
The Most Haunted Restaurants in Cincinnati
Posted: 01.31.2025 | Updated: 01.31.2025
The Cincinnati culinary scene is unlike anywhere else in the United States. The restaurants in this Ohio city dish up some local favorites like Cincinnati chili (which is chili seasoned with cloves and cinnamon and served on spaghetti) and goetta (a patty consisting of ground pork and oats served for breakfast). While these meals are memorable enough themselves, some of the haunted restaurants in Cincinnati give visitors a lasting impression for a darker reason.
To learn about the spooky side of Cincinnati (and if you want to walk off some of that chili), book a ghost tour with Cincinnati Ghosts. With your guide, you’ll see firsthand some of the most haunted sites in all of The Queen City.
What Are the Most Haunted Restaurants in Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has seen its fair share of hard times and tragedies. From riots to deadly concerts where fans were trampled, the city hasn’t forgotten the people they’ve lost over the years. Some of these people are easier to remember — because it seems they’ve chosen never to leave.
Of all the restaurants in the Cincinnati area, there are three that stand out with their multitude of ghost stories:
- Arnold’s Bar & Grill
- The Golden Lamb
- Wiedemann’s Brewery
Arnold’s Bar & Grill
Opened in 1838, Arnold’s has sure had plenty of history and drama within its walls. Many believe it started off as a brothel, opened by a widow whose husband died unexpectedly. This widow, or one of her workers, is often seen around the restaurant. She has long, black hair and is wearing a blue 19th-century dress.
In the 1860s, the place became a saloon and was run by the Arnold family for three generations. Many attribute the mysterious rose scent that suddenly floods the restaurant today as a sign that Kate Arnold, the first to run the bar, is nearby. Others have heard small children running around the upper floors, likely the younger Arnolds enjoying some playtime.
The Other Ghosts of Arnold’s
Several of the spirits who haunt the restaurant have been identified by staff over the years. There’s Jim Christakos, who owned the place in the 1960s. Christakos’ unique personality and appearance (he was a former professional wrestler turned expert blackjack dealer) make him easy to spot, even if he’s a little more shadowy now than he was in life.
Another friendly spirit is Steve, a man who used to work at the restaurant not all that long ago. Steve would always wear his finest clothes to work, change into his uniform in the employee-only quarters, and then change back after his shift. The well-dressed apparition is often seen by people to this day.
The Golden Lamb: Where Presidents Dined and Politicians Died
The Golden Lamb is both beloved and respected. Just north of Cincinnati, the inn and restaurant is the oldest continuously operating business in Ohio — having opened way back in 1803.
Back then, the pub was mostly recognized by the sign out front with a golden lamb, specially chosen because many of its customers couldn’t read when the establishment first opened.
The Golden Lamb has hosted 12 presidents in its day, from John Quincy Adams to Ulysses S. Grant. Other notable guests included Charles Dickens, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Neil Armstrong. Yet, despite being a destination for so many affluent guests, there’s said to be some mysterious energy at work. This is evident in the number of people who have suddenly died at the inn.
The Spirits Who Haunt the Golden Lamb
Clement L. Vallandigham
While no one was murdered in the Golden Lamb, there were several odd and untimely deaths. The most outrageous death had to be that of Clement L. Vallandigham, a lawyer, and (disgraced) Ohio congressman. His poor reputation came from the fact that he wanted to oust President Lincoln from power for his stance on the Civil War.
Because of this, Vallandigham was kicked out of politics, and by 1871, he had turned his full attention to his law practice. He was representing a man who was accused of shooting his business partner by concealing a gun in his coat pocket. Vallandigham tested the theory by shooting through several coats and seeing what damage was done.
When Vallandigham got back to his room at the Golden Lamb, where he was staying during the trial, he was demonstrating his argument when he accidentally shot himself in the stomach. The wound was fatal, and Vallandigham died shortly after in the inn. Customers have seen a ghost who matches Vallandigham’s appearance wandering around the building.
Charles Robert Sherman
Vallandigham wasn’t the only well-known person to perish at the Golden Lamb. Charles Robert Sherman was the 15th justice who served on the Ohio Supreme Court. An accomplished man himself, he’s perhaps more remembered as the father to a very famous Civil War soldier: General William Tecumseh Sherman.
Sherman was in town to oversee a case in 1829 when he suddenly fell ill. Unable to travel, he died in his hotel room in the Golden Lamb. He left his wife and 11 children behind — penniless. Several of his children were put up for adoption, and some believe this guilt is the reason his spirit is still trapped within the property to this day.
Wiedemann’s Brewery: The Former Funeral Home

When you think of places to hang out, a former funeral home probably isn’t at the top of your list.
Yet, in 2019, the owners of Wiedemann’s Brewery bet that they could make the first floor of the large building welcoming — and it’s seemed to work. Wiedemann’s Brewery is a much-loved spot in Cincinnati despite the shadowy customers who also call the brewery home.
The Disembodied Voices of Those Who Passed Through the Funeral Home
Strange things are often seen around the brewery, no doubt because of its past role in transitioning the dead to the next phase of their journey.
One bartender described a shift when she experienced a strange encounter. “One night, I was in the kitchen cleaning dishes with my back towards the door, and a man said, ‘Hey, Theresa.’ I said, ‘Yeah,’ without turning around first. Well, when I didn’t get a response, I turned around to find no one was there. The hairs on my arms immediately stood up, and needless to say, I didn’t finish the dishes that night.”
Haunted Cincinnati
Have you ever dined at a one of the haunted restaurants in Cincinnati? While Cincinnati has plenty of spots to get good food, it also has plenty of places to see a ghost or two. If you want to get a chance to see the phantom side of Cincinnati, book a ghost tour with Cincinnati Ghosts tonight.
Want to learn about other haunted restaurants around the United States? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more startling tales. To read about other haunted sites around Ohio and Cincinnati, check out our blog.
Sources:
- https://cookingenie.com/content/blog/what-food-is-cincinnati-known-for/
- https://cincinnatighosts.com
- https://www.citybeat.com/food-drink/guest-commentary-the-story-behind-the-mostly-friendly-spirits-who-roam-arnolds-bar-and-grill-14051972
- https://theskeletonkeychronicles.com/2021/04/20/oh-murder-i-am-shot-the-tragic-death-of-clement-vallandigham/
- https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/judicial-system/supreme-court-of-ohio/justices-1803-to-present/charles-sherman/
- https://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/cincinnati-bartenders-and-servers-share-ghostly-experiences-from-work/Slideshow/16207568/16207570
Book A Cincinnati Ghosts Tour And See For Yourself
Cincinnati hides a history of shocking hauntings behind its Midwest charms. The city has long been known for its haunted history, and now it’s your turn to find out why!
Join us to uncover the hauntings of mass graves, murders, old orphanages, and more. Cincy appears calm and peaceful, but it hides secrets ready to share for those who dare to join this ghost tour!