These Delicious New Greater Cincinnati Restaurants & Bars Opened Their Doors in 2020

Subito

311 Pike St., Downtown
Downtown's new The Lytle Park Hotel opened to the public this past June, along with their in-house, upscale Italian eatery Subito and sophisticated rooftop lounge, Vista at Lytle Park. Subito's menu focuses on homemade pastas, stone-oven pizzas, fresh seafood, steaks and antipasta. Head to their bar for a selection of whites, reds and sparkling wines — including their own house sparkling wine by Ohio River Valley. They also boast spirits and cocktails.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Nomad

225 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
Bellevue bar and eatery Nomad opened its doors in September. They serve craft cocktails and beer, but the main attraction is their boozy (and virgin) milkshakes, tater tot baskets and tacos. The space is meant to bring together the adventurers in life to relax, connect and reflect on their journeys. Eventually they plan to incorporate a vintage double-decker bus in the courtyard to provide an eclectic seating option, but for now, they will utilize the space for more dreamy, string-lit seating (with heaters during the chilly months).
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

The Governor

231 Main St., Milford
Brothers Paul and Neil Barraco had been working in fine dining for years when they returned to their East Coast roots to open a classic diner with a modern twist. The mission of the Governor is to offer the perks of fine dining — locally procured meat and produce, a menu made from scratch, a carefully designed cocktail list — at a medium price point in a laid-back environment. The menu at the Governor features cuisine ranging from Asian to Italian to classic Americana.
Photo: Savana Willhoite

OTR Chili Co.

1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Housed in the old Sartre space in the Rhinegeist Brewery building, OTR Chili Company is a retro diner-style spot offering self-proclaimed "authentic Cincinnati chili" in addition to burgers, salads and shakes. The chili menu features all the classics: a 3-, 4- or 5-Way made with 100-percent beef and secret spice blend, plus a vegetarian way. They also offer Impossible burgers and some incredible pies. For booze fans, you can add a shot of bourbon to your malted chocolate or vanilla shake.
Photo via OTR Chili Co.’s Facebook

Khora at Kinley Hotel

37 W. Seventh St., Downtown
Downtown Cincinnati’s new Kinley Hotel is home to Khora, an eatery hailed by Vogue and Food & Wine magazine as one of the “most anticipated” American restaurant openings of 2020. Helmed by chef Edward Lee and executive chef and Cincinnati native Kevin Ashworth, the menu puts "a modern Midwest spin on classic recipes." Named for the ancient grain khorasan, the dishes play heavily on pasta, including a riff on Cincinnati chili. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner — approachable during the day with a "destination restaurant" vibe at night. It has been open since October.
Photo via Facebook.com/KhoraRestaurant

Zapata Cantina

801 Madison Ave., Covington
Having opened early this September, Zapata Covington offers a modern take on Mexican cuisine, with small plates and street-style eats like tacos. Every dish is made in-house, including their two-toned tortillas. In addition to bites, the cantina’s beverage program focuses on tequila and mezcal, with popular bourbon-based cocktails swapped out for agave-based liquors.
Photo via Facebook.com/Zapata.Cov

Teak OTR

1200 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
After closing its doors in Mount Adams in 2017, the owners of Teak Thai have reopened in a fresh, new space across from Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine. Officially opened in July, the eatery is known for its top-notch Thai cuisine — including their incredibly popular pad Thai — and their sushi offerings. Talented longtime chef John Lee from the Mount Adams location joined the new Teak OTR, and brought his sushi expertise with him.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Westwood Nation Kitchen & Bar

3435 Epworth Ave., Westwood
Nation Kitchen & Bar offers a variety of burgers and sandwiches like the popular Nation burger, with a 6-ounce brisket patty, smoked cheddar, whiskey barbecue sauce, onion straws and horseradish aioli on a challah bun. After slingin’ patties in Pendleton since 2015, the Best of Cincinnati award-winning eatery opened a second location in Westwood in the revitalized Junietta Avenue Firehouse in October.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Haven Cafe

332 Scott Blvd., Covington
This Covington coffee shop opened up in August and offers natural coffee, pastries and baked goods from local spots like Brown Bear Bakery, as well as light bites like avocado toast. In addition to your typical coffee-based bevs, you can also order creative and tasty sips like the matcha lemonade, mint mocha latte and cereal milk latte.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Sugar n' Spice OTR

1203 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine
Cincinnati's cult favorite breakfast eatery Sugar n' Spice officially opened up their much-anticipated Over-the-Rhine location in the former Joe's Diner on July 11. The Paddock Hills eatery, which opened in 1941, is well-known for its "wispy thin" pancakes, vibrant decor and rubber duckies that come with every meal — elements that traveled to its second branch. You can expect many of your favorites, in addition to a few new pork-infused dishes like the Cubano.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Esoteric Brewing Co.

900 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills
Walnut Hills' long-awaited Esoteric Brewing hosted its grand opening in early September. Cincinnati's first Black- and Filipino-owned brewery, the team revitalized the 1930s Art Deco Paramount Building, which was once a department store but had been fallow for decades. The brewery offers an elevated beer drinking experience, using locally sourced and grown ingredients and creates “a sumptuous experience that changes the way you think about beer.”
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Pampas Argentine Gastropub

2038 Madison Road, O'Bryonville
Taking inspiration from his heritage, Ignite Entertainment founder Juan Imeroni has opened Pampas Argentine Gastropub, a new eatery that offers an approachable taste of the Argentine countryside. The ambiance blends the culture and flavors of two of his other local establishments: Che and Butcher and Barrel. Chef Patrick Bowling — formerly of Jean-Robert's Table and Restaurant L — is at the helm. The menu features meat dishes inspired by the “gaucho” experience in the flatlands of South America as well as salads and charcuterie. They boast a diverse list of cocktails as well, including the simple yet traditional Fernet y Coca.
Photo via Facebook.com/PampasCincinnati

Northern Row Brewing

111 W. McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine
Over-the-Rhine's Northern Row taproom and patio opened in the spring. With 13 taps of their own beers, the brewery also offers a full bar and cocktail menu — soon to feature their own spirits as well. Worlds collide with their signature “Preacherito,” a classic mojito topped with their Preacher beer. Choose from a generous menu ranging from roast beef and cheddar sliders to a stuffed acorn squash, chili mac or, on Sundays, try the "Holy Toledo it's a Breakfast Burrito."
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Eishaus

117 Park Place, Covington
Covington’s Roebling Point district got a little bit sweeter this past fall with the opening of German-inspired ice cream, eats and coffee window Eishaus. The creamery features the unique frozen treat “spaghetti eis,” an ice cream dish with ice cream “noodles” and toppings that resemble sauces and meatballs. They even have a locally-inspired treat that looks a Cincinnati chili 3-way.
Photo via Facebook.com/EishausCov

Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge

1432 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge, which officially opened on Aug. 21, features bottles from women and minority winemakers, as well as eight wines on tap, live music, a limited selection of spirits and beer, and small plates from local businesses.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Braxton Brewing Pendleton

331 E. 13th St., Pendleton
Braxton Brewing Co. announced in July that it had taken over the 3 Points Urban Brewery taproom in Pendleton. The expansion marks the Northern Kentucky brewery's first move into Ohio. The taproom opened in September and focuses on "blending everything the company has brought to life in Northern Kentucky, just across the river," says Braxton.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Taqueria 251

4110 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Opened in the fall, this Northside eatery offers traditional Mexican flavors with an “avant-garde twist” and a focus on the experience in addition to the food. Owned by Emilio Santos, the menu features items like tacos, tostadas, churros and esquites — plus a full cocktail menu and draft and canned beers.
Photo via Facebook.com/Taqueria251

Covington Yard

401 Greenup St., Covington
Covington Yard opened this fall and features repurposed shipping containers housing local restaurants like Django Western Taco, Mr. Bulgogi and Yard Bird. The dog-friendly food hall offers a space for the community to gather, with yard games, seating and great views.
Photo via Facebook.com/covingtonyard

Taste of Belgium

7800 Montgomery Road, Kenwood
Taste of Belgium has opened a new bistro location — its sixth in Greater Cincinnati — in Kenwood Square in a former Ruby Tuesday. The space was renovated before opening, with the addition of a second patio. Currently the indoor dining space is closed, but on Dec. 5 they will welcome guests to their enclosed outdoor patio; inside will open in February. The menu mimics other Taste of Belgium bistros, with frequently changing "LTO" or limited-time offerings. They also offer a slew of rare Belgian beers and a bakery serving traditional Liege waffles to-go and other favorites.
Photo: Brittany Thornton