Great restaurants in Cleveland are well-received by the city’s unapologetic foodies, mostly due to their quality dishes, warm hospitality, and cosy ambience. While the city might not be the first that comes to mind when you think of American culinary destinations, it has been garnering more and more love for its hearty traditional fare mixed with innovative culinary options from up-and-coming and famous chefs alike.
So, if you have a trip to Cleveland planned soon, where should you go for a great meal? Here are our favourite restaurants in this Midwest city – all offering special dining experiences, a wide range of cuisines, and various price points.
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Taza
Find international eats in a Midwest locale
- Food
Taza’s ritzy exterior may make you think of a French bistro, but this restaurant is all about traditional Lebanese. It serves homestyle and charcoal-grilled entrees in the Warehouse District. The restaurant is within a 10-minute walk of some of Downtown Cleveland’s most popular attractions, including Cleveland Public Square, Settler's Landing Park, and FirstEnergy Stadium.
Expect an extensive menu of Mediterranean-style salads, rolled pitas, grilled shish, and more. Make sure to stop by Taza when the weather is nice to take advantage of its spacious outdoor dining area.
Location: 1400 W 6th St, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 11 am to 9.30 pm, Friday from 11 am to 10 pm, Saturday from noon to 10 pm, Sunday from noon to 9.30 pm
Phone: +1 216-274-1170
Map - 2
Fahrenheit
Top-rated restaurant serving American-Asian dishes
- Food
Fahrenheit is a late-night dining spot with an energetic atmosphere. You can find it on Professor Avenue, just a short walk from the Cleveland Public Library. This highly popular restaurant offers an eclectic menu that mixes modern American cuisine with Asian flavours.
The menu is on the smaller side, but you’re sure to find something for everyone to enjoy. Standouts include Kobe beef short ribs with teriyaki lo mein (stir-fried egg noodles) and bok choy, as well as Vietnamese chicken spring rolls. Fahrenheit also serves classic American dishes such as seasonal salads and pizzas.
Location: 2417 Professor Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 5 pm to 11 pm, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to 1 am (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Phone: +1 216-781-8858
Mapphoto by Edsel Little (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
- 3
Dante
Modern American eatery by an award-winning chef
- Couples
- Food
- Luxury
Dante is helmed by Michelin-starred Chef Dante, whose years of experience in the fine-dining scene have resulted in multiple dining venues across Cleveland. This namesake restaurant is the place to go to experience the chef’s international influences paired with modern American cuisine.
Dante features a European-inspired setting, and you might notice a distinctively Mediterranean and Italian vibe on the menu. Standout options include handmade pasta, risotto, and polenta. Make sure to save room for its 3-course dessert tasting menu. It’s a good idea to make a reservation, especially if you’re planning a special occasion.
Location: 2247 Professor Ave C, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Open: Wednesday–Thursday from 5 pm to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to 11 pm (closed Sundays to Tuesdays)
Phone: +1 216-274-1200
Mapphoto by Edsel Little (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
- 4
Mia Bella Restaurant
Dining mainstay in Cleveland’s Little Italy
- Food
Mia Bella Restaurant sits in Cleveland’s Little Italy. This family-owned restaurant was named after the eldest daughter. It’s a great place to enjoy authentic Italian and Mediterranean dishes in an intimate atmosphere. You can find a long list of soups, salads, pasta, pizzas, and Italian classic entrees.
There are also quite a few dessert options, from gelato to homemade tiramisu. Mia Bella Restaurant is near the expansive Lake View Cemetery, where you can see graves and monuments of Cleveland’s elites.
Location: 12200 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 4.30 pm to 9.30 pm, Friday from 4 pm to 10 pm, Saturday from noon to 10 pm, Sunday from 4 pm to 8.30 pm
Phone: +1 216-795-2355
Mapphoto by Paul Sableman (CC BY 2.0) modified
- 5
L'Albatros
French flavours in the American Midwest
- Food
L’Albatros is an adorable French restaurant near Cleveland’s Museum District, making it a great spot for a late lunch or early dinner if you’re in the area. You can stop by for a quick snack, thanks to the restaurant’s cheese courses and wine pairings.
Expect recognisable French dishes on the menu, such as mussels with pomme frites (chips), bouillabaisse, cassoulet, and croque monsieur. If you’re visiting L’Albatros with a less-adventurous eater, you might be able to convince them to try the restaurant's take on a cheese pizza – it’s upgraded with rosemary, and parmesan and fontina cheese.
Location: 11401 Bellflower Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Open: Tuesday–Wednesday from 4 pm to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday to 11 pm, Sunday from 3 pm to 8 pm
Phone: +1 216-791-7880
Mapphoto by Edsel Little (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
- 6
Blue Point Grille
Enjoy some of the best seafood dishes in Cleveland
- Food
Blue Point Grille offers seafood paired with skyline views. The award-winning restaurant boasts that it’s shucked more than 2 million fresh oysters since its opening, so you know you can trust its seafood expertise.
On this menu, you can find just about every kind of seafood that’s prepared in various ways. From crab claws, shrimp cocktails, and oysters to ahi tuna, swordfish and salmon, Blue Point Grille has it all. The restaurant also offers a nice selection of steaks for those who aren’t keen on seafood.
Location: 700 W St Clair Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 5 pm to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm, Sunday from 4 pm to 9 pm
Phone: +1 216-875-7827
Mapphoto by Perry Quan (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
- 7
Cleveland Chop
Enjoy quality steaks and innovative Midwest comfort food
- Food
- Luxury
Cleveland Chop offers a couple of elements you may be hard-pressed to find at other great restaurants in Cleveland. It has a sports bar for those looking to catch their favourite games while still enjoying an upscale meal. The upscale steakhouse is within walking distance of notable landmarks like the Rockefeller Building and Settler's Landing Park.
Cleveland Chop serves more than just steak, though. You can enjoy inventive takes on Midwest comfort foods, such as sausage-stuffed peppers with house-made marinara and mozzarella, as well as BLT with salmon.
Location: 824 W St Clair Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from noon to 8 pm, Friday to 9 pm, Saturday from 4 pm to 9 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm and from 3 pm to 8 pm
Phone: +1 216-696-2467
Map - 8
Marble Room Steaks & Raw Bar
Upscale steakhouse inside a former bank
- Couples
- Food
- Luxury
Marble Room Steaks & Raw Bar serves high-end dishes inside a restored bank building. Opulence is everywhere, so this is definitely a restaurant to consider if you’re planning a special occasion during your trip to Cleveland.
The compact menu focuses on raw seafood and steaks, as well as steakhouse-style sides and salads as accompaniments. Don’t miss its equally exclusive dessert and cocktail lists. Both contain carefully selected items to match the entree menu, such as bourbon-heavy cocktails and classic desserts like creme brûlée and baked Alaska.
Location: 623 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 5 pm to 11 pm, Friday–Saturday from 4.30 pm to midnight (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +1 216-523-7000
Map - 9
The Bourbon Street Barrel Room
For Southern-style eats in Ohio
- Families
- Food
The Bourbon Street Barrel Room is your place to go for New Orleans-style dining without leaving Ohio. It features a fun theme matching the Louisiana city’s famed party street, 2 bars, and a menu of classic Cajun dishes.
From jambalaya to po'boys, almost all your New Orleans favourites are available at The Bourbon Street Barrel Room. Stop by on Sundays to enjoy Southern-style brunch, which means lots of shrimp and grits. Despite the restaurant’s party vibe, it’s still suitable for dinner with the entire family.
Location: 2393 Professor Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Open: Wednesday–Thursday from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Friday from 4.30 pm to 11 pm, Saturday from noon to 11 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 2:30 pm and from 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Phone: +1 216-298-4400
Mapphoto by Warren LeMay (CC0 1.0) modified
- 10
TownHall
A nice alternative to classic Midwestern fare
- Families
- Food
TownHall focuses on organic and locally sourced foods (including lots of vegan options). It's just a short walk from Market Square Park and the historic West Side Market. With a fun and lively atmosphere, it’s a great pick if you find most Midwestern fare a little too heavy and steak-centric for your liking.
Expect light meals such as soups, keto chicken wings, buffalo cauliflower lettuce wraps, sandwiches, salads, flatbreads and more. TownHall also offers healthy desserts like grain-free granola bowls, keto-friendly cheesecakes, and gluten-free pastries.
Location: 1909 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Open: Monday–Friday from 11 am to 2.30 am, Saturday–Sunday from 9 am to 2.30 am
Phone: +1 216-344-9400
Map