Do you love brunching as much as I do? As a local of Cincinnati, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing new places (for the first time) to brunch at over the years. Here are a few of my favorites I’m going to share with you fellow brunch lovers.
1. Sleepy Bee Cafe
This is a really cute cafe with food options based on bees like “The Worker Bee,” “Bumblebee’s Breakfast” or “Bee Cakes.” Not only is it for brunch lovers but I feel it’s also for lovers of bees / those who are passionate about saving the bees. My favorite thing to get there is the “Greek Bee” omelet with a side of roasted red skin potatoes or roasted sweet potatoes. While there are locations in Blue Ash and Downtown Cincinnati, the closest location to Xavier is in Oakley.
Location: 3098 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209
Phone: (513) 533-2339
Hours: Monday – Friday: 7am-2:30pm, Saturday: 8am-3pm, Sunday: 8am-3pm
Tip: If you decide to go on a Saturday or Sunday, I suggest calling ahead to find out wait times for your group/party.
2. Bluebird
Located literally down the street from Xavier, this old-fashion seeming restaurant is pretty neat. Each booth has its own little jukebox on the wall where you can pay 25 cents to listen to a song of your choosing. The restaurant’s “entrance”, is actually the back door to the place. I suggest parking in the Walgreens parking lot near the drive-thru because Bluebird’s door is to the left, and behind the Walgreens building. They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner. My favorite thing to get there is the “Meat & Cheese” omelet. You can choose either ham, bacon or sausage as your meat. I also usually get a side of hash browns and toast.
Location: 4629 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45212
Phone: (513) 351-2427
Hours: Monday – Wednesday & Friday – Saturday: 7am-8pm, Thursday: 7am-9pm, Sunday: 7am-3pm
Tip: I believe it’s usually a sit-wherever-you-like type restaurant, or at least every time I’ve gone, it has been. I usually go between 11am-12:30pm on the weekends.
3. Cheapside Cafe
A friend of mine recently told me about this place and a group of us went downtown to try it. It’s pretty small inside, but pretty cozy in my opinion. It has a more modern look to it than Bluebird. There is a table in the middle of the room near the two entrances that have a water station as well as cream and sugar for coffee lovers. As I’ve only been once, the thing I tried was the “Challah French Toast.” My friends tried the “Breakfast Sandwich” and the “Chorizo / Egg Sandwich” and thought those were pretty good as well.
Location: 326 E. 8th ST, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 345-6618
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7am-3pm
Tip: There is parking at the cafe. So don’t worry about street parking or parking in a garage.
4. Hang Over Easy
A very busy, very cool place to go. If you go in the summer, you’re able to eat outside. And if you eat outside, you get to bring your dog! Located near University of Cincinnati, this place is always pretty busy, but it has pretty good food. My favorite things to get are the “HOE Benny” and “Avocado and Toast.” They also have a location in Columbus, OH.
Location: 13 W Charlton St, Cincinnati, OH 45219
Phone: (513) 221-5400
Hours: Monday – Friday: 7am-4pm, Saturday – Sunday: 8am-4pm, Happy hours (Mon-Sun): 7-9am, 3-7pm
Tip: There’s a parking lot across the street; you do have to pay though.
5. Sugar n’ Spice
This brunch place is super close to Xavier and Bluebird Restaurant; like a 2-5 minute drive from Xavier. It’s pretty small but cute. One thing about Sugar n’ Spice is that it has rubber ducks lining the walls. Not to mention once you’ve paid for your meal, your waiter will give you (or you can ask for) the duck bucket, where you’ll get to pick out your own little rubber duck as a souvenir. I’ve only been once here but I enjoyed their “Pancakes n’ More” dish with a side of sausage links.
Location: 4381 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45229
Phone: (513) 242-3521
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7am-3pm
Tip: It gets pretty busy, so I suggest calling ahead to find out a wait time for your group/party.
6. Maplewood Kitchen and Bar
Near Fountain Square, this place not only serves brunch but also dinner. I have had brunch there twice. The first time I went, I had the “Lemon Ricotta Pancakes” which were pretty good. They were also pretty big pancakes. The second time, I had the “Bistro Steak & Eggs” which was amazing. I recommend it. At Maplewood, you order your food first, then you choose where you sit. They have a location in Downtown Cincinnati, and just opened a place up in Mason, OH.
Location: 525 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 421-2100
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 7am-9pm, Friday: 7am-10pm, Saturday: 8am-10pm, Sunday: 8am-9pm
Tip: Since there is a parking garage literally across the street from Maplewood, I suggest parking there.
7. Toast and Berry
I think this place is fairly new, so I haven’t been yet. But I plan on going! I actually learned about this place through a friend’s Snapchat story; the place looks pretty cute. The menu looks pretty good too. It’s also pretty close to Xavier’s campus.
Location: 9856 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, OH 45242
Phone: (513) 791-1900
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7am-2:30pm
Tip: They accept reservations for parties of six or more.
8. Taste of Belgium
There are many of these around Cincinnati, including The Banks, Clifton, Over the Rhine and Findlay Market. The closest one to Xavier is probably near Rookwood. They even have a place in Columbus, OH. I’ve been here a few times and I tend to get the “Waffogato” which is a waffle, gelato, and espresso.
Location: 3825 Edwards Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45209
Phone: (513) 396-5800
Hours: Monday: 7am-3pm, Tuesday – Thursday: 7am-10pm, Friday: 7am-11pm, Saturday: 8am-11pm, Sunday: 8am-8pm
Tip: Any of the locations are pretty close to Xavier, honestly.
9. First Watch
First Watch has locations all over Ohio. But in Cincinnati their locations are Kenwood, Hyde Park, Harpers Station, Downtown Cincinnati, Anderson, Northgate Mall, and Harrison Green. I’ve loved the atmosphere of First Watch every time I’ve gone. I usually get the “Tri-Fecta.” I feel like the closest location is in Hyde Park.
Location: 2692 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208
Phone: (513) 531-7430
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7am-2:30pm
Tip: I would probably call to ask how long the wait is if you know it’s going to be busy that day
10. Brown Bear Bakery
Not exactly a brunch place, but it’s a pretty cozy little coffee shop just in OTR. I recently went here as well and tried their “Matcha Loaf” and their “Chai Loaf.” I personally liked the matcha loaf more. But nothing can compare to their hot chocolate; it’s the best I’ve ever tasted.
Location: 116 E 13th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 975-2142
Hours: Monday – Tuesday: Closed, Wednesday – Friday: 8:30am-4pm, Saturday – Sunday: 10am-4pm
Menu (couldn’t find a menu because they don’t have an actual website)
Tip: There is street parking, but sometimes you don’t find a parking spot so I would suggest finding street parking or a public parking lot that’s close by and just walk to the coffee shop.