31 Hip Cincinnati Restaurants Open on Mondays

Mita’s

501 Race St., Downtown
Mondays are for margs and Mita’s: Chef Jose Salazar is a continent away from his mamita and the hand-cranked mill she still uses to grind corn for arepas and empanadas, but his restaurant, Mita's, is a tribute to her spirit and to Spanish and Latin American food. Mita’s menu is described as eclectic and farm-inspired with both traditional and modern food and drinks from both regions. You’ll find tapas, ceviches, cured hams, cheeses and large plates on the menu along with a wine program that “emphasizes Spain and the Old World,” says Mita’s.

Boca

114 E. Sixth St., Downtown
A trip to chef David Falk’s Italian/French gemstone is an experience to be savored as much as the food itself. Take your time, invest a few hours and allow him and his attentive, knowledgeable staff to unfold an epic tale of two or three courses, plus dessert. The Pommes Soufflés “1949” — puffy french fries — are a call back to the restaurant’s former iteration as the Maisonette.

Bakersfield

1213 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Forget Taco Tuesday; we’re heading to Bakersfield for Margarita Mondays. Part bar, part taco joint, Bakersfield specializes in gourmet tacos (pollo rojo, al pastor, huitlacoche, etc.), quality tequilas and whiskeys, of which they have a selection of over 100, and hand-crafted margaritas made the old-fashioned way, not from a pre-made mix.

Incline Public House

2601 W. Eighth St., East Price Hill
Named after the Cincinnati inclines that traveled to Price Hill, Incline Public House features a gorgeous view of the city and delicious American food for lunch and dinner. While you enjoy the view of downtown Cincinnati on their all-season patio, try the Craft Burger Monday special, which features a new burger each Monday. Pair it with one of their local craft brews on tap and their mouthwatering short rib poutine to split with the table to top off the experience.

Sotto

118 E. Sixth St., Downtown
Located under Boca, the Tuscan-inspired Sotto offers a more approachable atmosphere and price point than its upstairs neighbor when your wallet needs a break from the spending you did over the weekend. Its interior calls to mind a rustic Italian wine cellar with its rough brick walls and wooden ceiling beams. With multiple dining rooms, the kitchen is open to view, including the custom-made wood-fire grill in front and a fresh-pasta room in the back hallway. Menu items include handmade pasta, Salumi & Formaggi (cured meats and cheeses) and big-ticket items like Bistecca Fiorentina, a grilled Creekstone porterhouse steak.

The Eagle

1342 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
The Eagle is nested inside a retired post office and has a relatively small menu, comprised of fried chicken, sandwiches, snacks and several side dishes. Booze-wise, they serve tons of beer and cocktails made from scratch. The fried chicken is free-range, all natural and sourced from Ohio farms. Opt for a whole, half chicken (white and dark meat) or a quarter of a chicken (select white or dark).

E+O Kitchen

3520 Edwards Road, Hyde Park; 56 W. Freedom Way, The Banks
E+O stands for “Earth + Ocean” and the menu is based on wholesome and organic ingredients. You’ll find Asian influences in dishes like the Salmon Poke Buddha Bowl, made with sushi rice, avocado, cucumber, pickled red onions and poke sauce, and the Miso Glazed Black Cod, which comes with roasted bok choy and orange-ginger dressing. E+O also has a selection of sushi, nigiri and both traditional and innovative sashimi. Hyde Park’s location also hosts a happy hour on Mondays from 2-6 p.m. with half off signature cocktails, draft beer and select menu items.

Pepp & Dolores

1501 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Pepp & Dolores is an Italian eatery from restaurant group Thunderdome and was inspired by Sunday dinners at co-founders Joe and John Lanni's grandparents' house that you can enjoy all week. “We designed the space to have a timeless look and feel with elements of a classic cafe or bistro from the early to mid-20th century on the first level and a lower level that is darker, cozier and reminiscent of a New York City supper club,” says John Lanni. The menu features housemade pastas — like the Butternut & Mascarpone pasta — along with a focus on shareable dishes, salads and bread.

Nation Kitchen & Bar

175 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks; 3435 Epworth Ave., Westwood; 203 Mill St., Milford
Nation Kitchen & Bar takes its name from ax-wielding Temperance warrior Carrie Nation. The laid-back eatery and bar serves a variety of top-notch burgers and tots – perfect for Monday Night Football – with a specialty monthly burger that donates a portion of its proceeds to a local cause.

The Filson

25 E. Freedom Way, The Banks
This elevated sports bar 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.

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. 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 sandwiches, like what would surely be Michael Scott’s favorite sandwich, “That’s What Brie Said” (grilled chicken, melted brie, honey dijonnaise, lettuce and tomato served on a croissant), burgers, entrees, salads and power bowls, as well as daily specials, including a Monday happy hour that runs from 3-9 p.m.

Son of a Butcher

7630 Gibson St., Suite 110, Liberty Township
After Agave & Rye seemingly conquered the eccentric taco world, the team set their sights on steakhouses. Son of a Butcher – also referred to as S.O.B. – and its menu aims to “[evolve] the stuffy steakhouse into something magical." And what Monday doesn’t need a touch of magic? Along with USDA Prime cuts, wagyu, caviar and shaved truffles, the menu also features flavorful dishes like the wagyu burger, lobster roll and black truffle gnocchi.

Losanti

1401 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Recently opened for service seven days a week, Over-the-Rhine steakhouse Losanti sparkles when it comes to steak dishes, particularly their prime fillet mignon and the steak and frites, served with golden raisin chimichurri and parmesan fries. The menu also features a Faroe Island salmon, Amish chicken marsala and a variety of pasta dishes. To drink, indulge in one of their shaken or stirred cocktails, a martini or an old fashioned.

Mama’s on Main

621 Main St., Covington
Mama’s on Main, from restaurateurs Emily Wolff and Paul Weckman, serves up traditional, pasta-oriented Italian fare in its bold and bright space in Covington. The menu features traditional red-sauce Italian fare, like basic spaghetti and meatballs. Simpler dishes include popular standards such as cacio e pepe and rigatoni with vodka sauce.

The Precinct

311 Delta Ave., Columbia Tusculum
The Precinct, housed in a historical Romanesque-style former police precinct, features a lavish interior, with chandeliers, colorful stained glass windows, splashes of red and a large wooden bar. On the menu, you can’t go wrong with a sirloin or porterhouse, named after current and past Cincinnati sports greats.

Dope! Asian Street Fare

100 E. Court St., Downtown; 2912 Wasson Road, Oakley
Featuring a menu inspired by street-food favorites from cities like Tokyo, Saigon, Singapore and more, Dope! Asian Street Fare serves up quick-grab items like ramen, bao, and huge, juicy wings. Drinks include Asian beers, as well as a selection of wine, gin, bourbon and more. Stop in on Monday for their happy hour (which also runs until Friday) from 2-6 p.m. for half-priced wine and $2 off drinks, appetizers, bao, bahn-mi, dumplings and wings.

Nada

600 Walnut St., Downtown
Featuring a menu of modern Mexican food and a stellar location near the Aronoff, Nada serves as the perfect spot for dinner on a hectic Monday. The menu features plenty of tasty tacos, antojitos (or appetizers), enchiladas and fajitas. Nada’s patio is also a big attraction when nice weather beckons.

Nicola’s

1420 Sycamore St., Pendleton
Over-the-Rhine's Nicola's has been a mainstay for high-end, authentic Italian cuisine for the past two decades that you can get any day of the week except Sunday. A celeb-spotting treasure, Nicola’s renown is undeniable. One of Cincinnati’s top, Zagat-rated restaurants, its menu of housemade pasta, gnocchi and creamy risotto are among some of the thoughtfully conceived dishes transporting patrons to the heart of Italy. Monday nights are Bolo Night, with a special on their tagliatelle alla bolognese and a house salad. The house bread basket will add $12 to the tab, but the quality and variety of bread is well worth the charge.

Lalo Chino Latino Kitchen

26 W. Court St., Downtown
Lalo refers to itself as “Chino Latino” cuisine because Asia has a lot of Spanish and Latin influence. The menu is divided into tacos, burritos, Cubano bahn-mi, noodles, specialty plates, soups and salads, with dishes like ceviche, mofongo and bibimbap.

Agave & Rye

Multiple locations
Diners flock to the restaurant to enjoy its vibrant murals and funky decor while chowing down on unique tacos, with proteins including kangaroo, duck, crab cakes, butter-poached lobster, crispy cauliflower, fries and crispy chicken — in addition to more familiar bases like steak, pork carnitas and mahi mahi. You can also wash away the Monday blues with one (or several) of their delicious craft margaritas.