Mid City Restaurant

40 E. Court St., Downtown

Helmed by the same team as popular Over-the-Rhine bar Longfellow, Mid City Restaurant describes itself as intimate and relaxed, with a menu of savory small (but hearty) plates like mushrooms in foil, chicken skewers and a petite steak filet; classic cocktails like the Gibson martini, Manhattan and highball; and vintage desserts like Baked Alaska. The restaurant features cafe-style seating and walls lined with traditional-style oil paintings, as well as a calming beige, white and green color palette for a laid-back dining experience.

The Blind Lemon

936 Hatch St., Mt. Adams

Often called one of the most romantic drinking destinations in Cincinnati, The Blind Lemon’s interior calls to mind an English pub — all moody lighting, copper pots over a fireplace, wooden ceiling beams and stone walls. It’s a cozy spot to enjoy one of the bar’s specialty hot cocktails or a glass of bourbon or scotch when the weather begins to cool. Or, if you prefer a mix of Bourbon Street with a Paris cafe, the boho garden patio allows you some fresh air while still feeling tucked away — not to mention the opportunity to snuggle up around its wood-burning fireplace in the colder months.

Wildflower Cafe

207 E. Main St., Mason

This farm-to-table restaurant offers a menu of elevated American fare from an actual (and adorable) farmhouse in Mason. Wildflower Cafe’s old-school dining room makes you feel like you’re sitting in a loved one’s kitchen, and the walls feature chalkboard menus and illustrations of where the restaurant’s locally and sustainably sourced and high-quality ingredients come from. Beef is farm-raised locally and grass-fed, while the extensive wine list offers products from Cincinnati-area vineyards. And to complete the fresh, home-cooked meal experience, be sure to try one of Wildflower Cafe’s desserts, like the paleo peanut butter cheesecake or Grandma Sheila’s bread pudding.

Knowledge Bar & Social Room

620 Madison Ave., Covington

Located in hotel North by Hotel Covington, Knowledge Bar & Social Room is named after a racehorse John Coppin, founder of the former department store that is now home to the original Hotel Covington, placed a winning bet on. The bar is a lavish but inviting hideaway that blends glamour with relaxation, with rich wood tones, marble and lighted art displays throughout. Guests can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails with horse-racing-esque names created by the master bartenders, like the Bankroll by Chris Camp (bourbon, cognac, maraschino, tawny port, bitters and vanilla demerara) or the Beginner’s Luck by Kelsey St. Clair (sugar-snap pea-infused pisco, green herbal liqueur and lime). The bar also offers a quality selection of bourbons and wines from around the world.

Kantine

1220 Harrison Ave., West End

Kantine offers Southern German fare from an off-the-beaten-path spot in an old industrial brick building in the West End. The restaurant’s aesthetic is industrial-but-make-it-cozy, with exposed brick walls, copper pipes on the ceiling and accents of corrugated metal, but communal seating and a pleasant outdoor patio that make you feel like you’re in an authentic German bier hall. The dishes are equally cozy, with hearty plates of Allgäuer Kässpatzen (house-made spätzle, allgäuer cheese blend and fried onions with a side salad) and Schnitzel Wiener Art (breaded, pan-fried pork escalope with house-made Southern German-style potato salad.

Luca Bistro

934 Hatch St., Mt. Adams

Simple and French cuisine make up the unlikely duo at Luca Bistro. The menu is filled with cozy, flavorful and laid-back dishes that Chef Frédéric Maniet says are common in French foods. Breakfast offers familiar favorites like omelets, tartine and croissants. For lunch, the menu changes to include salads and sandwiches, like a classic Niçoise salad and a mouthwatering croque monsieur layered with delicious ham, gruyère and béchamel. The dinner menu is similar to lunch, with a few more options, including starters like a charcuterie board and basil Boursin crostinis, plus decadent dessert options like chocolate mousse and orange crème brûlée. Diners can also order an assortment of French table wines, along with beers and cocktails. The space is decorated with vintage European posters to really transport you to the bistros of Paris.

Muse Cafe

3018 Harrison Ave., Westwood

This Westwood coffee and wine bar offers up cafe items like frappes and smoothies, plus a sizable food menu that includes breakfast, lunch, tapas and cheese plates. Speaking of cheese, do not sleep on the paninis. Muse is more than a cafe with delicious meals and drinks, however; community is what really sets this place apart, as you also go for the welcoming third-space experience: gathering with friends to catch up, unwinding after a long day with a glass of wine or taking in the live music performances or local art displays.

The Härth Room

125 W. Fourth St., Downtown

With its autumnal colors and fiery lighting, The Härth Room is a warm, welcoming place to grab a seat, drink a cocktail or craft beer and listen to some live jazz music. A beautiful fireplace serves as the centerpiece for this stylish, urban lounge — fitting as the bar serves as an extension of Bromwell’s grand showroom of fireplaces and accessories in the neighboring retail space. The bar serves coffee, teas and classic cocktails like Manhattans and Old-Fashioneds, as well as a selection of beers, bourbons and wine.

King Pigeon

2436 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills

Contemporary coffee lounge and cocktail bar King Pigeon is the perfect place to go if you want imaginative drinks in a relaxed environment. Every few months, King Pigeon releases a special menu featuring a fun and creative tale of the “King Pigeon” that takes you on a journey through the bar’s seasonal drink offerings, with four flavor categories: sour, umami, sweet and bitter. A helpful chart at the beginning of the menu shows where each drink falls within that category and whether it is more true to the flavor category or if it edges closer to a mix of flavors.

Nolia

1405 Clay St., Over-the-Rhine

Bringing New Orleans-style flair and fare to Over-the-Rhine, Nolia offers diners an upscale, yet approachable, experience. The exposed brick and bold floral wallpaper add a bright and airy feeling to the intimate setting, and the rotating, seasonal menu features innovative and delectable plates that add modern twists to classic Southern flavors. To drink, the bar can mix up one of Nolia’s signature cocktails like the Madeira (bourbon, magnolia syrup, lemon juice and club soda) or the St. Vincent – St. Mary (watermelon-infused mezcal, prickly pear syrup and lime juice). Nolia also has a selection of red, white, sparkling and dessert wines, as well as mocktails.

Bar Saeso

1208 Sycamore St., Pendleton

A glowing red, neon sign reading “BAR” is the only hint you get that you’re about to enter Saeso, which is tucked away in a small, unassuming building in Pendleton. But once you walk in, you’ll know you found something special. Saeso offers an airy, Europen feel as you walk in, greeted by terracotta floor tiles, plants and exposed brick. A marble-topped bar beckons you to sit and chat with a friendly bartender while you browse a cocktail menu that takes the work out of ordering. Walk down a narrow hallway to find another bar space and the entrance to the back patio. The menu offers a rotating selection of cocktails that, much like the bar, are a secret you’ll have to experience when you visit, but trust us when we say the drinks are always worth the trip.

Otto’s

521 Main St., Covington

Otto’s menu of Southern-style fare and its bright and colorful dining room will make you feel right at home. While the restaurant serves lunch and dinner, it’s also a favorite brunch spot among Cincinnatians, with the breakfast casserole (featuring potatoes, sausage, eggs, artichoke hearts, red peppers, onions, mushrooms, spicy sour cream, cheddar and spinach) sure to warm you up. During your meal, be sure to look up and admire the decorative chandeliers also.

Juniper’s

409 W. Sixth St., Covington

Gin is the star of the show when it comes to Juniper’s cocktail menu, with drinks that are crafted with time-tested techniques, but through a lens of innovation that keeps everything exciting and fresh. The bar features a collection of over 200 gins — which is always growing — and an Old World-inspired aesthetic, with low lighting and decor that looks straight out of a Victorian parlor — perfect for sipping on some botanical delights. To eat, you’ll find a rotating selection of tapas, which currently includes bread service featuring local bread with honey brown butter, bratwurst meatballs and a flatbread with roasted figs, blue cheese, ham and arugula. Juniper’s also offers Sunday brunch, with a menu featuring offerings like eggs benedict, biscuits and gravy and shakshuka.

Marigold

60 W. Fifth St., Downtown

The newest concept from Crown Restaurant Group, English-style public house Marigold opened in The Foundry in February. Marigold brings an innovative culinary experience to downtown, offering an elevated, yet approachable atmosphere that blends British elegance with a menu inspired by Indian dishes commonly found in traditional public houses, including curries and charred meat and vegetable-forward plates. The restaurant’s design is modeled after the 19th-century Arts and Crafts movement, with soft, diffused lighting and deep, moody colors like emerald, crimson, amber and muted earth tones layered with rich textures, like pressed marigolds, aged leather, polished wood and silk, to create an elegant and warm, yet bold and rich space.

Alive & Well

3410 Telford St., Clifton

Alive & Well in Clifton’s Gaslight District provides an out-of-the-ordinary Ludlow Avenue experience, blending the grandeur of the building’s historic Art Deco façade with a vintage, punk-rock ambiance inside. The wall beside the bar is lined with shelves of vinyl records, while cozy leather couches and shimmering chandeliers transport you to a 1920s speakeasy, with hints of dark academia vibes throughout. The drink menu features a curated selection of top-quality spirits, cocktails and wines that change with the season, but the house marg and seasonal sangrias are staples that are worth a try.

Abigail Street

1214 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine

This wine and tapas bar offers decadent small plates to share in a vibrant, yet cozy setting. The interior is rustic, but modern, with a Mediterranean lean to it, much like the menu. Diners can order a variety of small plates to share, like wood-grilled octopus, fattoush, roasted beets with lebna and baklava and Turkish coffee for dessert. Wine on tap is available by the glass, quartino or bottle.

Caffè Vivace

975 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills

For a cozy night of jazz and drinks, Caffè Vivace is the perfect spot. The space is intimate and decked out in autumnal colors that come to life when the lights go down and the music starts to play. During the day, it serves a coffeehouse menu along with hot breakfast sandwiches, a vegan African peanut stew, flatbreads and pastries. But at night, Caffè Vivace transforms into a jazz lounge complete with live music, café drinks, specialty cocktails, beer and wine.

Sotto

118 E. Sixth St., Downtown

A classic when you need a cozy romantic spot, Sotto offers a rustic Italian dining experience in a basement trattoria. Located under sister restaurant Boca, this Tuscan-inspired spot calls to mind a wine cellar with its low lighting, wooden ceiling beams and rough brick walls, making you want to lean in closer to your dinner date. The menu offers handmade pasta (the short rib cappellacci is a bestseller, and for a very good reason), a selection of antipasti like bread, salads and grilled octopus, and Secondi options with big-ticket items like the Bisteca Fiorentina, a grilled Creekstone porterhouse steak, and the Scottadito — a Rocky Mountain lamb rack.

Second Sight Spirits

301 Elm St., Ludlow

Distillery and lounge Second Sight Spirits is truly a sight to behold. Giving off the air of a turn-of-the-century boardwalk carnival mixed with some 19th-century séance vibes, the space is eclectic, but cozy. The focal point of the room is where all the spirited magic happens: the Second Sight Still on display on a stage for all to admire. While Second Sight is located on Kentucky’s famed bourbon trail and does distill plenty of good whiskey, it also crafts delicious rums, as well as a hazelnut liqueur and red absinthe.

Krishna Indian Restaurant and Carry Out

313 Calhoun St., CUF

Krishna may be one of Clifton’s best-kept secrets. The space is truly tiny, but if you decide to snag one of the few booths, it’s a great place to enjoy a hot plate of chicken tikka saag and some garlic naan on a cold day. And you’re in luck if you need some extra kick with your meal: Krishna’s spice scale goes up to a 7.

Fable Cafe

3117 Harrison Ave., Westwood

Fable Cafe owner Brandie Potzick sees the value in third spaces — those places we go between home and work or school that allow us to unwind, maybe catch up with friends or family. That’s partly why she chose the name Fable for her Westwood coffee shop — envisioning friends and families gathered with cups of coffee in hand as they share stories, or parents, like herself, who may tire of the ‘kid places’ but still want to bring their children somewhere with a little bit of magic. And there is magic in the walls of Fable, which offers coziness in a bright and airy space with its rustic, chic design, including a whimsical mural featuring vignettes of fairytale-esque characters drawn by Brandie’s friend, and an all-are-welcome ethos. Fable’s menu is classic coffeehouse — simple, no-fuss drinks with a small selection of seasonal, housemade syrups. To eat, try one of the made-to-order breakfast sandwiches or a delicious pastry.

Carmelo’s

434 Madison Ave., Covington

Carmelo’s, an Italian restaurant helmed by Billy Grise and Chef Mitche Arens — two Greater Cincinnati dining and hospitality veterans — is named after Grise’s grandfather, who inspired his love for the restaurant business. The space is inviting and modern, yet rustic — a reflection of Nono Carmelo’s warm and jovial spirit, says the team. On the menu, diners can expect quintessential Italian-American dishes, including some selections that will “push their palates,” with regional staples from Italy. Menu highlights include the mozzarella, hand-pulled to order with grilled focaccia and olive oil, and the 101-layer lasagna, which is a whole pound of lasagna, pan-seared until the edges are crispy and served with red gravy and parmesan. As for the beverage program, Carmelo’s features classic cocktails with a spin, as well as an all-Italian wine list that highlights Italian varietals.

GlendAlehouse Brewery

310 E. Sharon Road, Glendale

You can truly feel like you’re cozied up at home at the GlendAlehouse Brewery. The owners of this family-operated brewery took the first floor of their house and transformed it into a warm, inviting space to enjoy some pizza and beer with loved ones. The interior is still very homey, with comfy chairs, bookshelves and nooks around the space to give it that lived-in feeling. The beer selection is varied, so there’s something for everyone, and the wood-fired pizzas are made from scratch daily.

Bellevue Bistro

313 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue

Bellevue Bistro is a cozy breakfast and lunch spot in the heart of historic Bellevue. The space offers an eclectic and vintage vibe, from the pressed-tin ceilings to the striped awning out front. And while the eatery is on the smaller side, the menu features wholesome dishes with big flavors. There’s an assortment of breakfast bakes, like the goetta/cheddar jack/sautéed onions Bellevue option or the vegetarian-friendly Mediterranean, made with mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, spinach, basil, feta and mozzarella. You can also opt for one of the benedicts or hot browns or try the avocado toast or spicy breakfast tacos. For lunch, Bellevue Bistro serves up a variety of sandwiches, including paninis, wraps and even a cinnabread one topped with fried eggs, cheddar jack and American cheese, with pepper jelly and potatoes on the side.

Original Source: https://www.citybeat.com/food-drink/these-are-some-of-greater-cincinnatis-coziest-bars-and-restaurants-citybeat-food-drink-dining/