As we prepare to close the chapter on 2024, CityBeat is taking a look back at all the new restaurants and bars that emerged on Greater Cincinnati’s culinary scene this year. From brand new breweries with a range of beer options and modern Italian eateries to bars where you can challenge your friend to a board game or mini golf and vegan restaurants filling in the local dining gaps, here is just a sampling of the new restaurants that have recently opened.

For even more restaurants that opened in Greater Cincinnati in 2024, browse our slideshow of the first half of the year’s restaurant and bar openings here.

Carmelo’s 434 Madison Ave., Covington Carmelo’s, a new Italian restaurant helmed by Billy Grise and Chef Mitche Arens — two Greater Cincinnati dining and hospitality veterans — opened in Covington this fall. The restaurant is named after Grise’s grandfather, who inspired his love for the restaurant business. The space is inviting and modern, yet rustic — a reflection of Nono Carmelo’s warm and jovial spirit, says the team. On the menu, diners can expect quintessential Italian American dishes, including some selections that will “push their palates,” with regional staples from Italy. Menu highlights include the mozzarella, hand-pulled to order with grilled focaccia and olive oil, and the 101-layer lasagna, which is a whole pound of lasagna, pan-seared until the edges are crispy and served with red gravy and parmesan. As for the beverage program, Carmelo’s features classic cocktails with a spin, as well as an all-Italian wine list that highlights Italian varietals. Photo: Hatsue/Provided by PB&J
Mellotone Beer Project 1429 Race St., Over-the-Rhine Mellotone Beer Project is brand new to Over-the-Rhine, but it was already highly anticipated after a sneak peek it held for the community during BLINK. The brewpub just opened in November in the former Taft’s Ale House space — a beautiful former church — where it offers three experiences: its restaurant on the main floor, as well as a basement bar, Undertone, that will host live music and an indoor beer garden on the top level. Mellotone has a scratch kitchen, with Brendan Martin, formerly of Boca Restaurant Group, at the helm, and a menu focusing on modern American fare that pairs well with their fresh, uncomplicated beer selection. Photo: Provided by 3CDC
Spear Ridge Cafe 7301 Industrial Road, Florence One Holland Restaurant Group (Barleycorn’s, Roney’s, Greyhound Tavern) opened its newest concept, Spear Ridge Cafe, in Florence this past summer. The restaurant was designed to resemble a horse barn, with stylish rustic-yet-modern touches throughout. The menu features Southern-style favorites like the Catfish Po’Boy and the Country Ham and Pimento Sandwich, as well as soups, salads and smashburgers. Sit in the cozy barn-inspired dining room, decked out in wood paneling and autumnal colors, or, when the weather is nice, enjoy your meal on Spear Ridge’s porch. Photo: facebook.com/Spear Ridge
Tulum Restaurant and Bar 225 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue Recently opened in the former Nomad space in Bellevue, Tulum Restaurant and Bar serves up authentic Mexican street eats, like tacos, burritos and a special birria ramen. The drink menu includes a selection of margaritas, including a spicy option, as well as an espresso martini, an old fashioned, wine and a sharable fishbowl-style drink called the El Cenote. Photo: instagram.com/@tulum_ky
Bramble Bubbly 6758 Bramble Ave., Madisonville If you’re looking for a unique bubble tea experience, head to Bramble Bubbly, an adorable shop owned and operated by The Cheesecakery’s Liz Field. The shop is bright, pink and fun and offers a menu of bubble teas with the same aesthetic. You can select from the colorful Signature Drinks, which includes offerings like Matcha Melon (matcha creamie with watermelon syrup and strawberry popping balls) and the Taro Twirl (taro creamie with an ube swirl and brown sugar tapioca balls). Each month also features a selection of seasonal drinks, or you can make your own tea, with thousands of combinations possible between Bramble Bubbly’s varieties of teas, creamies and toppings. Bramble Bubbly also sources all of its high-quality ingredients from Taiwan for the most authentic experience. Photo: facebook.com/Bramble Bubbly
Sudova 22 W. Court St., Downtown Opened on Court Street this past August, Sudova is the newest concept from Sarah Dworak (Babushka’s Pierogies). This Eastern European kitchen features a warm and convivial Old-World-style aesthetic, where traditional dishes, timeless European style and modern tastes blend together. Outside is a gated courtyard for al fresco dining, while the dining room features custom millwork, framed Ukrainian tapestries, stained glass windows from Wooden Nickel Antiques and locally salvaged Eastern European sconces. But the highlight of the dining room is a family heirloom — a well-worn and well-loved dining table that was once in Dworak’s grandmother’s home. On the menu, diners can enjoy modern takes on classic Eastern European dishes, including pelmeni (a type of dumpling) with salt cod and potato brandade and topped with caviar beurre blanc; hand-formed rye varenyky — another type of dumpling — stuffed with potato, sauerkraut, caramelized onions and dill sour cream; Ukrainian specialty green borsch, made with chicken, sorrel and a soft boiled egg; and ice cream made with sea buckthorn berries. Photo: instagram.com/@sudovaoncourt
Par 3 1 Levee Way, Newport Newport on the Levee scored a miniature golf and restaurant concept this past summer. Par 3 calls itself an innovative and modern approach to traditional mini golf that focuses on “competitive socializing” through interactive gameplay. The venue is open to guests of all ages and skill levels and offers three different nine-hole courses with unique designs and over-the-top themes. Each hole is designed to be challenging, but fun, and each one was created to even the playing field for all participants, so even the beginner could quickly become a pro. The space also has a full bar and indoor and outdoor dining areas with big-screen TVs, a gaming zone and a VIP section for private parties. The menu features high-end, sharable small plates like flatbreads, tacos and burgers, as well as specialty cocktails named after golfing terms, like “The Putterfly Effect,” which is made with El Jimador-infused butterfly pea flowers, hibiscus simple syrup, orange curaçao and lime and orange juice, and the “Hole in One,” Par 3’s take on an old fashioned. Photo: Nathan Zucker/Provided by Newport on the Levee
Free Parking 6200 Hamilton Ave., College Hill Go straight to Free Parking; do not pass “Go.” This board game and neighborhood bar where you can turn your friends into enemies over an intense game of Monopoly opened in College Hill this September. Free Parking says it aims to be a welcoming space where patrons can enjoy a wide variety of board games, along with drinks and bites, in a relaxed atmosphere. The menu features specialty cocktails named after Monopoly spaces along with a selection of pub-style food, including sharables like pretzels and beer cheese, wings and a brisket flatbread, as well as handhelds like burgers and chicken sandwiches. They also offer a weekend brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with offerings like breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, platters and more. Photo: facebook.com/FreeParkingBar
Something to Wine About 136 W. Fourth St., Downtown There’s no need to whine; there’s plenty of wine to go around at Something to Wine About. This new self-service wine bar in downtown Cincinnati celebrated its grand opening this December. Located in a nearly 3,600-square-foot space in 3CDC’s 4th & Race development, this establishment features self-pour machines along with a full-service bar. To use the machines, all you have to do is get a card at the bar, load money onto it and you’re ready to imbibe. Owner Orlando “Lando” Chapman Sr. says Something to Wine About will also highlight African American and other minority-owned winemakers and host events like a book club and live performances. You can also sign up for the Wine-O membership for extra perks. Photo: Provided by 3CDC
Sweets & Meats BBQ 3440 Burnet Ave., Avondale After closing their Mt. Washington eatery a few years ago, Sweets & Meats BBQ is back in the brick-and-mortar business. The BBQ joint opened a dine-in space in the Cincinnati Herald building in Avondale this September. The new dine-in restaurant offers the same menu items that made Sweets & Meats popular, including their award-winning smoked ribs, rib tips, brisket, chicken wings, pulled pork and pulled chicken, as well as a variety of homemade sides like mac and cheese, collard greens and sweet cornbread. It also has desserts like banana pudding and strawberry crunch cake. Photo: Provided by Sweets & Meats BBQ
Harry & Shan Asian Cuisine 627 Main St., Downtown Harry & Shan Asian Cuisine opened in the former Deme Kitchen space in early November. The restaurant offers classic Chinese takeout items like sweet and sour chicken, General Tso’s chicken, Moo Goo Gai Pan and more, as well as other Asian dishes like Pad Thai. You can also get protein or vegetables made in traditional Mongolian, Szechuan, Hunan and Kung Pao styles or dim sum, a traditional Chinese meal of small plates. Photo: facebook.com/Harry & Shan Asian Cuisine
Juniper Seed 1809 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine A new addition to Findlay Market, Juniper Seed offers accessible, nourishing and delicious plant-based food that helps address the gaps in local vegan dining. Juniper Seed started in 2022 as a fully vegan meal prep delivery service (which is still operating), before owner and founder Alecia Petroze took it through the Findlay Launch Storefront Accelerator program. It opened in a brick-and-mortar space this September, with a fully vegan menu — and any dish that is not inherently gluten-free has a gluten-free option. The offerings at Juniper Seed include breakfast options, such as Belgian waffles; vegan goetta; breakfast burritos with tofu scramble and Impossible sausage; grab-and-go options such as a kale Caesar salad and vegan cheesecake; and staple side dishes like buttered toast, fresh fruit and party potatoes. The party potatoes, Petroze’s favorite menu option, are a riff on her aunt’s recipe for funeral potatoes, a cheesy potato casserole well-known in Utah and the Midwest. Photo: Provided by Findlay Market
Highball Cincy 1834 Race St., Over-the-Rhine Gorilla Cinema closed its Cosmic Gorilla comic book shop and bar in July to pivot to what it says it does best: creating unforgettable experiences in bars and entertainment venues. The new concept, Highball Cincy, opened this fall. Highball features a menu focusing on highball cocktails and Spanish-inspired tapas. Music is also an important component of the bar, with a focus on vinyl and high-minded music always playing, and outside records welcome. Photo: highballcincy.com
Hearth Brewing 1195 Stone Drive, Harrison Harrison welcomed a new brewery to its midst this September. Hearth Brewing says it aims to provide a welcoming space for the community to gather and enjoy good food and beer. Children are also welcome, as are dogs in the outdoor former greenhouse space. Inside, you’ll find a large stone fireplace that’s perfect for spending time around during the cozy season. As for its beer, Hearth brews an assortment, ranging from lagers, pilsners and IPAs to stouts and porters, to appeal to all palates. And if you’re hungry, try one of Hearth’s stone-fired pizzas. Photo: facebook.com/hearthbrewing
Pastizza 6927 Miami Ave., Madeira Nothing goes together quite like pasta and pizza, which makes new pizzeria Pastizza a new hidden gem. The restaurant opened in downtown Madeira this October with a menu full of carby goodness. Take your pick between New York-style pizza and classic Italian-style pasta dishes. Specialty pizzas range from a classic Bruschetta and Meat Lovers to the Old-Fashioned, which is described as having “Old-Fashioned Sauce — a perfect blend of tradition and mystery.” Pasta dishes include red-sauce classics like manicotti, lasagna and ravioli, as well as a couple trio dishes that allow you to try a variety. Pastizza says it prides itself on using only the finest ingredients and crafting each pizza and pasta dish with care. The tomato sauce is made fresh daily from Italian tomatoes, and, for their pizzas, they use a 70-year-old baker’s oven that creates a nice char on the crust while keeping the inside soft and flavorful. Photo: facebook.com/Pastizza – Pizza & Pasta
MexCantina 2653 Erie Ave., Hyde Park Following the closure of Mesa Loca, high-end, modern Mexican restaurant MexCantina moved into its space in Hyde Park Square. The restaurant opened this August with a menu of fare inspired by Jalisco, Mexico, and the menu includes classic dishes like tacos, fajitas, tortas and a selection of margaritas. A favorite among diners is the Quesadbirria taco — a birria taco with beef broth for dipping and topped with cilantro, mozzarella, onions and tomatillo sauce. Photo: Provided by MexCantina
Biscuit Love 1602 Pleasant St., Over-the-Rhine Another new addition to the OTR neighborhood, Biscuit Love is a breakfast and brunch concept that originally hails from Nashville, but OTR’s location is the chain’s first in Ohio and the first outside the Southeast region. The menu offers both breakfast and lunch favorites with a twist centered around its biscuits. Fan favorites include the “Bonuts” (fried biscuit dough tossed in sugar, topped with lemon mascarpone and served with blueberry compote); the “East Nasty” (a buttermilk biscuit topped with a fried boneless chicken thigh, aged cheddar and sausage gravy); the “B-Roll” (a biscuit cinnamon roll topped with a pecan sticky bun sauce and cream cheese icing); and the “Princess” (a buttermilk biscuit topped with a Nashville-style spicy boneless “hot chicken” thigh, pickles, mustard and honey). The menu also features a “Without a Biscuit” section, kids’ items, a full espresso and looseleaf tea program and brunch cocktails. Photo: Provided by Biscuit Love

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she...