Over the last year, the Greater Cincinnati area welcomed a lot of new and exciting restaurant concepts to the local dining scene. From chains expanding to the Tri-State to newcomers with offerings ranging from eclectic American cuisine to authentic Cubanos and Italian dishes that remind you of home, here is just a sampling of the new restaurants that have recently opened. 

Rusk Kitchen + Bar 2724 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills Rusk Kitchen + Bar serves up eclectic American cuisine and elevated bar food alongside beverage options like beer, wine and housemade cocktails you can enjoy on their rooftop patio, which offers a killer view of East Walnut Hills. With its cozy, welcoming vibes, Rusk aims to become a neighborhood go-to where you can watch the game, enjoy date night or just hang out with friends. The menu features a variety of lunch and dinner dishes, including handhelds like burgers and sandwiches, salads and entrées like fish and chips, Chilean salmon and a cajun chicken and alfredo dish. Photo: facebook.com/Rusk Kitchen + Bar
Baru 595 Race St., Downtown This elevated sushi and cocktail concept places most of its focus on its atmosphere and unique menu, all centered around its bar, which has been strategically placed to be the focal point of the restaurant. The idea behind Baru is stay-and-drink sushi, inspired by izakaya, which are beloved Japanese establishments where guests can stay, drink and unwind long into the night. Its menu is sophisticated but approachable, with fresh fish flown in daily, American and Japanese wagyu and shareable items. It also offers omakase meals, where guests leave dining decisions up to the chef. Photo: Provided by 3CDC
Chacabanas Cuban Sandwiches 1809 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine If you love Cuban sandwiches, you need to try one of the newest eateries in town, Chacabanas (named after the shirt style popular in Cuba and the Dominican Republic). This sandwich shop specializes in authentic Cubanos with three options: the classic El Cubano (roast pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on toasted Cuban bread); the Ybor City Cubano, made with roasted pork shoulder and featuring the addition of Genoa salami; or the Croqueta Preparada – their Cuban topped with their croquettes. Chacabanas also offers antojitos, or snacks, like yuca fries, empanadas and their croquetas. Photo: facebook.com/FindlayMarket
Daylily 3751 Eastern Ave., Columbia Tusculum Daylily Deli — chef Jose Salazar and Deeper Roots Coffee’s New York-style bodega — opened in Columbia Tusculum in August. The menu features everything from the New York staple egg on a roll with American cheese, a chopped cheese sandwich (with ground beef, cheese, banana peppers, sauteed onion, lettuce, tomato and special sauce on a hoagie) and even an egg cream coffee soda. Photo: Catie Viox
Primo in Middletown Photo: Aidan Mahoney
The Filson 25 E. Freedom Way, The Banks This elevated sports bar opened last September and features Cincinnati-inspired dishes, like their locally made mettwurst, which you can get ‘nati style with chili, cheese and onions, and the Porkopolis burger, which comes with housemade BBQ sauce, bacon, cheddar cheese, fried onions, pickle and mayo. On game days, they serve a simplified menu of all the sports-bar favorites, like wings and nachos. Apart from their menu, one of their best features is their intimate outdoor patio where you can dine underneath string lights with a stunning view of Smale Riverfront Park and the Roebling Bridge. They also have a fire pit and Adirondack chairs to cozy up in while you sip on a locally brewed beer, specialty cocktail or craft soda. Photo: facebook.com/TheFilsonAtTheBanks
No. 3 Best New Restaurant: Milkman 1106 Race St., Over-the-Rhine Photo: Courtesy of Milkman
Chimaek Photo: Aidan Mahoney
Five Iron Golf 80 W. Fifth St., Downtown National indoor golf and entertainment company Five Iron Golf recently opened at Fountain Square. The 13,000-square-foot facility has 13 golf simulators, as well as other leisure games and a full bar and restaurant. On the menu, you’ll find classic apps like spinach and artichoke dip, chips and guac and boneless wings, as well as flatbread-style pizzas, sandwiches, sliders and wraps. To drink, try a cocktail like their Aperol spritz, Rain Delay, or choose from a selection of their wines, beers, ciders and hard seltzers. Photo: facebook.com/DowntownCincinnati
Conserva 225 Elm St., Ludlow Spanish tapas restaurant Conserva may be one of Northern Kentucky’s best hidden gems. Owner and head chef Challis Hodge studied Spanish tapa cuisine to recreate an authentic experience with a medley of options. One popular dish on the menu is a Spanish national favorite, Tortilla Española, made using potatoes, egg, olive oil and salt. And if you’re a fan of dips, the gambas al ajillo, or Spanish garlic shrimp, is made using sherry and guindilla pepper and served with dippable crostini. The menu also features “conservas,” which are similar to charcuterie boards, but they feature preserved seafood, along with Spanish olive oil chips and baguette. Photo: Catie Viox
Five on Vine 1324 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Crown Restaurant Group’s Five on Vine is more than just fine dining — its concept comes from co-owner and chef Anthony Sitek’s view on food as an opportunity for connection, from where they source their ingredients to how they greet and take care of their guests. The menu features modern and elevated takes on traditional American comfort food; you may have seen these dishes growing up, like Five on Vine’s stroganoff or pot roast, but they’re reinvented in a way you may not have experienced yet. For example, Gracie’s Meatballs are crafted with beef and tomato sauce like your grandmother may have made them, but they have the added thought of raisins and pine nuts to add a little sweetness and texture, the Sicilian way. No matter what you get though, it’ll be made from scratch in Five on Vine’s kitchen. To drink, try one of their craft cocktails, like the Emerald Dream (gin, green chartreuse, lime, agave, absinthe, watermelon and basil) or The Rite of Spring (gin, cucumber liqueur, grapefruit, honey, Italicus and mint). Photo: Hailey Bollinger
6 ‘N’ The Mornin’ 7714 Montgomery Road, Unit H, Kenwood You can get your day started right with breakfast or brunch at 6 ‘N the Mornin’. Dishes are inspired by classic Southern favorites with a twist, and their menu names feature cities from across that region, like the New Orleans Shrimp ‘N Grits or the Nashville Kickin’ Chicken with waffles (which can also come as red velvet). Add a glass of Rise ‘N Reach Peach Juice to complete the most important meal of the day. Photo: facebook.com/6nthemornincincy
Livery 9320 Montgomery Road, Montgomery This new tapas spot features a menu of empanadas, ensaladas, ceviche, tacos, tortas and other Central and South American dishes made with the freshest ingredients. For dessert, guests can try housemade churros, flan and tres leches. It also has a fully stocked bar with an expansive tequila and cocktail list, top-shelf spirits, wine and beer, as well as specialty margaritas. And when the weather’s nice, you can enjoy your meal on their outdoor patio. Photo: Provided by Cunningham Restaurant Group
Shiners on the Levee 1 Levee Way, Newport Get your yee-haw on at one of Newport on the Levee’s newest restaurants. Alongside its menu of smokehouse barbecue and moonshine cocktails, Shiners on the Levee features karaoke, line dancing and live country music. And not only do they offer classic barbecue like pulled pork, brisket and smoked chicken, Shiners also veers into Southern comfort food territory – with offerings like catfish, pork chops and a side of cornbread – as well as dabbling in their take on Tex-Mex with their black bean hummus app, Esquites Poblano (roasted corn tossed in a lime cilantro aioli, cotija cheese and pickled radishes and served in a slightly roasted poblano pepper) salad and elote (Mexican street corn) as a side. Photo: facebook.com/shinersNOTL
Y’all Cafe 50 E. Rivercenter Blvd., Covington Casual breakfast and lunch spot Y’all Cafe opened in the RiverCenter complex last October. The eatery features everything from omelets and avocado toast to burgers, salads and sandwiches, plus a selection of boozy beverages like local beer, bloody marys, mimosas and cocktails. Signature dishes include the Y’all Super Quiche, with shallots, bacon and gruyére cheese; a goetta omelet with white cheddar; and the River Side Hot Brown, with smoked turkey, hickory-smoked bacon, tomato and housemade cheese sauce on sourdough bread. There are also more veggie-forward items, like Thai lettuce wraps and housemade soups. Photo: facebook.com/YallCafeRC
Rosie’s Italian 300 E. Seventh St., Downtown Crown Restaurant Group (Crown Republic Gastropub, Losanti, La Cantina) has refreshed and reopened one of its downtown eateries. The former Rosie’s Cocktails & Pints — which temporarily closed in August — has been transformed into Rosie’s Italian. Helmed by chef and owner Anthony Sitek, the menu focuses on family recipes and traditions. Diners can expect scratch-made pastas, Italian-style main dishes and the same New Jersey-style pizzas Rosie’s was previously known for. The menu is divided into antipasti, shareables, primi (pastas), secondi (entrees) and pizza. There are options like stromboli, Puglian orecchiette with sausage and broccolini, chicken piccata and a Tie-Dye Pizza with vodka sauce, tomato sauce and pesto.The goal is to embody the feeling of a Sunday Italian supper. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Well/Grub Local 8 W. Seventh St., Covington Described as equal parts cool and casual, The Well provides a laidback and cozy lounge, as well as a large patio, with plenty of seating throughout and large-screen TVs, making it a great game-day destination. It’s restaurant arm, Grub Local, is helmed by chef Mitch Arens, the former executive chef at Hotel Covington. The menu offers a tasty spin on classic American cocktails and drinks, like the Chicago-ish Dog, Poboy or “Nashville Hot” Skewers. Arens says Grub Local is also all about revamping hometown favorites, like their Jumbo Coney. Their drink list includes $11 specialty drinks, wines, some draft beers and a variety of canned beers and seltzers. Photo: Aidan Mahoney
Luca Bistro 934 Hatch St., Mt. Adams Simple and French cuisine make up the unlikely duo at Luca Bistro. The menu is filled with cozy, flavorful and laid-back dishes that Chef Frédéric Maniet says are common in French foods. Breakfast offers familiar favorites like cheese, meat and vegetable omelets along with eggs benedict and pain au chocolat. For lunch, the menu changes to include salads and sandwiches, like a classic Niçoise salad topped with tuna steak and Dijon dressing and a mouthwatering croque monsieur layered with delicious gruyère and béchamel cheeses. The dinner menu is similar to lunch, with a few more options, including starters like a charcuterie board filled with French cheeses and tasty meats and basil Boursin crostinis piled high with irresistible Boursin cheese spread. And then there are the sides, with frites, ratatouille and cauliflower gratin waiting to complement the main dish, plus decadent dessert options such as chocolate mousse and orange crème brûlée. Diners also can order an assortment of French table wines, along with beers and cocktails. Photo: Courtesy of Luca Bistro
No. 9 Best Veggie Burger: W Bar + Bistro 3447 Epworth Ave., Westwood Photo: facebook.com/wbarbistro
Flavors of the Isle 1807 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine This Jamaican soul food restaurant and bar is owned by Detroit-native-turned-long-time Cincinnati resident Ebony Williams. Specializing in its famous Jamaican jerk chicken, Flavors of the Isle got its start as a member of the Outdoor Market and Findlay Kitchen, a nonprofit supporting local food entrepreneurs, and was started as a way to address the shortage of ethnic eateries in Cincinnati, says Williams. Photo: facebook.com/flavorsoftheisle
Amador 1 Levee Way, Newport Havana has come to Greater Cincinnati. Amador opened at Newport on the Levee in May with a menu featuring traditional Cuban dishes like empanadas, croquetas, and Cubano sandwiches, but with an “Amador twist.” The energetic and playful atmosphere aims to transport diners to a tropical vacation, with its jungle-esque vibe, lush greenery and an outdoor patio that overlooks the Ohio River and Cincinnati skyline. And unlike other Cuban restaurants, their small plates are meant to be shared. To drink, the restaurant has Cuban coffee, craft cocktails and Latin American beers, wines and rare spirits. They also have their bodega-style walk-up window, “La Ventanita” (little window), where guests can order something to-go from a limited menu. Photo: facebook.com/CityofNewportKY
Killer Queen 180 E. Freedom Way, The Banks Killer Queen is The Banks newest cocktail bar and pizza joint, with a menu that focuses on build-your-own pizzas, plus appetizers like salads and soft pretzels. They also boast a cocktail menu featuring eight drinks “inspired by the most treacherous kings and queens in history,” the bar says. The restaurant and bar has a high-energy atmosphere with an Americana-style interior, including a wrap-around bar, and is a catch-all for any activity, whether you’re enjoying daytime drinks, watching the game or dancing until 2 a.m. Photo: facebook.com/killerqueencin
The Acres, 9941 Reading Road, Evendale Photo: Brian Cross
Lil’s Kitchen 601 Overton St., Newport; 301 Sixth Ave., Dayton Lil’s Kitchen, formerly known as Lil’s Bagels, opened in its shared space with Roebling Point Books & Coffee in April after failed lease negotiations pushed them from their Covington cafe. Lil’s Kitchen at Roebling Books and Coffee is a combination of Roebling’s third location and Lil’s Bagels reimagined. Inside, a taste of the former Lil’s Bagels’ colorful, funky interior blends into bookshelves, eclectic art, a full coffee bar and a modest but delectable menu of food. The menu includes a variety of locally made snacks and pastries; an egg and cheese sandwich served on a challah roll; a selection of soup, salad and spreads; and signature sandwiches, like the Lillian, their take on bagel and lox, but served on a challah roll. Photo: Katie Griffith
Local Cantina is has officially opened in the Rhinegeist taproom. Photo: facebook.com/rhinegeist (TEMPORARILY CLOSED)
Roy Rogers 151 Cooper Ave., Cleves Western-themed fast-food chain Roy Rogers, named for the Cincinnati-born actor and cowboy, was highly anticipated ahead of its opening this past winter. This historic franchise, founded in 1968, is known for items like fried chicken, roast beef sandwiches and their iconic Double R Burger — a quarter-pounder topped with American cheese and ham on a Kaiser roll. It also brought its famed “Fixin’s bar” to Greater Cincinnati, allowing customers to top their burgers with their choice of condiments and veggies. Photo: facebook.com/Roy Rogers
bb.q Chicken 150 W. Fourth St., Downtown This South Korea-based chain opened its first location in Cincinnati this spring. bb.q, which stands for “best of the best quality,” serves Korean fried chicken in a variety of flavors, like honey garlic, golden original and Gangnam style, with black pepper sauce. The menu also offers a selection of ddeokbokki, a Korean street food made of rice and fish cakes, as well as sides like french fries, pickled radish and fried dumplings. Photo: Provided by 3CDC

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