5 new Cincinnati restaurants opened in September, but 2 big-time closures

While September was a pretty slow month on the restaurant news scene in Cincinnati, there were a few big openings and one very notable closing. Terrace Park got a taco spot, donuts arrived in Walnut Hills and the city lost one of its most historic German restaurants.

Read on to learn more.

Cincinnati restaurants that opened in September 2023

Bee’s Barbecue, Over-the-Rhine

Cincinnati native Brendan “Bee” Hague opened the second location of his Madisonville-based Bee's Barbecue, in Over-the-Rhine. The space is being leased from Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. This is the restaurant’s second location, having originated in Madisonville in 2021. The space was previously home to Pontiac Barbecue. “We’ve put a lot of hard work into opening on Vine Street and I’m pretty excited to finally have the opportunity to bring Bee’s Barbecue to a bigger audience," Hague said in a press release. "It’s been a long time coming.”

1403 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-721-2337, beesbarbecue.com.

Mansion Hill Tavern, Newport

The blues club, which has been under new ownership since November 2022, reopened its kitchen after a long hiatus. The new menu, under the direction of chef Tim Ingram, focuses on classic tavern fare with a Southern twist, including a fried green tomato BLT, collard greens and fried pickles, as well as burgers, Reubens and wings.

Mansion Hill Tavern, 502 Washington Ave., Newport, 859-360-0661, mansionhilltavern.com.

Golden State Tacos, Terrace Park

Dan and Lana Wright's tribute to all things California opened in a 1950s gas station in Terrace Park. As I wrote previously: "The tacos, which range in price from $7 to $9, remind you why Wright was so important to the city's culinary scene in the first place. There's a sly hint of his Abigail Street restaurant's DNA in Golden State's blood. Just as the former restaurant sneaks a variety of flavors and textures into each ostensibly simple dish, so too do the tacos, appetizers and mains at Golden State. Each ingredient receives just the right amount of love and attention." Along with grilled octopus tacos and margaritas, the menu includes appetizers and entrees.

704 Wooster Pike, Terrace Park, 513-831-8226, goldenstatetacos.queencityhospitalitygroup.com.

Opal Rooftop Restaurant and Bar, Covington

Opal Rooftop Restaurant & Bar opened on the seventh floor of the Republic Bank building. According to a press release, Opal is the third installment within the portfolio of local restaurateurs Bill and Morgan Whitlow. The new eatery has unique, chef-driven menu items made from fresh and local products, as well as craft cocktails and a variety of wines. It also offers 360-degree views of downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

535 Madison Ave., Covington, 859-261-0629, facebook.com/OpalRooftop.

Hoity Toity Donuts, Walnut Hills

The artisanal doughnut shop, originally slated to open in the fall of 2019, opened its first brick-and-mortar location in Walnut Hills. According to a July article by The Enquirer's Haadiza Ogwude, the donuts are made from scratch daily in small batches using locally sourced ingredients. There will be cake and yeast doughnuts with vegan-friendly and gluten-free options.

2459 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills, 513-973-4554, hoitytoitydonut.com.

Cincinnati restaurants that closed in September 2023

Moeller Brew Barn, Monroe

"We have made the difficult decision to shut down our Monroe taproom effective immediately," the owners of Moeller Brew Barn posted on their Facebook page on Sept. 18. "Unfortunately our sales revenue was not adequate to maintain operations. While our time here was short, it was an adventurous ride shared with our staff and our guests." Moeller Brew Barn's other locations, in Maria Stein, Troy and Dayton, Ohio, remain open.

Mecklenburg Gardens, Corryville

Mecklenburg Gardens has served its final round. The 158-year-old restaurant and beer garden was sold to an unnamed investor and will reopen after extensive renovations in about six months, said John Harten, who has owned Mecklenburg for the past 28 years.

Harten did not disclose the names of the buyer or the lessee because there are still a few documents yet to be signed. He did say the name Mecklenburg will likely be attached, one way or another, to the restaurant's new name and it will continue to serve German fare and beer, among other things, when it reopens next year.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati restaurants that opened or closed in September 2023