Cincinnati’s food scene gets a lot of love (rightfully so), but Northern Kentucky’s own culinary landscape is right there alongside the city proper, offering a rich and diverse selection of restaurants, breweries and eateries for every palate. In fact, Food & Wine magazine recently named Covington as one of the best small-town dining scenes in the country.
And while Covington and the rest of Northern Kentucky have their incredibly popular establishments, like Otto’s or Bouquet in Covington or Walt’s Hitching Post in Ft. Wright and Greyhound Tavern in Ft. Mitchell, there are also those hidden gems shining in the community that we want to spotlight. Keep scrolling to see some of the ones we’ve uncovered so far.
The Empanada’s Box
International travel is expensive, so the easiest way to visit Argentina is at a table loaded with empanadas and chimichurri alongside a gourd of yerba mate in The Empanada’s Box. Empanadas — baked turnover-like hand pies stuffed with a variety of savory and sweet fillings — are extremely common across Latin America and have become prevalent in our region thanks to Argentine families like the Nunezes, who own The Empanada’s Box. The menu features nearly 20 different international-style fillings for the empanadas, with flavors from Jamaica, Singapore, Louisiana, India, the Philippines and more. 212 W. Pike St., Covington.
Lisse Steakhuis
This Dutch steakhouse in the heart of Mainstrasse has a third-floor rooftop lounge that offers can’t-miss city views. On the menu, you’ll find plenty of steaks, as well as seafood and farm-to-table dishes like the duck breast, pork chop and Holland Farms Cut of the Day. Lisse Steakhuis also has an extensive list of wines, and its bourbon offerings also earned it a spot on The B-Line, a trail of bourbon-centric bars, restaurants and distilleries in Northern Kentucky. 530 Main St., Covington.
Bender’s Pub Grub
Bender’s Pub Grub isn’t your typical pub. This restaurant offers a chef-driven menu, with dishes made from fresh ingredients, including artisanal bread and house-made bacon, in a scratch kitchen. Each menu item also pairs well with a cocktail or a beer from Alexandria Brewing Company, a partner of Bender’s. Specialties include the Shrimp & Grits (grilled shrimp, smoked tomato grits and pickled green tomato relish ) and Chicken & Waffles (a crispy Belgian waffle, buttermilk-fried skinless boneless chicken thigh, bourbon-brown sugar butter, candied walnuts, jalapeno and smoked onion-maple syrup), but the menu also features a variety of sandwiches and salads, plus rotating specials. 7926 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria.
Siam Orchid
This Thai restaurant located in Bellevue is tiny but inviting, with authentic, affordable food that comes in large portions. The salads are fresh are jam-packed with veggies, like the Orchid Salad, which includes shredded cabbage, carrots and ground peanuts tossed in the chef’s secret dressing. It also offers classic Thai favorites like Pad Thai, green curry and chicken satay. 511 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue.
The Hive
The Hive doesn’t just pride itself on its delicious breakfast, brunch and lunch menu, but also as an inclusive community gathering space, whether you’re sitting down for a leisurely meal with loved ones or just popping in for a coffee and pastry. The menu is jam-packed with a variety of tasty offerings to fuel your mornings, including biscuits and gravy, pancakes, waffles and even build-your-own burritos and quesadillas. For lunch, you can try something off the grill, like the Monte Cristo or grilled cheese and goetta, or one of the bowls, like the Mili’s Garden (spinach, mushrooms, eggs, potatoes, peppers, onions and cheddar) or the East Meets South (garlic shrimp, bacon and cheesy grits). 480 Erlanger Road, Erlanger.
The Standard
Covington’s The Standard has a menu as playful and bright as the 1930s garage it’s housed in. They serve lunch and dinner with a weekend brunch that features dishes like Cinnamon Toast Crunch-crusted French toast and a goetta, egg and cheese sandwich. For dinner, The Standard has a selection of globetrotting sandwiches that are anything but standard, including the Báhn Mì, Smoked Lamb Pita and Korean Beef. Signature cocktails like the frozen piña colada and bourbon slush keep things refreshing, and the restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, with plenty of patio space beneath the garage’s canopies. 434 Main St., Covington.
Fabled Brew Works
The legend of this small, fantasy-inspired craft brewery and meadery sprang from the minds of five friends who really enjoy beer and wanted to bring something new to Cincinnati, both in aesthetics and in the actual brew offerings. What came from that is a sylvan-like taproom that looks like it materialized from between the pages of a storybook – a fantasy forest that leads to the door of a thatched-roof cottage, a half-timbered storefront with books in its “windows” and an apothecary. A hollowed tree sits behind the bar. You almost feel like the hero or heroine about to embark on an epic journey. And those elements of fantasy, folklore and myths also make their way onto the tap list, featuring brews with names like the classic American lager Paul Bunyan and Greek mythology’s Arethusa (a mead with lemons, vanilla beans and cookies). The brewery and meadery puts its focus on fruit-forward beers and things you don’t find a whole lot of in the region: bold stouts, meads and dessert-inspired varieties. If you’re hungry, grab some chicken tenders and fries, a smash burgers or a chicken sandwich from the brewery’s dedicated food truck, Gobblin’ Goblin. 331 Kenton Lands Road, Erlanger.
Bellevue Bistro
Bellevue Bistro is a cozy breakfast and lunch spot in the heart of historic Bellevue. The space offers an eclectic and vintage vibe, from the pressed-tin ceiling to the striped awning out front. And while the eatery is on the smaller side, the menu features wholesome dishes with big flavors. There’s an assortment of breakfast bakes, like the Bellevue-style one with goetta, cheddar jack and sautéed onions or the vegetarian-friendly Mediterranean, made with mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, spinach, basil, feta and mozzarella. You can also opt for one of the benedicts or hot browns or try the avocado toast or spicy breakfast tacos. For lunch, Bellevue Bistro serves up a variety of sandwiches, including paninis, wraps and even a cinnabread one topped with fried eggs, cheddar jack and American cheese, with pepper jelly and potatoes on the side. 313 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue.
McCollum’s on York
Recently opened in a historic building in Newport, McCollum’s on York combines the timeless elegance of its dining room with a menu of seasonal dishes crafted in a scratch kitchen. On the menu, you’ll find items like a bread basket, charcuterie board and spicy lobster dip to start, followed by locally sourced steaks, burgers and entrées like the braised beef short ribs, Catch of the Day and Peppernota Tagliatelle — a pasta dish featuring peppers braised in red wine. McCollum’s also offers a selection of wine, beer and traditional cocktails, which you can enjoy inside or outside on the patio. 738 York St., Newport.
Crafts & Vines
Located in historic MainStrasse Village, this family-owned wine bar features unique offerings in both draft wine and beer, as well as a great selection of bottles. The cozy environment is perfect for anyone looking to sit back, relax and explore their palate. They offer a charcuterie and cheese board, allowing you to select three or six cured meats and cheeses, accompanied by accoutrements and Sixteen Bricks bread. The menu also offers a selection of bar bites, ranging from a house salad and olives to the Black Truffle Burrata and a rotating selection of paninis. 642 Main St., Covington.
Grassroots & Vine
Grassroots & Vine serves delicious lunches and dinners all week, as well as a Sunday morning brunch, but it also offers a unique shopping experience. The restaurant offers a farm-to-table menu, wine, cocktails and craft beer, but you can also find pantry items and more from regional, national and global farms and local purveyors in the retail selection. The lunch and dinner menu features paninis served on Sixteen Bricks ciabatta, flatbreads and salads served with ciabatta and dipping oil. For a breakfast-y brunch, try the brioche French toast, topped with vanilla mascarpone, caramel sauce, seasonal berries and real maple syrup, or for a lunch-y brunch, opt for the Ciabatta BLT, made with applewood-smoked bacon, romaine, tomato and mayo and served with a simply dressed salad. 1011 S. Ft. Thomas Ave., Ft. Thomas.
Thai Tea House
Just down the road from Florence Mall, Thai Tea House offers a relaxing space to try some authentic Thai dishes, as well as a wide selection of fruit and milk teas. Fruit teas come in varieties like lychee and passionfruit, or you can try a refreshing bubble tea, like the classic sweet and smoky brown sugar, the cherry blossom-infused Sakura or the creamy and earthy taro. The menu also features unique latte options, like the honeydew and pink lattes, as well as soda and slushie flavors you don’t see in most restaurants — peach, pineapple, passionfruit and more. To eat, you can pair your drink with light bites like steamed dumplings, calamari and fried tofu, or you can try the ramen or traditional Thai dishes like pad kee mao and panang curry. 7563 Mall Road, Florence.
Hometown Heroes
In addition to cheap drinks, Hometown Heroes is known for its great wings, Cheese Bombs and ooey-gooey fries covered with goetta and queso, plus an outdoor patio. Remember Bosco Sticks from grade school? Relive that gourmet here in the form of Hometown Heroes’ Cheesy Garlic Bread, an 8-inch piece of French bread stuffed with provolone, topped with garlic butter, toasted and served with pizza sauce for dipping. 640 Sixth Ave., Dayton, Ky.
Comal Restaurant
At Comal, the tortilla is king, serving as your plate, spoon and napkin. This counter-service joint in Ft. Thomas offers a variety of unique street tacos, tostadas and more Mexican-style fare. Tacos are served on heirloom blue corn tortillas, with other options available upon request, and include The Diego (carnitas-style braised pork in salsa verde with homemade Comal Slaw, macha vinaigrette and microgreen cilantro), Pinche Malinche (slow-cooked shredded chicken in a sweet and savory Tinga sauce and topped with shredded lettuce and pico de gallo) and more. Other popular menu items include the quesadillas, El Panzon (an oversized flour tortilla filled with rice, beans, cheese and barbacoa, seared and then topped with queso, lettuce and pico) and the elote. Save room for the churros or sopapillas for dessert. 18 N. Ft. Thomas Ave., Ft. Thomas.
Greek to Me
For one of the best gyros in Northern Kentucky, head to Greek to Me. This small, casual restaurant in Erlanger offers a variety of gyros, ranging from classics like the Aegean (gyro meat, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, feta, kalamata olives, pepperocinis and Greek dressing wrapped in pita bread) to more unique options like the Cincy Chili Gyro, which combines two classic Greek creations into one delicious meal. Get the crinkle-cut Greek fries or spanakopita on the side, and save room for dessert, especially if it’s baklava. 3415 Dixie Highway, Erlanger.
Purple Poulet
Bourbon-bistro Purple Poulet offers its diners a lot of homey, Southern-style charm. The centerpiece of the restaurant is its bar, both the bar’s offerings and the literal bar — like the restaurant’s name, it’s purple and it adds some fun eclecticism to the cute, country-style decor. As for what’s behind the bar, it’s bourbon (and lots of it). Purple Poulet has over 550 bourbons and ryes you can try, and it’s always looking to add to its collection. The restaurant is also well-known for its fried chicken, offering three different ways to try it, including the Fried Chicken and Waffle and “Claim to Fame” dinner. But this isn’t just a fried chicken joint; the Chef Z’s Southern Supper portion of the menu offers up Southern comfort-food dishes, including Z’s Uptown Hot Brown (turkey, ham, bacon, Mornay and fried green tomato on a biscuit), Cola BBQ Ribs and Cornmeal Fried Catfish. 846 York St., Newport.