Baru Blooms Downtown with New Spring Menu
Step aside, tired tempura and played-out poke. Baru—Cincinnati’s chic Japanese izakaya tucked into the ever-buzzing core of downtown—just dropped a spring menu that’s stirring up the sushi scene like a red coconut curry tornado. If you’ve dined at Baru before, you already know: this isn’t your average soy-sauced sushi joint. And if you haven’t? Now’s the time to make that reservation.
Because Baru isn’t just changing the menu—it’s redefining what modern Japanese dining looks like in the Queen City.
Let’s start with the lobster shots. Yes, you read that right. Shots. Of lobster. Served in a warm, fragrant bath of red coconut curry soup that manages to be both comforting and exotic. Think Thai-Japanese crossover with a luxury twist. And that’s just the opening act.
Then there’s the Japanese Hot Rock, a tableside experience that turns dinner into performance art. You sear buttery slices of Wagyu beef on a blazing hot stone right at your table, guided by a drizzle of smoked soy and a kiss of yuzu kosho. It's interactive, immersive, and Instagram-gold.
If your tastebuds lean toward sushi, Baru’s spring rolls are doing the most—in the best possible way. The Truffle Crunch Roll wraps shrimp tempura, cream cheese, and truffle mayo into a crispy, savory bite blanketed in unagi sauce. The Rodeo Drive Roll glitters with lump crab, avocado, truffle mayo, and even caviar, while the triple-threat Tuna Tuna Tuna Roll flexes spicy tuna, ahi, and escolar with a crunchy tempura finish. And yes, every roll tastes as glamorous as it sounds.
For those looking to go old-school Japanese with a springtime glow-up, there’s the Chirashi Don, a colorful cascade of sashimi served over seasoned rice (with an all-tuna version for the purists), or the Seared Scallops, lacquered in miso and sake glaze, with bok choy and pickled Fresno peppers doing their best backup-singer impression.
Even comfort food gets an elegant upgrade here. Take the Vegetable Curry, a sticky rice and Japanese curry creation that’s hearty and bright with potatoes, carrots, edamame, and scallions. Add crispy chicken katsu to crank the cozy up to 11.
You can check out the full menu and book your next experience at barusushi.com. Trust us—whether you're celebrating a night out or just looking to escape your weekday dinner rut, Baru’s new lineup brings a sensory thrill to every bite.
More Than Just Dinner—Baru Is an Experience
Opened in 2023 by hospitality entrepreneur Tyler Wogenstahl, Baru doesn’t just talk the “elevated dining” talk. With interiors drenched in sultry red lighting and Tokyo-nightlife energy, every corner of the space whispers “you’re not in Cincinnati anymore.” Executive Chef Robert Grace helped build its early culinary identity, but now Chef Jon Sauer is adding his own flair—literally—with in-studio cooking demos that invite guests behind the scenes. Find out more here.
And the buzz isn’t just local. Baru made waves during Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week, offering a $56 prix fixe menu that put its creativity and depth of flavor front and center. Events like these reinforce its role as a tastemaker in the city’s thriving food culture.
Downtown Dining That Dares to Be Different
Baru doesn’t just follow culinary trends—it dares to set them. The menu structure encourages communal dining and experimentation, with small plates, maki, nigiri, and ishiyaki dishes designed to be shared, discussed, and savored. Think izakaya traditions reimagined for the modern Midwestern foodie.
And for a restaurant in a city not typically known for edgy Japanese fusion, Baru feels almost cosmopolitan. As Cincinnati Magazine put it, Baru “feels bigger than Cincinnati”—and that’s precisely what makes it essential. It transports you.
Visit Baru
595 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Hours:
Mon–Thurs: 4 PM–10 PM
Fri–Sat: 4 PM–12 AM (Kitchen closes at 10 PM)
Sun: 4 PM–9 PM
Reservations: barusushi.com or OpenTable
As Cincinnati continues its delicious rise, Baru is planting a flag for bold, contemporary Japanese cuisine—and doing it with the kind of flair that invites diners to lean in, ask questions, and taste something new. Whether you’re a sashimi loyalist, a curry aficionado, or just in the mood to play with your food (Wagyu on a hot rock, anyone?), Baru’s spring menu is a masterclass in how to do seasonal right.