New (Almost) Vegan Restaurant Opens in Downtown Cincinnati

A new health-conscious eatery with a mix of vegan and traditional dishes is now open in downtown Cincinnati.

Almost V’Gan Lounge, located at 34 E. Court St., features a restaurant with bottle service on one side and an upscale bar and lounge on the other. It recently held a soft opening with a private ribbon-cutting ceremony and will celebrate its grand opening Thursday starting at 2 p.m.

The restaurant is co-owned by Jarvis Shaw and Sean Reed, who say they recognized the lack of dining options for people with alternative diets and wanted AV Lounge to cater to a variety of lifestyles and tastes. The menu features a similar vegan pairing for every traditional dish, like jackfruit or pot roast tacos, grilled tofu or salmon sliders and grilled watermelon salad, among others. Diners will also find a selection of handcrafted cocktails and signature drinks.

“We are all required to do our part in healing the world, and we’re doing our part through food,” chef Camerron Dangerfield, an AV Lounge culinary partner and consultant, said in a press release. “It’s not just food, but offerings that nourish the mind, body and soul. AV Lounge is a complete depiction of just that. This is how we share our entire being — through delicious tastings that you won’t find elsewhere.”

City Studios Architecture and Triversity Construction worked on designing the space, which offers a relaxed, lounge-style atmosphere and sports deep, vibrant colors; gold accents; and wallpaper ceilings.

AV Lounge is open Thursday through Sunday for lunch and dinner (11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday; noon to midnight Saturday; and 1-10 p.m. Sunday), as well as brunch on Sundays. The kitchen closes at 9 p.m. each day, but the bar will remain open.

AV Lounge joins a collection of other restaurants that have recently opened on Court Street, including Pata Roja Taqueria, Court Street Kitchen and Onolicious, as well as Japanese convenience store Daruma.

“We cannot wait to join the other fantastic restaurants and bars on Court Street Plaza,” executive chef Stuart Royer said in the release. “We are bringing our own twist to the Cincinnati culinary scene.”

Almost V’Gan Lounge, 34 E. Court St., Downtown. More info: avlounge513.com .