CLIFTON

Location, amenities, history – Clifton has it all. Established in 1850 and annexed to the city of Cincinnati in 1893, this neighborhood is located just three miles north of downtown and less than a mile from the University of Cincinnati. Home to gorgeous architecture, one of the city’s only independent movie theaters, and plenty of thriving small businesses, an adventure in Clifton is an excellent way to spend a day.

Ludlow Avenue is the main business strip of Clifton, with loads of hustle and bustle. Start your fun at Two Seven Two Bakery, one of the newest businesses to open up shop on Ludlow. This charming bakery comes from the duo who built the wildly successful Brown Bear Bakery in nearby Over-the-Rhine, but it has a distinctly Clifton feel, nestled on busy Ludlow across from Burnet Woods.

Two Seven Two is cozy and friendly, with seating inside and outside, and perfect for people-watching through its huge windows. The pastries are no less resplendent than those at Brown Bear, and they rotate frequently, too. Worth noting is that the pastries at Two Seven Two are different from those at Brown Bear, which is excellent news for pastry lovers who want to frequent either location. Open Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Two Seven Two also serves up plenty of caffeinated beverages, with clever seasonal offerings interspersed with their regular espresso/coffee menu.

Clifton’s new bakery is nestled in between two neighborhood mainstays: Jagdeep’s Indian Grocery, where you can pick up staples for Indian cuisine and hard-to-find Middle Eastern and Indian ingredients, and Paolo A Modern Jeweler, with an array of beautiful minimalist jewelry.

Next you’ll encounter a trio of Clifton restaurant staples: Dewey’s Pizza, with its myriad specialty pizza offerings (and is technically on Hosea, the street behind Ludlow), J. Gumbo’s, serving up Cajun classics all year round, and of course the Skyline on Ludlow. This particular location is perhaps the most famous of all in the city: it was even featured in an episode of The Simpsons.

Right across the intersection of Clifton and Ludlow is Adrian Durban Florist, and even if you aren’t in the market for flowers, you should stop in anyway. The storefront is also coordinated with the season and holidays – Valentine’s Day and Christmas are two standouts – and inside is a bower of flora and plants for any every occasion. Directly across from the florist is Cincinnati Fire Department Station 34, which often has its garage doors open and a firefighter or two chatting with passersby on the friendly bench in front.

Next door is Arlin’s Bar & Restaurant, one of the best neighborhood watering holes you’ll encounter. Take in the eclectic mix of college students and locals, play a game of pool, and enjoy the friendly vibes. The bar Alive & Well, tucked off Ludlow on the side street Telford, features a great outdoor seating area and just opened in August. Further down the street you’ll find Fries Cafe, with its shuffleboard table on the first floor and a welcoming outdoor patio and backyard space. The Taproom on Ludlow has loads of taps and entertainment almost every night of the week. Ludlow Wines has an excellent selection of wine that you can drink at the cozy bar in-store or take home bottled.

Retail abounds on Ludlow at all ends. Pop into Toko Baru to grab some incense or something offbeat and fun for a gift, Pangea for trendy and mindful current fashions, MAYA or Kilimanjaro Africa Art for handmade jewelry, decorative pieces and more, or Semesters for collegiate apparel. Lentz & Company is full of vintage and retro gift ideas, and Off Ludlow Gallery features works from selected local artists.

Grab brunch at Proud Rooster, an old-school diner that remains cash-only, or the American classics at the Ludlow Bar & Grill. International cuisine is well represented in Clifton, from Mexican establishments like Habanero and Cactus Pear to Indian offerings from Ambar India, Ajeet India and Nepali Cuisine, and Dusmesh, which also has a buffet. Auntie Apple’s has a robust menu of Chinese cuisine options, Los Potrillos prides itself on its authentic Mexican fare, Baladi Restaurant & Bakery has plenty of Syrian-Middle Eastern-Mediterranean options, and the Corinthian offers old-school Greek comfort food.

If you’re looking for entertainment, there’s plenty to do. Catch a show in the basement venue at Ludlow Garage, where performing artists of all eras and genres regularly come through. Take in a movie at independent film house The Esquire Theater, which has all kinds of fun themed nights in addition to a regular rotation of wide releases. Catch local musicians and performers at both neighborhood coffee shops: Sitwell’s Coffeehouse Act II or across the street at the Upside Brew. Wind down with chill vibes at the Bohemian Hookah Cafe.

Plenty of community essentials are also located in Clifton, which is home to over 8,000 individuals, including a large rental and student population. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College anchors the northwestern edge of the neighborhood, Mt. Storm encompasses 59 acres of greenspace and Burnet Woods is home to a fishing lake, nature center and the Wolff Planetarium. Clifton is also home to not one but two bed-and-breakfasts, the Gaslight Bed & Breakfast and the Clifton House. Local bank branches for PNC and US Bank, Clifton Dental Care, the Clifton Post Office and Ace Hardware are just some of the service locations that keep the neighborhood running smoothly.

No trip to Clifton is complete with popping into Graeter’s on Ludlow, and there are three excellent locations to consume your seasonal scoop that showcase the best of Clifton: On the Shakespeare Bench on Telford, so named for the sculpture of the bard himself; on the Clifton Fountain, with its graceful dancing statue; or on the Clifton Plaza with tons of other folks enjoying the vibes and the musicians who often perform on the plaza.

IN 2023, THESE  BUSINESS DISTRICTS ARE COMING TO THE FOREFRONT