CINCINNATI — Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to catch up on all of the new eateries and bars that have recently opened in Greater Cincinnati.
Here are a few new places to take in during the extended holiday weekend.
Restaurants
Kiki, a Japanese GastroPub
5932 Hamilton Ave., College Hill
College Hill residents and neighborhood officials celebrated the grand opening of Kiki on Wednesday. Hideki Harada, the former owner-chef of Kaze in Over-the-Rhine, promises customers a creative take on classic ramen and other Japanese dishes, along with fresh sushi served one night per week. Learn more about the Queen City's newest Japanese gastropub here.
Frenchie Fresh
5595 Deerfield Blvd., Deerfield Township
One of the freshest takes on casual "fast" food reopened for lunch in a new location on Wednesday. Cincinnati's most well-known chef Jean-Robert de Cavel decided to close his popular Frenchie French location at Rookwood Commons in Norwood early this year in order to move it to the Deerfield Towne Center. The new location added a bar to go along with the same tasty fries and burgers made with only the best ingredients that made the original Frenchie French so popular. Tap here to learn more about Frenchie Fresh's new space.
Mazunte Centro
611 Main St., Downtown
The culinary geniuses behind Mazunte Taqueria and Mercado in Madisonville opened their third location on July 30. The Downtown location offers the same high-quality offerings that fans of the Mexican restaurant are accustomed to, along with a fantastic dining space. Tap here for more details.
Bao Bun Bowl
4752 Fields Ertel Road, Mason
Following the runaway success of Noodle and Hot Pot, restaurateurs Yuke Qiu and Jennifer Niu recently opened Bao Bun Bowl on June 30. The restaurant specializes in northern, northeastern and southern regional Chinese food, including hand-pulled noodles. Tap here to read WCPO contributor Grace Yek's profile of the restaurant.
The View at Shires’ Garden
309 Vine St., Downtown
The View at Shires’ Garden delivered spectacular views of the Ohio River and Downtown when it opened in late July. The restaurant and bar is located on the 10th floor of the City Club Apartments. The interior features a main dining space and rounded bar that opens directly onto a 2,000-square-foot outdoor patio for alfresco dining and drinks. Tap here to learn more about the restaurant.
Yonder by Commonwealth
621 Main St., Covington
When Yonder by Commonwealth opened in a previously unused rooftop space of Commonwealth Bistro on June 22, it brought more than just 36 additional seats and a little bit of wilderness to Covington. Yonder features its own bar that serves as many mocktails as cocktails and a unique menu of small plates that changes each week, all within an outdoor, state park-inspired environment. Tap here to learn more about Yonder.
The Baker's Table
1004 Monmouth St., Newport
Wendy Braun and her husband David Willocks first opened the Baker's Table in December 2018. The Newport restaurant's menu of locally sourced, seasonal dishes has since attracted a passionate following of foodies ... and national praise. In July, Eater, a national food and dining website, named the Baker's Table as one of the 16 best new restaurants in America. So, yeah. If you haven't been yet, make the time this weekend.
BARS & BREWERIES
COPA Lounge
1133 Sycamore St. Suite B, Over-the-Rhine
The Queen City's newest bar, lounge and nightclub opened in OTR on Thursday, and it's the perfect place to check out and chill during the long weekend. Take in some great drinks and music. Tap here to learn more about COPA.
HomeMakers Bar
39 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine
When HomeMakers opened on June 19, the craft cocktail bar introduced a bit of 1960s kitsch in Over-the-Rhine. The bartenders mix light cocktails and other spritzers in a pastel-colored room that faces Walnut Street. HomeMakers also offers an array of shareable dishes served on bright plastic lunch trays. Tap here to learn more about the bar.
Comfort Station
791 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills
The creative team behind Sundry and Vice craft cocktail bar in Over-the-Rhine opened its newest venture, Comfort Station, in Walnut Hills on June 21. The bar takes its name from its location, the Public Comfort Station building at the historic Peebles Corner intersection in 1914. The historic station served as a respite for weary travelers by offering separate bathing and restroom areas for men and women accessible by separate street side entrances. The new cocktail bar maintains that division with a light and airy first-floor bar in the original “women’s” section and a much more intimate, darkly lit bar in the original "men's" section. Tap here to learn more about the bar.
Lost & Found
22 E. 14th St., Over-the-Rhine
Owner Camilo Otalora and owner/operator Steven Clement came together to create a curiously crafted space in OTR. Lost & Found quietly started serving well-crafted cocktails, delicious shareable plates and a curated wine and beer menu in late August. Tap here to learn more about the bar.
Cincy Brewing Co.
607 Shepherd Drive, Unit 5, Lockland
Greater Cincinnati's newest craft brewery opened in the former Rivertown Brewing Co. location just in time for Labor Day weekend. The brewery began serving beer on Thursday and promises to build upon the legacy of the location it now inhabits. Tap here to learn more about the brewery.
HighGrain Brewing Co.
6860 Plainfield Road, Silverton
HighGrain Brewing Co. opened over Memorial Day weekend with a focus on sustainability in the former village of Silverton's municipal building. The craft brewery’s taproom opened with 10 beers on tap and a food menu featuring items such as a goetta meatloaf sandwich. HighGrain also has an outdoor patio. Tap here to learn more about the brewery.
Pins Mechanical
1124 Main St., Over-the-Rhine
In April, Pins Mechanical took its game in OTR to a new level with the opening of a rooftop patio. The outdoor venue features a bar, bocce ball, fire pits, giant Jenga and Connect Four. While the rooftop’s bar serves only canned beer and wine, folks can bring up cocktails and draft beer from Pins’ first- and third-level bars. Tap here to learn more about Pins.
