Cleveland, Ohio, is the birthplace of Superman and the home of the Polish Boy—a distinctive local sandwich of kielbasa, French fries, barbecue sauce, and slaw on a hot-dog bun. The city’s food life centers around places like the West Side Market, a 114‑year‑old public food hall with a sweeping Guastavino‑tile ceiling and dozens of independent vendors. More than 100 different ethnicities influence Cleveland’s foodways, so you’ll find traditional comfort classics alongside inventive contemporary cooking.
Local eating rules include fried Lake Erie walleye on Fridays during Lent, backyard autumn clambakes, and plates of Hungarian chicken paprikash with spaetzle to face winter. Old‑school taverns serve mile‑high corned beef, potato‑and‑cheese pierogies, and beer‑battered fish and chips. At the same time, progressive chefs are reimagining Midwestern fare with farm‑fresh Cuyahoga Valley produce. Cleveland boasts multiple award‑winning chefs and more breweries per capita than most cities, plus nearby Grand River Valley wineries. These are the best restaurants in Cleveland, according to a long‑time local food writer.
About the writer
Douglas Trattner has covered food and beverage in Cleveland for 25 years and served as dining editor for Cleveland Scene.
Mabel’s BBQ
2050 East 4th St, Cleveland, OH
Owned by James Beard Award‑winning chef Michael Symon, Mabel’s blends Central Texas barbecue technique with Northeast Ohio touches—local fruitwoods, Bertman Ballpark Mustard in the sauce, and pastrami spices on brisket. Located on pedestrian East 4th Street, it serves standout barbecue and regional twists like the Polish Girl (kielbasa, pulled pork, coleslaw, and BBQ sauce) and an excellent Polish Boy.
Marble Room
623 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH
A grand steakhouse and raw bar housed in a Beaux‑Arts former bank designed by the architects of Severance Hall. Start with oysters, surf‑and‑turf sushi, and beef tartare, then move to dry‑aged steaks with classic sides. The ornate dining room, marble staircases, and classic fine‑dining desserts make Marble Room the go‑to for impressing visitors.
Li Wah
2999 Payne Ave, Cleveland, OH
A cornerstone of Asiatown for more than 35 years, Li Wah offers a dim sum experience with carts full of BBQ pork buns, har gao, siu mai, xiao long bao, egg tarts, roast duck, and more. The bustling, authentic, weekend dim sum rivals offerings in larger coastal cities.
Prosperity Social Club
1109 Starkweather Ave, Tremont, OH
A 1930s tavern serving Eastern European comfort dishes, affordable cocktails, and beer. Once a stop for steel‑mill workers, Prosperity still offers pierogi with sautéed onions and sour cream, chicken paprikash with spaetzle, and haluski (sautéed cabbage and noodles). It often serves food until midnight.
Zhug
12413 Cedar Rd, Cleveland Hts, OH
Chef Doug Katz’s Mediterranean bistro in Cleveland Heights features a build‑your‑own small‑plate format anchored by warm pita and a fiery Yemeni zhug sauce. Highlights include hummus topped with curried lamb, za’atar roasted carrots, honey‑roasted beets with house labneh, and lingcod cakes with horseradish.
Cordelia
2058 East 4th St, Cleveland, OH
Chef‑partner Vinnie Cimino’s downtown spot is a lively, whimsical restaurant with a dramatic open kitchen. Contemporary Midwest cooking includes jammy eggs, pimento cheese dip, shrimp toast, braised pork belly, fried chicken for two, and a shareable smash‑burger served as four sliders.
Tommy’s
1824 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Hts, OH
Opened in 1972 by Tommy Fello, this vegetable‑forward café on Coventry Road was ahead of its time with hummus, baba ganoush, and falafel. Decades later, Tommy’s still pairs soups, salads, spinach pies, and pita sandwiches with burgers, hot dogs, and corned beef. Don’t miss the “intentionally unsalted” fries and made‑to‑order milkshakes.
Larder
1455 W. 29th St., Cleveland, OH
Chef Jeremy Umansky’s modern deli in Hingetown occupies an 1850s firehouse and serves koji‑cured pastrami, fried chicken sandwiches, hyper‑local soups, and market goods. Pastry chef Allie La Valle contributes breads and Jewish classics—black and white cookies, rugelach, chocolate babka, challah, and knishes.
Astoria Cafe & Market
5417 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH
A combined marketplace and café with Mediterranean‑inspired fare served all day. Imported meats, cheeses, and tinned fish translate into bountiful boards, pan‑seared saganaki, Calabrian‑chili octopus, braised lamb shanks, whole branzino, and busy weekend brunches featuring tortilla española, souvlaki and eggs, and duck confit with biscuits.
Il Rione
1303 W. 65th St, Cleveland, OH
A neighborhood pizza bistro turning out New York‑style pies from an open kitchen. Expect concise, excellent pizzas—don’t miss the speck pie (ricotta, pistachios, hot honey) and clam pies when available—plus select salads, a meat and cheese board, and a tight cocktail and beer list.
Johnny’s Little Bar
614 Frankfort Ave., Cleveland, OH
A downtown dive bar since 1984 known for cold beer, two‑fisted burgers, onion rings, wings, and club sandwiches. A compact, friendly spot to watch the Browns, Cavs, or Guardians and rub elbows with a loyal local crowd.
The Market Hall at Van Aken District
3441 Tuttle Rd, Shaker Heights, OH
Part of the revitalized Van Aken District, the Market Hall houses a collection of local vendors. Highlights include Lox, Stock and Brisket (matzo ball soup, brisket sandwiches, chicken schnitzel), Banter (Montreal‑style poutine), Beet Jar (vegan wraps, smoothies), and Boom’s Pizza (slices).
West Side Market
1979 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH
Cleveland’s historic public market has been updated and is undergoing further transformation. The cavernous hall hosts meat, poultry, dairy, bakery, and produce vendors alongside specialty shops. Must‑visits: Mediterranean Imported Foods for global pantry items, Frank’s Bratwurst for bratwurst and sauerkraut, and Crepe’s de Luxe for made‑to‑order sweet and savory crêpes. Grab a bite and enjoy the market from the upper balcony for one of the city’s most iconic views.
