Mi Cozumel is growing its riverfront restaurant at Newport on the Levee, with plans to expand the space from 5,800 to 8,600 square feet. Construction on the project is set to begin in February 2027, adding room for more guests, larger groups and additional outdoor seating overlooking the Ohio River.
According to NKyTribune, the additional 2,800 square feet will increase both indoor and outdoor seating capacity at the Cincinnati-based restaurant, which serves modern Mexican cuisine along the riverwalk. The extended patio will add more riverfront tables with direct views of the water, giving diners a bigger slice of one of Newport's most scenic outdoor dining spots.
Mi Cozumel CEO Liliana Jaime said the restaurant has consistently seen demand for more space, especially for larger groups and celebrations. She said the expansion will accommodate more guests without sacrificing the quality experience that has defined the brand since it opened at The Levee in summer 2025.
A Growing Footprint Across the Region
The Newport project fits into a broader pattern for Mi Cozumel, which has pursued larger restaurant footprints as part of an ongoing regional expansion strategy, the outlet's report notes. The company previously relocated and expanded its Springdale restaurant to 11340 Princeton Pike to accommodate higher seating capacity, according to prior Hoodline reporting.
Founded in 2018 as a family-owned business, Mi Cozumel features more than 40 margarita flavors and a menu of over 300 items, per that same account. By August 2026, the chain operated six locations across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, including its Newport on the Levee restaurant. The company has also announced plans for a seventh location at 310 Straight St. inside The District at Clifton Heights near the University of Cincinnati, which will occupy a 6,400-square-foot space formerly used by Cap City Fine Diner and Bar and include two private dining rooms, a covered patio and a 1,173-square-foot outdoor patio.
Known for Tableside Flair
Mi Cozumel has built its reputation on tableside preparations, including its Margarita Tower, made-to-order guacamole and Flaming Fajitas, serving quintessential Mexican dishes using fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Jaime has previously said her long-term goal is to expand well beyond the region, telling Cincinnati Magazine, “My goal is to eventually expand throughout the East Coast and continue sharing our thrilling vision with new communities beyond Ohio and Kentucky.”
It's worth noting that the original size of the Newport space has been reported inconsistently: the new expansion announcement cites 5,800 square feet, while a 2025 report from LINK nky described the space as 5,770 square feet, a figure tied to the restaurant's move into a spot formerly occupied by Amador, a Cuban eatery that closed that January. The discrepancy has not been explained. Mi Cozumel's website lists the Newport location at 1 Levee Way and notes that more locations are on the way.
