As we look forward to goals for the new year, we’re also looking forward to the new dining options coming to the Cincinnati area. Whether you’re looking for a place to get authentic Hawaiian barbecue or maybe you want to experience elevated American cuisine — or maybe you want to hit the trifecta of beer, pizza and ice cream in one go — 2023 is shaping up to be a banner year for the local food scene.

Five on Vine 1324 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Crown Restaurant Group is moving a new restaurant into the former Mercer OTR space this winter. A release says Five on Vine will serve “elevated takes on classic, American cuisine.” The menu features dishes including Pigs in a Blanket, chicken pot pie, meatloaf, smoked ribs and some of the Italian influence the group is known for, including squid ink linguine and bucatini carbonara. The “elevated” part can be seen in the ingredients, like the Avril-Bleh sausage used in the Pigs in a Blanket or the pine nuts in the meatloaf. Photo: Crown Restaurant Group
Three-meat plate with rice and potato salad from Onolicious Hi Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Braxton Brewing Company, Graeter’s and Dewey’s collaboration US 42 and Braxton Drive, Union Braxton Brewing Company, Graeter’s Ice Cream and Dewey’s Pizza are combining forces for a new dining project in Union, Kentucky, creating a place for “beer lovers, foodies, families and everyone in between,” says a press release. The dining destination will also have a greenspace where they plan to have live music, events and other programming. The project is slated to open in late 2023. Photo: facebook.com/Braxton Brewing Company
Amador 1 Levee Way Nick Pesola of Revolution Rotisserie is bringing “part 1980s Miami vibe, part Havana nights” to his new Cuban/Latin American eatery on the river, Amador. The concept is based off of a Cuban “paladar,” which is “an independently-owned, local restaurant where the best food and drinks are often found.” Construction began in October, but no opening date has been set. Photo: Provided by Newport on the Levee
Bridges Nepali Cuisine Northside 4165 Hamilton Ave., Northside $20 for three-course meal First course: Rice Bowl Second course: (choose one): Steamed Momos or Pan Fried Momos Third course: Rice Porridge Photo via BridgesNepaliCuisine.com Photo: Kellie Coleman
Killer Queen is set to open this winter. Photo: Provided by Four Entertainment Group
Galley on the Levee 1 Levee Way, Newport A new dining experience is coming to Newport on the Levee in the summer of 2023, and it’ll give burgeoning restaurateurs and chefs the opportunity to get their concepts off the ground. Galley on the Levee will be 7,900 square feet and feature four restaurants and a bar, as well as a space outside for gathering. Its owner, Galley Group, says it anticipates incorporating American, Asian, Italian and Mexican flavors, but it wants to work with local chefs to determine which concepts will work best in Newport. The bar will serve local craft and domestic beers, as well as craft cocktails and select wines. Photo: Provided by North American Properties
Avril-Bleh sausage with collared greens and brisket chili Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Terrazza Trattoria and Paloma’s 3040 and 3042 Harrison Ave., Westwood A 1920s funeral home in Westwood will soon become something entirely different. The owners of Ivory House restaurant, Frank Eversole and Rick Pouliot — as EP Investments — are transforming the structure into two separate dining establishments. The building would be divided and renovated into Terrazza Trattoria, a “mid-priced Italian” restaurant, and Paloma’s, a Mexican bar and grill. The project is being called “Alfresco At Town Hall” and is slated to open in the spring of 2023, according to Terrazza’s and Paloma’s Facebook pages. Photo: westcurc.org
Roy Rogers Near 101 Cooper Ave., Cleves Western-themed fast-food chain Roy Rogers, named for the Cincinnati-born actor and cowboy, plans to open a Queen City location this 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’s also bringing its famed “Fixin’s bar” to the local restaurant, allowing customers to top their burgers with their choice of condiments and veggies. The new spot is set to open in Cleves next to the Skyline on Cooper Avenue. Photo: facebook.com/Roy Rogers
bb.q Chicken 150 W. Fourth St., Downtown bb.q, which stands for “best of the best quality,” was founded in Seoul, South Korea in 1995 and is now opening its first Ohio location here in Cincinnati. It serves Korean-style 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 ddeok-bokki, a Korean street food made of rice and fish cakes, as well as sides like french fries, pickled radish and fried dumplings. An opening date has not been announced. Photo: bbqchicken.com
Ford’s Garage – Florence 4911 Houston Road, Florence The Florence, Kentuck location of this Florida-based beer-and-burger chain, which is an official licensee of the Ford Motor Company, is said to be “Coming Soon” on the official website. Channeling a “1920s service station/prohibition bar” vibe, the menu focuses heavily on its black Angus beef burgers, but also carries veggie burgers, homemade meatloaf, chicken wings, onion rings and macaroni and cheese, as well as seafood, salads and chicken. This will be the chain’s second location in the Greater Cincinnati area. Photo: Provided by Ford's Garage
Cincinnati Pizza Week Nov. 7-13 Do you want to know the secret to happiness? Simply live your life like every day is a pizza party. Melted cheese atop crisp, fluffy crust? That’s always going to be a “Yes, please.” During Cincinnati Pizza Week, you can visit local participating pizzerias for a $9 specialty pie. There are so many slices to devour, they even made an app to help you keep track. We dare you to eat them all (CityBeat is not responsible for any upset tummies earned from “too much” pizza).Nov. 7-13. Multiple locations. Photo: facebook.com/Dewey's Pizza
Alara 5410 Medpace Way, Madisonville High-end restaurant Alara is set to come to Madisonville at some point in 2023. Its owner, Looking Glass Hospitality, describes it as “experiential” and “focusing on innovative menu items and warm hospitality,” saying the dining experience they’re aiming for was inspired by their travels. The 8,000-square-foot space will feature an open kitchen, dining room, bar, patio and conservatory, plus room for private parties. Photo: Provided by Looking Glass Hospitality