chefs station. Stop by after your night out and try our late night menu. With our late night menu, Chef's garden, and elegant dining room, Mantra is sure to please everyone!
"Great value in a great place with excellent food and service."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, kid-friendly, romantic, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion
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"This was quite possibly the worst dining expereince I have ever had in Cincinnati. I had reservation for Mother's day because my wife likes Indian food. Service was terrible, 15 minutes before anyone came to our table, no explanation of the menu, no acknowledgement of our children and options for them, the server and the host could not decide who was serving us so they both did halway.
Now let me talk about the food, no spice level at all, the fried Paneer was served as just that, fried cheese with nothing else on the plate, then naan was dry,
This is a Mother's Day memory we will not forget, thanks a lot."
Dined on 5/12/2013
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"This was our first experience here. I had read the reviews on the service, as far as being slow sometimes. Our waitress was very attentive, although they perhaps could have used just one more to cover everyone. The food was excellent, served in a very good manner, and the food itself was delicious. We plan to go back and enjoy the patio when it is warmer."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: late-night find, neighborhood gem
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"The eggplant chips are unexpectedly good. The cauliflower purée served with my Wahoo was amazing. Lamb chops were fantastic although some kind of side would have been nice with them. The server talked us into dessert which we normally don't order. So glad we did. The dark chocolate creme brûlée had just the right amount of spice and the mango Panna cotta was delicious!"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"The food was delicious! Lamb shank was very flavorful and fell off the bone; their naan is the best! Service does not match up to food quality. Although it was prompt and efficient, when we asked the server about several of the dishes, she was unable to thoroughly explain them. We weren't told about the special fish entree of the evening. This is our second time at Mantra and service was an issue the last time as well. Yaj is a fabulous chef....only wish the front of the house would do their job as well."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Two old rownhouses in Mt Adams are combined into a wonderful, intimate, funky restaurant. The Sunday buffet was presented in large, ornate brass servers filled with a variety of savory chicken and vegetable dishes alongside a basmati rice that was as light and fluffy as a cloud. There were six or seven hot dishes, a salad, a fritter and halwa for dessert. Many new flavors for me and certainly not the dry, tasteless fare typical of a buffet. While not not or spicy, each dish had complex flavors. A great value for $11.00. Oh, and the naan is the best I've had. Thin, and crisp on the bottom and puffy on top. Please try the mushroom appetizer served with red pepper coulis. You won't be sorry."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion
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"Once again we had a great meal at Mantra. The food is always terrific. But, the service was lacking. We arrived early and asked the waiter to put a FEW minutes between the appetizers and main course. He forgot to place the entree orders until I hailed him. Had to rush dinner to get the Playhouse."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"SO good. each item ordered was delicious. Server was helpful at the beginning, but left us alone for a while and it was hard to get his attention for some drinks or the check. go for the food not the service"
Dined on 3/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion, kid-friendly
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"This was a great choice for an early dinner before the playhouse! Service was attentive, and well timed. The menu offerred a nice variety of familiar and more exotic Indian dishes. Our spicing requests were perfectly addressed and we really enjoyed our meal. The restaurant's space is a challenge, and a bit noisy when it fills up. (Coming out of the Playhouse, we noticed MAntra was full at 10pm.)"
Dined on 04/27/2013
2008
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"What a great date night for my fiance and I. We reserved on Open Table and were treated to the sexiest, coziest, and fun table in my opinion. Very romantic and intimate yet still a welcomed laid back feeling. The waiter was amazingly knowledgeable about Indian cuisine. He was pretty much a talking menu and gave spot on recommendations. :) I've already suggested Mantra to friends and will absolutely return with my favorite person."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"The descriptions of the food don't quite match the reality. The tandoori dishes for instance don't appear to actually be cooked in a tandoor and the banana wrapped fish was actually pan fried. The palak paneer on the other hand was quite good."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2006
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"We like Indian food and this was such a treat -- a contemporary twist. The entire experience was great - food and service. You may have to search for a parking spot, but it's worth it! Also close enough to the Playhouse in the Park to eat before a play."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Go here if you have plenty of time. Service this night was slow. The food was fantastic.The mulligatawny was delicious and the coconut scallops delectable. The lamb chops were memorable and beautifully presented. The menu is broad enough to satisfy the most sophisticated foodie. This was our party's third visit and, if the service is slow, it's worth the wait."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Mantra on the Hill offers a different presentation and taste of Indian food. We really enjoyed the food, service and ambiance. It is a perfect place to dine before a Playhouse show. They have plenty of veggie selections."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"It was our first time at Mantra on the Hill... It was an excellent experience! The food was Unusual and terrific, our waiter was great and knowledgable About the menu. The view was incredible on top Of Mt Adams. At one point we watched the magnolia Blossoms whip into a whirl wind that looked like Snow! It was beautiful. We also watched a thunder And lightening storm approach on the horizon, Very dramatic. We will most definitely be back! Yum!"
Dined on 04/16/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"Enjoyed the wonderful fresh Indian food that is rare to find nowadays. The breads, veg entrees and the drinks were awesome. Heard they are bringing back the Tuesday to sat lunch buffet starting from April 16. Can't wait for that. Shall be back soon."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"While the food was good and we enjoyed it, we felt that it was overpriced. We were also disappointed that on the warmest day Cincinnati had had in months, they still had not prepared the outdoor dining space (one of our deciding factors in selecting Mantra that evening) and we had to sit indoors."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2013
Special Features: special occasion
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"We enjoyed our meal, but the service was not good. In our waiters defense, there was no bartender and he had to mix/pour all the drinks. It really made for stuttered service because he had to make drinks for several tables intermittently. We were on a time limit (made them aware)and allowed ourself 1.5 hours and still were rushed. Our server did his best and given the "self serve" concept of the bar, don't have control. If your not in time constraint or can be patient, it is enjoyable."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2004
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"Food was wonderful...when it finally arrived. We waited 45 minutes to get appetizers, another 45 to get our meal--and it wasn't a busy night. Could have just been an off-night, so I will give it a try. Definitely a nice fresh change of pace for India fare!"
Dined on 03/14/2013
2007
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"The smaller rooms in the restaurant are a great concept. However it does not work when you are a party of 4 having a delightful dinner with great conversation and it's interrupted by the other group (party of ~10) who are particularly obnoxious. They should have been left in the bar area. Our party of 4 left as quickly as possible, we simply could not hear each other."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"We really enjoyed our meal at Mantra. The space they've created is very nice with clean lines. It's a comfortable place to have a meal. The service was excellent and the dishes we ordered were executed perfectly. We have the Eggplant appetizer with tamarind glaze. Very nice dish with a good balance of sweet and sour that was a refreshing way to start the dinner. I had a simple chickpea dish as my main course and my wife had a lovely ginger shrimp dish. The basmati rice was cooked perfectly and was light and fluffy. I'm used to rice at Indian restaurants being sticky and cooked as if almost an afterthought. Taking care to get the rice right showed me that they are committed to delivering good food. Definitely recommend."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"We had been to Mantra with friends a month earlier and felt it was a completely different experience from last Saturday. A whole different vibe. Good food. Good service. Not great. Probably won 't go back..."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Our entrees were all great. We love Indian food and were pleased to see some more creative menu items like we remember from the original Cumin in Hyde Park. Unfortunately, they were out of our first two choices of dessert, even though we were the first guests of the evening."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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"We were greeted warmly and seated quickly. The host was very warm and engaging and shared with us the changes he has helped implement as a consultant to the restaurant. he also shared some upcoming events ( wine and food pairings event uncommon to an Indian restaurant) Service and food were good. I'd go again for sure."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"I enjoyed the restaraunt, but I found the markups in price not justified by the change in variety and quality of the food. If you are less price sensitive, this might be the spot for you. If price matters to you, I reccomend you frequent any Indian food restaraunt in Clifton."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"I was really looking forward to trying Mantra on the Hill, as I had heard good reviews. We made 6:30 reservations and had Playhouse in the Park tickets at 8:00 pm (we did inform the server). We arrived at 6:15 and were seated promptly. The dining rooms were not full when we arrived. We received appetizers after maybe a 30 minute wait. I ordered from the special 3 course offering for the evening which included a glass of champagne. I never did receive my champagne and ordered a glass of red wine as a substitute later in the evening. The tables gradually filled in but people seated before us were still waiting on entrees at 7:15. We finally received our entrees at 7:35, mine was cold. We carried out the included dessert."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2010
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"I have been to Mantra On The Hill twice now, and both times the food has been amazing. I am from Pakistan and my fiance from India, so we try no to be snobs when eating at Indian restaurants. When I first heard about this place I thought it was a fusion restaurant, its not. This is place is very authentic with a modern environment. The first time I went with a group of gf's, and we all loved it. I loved it so much that I told my fiance (who is originally from India) that we HAVE to go there. After trying this place we both were on the same page-best Indian food hands down in the Cincinnati area. However one bad experience we had last time was that we tried ordering a bottle of wine. After not having out of 4 of the 4 of the wine we wanted."
Dined on 02/10/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"The room was cold and very noisy. Not just techno-pop blaring, which we asked to be turned down, but very loud table of diners in the center of the room. Room needs noise absorbtion to be suitable for a restaurant."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2008
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"Went here for the first time this past weekend. The food was great - just different enough from the normal Indian fare to make it a more special night out. We went with another couple who are both vegetarians. We had no problem finding GOOD vegetarian entrees and appetizers - in fact we all ended up eating meat-free and really enjoyed our meals. We would definitely go back, and would recommend this restaurant to others who are looking for something different, but reasonable, in a comfortable, unhurried, atmosphere."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"The food was excellent. The lamb chops and the shank were fabulous. The service was attentive but not overbearing. The only negative was the inablility to read the bill. Apparently their computer is outdated and therefore does not print a readable receipt. Customers need to know exactly what the charges are."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"Amazing food! I had not had Indian food until I went to Mantra so I'm glad that I branched out! The only qualm I had was that they were out of iced tea and a few of the beers that my husband tried to order. I was expecting that, though, from reading other user's reviews. I will definitely visit again!"
Dined on 01/27/2013
2012
Special Features: special occasion
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