Mother's Day is one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants. What better way to celebrate your mom than to take her out for a delicious brunch or dinner?
Depending on what she enjoys, there are a lot of places -- from fancy to laid-back -- to treat your mom and the mother figures in your life.
Here are our top nine suggestions:
Krueger's Tavern: A new option to brunch on Vine Street, Krueger serves its regular, daily menu for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as a special brunch menu. Bonus? It has one of the best rooftop patios in the city. Grab a mimosa or a bloody mary and try the Farmer's Breakfast, featuring two fried eggs, toasted brioche, sausage and a potato latke. 1211 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Melt Eclectic Cafe: Melt had brunch once upon a time -- and now its brunch is back! This is great for the vegetarian and vegan mamas out there (or anyone, really). Think vegan biscuits and gravy, grilled breakfast burritos (either tempeh or bacon-filled), vegan goetta and Kentucky Hot Browns! If your mom likes her brunch a little more funky and a little less fancy, this is the place for her. 4165 Hamilton Ave., Northside
The Famous Neons Unplugged: Does mom like to relax with a cold beer on a patio? Neon's now serves brunch on Sunday from its sister restaurant, Melt. Grab a delicious bloody mary (which can be a meal in itself) and enjoy the rotating menu of vegetarian, vegan and meat-eaters' favorites. 208 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine
Taft's Ale House: Taft's is famous for its tri-tip and doesn't scrimp on it for brunch. Get a slab of tri-tip, steak-and-eggs style, served with smashed potatoes and fruit. For something lighter, try the salmon crostini, with thick chunks of house-smoked salmon. The breakfast burrito also has everything you need: potatoes, tri-tip and chipotle mayo. Each of Taft's dishes has a suggested beer pairing from the house-brewed beers. 1429 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Taste of Belgium: Who doesn't love the sticky-sweet waffles at Taste of Belgium? Take your mom for a McWaffle (eggs, bacon and cheese on a split waffle with a side of syrup) or TOB's famous Waffle and Chicken. You can even grab the Waffle and Chicken at Great American Ball Park if you take Mom out to a Reds game. (There's one at 1:10 p.m. on Mother's Day.) Multiple locations.
The Grille at Palm Court: The gold standard of Cincinnati brunches, the Grille pulls out all the stops for Mother's Day. Enjoy ham, duck, prime rib, a raw bar, smoked salmon, made-to-order omelettes and waffles, and chef Megan Ketover's desserts, all served in gorgeous surroundings. It's $65.95 for adults, $49.95 for seniors and $19.95 children age 12 and under. Mom can't help but feel special in the gorgeous surroundings of the Palm Court. Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown
The Contemporary Arts Center: Is your mom an art lover? Grab a delicious cup of coffee at Collective CAC with some bread pudding of the day or a fried chicken biscuit, and then wander the gallery. (After all, admission is free!) 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown
NUVO at Greenup: Does your mom like to eat local? You can't get much more local than NUVO, which has its own on-premises garden. Chef-owner Mark Bodenstein is presenting a special Mother's Day dinner: five courses in a chef-guided tasting for $60, with wine pairings for an additional $45. 308 Greenup St., Covington
Pontiac BBQ: Does Mom love barbecue? Pontiac's brunch is spectacular, with delicious items such as brisket biscuits (cat-head biscuits with piles of brisket), Oreo pancakes and smoked pork tostadas. Wash down brunch with some tiki cocktails (don't steal the glasses, please -- it says so right on the menu!) or one of Pontiac's many local, craft beers. Trust me, your mom will have leftovers to take home. 1403 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
A bonus brunch: For moms who love the classics, you can't go wrong with the brunch at Grand Finale. The expansive buffet offers traditional brunch items such as quiches, crepes and poached eggs with artichokes. The restaurant is reminiscent of a Victorian home, and the menu reflects its surroundings. You won't find the latest and greatest culinary trends here, but you'll find satisfying food that your mom will love. Don't forget to try the cocktail list, with drinks including mimosas and Kirs Royale! 3 E. Sharon Road, Glendale
Where are you taking Mom for Mother's Day? Tweet me at @winemedineme!
