Cleveland, Ohio, has a thriving food scene that caters to every foodie’s palate. From Japanese sushi to South Indian dosas, this city offers a wide variety of cuisines at some of the best restaurants in the country. Whether you’re a local looking for a new eatery or a visitor on a short trip, not knowing where to eat or what to order can be daunting. So my post focuses on what matters the most – recommendations on where to eat and what to eat at the Top 10 Restaurants in Cleveland. These personal favorites excel in taste, quality, and ambiance and are sure to satisfy your cravings and augment your appreciation of Cleveland’s diverse restaurant landscape. So let’s dig in!
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#1 Kintaro Sushi & Hotpot
Kintaro, recognized as 2021’s Best of Cleveland, is an affordable ‘All-You-Can-Eat-Sushi & HotPot’ option that doesn’t compromise on taste, quality, or service despite its low price point. Giving it the #1 spot on the Top 10 Restaurants in Cleveland.
The restaurant is semi-formal, with spacious booths and quick service. Kintaro’s all-you-can-eat deal offers a check-box-style menu that allows you to repeatedly order items to restock your sushi platter or hot pot.
The lunch deal is $17, and the dinner is $29 (since it includes sashimi). Despite this affordable price point, the quality of meats is exceptional. In fact, their sushi tastes as good as the one I ate in Hong Kong – it is genuinely that delicious. Additionally, as long as each guest orders the all-you-can-eat sushi or the all-you-eat hot pot, everyone is allowed to share the food, ensuring you get the best of both worlds.
My favorite sushi menu items include miso soup, edamame, shrimp shumai, prawn tempura, salmon sashimi, crab nigiri, smoked salmon nigiri, and my absolute favorite, the ‘Kintaro roll.’ The ‘Audi’ and ‘BMW’ are tasty alternatives – yes, all the sushi rolls are interestingly named after cars.
The hot pot can be equally enjoyable, with various meats, vegetables, and noodles. As several portions of meat keep stewing in the broth, it becomes more and more flavorful throughout your meal. Kintaro also provides a self-service condiment bar to enhance your dish. With hibachi, teriyaki, and ice cream to complete your meal, Kintaro offers an all-inclusive affordable dining experience making it #1 on the list of Top 10 Restaurants in Cleveland.
#2 Mitchell’s Ice Cream
Mitchell’s Ice Cream stands out among my Top 10 Restaurants in Cleveland, earning 2nd place. What makes it so special? Five simple words – key lime pie ice cream!
Since 1999, this family-owned ice cream business has served hand-crafted delights in Cleveland. One of their locations in Ohio City offers a unique experience where visitors can observe skilled workers crafting the ice cream, cookies, and waffle cones through the glass walls of the emporium. Mitchell’s provides a variety of sweet treats, including single-serve scoops, milkshakes, malts, sundaes, floats, ice cream tubs, cakes, and pies. Their website also provides suggestions for fun sundae topping combinations that will surely beckon your sweet tooth.
My go-to flavor is always the Key Lime Pie. Unlike what you might expect, it’s not too tart or sour. Instead, it has a creamy consistency with the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, with bits of pie crust dispersed throughout the ice cream that adds a delightful crunch. Other popular flavors include butter pecan, caramel sea salt, toasted pistachio, and seasonal flavors such as tiramisu, amaretto, and maple walnut.
#3 Barrio Tacos
Barrio Taco + Tequila + Whiskey offers an exceptional casual dining experience with mouthwatering tacos and refreshing margaritas. Placing it in the top 3 of the Top 10 Restaurants in Cleveland.
Available in multiple locations across Cleveland, this high-energy restaurant displays unique day-of-the-dead-inspired murals, steelwork interior décor, lively music, and a vibrant atmosphere perfect for a budget-friendly happy hour after a long workday. Their build-your-own-taco-style booklet menu allows you to customize each taco to your liking, or you can opt for one of their ‘El Jefe’ recommendations. The average taco costs around $7 and can be tailored to your preferences.
When I visit Barrio, I always start with their trio of guacamole, salsa, and queso served with endless taco chips. For drinks, I love their strawberry margarita with a salt rim. At the same time, my husband, inclined to all things spice, opts for the mango habanero margarita with a chili lime rim for an extra punchy drink.
As for the tacos, I can’t get enough of the coca-cola marinated steak served in a soft flour taco shell with pico de gallo, queso fresco, and either the Barrio secret sauce or chipotle crema. The shrimp with pineapple salsa comes in as a close second. With a menu offering various proteins and toppings, you and your guests will surely find something you love at Barrio.
#4 Dewey’s Pizza
As a professed meat eater, it surprised my family when I told them my favorite pizza at Dewey’s restaurant was a vegetarian one! The Green Lantern variant, particularly, has captured my heart with its divine taste and texture, placing Deweys at #4 in the Top 10 Restaurants in Cleveland!
Originating from Cincinnati, Dewey’s Pizza is the brainchild of two friends who shared a passion for both music and the art of pizza-making. Their restaurants offer a family-friendly ambiance and an assortment of pizzas of varying sizes and flavors.
However, what sets Dewey’s apart is its imaginative pizza creations with whimsical names for each pizza, from Edgar Allan Poe to Don Carlione, and of course, my favorite, The Green Lantern.
The Green Lantern is a unique savory creation that includes goat cheese, artichokes, pesto, mushrooms, and a red sauce, all atop a soft and chewy crust that truly delights the senses.
#5 Landmark Smokehouse
At #5 in the Top 10 Restaurants in Cleveland, Landmark Smokehouse is a must-visit for those who relish the rich flavors of smoked meats.
This unassuming establishment, nestled on a Lakewood street corner, offers a delectable assortment of high-quality smoked and barbecued meats, accompanied by an impressive selection of bourbons and craft cocktails.
My top choices at Landmark Smokehouse include the Montreal smoked meat sandwich, which features 12-day cured smoked brisket with mustard and rye, served alongside home-style French fries. Alternatively, the Reuben, featuring Montreal smoked meat, Cleveland kraut, Russian dressing, or the smoked brisket burger in a brioche bun, are equally flavorsome options.
I usually gravitate towards the ‘Smoked Meat Latkes’ tray for my insatiable carnivorous appetite. This tantalizing platter offers a choice of brisket, pulled pork, or Montreal smoked meat with potato pancakes, sour cream, horseradish apple sauce, and coleslaw.
#6 Barroco Arepa Bar
The Barroco Arepa Bar takes the 6th spot in the Top 10 restaurants in Cleveland for its appetizing food and festive decor.
This Colombian/Venezuelan/Peruvian restaurant offers a lively and energetic atmosphere, much like that of Barrio, but with a more vibrant, colorful, and electric flair. The restaurant’s light-hearted fun ambiance encourages patrons to disconnect from their phones, bask in their surroundings, and engage in social interactions.
Barroco’s décor is a delightful feast for the eyes, with a roof adorned with Christmas lights and colorful umbrellas. In contrast, the patio is decorated with verdant plants and beautiful flowers. The establishment dedicates as much effort to creating a memorable experience as crafting delectable dishes. On weekends, live music on the outdoor patio adds to the festive atmosphere.
Experience the taste of South American delicacies by venturing out of your comfort zone. The menu boasts a variety of tasty platters, including the cheesy corn appetizer, ropa vieja arepa, lomo saltado, and birria taco, all of which are highly recommended. They also offer four unique sauces with each meal that you’ll surely request more of. As for drinks, indulge in their refreshing pina colada; it’s a must-try.
#7 Taste of Kerala
At 7th position of the Top 10 Restaurants in Cleveland is Taste of Kerala, truly a hidden gem.
Introduced to me by friends, it quickly became one of my favorite restaurants in Cleveland. If you’ve tried South Indian cuisine before, you’ll enjoy the great flavor and quality this restaurant provides. But if you haven’t, get ready to fall in love.
South Indian food is not only about the subtle flavors and how they seamlessly work in unison, but it’s also about the unique textures of the food. Whether it’s the dense lentil and white rice patty called ‘idli’ or the crepe-like ‘dosa,’ you’ll enjoy each delightful bite. The dosa, in particular, is not only savory and filled with flavorsome potatoes, meat, or cheese, but the experience of pulling it apart with your fingers and dipping it into the vegetable stew ‘sambar’ or coconut ‘chutney’ make it a memorable experience. And remember to pair it with a nice chilled ‘lassi.’
This restaurant has two locations and is run by a family who greets you with the widest smiles and offers recommendations at your request. On weekends, they also have a buffet with over 15 dishes, so you can try an assortment of dishes and get a comprehensive taste of South Indian cuisine.
#8 Thai Elephant
If you’re craving authentic Thai cuisine that will tantalize your taste buds, look no further than Thai Elephant at #8 in the Top 10 Restaurants in Cleveland.
Despite its popularity, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant always has impeccable food, service, and warm hospitality. The menu features various traditional dishes, from fragrant curries to stir-fried noodles.
Among the standout dishes is the expertly cooked Pad Thai, with just the right balance of sweetness and heat. The Pad Kee Mao (drunken noodles) and Pad See-Ew give it fierce competition with their umami flavor. Don’t skip on the Tom Yum soup with its tangy and spicy flavors that delight your taste buds. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with the red and green curries that will transport you to the streets of Bangkok.
#9 India Garden
At #9 in the Top 10 Restaurants in Cleveland, we have India Garden for classic and aromatic Indian cuisine.
Whether you dine inside, enjoy their outdoor patio, or grab some takeaway, the alluring aroma of spices filling the air will awaken your senses. The attentive staff is always on hand to provide recommendations from their extensive menu, which features a wide range of traditional dishes.
To begin your perfect meal, try some vegetable pakoras (fritters) followed by tikka masala, chicken biryani, and malai kebab. Regardless of your selection, you will be treated to an explosion of flavor, spice, and texture that will satisfy your palate.
It’s important to note that this restaurant has a predominantly Indian clientele, and the spice levels are correspondingly high. Therefore, when asked to rate your spice tolerance on a scale of 1-10, it is advisable to start low and gradually work your way up. Don’t be a hero and risk ruining your dining experience!
#10 Mia Bella
At #10 in the Top 10 Restaurants in Cleveland, we have Mia Bella for authentic Italian food.
Mia Bella is situated in the popular Little Italy neighborhood of Cleveland – decorated with Italian flags, colorful murals, and live opera music, with a quant old-school charm. It has a spacious, dimly lit dining area with an air lending an air of mystique. Each dish is presented beautifully and uses excellent ingredients for a memorable culinary experience.
My favorite dishes include the burrata caprese, Bolognese, and lobster ravioli with rosemary fingerling potatoes; the tender layers of pasta, rich sauce, and creamy cheese melt in your mouth with every bite. Finish your meal with the chef’s homemade tiramisu, baked shell cannoli, or raspberry gelato cheesecake for a luxurious experience.
Honorable Mentions
Cleveland’s food scene is delightful, from high-end restaurants like Marble Room and Dante to the more low-key Top 10 Restaurants in Cleveland discussed above. You’ll find popular food chains like Texas De Brazil, Food Panda, Krispy Kreme, and Cheesecake Factory spread out over the city, maintaining their high food quality and international cuisines run by authentic locals allowing you to explore culinary delicacies beyond the borders. Whatever you decide, you’ll surely fall in love with the city in no time.
Things To Do in the City
For anyone on a quick visit to Cleveland, be sure to try some of my favorite things to do in the city:
- Lakewood Park for the most beautiful sunsets.
- Edgewater Park-Beach for an evening stroll, game of volleyball, or sunbathing.
- Playhouse Square for a Broadway show.
- Legacy Village for a shopping spree and live performances.
- Forward Night Club for an electrifying open-air dance club by the water.
- Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar for a riveting singing extravaganza.
