Make it a Date at Kroger On The Rhine Eatery

My husband and I have already visited the new Kroger in downtown Cincinnati multiple times and it’s AMAZING!

I’m sharing more about why I like it so much and why you should consider Kroger On the Rhine for your next date…yes, I said date.

This article is written in partnership with Kroger.

We’ve been married for over 20 years… so that means that we like to mix things up when it comes to our daytime dates. I typically try to have a rule of trying someplace new every time we go out to eat because we have so many great options around Cincinnati.

My husband’s off day rotates each week. This means that sometimes we have a random weekday that we can take advantage of the kids being in school and go out for lunch and a mini-adventure.

We made it a date at Kroger on the Rhine in downtown Cincinnati… because it’s not your typical Kroger.

There is grocery shopping on the lower floor and a Food Hall on the second floor.

Dine Inside the On the Rhine Eatery Food Hall

Do you ever have a problem agreeing on what type of food you are in the mood for when you go out to eat?

Problem solved.

The On the Rhine Eatery Food Hall has all of your cravings covered with 5 different restaurants to choose from:

• DOPE Asian Street Fare
• Django Western Taco
• Eli’s BBQ
• Queen City Whip
• Kitchen 1883 Café and Bar

You can each order from different restaurants or even get creative and share a few courses from a few different restaurants to really mix things up.

I opted for Tacos from Django Western Taco and my husband ordered a Reuben sandwich from Kitchen 1883 Cafe and Bar.

FYI- GrubHub delivery will be available for all On the Rhine Eatery Food Hall venues too in case you get a craving while you are home.

There is plenty of seating inside the On the Rhine Eatery Food Hall with long tables perfect for groups and smaller tables for couples or singles.

If you are going to dine inside, I love the seating section near the windows providing lots of natural light.

Relax at the Outdoor Seating Area

The On the Rhine Eatery Food Hall has a nice covered outdoor seating area with plenty of tables, along with a few couches and a few TVs in case you want to watch a game while you dine.

This area is laid back and a nice place to go if you want a quieter place to talk.

Stay for a Drink at the 1883 Bar

Yes, the Kroger on the Rhine has a bar…because it can.

Chat about life over a glass of wine, craft beer, or your favorite spiked seltzer at the 1883 Bar at the On the Rhine Eatery Food Hall.

Pick Up Your Favorite Drinks for Later

The second floor also has a Kroger Liquor store which makes it easy to stock up on your favorite wines and beer.

You’ll find a great selection craft beer including some from popular breweries around Cincinnati.

After an instore sampling, I discovered that I’m a huge fan of “Slangria” made with apple, pomegranate, blueberry, and lime from Rhinegeist Brewery and decided to bring a 6 pack home with me.

Shop with Ease

When we first started dating, even the mundane tasks of grocery shopping weren’t as bad because we were spending time together….ahh to be young again.

Grocery shopping doesn’t quite have the same nostalgia now that we shop for a family of four which is why it’s fun to break the routine and mix things up by visiting another Kroger location.

Have you ever been out on a date and then you remembered that you need to pick up something from the grocery store on the way home?

That’s the worst!

Nothing sends you back to reality quicker than a non-date stop BUT what if you didn’t have to make another stop and park again?

Now that’s beautiful!

You can pick up those grocery items with the ease of changing floors from the elevator, not parking spots.

Pick Up The Basics And Beyond!

Even though the Kroger on the Rhine store is smaller than a typical Kroger, you’ll be impressed by the amount of selection available for the basic grocery staples and beyond.

There is a large selection of fresh produce including organic items.

There no service person for specific departments and everything is pre-packaged and ready to go.

Take-Home a Guilty Pleasure

I’m a sucker for dessert and Kroger on the Rhine has plenty of baked goods and sweet treats that are ready to go.

I even bought my husband’s mini birthday cake and mini anniversary cake ….along with a few of his favorite drinks and candy from Kroger while I was in the area downtown.

(FYI- There is not a bakery attendant at this specific location so all of the cakes sold are what you see is what you get)

Get Caffeinated While You Shop at Starbucks

A little caffeine boost while I shop, YES, please!

What’s even better is that the Kroger on the Rhine has Nitro Cold Brew on tap.

I typically don’t like my coffee black but Nitro is so smooth and delicious that it can persuade me to temporarily change my mind.

Another great option at Starbucks, that is exclusive to the Kroger on the Rhine location, is the “513” secret drink with mocha, white chocolate, and toffee nut.

If you need some caffeine on the go take advantage of the first-in-the-Enterprise walk-up Starbucks window located at Kroger on the Rhine.

Enjoy Local Favorites

Kroger on the Rhine has several Cincinnati area local favorites including Eli’s BBQ, O Pie O, Sixteen Bricks, Busken Bakery, that you can grab and go.

These are great items for a picnic or party that you need to bring a dish for.

Grab and Go Meals

If you don’t feel like cooking dinner or if you want to stock up on some great lunches to take to work, you will find plenty of options at Kroger on the Rhine.

There is a stocked salad bar and you can find lots of great options including sushi that are perfect for lunch or dinner on the go if you want to bring your meal to Washington Park or Fountain Square.

Make sure that you also stop by Murray’s Cheese Bar and hopefully you’ll score a sample during your visit.

Take-Home Fresh Flowers

Guys, if you want MAJOR BONUS POINTS, fake like you are getting up to go to the bathroom during the middle of your meal, take the elevator downstairs to the grocery store, and pick up some fresh flowers to bring back to your dinner date.

OR

Another smooth move is to put the flowers in your car in the parking garage so that they are a nice surprise when your date returns to their seat…You’re Welcome!

Enjoy Parking Garage Perks

Parking at the grocery store can be one of my least favorite parts, especially on a bad weather day.

My friend and I have decided that we would rather shop at the downtown Kroger on rainy and snowy days. Shoppers are out of the elements and it’s a short distance from the elevator to your vehicle in the parking garage.

You can bring your shopping cart on the elevator and their are cart returns in the garage and near the entrance to the elevator on the third and fourth parking garage floors.

You can park for FREE in the garage with any purchase in the first 30 minutes. Make sure that you hold on to your receipt because you will need to scan your receipt to exit.

Parking is also FREE for up to 2 hours when you spend a minimum of $15 in the grocery store OR at the On the Rhine Eatery Food Hall.

(This one is easy to do because let’s be honest, how often do you ever spend under $15 at the grocery store?)

Where to Park for the Downtown Kroger in Cincinnati