Downtown Cincinnati has a new restaurant open in the former Cheapside Cafe location

The interior of La Cantina, which officially opened Tuesday in the former Cheapside Cafe location Downtown.
The interior of La Cantina, which officially opened Tuesday in the former Cheapside Cafe location Downtown.

The restaurant that moved into the former Cheapside Cafe location in downtown Cincinnati is now open.

La Cantina, which offers contemporary, authentic Mexican cuisine and cocktails from Crown Restaurant Group has officially opened. It is curated by executive chef Johnny Curiel, formerly of Nada.

The new restaurant is on Eighth Street downtown, also located less than a block from Crown Republic Gastropub, the group's first restaurant.

La Cantina first began as a pop-up at Crown Republic Gastropub in 2021.

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“When we saw the amount of support and excitement around the La Cantina pop-ups this summer, we knew there was something special here,” Anthony Sitek, CRG's chef and owner, said in a release. “With everything we do at Crown Restaurant Group, we believe that delicious, inspiring food should be an inclusive experience that people from all walks of life can share together.”

The restaurant said there are currently "unforeseen delays" with the restaurant's liquor license, so La Cantina will operate during regularly scheduled hours as a bring your own bottle (BYOB) establishment until further notice.

The exterior of La Cantina, which officially opened Tuesday in the former Cheapside Cafe location Downtown.
The exterior of La Cantina, which officially opened Tuesday in the former Cheapside Cafe location Downtown.

Eventually, the beverage program will have a focus on tequila and mezcal, and will feature more than 50 agave-based spirits "you won't find anywhere else in Ohio," according to a release.

Hours are 4:30-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 4:30-`0 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4:30-9 p.m. Sunday.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: La Cantina officially opens in downtown Cincinnati in former Cheapside Cafe