CityBeat has been in the business of curating the Best Of Cincinnati® for more than two decades, highlighting the city’s most outstanding selections in Eats, Arts & Culture, Shops & Services, Music & Nightlife, Sports & Recreation and City Life. And the responsibility of selecting these exceptional entities is divided between our readers and staff.

This year, readers logged on to the ballot site in droves to vote for their favorites in broad categories, including Best Brunch. Here are the winners.

10. Grand Finale 3 E. Sharon Road, Glendale This iconic Glendale eatery serves up tons of nostalgia — and nostalgic dishes — any time of day. Open for more than four decades, the people-pleasing menu is locally famous for both its homemade dessert options, which range from a creamy key lime pie in a hazelnut crust to bananas foster and delicious savory crepes. The menu also includes crab cakes, shrimp & grits, quiche and a 12-oz. roasted rack of lamb, served with a side of mango chutney. While Grande Finale is not currently offering their brunch buffet, they still offer a few brunch options like a variety of crepes and a daily quiche. Photo: facebook.com/grandfinalerestaurant
10. Grand Finale 3 E. Sharon Road, Glendale This iconic Glendale eatery serves up tons of nostalgia — and nostalgic dishes — any time of day. Open for more than four decades, the people-pleasing menu is locally famous for both its homemade dessert options, which range from a creamy key lime pie in a hazelnut crust to bananas foster and delicious savory crepes. The menu also includes crab cakes, shrimp & grits, quiche and a 12-oz. roasted rack of lamb, served with a side of mango chutney. While Grande Finale is not currently offering their brunch buffet, they still offer a few brunch options like a variety of crepes and a daily quiche. Photo: facebook.com/grandfinalerestaurant
9. Orchids at Palm Court 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown Nestled inside Carew Tower’s historic Art Deco Hilton hotel, Orchids hosts a breathtaking feast for the eyes — a perfect backdrop for the seasonally-attuned menu that takes advantage of seasonal produce and combines those ingredients with top-quality seafood and meat from a variety of sources. The AAA five-diamond menu features creative, fresh cuisine paired with an award-winning wine list and delicious desserts. Although Orchids at Palm Court is currently only focused on upscale dining in the evening, they do have a Mother’s Day brunch buffet event coming up on May 9. Brunch will include live music, specialty cocktails and an elaborate holiday buffet. Tickets for the event can be purchased here. Photo: facebook.com/orchidsatpalmcourt
9. Orchids at Palm Court 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown Nestled inside Carew Tower’s historic Art Deco Hilton hotel, Orchids hosts a breathtaking feast for the eyes — a perfect backdrop for the seasonally-attuned menu that takes advantage of seasonal produce and combines those ingredients with top-quality seafood and meat from a variety of sources. The AAA five-diamond menu features creative, fresh cuisine paired with an award-winning wine list and delicious desserts. Although Orchids at Palm Court is currently only focused on upscale dining in the evening, they do have a Mother’s Day brunch buffet event coming up on May 9. Brunch will include live music, specialty cocktails and an elaborate holiday buffet. Tickets for the event can be purchased here. Photo: facebook.com/orchidsatpalmcourt
8. Hang Over Easy 13 W. Charlton St., Corryville Hang Over Easy is in a perpetual state of brunch, offering breakfast and lunch options alongside a full bar every day of the week. Filling a breakfast void in Corryville, it now plays host to many young University of Cincinnati students experiencing their first ever hangover (they grow up so fast!). The menu doesn’t take any radical risks, plating up dependable diner fare found on most American breakfast and lunch tables. Bloody marys and mimosas are nothing fancy here, but are priced to fit collegiate budgets and expectations. Photo: facebook.com/hangovereasycincy
8. Hang Over Easy 13 W. Charlton St., Corryville Hang Over Easy is in a perpetual state of brunch, offering breakfast and lunch options alongside a full bar every day of the week. Filling a breakfast void in Corryville, it now plays host to many young University of Cincinnati students experiencing their first ever hangover (they grow up so fast!). The menu doesn’t take any radical risks, plating up dependable diner fare found on most American breakfast and lunch tables. Bloody marys and mimosas are nothing fancy here, but are priced to fit collegiate budgets and expectations. Photo: facebook.com/hangovereasycincy
7. Nation Kitchen & Bar 1200 Broadway St., Pendleton; 3435 Epworth Ave., Westwood Nation Kitchen & Bar, offering two Cincinnati locations, takes its name from axe-wielding Temperance warrior Carrie Nation and is known for its excellent burgers and bottomless weekend brunches. Come by and ask for an order of breakfast tater tots: tots loaded up with cheddar, sausage gravy and topped with a sunny-side-up egg. They also have an extensive selection of cocktails and craft beers. Try the Brunch Wrap Supreme. This pressed-tortilla dish is filled with smoked sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, pepper jack cheese, queso, tater tots and jalapeño relish. Photo: facebook.com/NationPendleton
7. Nation Kitchen & Bar 1200 Broadway St., Pendleton; 3435 Epworth Ave., Westwood Nation Kitchen & Bar, offering two Cincinnati locations, takes its name from axe-wielding Temperance warrior Carrie Nation and is known for its excellent burgers and bottomless weekend brunches. Come by and ask for an order of breakfast tater tots: tots loaded up with cheddar, sausage gravy and topped with a sunny-side-up egg. They also have an extensive selection of cocktails and craft beers. Try the Brunch Wrap Supreme. This pressed-tortilla dish is filled with smoked sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, pepper jack cheese, queso, tater tots and jalapeño relish. Photo: facebook.com/NationPendleton
6. The National Exemplar 6880 Wooster Pike, Mariemont National Exemplar is good any time of year but may be at its best in either spring or fall. With wood paneling and old-world vibes, the inside is cozy, like a Harry Potter movie marathon, making weekend mornings in fall a great time to visit this Tudor-style Mariemont mainstay. However, if you draw the lucky card and pick the right spring morning to visit, you get the patio experience of the season, with overhead sun, pretty trees and just enough foot traffic from the quiet neighborhood for quality people watching. With lots of egg dishes, pancake variations, and a variety of hashes, this brunch spot covers all the bases. Photo:
6. The National Exemplar 6880 Wooster Pike, Mariemont National Exemplar is good any time of year but may be at its best in either spring or fall. With wood paneling and old-world vibes, the inside is cozy, like a Harry Potter movie marathon, making weekend mornings in fall a great time to visit this Tudor-style Mariemont mainstay. However, if you draw the lucky card and pick the right spring morning to visit, you get the patio experience of the season, with overhead sun, pretty trees and just enough foot traffic from the quiet neighborhood for quality people watching. With lots of egg dishes, pancake variations, and a variety of hashes, this brunch spot covers all the bases. Photo: Photo:
5. Maplewood Kitchen and Bar 5065 Deerfield Blvd., Mason This local favorite brunch-centric eater, closed the doors of both of their locations last March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but have since reopened their Deerfield Township location. Enjoy a variety of delicious options such as avocado toast with chopped pistachios and honey, or an egg dish or two. But wait, there’s more. How about something with a little kick, such as Chicken Tinga (chipotle chicken provides the spice)? Or you can go lunch-like with a salad or sandwich. The cocktails include upscale versions of a bloody marys and mimosas. Photo: facebook.com/maplewoodkitchen
5. Maplewood Kitchen and Bar 5065 Deerfield Blvd., Mason This local favorite brunch-centric eater, closed the doors of both of their locations last March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but have since reopened their Deerfield Township location. Enjoy a variety of delicious options such as avocado toast with chopped pistachios and honey, or an egg dish or two. But wait, there’s more. How about something with a little kick, such as Chicken Tinga (chipotle chicken provides the spice)? Or you can go lunch-like with a salad or sandwich. The cocktails include upscale versions of a bloody marys and mimosas. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
4. First Watch Multiple locations including 104 E. 7th St., Downtown; 6292 Madison Road, Rookwood This “daytime café” offers breakfast, brunch and lunch items that range from healthy to hearty. The national chain has a little something for everyone, ranging from traditional breakfast options to creative spins on classics. Plus a juice bar with daily fresh-pressed juices. Photo: Google Maps
4. First Watch Multiple locations including 104 E. 7th St., Downtown; 6292 Madison Road, Rookwood This “daytime café” offers breakfast, brunch and lunch items that range from healthy to hearty. The national chain has a little something for everyone, ranging from traditional breakfast options to creative spins on classics. Plus a juice bar with daily fresh-pressed juices. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
3. Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey 1201 Broadway St., Pendleton It’s biscuit time any time at this frontier-themed eatery. The star of the show — and menu — are baked golden nuggets of goodness. These buttery, soft discs with a close crumb and a browned, lightly bubbled top are present in everything from sandwiches and bowls to sweets. The Gold Shoes has three biscuits and a choice of gravy — Sawmill, Peppercorn or Vegan Tomato. Also check out Aunt Sally’s Shrimp: Thai-inspired lemongrass shrimp with coconut chili gravy, smoked cheddar grits, and diced country ham. A second location will be opening in Union, Kentucky this year. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
3. Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey 1201 Broadway St., Pendleton It’s biscuit time any time at this frontier-themed eatery. The star of the show — and menu — are baked golden nuggets of goodness. These buttery, soft discs with a close crumb and a browned, lightly bubbled top are present in everything from sandwiches and bowls to sweets. The Gold Shoes has three biscuits and a choice of gravy — Sawmill, Peppercorn or Vegan Tomato. Also check out Aunt Sally’s Shrimp: Thai-inspired lemongrass shrimp with coconut chili gravy, smoked cheddar grits, and diced country ham. A second location will be opening in Union, Kentucky this year. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
2.
1. Taste of Belgium Multiple locations including 16 West Freedom Way, Downtown; 1135 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Taste of Belgium has been expanding its operations since its first waffle was pulled from a cast iron waffle-press at Findlay Market in 2007, opening six brick-and-mortar bistros since. Along with its locally famous sweet, sturdy and caramelized Belgian waffles, the brunch offerings have piloted the restaurant’s rapid ascent. Under the “Brunch All Day” menu category, there is the savory steel cut oatmeal with scallions, tomatoes, and a sunny-side-up egg; a McWaffle with egg, bacon, gruyere and maple syrup; and a messy goetta hash, with Eckerlin Meats’ goetta and two eggs. This is in addition to staples like a strawberries-and-cream-topped waffle or a savory buckwheat galette. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
1. Taste of Belgium Multiple locations including 16 West Freedom Way, Downtown; 1135 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Taste of Belgium has been expanding its operations since its first waffle was pulled from a cast iron waffle-press at Findlay Market in 2007, opening six brick-and-mortar bistros since. Along with its locally famous sweet, sturdy and caramelized Belgian waffles, the brunch offerings have piloted the restaurant’s rapid ascent. Under the “Brunch All Day” menu category, there is the savory steel cut oatmeal with scallions, tomatoes, and a sunny-side-up egg; a McWaffle with egg, bacon, gruyere and maple syrup; and a messy goetta hash, with Eckerlin Meats’ goetta and two eggs. This is in addition to staples like a strawberries-and-cream-topped waffle or a savory buckwheat galette. Photo: Brittany Thornton