Northern Kentucky’s dining landscape had a lot of changes in 2024.
We reported on 11 closings and 24 openings, along with some reopenings. This year, NKY lost several classic diners plus an axe-throwing bar, a Covington brunch spot and more. On the brighter side, we got several new bars, multiple new Mexican restaurants, an Asian-inspired café, a couple of new Italian spots, a bakery, a butcher and more.
Read on for a year in review of the region’s dining scene.
Closings
Lou Lou’s Cafe, located in Alexandria’s historic Spare-Time Grill building, announced its permanent closure due to the owners needing to help a family member with health issues. The business closed on Feb. 18. The Spare-Time Grill opened in 1958 and is considered a landmark within the Alexandria community. Spare-Time Gril re-opened under new ownership in the summer. In December, the owner announced the restaurant would be closing for the winter but is expected to reopen in the spring.
Covington and Erlanger Frisch’s
The Erlanger and Covington Frisch’s permanently closed in April. These closures were two of three Frisch’s closures in Greater Cincinnati that week; since then, over 20 Frisch’s Big Boy locations have permanently closed. Founded in 1939, Frisch’s is considered a Cincinnati area staple.
Flying Axes, an axe-throwing bar in Covington, closed in June after six years in business. The bar, owned by Dave Durand, is located in the historic Covington firehouse building and was first opened in 2018. The bar announced its impending closure on its Instagram page, citing that “sometimes the bullseye just doesn’t stick.” West Sixth Brewing is set to open a location in this space.
York Street Cafe in Newport announced its closure in July after nearly 30 years of operation. In the announcement, the owners thanked their customers for their support and said they would miss them. In November, McCollum’s on York opened in the former York Street Cafe location.
Mokka and the Sunset Bar & Grill
Mokka and the Sunset Bar & Grill, a popular restaurant in Newport, closed in July after over 20 years in business. Mokka was known for its casual breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night cocktails, with a menu featuring burgers, sandwiches, salads, and other entrees.
Taste of Belgium’s Crestview Hills
Taste of Belgium’s location in Crestview Hills closed in September. The bistro, which opened in 2020, was the only one in Northern Kentucky. The closure coincided with the closure of the Mason, Ohio location.
Los Potros Mexican restaurant in Dayton permanently closed in late October.
16 Lots Brewing Company has permanently closed its flagship brewery in Mason, Ohio, and its Southern Outpost location inside Newport on the Levee. The brewery faced rumors of impending closure earlier in January, but was able to stay open by garnering public support, cutting staff and menu items.
Honey Uninhibited, a southern-style comfort food restaurant owned by former Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap, announced its permanent closure in December. The restaurant, which served southern favorites, opened in June 2023. Dunlap expressed his pride in the restaurant’s accomplishments and thanked his team and loyal guests for their support.
Rich’s Proper was one of two popular restaurants in Covington that closed on Dec. 15. Co-owners Bill and Morgan Whitlow announced the decision on Rich’s Proper’s Facebook page, citing the businesses as no longer sustainable.
Hangry Omar’s, along with Rich’s Proper, was one of two Covington restaurants co-owners Bill and Morgan Whitlow closed on Dec. 15. In an announcement on Facebook, the Whitlows thanked their employees for their service and expressed their gratitude to their customers for their support.
Openings
A Newport bourbon bar, Rickhouse at the Derby, opened in late winter. The bar, located in the former home of The Boardroom, is the brainchild of Dallas Seagraves, the owner of Blaze Cigar Lounge and Bar in Newport. The bar offers an extensive bourbon collection, private barrel picks, beer and cocktails, and will serve food and desserts from The Purple Poulet next door. Rickhouse at the Derby is located at 844 York Street in Newport.
Jersey Mike’s Subs has opened a new storefront inside the Village Green Shopping Center at 6925 Alexandria Pike. The new location was previously occupied by RadioShack, a now defunct electronic retail chain. Jersey Mike’s Subs location in Alexandria is at 6925 Alexandria Pike.
This spring, Esperanza Domingo and her husband Rafael opened Tienda Tipicos Esperanza in Covington to sell hand-stitched clothes and Hispanic food items. The store is divided into two sections, one for clothing retail and the other for a convenience store. The store is designed to support Covington’s growing Hispanic population, and the community has responded positively to the new business. Tienda Tipicos is located at 1930 Madison Ave.
KungBrew Café, an Asian-inspired café in Covington, opened its doors in April. The café offers coffee, bubble tea, and traditional gongfu-style tea in a historic home. Regular hours are Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with the shop closed on Mondays. The café is located at 640 Main St. in Covington.
The Fort Wright Dunkin’ officially opened in May. The location was previously a SubStation II, which closed in April of 2023. The Fort Wright Dunkin’ location is at 1826 Dixie Highway.
Spare-Time Grill
The iconic Spare-Time Grill in Alexandria, which opened in 1958, reopened this summer under new ownership. The Copley family, who have roots in the restaurant, are planning to keep the look of the building while making minor renovations. They’re serving American diner food, including the popular “Spare Burger” and soft-serve ice cream. The Copleys reopened the spot with the intention of giving the community back the beloved Spare-Time. Spare-Time Grill is located at 7807 Alexandria Pike in Alexandria.
Crumbl Cookies, a popular bakery chain, opened its first Northern Kentucky location in Newport this May. Delivery is available through the Crumbl App, DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub. Curbside pickup is available via the Crumbl App or online at crumblcookies.com. Crumbl Cookies Newport location is at 1313 A Monmouth Street.
Cattleman’s Roadhouse, a steakhouse franchise, has opened its new location in Walton. The restaurant is the franchise’s 10th location, with nine in Kentucky and one in Indiana. The franchise’s first location was opened in Shelbyville in 2006 by Bill Hisle and Stuart Meredith. The Walton location is at 12910 Frogtown Connector Road.
Bridges Nepali Cuisine has opened a new location in Covington, offering a taste of Nepali cuisine. The restaurant has four locations, with three and Cincinnati and the Covington one being the first to open in Northern Kentucky. Bridges Nepali’s Covington location is at 11 W. 7th St.
Elliott Coffee
Elliott Coffee, a new coffee shop located in an old gas station in Dayton, officially opened in July. The shop offers a range of drinks, including espresso, matcha, tea, and locally-sourced honey. The co-owners, Elijah and Isabelle Knapp, originally from central Ohio, moved to Cincinnati in 2020 and fell in love with Northern Kentucky. They launched a crowdfunding campaign in May and were fully funded with 210 people raising $18,833. The shop aims to create a friendly neighborhood hospitality spot where people can get a high-end coffee experience in a chill environment. Elliot Coffee is located at 825 6th Ave., Dayton.
By Golly’s, a Cincinnati-based chain, opened its Covington location in September in the former Keystone Bar and Grill location. The restaurant is owned by Sizemore Holdings. It offers a laid-back atmosphere and classic American fare. By Golly’s Covington is located at 313 Greenup St.
Revival Vintage Bottle Shop opened its new location in North by Hotel Covington in September after two years of planning and a lawsuit. The store, which sells vintage bourbon bottles, has been featured in well-known publications such as Conde Naste and the New York Times. The new location comprises three floors, with the first and second floors open to the public and the third floor still under construction. The store offers patrons the opportunity to try vintage spirits that can be over 100 years old. Revival Vintage Bottle Shop is located at 614 Madison Ave., Covington.
Pompilio’s, a well-known Italian restaurant from Newport, opened a new location at The Party Source in Bellevue in September. The new location, called Mama Pompilio’s Kitchen, offers flatbread pizzas, Italian sandwiches, risotto balls, Italian sausage, meatballs and more. Mama Pompilio’s Kitchen is located inside Party Source at 95 Riviera Dr., Bellevue.
French Toast Heaven, a restaurant specializing in comfort food, expanded into Northern Kentucky with a second location at 921 Monmouth St. in Newport in September. The restaurant, which is the brainchild of Executive Chef and Owner Kevin “Chef Maurice” Jordan, is known for its breakfast, brunch, and lunch offerings. French Toast Heaven’s Newport location is at 921 Monmouth.
Just Love Coffee Cafe has opened its doors in Independence this October, marking the second location in Greater Cincinnati. The coffee franchise offers a variety of drinks, artisanal waffles, wraps, omelets and waffled sandwiches. Love Coffee Cafe’s Independence location is at 6455 Taylor Mill Road.
Restauranteur Billy Grise and his business partner Mitch Arens opened Carmelo’s, an American Italian restaurant in Covington, on Nov. 5. The restaurant is named after Grise’s great-grandfather, Carmelo Caserta, who owned an Italian eatery in Piqua, Ohio. The menu includes family-style Italian dishes such as lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and an extensive wine selection imported from Italy. The restaurant is located in a former office building and required extensive renovations to transform it into a restaurant. Carmelo’s is located at Madison Avenue and E. 5th Street in Covington.
Rekas Butchery and Delicatessen
Rekas Butchery and Delicatessen, a new butcher and deli owned by Shelbi Nation and her wife Ashley, opened its doors in Covington on Nov. 13. The shop, named after Shelbi’s great-grandmother, is a tribute to her as it has been her lifelong dream since she was a little girl. The deli offers a small menu of sandwiches, housemade salads, and more, while the butcher side offers prime ribeyes, filets, Wagyu brisket, local pork, and tons of marinated meat options. Rekas is located at 401 Scott St. in Covington.
Better Blend Highland Heights
Better Blend new quick-service, high-protein smoothie bar took over the former St. Elizabeth Express Care. The local chain officially opened its Highland Heights location in November. The proposed location will join other Better Blend Franchises that have popped up across Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. The Better Blend Highland Heights location is at 2891 Alexandria Way.
Tulum Kitchen and Bar opened on Nov. 22 in Bellevue, taking over the previous Nomad location on Fairfield Avenue. The restaurant describes its cuisine as authentic regional Mexican food. Tulum is located at 225 Fairfield Ave. in Bellevue.
Braxton Brewing Company is returning to its roots with a new development in Union Commons, less than a quarter mile from where the brewery began. Opened in late November, the development features a two-story brick-and-mortar brewery and a 20,000-square-foot communal green space called The Lawn, adjacent to Dewey’s Pizza and Graeter’s Ice Cream. Union Commons is located at 8905 US-42 in Union.
Breadsmith, an artisan bread and sweets shop, officially opened its doors in Bellevue on Dec. 3. The store offers a variety of breads, pastries, and other baked goods and is open from Monday to Sunday. The store also offers a variety of drinks and pastries. Breadsmith is located at 315 Fairfield Ave.
Demetrios, a new location of a Greek-American restaurant, opened in Covington’s RiverCenter this fall. The restaurant, which closed its Cincinnati location in September, offers a variety of Greek-inspired comfort food, such as gyros and Cincinnati chili, as well as American-style comfort food, like double-decker sandwiches, burgers, fries, and hot wings. The restaurant is expected to capitalize on the demographic of customers who work in proximity or directly out of the dual office towers. Demetrios is located in the RiverCenter in Covington.
A new American bistro, McCollum’s on York, opened in Newport on the former site of York Street Cafe, which closed in July after 30 years of operation. The restaurant is the brainchild of Richard McCollum, who served as the head chef of the York Street Cafe in its latter years. The restaurant has dubbed itself a “new American bistro.” McCollum’s is located at 738 York St, Newport.