Where to Find International Cuisine in Northern Kentucky

Here, you can savor the flavors of the world without venturing outside of the region.

By Amy Antonation on March 14, 2024

Zac Gill

Northern Kentucky has all your cravings covered, whether you’re looking for African dishes or European flair. In fact, many of the area’s international eateries have been in business for decades. So whether you’re a newcomer or a longtime resident looking for new fare to try, be sure to take savor the scrumptious international cuisine in Northern Kentucky.

African 

The decor at East African Restaurant in Florence is bare bones, and its menu is short, but don’t be misled: The genuinely friendly staff serves up platters piled high with chicken, lamb, goat, beef, fish or shrimp alongside perfectly spiced rice and steaming flatbread. In nearby Erlanger, HaniLul Kitchen serves a similar Somali menu in a cute dining room. 

Asian and Polynesian 

Lakeside Park’s Oriental Wok opened its doors in 1977. Over 40 years later, it has two locations, a line of sauces and devoted fans who have voted it best Chinese cuisine in the region time and again. In Crestview Hills, Asiana Thai and Sushi splits its menu between Thai noodles, rice and curry dishes and appealing, approachable sushi rolls. 

The demand for Jot India’s curries, korma and saag outstripped the capabilities of the restaurant’s original location in Newport, so it’s in the process of opening a second outpost in Florence. 

Additionally, fans of Polynesian flavors can stop by Covington’s Kealoha’s Kitchen, which recently relocated to a prime spot in the city’s Mainstrasse Village neighborhood. It serves Hawaiian specialties, like Spam musubi, loco moco and pineapple-teriyaki brisket and short ribs. 

Ross Van Pelt

Central American and Caribbean 

Lita’s Tacos is a casual spot in Florence for tacos, nachos and quesadillas, while Amador Cuban Restaurant in Newport turns out both savory and sweet bites in a stylish environment. 

Select from Amador’s long list of rums before digging into a Cubano sandwich or succulent ropa vieja. End the meal with tres leches cake or silky flan. 

European 

The final stop of our tour of international cuisine in Northern Kentucky is located “across the pond.” The kitchen at Pompilio’s in Newport has been turning out lasagna and other red-sauce classics since 1933. Just 10 minutes away in Highland Heights is Servatii’s, which, despite its Italian-sounding name, is a German bakery that has supplied residents with giant pretzels for six decades. Additionally, for two decades, the Hofbräuhaus Brewery & Restaurant has been serving the best wursts in Newport and its own German-style beers. 

In Covington, Lisse Steakhuis boasts a menu that wouldn’t look out of place in cattle country west of the Mississippi, but it pays homage to its owner’s Dutch hometown by utilizing flavors from the Netherlands as well as Indonesia (which the Dutch colonized for centuries).