Truly a Cincinnati gem. Unique sushi and related options, wide selection of sake and craft cocktails. Staff was friendly and helpful, and it would be equally as enjoyable at a table or at the bar . Very interesting lighting. Later at night on weekends (at 10?) it turns into a club.
We sat at the bar and Kendall was our server. She was incredible and really made our experience outstanding. Her recommendations were excellent. We loved the tuna on crispy rice & Brussel sprouts. Also loved the gravlox nigiri. The moving lights at the bar were a little weird but overall cool atmosphere. Definitely going back.
Loved the vibe and atmosphere. Went on a Thursday evening and had drinks and four dishes. Drinks were pricy and the food was a little higher but good & what a fun place. Guessing the weekends are much busier. Will return!
The food and atmosphere were amazing!!! We had reservations but since it was our first time, I didn't realize that the bar area meant we were actually sitting at the bar. There were four of us, which made it difficult to sit four in a row. The restaurant was virtually empty at 5:15 and the hostess would do nothing to help accommodate us. Eventually, we were able to shift down the bar to the corner where we could at least somewhat face each other and talk, but as first time diners, it would've made a great impression if the hostess would have tried just a little bit to get us at a table when multiple tables were open.  The bartenders were great and attentive and the sushi was fantastic !
Jackie Z.
What a fun place! Sat at the counter (sushi making view), but would probably reserve the bar or table (mostly high tops) next time for a comfier seat. Needed a reservation for the Saturday dinner time we booked, but seemed a bit emptier for walk-ins as the night progressed. We were recommended the corn ribs, and they did not disappoint! What a fun way to do corn, and sauce was great. I went for a sake flight (love the milky sway-unfiltered sake), while my friend had a cocktail. The scallops were yummy in sauce (a bit over but those buckwheat noodles were so good), and we loved the hamachi (yellowtail and jalapeño go together so well!). Probably could have passed on the fried rice (crab was good but didn't feel worth the $10+ upcharge), and the tiramisu was mostly whipped cream (very mild matcha flavor). All in all a good time and fun menu.
Amazing service, and incredible food! We sat at the sushi bar but there wasn't line of sight to the sushi making so I would've preferred to sit at a standard table - lesson for next time. We will certainly be back.
jim fisher
Fun spot food was very
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna, Tuna
Spike Mogy
Great vegan options. Filling and tasty. Great service although I went before it got busy. Love the black and red decor and high ceiling and wrap around bar. Great for a bar hopping night with friends. Maybe not a family with kids kind of a place. Date night would be good here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Craig Warner
Overall great Sushi restaurant. More for the corporate traveler with their corporate card. If you know what I mean $$$$. You could easily drop $125 per person.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
MichelleB
We enjoyed our pre- show dinner at Baru. Loved the open atmosphere . The service was pretty good, maybe a slight bit pushy. The drinks were yummy although my daiquiri was very small so I'm glad I got happy hour price (1/2) or I would have felt ripped off. We had a couple apps, the lobster shot and lobster toaste were amazing and the sushi rolls we had were equally delicious. Would definitely recommend!
Food is mediocre. I understand they are serving sushi in a very landlocked location but we had several apps and sushi rolls for our table and none of them were very good. Bland flavors. Service was good and ambience was interesting but very disappointing menu unfortunately
JustinG
Overall, Baru was a good experience. We sat at the bar and the bartender had too many tables to tend to, making service very slow. Baru has some fun interesting cocktails and a great selection of Sake. Food was good, but expensive. Enjoy the show created by the lights, though a bit distracting. Probably would not recommend.
jmruebusch
We enjoyed a late dinner while sitting at the sushi bar. Allie did an amazing job as our server, very informative for our first visit. Our food was delicious, served timely and tasty. The atmosphere was very energetic and we loved the lighting.
CAI GAN XIAN Lucas
It was an enchanting experience to eat sushi at Baru. From the unique decor, the great food taste and presentation and the motivated staffs. Everything went well. I will definitely come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna
The food is a bit pricey but delicious, my favorites are the corn ribs and the hamachi collar. They have specials on Mondays where their sake and maki is half off. The restaurant is beautiful too!
Truly a Cincinnati gem. Unique sushi and related options, wide selection of sake and craft cocktails. Staff was friendly and helpful, and it would be equally as enjoyable at a table or at the bar . Very interesting lighting. Later at night on weekends (at 10?) it turns into a club.
We sat at the bar and Kendall was our server. She was incredible and really made our experience outstanding. Her recommendations were excellent. We loved the tuna on crispy rice & Brussel sprouts. Also loved the gravlox nigiri. The moving lights at the bar were a little weird but overall cool atmosphere. Definitely going back.
Loved the vibe and atmosphere. Went on a Thursday evening and had drinks and four dishes. Drinks were pricy and the food was a little higher but good & what a fun place. Guessing the weekends are much busier. Will return!
The food and atmosphere were amazing!!! We had reservations but since it was our first time, I didn't realize that the bar area meant we were actually sitting at the bar. There were four of us, which made it difficult to sit four in a row. The restaurant was virtually empty at 5:15 and the hostess would do nothing to help accommodate us. Eventually, we were able to shift down the bar to the corner where we could at least somewhat face each other and talk, but as first time diners, it would've made a great impression if the hostess would have tried just a little bit to get us at a table when multiple tables were open.  The bartenders were great and attentive and the sushi was fantastic !
What a fun place! Sat at the counter (sushi making view), but would probably reserve the bar or table (mostly high tops) next time for a comfier seat. Needed a reservation for the Saturday dinner time we booked, but seemed a bit emptier for walk-ins as the night progressed. We were recommended the corn ribs, and they did not disappoint! What a fun way to do corn, and sauce was great. I went for a sake flight (love the milky sway-unfiltered sake), while my friend had a cocktail. The scallops were yummy in sauce (a bit over but those buckwheat noodles were so good), and we loved the hamachi (yellowtail and jalapeño go together so well!). Probably could have passed on the fried rice (crab was good but didn't feel worth the $10+ upcharge), and the tiramisu was mostly whipped cream (very mild matcha flavor). All in all a good time and fun menu.
Amazing service, and incredible food! We sat at the sushi bar but there wasn't line of sight to the sushi making so I would've preferred to sit at a standard table - lesson for next time. We will certainly be back.
Fun spot food was very
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna, Tuna
Great vegan options. Filling and tasty. Great service although I went before it got busy. Love the black and red decor and high ceiling and wrap around bar. Great for a bar hopping night with friends. Maybe not a family with kids kind of a place. Date night would be good here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Overall great Sushi restaurant. More for the corporate traveler with their corporate card. If you know what I mean $$$$. You could easily drop $125 per person.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We enjoyed our pre- show dinner at Baru. Loved the open atmosphere . The service was pretty good, maybe a slight bit pushy. The drinks were yummy although my daiquiri was very small so I'm glad I got happy hour price (1/2) or I would have felt ripped off. We had a couple apps, the lobster shot and lobster toaste were amazing and the sushi rolls we had were equally delicious. Would definitely recommend!
Restaurantji Recommends
Food is mediocre. I understand they are serving sushi in a very landlocked location but we had several apps and sushi rolls for our table and none of them were very good. Bland flavors. Service was good and ambience was interesting but very disappointing menu unfortunately
Overall, Baru was a good experience. We sat at the bar and the bartender had too many tables to tend to, making service very slow. Baru has some fun interesting cocktails and a great selection of Sake. Food was good, but expensive. Enjoy the show created by the lights, though a bit distracting. Probably would not recommend.
We enjoyed a late dinner while sitting at the sushi bar. Allie did an amazing job as our server, very informative for our first visit. Our food was delicious, served timely and tasty. The atmosphere was very energetic and we loved the lighting.
It was an enchanting experience to eat sushi at Baru. From the unique decor, the great food taste and presentation and the motivated staffs. Everything went well. I will definitely come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna
The food is a bit pricey but delicious, my favorites are the corn ribs and the hamachi collar. They have specials on Mondays where their sake and maki is half off. The restaurant is beautiful too!