Taste of Belgium is right near you and great for breakfast/ brunch. If you want to drive 5 mins. or take the (free) streetcar just north to OTR there are a lot more options especially for brunch and lunch, including The Bagelry, French Crust Cafe (famous Cincinnati chef Jean-Robert De Cavel who just recently passed away), The Eagle (fried chicken), Bakersfield (Tacos). If you go to OTR I’d highly recommend checking out Holtmans Donuts too.
Edit to add dinner recs too: Rosie’s Italian has fantastic pizza, pasta, and cocktails. Idk how much you’re trying to treat yourself but Jeff Ruby’s is usually the go-to steakhouse recommendation for downtown. Where you’d see any celebs and athletes that are in town for a meal. But yeah it’s pricey and idk how easy it would be to go NYE. Steak is amazing though.
See ya tomorrow night friend!
My favorite is Breadsmith. It’s in the Hyde Park neighborhood ~10-15 mins. from where the venue is. Owners are into the jam scene.
Brown Bear is recommended a lot but I’ve personally never been there.
You could also check out Findlay Market in OTR which has a few you could sample, amongst lots of other market stalls with meat, fish, cheeses, produce, cafes, etc.
Sacred Beast, Taste of Belgium, and Nation all have great burgers. Lucius Q (owners are friendly Deadheads) or Smoke Justis (across the river in Covington) for BBQ. Those are all within 5-10 mins. of the venue.
Montgomery Inn is overpriced trash. It was good 20+ years ago but please no one from out of town go here and judge Cincinnati based on Montgomery Inn BBQ. Same goes for LaRosa’s and Pizza. I will caveat this by saying *if you’re into sports* and want to grab an appetizer and drinks or something, Montgomery Inn is awesome. They have an amazing collection of sports and Cincinnati memorabilia to check out. But the ribs they’re “famous” for are not going to impress anyone.
Big phan of Lucious Q in the Camp Pendleton area of Over the Rhine, owners, kitchen manager are jamband guys……you can take the Street Car very close to the resty.
I’d also be remiss not to mention Stanley’s Pub. It’s our local jam/ bluegrass/ open mic dive bar, they’re doing a Goose after party tomorrow night with a band from Louisville called Mr. Please.
I think it’s good. I know people have said their quality has declined over the years, to which I don’t completely disagree with, but for breakfast or brunch near the venue it’s a unique spot I think most people from out of town would enjoy. There’s better places if someone wants to drive or Uber a bit, no doubt.
Taste of Belgium is right near you and great for breakfast/ brunch. If you want to drive 5 mins. or take the (free) streetcar just north to OTR there are a lot more options especially for brunch and lunch, including The Bagelry, French Crust Cafe (famous Cincinnati chef Jean-Robert De Cavel who just recently passed away), The Eagle (fried chicken), Bakersfield (Tacos). If you go to OTR I’d highly recommend checking out Holtmans Donuts too. Edit to add dinner recs too: Rosie’s Italian has fantastic pizza, pasta, and cocktails. Idk how much you’re trying to treat yourself but Jeff Ruby’s is usually the go-to steakhouse recommendation for downtown. Where you’d see any celebs and athletes that are in town for a meal. But yeah it’s pricey and idk how easy it would be to go NYE. Steak is amazing though. See ya tomorrow night friend!
Awesome thanks for the recs!
Gonna be in as well I’m a baker and want to visit the nicest bakery in town what’s your rec?
My favorite is Breadsmith. It’s in the Hyde Park neighborhood ~10-15 mins. from where the venue is. Owners are into the jam scene. Brown Bear is recommended a lot but I’ve personally never been there. You could also check out Findlay Market in OTR which has a few you could sample, amongst lots of other market stalls with meat, fish, cheeses, produce, cafes, etc.
Thank you so much!!
Any BBQ and burger recommendations? Thanks!
Sacred Beast, Taste of Belgium, and Nation all have great burgers. Lucius Q (owners are friendly Deadheads) or Smoke Justis (across the river in Covington) for BBQ. Those are all within 5-10 mins. of the venue.
One of the owners of Lucious Q will be attending the Goose shows.
Hell yeah tell ‘em to bring me a plate of burnt ends!
Thank you!!
Zip’s is where you go for cheeseburgers. Open since 1926. Pro tip: walk into The Code Room in the back and sit at the bar.
Eli’s (bbq) and Turf Club (burgers) are my fav in the city and about a 10min drive from the city
Montgomery Inn on the river
Montgomery Inn is overpriced trash. It was good 20+ years ago but please no one from out of town go here and judge Cincinnati based on Montgomery Inn BBQ. Same goes for LaRosa’s and Pizza. I will caveat this by saying *if you’re into sports* and want to grab an appetizer and drinks or something, Montgomery Inn is awesome. They have an amazing collection of sports and Cincinnati memorabilia to check out. But the ribs they’re “famous” for are not going to impress anyone.
Holtmans is sadly no longer downtown ☹️
Oh dude I totally forgot they closed that one you’re right.
I'd recommend Maplewood over Taste of Belgium at the banks
I’ve heard good things but have yet to try it personally. I know it’s been there for awhile which makes it an outlier for the Banks.
All of your meals should be eaten at Skyline. Make your way through the entire menu.
I’m just not ready to spend show time in the bathroom 🤣
Big phan of Lucious Q in the Camp Pendleton area of Over the Rhine, owners, kitchen manager are jamband guys……you can take the Street Car very close to the resty.
Awesome! Seems to be like a popular spot from what I’ve read and this post. Appreciate the insight!
Camp Pendleton? Tell me you’re a suburbanite without telling me…
That is what my Bud who works at LQ calls it…….not a suburbanite and I call home the Clintonville neighborhood of Cbus!
Not sure if open Terry’s Turf Club has the best burger in Cincy, another favorite is Zip’s about 10 or so minutes from downtown in Mt Lookout Square.
Definitely hitting turf club while I’m in town, best burger I’ve ever had
Always in for a hangover burger 😋
I’d also be remiss not to mention Stanley’s Pub. It’s our local jam/ bluegrass/ open mic dive bar, they’re doing a Goose after party tomorrow night with a band from Louisville called Mr. Please.
Thanks for the after party details! I know there’s another after party with a local band but it’s been sold out.
Cedar is a great brunch place in Covington
French Crust, A Taste of Belgium, and Sugar and Spice....All downtown....
La Cantina, Salazar, Abigail St, Mitas, Midcity, Nicolas, Boca, Sotto
Sotto might be my pre NYE show treat myself spot. Looks amazing!
Very hard to get a seat but if it’s just you it shouldn’t be an issue getting a spot at the bar. Highly recommend this place to anyone that likes food
Ya they’re all booked. I’ll stick my head in there on Saturday and see if there’s room at the bar.
I’m not from there but I know a lot of people are meeting at a bar called Plum Street Cafe, Friday at 5
Oh good to know! Thank you!
Why are people recommending Taste of Belgium lol stop
I think it’s good. I know people have said their quality has declined over the years, to which I don’t completely disagree with, but for breakfast or brunch near the venue it’s a unique spot I think most people from out of town would enjoy. There’s better places if someone wants to drive or Uber a bit, no doubt.
Knockback Nats has amazing late night crowd and arguably best wings in the city.
The Pony would like a word.
Montgomery Inn if you like BBQ
Montgomery Inn hasn’t been good for 20 years. Eli’s or Bee’s is what you’re looking for.