On its own, tempeh, a plant-based protein made with soybeans, doesn’t exactly make the list of mouth-watering dinner options. However, the tempeh slider at Hangry Omar’s in Covington Yard makes the plant-based patty so delectable that you won’t need to close your eyes and imagine that you’re sinking your teeth into a real hamburger just to stomach it. In fact, the marinated local chickpea tempeh, topped with American cheese, Buffalo sauce, and bourbon tomatillo relish is so good that you don’t even think about the fact that it’s a meatless sandwich topped with great-for-you veggies. hangryomars.com.

Makers Bakers’ banana pudding defies convention. Served in a humble plastic carryout tub, it resembles more of bread pudding than a typical Jell-O creation. Instead of Nilla Wafers, founders Kevin Foston and Tara Patterson imbue their fluffy banana dessert with chunks of yellow cake, whipped cream and bursts of fresh banana. Elevate your experience with a bourbon caramel drizzle, which gives the pudding a bananas Foster flair. Makers Bakers also offers seasonal variations like strawberry or the orange Who Dey Banana Pudding with chocolate cake crumbs. Although they serve other sweets from their counter outside Findlay Market’s Market House, the banana pudding gets top billing, with praise from publications as far away as London's Daily Mirror. There’s typically a line on the weekends, but it’s worth the wait. makersbakersco.com.

Shout out to Honey Uninhibited on the other side of the river in Covington for coming in hot and presenting its very strong offerings to those that are already familiar. Uninhibited has finely crafted a brunch experience that is highly elevated in flavor with its variety of Southern staples available on the menu, all while catering to a broad audience with its cocktail menu, warm welcoming environment and immediate comfortability. If you haven’t branched out of your normal routine, I highly recommend you assemble your squad and see for yourself what the well-deserved hype for this Black-owned precious gem is all about. honeyuninhibited.com.

Chef Jordan Anthony-Brown’s long-awaited Aperture restaurant finally opened its doors at the tail end of 2023 to some great foodie fanfare. Located in the historic Paramount Building in Walnut Hills, the vibe is art deco-meets-Copenhagen while the menu of shareable dishes draws inspiration from the Mediterranean and Levant. Ingredients like ras el hanout, tahini and harissa create complex flavor profiles in simple pastas, proteins and plenty of veggies, charred to perfection in a wood-fired grill. There isn’t a miss on the menu, but if you only try one thing, make it the oyster mushroom. It’s meaty, rich and earthy with a tang of tahini, brown butter and pesto, covered with a snowfall of finely grated manchego. There’s nothing else like it in the city — or maybe anywhere. theaperturecinci.com.

As I’m sure most of y’all are highly aware, I have just been introduced to a very wonderful dining experience that has a long legacy rooted in its style and flair: Hooters. When searching for a last-minute place to dine with a larger group of friends, it can be quite the task locating a place that is willing and able to host with such short notice. This is not a spotlight for the highly particular and critical. This is specifically for those looking for family-friendly fun over fried pickles — that were served by the kindest woman ever. My last experience was reminiscent of Applebee’s in 2007, and I will hold onto that light for as long as my memory will allow. They also have Hooters-branded vapes for sale at the bar at the Newport location…y’all are welcome! hooters.com.

Perched on the seventh floor of Covington’s Republic Bank building, Opal Rooftop Restaurant & Bar is quite literally one of Northern Kentucky's elevated gems. With a 360-degree panorama view of downtown Cincinnati and nearby NKY, it would be worth a visit for the view alone. But the menu is just as interesting. The restaurant boasts an exclusive 88-inch, Grillworks Infierno grill — the only open-fire cooktop of its kind within a two-hour radius of Cincinnati and one that had to be hoisted to the top of the building by crane. As one would expect, dishes focus on wood-fired grilling, from broccoli and halloumi to a burger to the standout Koji Dry Aged Duck Breast (a must-try even if fowl isn’t your favorite). Adding to the charm is the Republic Bank building itself, which is adorned with a vibrant mural courtesy of Brooklyn-based art group FAILE. opalrooftop.com.

Graeter’s may eternally wear the ice cream crown but no one else’s candy comes close to Aglamesis Bro’s chocolates, especially the dark chocolate nonpareils. Thick dollops of luscious dark chocolate topped with tiny candy balls are truly beyond compare. There’s also a milk chocolate version but I stay on the dark side. I took a box to a friend in Milan, Italy. After one bite, she declared, “Damn! We don’t have anything like this here.” Lucky for us, we do. aglamesis.com.

Even if you don’t indulge in the bread baskets offered at most Italian restaurants, the bread basket at Nicola’s in Over-the-Rhine will completely rock your world, even if carbs aren’t your thing (but like, how can you not love carbs?) Served as an appetizer, Nicola’s bread basket contains a collection of bread made fresh that day — enough for the entire table to enjoy. The thin, crispy breadsticks are just the cherry on top of this delectable appetizer. nicolasotr.com.

Trophy Pizza in Evendale channels the spirit of NYC walk-up pizza windows, delivering an unparalleled slice of the Big Apple in the Queen City. In addition to slices, pies come in two sizes: 20-inch round or rectangular “grandma” (a pan-baked, Sicilian-like pizza where the mozzarella goes on before the sauce). The standard cheese slice is large enough to be foldable, with a light, chewy crust topped with tangy red sauce, parmesan, mozzarella and just the right amount of grease, baked on a 600-degree pizza stone. There are margherita, white, pepperoni and a couple of specialty pies on the menu (like the Loophole, with chicken, cheese, bacon, jalapeño, caramelized onions and ranch), but choose-your-own toppings range from homemade meatballs and capicola to pineapple, arugula and artichoke. Helmed by veterans of the Brooklyn and Cincinnati bar/restaurant scene, they must be doing something right because they’re opening a second location in Norwood’s Factory 52 development, just one year after the grand opening of their original. mytrophypizza.com.

Neko Sushi is a hidden little izakaya off Hyde Park Square serving Japanese and Korean dishes in feline-themed surroundings (“neko” is the Japanese word for cat). Extremely affordable without any of the "half-price sushi" gimmicks, rolls range from simple hosomaki and classics like spicy tuna to unique options including a Veggie Delight with seaweed salad and a White Dragon Roll with ranch. Beyond sushi, Neko serves entrees like dolsot bibimbap, chirashi bowls and sushi burritos. The Pancho sushi burrito is stuffed with tempura shrimp, masago, veggies and homemade salsa. Another homemade accouterment not to miss: the spicy kimchi. nekosushihydepark.com.

Two nights of Taco Bell-inspired food, accompanied by boozy Baja Blasts, tarot card readings and a killer staff — all at one spot, Jerry’s Jug House in Newport. I think this pick speaks for itself. jerrysjughouse.com.

At the end of 2023, Collective Espresso opened a new location in OTR, half a block from its original location, near Woodward Theater. The new location has more seating so people can hang out and enjoy seasonal drinks and year-round drinks like espresso and lemonade. The more Collectives this town has, the better. collectiveespresso.com.

We know Cincinnati chili can be hard on the gut, but it’s so damn good and so hard to resist — especially if you’re a born-and-raised Cincinnatian. Not to mention that it’s also a comfort food for anxiety-riddled situations, like flying. Last fall, CVG finally added a Skyline to its Concourse B for locals and travelers alike to enjoy before jetting off, and not only can you now get a Skyline coney at CVG, you can also get Skyline breakfast. The CVG location is the only Skyline that serves breakfast-style coneys, chilitos, 3-4-and-5 ways and burritos. YMMV when it comes to being able to stomach Cincinnati chili for breakfast, on a crowded plane no less, but we think it’s worth the risk. skylinechili.com.

Over-the-Rhine’s Allez Bakery has outgrown its home, which is good news for us because it means they’re expanding into a new café storefront, directly across from the original location. Since owners Thomas McKenna and Patrick Hague first introduced Allez in 2017, the popular bakery and lunch spot has been name-checked twice by Food & Wine as one of the best in the nation, and if the lines out the door on meatball Fridays or sold-out sandwiches are any indication, we’re all hungry for more. Allez 2.0 will meet that need with a larger menu of prepared foods, sandwiches, soups, salads and coffee. Even more exciting? Evening service and a bar program are on the horizon. allezbakery.com.

Crown Republic Group’s Five on Vine launched the dinner series Plates & Pages to blend three core luxuries: literature, fine dining and good wine. The series features a prix fixe menu from chef Patrick Bowling with wine pairings and a curated selection of books, from contemporary classics to vintage cookbooks and rare editions from Household Books — perfect for when you want to enjoy a good meal while immersing yourself in a new favorite story. fiveonvine.com.

An aromatic plant native to South and Southeast Asia, pandan offers a unique flavor profile that makes for a delicious ingredient in sweets — but have you tried it in your coffee? Available as a house-made syrup at Haven Cafe, the quality-first coffee shop, which is currently temporarily closed during relocation, features its pandan latte year-round. Balanced perfectly with Counter Culture espresso and creamy local dairy or oat milk, this light green concoction (along with the most welcoming staff) will keep you coming back for more. havencafespa.com.

Cincinnati chef Jose Salazar is taking foodies on culinary and cultural adventures through Peru and Mexico this year with travel company Modern Adventure. During these trips, travelers will get to visit colorful markets, indulge in authentic street food and dishes with local ingredients, talk to renowned chefs and take cooking classes. Travelers also get to experience the cultural side of the countries, like visiting Casa Azul, the iconic blue home of artist Frida Kahlo, or taking in a Lucha Libre fight in Mexico or hiking to Machu Picchu in Peru. modernadventure.com.

After 17 years under its last owner and decades on the corner of Hamilton and North Bend, College Hill Coffee announced their owner’s retirement in mid-2023. With their departure came the immediate announcement of their acquisition by La Terza. After a name change and months of rehabbing, Luminary by La Terza opened its doors on the very same corner. Offering a lighter, brighter inside, Luminary offers a new brand of coffee and tea but some of the same delicious treats neighbors already loved. Most importantly, it remains a reliable setting for neighbors to congregate. luminarybylaterza.com.

Coffia Coffee in OTR serves coffee drinks from a Colombian roaster, but they also serve Colombian food like pan con tomate y queso manchego. Their café bombon drink is a Spanish specialty layered with espresso, condensed milk and milk froth. Visit the business to learn about Colombian food and try new coffee drinks. instagram.com/coffiacoffeeshop.

The hold Chicago Italian beef sandwiches have had on the cultural culinary zeitgeist since the dawn of The Bear cannot be overstated. Neither can our excitement for the brick-and-mortar evolution of the Young Buck Deli pop-up. Coming soon to the former Holtman’s Donut space in Over-the-Rhine, this venture from Top Chef season 16 alumni and couple Brian and Caitlin Young, will be a butchery, deli and the pasta commissary kitchen for the Crown Restaurant Group. Brian is the butcher, Caitlin is the baker, and we will all reap the benefits with a menu of chef-crafted sandwiches, including hot Italian beef, cold cuts and a build-your-own option. The only thing cooler than the menu may be the logo: an American Traditional-esque rabbit by Zack Mueller aka @zapmeister of local Lonesome Town Tattoo. youngbuckdeli.com.