Sunday, August 22, 2010

The List: 101 of our favorite restaurants in Cleveland

Here is a list of our favorite restaurants by category and with remarks for exceptional dining establishments.


Top Restaurants
While all of these restaurants are superb, my favorite is Taste. I’ve been to the chef’s training grounds at L’Epi Dupin in Paris, and I frankly think his food is just as good, if not better in some aspects. Check out the recent review for further praise on this restaurant. (JT)

Taste
2317 Lee Rd.
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
(216)-932-9100

Moxie
3355 Richmond Rd
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 831-5599

The Baricelli Inn
2203 Cornell Rd.
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216)-791-6500

Lola
2058 E 4th St
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 621-5652

L’Albatros
11401 Bellflower Rd
Cleveland, OH
(216) 791-7880

Fahrenheit
2417 Professor Ave
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 781-8858

Chez Francois
555 Main Street
Vermillion, OH 44089
(440) 967-0630

Verve
1332 Carnegie Ave
Cleveland, OH
(216) 664-5500

Top American Bistro
Although difficult to define what this genre is, the key component that sets many of these restaurants apart from the rest is the quality. While all of these restaurants demonstrate great quality, Johnny’s Downtown manages to do so with great consistency. (LC)

Johnny’s Downtown
1406 W 6th St, Cleveland, OH
(216) 623-0055

Fire
13220 Shaker Square
Cleveland, OH 44120
(216) 921-3473

Parallax
2179 W 11th St
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 583-9999

Table 45
9801 Carnegie Avenue
Cleveland, OH
(216) 707-4045‎

Three Birds
18515 Detroit Ave
Lakewood, OH 44107
(216) 221-3500

Top Steakhouse
Red is so good, they are even starting a chain in the difficult Miami market. I’ve been here probably five times, and always had an excellent steak, no matter what choice. (JT)

Red the Steakhouse
3355 Richmond Rd
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 831-2252

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
28869 Chagrin Blvd
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 896-9000

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse (Eastside)
26300 Chagrin Blvd.
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 464-0688

(Downtown)
123 Prospect Ave E
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 344-2444

XO Prime Steaks
500 W Saint Clair Avd
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 861-1919

Top Seafood Restaurant
Seafood is quite tricky to prepare given delicate nature of the cuisine and the need for fresh ingredients. Blue Point Grille has been able to accomplish this with a wide range of fish and shellfish. (LC)

Blue Point Grille
700 W Saint Clair Ave
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 875-7827

Mitchell’s Fish Market
28601 Chagrin Blvd
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 765-3474

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood
26300 Cedar Rd
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 831-8100

Pier W
12700 Lake Ave
Lakewood, OH 44107
(216) 228-2250

Blake’s Seafood Restaurant
9 Main St
Westlake, OH 44145
(440) 892-3474

Top Pubs
There are pubs, and then there is my home away from home. Winking Lizard is one of my favorite pubs ever. The selection of beers paired with wing and pizza night is a combination that can’t be beat. (JT)

Winking Lizrad Tavern
1852 Coventry Rd
Cleveland, OH 44118
(216) 397-8380
www.winkinglizard.com

Claddagh Irish Pub
25389 Cedar Rd
Cleveland, OH 44124
(216) 691-0534

Brennan’s Colony
2299 Lee Rd
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
(216) 371-1010

Great Lakes Brewing Co
2516 Market Ave
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 771-4404

R J Boland’s
724 Prospect Ave
Cleveland, OH
(216) 938-8949‎

Tremont Tap House
2572 Scranton Rd.
Cleveland, OH 44113
216-298-4451

Top Pizzas
I’ve eaten pizza all over and while my favorite is still Pizza OK in Milan, Cleveland holds it own with several great establishments. My favorite pizza joint is Geraci’s due to the quality of toppings. Just make sure you bring your checkbook since they don’t take credit cards. (JT)

Geraci’s Restaurant
2266 Warrensville Ctr Rd
Cleveland, OH 44118
(216) 382-5333

Dewey’s Pizza
2194 Lee Rd
Cleveland, OH 44118
(216) 321-7355

Marotta’s
2289 Lee Rd
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
(216) 932-9264

Mama Santa Restaurant &
Pizzeria
12305 Mayfield Rd
Cleveland, OH 44106

Angelo’s Pizza
13715 Madison Ave.
Lakewood, OH 44107
216-221-5635

Eddie’s Pizzeria Cerino
7305 Broadview Rd. Suite H
Seven Hills, OH 44131
216-236-6007

Top Burgers
Cleveland offers some of the greatest varieties on a simple dish, the burger. It is the local favorite, Heck’s Café, which stands out from the rest with the quality of meat, toppings, service, and atmosphere. (LC)

Heck’s Café
2927 Bridge Ave
Cleveland, OH 44113
216-861-5464

Red Robin
4009 Orange Pl.
Beachwood, OH 44122 mall
216-378-9362

B-Spot
28699 Chagrin Boulevard
Woodmere, OH‎
(216) 292-5567‎

Bearden’s Restaurant
19985 Lake Road
Cleveland, OH
(440) 331-7850‎

Light Bistro
2801 Bridge Avenue
Cleveland, OH
(216) 771-7130‎

Top Sandwiches
The permutations of sandwiches are boundless in this city with unique fillings and a wide range of sizes. Out of the many choices, choosing Melt will grant you the greatest probability of giving you a winning experience. (LC)

Melt Bar and Grilled (Westside)
14718 Detroit Ave.
Lakewood , OH 44107
216-226-3699

(Eastside)
13463 Cedar Road
Cleveland Heights, OH‎ 44118
(216) 965-0988‎

Slyman’s Restaurant
3106 St. Clair Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44114
216-621-3760

La Bodega
869 Jefferson Avenue
Cleveland, OH‎
(216) 621-7075‎

Dish Deli & Catering
1112 Kenilworth Avenue
Cleveland, OH‎
(216) 523-7000‎

Mister Brisket Inc
2156 South Taylor Road
Cleveland Hts, OH‎
(216) 932-8620‎

Top Italian
Little Italy serves as the epicenter of great Italian cooking in Cleveland, and that is where my favorite spot is. Michaelangelo’s offers some of the best pasta and short ribs around, along with an extensive but decently priced wine menu. On top of all of this, they also have a private parking lot which helps a lot on a busy night in Little Italy. (JT)

Michaelangelo’s Restaurant
and Wine Bar
2198 Murray Hill Rd
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 721-0300

Grotto Wine Bar
13101 Shaker Square
Cleveland Heights, OH 44120
216-664-1120

Bodega
1854 Coventry Rd.
Cleveland, OH 44118
216-932-3060

Risotrante Giovanni’s
25550 Chagrin Blvd
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 831-8625

Trattoria Roman Gardens
12207 Mayfield Rd
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 421-2700

Primo Vino
12511 Mayfield Rd
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 229-3334

Top Mediterranean Cuisine
Mallorca offers some of the best service around and it doesn’t hurt that their seafood and veal dishes are equally as good. Many a drug rep dinner was hosted here…memories. (JT)

Mallorca
1390 West 9th Street
Cleveland, OH‎
(216) 687-9494‎

Mad Greek
2466 Fairmount Boulevard
Cleveland, OH‎
(216) 421-3333‎

Marbella
Ste 101, 29425 Chagrin Boulevard
Beachwood, OH‎
(216) 464-9939‎

Zdara
1382 West 9th Street
Cleveland, OH‎
(216) 535-0001‎

Top Other European Cuisine
Out of the Eastern European places, even with its unique décor and cafeteria-style setup, Sokolowski’s remains top notch. (LC)

Sokolowski’s University Inn
1201 University Rd.
Cleveland, OH 44113
216-771-9236

Restaurant Europa
30519 Pinetree Rd.
Pepper Pike, OH 44124
216-591-1273

Marta’s Restaurant
800 E. 222nd St.
Euclid, OH 44123
216-731-9596

Frank Sterle’s
Slovenian Country
House
1401 E. 55th St.
Cleveland, OH 44103
216-881-4181

Der Braumeister Restaurant & Del
13046 Lorain Avenue
Cleveland, OH
(216) 671-6220‎

Let Petit Triangle Café
1881 Fulton Road
Cleveland, OH‎
(216) 281-1881‎

Top Chinese
I grew up on Chinese food and cook it all the time, so I know this genre well. If you want authentic Chinese along with quality and service, the place to be is Siam Café. (LC)

Siam Cafe
3951 Saint Clair Ave
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 361-2323

Hunan East
724 Richmond Rd
Cleveland, OH 44143
(216) 381-2266

Bo Loong
3922 St. Clair Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44114
216-391-3113

Li Wah
2999 Payne Ave
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 696-6556

Top Japanese
Plenty of good sushi can be found in Cleveland, especially for being so far from the coast. The best would have to be at Pac East on Coventry (not Eton). They must have their fish shipped in every few days, it tastes that good. Also, try out the authentic Malaysian food if you are the mood for some variety. (JT)

Pacific East
1763 Coventry Rd
Cleveland, OH 44118
(216)-320-2302

Shuhei
23360 Chargrin Blvd
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 514-0927

Matsu
20126 Chagrin Blvd
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 767-1111

Sushi Rock (Downtown)
1276 W 6th St
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 623-1212

(Eastside)
2101 Richmond Rd
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 378-9595

Yellow Tail
4054 Medina Rd.
Akron, OH 44333
(330) 666-9988

Top Other Asian
Sometimes, nothing satisfies hunger like a simple bowl of noodle soup. Aptly named, Superior Pho is truly superior. (LC)

Superior Pho
3030 Superior Ave
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 781-7462

Bangkok Thai Cuisine
5359 Mayfield Rd
Cleveland, OH 44124 Map
(440) 684-1982

Lemon Grass
2179 Lee Rd
Cleveland, OH 44118
(216) 321-0210

Mint Café
1791 Coventry Rd
Cleveland, OH 44118
(216) 320-9915

Tree Country Bistro
1803 Coventry Rd.
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
216-321-0644

Mekong River
1918 Lee Rd
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
(216) 371-9575

Seoul Hot Pot
3709 Payne Ave
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 881-1221

Phnom Pehn
1929 W 25th St
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 357-2951

#1 Pho
3120 Superior Ave
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 781-1176

Sweet Mango Thai Cuisine
14610 Pearl Rd
Strongsville, OH 44136
(440) 238-9921

Top Indian
Indian food is sort of an addiction of mine. While Cleveland doesn’t quite compare with Delhi, I go with Saffron Patch for consistent, good quality Northern Indian cuisine. (JT)

Saffron Patch
20600 Chagrin Blvd
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216)-295-0400

Madras Café
5156 Wilson Mils Rd
Cleveland, OH 44143
(440) 461-3737

Café Tandoor
2096 Taylor Rd
Cleveland, OH 44112
(216) 371-8500

Udupi Café
6339 Olde York Rd
Cleveland, OH 44130
(440) 743-7154

Jaipur Junction
9377 Sprague Rd
North Royalton, OH 44133
(440) 842-3555

Flavors of India
26703 Brookpark Rd.
North Olmsted, OH 44070
440-779-5774

Bamboo Garden
5106 Great Northern Mall
North Olmsted, OH
(440) 734-0500‎

Top Latin American Cuisine
Even being this far north, one can find both high-end cuisines to mom-and-pop shops within this genre. Given their desire to encompass the vast variety of Latin flavors with a modern twist, Paladar is a must try. (LC)

Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar
28601 Chagrin Blvd
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 896-9020

Los Habaneros
20255 Van Aken Blvd.
Beachwood, OH 44122
216-991-4522

Sarava
13225 Shaker Square
Cleveland, OH 44120
(216) 295-1200

Momocho
1835 Fulton Rd.
Cleveland, OH 44113
216-694-2122

Brasa Grill
1300 W. 9th St
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 575-0699

Mi Pueblo Taqueria
12207 Lorain Avenue
Cleveland, OH‎
(216) 671-6661‎

Top Middle Eastern Cuisine
The donor and kebabs are some of the best around and the meats on the rotisserie are always hot and fresh. They also listened to me and upgraded the baklava last year. It feels good when the customer has a little power. (JT)

Anatolia Cafe
2270 Lee Rd
Cleveland, OH 44118
(216) 321-4400

Taza Fresh LLC
28601 Chagrin Blvd
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 464-4000

Aladdin’s Eatery
12447 Cedar Rd
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 932-4333

Cedarland
9491 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 791-6606

Nate’s Deli
1923 W 25th St
(216) 696-7529

Maha’s Cafe
3323 West 25th Street
Cleveland, OH‎(
(216) 741-9810‎


If you have any questions, opnions, concerns, or ideas for restaurants to visit (especially in St. Louis or Salt Lake City), please comment below.

It’s been a privilege and great time writing these articles for the past two years. We hoped you enjoyed them and got to try some new restaurants along the way. Thank you.