best coffee shop art galleries in cincinnati
There’s only one thing that goes better together than Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase and that’s art and coffee. See for yourself as I visit the top 5 coffee shop art galleries in Cincinnati in 2025.
Jump to...
Red Tree Coffee and Art
3210 Madison Rd, Oakley
View more images on Instagram
Urban Vintage
An artist’s thoughtful hideout with a gentle and softly lit ambiance brightened by warm sunlight and highlighted by art at every turn.
Art, then Coffee
Red Tree Coffee and Art isn’t merely a coffee business that at one point thought, you know what? It would be cool to show art while we serve our coffee. Art was never an after-thought, a side project. In fact, Red Tree began strictly as an art gallery, exhibiting the talent of Cincinnati’s artists. Creativity and expression are at the very core of who they are.
Even beyond housing the many works that color their shop, Red Tree is constantly hosting events and shows for locals to display their creativity at their location in Over the Rhine.
Some of this year’s events have included:
- Beyond Color: showcasing black and white film photography
- Kaleidoscope: featuring works from 11 black and brown artists throughout Cincinnati
- Fiber Fascination: exhibiting the vibrant fiber art (crocheting, weaving, knitting, etc) from two Cincinnati artists
- Neighborhood Relics: highlighting the personality of Cincinnati’s neighborhoods through photography
Wheelchair Accessible?
Yes! Access throughout the whole store. There’s a ramp that connects the lower and upper areas.
Drinks to try:
Dirty Chai (rich and spiced perfectly), seasonal lattes (specifically, the Harvest and Gingerbread lattes)
The Upside Brew
329 Ludlow Ave, Cincinnati
View more images on Instagram
Rustic Industrial
Rugged brick walls, sturdy metal rails, and rustic wooden tabletops all accompanied and enlivened by hundreds of surrounding pieces of art.
Best Coffee Shop for Students
Voted as the University of Cincinnati students’ favorite coffee shop for the second year in a row, The Upside Brew’s vibe, menu, and art is truly more of an experience than a place. In 2021, The Upside Brew began to house the New Port Art Gallery, a collection of art of all mediums from creators in the Greater Cincinnati area. This gallery began as its own exhibition and storefront which locals could browse and purchase from, until it began its collaboration with The Upside Brew. On the walls of its new home, this gallery shines as vibrant as ever, bringing even more life to this beautiful and beloved space. Now, part café, part art gallery, The Upside Brew has become a home to lovers of both coffee and creativity.
Wheelchair Accessible?
Yes! There’s access throughout the whole store. There’s a ramp that connects the lower and upper areas.
Hot Commodities:
Lattes, croissants, and flatbread
The 86
2900 Jefferson Ave, Cincinnati
View more images on Instagram
Rustic Industrial
Heavy woods, stone, and brick brightened by sunlight and art-covered walls to give this space an authentic and creative depth.
“Coffee, Concerts, Creativity, Community”
I can appreciate a little use of alliteration, but what I truly admire is the meaning behind these words, and the way The 86 brings them to life. Here, we’ll focus on the “creativity” part, which can be found decorating the brick-walled canvases of both of The 86’s locations, in Clifton and in the CCM at the University of Cincinnati. I primarily visit the Clifton shop, and have been able to view a few different gallery rotations. The first was a collection of impressionistic and realistic paintings splashing the walls in light colorful depictions of the beauty of everyday life. Portrayals of a backyard, a creek, a shoreline, and other closeups of life’s simple views slowly breathed fresh air into the bustling, urban room. The second rotation I saw was vastly different, showcasing an array of sketches from a young Cincinnati artist. These were organized in groups of various themes, including sketches of architecture, of familiar Cincinnati sights, of differing patterns, and of drawings completed while on a bus, in a car, or at the airport. Since these visits, I’ve found it exciting to walk into The 86 and wonder what new creative outfit they’ve decided to wear and share with those who are willing to admire.
Wheelchair Accessible?
Sadly, no. There’s a step leading up to the front door, which is a tight space with a pillar in front.
Highly-praised:
Lattes (specifically their matcha latte and mocha latte), Cold brew
Rohs Street Café
2385 Rohs St, Cincinnati
View more images on Instagram
Vintage Cottage
Aged wooden furniture and colorful framed art pieces give a historic, artsy look to this homey venue. Picture an old fireplace, Persian rug, and bookshelf surrounded by paintings, photographs, and house plants.
Welcome Home
The vibe of Rohs Street Cafe’s gallery is greatly different than that of the others, providing a unique experience for art and coffee lovers. While the others hang their pieces on brick wall, lit by studio lights, Rohs takes a more comfortable, home-like approach. Rather than feeling like you’re enjoying work at a museum in the city, it feels like you’re in your own home. And yet, there’s certainly something “uncomfortable” about the art. Something that, though complementary, still contrasts with the simple, familiar feel of this shop. The collections, whether realistic or abstract, provide something unfamiliar, something new and imaginative.
Hanging beside the bookshelf, or leaning atop the mantle, these pieces of art allow the viewer, sitting upon the couch with warm coffee in-hand, to escape, to both enjoy the warmth of that cozy place and to venture beyond it. This has been the case for me, as I’ve visited a few different rotations of their gallery, all bearing that same effect that’s felt when reading a book by the fire: the perfect mix of comfort and adventure.
Wheelchair Accessible?
Unfortunately, no. There are five steps leading up to the front door.
What to order:
Tea (Rose tea or Chai latte), Macadamia nut non-dairy milk option
Sidewinder Coffee
4181 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati
View more images on Instagram
Edgy Industrial
Artistic creativity meets urban edge. This industrial shop blends raw and rustic materials with bright and imaginative decor.
Quality Over Quantity
Despite being the smallest collection of art on the list, this café art gallery has certainly earned its spot in the top five. Drawing from the same creative and skillful pool of artists, Sidewinder Coffee is home to a continual array of Cincinnati’s finest underground art. The right-side brick wall is the canvas on which all of the art is displayed, directly across from and warmly illuminated by three tall windows. Here, the art is rotated less frequently than the other cafés, some being exhibited for a couple months. While this may mean returning visitors will not be able to view as great a range of art as in the other shops, it also means each artists is thoroughly exposed. This may perhaps be due to their selection of more obscure and lesser known artists in the Cincinnati area.
Here’s what’s been on display recently:
- Watercolor Wanderings: beautiful watercolor paintings by Professor Emerita Cynthia Kukla, based in Cincinnati
- Abstract Visions: vibrant abstract paintings by an Ohio University student
Wheelchair Accessible?
Yes! There are two small steps leading up to the front door, but the workers will bring out a ramp if you call (513-542-8321).
Pet Friendly?
Kinda. “Dogs welcome for carry-out and front room only.” Not allowed in back patio.
Try these out:
Croissants! Turkish latte (honey and cardamom), and French Kiss (chocolate and lavender)