Cozy’s Cafe & Pub, Liberty Township

Cozy’s Cafe & Pub embodies a modern, industrial gastropub feel with its sprawling bar, high ceilings and exposed beams and ductwork. It’s the kind of place you’d expect to find in downtown Cincinnati rather than the suburbs, but the Liberty Township spot offers a comfy environment to dig into the restaurant’s delicious motto: “Eat, Drink & Be Cozy.” 

During cooler months, diners favor the converted farmhouse’s intimate front rooms, and on weekends, the pub is the place to be for brunch — complete with a build-your-own bloody mary bar. As the weather warms, the outdoor patio and pergola provide a charming place to dine as well as space for live music.

The eatery’s atmosphere was inspired by owner Jan Collins’ travels throughout Europe, and that welcoming feel is well matched by executive chef Refugio Hernandez’s lineup of elevated comfort food favorites, prime cuts and quality seafood dishes.

“We have the Southern, down-home feel with short ribs, shrimp and grits, fried chicken and mashed potatoes,” says general manager Matt Allen. “[We also] have chef-driven fine dining: filets, coffee-rubbed ribeye and fresh catches every night of the week.”

The most popular entree is the buttermilk fried chicken, and the dessert at Cozy’s Cafe & Pub is well worth the indulgence. The three-tiered carrot cake with buttercream icing is not to be missed, and the same could be said for the house-made cinnamon rolls.

The restaurant’s spring and summer menu features lighter and fresher options before shifting to a heartier menu around November that carries through the winter. Favorite dishes remain available year-round, and Allen says Hernandez aims to source as many local ingredients as possible.

“We like to stay up on trends and have variety in both the food and the [drink] menus,” Allen adds. “Both are crafted from 90-percent local ingredients. Even the draft beers are from the Cincinnati and Dayton areas.”

6440 Cincinnati Dayton Rd., Liberty Township 45044, 513/644-9365, cozyscafeandpub.com