Baru: Bold sushi, vibrant flavors, downtown energy.
Baru is a sushi and Japanese restaurant in downtown Cincinnati at 595 Race St. Diners praise its fresh, flavorful plates such as crispy rice spicy tuna, wagyu tataki, and the King Dynamite roll, with beautiful presentation. The staff earns high marks for knowledge and attentive service, and the bar program features skilled mixologists. The venue offers vegan/vegetarian options and a lively atmosphere that can transition to a late-night club vibe.
595 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA
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Fresh, expertly crafted sushi rolls, sashimi, and dishes like wagyu tataki and crispy rice spicy tuna, with vegan/vegetarian options.
Creative cocktails and a full bar, served by skilled mixologists in a lounge setting.
Modern ambiance with attentive service, perfect for date nights, groups, or special occasions in downtown Cincinnati.
Transforms into a club-like atmosphere after 11 PM, offering drinks and music for nightlife enthusiasts.
Customized catering and event planning for parties or corporate gatherings, with menu options and professional service.
Overall rating
E Marie
Downtown equals pricey. Others might enjoy this place more than I did. The food was okay though the presentation and dipping sauce was better than okay. Had the miso potatoes and karaage chicken. Edible. The atmosphere is okay. Not sure if it’s minimal or a little basic. Music was great but the place was nearly empty on a Saturday night so the pumping music seemed odd. Likely not returning though I could recommend with caveats. Definitely caveats.
Steve Tuholski
We were visiting Cincinnati for a football game and the night before my girlfriend and I wanted to try a local place. Also wanted somewhere within walking distance from our AirBnB. We found Baru was highly recommended on Google and yelp. We were greeted immediately and were given menus and drink specials. The staff was very knowledgeable of their menu and quite attentive to their patrons. Any questions we had the staff answered without hesitation. Our bartender, Marcus was super awesome and was very patient with our menu selections. The food was amazing and very fresh. We tried a items on the menu, since it was hard to decide. The manager, Jake came over to talk to us about our experience and then made a bunch of suggestions of where to try around the downtown area, of course he said to come back to Baru. Jake took his service to another level. I would highly recommend Baru for your sushi dinner or just for a couple drinks on your date night. When you stop by, ask to see Jake and be sure to mention the movie "That Thing You Do!" He is quite the fan!
Alexandra Millard
Ask for Sammy every time. He was absolutely amazing & such a kind person. Food is always spectacular & atmosphere is perfect. Not too many people but just enough to where you can have your own space. We will be coming back so soon, thanks to Sammy!
Mark Miller
We’ve been wanting to try Baru for a while, and finally did…and so glad! Honestly, not sure why this place wasn’t packed on a Saturday night because everything was spot on, from drinks to food. The crispy rice spicy tuna was a total surprise, amazing texture, beautiful presentation, and just delicious. Every bite was this perfect combo of crispy and savory. The wagyu tataki was fantastic- tender, and flavorful, and the potatoes were perfectly crispy with just the right seasoning. Such a great compliment dish. We also had the King Dynamite roll, which was excellent, especially dipped in the wagyu sauce (highly recommend trying that combo). Our server, Jacob, was outstanding, not only a skilled mixologist but also great with food recommendations and fun to chat with. We were a little early, but Jacob mentioned the place turns into a club later around 11pm. Cool vibe, and I love that they take the InKind app too. Overall: delicious food, great service, fun atmosphere. We’ll definitely be back!
Kayla
I had a wonderful experience here. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Our server Mallory provided us great recommendations and was attentive. The ambiance was nice and the decor was modern. The food was yummy and they have vegan/vegetarian options. I would go back!
