18 Best Restaurants in Cleveland, OH

You really can’t go wrong with Italian food, ever. This is one of the oldest restaurants in Cleveland and was opened in 1958 by Vincenzo Guarino, a Sicilian who moved to the city’s “Little Italy” to be with family. It’s best known for its old-school, traditional Italian fare like lasagna, gnocchi, linguine with clam sauce, fettuccine alfredo, pizzas, eggplant parmigiana, and much more. The restaurant was constructed inside of a home with Victorian-style decor and wallpaper. Regulars at Guarino’s Restaurant absolutely love the friendly service and ambiance.

Those who are looking for an affordable, convenient, and delicious lunch or breakfast should stop at Slyman’s Restaurant and Deli. This retro mainstay is the go-to place for sandwiches piled high with corned beef, a favorite among Cleveland locals. In addition to corned beef sandwiches, you’ll find roast beef sandwiches, home fries smothered in gravy, burgers, BLTs, grilled cheese sandwiches, pastrami, coleslaw, potato pancakes, and more. For breakfast, hungry diners can sink their teeth into hotcakes, French toast, omelets, sausages, bacon, and everything else one could ask for.

There are few things better than a tasty meal that’s made with organic, fresh ingredients that won’t make you feel gross. At the Green Goat Cafe Bar, you’ll find tons of healthy options that don’t miss on taste. This cafe bar is a superb place for folks who follow specific diets, such as vegan, gluten-free, and keto. The Green Goat Cafe Bar serves all-day egg sandwiches, burgers, toasts and bowls, salads, flatbreads, smoothies, bone broths, zero-toxin beverages, coffees, and alcoholic cocktails. If you want to mix in a healthy, guilt-free meal while on vacation in Cleveland, this is the place to go.

Guests go to Marie’s Restaurant for the delicious food, and not so much for the interior decor -- so, plan accordingly! This Eastern European eatery serves authentic fare like schnitzel, chicken paprikash, mashed potatoes, cevapi (grilled minced meat), liver and onions, stuffed cabbage, and more. The joint has daily specials, making it an affordable option, especially as the portions are quite large.

If you consider yourself to be a fried chicken connoisseur, then you need to try out the Southern food at Soho Chicken + Whiskey. Previous diners have written reviews stating that the restaurant serves up the best-fried chicken, biscuits, and gouda mac ‘n’ cheese that they've ever had. Because this is a popular place, the restaurant encourages hopeful guests to make a reservation ahead of time. The modern eatery has a cool, laid-back atmosphere, and a signature cocktail list that plays around with rye, Peruvian brandy, tequila, and of course, bourbon. Soho Chicken + Whiskey also serves a selection of beer and wine.

Here’s another eatery with vegan options, in addition to craft beer, juice, and innovative bar snacks. TownHall uses locally sourced ingredients to create everything on its menu and has a happy hour menu for those looking to snag a meal at a deal. On the menu, you’ll find poke bowls with fresh fish, truffle fries, roasted Brussels sprouts, Thai chicken bowls, Nashville chicken sandwiches, flatbreads, sushi rolls, and some sweet treats if you still have room in your stomach after your lunch or dinner.

This may sound like a pet store, but in reality, it’s a restaurant that’s nestled in Cleveland’s most historic area: the Tremont neighborhood. Its all-day menu is available whenever the restaurant is open. The funky hangout is a great spot for calamari, pizza, dumplings, spring rolls, salads, burgers, bowls, and tacos. If you’re traveling with friends and want to go somewhere to split a bunch of appies, this is the place! Fat Cats has plenty of mouth-watering appetizers that folks will be fighting over. Think warm goat cheese, pierogies, fried calamari, crispy fried shrimp, vegan fried calamari, and more.

Looking for takeout pizza? Or somewhere you can go and stuff your face with cheesy, doughy deliciousness? Cent’s Pizza + Goods is the place! The restaurant boasts pies like the “Mama” with tomato sauce, sweet onion, mozzarella cheese kalamata olives, and extra virgin olive oil, and the “Papa” with tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese, sausage, and Hungarian hot pepper. If pizzas aren’t your thing, the trendy eatery has a selection of snacks and two salads to choose from. Cent’s Pizza + Goods does not accept reservations.

With a warm ambiance and industrial-style interior, the Butcher and the Brewer is one of Cleveland’s most frequented brewpubs. Here, you’ll find a selection of craft beers that are brewed in-house and mindfully sourced American fare. Beer fanatics can sip on stouts, sours, pale ales, IPAs, and lagers while picking at a warm pretzel or mini corn dog. Because the brewpub makes its own beers, you can purchase a few cans to-go and keep them cold in your hotel room mini fridge. Dishes like fish and chips, Korean sticky fried chicken, beef sliders, and wood-fired dry rub wings keep guests coming back for more.

On a colder day, there’s nothing better than a big bowl of Vietnamese pho noodle soup -- or if you’re sick, hungover, or simply in the mood for soup! This bamboo-trimmed eatery has friendly staff that can guide you through the menu if you’re new to the cuisine. Hungry visitors can choose from authentic fare like wonton and spicy lemongrass soup, crispy pork rolls, vermicelli noodle bowls, and stir-fries filled with fresh and colorful veggies. Previous diners have raved about the coconut water served alongside pieces of coconut flesh, which will keep you feeling hydrated all day. Saigon Restaurant & Bar is open for lunch and dinner.

What many people don’t know about Cleveland, Ohio, is that it’s home to plenty of cultures, giving it an incredibly exciting foodie scene. And Banana Blossom Thai Cuisine is a wonderful example of that. This unassuming spot has a menu bursting with tasty Thai delicacies that will be difficult to choose from. For appetizers, there’s steamed or fried shrimp shumai, edamame, chicken satay, sweet chili wings, chicken or veggie pot stickers, fresh garden rolls, and more. But try not to fill up on appies before getting to the mains: soups, salads, fried rice, noodles, and curries. Order the fresh mango with sticky sweet rice for dessert, even if you don’t think you can stuff another bite of food down your gob!

Mixing in a few affordable eats on vacation will ensure you don’t have a heart attack upon checking your bank balance when you’ve returned home. Nate’s Deli & Restaurant serves classic sandwiches and salads that can be enjoyed there or taken to go. The restaurant is on the smaller side, which gives it a quaint feel. In addition to sandwiches and salads, the deli joint is also known for its delicious Middle Eastern cuisine -- from fattoush, baba ganooj, and meat pies to pita wraps with hummus, tabbulee, and grape leaves stuffed with ground beef and rice. This humble eatery is a superb lunch option for vegetarians and vegans.

Firstly, it’s an ice cream shop. Secondly, it’s a place where you can grab dumplings, ramen, and tonkatsu. The gourmet ice cream shop boasts unique and classic soft-serve creations that are made in-house, perfect to keep you cool on a hot day. If you aren’t keen on the pairing of ice cream and ramen (who isn’t?) then opt for the corn dogs at Mason’s Creamery -- these are adored by frequent guests. There is indoor and outdoor seating available, and it’s important to note that it’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Grabbing a bagel to-go when you’re in a rush or heading for a picnic in one of the city’s green spaces is a decision you’ll never regret. The Cleveland Bagel Company bakes hand-rolled bagels, which they pile high in classic and innovative cream cheese flavors. If you’re looking for something fancier than a traditional bagel with cream cheese, consider the Classic Lox with cured salmon, plain schmear (cream cheese), red onion, and capers. As for the unique cream cheese flavors one can choose from, there’s cheddar chive, brie honey walnut, thyme black pepper horseradish, chorizo chipotle, and vegan. The bagels also come in flavors, like rosemary and cinnamon cranberry, which will delight your taste buds.

This cool, unfussy Mexican joint features a menu bursting with the traditional dishes we know and love: tacos, quesadillas, fresh guacamole, nachos, tostadas, tamales, burritos, burrito bowls, and more. But if you want to stray from the Mexican classics, we suggest the Camino mac ‘n’ cheese that’s made with macaroni noodles, house-made queso, and your choice of bacon, chorizo, ground beef, chicken, or veggies. This dish is served with a side of caesar salad so you can feel healthy. And it’s simply not a visit to a Mexican restaurant without a margarita and a shot of tequila, and Camino has plenty of options for both.

There’s something so special about good sushi -- it almost melts in your mouth and you don’t typically feel painfully full after eating it. At Sushi En Downtown, hungry guests waste no time in ordering their favorite go-to rolls, and special rolls like the Las Vegas Roll. This exciting creation is made with cooked spicy salmon and crab, cream cheese, deep-fried avocado, and topped with jalapeño, spicy mayo, sriracha, and eel sauce. Aside from sushi, the restaurant offers soups, salads, rice bowls, and udon noodle bowls for lunch and dinner. Folks looking for an extra unique experience should order a sushi boat, but make sure you’re hungry as it’s a lot of sushi!

Health-conscious individuals can’t get enough of the organic offerings at REBOL. This funky all-day cafe has indoor and outdoor seating where you can enjoy healthy, fast-casual meals like breakfast sandwiches, bowls, and broths. REBOL’s friendly staff can also whip up coffees, lattes, and smoothies made with oat or almond milk, and other premium ingredients. If you’re in a rush and need some snacks for the road, you’ll also find a selection of good-for-you products displayed within the cafe.

Traveling to Cleveland? Book a room at one of our affordable, pet-friendly hotels.