Some restaurants just have that thing — the kind of warmth and heart that makes locals want to return again and again.
Cedar, tucked inside the charming MainStrasse Village neighborhood of Covington, Kentucky, is one of those rare places.
Opened in July 2020 by the Faeth family, this upscale comfort food brunch spot has grown from a neighborhood newcomer into a community staple — and honestly, it’s easy to see why.
Every single dish is scratch-made, every detail is lovingly considered, and the whole experience is designed around one beautiful promise: a one-hour vacation.
How Cedar Won Covington’s Hearts
What separates Cedar from the rest of the pack is the Faeth family’s obsession with every tiny detail. 🏡❤️
Executive Chef Jeremy Faeth spent a full decade working in corporate restaurants — in roles ranging from kitchen management to bar manager to regional culinary captain — before coming home to Northern Kentucky to build something entirely his own.
Inspired by his travels through Latin America, Jeremy worked alongside Head Chef Zach Schnug, who brought his own immersive cooking experiences from Mexico, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, to craft a menu layered with bold, unexpected flavor combinations that local diners had never encountered on their brunch plates before.
The Faeth family made this a true family business from day one — Jeremy’s parents, Michelle and Tony Faeth, serve as business partners, his sister Skyler manages food operations, his brother Alex works in the kitchen, and his wife Isabella runs their social media.
All sauces, mixes, sours, and purees are crafted entirely from scratch — a commitment to quality that diners can taste in every single bite.
The family’s mission — to “serve one-hour vacations” to their guests — became more than a tagline.
It became an identity, a standard, and the guiding philosophy behind every hire, every dish, and every Sunday morning when free roses are handed out to lady brunchers through a partnership with the local Scarlet Begonia Flower Truck. 🌹
In a time when the world felt anything but relaxing, Cedar gave Covington exactly what it needed: somewhere warm, beautiful, and delicious to exhale.
That’s how a family-owned brunch gem wins a city’s heart — not with gimmicks, but with genuine soul and the kind of scratch-made brunch in Covington KY that makes every visit feel like the first one.
The community responded not just with repeat visits, but with word-of-mouth passion that turned Cedar into a Northern Kentucky brunch destination, drawing diners from across the Cincinnati metro area. 🎉
Food Highlights
Cedar’s menu is a masterclass in elevated comfort food with a Latin-inspired twist — here are the dishes you absolutely cannot miss:
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Fat Zachary: Chicken, chorizo, and scrambled egg inside a corn gordita, topped with avocado, pineapple pico, and sweet and spicy potatoes. 🌽🥑
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Crabby Ben: Jumbo lump blue crab on 16 Bricks sourdough toast, finished with a rich hollandaise. 🦀
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Hangover Bowl: Breakfast potatoes, chorizo, avocado, egg, crema, cilantro, jalapeño, and pico — all in one bowl. 🌶️
- Biscuit Bowl: Scratch-made buttermilk biscuits filled with chorizo and lamb sausage gravy, topped with a perfectly cooked egg. 🥚
- Cinnamon Roll Flatbread: Buttered flatbread with walnut spread, walnut sugar crumbles, vanilla icing, and powdered sugar — a sweet, indulgent brunch starter.
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West Indies Omelet: A globe-trotting omelet built on international flavor profiles — bold, fluffy, and a perfect showcase of Chef Jeremy’s Latin-inspired vision. 🍳
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Nola Omelet: New Orleans-inspired and packed with big flavor — reviewers have called this one of the most creative breakfast items in the entire Cincinnati area. 🎷
Atmosphere
Cedar’s space is as inviting as its menu. 🌿
The Faeth family spent 13 full months renovating the historic building in MainStrasse Village before opening — and it shows in every bright, warm corner of the dining room.
Guests consistently describe the atmosphere as warm, cozy, and clean, with an open layout that feels both upscale and completely unpretentious.
The back patio is a seasonal gem, complete with heaters, fire pits, and live music on weekends that transforms a simple brunch into a proper event. 🎶
On Sundays, the experience tips into something genuinely special — think leisurely mornings, clinking mimosas, live music drifting through the air, and the occasional complimentary rose handed to guests.
Bottom Line
Cedar is the kind of family-owned brunch restaurant that Covington deserves. Every dish is scratch-made, the atmosphere is unmatched, and the Latin-inspired menu surprises every time.
From the Crabby Ben to the legendary Hangover Bowl, this is a hidden gem brunch spot that earns every ounce of its loyal following. Come once, and you’ll be back. 🏆
Address:
701 Main Street, Covington, KY 41011
📞 (859) 360-1187
🕔 Open Tue–Thu, 8:30 AM–2 PM | Fri–Sun, 9 AM–3 PM (closed Mon)