The top food and dining stories from 2023 include new restaurants, themed pop-ups and even the arrival of Malört in Ohio. Keep scrolling to read more about CityBeat‘s top food and dining stories from 2023. 

Star Wars-Themed Pop-Up Bar Galactic Cantina Lands in Over-the-Rhine By Katherine Barrier In April, Gorilla Cinema brought a den of scum and villainy to its bar behind its comic book store, Cosmic Gorilla. The pop-up drew intergalactic bounty hunters from all over Greater Cincinnati to post up, enjoy some libations and snacks and wager their ships in heated card games. While the bar has since transformed back into the Harry Potter-themed Pennifold’s Pub, we’ll never forget those months exploring the galaxy just steps away from Findlay Market. Photo: facebook.com/galacticcantinacincy
Ohio Held its Nose With the Arrival of Malört on its Shelves By Madeline Fening Malört, a liquor with a botanical bitterness courtesy of wormwood (think of it as if someone watered bitter herbs with gasoline and then bottled the runoff), finally made its way onto Ohio shelves this April. Production of Malört started in Chicago in the 1930s before bouncing to Kentucky and Florida, but the hard-to-find spirit has most commonly been found in Chicago, where it developed a cult following. Chicagoans have been throwing back shots of the stuff with an Old Style beer for years, calling the boilermaker a “Chicago Handshake.” Ohioans can now get a taste of the unruly spirit, thanks to a partnership between Jeppson’s Malört and Heidelberg Distributing. Photo: Instagram, JeppsonsMalört
Big Jays Place 930 Hempstead Drive, Finneytown Big Jays Place in Finneytown offers a menu bursting with flavor from its Caribbean comfort food dishes, like the Soul Food Plate, featuring jerk chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens and cilantro rice, or the half-pound Jerk Burrito, which comes with a choice of shrimp, jerk chicken or salmon. But what Big Jays is best known for is its oxtail, which Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives host Guy Fieri got to try on his recent visit there, saying, “If you don’t like oxtail, then come on down here to the oxtail conversion program.” Photo: facebook.com/bigjaysplace
19. Taft’s Ale House 1429 Race St., Over-the-Rhine ”I came here with my gf for dinner one weekend in the summer and we had a great time. The food, service and beer was very tasty and it’s also different than the Brewporium so the variety was nice in case you’re thinking about visiting both. This place can be more of a sit-down style dining experience (top level) or the order and sit at a table with friends while playing board games feel (bottom floor). They have an elevator and ramped entrance so it’s accessible which is great. ” — Fuschia H. Photo: Jesse Fox Photo: Jesse Fox
Boca and Nicola’s Recognized With 4-Diamond Status from AAA By Katherine Barrier Two of Cincinnati’s most popular, fine-dining restaurants had their culinary talents recognized on a national scale this year as they were once again awarded 4-Diamond status from AAA. According to AAA, 4-Diamond restaurants offer “distinctive fine dining,” and Diamonds operate under the “4Cs”: cleanliness, comfort, cuisine and consistency. Boca was first honored with 4-Diamond status in 2007, and Nicola’s received its first designation in 2008. Photo: Aidan Mahoney
Graeter’s Opens a New Scoop Shop in Union By Katherine Barrier Graeter’s Ice Cream opened a new scoop shop in Union, but it isn’t just any ordinary shop. This Graeter’s is part of a collaboration with other popular Greater Cincinnati brands, Braxton Brewing Company and Dewey’s Pizza, which will soon be opening their own spots next to the new Graeter’s. The dining project, a place for “beer lovers, foodies, families and everyone in between,” according to a 2022 press release, will create a new dining and entertainment hub in Northern Kentucky, which will be centered around a 20,000-square-foot greenspace and beer garden. The companies say in addition to being a foodie destination, they want to have specialty programming, music and events. Photo: Provided by Graeter's
Graeter’s Launches Five, Limited-Time Summer Bonus Flavors By Katherine Barrier This summer, Graeter’s brought back its popular summer bonus flavor offerings, with a selection of five new ice creams. Graeter’s released them one at a time for a limited time, starting with Dough’licious, “a caramel brownie batter ice cream loaded with peanut butter dough, cookie dough and brownie pieces.” That was followed by sweet and spicy Hot Honey Crunch, tart and crunchy Lemon Meringue Pie, salty and sweet Buttery Popcorn and a trip to the tropics with Passion Fruit Guava Sorbet. Photo: Provided by Graeter's Ice Cream
Atwood Oyster House 1220 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine For some coastal cuisine in the heart of Over-the-Rhine, give Atwood Oyster House a visit. This restaurant offers a sophisticated and intimate dining experience that still manages to be playful. The menu combines tradition and innovation, with a focus on seafood and its seasonal selection of oysters that come from a variety of North American regions, including New England, British Columbia, Washington state and more. If you’re new to oysters and unsure how one kind will taste compared to another, Atwood’s menu tells you exactly what flavors you can expect for each. They also have a full bar, which serves a diverse menu of classic and creative house cocktails and a wine list, all of which were selected to complement the restaurant’s seafood and vegetarian dishes. Photo: instagram.com/@atwoodoysterhouse
Royce at The Foundry Photo: Catie Viox
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

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she...