Awakenings

Some restaurants are built for dinner. Others are built for brunch. This one falls firmly in the second camp.

Set in Cincinnati, OH, Awakenings has carved out a corner of the city's weekend brunch scene with a personality of its own. The room comfortably seats a mix of solo diners working through a coffee and a newspaper, couples splitting a stack of pancakes, and friend groups settling in for a slow, three-hour Saturday.

The chicken and waffles plate hits the table looking like a magazine cover and tastes even better than it looks.

Menu highlights

Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at Awakenings. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.

• Smoked salmon plate with cream cheese, capers, red onion, and a toasted bagel
• Shakshuka with feta, herbs, and warm pita
• Country-style biscuits and sausage gravy
• Smoked brisket hash with two eggs and pickled onion
• Lox bagel sandwich with everything seasoning and dill cream cheese
• Single-origin pour-over coffee from a local roaster
• Two eggs any style with thick-cut bacon and crispy hash
• Brioche French toast dusted with powdered sugar and seasonal berries

Service is friendly without being chatty, refills come without asking, and nobody rushes you out of your seat.

Their breakfast burrito is the kind of thing locals order with eyes still half closed — eggs, chorizo, a scrape of refried beans, melty cheese, and salsa with real heat.

Vegetarians and vegans are well taken care of — at least three plant-forward mains anchor the menu, not just an afterthought side of fruit.

Like a lot of the best brunch spots in Cincinnati, Awakenings is at its most magical on weekend mornings, when the kitchen is firing on all burners and the room slowly fills with the kind of low, happy hum that only good food and unhurried company can produce. It is not the cheapest brunch in town, nor the trendiest — but it might be the most consistent, and that counts for a lot on a Sunday morning.

Tips from the regulars

• Tip generously — the brunch shift is the toughest in any restaurant, and the staff here keeps it warm even at peak rush.
• Save room: the pastry case at the front is part of the experience.
• Best time to go: arrive before 9:30 a.m. on weekends to skip the worst of the wait at Awakenings.
• Best for: groups of 2 to 4 — larger parties may want to call ahead.
• Don't miss the daily-special chalkboard near the host stand — it changes weekly and tends to feature the kitchen's best ideas.

Hours

Frequently asked questions

What time does Awakenings open for brunch?

Posted hours are: Mo-Th 06:30-21:00; Fr 06:30-23:00; Sa 07:30-23:00; Su 07:30-21:00. Hours can change on holidays — call ahead if you're traveling.

Does Awakenings take reservations?

Most brunch spots in Cincinnati are walk-in friendly, with a wait list during peak hours. Larger parties (5+) should call ahead to ask about a reservation.

Is Awakenings kid-friendly?

Yes — Awakenings welcomes families. Most brunch menus include simple kid-friendly options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Highchairs are usually available.

What kind of cuisine does Awakenings serve?

It's classified under coffee_shop, wine, tea — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in Cincinnati.

Is there outdoor seating at Awakenings?

Outdoor seating is not always confirmed. We recommend calling ahead during nice weather.

Location

Located at 2734 Erie Avenue. Coordinates: 39.1398, -84.4419. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.