The Hottest New Restaurants and Bars in Greater Cincinnati

Razzo

1201 Broadway St., Over-the-Rhine
Pendleton welcomed a new pizza and natural wine bar in the former Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey space this October. Razzo, which means “rocket” in Italian, is owned by Michael Guilfoil and Christy Wulfson, the team behind Bar Saeso and the Airbnb The Carriage House. Wulfson and Guilfoil created a cozy, neon-lit space with a bar, dining room and patio. The Italian menu, featuring Roman-inspired pizzas (a pan-baked version known for its rectangular slices and interesting toppings) and natural wines by the glass, plays into the Italianate architecture around Pendleton and the neighborhood’s European feel, as well as the team’s personal love of Rome. You’ll also find various pasta dishes on the menu and gelato for dessert.

Atwood Oyster House

1220 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Atwood Oyster House opened in November in the former PearlStar location. Featuring a menu focused on oysters and seasonal seafood, Atwood is helmed by executive chef Seth Ridgill, who most recently worked under chef Hideki Harada at Kiki College Hill, and pastry chef Kayla Hunley, formerly of Pleasantry. Ridgill’s menu is playful but elegant, characterized by a Southern accent and rooted in French technique. Hunley, meanwhile, is behind the restaurant’s full dessert menu and also collaborates with Ridgill to introduce creative concepts to the savory side of the menu. Atwood also has a full bar, which serves a diverse menu of classic and creative house cocktails. The wine list features 16 wines by the glass and 80 bottles, all of which were selected to complement the restaurant’s seafood and vegetarian dishes.

Second Story

100 W. Sixth St., #2, Covington
Covington’s Second Story bar, the latest vision from Lost Co., is an artistic, Southern Gothic oasis for every sort of reveler. Like its sister bars Somerset and Alice in Over-the-Rhine, Second Story leans into Lost Co.’s fanciful designs and concepts. The bar’s main space is a large room with stylish and comfortable seating, dazzling chandeliers and hand-painted murals, complemented by large windows. It also brings some garden vibes indoors, featuring a giant artist-created tree “growing” behind the bar that houses bottles of spirits. Second Story also treats its cocktail menu like a conduit between the bar's three pillars — conversation, art and music — to make all three work together. On the menu, patrons will find cocktails with a variety of bases, not leaning on any one spirit too much. Drinks are made with housemade syrups and housemade tonic and feature amari, which are herbal liqueurs that typically come from Italy and France. There’s even a housemade version of “Fireball” cinnamon whiskey. And like the views through the windows in the main space, the cocktail menu will change seasonally, offering guests fresh experiences with multiple visits.

Golden State Tacos

704 Wooster Pike, Terrace Park
Think fresh and juicy produce, laid-back vibes, “sensational” margaritas — and octopus. That’s just a dash of what you’ll find at Golden State Tacos, a new Terrace Park restaurant that’s serving California-Mexican cuisine in an inviting, neighborhood atmosphere. Co-owner Daniel Wright says Golden State Tacos is a casual, family-friendly restaurant with a “fun and bright” menu that doesn’t take itself too seriously. That fun and bright menu features various takes on Southern California staples like fish tacos, fresh and crunchy salads, hand-squeezed juice, esquites (street corn), nachos and carne asada. And while the adult menu will satisfy parents, Golden State Tacos also offers a kids’ menu for the little ones, and the retro Spartanette camper on the patio will soon offer s’more kits for kids (and perhaps nostalgic adults as well).

Alive & Well

3410 Telford St., Clifton
Spirit-forward cocktail bar Alive & Well opened in Clifton’s Gaslight District in August. Owner Andrew Salzbrun says the bar provides an “out of the norm” Ludlow experience, blending the grandeur of the building’s historic Art Deco façade with a punk-rock ambiance. The drink menu features a curated selection of top-quality spirits, as well as cocktails and wines. Salzbrun says the bar is also partnering with other neighborhood establishments, like Two Seven Two Bakery, Graeter's, Silverglades and Al's Delicious Popcorn to offer a snack 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.

The Red Leprechaun

20 West Freedom Way, The Banks
Ireland came to The Banks this fall with the opening of The Red Leprechaun. The concept is led by the Fishbowl at The Banks team, and owner Daniel Scott partnered with chef Brian Duffy from the Spike TV series Bar Rescue to create the menu. Scott describes the spot as a traditional Irish pub with a modern flair, from their menu to the live music. The menu is a mix of Irish fare — think fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and a traditional Irish breakfast complete with bangers and black and white pudding to help soak up all the Guinness from the night before — and American (and Cincy-style) dishes like chili cheese fries and burgers. But unique to The Red Leprechaun is the vintage bar, complete with stained glass and imported from Malahide, Ireland. It was built in 1957 and stood for 62 years until 2019 and was refinished for the pub’s opening.

Opal Rooftop Restaurant & Bar

535 Madison Ave., Covington
A new place to take in the views of Greater Cincinnati while enjoying a delicious meal and fine wine opened in Covington this fall. Opal Rooftop Restaurant & Bar is the newest concept from husband-wife duo Bill and Morgan Whitlow, who want the restaurant to offer a luxurious, yet accessible, experience. At the center of that experience is the restaurant’s Grillworks wood-fired grill, the only one of its kind in a two-hour radius. This unique grill drives Opal’s open-fire grill and wine-forward menu, which features dishes made from fresh, local fare and products, and the craft cocktail menu and wine selection have been curated to complement the dishes. And to complement the beautiful view outside, the restaurant’s interior design was specially curated by the Whitlows, who even hand-made some of the light fixtures. Morgan said guests will notice the very intentional details throughout the space that will change as they move through the restaurant, much like the way an opal or other gemstone shifts light and color.

Al-Posto Italian Ristorante

2710 Erie Ave., Hyde Park
The home of Teller’s of Hyde Park for 25 years reopened this spring as “Italian-inspired” Al-Posto, an Italian phrase that translates to “at the spot.” The approachable Italian menu features a variety of classic pasta dishes like cacio e pepe, spaghetti and meatballs and orecchiette, as well as dishes like branzino, a filet and a gourmet cheeseburger. The compact list of wines available by the glass, according to the menu, is “hand selected by wine director & sommelier, Austin Heidt.” The selection of just 14 choices — two-thirds from Italy — features an organic pinot grigio from Veneto as the house white, a luscious falanghina from Campania and a smooth Super Tuscan from the Camigliano winery south of Florence, Italy.

Parkside

2637 Erie Ave., Hyde Park
If you’re a fan of Delwood in Mt. Lookout, you’ll also love its sister restaurant, Parkside in nearby Hyde Park. Delwood's fan-favorite classic double cheeseburger is on both menus, and the overall decor and mood, which can be described as a modern and welcoming vibe where you'll often run into a neighbor or two, are also similar. But Parkside also stands on its own legs, with a menu consisting of dishes you won't see at Delwood, like its housemade pimento cheese served as a dip or atop a cheeseburger. And while it’s not a Peruvian restaurant, you’ll see some influences, like in the empanadas and yuca fries.

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); homemade pastas; and traditional entrees with a twist, like the Roasted Amish Chicken with kale panzanella and apricot jus. It also has a beverage program that highlights its selection of reserve cocktails made from premier spirits and a crafted collection of martinis.

VV The Italian Experience

1026 Delta Ave., Mt. Lookout
New café and shop VV The Italian Experience opened in April on Mt. Lookout Square, promising to dish up an authentic Italian experience in the Queen City. Owners Melissa and Andrea De Giorgi wanted to recreate an Italian la cafeteria, a place for family and friends to spend time together, relax for breakfast and lunch and enjoy aperitivo, or happy hour with delicious bites. The space is simple yet elegant and combines both vintage and modern Italian styles in a seamless and welcoming manner. When you first walk in, you're greeted with a display of Italian pastries you can grab for breakfast or as a mid-day pick-me-up, all made in-house. VV also features a full-service coffee bar, with drinks made from coffee beans imported from Lecce, the owners’ hometown. For lunch, the menu offers fresh-made paninis, fresh salads and soups and pasta. And the aperitivo menu rounds out the food choices. Some of these tasty bites include trays with Italian cured and uncured meats, cheeses, vegetables and spreads that can be enjoyed with Italian cocktails, like a negroni, Paloma or the house-crafted VV cocktail made with rum, apple liquor, simple syrup and lime juice.

Solstice

1544 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills
Tropical-themed Solstice opened in East Walnut Hills in late June. The folks behind Solstice are familiar with the neighborhood, given that their charming cocktail bar, Anjou, is a stone’s throw away, on Woodburn Avenue. In contrast to most taco-centric eateries, the cocktail menu doesn’t lean heavily on margaritas or other tequila drinks. That’s in part because it’s not a Mexican restaurant; instead, the focus is more generally on the tropical parts of our planet. Thus, drinks, as well as food, borrow from flavors developed near the equator, including Africa, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. The food section of this menu is fairly simple, divided into “Sharables” and “Tacos.”

The Flock

927 Race St., Downtown
A new, laidback LGBTQ+ ultra-lounge hatched in downtown Cincinnati this summer. Following Ignite Entertainment moving its popular LGBTQ+ bar, The Birdcage, to a bigger location, the company turned the space into The Flock. Owner Juan Imeroni says he wanted The Flock to marry the vibe of The Birdcage to the intimacy of a lounge. Plush seating, backlit tables, lounge spaces and a lowered ceiling along the bar were added, along with aviary-themed decor and accents. At The Flock, guests can imbibe in a polished craft cocktail menu that spotlight classic drinks with modern twists. And entertainment is slated for every weekend, featuring local performers, burlesque shows, karaoke and more. Plus, patrons can get free and safe rides between The Flock to any of Ignite’s other venues in downtown and Northern Kentucky.

Onolicious Hawaii

1005 Walnut St., Downtown
Hawaiian barbecue joint Onolicious Hawaii, which got its start as a stall in the Oakley Food Hall, officially graduated to a new brick-and-mortar restaurant in May. Onolicious’ menu features tropical fare made with locally sourced ingredients. Patrons can expect a variety of classic Hawaiian dishes, as well as other island-style offerings like coconut French toast and matcha mochi chicken & waffles — a weekend brunch staple.

The Park Diner

4160 Hamilton Ave., Northside
They say good things come to those who wait, which holds true for the newly opened The Park Diner in Northside. After six years of hard work, the husband and wife team of Kevin Pogo Curtis and Allee Thompson finally were able to welcome customers this spring. The menu offers a mix of diner favorites, such as Angus chuck burgers, shoestring French fries, creamy mac and cheese and a beer-braised pork loin cheesesteak. Additionally, you'll find unique variations of classic dishes, like the Korean-style Lindsey's potato salad.

The Rooftop at 21c (Closed for the season)

609 Walnut St., Downtown
After a rebrand of its rooftop bar, 21c Museum Hotel opened The Rooftop at the 21c this past spring, offering guests a relaxing place to lounge while they enjoy a cocktail, some snacks and an incredible view of downtown Cincinnati. New chef Zachary Barnes’ menu has transformed the bar into a coastal-inspired oasis with Peruvian-style fare. The new menu features tapas-style dishes with bright flavors, like the Amarillo Chicken Skewers, as well as seafood-forward items, like the Halibut Ceviche. 21c says each dish is meant to be shared alongside the coastal-inspired cocktails, with fresh takes on traditional summer sips like caipirinhas, palomas and margaritas. They also offer buckets of ice-cold beer to share, as well as non-alcoholic drinks.

LoVe on Fourth

138 W. Fourth St., Downtown
Downtown’s newest nightclub, LoVe on Fourth opened in early December under Cincinnati entrepreneur Rico Grant. The club offers cool, sultry vibes and an elevated clubbing experience that caters to young corporate professionals and creatives. LoVe on Fourth features bottle service, a DJ booth with state-of-the-art sound and lighting and eight VIP sections. There’s also a strict dress code, so check your fit before you try to hit the dance floor.

ACES Pickleball + Kitchen

2730 Maverick Drive, Norwood
This new, state-of-the-art pickleball complex features 11 cushion-based courts designed for all skill levels – both indoor and outdoor. After a fun game of pickleball with the family, head over to the full-service restaurant and bar, where the menu features dishes crafted with local and seasonal ingredients from regional farmers, artisans and producers. You can try elevated bar-fare appetizers like their Sweet Chili Pineapple Wings or loaded nachos topped with ground beef, queso, pickled jalapenos, cilantro, pico de gallo and crema. ACES also serves a range of sandwiches, bowls and salads and has a dedicated kids’ menu.

Level One Bar + Arcade

1331 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine
You can put your old-school video gaming skills to the test at Level One Bar + Arcade in Over-the-Rhine, with its catalog of classics like Donkey Kong, Q-Bert and Mortal Kombat and an impressive collection of pinball machines. (This house of nostalgia also has Nintendo 64 and Game Cube, the realization of which just made millennials everywhere collectively groan – or that could have just been all of our backs and joints giving out at once.) At the bar, there are two dozen local beers on tap along with game-themed cocktails. Food isn’t served at Level One, but guests can order takeout from local restaurants and vendors.