As we close out the year, we look back at all the restaurants the Greater Cincinnati area lost in 2022. While we’re always excited to see how the food and drink scene here changes year to year, it’s never easy to lose a favorite restaurant. From a decades-old establishment to a beloved bagel shop and more, the Queen City had to say goodbye to some pretty amazing places this year.

Lil’s Bagels Failed lease negotiations led to the closure of beloved Covington bagel shop Lil’s Bagels in December. Owner Julia Keister said she was originally optimistic about the upcoming lease renewal, but in April, unforeseen and sudden circumstances triggered a nearly seven-month-long lease negotiation, one that eventually proved to be too costly. “We feel very disrespected,” Keister told CityBeat in an interview published in early December. “And the amount that we feel like we go above and beyond for our customers and community, just because we think that that’s the right thing to do, not for any strategy, that’s just how we are as a business. They are a business and we are their customer, and they are treating us like we are getting it for free or like we’ve done something wrong, or we should be begging them or something. I don’t really know, but to me, it’s very disrespectful.”However, Keister said that with community support, she’s making plans to keep her craft bagels going, with an announcement expected early in 2023. Photo: Katie Griffith
Pleasantry Pleasantry in Over-the-Rhine, known for its rustic-chic, seasonal dishes and natural wines, announced at the beginning of December that they will not renew their lease and their final day will be toward the end of the month. “7+ years ago, we set out with a loose vision to create a neighborhood restaurant centered around 3 things: natural wine; seasonal, approachable food; and connection. Reflecting back, we can say we’ve never wavered,” the restaurant wrote on Facebook. The restaurant’s owners, Daniel Souder and Joanna Kirkendall, also wrote in the post that while there were many words they could say about why they are closing, for now, they say, “It’s simply ‘we’re tired.’” Photo: Facebook.com/Pleasantry
Fausto at the Contemporary Arts Center Fausto at the CAC, known for its fresh, California-style cuisine, shut its doors in December. Its owners, the Ferrari Bros., cited reasons including the pandemic shutdowns and issues stemming from that, like staffing shortages and never being able to return to serving dinner, as well as their unwillingness to “dumb down” their menu. “We are not willing to sacrifice why we were here in the first place, we are not going to serve commodity products, we are not going to start selling hamburgers and fries, tacos and beyond,” a letter from the brothers reads, concluding, “In the end, we can say we made it three very beautiful, and crazy years. We hope you all also remember Fausto for what it served, for its ethos, and why it was here to begin with. We love you Cincinnati, and we love all of you that have supported us. We know who you are, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” The brothers will still be operating their Mom ’n ‘em coffee shops in Camp Washington and Madisonville. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Zula Over-the-Rhine tapas restaurant and wine bar Zula closed in September after its owner Tsvika “Vik” Silberberg said it was time to retire, writing on Facebook, “To all of our amazing guests. Thank you so much for your support over the past decade. It was an honor and a joy to serve you. The time has come for me to retire and spend some time with my family. I am sure I will see many of you around our great city. With gratitude, I bid you good eating.” Photo: facebook.com/Zula
Branch has closed. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Listermann Brewing Trail House Listermann Brewing Company announced it was closing its Trail House restaurant in August so that they could focus their attention solely on “brewing operations and our taproom,” according to a social media post. “We thank you for your support and hope you will continue to allow us to serve you at Listermann Brewing Company,” the post continued. The restaurant was known for its build-your-own pizzas and salads. The brewery’s taproom remains open, as does its home brew store, which has everything you need to brew your own beer. Photo: facebook.com/Listermann Brewing Trail House
O Pie O Over-the-Rhine craft pie shop O Pie O announced on Facebook in August it was closing after eight years in business. “Thank you for all your support over the years. Nothing we’ve done or accomplished would have been possible without you,” read the post. But the good news: O Pie O’s popular honey vinegar pie is still available at the owners’ restaurant Heyday in East Walnut Hills. Photo: facebook.com/O Pie O
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
The Rookwood Pottery Food & Beverage Company Mount Adams restaurant The Rookwood Pottery Food & Beverage Company announced that it had permanently closed in early July. The traditional American spot, located in a historic building that once hosted kilns for Rookwood Pottery, closed less than a year after opening. In a July 1 Facebook post announcing the closure, they left a short succinct message stating that they were closing due to “a variety of factors.” Photo: facebook.com/The Rookwood Pottery Food & Beverage Company
Holtman’s Donut Shop – Over-the-Rhine Iconic Cincinnati donut shop Holtman’s Donut Shop announced on Facebook that they would be closing their Over-the-Rhine location in July. The family-owned donut shop has been around since the 1960s and operated its Vine Street location for nine years. “This decision has been the most difficult decision we have ever had to make. Thank you for your support, your love for our passion, and your company,” read the post. No specific reason was given for the closure. Photo: facebook.com/Holtman's Donut Shop
e|19 Lounge Bar & Discothèque Over-the-Rhine’s e|19 Lounge Bar & Discothèque announced its permanent closure in July. e|19 was opened in the summer of 2020 by Richard Cooke, the organizer of Cincinnati’s LGBTQ+ Tea Dance series, right across from Rhinegiest. The announcement was made in an Instagram post that gave no specific reason for the closure. The post thanked its employees and said, “It is our priority to work with our employees to help them navigate this difficult situation and find alternative employment.” But there is a bit of a silver lining for fans of e|19, as the post also said they are talking with potential investors and buyers about reopening “with a potential different entertainment offering.” Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Uncle Mo’s Cafe Uncle Mo’s Cafe, a Greek restaurant that served up gyros and shawarma downtown, closed its doors for good in July. A sign taped to the front of the restaurant said that the cafe has closed due to the building being sold and the rent tripling. “We thank you for all the years of support and will truly miss you!” read the note signed by Uncle Mo and Aunt Carrie. Photo: CityBeat Staff
Partake in Some Friendly Competition at Arcade Legacy: Bar Edition Free to play as long as you buy something to eat or drink Arcade Legacy: Bar Edition is a gamer’s paradise, whether you’re into vintage arcade and pinball machines or Sega Genesis. And even if you aren’t, the glowing screens and gentle ping of the machines is a perfect backdrop for a playful date night — especially if you and your beau go head to head in a digital battle to the death. In addition to games, the bar serves craft beer, cocktails, nachos and crazy hot dog creations (even vegetarian ones). 3929 Spring Grove Ave., Northside. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Takeaway Over-the-Rhine deli, grocery and sandwich shop closed its doors on May 27. The Takeaway announced the closure of the 1324 Main Street location on Facebook. Although the closure is sad, it seems like something new is coming Cincinnatians’ way: “We’re closing down to reimagine and start dreaming again of what this little corner of Main Street can be,” read the post. Photo: facebook.com/Takeaway on Main
Half Day Cafe – Wyoming Half Day Cafe closed its Wyoming location after 16 years in May. The cafe’s owners made the announcement in a video shared on Facebook, stating that they are unable to staff the location. “We just can’t hire staff to work; we’ve tried.” Half Day serves up breakfast and lunch seven days a week with items like goetta hash and shrimp and grits that patrons will still be able to enjoy at their Mason location, which they say is fully staffed. Photo: facebook.com/Half Day Cafe
Empanadas Aqui Food Truck The owners of Empanadas Aqui announced in a Facebook post on May 11 that the Taste of Cincinnati festival would be their food truck’s final day of operation. The brick-and-mortar spot in Mason closed in January and co-owner Brett Johnson said that since then, he has made a career change and the food truck became his second job. He also wrote that the truck’s head chef and manager recently stepped down to care for family members. Photo: facebook.com/Empanadas Aqui
Below Zero Lounge Iconic Cincinnati LGBTQ bar Below Zero Lounge announced in March that it would be closing its doors after 15 years of serving the Queen City. Owners Nigel Cotterill and his partner Juan-Carlos Diaz announced on Facebook that they have decided not to renew the lease for Below Zero to “take on a new life adventure.” They said their time will be focused on their other bar, Tillie’s Lounge in Northside. But the space quickly took on a new life as Bloom OTR, which opened in June just in time for Pride Month. Photo: facebook.com/ Below Zero Lounge
OTR Chili 1910 Elm Street and Eton Ave., Over-the-Rhine Over-the-Rhine will soon be home to the newest face of Cincinnati chili. Housed in the old Sartre space in the Rhinegeist brewery, OTR Chili is set to open this spring. In addition to classic chili dishes like 3-ways and coneys, OTR Chili will also include a menu full of options like classic burgers and an abundance of sandwiches, from fried chicken to gyros, plus wine, spirits and cocktails. Photo: Provided Photo: provided by OTR Chili
The Mercer OTR Per a note hung in the restaurant’s window, the Mercer OTR quietly closed its doors in February. The sign announcing the restaurant’s closure read, “It’s been a pleasure serving you, OTR. Cheers.” The restaurant, which was on the ground floor of the Mercer Commons apartment complex, had been in operation since 2014. In June, it was announced that Crown Republic Restaurant Group (CRRG) has signed a lease for the space and will reopen it as Five on Vine. A release says Five on Vine will serve “elevated takes on classic, American cuisine.” The menu features dishes including Pigs in a Blanket, chicken pot pie, meatloaf, smoked ribs and some of the Italian influence the group is known for, including squid ink linguine and bucatini carbonara. It’s expected to open in the winter of 2023. Photo: facebook.com/TheMercerOTR
Boombox Buns Over-the-Rhine’s source for homemade Chinese-style steamed buns, Boombox Buns, closed in February. Owner Nathan Friday announced in a social media post that the shop would close Feb. 19. Friday says he and his fiancée, Katie, have been working together on Boombox Buns for four-and-a-half years. “The process of taking an idea from something on paper to a pop up, a pop up to signing a lease and hiring employees, to navigating a pandemic has been a wild ride,” he wrote. “It’s hard to express the emotions of letting go of something that has been such a dominating force in your life.” Photo: Provided by Boombox Buns
The Grand Finale The Grand Finale restaurant in Glendale announced in January on Facebook that they would be permanently closing. Known for its delicious desserts, the Cincinnati staple has been operating for 46 years. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce, Grand Finale Restaurant has permanently closed,” owner Virginia Chambers wrote in the post. Chambers did not provide a reason for the restaurant’s closure. She says they are grateful for all the support they have received, ending the note with: “Through our generational friendship, you are family and we will miss you!” Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Empanadas Aqui Right before the start of the pandemic in 2020, Venezuelan food truck Empanadas Aqui opened its highly anticipated brick-and-mortar restaurant in downtown Mason. And in January, the restaurant announced it would be closing its doors. “We have made the difficult decision to close the doors of the restaurant. Our last day will be Saturday, January 29th,” read a Facebook post from Empanadas Aqui. “Unfortunately, COVID has had a dramatic impact on our business. We have run several scenarios to see what options we have but the effects of COVID have outlasted small business assistance and hard work. Recovery is not in sight.” They say they had been open for 15 days before COVID shutdowns began in March 2020. Photo: facebook.com/Empanadas Aqui