Known for its diverse neighborhoods, world-class cultural scene, and passionate sports fans, Cleveland also boasts a thriving foodie culture with chef-driven restaurants that rival major culinary destinations. From hip farm-to-table bistros to old-world ethnic mainstays, Cleveland dining offers diners an eclectic array of fantastic flavors.
| Restaurant | Description |
|---|---|
| Lola Bistro | Offers bold Cleveland-style cuisine with creative shareable plates. |
| Sokolowski’s University Inn | A beloved James Beard American Classic serving hearty Polish and Eastern European specialties. |
| Spice Kitchen + Bar | Features global dishes with bold aromatics and flavors meant for sharing. |
| Pier W | Offers fresh seafood with breathtaking lakefront views. |
| Mia Bella | Transports diners to romantic Tuscany with homemade pastas and Italian flavors. |
| Fire Food & Drink | Fuses Italian, French, and Asian elements in seasonal dishes. |
| Astoria Café & Market | Mediterranean ambiance with shareable small plates and pita sandwiches. |
| The Black Pig | Serves Southern cuisine with eclectic global touches. |
| Agnes | Offers French American bistro bites with playful whimsy. |
| Larder Delicatessen & Bakery | Known for house-cured pastramis and corned beef sandwiches. |
| Buckeye Pho | Specializes in aromatic pho noodle soups and regional classics. |
| Tommy’s | A family-owned diner with comfort food classics and old-fashioned milkshakes. |
Here are 12 of the best restaurants in Cleveland visitors must experience.
Lola Bistro
Name and Location: Lola Bistro, located in downtown Cleveland.
History and Significance: Owned by celebrity chef Michael Symon, Lola Bistro has been a staple in the Cleveland dining scene, known for its innovative approach to classic dishes.
What to Expect: High-end American cuisine with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients. The menu features creative dishes and a robust wine selection.
Visitor Information: Reservations are recommended. Check their website for hours and menu options.
Helmed by iconic local chef Michael Symon, Lola Bistro helped put Cleveland dining on the national map with its bold Cleveland-style cuisine. The cozy Tremont restaurant with its open kitchen and extensive wine list perfectly balances Symon’s Greek heritage and American upbringing across creative shareable plates. House favorites like the beef cheek pierogi ravioli with horseradish and wild mushrooms demonstrate Lola’s knack for re-imagining comforting dishes in inventive yet accessible ways. And the free-range chicken lemon brine brings citrus zing to crisp, juicy bird. Lola’s lively ambiance mixed with Symon’s soulful cooking makes dining here an quintessential Cleveland experience.
Sokolowski’s University Inn
Name and Location: Located in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland.
History and Significance: Established in 1923, it’s one of Cleveland’s oldest family-owned restaurants, known for its Polish-American cuisine and cafeteria-style service.
What to Expect: Hearty portions of Eastern European dishes like pierogi, kielbasa, and stuffed cabbage. A casual, home-style dining experience.
Visitor Information: Open for lunch and dinner. No reservations are required, but expect a queue at peak times.
No visit to Cleveland is complete without stopping by this beloved James Beard American Classic institution, family-owned for over 90 years. Located on the edge of university circle, Sokolowski’s cafeteria-style service transports diners back in time with its charming 1940s interior filled with oak tables and windowed candy counter brimming with house-made sweets. But the true stars remain the reasonably priced, hearty Polish and Eastern European specialties like kielbasa, stuffed cabbage, pierogi potatoes and smoked city chicken. Round out the authentic blue-collar meal with their famous fried Lake Erie walleye and pensioner’s pot roast gravy before finishing with a sliver of their decadent sundae pie. Expect big portions, big flavors and an only-in-Cleveland vibe.
Spice Kitchen + Bar
Name and Location: Located in the Gordon Square Arts District of Cleveland.
History and Significance: Spice Kitchen + Bar focuses on farm-to-table dining, with ingredients sourced from their own farm and local suppliers.
What to Expect: Seasonal menus featuring creative American cuisine. The restaurant also offers a unique selection of craft cocktails and local beers.
Visitor Information: Reservations are recommended. Check their website for current menus and opening hours.
For a stellar culinary experience like no other, head to trendsetting Spice Kitchen + Bar located downtown inside the Cleveland Convention Center. Here Chef Ben Bebenroth’s “spiced” up menu ethos shines through global dishes packed with bold aromatics and flavors meant for sharing. Small plates like the hot chicken tikka masala wontons, Chinese char siu pork belly and Korean fried cauliflower nimbly fusion cuisines into crave-worthy bites. And large format options like Ethiopian doro wat chicken and Indian shrimp biryani saturated in spices feed the whole table. Extensive vegan and gluten-free options further expand offerings. With its sleek decor, creative cocktails and conventioneers mingling with locals, Spice’s singular dining concept electrifies taste buds.
Pier W
Name and Location: Situated in Lakewood, offering views of Lake Erie.
History and Significance: Opened in 1965, Pier W is known for its landmark location and has a reputation for fine seafood and elegant dining.
What to Expect: Upscale dining with a focus on seafood, complemented by a panoramic view of Lake Erie. The restaurant is known for its Sunday brunch and happy hour.
Visitor Information: Reservations are highly recommended, especially for brunch and dinner. Check their website for hours and dress code.
For fresh seafood and breathtaking lakefront views, Pier W in Lakewood consistently charms. Floor-to-ceiling windows reveal vistas of sailboats bobbing offshore as an elevated raw bar and seafood-centric menu pay culinary homage to the nearby water. Sustainably sourced catches like trout, scallops and wild salmon arrive expertly prepared in approachable ways to let their pristine flavors shine. And dishes like the crowd-pleasing lobster roll or cioppino brimming with mussels, shrimp and fish hold their own against the scenic backdrop. Whether enjoying their cherry smoked baby back ribs out on the summer patio or cozying into a fireside table in winter, Pier W captures seasonal Great Lakes magic alongside its fruits of the sea.
Mia Bella
Name and Location: Located in the Little Italy neighborhood of Cleveland.
History and Significance: Mia Bella reflects the rich Italian heritage of the area, offering traditional Mediterranean dishes with a modern twist.
What to Expect: Authentic Italian cuisine with a variety of pasta, seafood, and meat dishes. The restaurant also has a comprehensive wine list.
Visitor Information: Reservations are recommended. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, weather permitting.
For authentic Italy without the transatlantic flight, Mia Bella transports diners straight to romantic Tuscany tucked away in Little Italy. Chef John Koos crafts homemade pastas bursting with bright flavors that belie this tiny restaurant’s small size but outsized soul. House-made pappardelle tangos with wild boar ragu, while squid ink linguine swims in seafood so fragrant, you’re swimming in the Gulf of Naples. And delicate tortellini filled with velvety pumpkin or pear delicately dance across the tongue. Save room for showstoppers like the tender ossobuco milanese or branzino baked whole dripping in lemon garlic broth. From its checkered tablecloths to Sinatra crooning on the radio, Mia Bella finds that sweet spot between cozy and culinary virtuosity.
Fire Food & Drink
Name and Location: Located in the Shaker Square area of Cleveland.
History and Significance: Since its opening, Fire Food & Drink has been committed to sustainability and locally sourced ingredients, offering a contemporary American menu.
What to Expect: Seasonal menus with a focus on organic and artisanal ingredients. Known for its weekend brunch and dinner menus.
Visitor Information: Reservations are advisable. Check their website for specific hours and menu offerings.
High-end cuisine takes flight at Shaker Square’s contemporary American darling Fire Food & Drink without pretension or prices breaking the bank. Chef Doug Katz seamlessly fuses Italian, French and Asian elements across seasonal dishes vibrant with unexpected flavor pairings. House-made squid-ink spaghetti adroitly teams up with spicy local greens and grilled pineapple, while crispy Amish chicken conspires deliciously with soba noodles, bok choy and ginger soy jus. Menus change frequently to showcase the region’s small farmers and food artisans. Supporting rustic fare, the glass-enclosed dining room trimmed by a fireplace bar feels like your most stylish friend’s living room. Fire Food & Drink consistently delights via Katz’ culinary artistry in an convivial chic setting.
Astoria Café & Market
Name and Location: Situated in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood of Cleveland.
History and Significance: Astoria Café & Market combines a Mediterranean-inspired café with a market offering a selection of gourmet foods and wines.
What to Expect: A café with a variety of Mediterranean dishes and a market featuring an array of cheeses, charcuterie, and wines.
Visitor Information: Open for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The market is great for shopping unique and artisanal products.
Shining like a beacon from its bright corner location in Gordon Square Arts District, Astoria Café & Market makes guests feel immediately at home with its Mediterranean ambiance and flavors. Sunny yellow walls offset rustic wood tables topped with shareable small plates both deceivingly simple and transporting like the addictive crazy feta spread, lamb & beef keftedes meatballs, and giant gigantes beans laced with onions and tomato. Pita sandwiches stuffed with shawarma chicken gyro or falafels elevate quick street food. And fresh salads and sides like orzo pasta salad remind you chef-owner Zareen Khan knows and loves Mediterranean cuisine intimately. The attached café market sells many housemade ingredients for you to recreate Astoria’s hospitality at home.
The Black Pig
Name and Location: Located in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood.
History and Significance: The Black Pig offers European-inspired New American cuisine, known for its use of local and sustainable ingredients.
What to Expect: A menu that changes with the seasons, featuring house-made charcuterie, pastas, and a variety of meat and seafood dishes.
Visitor Information: Reservations are recommended. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating available.
Oink your way to foodie heaven at The Black Pig downtown where BBQ pitmaster Myron Riddle smokes, grills and plates Cleveland’s best Southern cuisine using certified humane meat and eclectic global touches. Crispy fried chicken kisses honey butter biscuits, while Cuban roast pork snuggles up to smoked gouda mac-n-cheese for a menu traversing regional American comfort foods and more. Burnished brisket and baby back ribs arrive tender and dripping in home-style or Asian-tinged sauces perfect for slathering and savoring. Vegetarians delight over their jackfruit “pulled pork” platter tasting eerily like the real thing but meat-free. And local craft beers and live music on weekends cue the good times at communal picnic tables. For finger-licking backyard barbecue feasts downtown, The Black Pig delivers hog heaven.
Agnes
Name and Location: Specific location information is not provided, as “Agnes” could refer to multiple establishments.
History and Significance: Without specific location details, it’s challenging to provide historical and significance information for Agnes.
What to Expect: If this is a restaurant, visitors might expect a menu and dining experience tailored to the theme and cuisine of the establishment.
Visitor Information: Further information would be needed to provide accurate visitor details for Agnes.
Named a rising nationwide star, tiny Agnes in Battery Park radiates bijou Parisian charm with its quirky owl logos and cheeky “fine-ish dining” motto. But playful whimsy fortunately doesn’t detract Chef Matt Anderson from forging pitch-perfect French American bistro bites in his open kitchen. Buttery escargot swim in Pernod garlic butter before giving way to textbook beef bourguignon and mille feuilles trademark flaky layers. Yet contemporary twists do delight amid old-world classics via dishes like a perfect beef tartare heaped with truffle aioli and tempura nori alongside tiny glow-in-the-dark tables lending fairytale magic. Effortlessly sophistication yet friendly at its core, Agnes remains a jewel box-sized Cleveland bastion of gastronomic Gallic tradition reinvented.
Larder Delicatessen & Bakery
Name and Location: Located in the Hingetown area of Ohio City, Cleveland.
History and Significance: Larder is a nationally recognized deli and bakery known for its artisanal approach and commitment to local sourcing.
What to Expect: A curated selection of deli meats, artisanal breads, pastries, and Jewish deli classics. Larder is also known for its creative sandwiches.
Visitor Information: It’s a casual eatery with limited seating. They also offer takeout options.
A true Cleveland neighborhood gem for nearly 25 years strong, Larder Delicatessen & Bakery tempts hungry locals from a vibrant red corner building anchoring Hingetown. House-cured pastramis and corned beef star between slices of their double-baked seeded rye rolls for Reuben aficionado dreams. Overstuffed sandwiches famously spill countless housemade ingredients from egg salad and chicken salad to tuna and pimento cheese. For dinner, comforting baked macaroni & cheese, beef stroganoff meatballs and chicken pot pie please all palates. And Larder’s pastry case brims decadently with perfect New York deli-style sweets from berry pies and cheesecakes to towering layer cakes, tarts and cookies threatening delicious doom to all diets. Whip up picnic provisions or stay awhile – Larder always satisfies.
Buckeye Pho
Name and Location: Located in Columbus, Ohio.
History and Significance: Buckeye Pho brings Vietnamese cuisine to Ohio, offering a range of traditional dishes with an emphasis on pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup.
What to Expect: A variety of pho options, as well as other Vietnamese dishes like spring rolls, banh mi sandwiches, and rice plates.
Visitor Information: The restaurant offers a casual dining experience. No reservations are required, and takeout is available.
Who knew Cleveland was secretly obsessed with Vietnamese fare? Find out at cozy Buckeye Pho specializing in aromatic pho noodle soups plus regional classics done right. Customize big bowls of pho with rich house-made bone broths, fresh rice noodles and endless mix-and-match additions from filet mignon to meatballs to veggies. Or relish spring rolls encasing shrimp and pork or chicken banh mi sandwiches bursting with savory fillings and pickled veggies. Beyond thepho phanatics, the restaurant’s extensive menu rewarded exploration for less common dishes like wok fried cubed beef kho, claypot catfish and saigon crepes hiding Chinese barbecued pork and shrimp. With friendly service and budget-friendly prices on already generous portions, Buckeye Pho always fills the Asian comfort food craving. Don’t be surprised if their pho obsession soon becomes your own.
Tommy’s
Name and Location: Tommy’s, located in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
History and Significance: Tommy’s is a long-standing establishment known for its inclusive menu catering to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
What to Expect: A diverse menu ranging from hearty breakfasts to sandwiches, milkshakes, and Middle Eastern dishes. It’s a favorite among locals for its unique offerings.
Visitor Information: Casual atmosphere with no reservations required. It’s a popular spot, so there might be a wait during peak times.
Making diners feel right at home for over 50 years strong, family-owned Tommy’s earns its renown as much through warm hospitality as its famed milkshakes, burgers and blue plate specials. Expect zero pretense inside this tiny nondescript Coventry Village storefront filled with red vinyl booths, scribble covered tables and walls plastered in sports memorabilia. The menu covers greasy spoon classics done right like juicy diner-style burgers sizzling next to eggs, thick slabs of bologna sandwiches and melt-in-your-mouth meatloaf covered in mushroom gravy. Of course, Tommy’s ends nearly every meal with an old-fashioned milkshake, concrete or malt – each scooped by hand using premium ice creams in flavors from buckeye to butter pecan. Affordable, yummy comfort food and welcome familiarity make Tommy’s an age-old Cleveland institution.
Visitors eating their way through Cleveland find a city satisfyingly punching above its weight class regarding inventive dining. Foodies uncover polished posh experiences sitting quite compatibly alongside old-world ethnic mainstays, neighborhood gems and high-low fusion surprises. Armed with this insider guide to the best and brightest kitchens, savor Ohio’s most flavorful side – a Cleveland culinary scene brimming with passion proudly on display from white-linen to checkered tablecloth establishments citywide. Hungry yet? Let Cleveland take your tastebuds on an unforgettable epicurean adventure no food lover will want to miss.