As we begin to tackle our goals for the new year, we’re also looking forward to the new restaurant and bar options coming to the Cincinnati area. Whether you’re looking for a place to try London-style public house fare or you’re on the hunt for a new boozy brunch — or maybe you want to drink beer in a park — 2025 is shaping up to be an interesting year for the local food and drinks scene.

MadTree’s Parks & Rec Cincinnati brewery MadTree is gearing up to open its third location in Blue Ash’s Summit Park this February. MadTree Parks & Rec will continue the brewery’s creative and sustainable traditions of taking an old space and repurposing it. In this case, the team converted a 15,000-square-foot airplane hangar into an outdoor recreation destination, tying into the park’s green space and offering things like cornhole, plenty of seating outside and walking trails. The taproom has indoor and outdoor areas; a private rental space; and cocktails, food and, of course, MadTree’s specially crafted beer because, in the words of the great Ron Swanson from the other Parks & Rec, “Clear alcohols are for rich women on diets.” Photo: facebook.com/madtreeparksandrec
Salazar Cincinnati chef Jose Salazar announced at the end of 2023 that he would be moving his eponymous restaurant, Salazar, in Over-the-Rhine to a bigger location. In its place, he opened Moroccan-inspired wine bar Safi in May. Shortly after opening Safi, the chef said Salazar would be moving into the ground floor of the former Saks Fifth Avenue building near Fountain Square, which is currently being renovated by 3CDC. Diners will notice plenty of similarities along with some changes in Salazar 2.0, says Salazar. The chef says he is continuing to focus on working with local farmers and artisans and crafting fresh pasta and other items in-house, but there will be more emphasis on seafood. The menu will be versatile — whether you want to come in for a special occasion or a quick bite. Rendering: Provided by 3CDC
Crown Restaurant Group owners Anthony and Haley Nutter-Sitek Photo: Crown Restaurant Group
Best Margarita No. 3: Mi Cozumel 11700 Princeton Pike, Springdale; 8565 Winton Road, Finneytown; 3100 Vandercar Way, Oakley Photo: facebook.com/Mi Cozumel #3 Oakley
E+O Kitchen (Loveland) As part of the first steps in a new strategic growth plan, Earth and Ocean Restaurant Group, which operates E+O Kitchen in Hyde Park and The Banks, announced its expansion to a third location at the end of 2024. The restaurant will open in the former Tahona space in Loveland (115 S. Karl Brown Way), with renovations currently underway. If you’re unfamiliar with the menu, it’s centered on wholesome and organic ingredients with a lot of Asian influences. Dishes include sushi, nigiri and sashimi, as well as Buddha bowls, salads and a blend of Asian- and American-inspired entrees, like the Miso Glazed Black Cod, which comes with roasted bok choy and orange-ginger dressing and the Sticky Burger, a Wagyu beef patty with barbecue sauce, peanut butter, fried onions and cheddar. Photo: facebook.com/eokitchenbanks
Dave’s Hot Chicken (Oakley and Florence) Best known for its chicken tenders and sliders that come in varying levels of heat from no spice at all to “Reaper,” Dave’s Hot Chicken is a rapidly growing fast-food chain that got its start in a Los Angeles parking lot. In September 2023, the popular Nashville hot chicken concept announced it would be expanding its franchise to the Greater Cincinnati area with seven locations. This past fall it was confirmed there were leases signed for two of those locations. One will be located at 3208 Vandercar Way in Oakley, while the other is setting up shop at 4960 Houston Road in Florence. It’s not known when either location will open at this time. Photo: facebook.com/Dave's Hot Chicken
King Corona West Chester Latin American restaurant King Corona announced its expansion to Hamilton’s Spooky Nook Champion Mill sports complex in 2023 with an original target date of opening this past summer, which has been pushed back. When it opens, King Corona will occupy over 14,500 square feet across two floors in Mill 1, with additional space for outdoor seating. King Corona’s menu features authentic Latin American dishes with a twist, with a focus on Mexican cuisine and mixology. It’s not known when it will open in Hamilton, but you can get a sneak peek at their West Chester location at 9421 Civic Centre Blvd. Photo: facebook.com/kclatinkitchen
Afterlife Afterlife, a neighborhood bar with a community focus, is expected to open in downtown Cincinnati this summer. Entrepreneur Tracy Liu, a former corporate accounting manager, signed a lease for a space at 44 E. Court St. in the Court Street Condos project to open the bar. Liu says after a decade-long corporate career, she wanted to pivot to her lifelong dream of opening a bar that would bring all kinds of people together to connect on a deeper level. Located in a cozy 873-square-foot space and also partly inspired by a hidden speakeasy from Liu’s childhood home, Afterlife will offer a warm and inviting atmosphere along with a creative cocktail menu that will feature specialty drinks with occasional Asian-inspired infusions. The bar will also host interactive events designed to spark conversation and promote meaningful connections, with hidden games and rewards for patrons to discover. And, to go along with the bar’s playful branding, the bar’s entrance is marked with the phrase, “Nothing to See Here,” along with a QR code that gives a sneak peek of what’s to come. Photo: instagram.com/@3cdc_official
No. 5 Best Brunch: Hang Over Easy 13 W. Charlton St., Corryville Photo: facebook.com/HangOverEasy

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...