Cafe Mochiko

Started as a 2019 pop-up by husband-wife duo Erik Bentz and Elaine Uykimpang Bentz before opening this East Walnut Hills brick-and-mortar in 2021. A true split personality: Japanese-French bakery by day, yōshoku (Western-influenced Japanese comfort food) cafe by night. Elaine—a James Beard finalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef/Baker (2023) drawing on her Filipino heritage—crafts eye-catching pastries like the signature ube halaya croissant and sweet corn bibingka. Erik, trained at The French Laundry and Chicago's Momotaro, runs dinner service featuring rotating ramen, karaage, and the cult-favorite Cincinnati-style chili ramen. Named to Bon Appétit's 50 Best New Restaurants (2022) and New York Times Best Bakeries in America (2024). Expect lines on weekends.