After spending the day jamming at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, appreciating some of the astounding exhibits at the Cleveland Museum of Art, or hiking the trails of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, you’ve undoubtedly worked up an appetite! Now, you’re wondering where to eat in Cleveland. Luckily for you, this Midwestern city has so many amazing places to eat!
From celebrity chef, Michael Symon’s casual BBQ joint to mouth-watering locals-only pub fare, Cleveland is full of tantalizing meals! So come hungry and leave happy, because the perfect meal is waiting for you here.
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Top 17 Best Cleveland Restaurants
Upscale Restaurants in Cleveland
Cleveland is home to amazing chefs like Dante Boccuzzi, and that means there are more than a few delightfully refreshing and innovative moves to enjoy in the city’s fine-dining scene. Here are a few of my favorites!
Dante
2247 Professor Ave Suite C. // +1 216-274-1200
I wouldn’t call all chefs artists, but at Dante, Chef Dante Boccuzzi combines his love of music and food with harmonious pairings like Hawaiian tuna tartare with poached egg, olive caper remoulade, and a crisp potato nest.
But, the best thing to order here (and maybe all of Cleveland) is the tasting menu. The 5-course tasting menu is a bit of a splurge, but trust Dante’s instincts. You’ll be amazed at what he comes up with.
We’ve ordered the tasting menu a few times, and every single time we’ve been served new and exciting dishes like squid-ink pasta, delicious white salmon over a creamy cauliflower sauce, and the most decadent chocolate cake I’ve ever tasted. Opt for the wine pairings. It’s worth the heavy-handed pour that goes with each dish!
Cheap Eats in Cleveland
While there are plenty of fine-dining establishments in Cleveland, sometimes, you just want a cool restaurant that is cheap and fun. These restaurants will satisfy that desire!
Happy Dog
5801 Detroit Ave. // +1 216-651-9474
As far as dives go, Happy Dog is the best by far. While it doesn’t look like much on the outside, when you enter, you’ll notice the huge bar in the middle of the restaurant, a barely-put-together stage, and loads of old booths and tables that clearly haven’t been replaced since the 1970s.
While this place may look like a scene from Cheers, it is the best spot to order one of the many beers on tap. If you’re hungry, take a pencil and menu and custom-order your dream hot dog. The possibilities are endless! Think all-beef hotdogs with Spaghetti-O’s, fried egg, and sriracha ranch.
My favorite is the vegan dog with garlic aioli, garlicky escarole, chunky peanut butter, feta, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Trust me on this one: it’s AMAZING!
Order it with tots and a few of their countless sauces, like Japanese yum-yum, chipotle ketchup, buffalo wing sauce, and more!

Jukebox
1404 W 29th St. // +1 216-206-7699
If there’s one place on this list that’s well known by locals, it’s Jukebox. While many flock to West 25th Street for great eats (it’s where the majority of Ohio City’s restaurants are located) those in the know head to Jukebox.
A staple in the Hingetown part of Ohio City, it is the place for perogies. Pan-fried and filled with plenty of different things, these are the best in the city. Try the traditional potato and cheese, or get buffalo chickpea, potato, and bacon, even spicy chicken. Thank me later.
Pro-tip: this is also the best spot for late-night pizza bagels and ramen!
Superior Pho
3030 Superior Ave #105 // +1 216-781-7462
While Asia Town on the east side of Cleveland has many delicious locations, Superior Pho is the best place to go.
Though it’s a bit hard to find inside a shopping complex, this restaurant is known for cheap bowls of that amazing and delicious soup we all know and love: pho.
Order some pho, classic banh mi, or a hefty bowl of bun cha complete with tender pork and silky rice noodles. While it may cost more than in Vietnam, it’s definitely cheap for Cleveland!
Bruno’s Ristorante & Catering
2644 W 41st St, Cleveland, OH 44113, United States //+12169617087
Unbelievable homemade pasta and large portions. They also offer delicious appetizers, and the service was amazing. Real family Italian place that will make you feel at home. This place is the best-kept secret when it comes to Cleveland Italian restaurants, and really just Cleveland restaurants in general.
For starters, their Italian Wedding soup with meatballs and veggies is a unique experience.
The lasagna is the juiciest and cheesiest in the world. The flavors blend perfectly, and you can feel all the ingredients are fresh. With their spaghetti carbonara and the classic bolognese, you can never go wrong.
There are also plenty of other options on the lunch menu, such as fish, meat, grill, and, of course, pizza. For dessert, try their mouthwatering tiramisu and enjoy your meal!
Best Pizza in Cleveland
While here in Cleveland, I’ve made it my quest to find and eat the best pizza in Cleveland. And, I certainly have come close to eating at almost all of the pizza joints around town. Looking for pizza? This is where to go.
Angelo’s Pizza
13715 Madison Ave. // +1 216-221-0440
For a thick, chewy crust and endless options, Angelo’s Pizza in Lakewood is where you need to go.
Feel free to customize everything or order from their unique offerings. Of course, they have the traditional cheese, pepperoni, and Margherita pizzas, but jump for some off-the-wall ones, like their seafood pizza with lobster cream sauce, shrimp, crab meat, and spinach, or baked potato pizza with onion, bacon, potatoes, butter, and lots of cheese.
Edison’s Pizza Kitchen
2365 Professor Ave. // +1 216-298-4484
If you’re craving a perfect, extra-cheesy, large pizza-by-the-slice with a ridonkulous amount of pepperoni, go to Edison’s.
Hands down, this place has the best formula for both sauce AND crust. Both are the key components for the perfect slice. So spend a night out at Edison’s Pub, maybe play trivia, and enjoy that amazing slice of heaven known as their pizza.
Il Rione Pizzeria
1303 W 65th St. // +1 216-282-1451
One of the best new restaurants in Cleveland, this little pizzeria is tucked away on the west side of Cleveland. With a romantic ambiance, perfect, brick-oven barely charred and perfectly cooked crust, and fresh, authentic ingredients like sliced mozzarella and basil, this place will transport you to Italy in one bite.
Prepare for a bit of a wait here, and maybe grab a pint at Stone Mad Pub across the street before your meal!
Best Casual Restaurants in Cleveland
If you’re looking for sit-down but casual eats, these are the places for you.
Momocho
1835 Fulton Rd. // +1 216-694-2122
Known for its modern take on Mexican food, Momocho serves up delicious cuisine.
Of course, they have great tacos and tostadas, but the absolute must here is the guacamole sampler and margarita flight. Make sure to include the crab guacamole and red bell pepper margarita in your samplings!
Avo Modern Mexican
2058 W. 25th St., Cleveland // +12163316961
The Avo Modern Mexican building looks like an old grocery store. It’s made of red brick, centered with a stucco overhang. Today, it houses one of Cleveland’s hottest restaurants.
Among the choices at Avo Modern Mexican are shrimp, chorizo, chicken fried in avocado, barbecue, and ground beef, with the toppings overflowing from a corn tortilla.
This dish combines red cabbage and radish slaw with chipotle-garlic aioli, heirloom pico de gallo, cilantro, and queso fresco for a perfect balance of sour and sweet.
Appetizers include guacamole mixed with honeycomb and candied pecans, as well as honey, honeycomb, and honey.
You can also enjoy great entrees such as the Burrito Colorado, filled with flank steak and rice braised in chili sauce, topped with cilantro and fundido, Mexican-style queso.
Mabel’s BBQ
2050 E 4th St. // +1 216-417-8823
Located on the hip and trendy East 4th Street downtown, Mabel’s is Chef Michael Symon’s take on “Cleveland BBQ.” Not sure what that is? Well, think kielbasa, brisket, and smoked turkey. And that combination makes perfect sense!
Grab some cracklin’ with your meat and down it with a glass from their whisky menu.
Barroco
12718 Larchmere Blvd. // +1 216-938-9301
Start with a welcome shot of tequila served in a lime prior to finding a seat in this eclectic and, at times, rowdy restaurant. Then, prepare to feast on some scrumptious Colombian cuisine.
Arepas are the name of the game here. Their menu stuffs the delicious corn cakes with all kinds of meats and cheeses. Get the cheesy corn queso as an appetizer and be sure to add yuca fries to your hot and tasty arepa.
Best Bars & Restaurants in Cleveland
Looking for a great pint of beer or glass of wine to wash down a fantastic dinner? Look no further than these amazing restaurants.
Great Lakes Brewing Company
2516 Market Ave. // +1 216-771-4404
Great Lakes Brewing Company is a Cleveland staple. One of Cleveland’s oldest operating breweries, they actually started the trend of breweries in Ohio City! Fun fact: there are now close to 10 breweries just in this neighborhood alone!
But, aside from making some of Cleveland’s best and most famous brews, like Dortmunder Gold Lager, Burning River IPA, and Great Lakes Christmas Ale, they also serve up some pretty tasty pub fare.
Start with the potato kegs (giant tater tots with cheese inside). Then, check out their burgers and fish and chips with Edmund Fitzgerald Porter batter.
Astoria Café & Market
5417 Detroit Ave. // +1 216-266-0834
This café and market are perfect for casual drinks and small plates. Choose a drink from their giant wine and beer menu, then peruse the many shareable dishes, including meat and cheese boards, Greek classic dishes like saganaki and hummus, and even octopus Alla Karvouna and duck confit.
Grab a few small plates, get cozy, and sip some wine as you chat and catch up with friends.
Banter Beer & Wine
7320 Detroit Ave. // +1 216-801-0305
Banter Beer and Wine has delicious beers and sometimes hard-to-find wines from around the world. But, this wine bar isn’t like the others. It apirs its impressive wine selection with none other than…poutine?
Yes, it does! And it may be the most genius combination ever. Get the classic and always-tasty fries, gravy, and cheese curd poutine, or try something new! Their interesting concoctions include the pogo (fries, corndog, slaw, mustard, ketchup, cheese curds, and gravy) or chicken paprikash (fries, smoked chicken, spaetzle, cheese curds, and crème fraîche).
With so many more amazing places we didn’t even mention here, Cleveland is truly a foodie’s paradise. From classic fare to cuisine from around the world, the Cleveland food scene has a way of taking something and making it its own. So, what are you waiting for? Your next great meal is waiting!
FAQ
What are the most popular restaurants in Cleveland?
- Marble Room Steaks & Raw Bar
- Mitchell’s Ice Cream
- Slyman’s Deli
What are the best restaurants in Cleveland that deliver?
- Stancato’s Italian Restaurant
- Batuqui
- Colossal Cupcake
While in Cleveland, don’t miss out on activities that will help immerse yourself with the city (hurry while they’re hot!):
- Cleveland: Brewery Tour with Craft Beer Tastings and Lunch
- Cleveland: Private City Tour
- Cleveland: Brewery Tour with Tastings
Wondering About Ohio Food? Check Out These Guides:
- 10 Must-Try Ohio Dishes
- 10 Must-Try Toledo Restaurants
- 20 Best Restaurants In Cincinnati
- 10 Best Cleveland Pizza Parlors
- The 10 Best Restaurants In Cleveland OH
- Best Tremont Pizza Restaurants
- 8 Must-Try Tremont Bars
- 10 Best Things To Do In Cleveland, Ohio
Visiting the region? Check out our guide of the 10 Best Restaurants In Pittsburgh!
Author Bio:
Kat is the founder of World Wide Honeymoon—a blog about couples travel. She is a travel hacking addict who is passionate about helping other couples experience the world through travel and getting there for less (and maybe in a little luxury). In her spare time, she enjoys running half-marathons, listening to podcasts, and taking too many photos of her cat, Professor. You can follow her on social media here: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.
Which of these Cleveland restaurants do you most want to try? Let me know in the comments section below!
Travel writer and owner of the blog. My work has been featured on Fodors, Eater.com, International Living, and Great Escape Publishing, among many others. My story? Nearly six years ago, I left my job at an Oklahoma City law firm and embarked on a journey around the world. At the time, I thought I would only be gone for 6 months, but the more I traveled, the longer my bucket list became. Flashpacker describes how I travel. Rather than traveling as the normal world wise backpacker and staying in hostel dorms, I prefer a more comfortable experience, and typically stay in private rooms, take Ubers instead of taxis, and now use a suitcase instead of a backpack. Foodie, on the other hand, describes one of the key reasons why I travel. I love to pick a central “base camp” and then explore the surrounding area, really immersing myself in the culture and interacting with the people, and enjoying and exploring the food of an area is an essential part of this experience.
Bill Herrema
Thursday 13th of October 2022
Not on your list, but Bruno’s.
Jeff
Sunday 29th of August 2021
Might want to update your list...the first two you posted are now and have been closed for a long while. Did you even go to these places?? A foodie blog that sends you to closed restaurants...
Nathan
Sunday 29th of August 2021
All restaurants were open at the time of publication. I'm not sure if you've heard about the global pandemic (Covid-19) that we've all been dealing with but it has been especially hard on the restaurant industry and many restaurants have not survived.
Mike
Thursday 19th of August 2021
Lola has been closed for several months. Probably generated this list from old reviews. Lola was great though.
Nina Gordev
Sunday 29th of August 2021
@Nathan, should probably check ur update info re start of article Some of the restaurants u mention r out of bus-like black pig
Nathan
Monday 23rd of August 2021
Mike- the list was current at the time of publication. Many restaurants have closed during the pandemic if you hadn't heard. My lists are NEVER generated from old reviews and the idea that they might be is slanderous at best.
Diane
Wednesday 18th of September 2019
Siame cafe!❤️
Brett
Thursday 28th of February 2019
The Plum