CINCINNATI (WXIX) – It was a rocky start to the year for the restaurant industry in Greater Cincinnati, following 2024’s high rate of closures. Now, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
April, May and June bring in warmer weather and tourism as families begin to go on vacation and celebrate spring and summer holidays.
During those three months, at least 35 restaurants opened their doors, bringing more food and drink experiences to the region.
New restaurants & bars to try
At least 35 new dining options opened in the second quarter of 2025, including pizza joints, national chains and local favorites that are expanding.
- Mad Monk’s Pizza: 753 Reading Rd., Mason, OH
- Dave’s Hot Chicken: 4960 Houston Rd. Suite I, Florence, KY
- The Frank: 2212 South St, Cincinnati, OH
- Dolly’s:
- 9070 Plainfield Rd., Cincinnati, OH
- 7706 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, OH
- 5202 Delhi Ave., Cincinnati, OH
- 7 Brew: 7 Carothers Rd., Newport, KY
- Eckerlin Meats: 116 W Elder St, Cincinnati, OH
- Chipotle: 450 Richwood Rd., Walton, KY
- High Note Rooftop Bar: 201 W 4th St., Newport, KY
- The Green Door: 5 E 8th St., Covington, KY
- ScoopAble Ice Cream: 6405 Branch Hill-Guinea Pike, Suite 101-B, Loveland, OH
- Clean Eatz: 9875 Montgomery Rd., Montgomery, OH
- Carl’s Deli: 118 W Elder St., Cincinnati, OH
- Steel City Pizza’s “Third Fire”: 233 S B St., Hamilton, OH
- The Garden at Element Eatery: 5350 Medpace Way, Cincinnati, OH
- Cafe Continuum: 1405 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH
- Cafe Alma at the Rec: 4433 Cooper Rd., Blue Ash, OH
- El Senor Pig: 441 6th Ave., Dayton, KY
- Moka & Co. Coffee: 7307 Tylers Corner Pl., West Chester Township, OH
- Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club: 860 Elm St., Ludlow, KY
- Rooted Juicery: 1218 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH
- MilkShake Factory: 2144 Kings Mills Rd., Mason, OH
- The Delmonico: 518 Wyoming Ave, Cincinnati, OH
- ALLFATHER’S MEADERY: 6685 4 Mile Rd., Melbourne, KY
- Mz. Jade’s Soul Food: 11119 Reading Rd., Cincinnati, OH
- 10th Island Tiki Bar and Grill: 213 Woodward St., Cincinnati, OH
- Braxton Brewing: 4600 Beech St. Suites 100 & 300, Norwood, OH
- Jukebox: 5859 Deerfield Blvd., Mason, OH
- blaCk Coffee Lounge: 3232 Healing Way, Cincinnati, OH
- Better Blend: 2730 Maverick Dr., Norwood, OH
- North Star Cafe: 7875 Montgomery Rd. Suite 3112, Cincinnati, OH
- Masala Theory: 7800 Camargo Rd., Cincinnati, OH
- Main Street Tavern: 331 S Main St., Franklin, OH
- Peace, Love & Little Donuts: 6360 Tylersville Rd., Mason, OH
In addition to this list, there were three restaurants we missed that opened in the first quarter of the year:
- Steamy Noods: 2750 Park Ave., Cincinnati, OH
- Chowdown Cafe: 8095 Beckett Center Dr., West Chester Township, OH
- Latonia Bodega: 4302 Decoursey Ave., Covington, KY
Combining restaurants and bars that opened between January and June brings Greater Cincinnati’s total to 54 for 2025 so far.
Restaurants & bars that closed in Q2
Fifteen restaurants and bars closed and one never opened during the second quarter of the year, leaving their regulars disappointed…