Exterior of the Greenline Kitchen and Cocktails, with large outdoor seating complete with a fireplace and fire pits. Photo by Maria Hehman | LINK nky contributor

This story originally appeared in the March 29, 2024 edition of the LINK Reader. To get stories like this first, subscribe here.

This week, Streetscapes explores some new real estate in Fort Thomas. We’ll start with a laid-back lunch, grab a beer or two, and end with an upscale dinner. 

Highland Square Cafe

Highland Square Cafe opened in 2023, taking over the space of the former Cobblestone Cafe. Streetscapes visited Highland Square Cafe’s sister cafe, Washington Square Cafe in Burlington, a year ago, so we were eager to visit here. 

Highland Square Cafe offers many of the lunchtime favorites guests find at Washington Square, but it narrows Washington Square’s menu down to the basic offerings; sandwiches, wraps, soups and salads. Many customer favorites from the Burlington location can be found in the new Fort Thomas cafe, including the buffalo chicken wrap, BLT and hot ham and cheese sandwich. 

Highland Square’s space has plenty of seating and a large patio on warmer days. It’s a quick convenient stop for those on a lunch break or a place to connect with friends and family. 

The Post Taps and Bottle Shop 

The Post joined Fort Thomas early last year, creating a family-friendly space where guests could still indulge in a variety of beers. Its space showcases the historic building, an old dairy barn, but updated with modern rustic touches. 

Purple Haze beer from The Post. Photo by Maria Hehman | LINK nky contributor

The Post sources beers from all over the country, ensuring guests have options that match their taste – sours, IPAs and lagers are just some of the tasty options. They also have several brews from Greater Cincinnati breweries, including newly reintroduced Bubbles from Rhineghist, a Rosé fruit ale. The Post also has a variety of wines, seltzers and non-alcoholic beers. 

The Post recently partnered with Covington’s The Gruff to start offering food. Many beloved dishes, from the famous pickle fries (tiny pickle spears the size of a french fry, absolutely genius and delicious) to their salads and sandwiches are great for pairing with a flight of beers. 

The Post has a variety of seating. One side offers velvet chairs and a chandelier for a lounge atmosphere, while the other side is decorated in mechanical parts with chairs and tables for larger groups. They even have a designated kids area, ensuring no one in the family was forgotten in this design. 

The Greenline Kitchen and Cocktails

The newest addition to Fort Thomas gives guests an elevated atmosphere while still being family-friendly. The front entrance of the restaurant looks out at North Fort Thomas Avenue and is genuinely stunning. Its building and layout have an old-school industrial feel with modern touches. 

Cheeseboard from The Greenline. Photo by Maria Hehman | LINK nky contributor

The massive front is stair-stepped, creating pockets of private seating for parties. Lounge chairs sit around fire pits making this an ideal spot for groups looking to catch up over cocktails (a must visit come this summer!). It also has dining seating on the patio that resembles any other front porch in Fort Thomas. The interior has two main dining areas, one brighter and quieter, best for families, and the main dining with its bar is darker and more intimate.

The Greenline serves classic comfort food. From savory options of lamb meatballs and croque madame to light bites like their cheese board or chop salad, its curated menu has options for all diets. The prime rib with mashed potatoes and asparagus, and the cod forte with mushrooms, leeks, crab meat and mashed potatoes are among their most popular options. 

To pair with food Greenline has an extensive wine menu with glass and bottle options, along with beer and a smaller cocktail menu. Greenline is the perfect upscale dining option that doesn’t break the bank. 

What To Know If You Go

Highland Square Cafe

Location: 654 Highland Ave., Fort Thomas

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday closed

Website: highlandsquarecafe.com

Phone: 859-441-2233

The Post Taps and Bottle Shop

Location: 1146 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas

Hours: Monday closed; Tuesday through Thursday, 3-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, noon-10 p.m.; Sunday, noon-7:30 p.m.

Website: thepostft.com

Phone: 513-546- 0197

The Greenline Kitchen and Cocktails

Location: 25 N. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas

Hours: Sunday and Monday, closed; Tuesday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4-10 p.m.

Website: greenlinerestaurant.com

Phone: 859-757-4580