The 27 Hottest New Restaurants in Greater Cincinnati

Rusk Kitchen + Bar

2724 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills
Just opened in April, 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. Brunch is served from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with classics like eggs benedicts, pancakes and a breakfast burger on the menu.

Baru

595 Race St., Downtown
This elevated sushi and cocktail concept places most of its focus on its atmosphere and unique menu, all centered around its bar, which has been strategically placed to be the focal point of the restaurant. The idea behind Baru is stay-and-drink sushi, inspired by izakaya, which are beloved Japanese establishments where guests can stay, drink and unwind long into the night. Its menu is sophisticated but approachable, with fresh fish flown in daily, American and Japanese wagyu and shareable items. It also offers omakase meals, where guests leave dining decisions up to the chef.

Chacabanas Cuban Sandwiches

1809 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
If you love Cuban sandwiches, you need to try one of the newest eateries in town, Chacabanas (named after the shirt style popular in Cuba and the Dominican Republic). This sandwich shop specializes in authentic Cubanos with three options: the classic El Cubano (roast pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on toasted Cuban bread); the Ybor City Cubano, made with roasted pork shoulder and featuring the addition of Genoa salami; or the Croqueta Preparada – their Cuban topped with their croquettes. Chacabanas also offers antojitos, or snacks, like yuca fries, empanadas and their croquetas.

Daylily Deli

3751 Eastern Ave., Columbia Tusculum
Chef Jose Salazar and Deeper Roots Coffee's New York-style bodega Daylily Deli opened last summer. The menu features everything from the New York staple egg on a roll with American cheese, a chopped cheese sandwich (with ground beef, cheese, banana peppers, sauteed onion, lettuce, tomato and special sauce on a hoagie) and even an egg cream coffee soda. Deeper Roots offers its full coffee menu — but not in the infamous blue-and-white Greek coffee cup. That New York favorite has been swapped out for a compostable version. There are also two wine taps and two beer taps, with a selection of alcohol for carry-out.

Primo Italian Steakhouse

6 S. Broad St., Middletown
Anchoring the prominent corner of Walnut and Sixth streets Downtown, Prime Cincinnati has become a mainstay restaurant on a block known for some of the best restaurants in the city. Prime now has a sister restaurant in downtown Middletown. With a solid foundation to build on, Prime's owners have partnered to open another upscale steakhouse with its own identity. Prime goes Italian with the new concept, Primo. The menu features a heavy focus on pasta dishes, like the Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese (featuring pork, beef, tomato, ragu and Parmigiano Vacche Rosse) and Ravioli Burro e Salvia (made with butternut squash, ricotta, butter and sage, but also leans into its identity as a steakhouse with a variety of bistecca options.

The Filson

25 E. Freedom Way, The Banks
This elevated sports bar opened last September and 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.

Milkman

1106 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Milkman, which opened in the former Revolutionary Rotisserie space last summer, serves up nostalgic vibes along with its unique take on diner food with smash burgers; fried chicken sandwiches that range from the classic (topped with dill pickles) to Thai (topped with spicy cucumber slaw and sweet chili sauce); and “not a burger” options like hot dogs, salads and Italian beef sandwiches. There are also options for non-meat eaters, including tofu nugs plus the meat for any of the chicken sandwiches can be switched out for fried tofu. You also can’t leave without trying one of their boozy milkshakes.

Chimaek (NOW CLOSED)

405 Scott St., Covington
Covington’s developing dining scene can tally up another win with the addition of Chimaek, which opened this past November. The new pub serves succulent fried chicken wings and tenders, crispy vegetable tempura, an array of tangy and savory Korean side dishes and, to round out the experience, plenty of beer and cocktails. Owned by the same family that runs Riverside Korean Restaurant just around the block, Chimaek’s name is a combination of shortened words: “chi” for chicken, while “maek” is short for maekju, the Korean word for beer.

Five Iron Golf

80 W. Fifth St., Downtown
National indoor golf and entertainment company Five Iron Golf recently opened at Fountain Square. The 13,000-square-foot facility has 13 golf simulators, as well as other leisure games and a full bar and restaurant. On the menu, you’ll find classic apps like spinach and artichoke dip, chips and guac and boneless wings, as well as flatbread-style pizzas, sandwiches, sliders and wraps. To drink, try a cocktail like their Aperol spritz, Rain Delay, or choose from a selection of their wines, beers, ciders and hard seltzers.

Conserva

225 Elm St., Ludlow
Tapas restaurant Conserva may be one of Northern Kentucky’s best hidden gems. Owner and head chef Challis Hodge studied Spanish tapa cuisine to recreate an authentic experience with a medley of options. One popular dish on the menu is a Spanish national favorite, Tortilla Española, made using potatoes, egg, olive oil and salt. Another Spanish classic on the menu is the patatas a la riojana, or chorizo potato stew, seasoned with onions, paprika and garlic. And if you’re a fan of dips, the gambas al ajillo, or Spanish garlic shrimp, is made using sherry and guindilla pepper and served with dippable crostini. The menu also features vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Five on Vine

1324 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
The newest venture from Crown Restaurant Group officially opened its doors in January. At its core, Five on Vine’s menu is meant to represent CRG’s perspective on how American food traditions have evolved. It includes savory shareables like oysters and OTR Wellingtons (local sausage and mushrooms wrapped in puff pastry and served with whole grain mustard); handmade pasta, including a rotating, seasonal risotto and the Squid Ink Tagliatelle with lobster tail and a spicy lobster cream; and traditional entrees with a twist, like the Roasted Amish Chicken with kale panzanella and apricot jus or Gracie’s Meatloaf, which is made with prime beef, raisins, pine nuts and served with a roasted tomato sauce. It also has a beverage program that highlights its selection of reserve cocktails made from premier spirits and a crafted collection of martinis.

6 ‘N’ The Mornin’

7714 Montgomery Road, Unit H, Kenwood
You can get your day started right with breakfast or brunch at 6 ‘N the Mornin’. Dishes are inspired by classic Southern favorites with a twist, and their menu names feature cities from across that region, like the New Orleans Shrimp ‘N Grits or the Nashville Kickin’ Chicken with waffles (which can also come as red velvet). Add a glass of Rise ‘N Reach Peach Juice to complete the most important meal of the day.

Livery

9320 Montgomery Road, Montgomery
This new tapas spot features a menu of empanadas, ensaladas, ceviche, tacos, tortas and other Central and South American dishes made with the freshest ingredients. For dessert, guests can try housemade churros, flan and tres leches. It also has a fully stocked bar with an expansive tequila and cocktail list, top-shelf spirits, wine and beer, as well as specialty margaritas. And when the weather’s nice, you can enjoy your meal on their outdoor patio.

Shiners on the Levee

1 Levee Way, Newport
Get your yee-haw on at one of Newport on the Levee’s newest restaurants. Alongside its menu of smokehouse barbecue and moonshine cocktails, Shiners on the Levee features karaoke, line dancing and live country music. And not only do they offer classic barbecue like pulled pork, brisket and smoked chicken, Shiners also veers into Southern comfort food territory – with offerings like catfish, pork chops and a side of cornbread – as well as dabbling in their take on Tex-Mex with their black bean hummus app, Esquites Poblano (roasted corn tossed in a lime cilantro aioli, cotija cheese and pickled radishes and served in a slightly roasted poblano pepper) salad and elote (Mexican street corn) as a side.

Y’all Cafe

50 E. Rivercenter Blvd., Covington
Casual breakfast and lunch spot Y’all Cafe opened in the RiverCenter complex last October. The eatery features everything from omelets and avocado toast to burgers, salads and sandwiches, plus a selection of boozy beverages like local beer, bloody marys, mimosas and cocktails. Signature dishes include the Y’all Super Quiche, with shallots, bacon and gruyére cheese; a goetta omelet with white cheddar; and the River Side Hot Brown, with smoked turkey, hickory-smoked bacon, tomato and housemade cheese sauce on sourdough bread. There are also more veggie-forward items, like Thai lettuce wraps and housemade soups.

Rosie’s Italian

300 E. Seventh St., Downtown
In September, Crown Restaurant Group reopened one of its downtown eateries after the former Rosie's Cocktails & Pies temporarily closed. After a refresh, the restaurant reopened as Rosie’s Italian with a new menu aimed at making guests feel like they’re at an Italian Sunday supper. Chef and owner Anthony Sitek’s menu is reminiscent of what he loved about growing up on the East Coast. The items focus on family recipes and traditions with Italian-style main dishes, New Jersey-style pizzas, scratch-made pasta and cocktails encapsulating his Italian heritage, like Negronis or the Genoa.

The Well/Grub Local

8 W. Seventh St., Covington
Described as equal parts cool and casual, The Well provides a laidback and cozy lounge, as well as a large patio, with plenty of seating throughout and large-screen TVs, making it a great game-day destination. It’s restaurant arm, Grub Local, is helmed by chef Mitch Arens, the former executive chef at Hotel Covington. The menu offers a tasty spin on classic American cocktails and drinks, like the Chicago-ish Dog, Poboy or “Nashville Hot” Skewers. Arens says Grub Local is also all about revamping hometown favorites, like their Jumbo Coney. Their drink list includes $11 specialty drinks, wines, some draft beers and a variety of canned beers and seltzers.

Luca Bistro

934 Hatch St., Mt. Adams
Simple and French cuisine make up the unlikely duo at Luca Bistro. The menu is filled with cozy, flavorful and laid-back dishes that Chef Frédéric Maniet says are common in French foods. Breakfast offers familiar favorites like cheese, meat and vegetable omelets along with eggs benedict and pain au chocolat. For lunch, the menu changes to include salads and sandwiches, like a classic Niçoise salad topped with tuna steak and Dijon dressing and a mouthwatering croque monsieur layered with delicious gruyère and béchamel cheeses. The dinner menu is similar to lunch, with a few more options, including starters like a charcuterie board filled with French cheeses and tasty meats and basil Boursin crostinis piled high with irresistible Boursin cheese spread. And then there are the sides, with frites, ratatouille and cauliflower gratin waiting to complement the main dish, plus decadent dessert options such as chocolate mousse and orange crème brûlée. Diners also can order an assortment of French table wines, along with beers and cocktails.

W Bar + Bistro

3447 Epworth Ave., Westwood
Quickly becoming a West Side favorite, W Bar + Bistro opened in the former Henke Winery space earlier this year. Billing itself as a casual, all-day restaurant, W Bar + Bistro’s food excels beyond casual. With a menu driven by Ivory House’s executive chef, everything – from the Korean fried chicken sandwich to the Bistro Poutine to the tomato bisque – is packed with flavor. The restaurant also offers brunch on the weekends, with offerings like the classic biscuits and gravy, the hearty W Brunch Platter (eggs, potatoes, toast and your choice of breakfast meat) and a selection of mimosas and Bloody Marys.

Flavors of the Isle

1807 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
This Jamaican soul food restaurant and bar is owned by Detroit-native-turned-long-time Cincinnati resident Ebony Williams. Specializing in its famous Jamaican jerk chicken, Flavors of the Isle got its start as a member of the Outdoor Market and Findlay Kitchen, a nonprofit supporting local food entrepreneurs, and was started as a way to address the shortage of ethnic eateries in Cincinnati, says Williams.