– In addition to the free general admission to the museum you can always enjoy, the Terrace Cafe is offering a Mother’s Day brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are required and cost $43.95 per person or $19.95 for children 12 and under. Children under 4 are free.
A brunch buffet will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be $75 for adults, $55 for seniors 55 and older, and $19 for children ages 4-12. Children under 4 are free.
Adults are $30, and children under 12 are $12. Coffee, soda, iced tea and lemonade are included in the menu price. LouVino will have a special brunch menu for Mother’s Day, and its regular brunch menu will not be available.
Treat your mom to a lovely brunch at Hofbrauhaus Newport Brewery & Restaurant this Mother’s Day! Gather the whole family as Hofbrauhaus serves delicious brunch favorites plus yummy cocktails! Need to find the perfect last-minute gift for mom? Don’t worry; Hofbrauhaus has you covered with 20% off everything in its gift shop, just for mom.
Enjoy Mother’s Day weekend with brunch from Moerlein Lager House on May 13th-14th from 10am to 3pm! We’ll have our full brunch menu plus specialty menu items like our quiche with roasted red pepper, sausage, and fontina cheese. As well as mimosa flights and a special dessert trio of assorted Servatii pastries.
Looking for the perfect way to celebrate Mothers Day? Join us for a special Mother’s Day brunch from 11am – 3pm. Shiners is please to bring to the table and delicious Brunch menu featuring our signature dishes like our all new Angeled Eggs, Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes, Brioche Stuffed French Toast, Big Ol’ Biscuit & Gravy, and more! In addition, our patio is open and we are offering a full Mimosa Bar with fresh fruits and purées to dress up your drinks and enjoy in the sunshine! Make your reservation today by visiting our website
Brunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on May 14. The standard brunch menu will be offered until 3 p.m., with dinner from 3:30-9 p.m. Outdoor reservations are not permitted due to weather unpredictability.
Northern Kentucky can be a spooky place. With a long history and neighborhoods that date back to the Civil War, the region holds many tales of roaming ghosts and gruesome events that will send chills up your spine.
Here is a sampling of what awaits you here, as the weather grows colder, and the spirits come out to play. Links to all the events can be found here.
Nightmare ships and haunted fields
The USS Nightmare docks in Newport this time of year. It’s one of the area’s longest haunted tours (over 30 minutes), inviting brave and foolhardy guests to explore two full decks of pure horror.
Sandy Acres Farm is a charming place to visit in the daytime. At night, though, it gets a lot creepier. Come for a hayride through haunted fields—if you dare.
For kids
To get the kiddos involved in something more than just trick-or-treating, take them to the free Halloween Hoopla at Behringer-Crawford Museum. They can do a seasonal craft, march in the costume parade and more.
For fans of LEGO, the Northern Kentucky Convention Center is hosting Bricks, Tricks and Treats, a LEGO convention with a Halloween theme.
Talk to dead people
Falcon Theatre and Dinsmore Homestead Museum have teamed up to create a rare opportunity to talk with six costumed actors who are portraying people from the Homestead’s past. All the characters are based on their actual lives, letters and journals. It’s kind of like a historic version of “Sixth Sense.”
Take a spooky tour
Tickets are still available for the Halloween date of the Spooky Secrets Tour. This 2-mile walk past haunted houses, creepy historic sites and cool shops was created by the author of “Secret Cincinnati” and the writer for the NKY Art Tours website. It’s the perfect way to start your Halloween celebrations.
For more Halloween fun, as well as details on the events listed above, please visit NKY ArtQuest’s Halloween roundup.
About the author:
Jill Morenz is the Director of Community Initiatives and Communications for the Catalytic Fund and also runs the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.
We finally made it to Nomad after seeing so many mouth-watering social posts! A product of pandemic-times, its opening may have seemed like a sleeper, but Nomad should be at the top of your list for picture-worthy boozy milkshakes!
A great place to gather with friends
Located at 225 Fairfield Avenue, the outdoor patio space is cute, comfy, and conducive to gathering. And the interior of the restaurant is no different.
We loved the lounge area room, complete with a trunk full of board games. I could totally hang out here, drinking milkshakes and playing games til my heart is content. We opted to sit inside during our visit since the outside temperature exceeded 90 degrees, but we can’t wait to return and have a shake on the patio.
Food at Nomad
Those who’ve ever shared a meal with me know that my eating habits are like those of a child. No, really, my young kids (8, 6, and 3) all eat more healthily and more adventurously than I do. So when I heard about Nomad and their menu of tacos, tater tots, and milkshakes, my eyes lit up. I mean, what a combination! And combinations they have–all with witty menu names. Being a lover of words, I took several minutes to just read the menu and giggle at the plays on words.
After much debate, I settled on the Naughty Nati tot basket. A nod to Cincinnati-style chili, this would be a great way for visitors to sample the Cincinnati delicacy if the thought of chili on spaghetti repulses them. It’s literally tater tots smothered in Cincinnati-style chili and topped with onions, mustard, and cheese. While the cheese was a bit different than the traditional shredded cheddar you’d see from Skyline, Gold Star, and the like, the Naughty Nati tots were tasty and exactly as I expected they’d taste.
My friend ordered the blanco taco (smoked chicken, mozzarella, onion and pico) and the Korean BBQ taco (Korean style short rib, mozzarella, onions, house-made kimchi) and enjoyed both. While they may not be the top pick if you’re looking for traditional tacos, they’re certainly a solid choice. And when the hankering hits for tacos and tots or tacos and milkshakes–you know where to go!
Milkshakes at Nomad
Drumroll, please…. The moment we’ve all been waiting for–the boozy milkshakes! The menu names of these are all so cheeky! (S’more than a feeling, Oreo speedwagon, Dough you want me baby, Go Nutell-it on the mountain, etc.) But the shakes are serious business. So. Good!
My friend opted for the “Ba-Duh Duhduhduh Duh-Dumdum! Tequila!,” a lemon sorbet blended with Jose Cuervo tequila & blueberries, topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit. I sampled hers and it was incredible! Much more of a berry base than I expected from the description, which I loved. It would be perfect on a hot day, sitting on the patio. So refreshing!
If you’re like me and looking for a more “traditional” milkshake, there are several options. I opted for the “Build me up peanut butter cup,” which is ice cream blended with bourbon, Ghirardelli chocolate sauce & peanut butter, topped with whipped cream, Reese’s Cups, Hershey bar, and cherry. Yum–what’s not to love?! One of the best milkshakes I’ve ever had!
And if you aren’t into milkshakes, they also have several other cocktail options, including margaritas, sorbet spritz, hot toddy, Kentucky mule, and more.
If you’re looking for a different dessert option, I’m intrigued by the tot fudge sundae–cinnamon sugar tossed tater tots, three scoops of vanilla ice cream, Ghirardelli chocolate & caramel drizzle, whipped cream, and a cherry. I have never seen a concoction quite like that on a menu anywhere else and it sounds appetizing!
Explore Bellevue
Once you’ve gorged enough on the treats at Nomad, you can saunter over to Darkness Brewing across the street, or venture down Fairfield Avenue to explore more of Bellevue. From the cute shops, other restaurants & bars, and chill patios (think Three Spirits Tavern, also a B-Line stop!), there’s plenty to do to keep you entertained in Bellevue!
Welcome to your very own “How To Be A Local in Northern Kentucky” starter kit. I would not be a true Northern Kentuckian/Cincinnatian if I didn’t start this off by talking about The Big Three. Okay, so no one actually calls it that. Although I have heard the following local gems referred to as “the Trifecta.” The three cornerstone places to eat for every Cincy Metro resident are: LaRosa’s Pizza, Skyline Chili, and Graeter’s ice cream.
Hey, I don’t make the rules. Just go.
Also, if you haven’t heard of goetta (pronounced “getta”) you better goetta educated (hehe). Here’s a handy Goetta Guide.
Coffee and Tea in NKY
If you’re reading this odds are you’re a college student like me. We’ve all had more than our fair share of caffeine-fueled mornings (and nights for some of us), so let’s get right into some lovely little coffee and tea shops.
Classic and cozy, this little bike-shop-turned-coffeehouse is one of my all time favorite places to sip and study. Their lavender infused iced coffee is my default every time. Their muffins are divine too. Live music every now and then!
Club Vape Coffee Lounge (Florence)
I only found out this place existed because my grandma told me about it!? I did not think I would see the day that my grandma would enter a vape shop, but anything in the name of amazing coffee I guess. They have more latte flavors than you and I can count on all of our hands. I’m not joking. It’s like 22, and counting. I love Dirty Hippies everywhere (the drink, people, the chai tea and espresso drink), but this place makes them iced too, which I go crazy for.
Saving the best for last on the coffee list. This has to be the most quaint little place I have ever been to. It doubles as a bookstore. I mean, come on. “Sidewalk Choc” – dark chocolate and amaretto latte. “Redlegs” – white chocolate and raspberry latte. They even have little breakfast foods. I could go on. But I’ll let you experience it yourself. You deserve it.
Some of My Fave Northern Kentucky Places to Eat
Anchor Grill in Covington, Kentucky
You could always just roll through the nearest McDonald’s drive through for like the fifth time this week, OR you could spend the same amount of money on food that is astronomically better at some of NKY’s best non-chain restaurants.
You didn’t really think I was going to let you off the hook on this whole goetta thing, did you? Anchor Grill’s slogan is “Good food.” and they earn it! Get the goetta and cheese omelette and thank me later (or you can just take me with you). It’s one of those charming places you could go to countless times and get something different each visit.
Very similar to Velocity Bike & Bean as far as the live music and rustic coffee shop vibes go. But it’s here in the restaurant section because it’s also a cafe! They have salads, pizzas, sandwiches, and their donuts are incredible.
This is a perfect example of not judging a book by its cover. This won’t be the prettiest building you see in NKY, but it’s about what’s on the inside, right?? And that’s the best (and most inexpensive!) sushi on this side of the Ohio River. But don’t take my word for it. Go check out the peaceful ambience for yourself. I order something different every time, but their Rock & Roll sushi is my absolute favorite.
Calling all health nuts. Even if you don’t consider yourself a health nut, this is your new favorite place for something quick and filling. Whether it’s a meal replacement shake that tastes like dessert or a smoothie bowl piled high with toppings, Better Blend is a go for on-the-go. The low sugar and other macros in their blends are unbeatable. (Pro tip: try the brownie batter shake with cherry flavoring blended in). They also have a ton of add-in supplement options like collagen and probiotic. Good rewards program too! I’ve already gotten 3 free shakes so far.
People look at me funny when I tell them Kroger has a restaurant. Would you believe me if I told you they serve some kicking American comfort food with a gourmet twist? Do yourself a ~flavor~ and get an order of their chicken and waffles. A little bit pricier for my fellow college budget pals, but I promise you it’s worth it.
A note to my fellow art lovers – this place rocks. And so does the food. I got an eggroll, wonton soup, sesame chicken, rice, and mixed veggies all for a grand total of $8. Among many of the great places to stop on Madison Avenue.
Let me map this one out for you, because this place can be a whole experience if you do it right. The best way to describe The Levee is a series of restaurants and shops and a movie theater. It’s all topped off by NKY’s favorite aquarium. First, you’re going to pick from one of the many restaurants. Newport on the Levee has — anything from casual at Tom & Chee (who knew you could do so many different things with grilled cheese and soup?) to a more snazzy night out at Brio Tuscan Grille (with Italian food from heaven). Next, you’re going to hit Coldstone Creamery and watch your ice cream get all rolled out on a big slab of stone. No one really knows why. We just go with it. Next, go to the Newport Aquarium to see all the fishies. Maybe catch a movie at Newport’s AMC Movie Theater. You’re never going to run out of things to do out at Newport on the Levee.
Moonrise Doughnuts in Covington, Ky.
What’s a meal without a little dessert, right? You can’t go wrong with any of these places.
Whippy Dip (Crittenden)
You have to drive slow once you’re getting close because you’ll drive right past the little place. They have a ton of soft serve flavors. They also have things like hot dogs and sandwiches, so you could have a little dinner there too.
The term “variety” barely covers this. Piper’s has everything and then some. From iced coffee cocktails for us 21+ year olds, to ice cream sandwiches and kiddie cones, I’m not sure what this place doesn’t have. You could go 100 times and never get the same thing twice.
You don’t know donuts until you know a fresh blueberry donut from Moonrise. Get them before they’re gone though, because what would be Covington’s best kept secret is no secret at all. People start lining up before it even opens at 4pm. That speaks for itself.
Craft Beer and Bourbon in Northern Kentucky
Darkness Brewing in Bellevue, Kentucky
Where are my 21+ darlings? You deserve a drink. Something a little – ahem – stronger than what we’ve toured so far.
Have you ever toured a distillery? At Boone County Distilling Co., you can not only see the inner works, you will hear some bourbon stories that will make your mouth drop open. Which is the perfect position for the tasting that follows the tour, hehe. My favorite bourbon of theirs is the bourbon cream liqueur. Put a little (or a lot) of it in your coffee in the morning for some extra giddy-up. Mix it with root beer and you have yourself a more exciting root beer float.
People tell me it’s pronounced Beer-cus and not circus with a “B” but say whatever you want. Beer. Pizza. Live music. Did you need something else? I didn’t think so. An awesome rock band that came out of my local NKY high school performs here every now and then. Check out Trauma Illinois on Instagram.
Ambiance is everything, and this place HAS IT. Their taproom is incredible. They have a ton of options on tap that change just often enough to keep up a good variety. And on top of that, you can have yourself a merry little $5 drunk grilled cheese. They also have a brunch that is sure to cure the nastiest of hangovers.
Okay you get it. It’s craft beer. And Braxton has ALL the flavors. So let’s run through all the awesome locations. The Braxton Barrel House is in Fort Mitchell, Braxton Labs in in the Party Source in Bellevue, and Braxton Covington is – guess where – Covington, The Rooftop is also in Covington and it’s exactly what it sounds like, and there’s also a Braxton location in Cincinnati, in Over the Rhine, aka OTR.
And to think that this is all just the tip of the iceberg. Check these places out and keep your eye out for the other hidden gems of NKY.
Author: Brooklynn DiPaolo
Brooklynn DiPaolo is a Freelance Graphic Designer and Writer.
She would love to say she’s started fulfilling her dream of traveling all over the world, but she’s finishing college first. She spends her free time digging up NKY’s hidden gems and being a mother to her dog Sadie
You’ve seen our lists of best tacos in Newport and Florence, but when in Covington, the delicious taco options are endless! Whether you’re at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center for an event, or just in town staying at one of the Covington hotels, you’ll want to include tacos for at least one meal.
Agave & Rye
Agave & Rye seems like it’s boomed lately, with a total of nine locations, but Covington was the original, the OG, the epicenter of epic-ness.
Start with the incredible dips–from the guacamole to the queso, you can’t just try one. They’re all delicious. And the chips are house-made. Expert tip: If you like a softer/fluffier chip, or just want to try it once, ask your server if you can have the flour tortilla chips. They typically come with the pimento cheese dip, but man, they’re delicious with the queso!
The elote is also incredible, and those margaritas are where it’s at! They use premium tequila and you can definitely taste the difference. During happy hour (MWRF 3 p.m.-6 p.m.) and all day on Taco Tuesday, the OG margaritas are $6… and worth every penny.
Speaking of Taco Tuesday, the specials at Agave & Rye are incredible. In addition to the margarita special, they also feature $3 chips and queso, and taco specials running from $2.50 to $4. And these tacos aren’t just your typical tacos… They’re double-shelled (a crunchy wrapped in a soft–so it holds the crumbles) and the flavor combinations are amazing. My personal favorite is the Bees Knees, but there are still a few on the menu I want to try–Kangaroo, anyone?!
If you’re not into tacos, there are many other options on the menu, including egg rolls, burger and chicken sandwich, sticky cauliflower bites, Brussel sprouts, Irish Nachos, corn fritters, Lo Mein, and more! You won’t regret a meal here. And don’t miss their sister restaurant next door, Papi Jocho’s, serving up Mexican street dogs!
Gutierrez Deli
First and foremost, Gutierrez Deli is a small family-owned and operated Hispanic store located in Covington, near Mainstrasse Village on Lee Street.
First open in 2012, Gutierrez Deli quickly became a gathering place for Covington’s growing Latino population. The deli features a huge selection of imported products from Central America and Mexico… and they happen to also sell incredible tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tamales, and more on a carryout basis (there are some sidewalk picnic tables out front).
The tacos are incredible. The ingredients are so fresh and authentic… and can be “Americanized” with cheese added.
On the weekends, the menu at Gutierrez has additional offerings… Sergio (the son of owner Claudio Gutierrez) suggests trying the mole poblano that is his grandmother’s recipe. We can’t wait to try it!
When you don’t want anything fancy, just incredibly good food, head to Gutierrez Deli.
Olla Cov
Speaking of Sergio, he branched out from his father’s deli and opened his own restaurant earlier this summer, Olla Cov.
Unlike Gutierrez Deli, which is carryout only, Olla features some indoor dining space, as well as an outdoor patio. Not unlike Gutierrez Deli, the food is incredible.
From Birria tacos, chicken tacos, quesadillas, elote, and nachos, everything we ate was delicious. I must say, I didn’t order any rice, but tried my friend’s and it was some of the best rice I’ve ever had. Definitely going to order it next time!
These nachos, though, stole the show. All three of us were digging in and admiring all the fresh ingredients. I usually don’t like beans or guacamole on my nachos, but with these, you can’t go wrong! Our server told us to try the Guti Fries, which are similar to the nachos, except with a bed of French fries… sounds delicious!
Located on Madison Avenue in Covington, Zapata Cantina opened in the midst of the pandemic in the fall of 2020. They serve a traditional handmade Mexican experience in a modern, industrial space.
The interior is beautiful. And so is the food…
Don’t leave without ordering the queso fundido appetizer. At $12, some may wonder if it’s really worth it. Trust me, it is. The chips accompanying the queso are equally delicious, so start every meal here with this app.
Our waiter told us the lime juice for the traditional margarita is fresh-squeezed in-house daily and wow–you can definitely tell the difference! The margarita was delicious… we couldn’t wait to get to the food!
My coworker ordered the chicken sopes, served on handmade corn disks. The portion was great and everything was so fresh. But man, those handmade corn disks steal the show.
I ordered the del mar (tempura shrimp, spiced candied pecans, cilantro, cabbage, honey chipotle) and al pastor (pork, cilantro, onions, and pineapple) tacos. Wow–each was so different from the other and other tacos I’ve had, making me confident that Covington can support the several taco restaurant options out there.
A neat note about Zapata is that their seafood is flown in fresh daily–our waiter said they don’t even have a freezer! The shrimp on my del mar taco was delicious and the taco itself could’ve served as a dessert with the spiced candied pecans. Definitely an A+!
Frida 602
Located in Mainstrasse Village, Frida 602 features a tequila & mezcal bar and Latin street food. Owned by the same people as Otto’s and The Standard, it’s no surprise that Frida is top-notch.
In addition to the beautiful art throughout, Frida features some cool hangout spots like picnic tables and foosball on the sidewalks.
And speaking of incredible queso, this one gives Zapata a run for their money as my personal favorite in the city. Both are amazing–this one adds corn. I will gladly eat either. 😉
The above tacos are delectable, and you can get chicken tacos for $2 on Tuesdays.
I personally have not had their margarita (yet), but have heard it’s incredible.
And a drumroll for one of the best things to come out of Covid…….. The Frida taco window! Grab them to go or hang out in the village–can’t go wrong with a meal from Frida 602.
Taqueria San Miguel
An unassuming storefront on Madison Avenue, Taqueria San Miguel offers authentic food at great prices.
If you miss Taco Tuesday, be sure to catch Taco Wednesday here–$1.99 tacos and Modelo or Corona for $2.99.
The tacos are delicious–and choices include carne asada, chicken, tongue, chorizo, barbacoa, carnitas, or al pastor. Yum!
They also have a great selection of tortas, huarache, fajitas, quesadillas, burritos, soups, and Mexican plates.
El Valle Verde Taqueria
Located in Mainstrasse Village next door to Piper’s, El Valle Verde is a perfect spot to satisfy your taco cravings.
From top to bottom, barbacoa, shrimp, chicken, and fish–all incredibly delicious and fresh!
The location is close to my office, so I’ve dined here multiple times and they always serves up fresh food with quick service.
To me, one of their best assets is their outdoor dining space. It’s just like eating on the front porch at grandma’s house, plus you get to participate in one of my favorite pastimes–people watching! Mainstrasse is a great place for people watching and the front-porch patio at El Valle Verde is a great spot for it!
Django at Covington Yard
If you haven’t made your way to Covington Yard yet, what are you waiting for!? It’s dog-friendly & family-friendly, has plenty of outdoor TVs and a stage for DJs and bands, and also has some excellent people-watching.
Comprised of a former fire hall and group of shipping-container restaurants with a nice view of the Roebling Bridge area, Covington Yard is a popular local hotspot.
They also feature a full bar, serving up some delicious slushy drinks in addition to all the regulars. Slushy drink flavors include froze, bourbon sangria, bourbon slush, or a frozen margarita.
The food at The Yard includes Mr. Bulgogi, Yard Bird, Hangry Omar’s, and Django Western Taco number three, which cranks out delicious tacos. The first Django opened in Northside in 2012 and the second inside Kroger Downtown OTR Food Hall.
Django’s menu includes carnitas, carne asada, fried chicken, shrimp, and Brussel sprout taco options as well as chips, salsa, queso, guacamole, and churros. And it’s all mouth-watering!
As you can see, Covington has a strong taco scene. Eat your favorite before or after the Reds or Bengals game, during your next business meeting, for date night, or for a weekend people-watching session with your besties. You can’t go wrong with this list!
Stories, letters, nature & sensory play appeal to young kids
Northern Kentucky has a wealth of fun learning opportunities for young children. They love to spot letters and identify colors. They can be completely still as they squat down to observe a passing snail or spend hours running, jumping and climbing.
We’ve pulled together many of the ways that our region integrates teachable moments into our environments and encourages curiosity.
Story Walks
Imagine reading the first page of a story with your child while standing under a shady tree in a park. For the second page of the story, you walk together along a path to a sunny flower bed. The third page is located near a playground. As you read the story, you stroll from page to page through the park until the story ends. This experience is called a Story Walk and there are quite a few to be found this summer in Northern Kentucky. Find the entire list here.
Ground Games
Hopping, pointing and laughing are rewarded when kids do the fun activities provided by Read Ready Covington. The organization created large stickers that have been placed in Covington parks, at playgrounds and even inside a laundromat. The stickers are printed with objects and ideas for playful learning. Find them at places like Randolph Park, Devou Park and Leo Foster Ballfield. The stickers don’t last forever, so some of the locations may change as they are removed and replaced.
Alphabet Hunts
As part of its goal to increase the number of kids who start kindergarten ready to read, the City of Covington has installed complete alphabets, in the form of pink and yellow signs, throughout five of its neighborhoods. Each sign has a word (apple, volcano, yarn), an image and the encouragement, “You found a word. Now find another!” Some of the signs have Spanish words, as well.
Families can pick up a free map and passport-style checklist at the city building to start their hunt. When the passport is completed and turned in, the child will receive a free Tshirt.
Nature Encounters
Little kids love to learn about the plants and animals they see in their neighborhood. Two of the top nature educators in the area take it several notches up, providing immersive fun for families.
In Covington, Behringer-Crawford Museum’s NaturePlay is a self-contained, accessible outdoor area that offers kid-sized log cabins and caves, a climbable wooden flatboat, a spot to dig for fossils and gardens planted with native flowers and shrubs.
AJ Jolly Park’s Environmental Education Center in Alexandria is filled with wonders. Kids can get up close and personal with fish and turtles, watch birds flit around nearby branches and even examine the poop from various animals (an exhibit that always leads to giggles). After they’ve learned everything they wanted to know, they can walk the trails outside. The center is open all year and there is always something to see in the surrounding landscape.
Public Libraries
Northern Kentucky residents are fortunate to have such robust early childhood programming and resources available at our local libraries. From story time and science for tots to the “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program, families can rely on the friendly librarians to engage their children with fun, educational activities. Check out the programs at Boone County, Campbell County and Kenton County.
If you’ve got young kids and you live in NKY, you’re in a good place!
Jill Morenz is the Director of Community Initiatives and Communications for the Catalytic Fund and also runs the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.
Drumroll, please! We’ve rounded out a list of the best burgers in and around Florence, Ky., and are certain it will keep you full for a few meals!
Repertoire Restaurant
It’s a quiet, hole-in-the-wall establishment located in a shopping strip, but don’t let that fool you. Repertoire is arguably one of the best new restaurants to open in NKY in recent years and their burgers are no different. Pictured above is their shrimp burger, which is simply amazing–read my full experience here.
They also have a “Miracle Burger” complete with bone marrow aioli, short rib marmalade, and crispy chicken skin. The Brunch Burger has avocado, bacon, cheddar, and a fried egg with chipotle aioli and served between two Belgian waffle quarters. YUM! Add Repertoire to you list right now–you won’t regret it!
Drake’s Florence
Nothing says brunch quite like a Morning Glory Burger from Drake’s: pepper jack cheese, fried egg, bacon, fire-roasted salsa and fresh cut toppings. With 12 different burger options on the menu, you’re sure to find a favorite.
My personal pick is their mini cheeseburgers, but I can’t decide if I like the crinkle-cut fries or tater tots better–both delicious and served piping hot! Their menu also includes a great sushi selection, steaks, sandwiches, and appetizers. Wash it all down with a cocktail or your favorite beer.
Barleycorn’s Florence
We know Barleycorn’s has been a local favorite for years and most locals have their favorite repeat order… but y’all, Barleycorn’s has a new Cincy Grippo Burger. When it comes to Grippo’s, it’s one of those IYKYK things where some visitors may not be familiar, but Grippo’s are the Cincy region’s coveted BBQ chips that are covered in amazing spices and can leave your mouth burning for more.
The new burger is a half-pound seasoned burger topped with homemade bleu cheese dressing (to cool down the heat mentioned above) and crumbles of Cincinnati’s famous BBQ Grippo’s chips. If your mouth isn’t watering, there are also tons of other delicious options on the Barleycorn’s menu!
859 Taproom & Grill
The burgers at 859 Taproom & Grill are made with fresh, never frozen Kentucky-raised Wagyu beef. And I must mention that they pair perfectly with any of their more than 30 beers on tap!
If you aren’t into burgers, their menu includes plenty of other options including tacos, wings, and shareables. Daily specials, pint nights, happy hour, and their focus on local and regional breweries make this bar and restaurant a local favorite.
Brickhouse Pub & Grub
If you’re craving a burger with a ton of meat, definitely head to Brickhouse Pub & Grub!
This place is a well-kept secret and a hidden gem with a menu including BLTs, Philly stuffed potatoes, chili cheese fries, and amazing desserts.
Kitchen 1883
Although technically located in Union (and attached to/inside a Kroger store), Kitchen 1883 has one of the best burgers around. Pictured is their Mushroom Swiss burger with grilled mushrooms, garlic aioli, Swiss cheese, crispy onion straws on a toasted brioche bun and pickles on the side. Catch it on burger & beer night and you can add a Braxton brew for only $2!
If you’ve never been to Kitchen 1883, definitely explore the menu a bit. Such incredible dishes are coming out of this unsuspecting location. We will be back!
Farmstand Market & Cafe
We know, it’s located in Union, not Florence, but gosh, their burgers are so good, it’s worth the drive. According to one google review, Farmstand Market & Cafe serves the “Best burger I’ve ever had in my life. No exaggeration.”
The menu includes five different burger options, including a Beyond Burger choice for those staying away from red meat but still want the deliciousness of a juicy burger. If you go, splurge for The Local Love Burger, their James Beard Foundation entry of a blended burger. It’s grass-fed beef blended with local shitake and oyster mushrooms and Ed Mar Dairy’s smoked gouda inside the burger. Then it’s topped with more smoked gouda, caramelized onions, and sauteed mushrooms and microgreens. You won’t regret it!
Lucky Duck Pub
Okay, technically this one’s is in Burlington, but again–a good burger is worth it! Pictured is their southwest burger, add egg. And yes, those chips are as good as they look!
The menu is huge and the spirits are great at Lucky Duck. We’re sad to see their Taylor Mill location have to close due to Covid, so we hope everyone will support the Burlington location even more. If you’re not into burgers, I’d recommend the nachos–finger lickin’ good.
Mad Mike’s Burgers and Fries
Mad Mike’s prides themselves on the toppings. With the selection, they say you can customize your burger in millions of ways. I’m a purist when it comes to burgers, so I haven’t tried all the wild toppings, but their burgers are delicious. If you’re looking for a huge burger, this is your place! They’re home of the Goliath burger, which has two grilled cheese sandwiches as buns and includes bacon, barbecue sauce, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and Angus beef.
For those in your party who aren’t in the mood for a burger, there are also lots of other options on the menu, including gyros, grilled cheese, BLT, pork tenderloin, hot dogs, and cod.
Muggbee’s
If you’re looking for some live music, a neighborhood bar, and a great burger, Muggbee’s is a great choice.
Also known for their wings, coneys, and excellent drink selection, Muggbee’s is a great local secret and has an excellent patio.
Hebron Grille
Another strip-mall hidden gem, Hebron Grille serves up delicious burgers among other Southern favorites. And those sidewinder French fries are the perfect complement, but they also have the largest baked potatoes I’ve ever seen!
If you’re getting tired of burgers by this point, you may want to opt for their other favorites including alligator tacos, a blackened catfish po boy, salmon BLT, Kickin’ Chicken buffalo chicken sandwich, porkchops, seafood, or pasta bowl. Don’t forget their delicious desserts, including apple crisp, bread pudding, or cinnamon sugar pretzel bites.
