Most of us are creatures of habit, especially when it comes to eating. But Cleveland’s burgeoning foodie scene has started to shake things up! Here are 11 unique restaurants in Cleveland to try for something a little bit new and a little bit quirky. The one thing these unique restaurants have in common is that they’re all a whole lot of good food and good fun!
- Ginko
Gigi W./Yelp
Jaycee Z./Yelp How do you like your fish? Seared? Raw? Cured? Flown in fresh from the famous fish markets of Tokyo? Chef Dante’s most unique dining venture is Ginko, the best sushi restaurant in Cleveland, and possibly in the Midwest. If fish isn’t your thing, try a Japanese-style DIY hotpot that will warm you on the coldest days. As an added bonus, you can watch the expert chefs prepare your meal right in front of your eyes. Read more about Ginko and be sure to check out the Ginko Facebook Page for all the current hours and specials! 2247 Professor Ave b, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
- Pier W
Pier W / Facebook
Cory L./Yelp First of all, the food is amazing. Fresh ingredients perfectly combined to create amazing flavors. Then there’s the setting: perched on the cliffs overlooking Lake Erie and the Cleveland Skyline. Check out this article and find out all the reasons why Pier W is one of the most unique restaurants in Cleveland. 12700 Lake Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
- Sterle’s Country House
Evan F./Yelp
Jason W./Yelp Sterle’s Slovenian Country House is full of life and absolutely delicious food. The portions are so big you’d regret eating them if they weren’t so amazing. There are polka nights, beer aplenty, and all the dirndls you could want. It’s changed hands three times and has been kept alive by passionate Clevelanders since 1954.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Unfortunately, Frank Sterle’s County House Restaurant has permanently closed.
- The Greenhouse Tavern
Greg C./Yelp
Dawn K./Yelp From elegant dishes of clams and foie gras to late-night greasy cravings like fries and chicken wings, Greenhouse has you covered. Its nose-to-tail philosophy guarantees that there’s always something interesting on the menu (pigs tails, anyone?). All ingredients are as local and fresh as possible. There’s not a wrong thing to order here. For a really unforgettable experience, try the roasted pig head.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Unfortunately, The Greenhouse Tavern has permanently closed.
- Forage Public House
E P./Yelp
Forage Public House / Facebook Forage uses all local produce and is dedicated to supporting local Ohio farmers. Much of their menu is seasonal, so it’s always changing and evolving. They serve everything from tacos to oysters to killer cocktails made with artisan liquor. Their poutine is some of the best you’ll find south of the border. Forage wants you to know where your food comes from and how it’s produced. Promoting local business and industry transparency has never been so tasty. 14600 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
- The Standard
Charity H./Yelp
The Standard/Facebook This is one place that really lives up to its name. This place really is the standard: reinvented family favorites like mac’n cheese, a great wine selection, and some of the best burgers in town. The atmosphere is friendly and fun: eating here feels like eating at your best friend’s place. Press your face against the window outside as you peer right into the kitchen to see your food being prepared. Read more about why The Standard is worth a visit. 779 E 185th St, Cleveland, OH 44119, USA
- Wonton Gourmet and BBQ
Food N./Yelp
Howard L./Yelp Just a few blocks from Superior Pho, this is a down-to-earth Cantonese eatery with an absolutely giant menu. There are no airs of fine dining here - the food speaks for itself. Their wonton soup is hearty and warming. It’s relatively cheap, and portion sizes are big enough to feed two or three people. This is a humble restaurant, but one of the best of its kind in Cleveland. You can check out their hours and menu and even order online on Wonton Gourmet and BBQ website. 3211 Payne Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA
- Soho Kitchen and Bar
Lai W./Yelp
Kristen W./Yelp This Ohio City restaurant is based around two fundamentals of Southern cuisine: chicken and whiskey. They have three different kinds of fried chicken on the menu: morning, evening, and late night. They have complementary biscuits which are amazing, and some of the best brunching in Ohio City, which is quite a feat! They might have the answer to the meaning of life somewhere in there, too. Be sure to visit Soho Kitchen and Bar’s website to help plan your dining experience. 1889 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
- Barrio Tacos
Barrio Tacos/Facebook
CHeri H./Yelp If you haven’t been to Barrio yet, then what are you waiting for? Serving up loaded - and we mean LOADED - build-your-own tacos for years now, Barrio Tacos is a Cleveland staple. Many places lose their charm and quality when they expand, but Barrio has only continued to impress across three restaurant locations, Progressive Field, and three food trucks. If building your own seems daunting, you just can’t decide, or you realize you always order the same thing, try a chef’s recommendation. Just make sure you don’t fill up on their amazing chips and salsa first! There are loads of vegetarian and vegan options, too. Visit the Barrio Tacos Facebook page for hours and specials. 15527 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
- Le Petit Triangle Cafe
Le Petit Triangle Cafe/Yelp
Jasmine G./Yelp Cleveland doesn’t exactly scream “French cuisine”. But Le Petit Triangle is tossing that stereotype out the window with absolutely quality French food in an authentic setting. Sit outside and watch the world go by with ennui as you sip a coffee, or savor a silky chocolate-stuffed crepe. This is easily the best French cafe in Cleveland. Transport yourself across the world for an hour or so - it’s a whole lot cheaper than flying! Be sure to check out the Le Petit Triangle Cafe website for menu and hours. 1881 Fulton Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
- Trentina
Edsel Little/Flickr
Edsel Little/Flickr For the culinarily curious, Trentina is an absolute must. It combines traditional Italian cooking methods and regional recipes with local Northeastern Ohioan ingredients. Some of the foods are even foraged from the Cuyahoga Valley, and the butter, cheese, and yogurt are made on-site. There’s also an on-site food lab, dedicated to finding new ways to eat and prepare foods. For something totally new and surprising, try the Menu Bianco.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Unfortunately, Trentina has permanently closed.
Have you been to any of these unique restaurants in Cleveland? Which restaurants do you think stand out in the Cleveland food scene? Where do you take someone to impress them, or to treat yourself? So many questions! Leave your thoughts and comments in the section below. We would love to hear from you.
Gigi W./Yelp
Jaycee Z./Yelp
How do you like your fish? Seared? Raw? Cured? Flown in fresh from the famous fish markets of Tokyo? Chef Dante’s most unique dining venture is Ginko, the best sushi restaurant in Cleveland, and possibly in the Midwest. If fish isn’t your thing, try a Japanese-style DIY hotpot that will warm you on the coldest days. As an added bonus, you can watch the expert chefs prepare your meal right in front of your eyes. Read more about Ginko and be sure to check out the Ginko Facebook Page for all the current hours and specials!
2247 Professor Ave b, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Pier W / Facebook
Cory L./Yelp
First of all, the food is amazing. Fresh ingredients perfectly combined to create amazing flavors. Then there’s the setting: perched on the cliffs overlooking Lake Erie and the Cleveland Skyline. Check out this article and find out all the reasons why Pier W is one of the most unique restaurants in Cleveland.
12700 Lake Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
Evan F./Yelp
Jason W./Yelp
Sterle’s Slovenian Country House is full of life and absolutely delicious food. The portions are so big you’d regret eating them if they weren’t so amazing. There are polka nights, beer aplenty, and all the dirndls you could want. It’s changed hands three times and has been kept alive by passionate Clevelanders since 1954.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Unfortunately, Frank Sterle’s County House Restaurant has permanently closed.
Greg C./Yelp
Dawn K./Yelp
From elegant dishes of clams and foie gras to late-night greasy cravings like fries and chicken wings, Greenhouse has you covered. Its nose-to-tail philosophy guarantees that there’s always something interesting on the menu (pigs tails, anyone?). All ingredients are as local and fresh as possible. There’s not a wrong thing to order here. For a really unforgettable experience, try the roasted pig head.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Unfortunately, The Greenhouse Tavern has permanently closed.
E P./Yelp
Forage Public House / Facebook
Forage uses all local produce and is dedicated to supporting local Ohio farmers. Much of their menu is seasonal, so it’s always changing and evolving. They serve everything from tacos to oysters to killer cocktails made with artisan liquor. Their poutine is some of the best you’ll find south of the border. Forage wants you to know where your food comes from and how it’s produced. Promoting local business and industry transparency has never been so tasty.
14600 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
Charity H./Yelp
The Standard/Facebook
This is one place that really lives up to its name. This place really is the standard: reinvented family favorites like mac’n cheese, a great wine selection, and some of the best burgers in town. The atmosphere is friendly and fun: eating here feels like eating at your best friend’s place. Press your face against the window outside as you peer right into the kitchen to see your food being prepared. Read more about why The Standard is worth a visit.
779 E 185th St, Cleveland, OH 44119, USA
Food N./Yelp
Howard L./Yelp
Just a few blocks from Superior Pho, this is a down-to-earth Cantonese eatery with an absolutely giant menu. There are no airs of fine dining here - the food speaks for itself. Their wonton soup is hearty and warming. It’s relatively cheap, and portion sizes are big enough to feed two or three people. This is a humble restaurant, but one of the best of its kind in Cleveland. You can check out their hours and menu and even order online on Wonton Gourmet and BBQ website.
3211 Payne Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA
Lai W./Yelp
Kristen W./Yelp
This Ohio City restaurant is based around two fundamentals of Southern cuisine: chicken and whiskey. They have three different kinds of fried chicken on the menu: morning, evening, and late night. They have complementary biscuits which are amazing, and some of the best brunching in Ohio City, which is quite a feat! They might have the answer to the meaning of life somewhere in there, too. Be sure to visit Soho Kitchen and Bar’s website to help plan your dining experience.
1889 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Barrio Tacos/Facebook
CHeri H./Yelp
If you haven’t been to Barrio yet, then what are you waiting for? Serving up loaded - and we mean LOADED - build-your-own tacos for years now, Barrio Tacos is a Cleveland staple. Many places lose their charm and quality when they expand, but Barrio has only continued to impress across three restaurant locations, Progressive Field, and three food trucks. If building your own seems daunting, you just can’t decide, or you realize you always order the same thing, try a chef’s recommendation. Just make sure you don’t fill up on their amazing chips and salsa first! There are loads of vegetarian and vegan options, too. Visit the Barrio Tacos Facebook page for hours and specials.
15527 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
Le Petit Triangle Cafe/Yelp
Jasmine G./Yelp
Cleveland doesn’t exactly scream “French cuisine”. But Le Petit Triangle is tossing that stereotype out the window with absolutely quality French food in an authentic setting. Sit outside and watch the world go by with ennui as you sip a coffee, or savor a silky chocolate-stuffed crepe. This is easily the best French cafe in Cleveland. Transport yourself across the world for an hour or so - it’s a whole lot cheaper than flying! Be sure to check out the Le Petit Triangle Cafe website for menu and hours.
1881 Fulton Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Edsel Little/Flickr
For the culinarily curious, Trentina is an absolute must. It combines traditional Italian cooking methods and regional recipes with local Northeastern Ohioan ingredients. Some of the foods are even foraged from the Cuyahoga Valley, and the butter, cheese, and yogurt are made on-site. There’s also an on-site food lab, dedicated to finding new ways to eat and prepare foods. For something totally new and surprising, try the Menu Bianco.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Unfortunately, Trentina has permanently closed.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Restaurants in Cleveland January 19, 2023 Katie Feldkamp What are some of the best restaurants in Ohio? Trying to compile a list of the best restaurants in Ohio is a daunting task. Fortunately for those living in the Buckeye State, there are amazing restaurants for every type of food that also comes with some pretty great ambiance. While nowhere near a complete list, the following should be considered among some of the best:
The Golden Lamb in Lebanon Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant in Columbus Slyman’s Restaurant in Cleveland Primavista in Cincinnati The Scioto Ribber in Portsmouth
What are some farmhouse restaurants in Cleveland? Farmhouse restaurants in and around Cleveland have been making a name for themselves. The next time you want a meal with fresh, local ingredients, consider one of the following:
The Farmer’s Table in Medina Farmer’s Feast in Cleveland Heights Butcher & Sprout in Cuyahoga Falls Wolf Creek Tavern in Norton
Where are some restaurants serving ethnic foods in Cleveland? You don’t have to travel the world to experience its flavors. Here in Northeast Ohio, there are some amazing ethnic food restaurants in Cleveland worth checking out:
Mallorca for an Iberian-inspired menu Irie Jamaican Kitchen Barroco for Mexican and Cuban foods Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant
The OIYS Visitor Center
Restaurants in Cleveland
January 19, 2023
Katie Feldkamp
What are some of the best restaurants in Ohio? Trying to compile a list of the best restaurants in Ohio is a daunting task. Fortunately for those living in the Buckeye State, there are amazing restaurants for every type of food that also comes with some pretty great ambiance. While nowhere near a complete list, the following should be considered among some of the best:
The Golden Lamb in Lebanon Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant in Columbus Slyman’s Restaurant in Cleveland Primavista in Cincinnati The Scioto Ribber in Portsmouth
What are some farmhouse restaurants in Cleveland? Farmhouse restaurants in and around Cleveland have been making a name for themselves. The next time you want a meal with fresh, local ingredients, consider one of the following:
The Farmer’s Table in Medina Farmer’s Feast in Cleveland Heights Butcher & Sprout in Cuyahoga Falls Wolf Creek Tavern in Norton
Where are some restaurants serving ethnic foods in Cleveland? You don’t have to travel the world to experience its flavors. Here in Northeast Ohio, there are some amazing ethnic food restaurants in Cleveland worth checking out:
Mallorca for an Iberian-inspired menu Irie Jamaican Kitchen Barroco for Mexican and Cuban foods Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Trying to compile a list of the best restaurants in Ohio is a daunting task. Fortunately for those living in the Buckeye State, there are amazing restaurants for every type of food that also comes with some pretty great ambiance. While nowhere near a complete list, the following should be considered among some of the best:
- The Golden Lamb in Lebanon
- Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant in Columbus
- Slyman’s Restaurant in Cleveland
- Primavista in Cincinnati
- The Scioto Ribber in Portsmouth
What are some farmhouse restaurants in Cleveland?
Farmhouse restaurants in and around Cleveland have been making a name for themselves. The next time you want a meal with fresh, local ingredients, consider one of the following:
- The Farmer’s Table in Medina
- Farmer’s Feast in Cleveland Heights
- Butcher & Sprout in Cuyahoga Falls
- Wolf Creek Tavern in Norton
Where are some restaurants serving ethnic foods in Cleveland?
You don’t have to travel the world to experience its flavors. Here in Northeast Ohio, there are some amazing ethnic food restaurants in Cleveland worth checking out:
- Mallorca for an Iberian-inspired menu
- Irie Jamaican Kitchen
- Barroco for Mexican and Cuban foods
- Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant
