Next time you’re in the mood for Sunday brunch, try the fare at these popular options!
There is nothing quite like a Sunday brunch, that amazing mix of both breakfast and lunch items, meant to be enjoyed during a lazy midday spell. Brunch in Cincinnati is very popular, and not just among the Millennials or Gen Z, and restaurants have taken notice. A lot of places offer brunch on both Saturday and Sunday, and some even offer brunch fare throughout the week--but most people still prefer the fun of taking the time to enjoy a Sunday brunch. It’s a great way to wind down from the weekend, and get your week off to a good start. Regardless if you prefer savory or sweet brunch options, these places will have you coming back for more each and every week.
If you know someone who loves to try out the newest brunch spot, consider getting them an electronic GiftYa gift card to use at brunch. They can use it at any one of their favorite Cincinnati brunch spots, and you can even send it over in a fun personalized message. Bon appetit!
Get a Maplewood Kitchen and Bar gift card with the link
maplewoodkitchenandbar.com | 525 Race St | Downtown
Searching for a local cafe serving up authentic West Coast-style dishes in the heart of Cincinnati? One is closer than you think. Just off of Fountain Square is Maplewood Kitchen and Bar, a spacious breakfast restaurant that places emphasis on casual dining without sacrificing style.
Maple Kitchen and Bar is all about all-day breakfast and has tons of delicious menu items for all of your breakfast, brunch, and lunch cravings. Fresh ingredients, organic coffee, and a fast casual dining model come together to make Maple Kitchen and Bar a distinct dining establishment in the city of Cincinnati. Try out their tasty shakshuka, signature omelets, lemon ricotta pancakes, or even a nutritious veggie burger. Make brunch extra special with a cocktail or two, such as a bourbon blackberry lemonade or horchata cold brew.
“Today was a continuation of great food, service, speed and atmosphere, that I have had on other visits. My favorite comfort food is the chicken hash, a riff on a breakfast bowl that has all the goodies. The avocado toast and omelettes are both good choices as well.” – Yelp Review
Buy a Maplewood Bar and Kitchen gift card
Buy a Sleepy Bee Cafe gift card when you follow the link
sleepybeecafe.com | 3098 Madison Rd | Oakley
With four locations in Cincinnati, Sleepy Bee Cafe is a Cincy native and a definite must-try for any out-of-towners who want to sip on a good brew while exploring the various different neighborhoods. Nothing beats the original Sleepy Bee Cafe location in the historic neighborhood of Oakley, situated in a refurbished century-old building that adds to the charm.
Sleepy Bee Cafe is known for serving up locally-sourced breakfast and lunch dishes, and is definitely a good spot worth checking out for a lazy Sunday brunch. From avocado toast and breakfast sandwiches with thick-cut bacon to buttermilk pancakes and nutritious scrambles, Sleepy Bee Cafe has plenty of wholesome menu items to try out. Pair your meal with a caffeinated beverage such as coffee, espresso, or a latte and you’ll be bright and perky in no time!
“It is a super cute vibe with a lot of local artwork and everything bee themed. They are a very environmentally friendly organization and locally source most of their products which definitely is a plus.” – Yelp Review
Buy a Sleepy Bee Cafe gift card
asteronfourth.com | 8 E 4th St. | Downtown
There are a lot of choices for residents of Cincinnati when it comes to brunch options, but one choice that keeps popping up among locals is Sunday brunch at Aster. This interesting place calls itself a “Social Sippery,” where people are encouraged to come together and make new friends over delicious meals and creative libations.
If you’re stopping in for brunch you must try out their wonderfully simple grilled cheese sandwich, or choose to share a couple of smaller plates to go with your brunch cocktail instead.
“There is a combination of seating from high tops, sofas, and the bar. The drink selection was on point for brunching.” -Yelp Review
Buy a Carabello Coffee gift card when you follow the link
carabellocoffee.com | 107 E 9th St | Mansion Hill
A philanthropic specialty coffee roaster near the Ohio-Kentucky border in the charming district of Mansion Hill, Carabello Coffee is only a short walk across the bridge from downtown Cincinnati. From expertly brewed coffee and other caffeinated beverages to seasonal food options, this cafe is certainly worth giving a visit if you’re a devoted coffee connoisseur.
Newport, Kentucky is a lovely riverfront community that borders Cincinnati and is an attractive destination for folks who enjoy city living, but without so much hustle and bustle. Carabello Coffee is a local favorite and offers residents a cozy spot to connect with others over delicious cups of coffee and get work done. For a truly one-of-a-kind experience, we suggest reserving a seat at The Analog Coffee Bar, which enhances the typical coffee drinking experience, giving guests the chance to try coffee in a whole new way.
“Love love love Carabello! I come here every Friday and their service and coffee is consistently great. It's clean and well stocked and there are always fresh flowers on the tables.” – Yelp Review
Get a Carabello Coffee gift card
commonwealthbistro.com | 621 Main St. | Covington, KY
Just a hop across the Ohio River puts you in Covington, KY where brunch is taken very seriously. A great farm to table option to try here is the Commonwealth Bistro, which teams up with local farmers from Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky to bring fresh and creative seasonal menu items to their patrons. These people treat everyone like a guest in their home, and you’ll immediately feel a welcoming and homey vibe to this low key brunch spot.
In addition to their must-try bourbon cream coffee, consider trying one of their hearty biscuit sandwiches or a delicious deep dish quiche!
“I was in brunch heaven when a group of friends came here to celebrate a birthday. The decor and set up of Commonwealth Bistro has a warmth to it that reminds me of a cozy home.” -Yelp Review
grandorientalonline.com | 4800 Fields Ertel Rd. | Sharonville
A great way to try something different for Sunday brunch in Cincinnati is to try out dim sum, which operates like an a la carte service--you’re seated at your table as you await carts and carts of delicious menu items that can range from the sweet to the savory. One of the best parts is that the portions are typically smaller, which means you can try more options! It’s a fun experience and many of the menu items are not typically available on Grand Oriental’s everyday menu.
You can share with your table all the different options you choose, or you can stick to your favorites until you’re full. Tea is also served along with dim sum and pairs perfectly with the Sunday selections.
“Their dim sum option is quite extensive and freshly made from the kitchen. From time to time, they will have a few special items that get featured and bring it out separately.” -Yelp Review
littlefieldns.com | 3934 Spring Grove Ave. | Northside
A fun brunch spot that likes to keep the menu changing, The Littlefield could become your new favorite spot for Sunday brunch. They pride themselves on sourcing from local farms and growers, and the quality really shows up in their fresh menu options.
Serving up New American classics, this spot also showcases local art from the Cincinnati and northern Kentucky area. Consider trying their popular smoked salmon scramble or the shrimp and grits for something a little different. Don’t forget to try one of their signature brunch cocktails as well, which tend to lean on the regional bourbon influence!
“The Chef here at Littlefield puts out amazing dishes! The creativity and presentation of these dishes is so remarkably brilliant!” -Yelp Review
Purchase a French Crust gift card with the link
frenchcrustcafe.com | 1801 Elm St | Over-The-Rhine
A little piece of Paris tucked away in Cincinnati, French Crust Cafe and Bistro is a charming spot in Findlay Market serving up classic French fare. From French bistro-inspired dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to classy cocktails paired alongside savory steak frites in the evening, French Crust has a variety of tasty menu options to make you feel as if you stepped into Paris.
French Crust Cafe and Bistro is located in the heart of Over-The-Rhine, a historic neighborhood of Cincinnati packed with unique boutiques and specialty stores. With a rich history as a port-of-entry for immigrants to the city, you can find a diverse spread of different cultures and cuisine in Over-The-Rhine. French Crust is simply the icing on top of an already thriving cultural epicenter, so definitely give it a visit if you’re looking for a tasteful brunch spot.
“I ordered the salmon that sits on a bed of wild rice, tomato, corn, shitake mushrooms, and lemon sauce. I also ordered a croissant to absorb the sauce! Salmon cooked just right!” – Yelp Review
Buy a French Crust Cafe and Bistro gift card
Get an O’Charley’s gift card with the link
ocharleys.com | 5075 Crookshank Rd | Hebron
O’Charley’s is a chain most of us are probably familiar with, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve a spot on this list. With a location on the western edge of the Cincinnati suburbs, O’Charley’s is the perfect dining spot for folks who want a homestyle meal without the full city experience.
This relaxed restaurant chain specializes in cooking American comfort food staples, from hearty breakfast options to a delicious dinner menu, including a full-service bar. Having Sunday brunch at O’Charley’s is always a good idea, especially with unbeatable deals such as $9 build-your-own brunch, $5 mimosas and margaritas, and a variety of tasty entrees that are sure to fill you up in a flash.
“Given the location of this restaurant I am very surprised by the service and food. Everything is delicious, came out promptly, and our service is awesome.” – Yelp Review
northsideyachtclub.com | 4231 Spring Grove Ave. | Northside
Don’t let the name fool you, this is not your grandfather’s yacht club! This is a fun Northside establishment known for serving up fantastic menu items no matter what time of day--whether early for brunch, or late into the evening. It’s also one of the best places in Cincinnati to catch a live show, or to sing your heart out on their popular karaoke night.
If you’re going for brunch, you must try the famous bloody Mary, which comes with a whole plate of fixings and add-ons to make it like no other bloody Mary you’ve had before! This spot is also known for serving up perfect poutine (oui!) as well as delicious Freedom (French) toast.
“We decided to check out Northside Yacht Club! We were not disappointed. The hot mess was the right ratio of eggs and meats, extremely savory.” -Yelp Review
redfeatherkitchen.com | 3200 Madison Rd. | Oakley
If a rustic brunch is something you’ve been wanting to try, then look no further than the Red Feather Kitchen. As the name implies, the owners and chefs here work hard to keep sustainable relations with their suppliers, and support local businesses in the area as well. Their menu items focus on a smaller selection, but it more than makes up for it in the quality of the dishes they offer for Sunday brunch.
For brunch, you just can’t go wrong with eggs Benedict that features local ham and fresh made Hollandaise sauce, or the mushroom omelet that includes three types of cheese and locally sourced mushrooms.
“An excellent dinner spot but they really shine for brunch, for the quality of food, service and ease of making a reservation it has to be one of the best brunch spots in Cincinnati.” -Yelp Review
authenticwaffle.com | 1135 Vine St. | Over-the-Rhine
If you prefer the sweeter side of brunch, look no further than the Taste of Belgium, which has a couple of locations in the Cincinnati area. Although you can sample brunch items on their Brunch All Day menu, there’s no problem with showing up on Sunday hungry for brunch! They have quite an extensive menu of crepes, waffles, sandwiches, omelets, and galettes, which are similar to crepes.
If you go, you have to try their Belgian chocolate and cream waffles, or the pig and fig galette, which are the perfect mix of the sweet and savory. Wash it down with Belgian-inspired cocktails such as the beer-mosa or the Kahlua, cream, and espresso.
“In my opinion, you can't go wrong with anything here, from omelets, crepes, sandwiches and more ... just gotta save room to try one of their 'dense' fresh waffles.” -Yelp Review
No matter which of these top brunch spots you choose, you’re definitely going to be in for a delicious and filling meal. What are your favorite places to grab brunch in the Queen City? Let us know in the comments!
