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COVINGTON, KY

Covington, Kentucky, sets just across from Downtown Cincinnati and can be accessed via several bridges spanning the Ohio River, most notably the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge, named for the project’s chief engineer John A. Roebling.

 

With an eclectic mix of bars and restaurants, Covington’s entertainment district consists of three main areas, Roebling Point, Mainstrasse, and Madison Avenue, all within walking distance of one another.

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Catie Viox

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Bouquet

Farm to Table restaurant / Mainstrasse

519 Main St, Covington, KY 41011

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Bouquet is an upscale farm-to-table bistro serving gorgeous meals with fresh ingredients for their ever-changing menu that takes inspiration from southern cooking. 

 

It’s not only the perfect place for a fancy night out with the option of a tasting menu + wine pairing experience, but they also offer an extremely affordable and mind blowing happy hour menu

Best For: Girls night, Date night, Work lunch

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Catie Viox

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best restaurant Covington

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CEDAR

Scratch Made Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch / Main Street

701 Main St, Covington, KY 41011

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Cedar provides top-quality food made with as many locally and regionally sourced ingredients. Their menu is made daily from scratch and draws inspiration from southern and midwestern culinary styles. For one hour, guests can dive into the dining experience at Cedar while they relax and spend time with those closest to them. 

Best For: Brunch 

CHIMAEK

Korean fried chicken 

Opened December 2022

405 Scott St., Covington, Ky

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Chimaek offers Korean inspired fried chicken & cold beer in a cozy atmosphere. Chimaek is owned by Riverside Korean, so you already know the food is excellent.

Best For: Happy hour, casual dinner

COPPINS

@HOTEL COVINGTON

Boutique Hotel Bar & Restaurant / Madison Ave.

638 Madison Ave, Covington, KY 41011

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What used to be the Coppins Department Store is now Coppins the restaurant, located inside Hotel Covington. It is the perfect place to eat, sleep, drink, and relax.

 

Coppins offers a unique taste in social dining by bringing modern ideas to the building and food design. Inspired by their Kentucky and southern roots, they have full menus from breakfast to dinner that will leave guests treated throughout the day. 

Best For: Girls night, Date night, Work lunch

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Catie Viox

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COVINGTON YARD

Outdoor Food Hall / Roebling  

401 Greenup St, Covington, KY 41011

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The Covington Yard is an indoor/outdoor bar and food court featuring shipping containers with a wide variety of food vendors.  The large, open air outdoor space is a great patio to keep things socially distant. They also have indoor seating in the bar area, and covered seating with heaters outside. The full bar offers a wide variety of cocktails, plus drafts, canned beer and wine. 

Best For: Casual group happy hour or dinner 

best bar Covington

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Catie Viox

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CRAFTS & VINES

Wine Bar, Draft Beer & Fancy snacks / Mainstrasse

642 Main St, Covington, KY 41011

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The perfect place for good conversation, small plates, and drinks. Crafts & Vines has a killer wine list and featured drafts from local and regional breweries.

 

Their food menu has various charcuterie boards, bar bites and has a featured smoked meat every Saturday. They also have carryout bottles of wine for customers that want to take the experience home with them. 

Best For: Girls night, Date night

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FRIDA 602

Latin street eats + mezcal & tequila / Mainstrasse

602 Main St, Covington, KY 41011

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Frida is a Tequila and Mezcal bar that serves Latin American cuisine but is known for much more. Their inspiration comes from the famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, rebelling against the ordinary. They serve famous Mexican dishes like quesadillas, burritos, empanadas, and tacos, containing vegetarian or vegan options. To drink, they have Frida-inspired cocktails served by the glass or pitcher and an assortment of Mexican beer. 

Best For: Casual dinner out 

best bar Covington

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Catie Viox

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GREENHOUSE BAR

West Coast Vibes without leaving the Cov / Mainstrasse

424 W 6th St, Covington, KY 41011

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The Greenhouse Bar has an unbeatable vibe; clean, chic, and lively. They have a killer menu that spans from small plates to seasonal cocktails—not feeling adventurous? They have classic cocktails and wine as well. The aesthetic is right at the Greenhouse Bar. 

Best For: Girls night, Cocktails before or after dinner 

best bar Covington
Mama's On Main

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Catie Viox

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THE GRUFF

Restaurant, Bar, Deli, Grocery / Roebling

129 E 2nd St, Covington, KY 41011

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Whether you are looking for brick oven pizza or purchasing farm-fresh produce, The Gruff is the place for you. Also known for their extensive sandwich menu, The Gruff's top-end deli makes it easy to find something you like.  

Best For: Lunch, Brunch, or Carryout

MAMA'S ON MAIN

Modern Italian 

Opened March 2021

621 Main St, Covington, KY 41011

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Mama's serves up classic Italian with a beautiful modern twist. Everything is approachable, drool worthy and not overdone.

 

As soon as you walk into Mama's, you can feel the love and passion put into every single detail, playing up homage to the owners mother and grandmother. The bold colors, textures, fabrics, and table settings are stunning, and all of the decor is so unique, especially the massive stained glass window in the main dining room. 
 

Best For: A nice dinner

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Catie Viox

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OLLA

Authentic Mexican / 12th St.

302 W 12th St, Covington, KY 41011

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Sergio Gutierrez, the son behind Gutierrez Deli, recently branched out and opened his own restaurant down the street called OLLA Taqueria on W. MLK Blvd. in Covington.

 

OLLA serves up authentic Mexican street food including tacos, burritos, nachos and “Guti fries,” with nine different meat/veggie options (including birria) to choose from, plus a couple of entrees, sides, Mexican beers, and delicious cocktails.

Best For: Lunch or Casual Dinner

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Catie Viox

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RIPPLE

Wine Bar + Small plates / Madison Ave.

Happy Hour: M-F: 4-6 

M: $10 half wine bottle

T: $30 for bottle of wine & charcuterie board

W: $60 four course dinner for two

4 W Pike St, Covington, KY 41011

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Ripple Wine Bar has your best wine interest at heart. With a wine list reaching across the globe, it's hard not to find something everyone in your party will enjoy. Their menu provides creative takes on American favorites providing dishes to snack on like a charcuterie board or small plates. 

Best For: Happy Hour or Girls Night 

best restaurants Covington

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Catie Viox

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RIVERSIDE KOREAN

Authentic Korean 

512 Madison Ave, Covington, KY 41011

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Riverside Korean has been serving up authentic Korean Cuisine in Covington for over 20 years.

 

They recently got a major facelift and the final result it's MEOWvalous. They have two large dining spaces - one of which features @gucci ’s very instagramable tiger face wallpaper, while the other features unique floor seating, there’s also a secret patio space out back.

Best For:  Casual Dinner 

best restaurant Covington

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Catie Viox

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SMOKE JUSTICE

Covington's Urban Sports Bar

302 Court St, Covington, KY 41011

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A local sports bar named after famous pitcher Walter “Smoke” Justis is the perfect place to watch the game and hang with friends. With multiple levels, live music, and arcade games, it makes it the quintessential hang-out.

 

They have great appetizers, vegetarian options, and professionally smoked meats. Come to Smoke Justice to watch the game or enjoy a nice day near the Roebling Bridge. 

Best For: Watch the games, Lunch or Happy Hour 

best restaurant Covington

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Catie Viox

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SPOON MARKET

One-Stop Shop Bistro & Grocery 

501 Main St Suite A, Covington, KY 41011

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Spoon is another amazing restaurant by the husband and wife owners of Bouquet. 

 

Spoon has everything you need... a bistro, cafe, bar, and grocery created with sustainability and community at its roots. Spoon offers coffee and espresso drinks, fresh pressed juices and smoothies, locally sourced groceries, beer and wine by the glass, retail bottles, affordable breakfast and lunch options, a large selection of cheese and charcuterie

Best For: Breakfast or Lunch

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Catie Viox

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THE STANDARD

Historic Filling Station turned into a Colorful Restaurant and Bar / Mainstrasse

434 Main St, Covington, KY 41011

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Once a garage from the 1930s is now a bar known as The Standard - a lovely, vibrant space that invites all guests willing to be transported back in time. The food menu pays tribute to Asian cuisine, offering small plates and casual dinner options. This bar is the spot to play pool with your buddies or relax with your family; they have it all.

Best For: Happy Hour or a Casual Dinner

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ZAPATA

Elevated Mexican Cantina / Madison Ave. 

801 Madison Ave, Covington, KY 41011

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Zapata Cantina brings elevated Mexican cuisine to Covington, KY, with a tributed space to Emiliano Zapata, who made his statement during the Mexican Revolution. They believe that it is important to keep traditions alive and be true to their heritage and values.

 

They have seasonal menus, which sets them apart from other Mexican restaurants. Their drink menu takes influence from the people in the Mexican Industrial Revolution using tequila in unique cocktails and margaritas. 

Best For: Lunch or Dinner

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