A Northern Kentucky diner announced on social media Wednesday that it has permanently shut down.

Granny's Latonia Diner, located at 3728 Winston Ave. in Covington's West Latonia neighborhood, posted to Facebook to announce that Wednesday, April 15, was its last day of service.

The diner said the closure comes after the owner of the building sold it, nullifying the restaurant's lease.

"We are so thankful for all the support everyone has shown us," the restaurant wrote on Facebook.

Despite the closure, the restaurant said it's still working to be able to host its free community Thanksgiving dinner this year.

The restaurant also said it's hoping to find a new spot to open in.

Granny's Latonia Diner is where "culinary passion meets a warm, inviting atmosphere," according to the restaurant's website.

The restaurant's menu included diner favorites like double-decker sandwiches, burgers, homemade soups and breakfast options like biscuits and gravy, omelettes and more.

You can read Granny's Latonia Diner's full announcement below:

A small business in Northern Kentucky announced Monday that it is permanently closing its doors.

Tuba Baking Co., located at 517 Sixth Avenue in Dayton, announced on social media that it is shutting down after eight years of business. The restaurant's final day of service will be Saturday, June 27.

"Man it's been a crazy 8 years! But the time has come for us to make the very difficult decision to end this chapter of Tuba," owners Drew and Valerie Rath wrote. "We want to be able to spend more time with our kids and give to them the time and attention they have so graciously sacrificed for us to even get this far."

The mom-and-pop restaurant specializes in Swabian-style pretzels, which have skinnier "arms" and a split baby unlike Bavarian pretzels. Outside of the pretzels, Tuba Baking Co. offers Southern German-inspired scratch-made cuisine, such as schnitzel, currywurst, spatzle and more.

The restaurant's menu also includes Cincinnati chili-influenced items like the "Swabinatian," which has spatzle a chewy egg noodle topped with Cincinnati chili lentils, shredded cheese and onion.

Tuba Baking Co. first began as a farmers market stand before they opened a brick-and-mortar location in Covington in 2019. The couple moved the restaurant to Dayton in 2022.

"Our fans and customers have blown us away with your love and passion for the food weve put on a plate and the family weve cultivated at our bar (and) in our Biergarten," the Raths wrote. "We love serving you, we love this area, and we love what we do, but it is time we focus on our next chapters."

With several weeks ahead until their official closure, the Raths are inviting guests to come celebrate the "dishes, drinks and laughter" they've shared over the years.

You can read Tuba Baking Co.'s full announcement below:

Graeter's Ice Cream is preparing for the Kentucky Derby with a new limited-edition flavor, the company announced Monday.

Churchill Downs and Graeter's have collaborated to create the Backstretch Bourbon Cherry flavor, an official licensed ice cream of the Kentucky Derby, just in time for the annual "Run for the Roses."

The limited-time creation made just for derby season is a "bourbon-kissed ice cream" blended with black cherries and pralines, according to Graeter's.

The Graeter's Ice Cream truck will also be making its Kentucky Derby debut this year. On May 1 and May 2, the truck will be stationed at the Clubhouse Gate entrance and will be open to ticketed guests of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.

The truck will carry a variety of staple flavors, including the signature Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip, in addition to the new Backstretch Bourbon Cherry.

You can try the new flavor now in all Graeter's scoop shops or through nationwide shipping. Starting Wednesday, pints of Backstretch Bourbon Cherry will be available at select grocery stores, including Kroger in Ohio, Kentucky and Indianapolis.

And it's not only available as a scoop.

Graeter's is offering an "Off to the Races" collection for purchase online, including:

Find more information about the derby-inspired collection and the chance to win free ice cream for a year here.

The Kentucky Derby takes place May 2.

A Dutch Bros Coffee is proposed for the southeast corner of Breiel Boulevard and Batsey Drive in Middletown.

Plans submitted to the city show a 986-square-foot building with two drive-thru lanes and no indoor seating. A walk-up service window is planned on the west side of the building.

The project would redevelop about 0.59 acres of the existing Middletown Shopping Center parking lot. Nearby businesses include Mr. Hibachi Japanese Grill, Burger King and Little Caesars Pizza.

Dutch Bros was founded in 1992 in Grants Pass, Oregon, by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma, who started the company from an espresso pushcart. As of late 2025, the chain had expanded to 1,081 locations across 24 states, according to the company.

The brand is known for customizable hot, iced or blended coffee drinks as well as its Rebel energy drinks, teas, lemonades, shakes and smoothies.

The proposed Middletown location is part of a broader expansion into the Miami Valley that began last year.

Dutch Bros' first location in Ohio opened in Springfield Township in 2025. According to Dutch Bros's website, they also have Greater Cincinnati area locations in Milford and Sharonville.

There's also a location north of Dayton that opened in September in Butler Township. Additional area locations are also planned near the University of Dayton campus and in Fairborn and Riverside near Dayton.

The location proposed for Middletown will go before the citys planning commission in May.

Restaurant lovers and foodies get ready, because Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week is returning to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky later this month.

The week of meal deals runs Monday, April 20, through Sunday, April 26, at more than 60 participating restaurants.

Participating restaurants will be offering prix-fixe meals for lunch and dinner. The meals are $26, $36, $46 or $56 depending on the restaurant, and $1 from every meal will be donated to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Some of this year's participating restaurants include Primavista, Baru, Nicholson's The Green Line, Ivory House, Coppin's at Hotel Covington and many more.

Those who dine at participating restaurants can also download the Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week app to map out their dining experiences and check in at restaurants, earning points. Those who check in to three or more restaurants will be automatically entered to win $300 in restaurant gift cards, a Bulleit Bourbon fire pit and more.

You can download the app from the App Store and Google Play.

Here is the full list of participating restaurants for Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week:

You can click here to learn more about Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week.

A popular, decades-old store at Over-the-Rhine's Findlay Market has expanded into a new neighborhood this time with sit-down dining.

Dean's Mediterranean Imports, located at 108 W Elder St. in OTR, recently held the grand opening for Dean's Mediterranean Table, located at 4024 Hamilton Avenue in Northside.

Dean's is owned and operated by Kate Zaidan, who took over the Findlay Market store from her father, Dean, in 2014. Dean Zaidan first opened Dean's Imports at Findlay Market in the 1970s after emigrating from Beirut, Lebanon.

Katie Zaidan told WCPO 9 that getting to build upon the store her father built and expand it into a new concept has been one of the most gratifying parts of the process.

"It's a huge deal," Zaidan said. " ... I grew up in the store. I have memories of, like, sleeping in the back on big bags of lentils, and you know, drawing pictures for the windows and stuff. So it's very much home for me, but it was also, you know, I wanted to put my own spin on things."

Those who love and frequent Dean's Imports know the grocery store is packed to the brim with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern goods and foods, and Zaidan said the space at Table allows her to modernize and do more. She also said Table allows her to hold cooking classes and host educational sessions.

"(The) number one comment I would get from our customers and people in the store is like, 'Oh my gosh, all of these ingredients are so cool, but I just have no idea how to use them,'" Zaidan said. "And so I had to start doing cooking classes for that reason ... because we do carry, I think, some of the best ingredients in the world. But if you don't know how to use them, they're just items on a shelf."

Inside Table, guests can expect several seating options, including a large round booth that anchors the front of the restaurant. Zaidan said there are 25 seats indoors as well as 25 outdoor seats that will be added in the future. The restaurant also includes its own grocery area, with items such as chutneys and curry pastes, tinned fish, olive oils, freshly prepared hummus and much more.

Zaidan said Table's menu also builds off of the menu offered from the kitchen at the back of Dean's Imports.

"It's similar to our menu at Dean's, but definitely elevated," Zaidan said.

Zaidan said a lot of the recipes are derived from her family's recipes that she learned from her father and grandmother while growing up. On top of that, she said Table's chef, Alex Boland, has crafted beautiful plates that showcase Lebanese food's bright colors and accoutrements.

She said a standout on the menu is the mezze options, which are small plates that work best when they're served together, and a nice way to eat around the menu. She also said in the few weeks of business they've already had fan favorites that have become staples of the menu, such as their grilled dates.

For those wanting something lighter, Zaidan said she's thrilled to be able to bring Turkish and Yemeni coffee to the Cincinnati area.

She said their Turkish coffee is not overly sweet but a strong demitasse coffee that's perfect with sweets. Yemeni coffee dates back millennia, and Zaidan said it separates itself with its beans, roast and spices, with notes of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and others.

Zaidan said she had a customer come in, order a coffee and pastry and sit with a book in the cafe, and that's the epitome of what she was trying to do with Dean's Mediterranean Table. She said Table has become sort of a one-stop shop for all things, whether that be coming in for a meal, a cup of coffee and a pastry or stopping in for some groceries.

At the end of the day, Zaidan said she wanted to create a space that was accessible to the community and welcoming to all.

"You know, that was kind of the genius of my dad's store that I really love is that we have spices that we sell for 50 cents, and we have a balsamic vinegar that's $235," Zaidan said. "So I sort of wanted to ... just make a place that anybody can feel at home in."

Dean's Mediterranean Table is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can also check out Dean's Mediterranean Imports at Findlay Market from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

You can click here to follow along with the grocery store and restaurant.

A Cincinnati dining series is making its return this spring in the Incline District.

"Vine & Dine" is returning on April 10, hosted by Around the Table Cincy.

The dining series will revive in East Price Hill's Incline District in the former home of Somm Wine Bar, which closed in March 2025.

The Vine & Dine series was created by Julie Dowty during her tenure at The Art of Entertaining, and the series became known for pairing chef-driven menus, curated drinks and live music into a single experience. The series took a five-year hiatus before it was reimagined by Around the Table.

"Vine & Dine has always been about how everything comes together the food, the music, the atmosphere," Dowty said. "Each piece is intentional, but it's the way they layer that creates something memorable. Bringing it back in this space feels like the right next chapter."

Vine & Dine will return April 10 with a night inspired by New Orleans. The dining experience will include a New Orleans-themed menu.

Outside of the food and drink, the NOLA-themed night will include live music from the Nite Owl Blues Band.

Around the Table Cincy has yet to announce what the other themes of future Vine & Dine events will be.

You can click here to follow along with Around the Table Cincy.

Three chefs in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas have been named finalists in the 2026 James Beard Awards.

The annual awards recognize the best of the best in the restaurant industry, honoring regional best chefs, best bar professionals, new restaurants and more.

Sarah Dworak and Jeffery Harris have been named finalists in the "Best Chef: Great Lakes" category, which showcases chefs in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. David Willocks was named a finalist in the "Best Chef: Southeast" category, which includes Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Harris had previously been honored by the James Beard Awards, being named a semifinalist for the same category in 2024 and a nominee for "Best New Restaurant" in 2023.

Nolia, located in Over-the-Rhine at the corner of Clay and 14th streets, offers Harris' take on classic Southern flavors and dishes inspired by his upbringing in New Orleans. The restaurant's menu changes seasonally, with recent options including goat gnocchi with mustard greens and sweet potatoes and skillet cornbread, to name a few.

WATCH: WCPO sat down and talked with Harris about Nolia

The restaurant celebrated Harris' finalist honor on social media, saying, "This incredible honor is a testament to the dedication, passion and flavor Jeff puts into every single dish, bringing the heart of New Orleans to the soul of Cincinnati."

Dworak, who was a first-time semifinalist and now a first-time finalist, owns and operates Sudova, an Eastern European dining spot that opened on Court Street in downtown Cincinnati in 2024. Dworak told us Sudova celebrates her heritage, offering Eastern European staples like cod pelmeni, latkes, rye varenyky and more.

"We are thrilled to announce that we are James Beard 2026 finalists," the restaurant wrote on social media. " ... Excited does not even begin to describe the feeling. Thank you to everyone who has dined with us, shared stories and supported us."

Willocks is also a first-time semifinalist and finalist. The chef owns and operates The Baker's Table in Newport with his wife, Wendy Braun. A more unique fine dining experience, The Baker's Table offers a six-course tasting menu that rotates each month. The restaurant prides itself on using local and regional farmers and producers for produce, meat, grains and more.

The Baker's Table also posted to social media, celebrating the finalist honor and congratulating both Sudova and Nolia.

Dworak, Harris and Willocks were three of five total semifinalists named from the Tri-State.

Hideki Harada, who owns Kiki, an izakaya and sushi bar in Clifton's Gaslight district, was also named a semifinalist for "Best Chef: Great Lakes." Harada also received that honor in 2023.

Mike Stankovich was also recognized as a semifinalist for "Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service." Stankovich runs Longfellow, a bar located a block away from Nolia at the corner of Clay and 13th streets in OTR. Stankovich was also a nominee for the same category in last year's James Beard Awards.

The 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday, June 15, in Chicago.

A new coffee shop and tap house is set to open its doors at Court Street Plaza in downtown Cincinnati later this spring.

California natives Rodney and Janine De Iorio will open Brewd at 34 E Court Street later this year, they announced last week. The couple relocated to Cincinnati in 2021.

Brewd will sit in a 2,200-square-foot space on Court Street, which was the former Almost V'Gan Lounge space. The coffee shop and tap house is set to have a soft launch in April before holding a grand opening at a later date.

The De Iorios said in a press release that Brewd has been a long-time dream for the couple, and that they found inspiration in the commonalities between coffee and beer culture.

"We wanted to create a place where you could enjoy coffee in the morning and a beer in the evening a space that would bring people together and turn strangers into neighbors," said Janine De Iorio. "We spent a lot of time researching what today's third spaces are missing, and we've been very intentional about creating an environment that will fill that gap."

The combination coffee shop and tap house will offer locally roasted coffee from La Terza, located in Springfield Township, tea from Churchill's Fine Teas and a rotating selection of beers from local breweries, such as Rhinegeist, Bocce, Brink, Westside and HighGrain, among others.

Outside of drink options, Brewd will also have a food menu curated by Rodney Do Iorio that pays homage to his Southern California upbringing. Guests can expect menu items like California-style breakfast burritos, sandwiches and carne asada fries to go alongside an assortment of bakery treats.

The Do Iorios also said they want Brewd to be a space for community and connection as they plan to host a variety of events and activities, including board games and puzzles to Profs + Pints, an organization that hosts casual lectures held by college professors in bars, breweries and cafes.

"As an organization deeply committed to building community, activating this space with a concept that not only fosters connection but also collaborates with other local small businesses is truly optimal," said Christ Samad, EVP of civc and commercial space activation for 3CDC.

Brewd will join an array of businesses at Court Street Plaza, including Afterlife, Mid-City Restaurant, Daruma, Onolicious Hawaii, Court Street Kitchen, Pata Roja and many more.

Beloved Italian restaurant Pepp & Dolores, along with two of its sister restaurants, is set to open a second location in the Cincinnati area later this year.

Thunderdome Restaurant Group is opening Pepp & Dolores, alongside The Eagle and CityBird, at Deerfield Township's new The District at Deerfield development.

Joe Lanni, co-founder of Thunderdome, told WCPO 9 that the new locations are the restaurant group's way of broadening specifically in the Cincinnati market. Currently, CityBird has several locations, including Amelia, Anderson, Over-the-Rhine, Harper's Point, Fountain Square and Crestview Hills in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The Eagle also has several other locations, but all of them, except OTR, are in other cities such as Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis and others.

"We just feel that this one (Deerfield Township) is a great location, first and foremost, but we're going to have great neighbors, and when you put those two things together, that's a real recipe for success, hopefully," Lanni said.

The District at Deerfield, which sits near Mason Montgomery Road, is home to several businesses, including Pins Mechanical Co., Fifty West Brewery and 101 Craft Kitchen. It was recently announced that the Indianapolis-based brunch spot, Cafe Patachou, is also expected to open at The District at Deerfield this spring, as well.

While The Eagle and CityBird have other locations, the upcoming Pepp & Dolores in Deerfield Township is only the second location for the concept outside of its flagship OTR spot. Lanni told us that Thunderdome never planned to make Pepp & Dolores a regional chain like the other concepts, but they decided to open a second location due to the restaurant's success.

"It's just had such success and resonated so well that demand's just been off the charts, and we thought, if we're making our first foray outside the central business district, we ought to put our best foot forward," Lanni said.

Lanni said they plan to design the new space to give the same feel of OTR's Pepp & Dolores, obviously without the 100-year-old historic building along Vine Street. Guests can also expect the same menu as the OTR restaurant, with in-house-made pastas, wine and more.

Pepp & Dolores, The Eagle and CityBird are expected to open at The District at Deerfield in September or October, Lanni said.

The Madisonville area is getting another dining option from an acclaimed chef this spring when Suzu opens its doors at the Madison Square development.

The restaurant, led by chef Makoto Okuwa, is set to open its doors in May at Madison Square, which is also home to The Element Food Hall, Alara and the upcoming Italian restaurant Zingaro by Chef Fabio Viviani.

Okuwa's career has spanned more than 30 years, where he's become a master of modern Japanese cuisine as the protege of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Okuwa has specializes in Edomae-style sushi, which is a traditional sushi technique dating back to the 1820s that features marinated, cured and simmered food rather than the typical raw options. Throughout his career, Okuwa has fused both traditional Japanese cuisine and contemporary influence at his various restaurants in Washington, D.C., Miami, Mexico City and other cities.

Suzu is Okuwa's first venture in the Cincinnati area, and the restaurant will be "where modernity meets tradition," according to a press release.

The Madisonville restaurant will seat 200 guests, offering both indoor and outdoor seating, a private dining room called the Tea Room and a cocktail bar. Within the restaurant there will also be Suzunone, a 12-style Edo-style omakase counter, where guests will have the opportunity to experience Japanese sushi tradition.

"Suzu is a celebration of Japanese culture and cuisine, where every detail matters from the design of the room to the way a single piece of sushi is crafted," Okuwa said in a press release. "It's about honoring tradition while creating something vibrant and alive, and it's unlike anything in the region."

You can follow for updates about Suzu here.

An Indianapolis-based cafe is set to open its first Cincinnati-area location this spring.

Cafe Patachou will open at Mason's The District at Deerfield, which is also home to several other restaurants and bars, including 101 Craft Kitchen, Fifty West Brewery, Pins Mechanical Co. and several others that are also in the process of opening.

Since its inception in 1989 by restaurateur Martha Hoover, Cafe Patachou has been described as a "student union for adults," according to its website, serving an "elevated take" on breakfast, brunch and lunch.

The cafe's menu includes a variety of Cafe Patachou's takes on breakfast staples, such as omelettes, croissant French toast, Chilaquiles and more. For those not wanting breakfast, Cafe Patachou also has lunch selections like salads, sandwiches, bowls, soup and more.

To go alongside your food, a serve-yourself coffee bar is a focal point at Cafe Patachou. Guests will be able to sip on seasonal lattes like English toffee and peppermint mocha, as well as brunch cocktails, beer, wine and more.

Over the decades, Cafe Patachou has received local, regional and national accolades. The chain has also expanded to several locations across Indiana, as well as a Lexington location.

You can click here to learn more about Cafe Patachou.

This story starts in New Orleans. Because it's where Jeff Harris was born, and its where his great-grandmother taught him to cook.

Its also where his story changed forever. Because after Hurricane Katrina destroyed his home and most of his city, Harris left the Ninth Ward on a Greyhound bus.

At the time, hed barely heard of Cincinnati.

Now, hes one of the citys most acclaimed chefs. But he wants to make something clear: If you come to Nolia Kitchen, dont expect red beans and rice.

Im from New Orleans, but my restaurant is not, Harris said. Theres more to me than that.

It's why his wife tells me she wasn't sure if the restaurant would work.

Hes always surprised me, said Heather Harris, co-owner of Nolia Kitchen. The weirdest things on the menu is what sells the most.

This means goat gnocchi with sweet potatoes. And suya, a beef dish from Africa.

'I'm on a mission' | Meet the Black chef who wants to redefine what that means

I spent some time with Harris before one of their busiest nights of the year the Friday before Valentines Day. When I get there, the staff's talking through assignments. There's tension.

Everyones going to be put to the test tonight, said Thearvy Long, the head chef. Its going to be fun.

Long shows me around and tells me it's going to be his busiest night since joining the staff last year. He keeps smiling.

What we have here is a stage, Long said.

A stage where Harris hopes to redefine what it means to be a Black chef from New Orleans. Because yes, his story includes southern food. But not like you might expect.

Im on a mission, Harris said. "We're putting culture on a plate."

Under a tablet where the orders come in, theres a piece of tape. Written on it is this:

In 2023, the restaurant was a finalist for a James Beard Award, considered one of the most prestigious awards in the food industry. And Harris tells me he wants to be the best chef in Cincinnati.

Multiple times.

But even with those lofty goals, Harris says he wants Nolia to feel like your grandmothers house. Thats why he started cooking.

And its part of the reason his own grandson is here.

Harris slides an apron over his head. It's embroidered with the words, "Chef Des." The two stand over a grill, cooking broccoli and suya. After plating one of the skewers, Des's hand has a black mark on it.

You didnt burn yourself, Harris said. Just to let you know.

The young boy responds using the same phrase to tell him he knew that.

"Just so you know," Des said.

Harris laughs before turning to me.

Hows the chaos look now? Harris said.

He laughs again.

This is what Friday nights are all about."

Blue Bell ice cream fans, rejoice! The Greater Cincinnati region now has a new option to try.

The Texas-based creamery announced in February that it would be officially bringing its product to the Cincinnati area in March. Now, the company says shelves are being stocked today.

In a new announcement, Blue Bell Creameries said its new distribution center in Lebanon will start filling grocery stores in the Greater Cincinnati area with half gallons, pints and a variety of frozen snack items today, March 9.

For the Graeter's purists, or Blue Bell skeptics out there, Blue Bell will be giving away free samples in the region throughout the month of March.

While the company sells its ice cream in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, the Tri-State was never part of Blue Bell's service area until now.

Blue Bell first announced its plans to expand distribution to the Cincinnati and Dayton markets in December, saying it would build a 16,000-square-foot facility in Lebanon that would include cold room storage for its popular products.

From there, the company said it has worked on hiring delivery drivers, warehouse personnel and office positions in preparation for a March release.

"We're excited to share that Blue Bell is on the way," Carl Breed, VP of sales and marketing, said in the announcement. "Blue Bell is sold in a very small portion of Ohio, but soon we will be bringing our ice cream to even more stores across the state."

Unlike some of the Cincinnati area's most popular ice cream brands, Blue Bell won't have standalone stores in Cincinnati. Instead, the product will be sold in local grocery stores and drugstores.

Cincinnati Chili Week is returning to the Tri-State, with deals at more than 30 restaurants.

The annual food week is taking place Monday, Feb. 23, through Sunday, March 1 marking a perfect way to celebrate National Chili Day on Feb. 26.

Chili connoisseurs will be able to enjoy coneys, three-ways, four-ways, five-ways, specials and more with $5-7 deals at various restaurants.

Some of the participating restaurants this year include a variety of Skyline locations, Price Hill Chili, Fifty West Brewing, Moerlein Lager House, Champions Grille and many more.

Participants can also track which restaurants they dine at with the Cincinnati Chili Week app. You can download the app via Apple's App Store or Google Play. Those who log their chili escapades have a chance of winning prizes, including the grand prize of $300 in restaurant gift cards.

The full list of participating restaurants includes:

To learn more about Cincinnati Chili Week and get addresses for participating restaurants, click here.

A popular hot dog restaurant located in Blue Ash's Summit Park has announced that it is closing its doors.

Senate, located near Tahona Taqueria + Tequila Bar in the park, announced on social media that this week would be its last.

"After nearly ten years in Summit Park it's time for us to move on," the restaurant wrote on its Instagram story.

Chef Daniel Wright, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Lana Wright, told WCPO that they decided to close the Summit Park location because its lease was expiring. He also said the move allows them to focus on their Over-the-Rhine businesses.

"We're proud of what we built," the restaurant's announcement said. "We want to thank all of you for being a huge part of it."

The restaurant is most known for its gourmet hot dogs, including the "Trailer Park" that comes with bacon, American cheese, coleslaw and crushed Grippos or the "Lindsay Lohan" with goat cheese, caramelized onions, bacon, arugula, balsamic and "tons of drama," according to the restaurant's website. Other than hot dogs, the menu has staples like poutine, falafel, lobster mac and cheese and more. The restaurant also has a full-service bar, with several cocktails, wine, beer and other drinks.

Senate first opened in Over-the-Rhine in 2009 and played a role in revitalizing the neighborhood, especially the Vine Street business district, before it closed in 2021 to allow its sister eatery, Abigail Street, to expand.

The Blue Ash location opened in 2017. The Wrights also added a smaller version of the restaurant to their OTR bar, Holiday Spirits, in 2022.

Just Q'in BBQ will close its Walnut Hills location as the restaurant shifts focus solely to its other space, the restaurant's owner announced last week.

The barbecue restaurant is shutting down the Walnut Hills restaurant, located at 975 E McMillan Street, on Saturday, Jan. 31.

Owner Matt Cuff wrote that they decided to close the location in order to fully focus on its flagship restaurant in College Hill.

"Weve shifted our thinking from expansion to excellence. We want to give you the best experience, (every) time and thats now more possible with our team under one roof and our full attention on one place," Cuff wrote on Facebook.

You can read Cuff's full announcement below:

With sole focus on the College Hill location, Cuff said they're making changes already, such as opening on Mondays, bringing back pastrami Fridays, hosting trivia nights and more.

"We want to thank the Walnut Hills Community for the love over the last 10 years, but this isnt the end. Come see what happens when we put all our energy into one place," Cuff wrote.

Just Q'in first opened in 2009 as a food truck in the Cincinnati area before Cuff expanded it into brick-and-mortar restaurants. The restaurant, which serves an array of meats, wings, sandwiches, plates and more, has run under the motto "Faith. Love. BBQ" Former President Joe Biden also stopped by the barbecue joint's Walnut Hills location on his way through Cincinnati in 2023.

Findlay Market patrons will have a new dining spot to choose from as Columbus-based Mexican restaurant Dos Hermanos is set to open in the area.

The Over-the-Rhine market recently announced the addition of Dos Hermanos, which is celebrating its grand opening Jan. 30 at 1819 Elm Street.

The restaurant, which is opening its first Cincinnati-area location, is joining the Market District as a long-term resident of the Findlay Launch program.

Dos Hermanos serves up authentic Oaxacan food, with menu items such as Mexican street tacos, banana leaf tamales, burritos and more.

"We started with a food truck and a lot of love for what we do. 14 years later, that hasn't changed we just have more locations now," said Robert Packer, director of operations. "Dos Hermanos has always been about more than tacos. It's about showing up for people with good food, real hospitality and a place where everyone's welcome."

Dos Hermanos first began in Columbus and has since grown to include a fleet of food trucks, a catering program and several quick-service dining spots in Columbus and Athens.

For those interested in Dos Hermanos' grand opening Friday, the celebration will have several speakers, a ribbon cutting, a mariachi band and more.

Those who attend the grand opening and sign up for Dos Hermanos' rewards will also receive one free taco.

You can click here to learn more about Dos Hermanos.

Several restaurant industry professionals in Cincinnati and Newport have been recognized as semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards.

The annual awards recognize the best of the best in the restaurant industry, honoring regional best chefs, best bar professionals, new restaurants and more.

In the Tri-State, four chefs were honored, as well as a bar owner from Over-the-Rhine.

Hideki Harada, Sarah Dworak and Jeffery Harris are all semifinalists for the "Best Chefs: Great Lakes" category, David Willocks was named in the "Best Chef: Southeast" category and Mike Stankovich was named a semifinalist in the "Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service" category.

Harada owns and operates Kiki, an izakaya and sushi bar located in Clifton's Gaslight district. Outside of sushi, Kiki has ramen, bao buns, skewers and more. Harada was also previously named a semifinalist for the same category in 2023.

Harris has also previously been honored by the James Beard Awards. The Nolia owner was recognized as a semifinalist for "Best Chef: Great Lakes" in 2024 and Nolia was a nominee for "Best New Restaurant" in 2023.

Nolia, located in Over-the-Rhine at the corner of Clay and 13th streets, showcases Harris' take on classic southern flavors and dishes inspired by his upbringing in New Orleans. Menu items change seasonally, with some recent winter options including goat gnocchi with mustard greens and sweet potatoes and skillet cornbread, to name a few.

Both Dworak and Willocks are first-time semifinalists.

Dworak owns and operates Sudova, an Eastern European dining spot that opened in 2024 on Court Street in downtown Cincinnati. Sudova celebrates Dworak's heritage, offering Eastern European staples like cod pelmeni, latkes, rye varenyky and more.

"Truly no words can express our gratitude and excitement," the restaurant wrote on social media.

Willocks owns and operates The Baker's Table in Newport with his wife, Wendy Braun. The Baker's Table is a bit unlike your typical fine dining restaurant, instead offering a six-course tasting menu that rotates each month. The Baker's Table prides itself on using local and regional farmers and producers for produce, meats, grains and more.

Lastly, Stankovich has once again been named a semifinalist for the "Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service" category after he was a nominee for the same category last year.

Stanovich runs Longfellow, a bar located a block away from Nolia at the corner of Clay and 13th streets. The bar, which opened in 2017, is cozy and features a classic horseshoe bar, offering guests classic cocktails, as well as affordable beer beloved by the average dive bar patron. There's also a small rotating menu of bar snacks.

The bar was previously recognized by USA Today on its "Best Bars in America in 2024" list.

The James Beard Awards will be announcing the finalists for the categories on Tuesday, March 31, ahead of the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 15, in Chicago.

A Latin breakfast and brunch spot in Northern Kentucky is set to shut down in February after years of business, the restaurant announced on social media.

Yuca, located at 700 Fairfield Avenue in Bellevue, announced on Facebook on Friday that it has decided to close, saying the restaurant's lease is coming to an end.

The restaurant's last day of business will be Sunday, Feb. 1.

"Currently weekends are fantastic, but unfortunately we get very little traffic during the week," the restaurant wrote. "We've always been hopeful that weekday business would pick up, unfortunately it simply hasn't."

The Latin-inspired restaurant, which is owned by Cedar Culinary Group, said the decision comes as Yuca is set to have its five-year anniversary. The restaurant serves a wide range of Latin-inspired breakfast and lunch options, including a Cubano sandwich, Venezuelan filet and eggs and others.

"We're heartbroken to leave, but the economics simply won't support the business," Yuca wrote.

The restaurant said it's currently looking at other potential locations to reopen in, but in the meantime, popular dishes from Yuca will be available at the restaurant group's other spots in Covington, Cedar, located at 701 Main Street, and Pike Street, located at 9 W Pike Street.

You can read Yuca's full announcement below:

Northern Kentucky restaurant Carmelo's was named among the top new restaurants in the country as part of

's '10Best Readers' Choice Awards 2026.'

The Covington restaurant, located at the corner of Madison Avenue and West 5th Street, was named No.2 on USA Today's Best New Restaurants list.

wrote that a panel of food and travel experts nominated 20 new restaurants that opened in the past year and a half, and then readers voted for their top 10 picks.

Carmelo's is owned by Billy Grise and Mitch Arens and opened in November 2024. The restaurant is named after Grise's great-grandfather or bisnonno Carmelo Caserta, a first-generation immigrant from Sicily.

"Today, we honor Carmelos legacy by embodying the qualities that defined him generosity, love, sincerity and good humor. His spirit lives on in every dish we serve and in the warm, welcoming atmosphere we strive to create," the restaurant's website says.

Carmelo's menu features takes on classic Italian dishes such as 101-layer lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, tiramisu and more.

"Located in an 1850s office building in downtown Covington, Carmelo's is an intimate and stylish dining venue focused on Italian American comfort cuisine," reads

's 10Best list.

The list's coveted No. 1 spot was taken by Koast in Wailea, Hawaii. Here is the full list of the best new restaurants:

Carmelo's is open seven days a week from 4-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

You can click here to see Carmelo's full menu.

Deeper Roots Coffee announced this past week that it's opening its fifth location in Cincinnati.

The coffee roastery, which first started in 2011 and locally roasts its coffee in West End, said it will be opening a coffee bar in the Mercantile Building, located at Fourth and Walnut streets in downtown Cincinnati. The Mercantile Building, which is home to the Mercantile Library, was originally built over a century ago and was recently restored with new luxury apartments.

The upcoming location spans 1,700 square feet and is set to open in spring 2026, according to Jon Lewis, co-founder and director of community engagement at Deeper Roots.

In a social media video alongside Model Group Properties, Lewis said how they're excited for the new coffee bar because it allows Deeper Roots to enter "an entirely different quadrant of downtown."

"Every neighborhood deserves great coffee, specialty coffee in every pot, a local spot on every block," Lewis said.

The Mercantile location will be accessible for those walking through downtown, but it will also allow Mercantile residents to grab a cup of Joe without needing to step outside.

Other than the Mercantile location, Deeper Roots has a nearby coffee bar located further west on Fourth Street near Central Avenue. Deeper Roots also has coffee bars in Montgomery, Findlay Market in Over-the-Rhine and Oakley, which is home to Deeper Roots' first coffee bar. You can also get Deeper Roots' coffee at Daylily, a bodega and sandwich shop in Columbia-Tusculum owned by Jose Salazar.

To learn more about Deeper Roots and its locations, click here.

The rumors are true: You can now get a Skyline pizza at the grocery store (for a limited time).

After seeing pictures on social media of "Skyline Cheese Coney Pizza" in local Kroger stores, we reached out to Skyline Chili ourselves to figure out the truth. The answer is, yes, all Kroger locations in Cincinnati, Columbus, Indianapolis and Louisville are selling Skyline pizza in stores.

Skyline said the pizzas are a "holiday surprise," with Kroger locations offering "extremely limited quantities" through the weekend (or while supplies last).

The pizza includes the original Skyline chili, cheddar cheese, pieces of coney hot dogs, mustard and onion definitely not for everyone.

If you don't make it to the store in time to pick up your own premade pizza, Skyline previously posted their recipe on social media so you can copy it at home.

This isn't the first time Skyline has gotten adventurous with its food. Earlier this year, Skyline collaborated with fellow Cincinnati favorite Graeter's Ice Cream to make the "Skyline Chili Spice Ice Cream," which included Skyline's spice blend and crunchy oyster crackers with Graeter's French pot ice cream.

The ice cream flavor initially received mixed reactions when Kroger dropped the concept online. Tri-State native and Vice President JD Vance expressed his distaste at the time for the flavor on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "President Trump and I will stop this."

The president did not stop it, as it returned in October for a limited time. The ice cream was actually even nominated for the 2025 Dairy Product of the Year by Dairy Foods Magazine.

A new cafe and coffee shop in Covington is set to offer quality coffee as it serves as a getaway that mixes the coziness of your grandma's house with just a touch of witchy cottagecore.

The Cauldron Cafe, located at 807 Madison Ave., is hosting its grand opening Sunday, Nov. 30. The cafe joins the bustling Madison Avenue business district in Covington, which has seen several nearby businesses open in the past year as well.

Cauldron Cafe was born out of husband-and-wife duo Brittany and Noah Markowich's love of coffee. The couple dealt with the loss of Noah's mom and brother in the span of a few months and found solace in an espresso machine they were given.

"We just fell in love with the process of making coffee," Noah Markowich said. "You can really go deep with it, with coffee that comes from different places, and having different flavors, and we really just got into that."

Through those deaths, the duo said they came to a moment in life where they needed to reevaluate what they wanted to do, which led them to conjure up the idea of opening Cauldron Cafe.

While the coffee shop has been in the works for a couple of years, it really took shape when the couple moved from the suburbs in Edgewood to Covington. Through sheer luck or maybe a little bit of the universe's magic, the couple saw the cafe's Madison Avenue storefront available directly across from their new home.

"We weren't really even ready to open our cafe yet, but we were like we should just poke around and see how much it is and see if we can make it work," Brittany Markowich said.

She said since they've both lived in Covington and begun opening Cauldron Cafe, the Covington community has been "beyond words welcoming." She also said the neighborhood feels like home something that Cauldron evokes with its warmth.

The cafe is anchored by a large butcher block coffee bar at the front of the cafe. The cafe then opens up into a hodgepodge of wooden tables and chairs in every nook of the shop that are complemented by floral wallpaper and warmly lit lamps. The seating and cafe's atmosphere is inviting, something the Markowichs aimed for.

"We wanted it to feel like a hug, sort of like your grandma's house," Brittany Markowich said.

In terms of coffee, Cauldron Cafe is sourcing its beans from Methodical Coffee, a roaster based in South Carolina. The third-wave coffee shop will have all your coffee shop favorites, including drip and iced coffee, lattes, cortados, macchiatos, seasonal drinks, teas and even non-coffee options like hot chocolate and steamers. The duo is also making flavor syrups in-house.

For now, the cafe will serve Methodical's Blue Boy coffee, which Noah described as "very smooth and chocolately and easy to drink," but the duo said they may expand to have several different roasts eventually.

"We want to try and definitely hit on the people who like coffee and are kind of nerdy about that, but also people who just want a vanilla steamer for a little kid," Noah Markowich said.

To go alongside drinks, Cauldron will also have sweet treats and pastries from Covington's own North South Baking Company, which is located around the corner on W Pike Street.

Through Cauldron, the Markowichs are excited to create a community around their coffee shop, whether that means getting to know the names of regulars and chatting or simply serving up high-quality coffee to those who need a cup of joe before work.

"We want to ... just be really warm and inviting, just have somewhere where people can be comfortable," Noah Markowich said.

The Markowichs said that after things have settled and Cauldron has found its footing, they'd love to host events at the coffee shop, such as yoga classes and craft nights or even live music.

Cauldron Cafe's grand opening kicks off Sunday at 8 a.m.

The coffee shop will be open six days a week:

You can stay up to date with Cauldron Cafe here.

A notable restaurant in Cincinnati's dining scene has reopened in a new location in downtown Cincinnati.

Salazar, the eponymous restaurant from renowned chef Jose Salazar, has reopened Wednesday.

The restaurant, which first opened in 2013, now sits in a new development at 101 W Fifth Street, which is directly below Paycor's new headquarters.

The reopening of Salazar was two years in the making after the chef announced he was moving his longtime restaurant out of its Over-the-Rhine location.

The restaurant's new location is much bigger than the OTR spot, sitting at nearly five times the Republic Street restaurant. The Fifth Street location allows guests to experience expanded seating, three private dining rooms and the ability to host events up to 50 people.

Opening Salazar in a significantly larger space is a transformative step for us, Salazar said. It unlocks a wide range of possibilities not only as a restaurant, but as a venue for special occasions, celebrations, corporate events, and more."

Outside of the larger venue, Salazar's menu will stay focused on working with local farmers, producing fresh pastas and other in-house items. The menu will also have more emphasis on seafood now.

Guests can expect menu items like prime ribeye, seafood towers and familiar favorites from Salazar's former menu like the "Lil fried oyster slider."

Salazar now joins the booming Fountain District in downtown, which also recently celebrated the opening of cocktail lounge Prim this past month.

Salazar's new spot is also near the chef's other restaurant, Mita's, which sits across the street from Salazar at the corner of Race Street and W Fifth Street.

"There's incredible momentum in the Fountain District right now, making this the perfect moment for Salazar's grand opening," said Christy Samad, EVP of Civic and Commercial Space Activation with 3CDC.

Other restaurants in the Fountain District include The Davidson, Jeffy Ruby's Steakhouse, Marigold, Vintage on Race and others.

Salazar is set to be open six days a week and will be closed on Sundays:

You can click here to reserve a table at Salazar.

Cincinnati restaurants are under a national spotlight after several were featured on OpenTable's list of the best restaurants in 2025.

OpenTable recently released the "2025's Top 100 Restaurants" list, which is determined by reviews and insights by OpenTable users.

Of the 100 restaurants listed, four are located right here in the Queen City and they were the only four to represent Ohio.

Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse, Sotto, The Precinct and Pepp & Dolores were all featured on the list.

Any Cincinnatian knows these four restaurants are popular and beloved dining staples in the area.

Jeff Ruby's and Sotto are located not far from each other in downtown Cincinnati. Pepp & Dolores resides on Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine, while The Precinct, also owned by Jeff Ruby, sits in Columbia-Tusculum.

Jeff Ruby's and The Precinct are both well-renowned steakhouses owned by Cincinnati restaurateur Jeff Ruby, whose name is practically synonymous with Cincinnati. Both restaurants have been around for decades, accruing many accolades over the years.

Pepp & Dolores, owned by Thunderdome Restaurant Group, is an Italian restaurant known for its array of housemade pastas, authentic Italian cuisine and wine selection.

Sotto, which is run by BOCA Restaurant Group, is located in downtown and offers "rustic Italian cuisine." The restaurant showcases an intimate brick-walled interior that makes it the perfect spot for a cozy date night.

All four of the restaurants featured this year were also listed in 2024's list from OpenTable. Last year's list featured six Queen City restaurants, also including Alfio's Buon Cibo and BOCA.

To see OpenTable's full 2025 list, click here.

Everyone loves Taco Tuesday specials, but Cincinnati Taco Week is returning and even better offering seven days of taco deals.

Cincinnati Taco Week is taking place from Monday, Oct. 13, through Sunday, Oct. 19, at more than 40 participating restaurants in the Tri-State.

Participating restaurants will be offering tacos for $2.50 throughout the week, with a minimum required order of three tacos.

Some of the various restaurants set to have deals include Cabo Taco, El Vaquero, Condado Tacos, Pata Roja and others. There are also several restaurants participating that may not immediately come to mind when you think tacos, such as Blue Ash Chili, Lucius Q, Hawkers Alley and Churchill's Bourbon & Brew at Turfway Park.

A handful of the restaurants also have inventive takes on tacos, such as Bandito's Cincy Chili Taco, Frida's Brussels Sprout Taco, Hawkers Alley's Japanese Curry Katsu Taco, Spear Ridge Cafe's Blackened Catfish Taco and others.

Corona beer, Don Julio tequila and Jarritos are also sponsors of Cincinnati Taco Week, and several restaurants will also have drink deals involving them.

Here is the full list of participating restaurants (subject to change):

A new bar and restaurant set to open in Covington is blending Japanese nightlife with pizza.

Tokyo Pie, opening Wednesday, Oct. 8, will offer an array of craft cocktails alongside Japanese-inspired pizzas.

The restaurant and bar, located directly next to Agave & Rye at 633 Madison Avenue, is helmed by Epic Brands, which also runs the aforementioned Agave & Rye, Cowboy Sally's in Liberty Township, Son of a Butcher Steakhouse and more.

Guests won't find typical pizzas like cheese or meat lovers at Tokyo Pies, which reimagines pizza through a Japanese lens meaning umami-driven flavors.

"Tokyo Pie is about breaking the rules of flavor and experience," said Yavonne Sarber, CEO and founder of Epic Brands.

All pizzas at Tokyo Pie will be created with 72-hour cold-fermented dough and will feature toppings such as miso cream, wagyu sausage, bonito flakes, shiso and more.

There will be several signature pizzas as well, such as the Tokyo Flame with crispy pepperoni, umami red sauce, toasted bene seeds and honey chili or the Ssji with Snake River Farms wagyu sausage, blistered shishito peppers and crispy garlic.

Other than pizzas, Tokyo Pie will also have hand pies, which are inspired by Japanese street food, and several different crust dips like miso buffalo, mirin bleu cheese and yuzu ranch.

Outside of food, Tokyo Pie has several Japanese-inspired signature cocktails, which all come with their own dramatic presentations, according to owners. The menu also includes frozen cocktails, sake-based drinks and other options.

Some of the signature drinks include the Golden Matcha, which includes Suntory Vodka Haku, matcha syrup, coconut cream, honey, strawberry, gold leaf and togarashi, and the Midnight Kyoto, with Suntory Whisky Toki, black sesame, simple syrup and angostura bitters.

While guests enjoy their food and drinks, they'll also get a glimpse into the world of Japanese nightlife. The bar will have a Tokyo-inspired mural, as well as giant LED walls that will stream international DJ sets, as well as games from Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky sports teams.

"We set out to create a place where Covington can feel the pulse of Tokyo nightlife every bite, every sip, every moment designed to feel electric," Sarber said.

After its grand opening, Tokyo Pie will be open seven days per week:

You can click here to learn more about Tokyo Pie and see its full menu.

It's baaaaaaaack.

Graeter's Ice Cream and Skyline Chili have announced the return of the Skyline Spice ice cream, a collaboration of two famous local flavors first introduced earlier this year.

Starting Oct. 1, Graeter's said its limited-edition French Pot ice cream featuring Skyline's chili spice mix, cinnamon and oyster crackers will return to stores. For those who haven't tried it yet, Skyline Spice is described as "crunchy, creamy and packed with spicy flavor in every scoop."

While it may seem like a crazy combo, the ice cream was actually nominated for the 2025 Dairy Product of the Year by Dairy Foods Magazine.

You can watch our team try the flavor here:

A post shared by WCPO 9 (@wcpo9_news)

While Skyline Spice is returning for the season, don't expect it to become permanent. The Graeter's website says it'll only be back for a limited time.

This isn't the only local collab Graeter's has announced recently. They're also working with Perfetti Van Melle, creators of Airheads, to create Airheads Xtremes ice cream products.

The Xtremes Freeze will be a combination of lemon sorbet, lemonade and blue raspberry syrup blended with ice and topped with whipped cream and Airheads Xtremes Bites. While the Xtremes Lemonberry Sundae will be a scoop of Graeter's Lemon Meringue Pie ice cream layered with strawberry topping, whipped cream, cherry and Airheads Xtremes bites.

These two flavors will only be available in Graeter's Scoop Shops in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area through Oct. 12 as a celebration of the River Roots Festival, which takes place on the banks of the Ohio River Oct. 9-12.

Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week has returned to the Tri-State area this month with various three-course menu specials at dozens of participating restaurants.

The food deal week kicked off Monday, Sept. 22, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 28.

Guests can enjoy $26, $36, $46 and $56 menu specials at a variety of different restaurant styles, whether you want a nice fine dining experience or just want to experience a new restaurant.

Those interested in dining at any of the participating restaurants are encouraged to make reservations because tables throughout the week are expected to fill up fast.

Hear more about Cincinnati Restaurant Week, and what it means to one business owner in Cincinnati below:

Diners will be able to enjoy menu items like seared salmon at MadTree Alcove, a tomahawk pork chop at Ivory House, pesto penna pasta at The Green Line Kitchen, duck soup dumplings at Youyu and many more dishes. Several restaurants also have specialty drinks with Maker's Mark whiskey, such as W Bar + Bistro's raspberry mule, The Brown Dog Cafe's bourbon smash, Eddie Merlot's burnt orange Manhattan and others.

Here are the participating restaurants:

You can click here to see each restaurant's specific menus.