The culinary scene in Cleveland reflects the city’s marvelous diversity. You’ll find cuisine from around the globe served up with a smile along the shores of Lake Erie. You can find Polish kielbasa, German schnitzel, Vietnamese Pho, and Middle Eastern falafels along with New York pizza, sizzling Midwestern steaks, and Chilean sea bass at the best Cleveland restaurants. Today, we’ll preview Cleveland’s Best, and if you haven’t dined in one of these great establishments yet, be sure to check them out soon.
Salt+
Located on Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, Salt+ (the plus sign is silent) offers a unique dining experience to Cleveland foodies. Chef Jill Vedaa creates seasonal menus full of dishes that stimulate the senses. Her plates pop with color and deliver globally-inspired flavors.
Her small plate menu and award-winning cocktails and wine list bring people together to create meaningful memories they will savor long after the food has been enjoyed. While the plus sign may be silent, it represents what is possible when friends and family gather around the table and socialize.
Astoria Cafe & Market
The restaurant derives its name from the Astoria neighborhood in Queens, New York, which is known for its predominantly Greek population. Thus, Astoria Cafe & Market offers delicious Mediterranean cuisine served fresh in the cafe or purchased from the market and enjoyed at home. Astoria opens for lunch every day, except on Monday; and for dinner, Tuesday through Saturday. Located on Detroit Avenue near Gordon Square, this cafe serves cocktails at the bar. Feel free to grab your favorite hummus and imported feta cheese from the market to take home for your next dinner party.
The Cleveland Bagel Company
You haven’t had a bagel until you’ve tried one of Dan Herbst’s and Geoff Hardman’s from The Cleveland Bagel Company. Dan and Geoff started their now booming bagel business by cooking from their home kitchens and selling their delicious bagels at local farmer’s markets around Cleveland. Today, The Cleveland Bagel Company has one of the most revered reputations in the Cleveland restaurant scene.
You’ll flip for one of their cold-fermented, hand-rolled, water-boiled, and baked to perfection bagels. You can dress up your bagel with a standard schmear or go for something sweet like the brie honey walnut. A chorizo chipotle schmear spices things up, while a savory cheddar chive smear adds decadence. Of course, you can grab a cup of coffee or cold brew while you’re there.
Their flagship location remains on Detroit Avenue, on Cleveland’s west side, or you can visit their Carnegie Avenue store if you roam the city’s east side. Don’t be surprised to find The Cleveland Bagel Company’s bagels at your favorite breakfast house or coffee shop, either.
Larder
One of the newer eateries on the scene, Larder takes the classic Jewish delicatessen to new and exciting heights. With a James Beard Award nomination for Best New Restaurant in 2019 and another James Beard Award nomination for Best Chef in 2020, they’re doing something right. You’ll find everything from freshly baked breads to knishes and even their famous koji-cured pastrami, available in their signature sandwich or by the pound. Hungry diners can find Larder comfortably settled in the old firehouse on West 29th Street.
The Flying Fig
Taking a farm-to-table approach with a seasonal menu for the last 20 years, The Flying Fig no longer flies under the radar. Chef Karen Small coordinates with local farmers, farmer’s markets, and regional producers to create a menu of small plates big on flavor. The Flying Fig sits quietly on a quaint, brick-paved side street on Market Avenue, just waiting for you to arrive.
Prosperity Social Club
Don’t let the name fool you. The owners and local customers claim the Prosperity Social Club as the Cleveland-est bar in Cleveland. Located in the blue-collar Tremont area on Starkweather Avenue, Prosperity Social Club has been serving the locals since before prohibition. Stepping inside, you feel transported back in time by the retro style, relaxed vibe, and unpretentious attitude that welcomes everyone.
The unpretentious tavern menu delivers classic pub fare in giant portions. Hand-crafted cocktails and classic creations dominate the sophisticated drink menu. And it wouldn’t be a Cleveland bar if it didn’t offer a few winter warmers. You can warm up with their signature Hot Whiskey made with Jameson Irish Whiskey, honey, and cloved lemon. Or, you can kill the winter chill with their Hot Chocolate Social, a delicious blend of vanilla vodka, orange liquor, and whipped cream.
Superior Pho
Sometime’s it’s all in the name. Superior Pho didn’t invent the now popular Vietnamese soup bowl, but they perfect it in their casual location on Superior Avenue. They offer 14 Pho dishes in spicy, flavorful combinations full of meats, noodles, and the freshest vegetables for a genuinely fantastic soup. They don’t stop with Pho, though. You can get one of the best Banh Mi sandwiches in Cleveland. They also serve six amazing rice dishes made with tender and juicy chicken, shrimp, steak, or pork. Don’t forget to order a bubble tea to wash it all down with.
Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant
Cleveland doesn’t have many Ethiopian restaurants, but thank goodness for Zoma. You can find Zoma on the east side on Lee Road. Diners enjoy an easy-going atmosphere and a menu loaded with traditional favorites like samosas, beef, lamb, chicken Tibs, and Qunatar FirFir. Spicy, savory dishes will make your mouth water. Regulars recommend adding a dash of their house-made berbere-scented sauce to any dish to take the flavor to the next level.
Cleveland has a rich culinary history born from its diverse cultural population, and Nissan of Streetsboro is humbled and proud to serve such an amazing region. We could make this list 50 restaurants long and still have room for more great establishments. If you feel like we missed one of your favorites, please let us know in an email. We’ll try and update our list in the future to include it. So the next time you plan on eating out, be sure to try one of our Cleveland’s Best. Your taste buds will thank you.
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