50 Best American Restaurants in Cleveland

“We were in town for Final Four and happened upon this restaurant as we were walking back to the hotel. Will Bolduc and Owner Nick Kostis were so very welcoming and gracious hosting our large group. The service was top notch and the food was scrumptious. We were greeted by everyone there with heartfelt hellos and congratulations for the championship game. If you are ever in the area, this is an absolute MUST STOP for you! Thank you Mr. Kostis... as you said, BE KIND in everything you do... I will never forget how you made my Paopao family & I feel while we were there! Thank you!!!“

“I was busy in the Midwest my first time.Now it's somebody suggested Slymans. We DoorDash it and when the sandwich got there were 2 sandwiches.The thing must have weighed 10 pounds.It was huge so huge. We could have split half of one between the two of us period it's just the best most beautiful sandwich ever. The sandwich literally looked like a pile of meat wearing a tiny little toast hat. Shall we order it again the next day and the next day and the next day“

“What a cute little diner! The food was incredible and the service was even better. Our server helped us order per her recommendation. The breakfast sandwich was great and the Irish coffee hands down was the best I ever had-they make their own Irish cream that I could drink by the boatload.The only caveat being this place gets PACKED on the weekend. Like 2 hour wait for a table. Go during the week to fully soak up the vibe.Parking: Parking is on Lorain Ave, paid by the meter“

“Steve’s was diner was my fav mom’s and pops place. But I been here a few times ever since Steve’s closed and this is my new favorite spot ! The food is delicious, they are kid friendly and even give out crayons and coloring pages which is so nice for kids to relax and color. The kids menu is nice and the kids meals are huge ! Breakfast is amazing. Larger portions. My new favorite spot. I will be taking my family here. Love Gabe’s and the employees are amazing and friendly !“

“Had lunch here with some friends and really enjoyed the cheddar soup. The pretzel wasn't great as I was hoping it would be softer and a bit more flavorful. The pierogies were also a bit different than I expected as they were a bit thicker noodle wise than I'm used to. The flavor inside was decent though. Also tried one of these beers and it was quite delicious.“

“Townhall invites you into a world of love and exceptionalism. From the sushi, to the cocktails, & lastly the staff, everything & everyone is amazing. If you need a “for the girls” brunch, a night on the town dinner and drinks, or a quiet healthy lunch, Townhall provides it all. No matter the vibe they match. No matter the task they accomplish. Townhall is religiously perfect & forever my favorite! Ps: try the lobster fire roll and yellowtail hamachi!“

“Had a large team dinner (13) and it was great! Service was amazing, very friendly and excellent. They worked with a religious dietary restriction in our party to ensure they knew what the restrictions were and clearly explained which options were good for that diner and when the shared apps were brought advised again which one did not meet the requirement. Cocktails were beautifully presented and very tasty. The food was also beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. Also, all 13 main dinner plates were delivered within moments of each other. Our server was very attentive and checked frequently to ensure all were satisfied. The rack of lamb I had was cooked perfectly and absolutely tender and delicious. Others had the steak and trout and salmon and everyone said theirs was great. We all got desserts and those were killer too. Great flavor combinations prepared beautifully. Top notch all around!“

“I got my food to go after I’d had a cocktail. The swinging benches across the street are a perfect place to sit and eat your divine tastes of FAT CAT’s … I had the salmon burger and Brussels sprouts and a Purple haze cocktail at the bar. The sandwich was literally perfect! The avocado was the perfect touch! Always a treat! Tastes and Travels gives FAT CATS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Went for a birthday dinner and I am happy she chose this place. This place was so good. A 5-star experience that I did not expect. Because of the location you would think it was just an average restaurant but this place is offering a fine dining experience. I loved my cocktail it was perfectly made. I ordered the crab cakes for an appetizer they weren't bad but they weren't great either. My entree was as seafood pasta. It was a little pricy but for the portion size and quality it was definitely worth it.i I will definitely go there again.“

“See Gina (Woodmere location) if you want great service. My husband and I (from MD) and my brother and his wife (OH) came here to celebrate my birthday. We had an awesome time! Gina was very informative about the restaurant and the menu choices. She was fantastic! Thank you Gina! We’ll be back!“

“I've been a fan of Heck's Cafe almost since the very day it opened in Ohio City. I worked for NCA across the street and enjoyed many incredible meals over the years. Today I took my daughter to lunch and experienced another outstanding and memorable meal. What a wonderful culinary tradition. I give it a "10" across the board“

“Almost perfect! Service was great - I didn’t love my initial cocktail and without being asked, the server wanted to replace it for me. The meal started out really wonderful with the dips and oysters were spot on. The cold noodles were probably our least favorite as there wasn’t enough sauce in it to keep it from being sticky in our mouth. Didn’t love the potatoes, either but I was near full at that point.“

“The chef's tasting menu was fantastic. First course was salmon belly with fennel salad, excellent. Second was a rabbit spaghetti carbonara, the rabbit was surprisingly moist and the sauce was great. Third was an Asian Sea bass, possibly one of the best pieces of fish I've ever had. Then a New York strip that was cooked perfectly mid rare but a little dry, possibly did not rest long enough. This came with some kind of fried potato, almost like an elevated hash brown. I could have eaten 50 of them. Desert was a delicious strawberry pretzel cake and ice cream. Pros Food food food. It was sooooo good. Beer is priced very reasonably Service was outstanding Cons Dry steak Men's restroom was a little messy The restaurant was LOUD. Not a romantic ambiance at all“

“My husband and I came on a Friday night around 8pm. It was busy and lively inside. We were told it'd be. 30-45 minute wait but we could wait at the bar. There were actually a couple bar stools open so we just ended up ordering and eating there. Our table actually only took 10 minutes to be available. We did not let our phones eat first lol, hence the bad photos. I got the shrimp basket and side salad. Shrimp was so good and the cocktail sauce tasted like they made it with the perfect amount of horse radish. My husband got the fish and chips. Fish was flaky and tender and the fries were yummy! Even though both items were fried, they didn't feel super greasy or heavy. We loved our meals and would recommend.“

“For years, the mysterious "Society Lounge" sign on E. 4th St. in Cleveland beckoned us like a siren call during our annual pilgrimage for the MAC tournament. Last year, curiosity finally got the better of us, and we ventured inside – an experience that instantly transformed Society Lounge into a mandatory stop on our Cleveland itinerary.On our return to Buffalo last night from Columbus we made a point to revisit this hidden gem before dinner. Society Lounge never disappoints. The bartenders are true mixology maestros, their encyclopedic knowledge of spirits eclipsing all others. Each meticulously crafted libation is a sublime work of art, perfectly balanced and exquisitely presented.More than just a bar, Society Lounge is a sanctuary for those who appreciate the finer things in life. If you are lucky enough to get a spot at the bar Its ambiance exudes a timeless elegance, inviting you to linger and savor every moment. Whether you're a cocktail aficionado or simply seeking a sophisticated respite, this extraordinary establishment is sure to leave you enchanted.“

“Came before league bowling for the wing's special. The number of different sauce varieties is very imoressive. I had the Thai Chili Garlic and it was awesome ! Just the right amount of sweet and heat! I tried my husband's garlic Parmesan and it was 'ok'. It was a bit bland for my liking, but he enjoyed. I also had a Bacardi lemon with Diet Coke. It was good and great special price. This is a sports bar - plenty of TVs with sports and news. Our server was the best - attentive and kind. Don't let this strip mall location deter you from trying. It's a nice hidden gem!!! Definitely recommend ! Looking forward to coming back!!!“

“This was such a nice experience. The staff, from the person who seated us to our waitress, were friendly without being over the top and the service was fast, accurate and attentive. The food (we came for a late breakfast) came quickly and was hot and delicious (and the portions were generous). We arrived mid morning on a weekday and by 11:15 the place had filled again, presumably for lunch rush. I’d certainly come here again if I return to Cleveland.Kid-friendliness: Staff had several tables with high chairs going and happily rolled with the pre-cutlery crowd.“

“We had brunch at Lucky's Cafe on Sunday April 14, 2024. I have so many things to say about this place, so let's just start at the beginning. We found street parking right out front. There is not a designated parking lot. For a party of two, we were quoted a 40 minute wait. After only about 15 minutes, we got a call that our table was ready. We were seated at a table right next to the kitchen door which was a bit chaotic, but worked fine for our party. Our waitress was very attentive and quickly got our drink orders. I ordered a Thai iced tea and Kevin got an iced Lucky's latte. Both very good but nothing special. For our meals we ordered the biscuits and the shipwreck. Seasonal vegetables in the shipwreck included bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Very generous portions and delicious. The fresh fruit side with the shipwreck consisted of half a strawberry, slice of pineapple, and wedge of orange. Seems like not much, but was the perfect amount of a refreshing sweet bite after the large plate of everything else. On the table was a house made sweet and smoky hot sauce that I used on every bite of the shipwreck. So delicious. Saved my last piece of toast to eat with their house made blackberry/raspberry/grape jam. Incredible. Included large pieces of fruit, which I love in a fresh jam. And I haven't even mentioned the pecan bacon*. After my first bite, I was thanking our waitress for bringing it up and telling us about it. Definitely would normally overlook getting something like that as a side dish. There are also several vegetarian options on the menu, with one dish able to be made vegan by getting the toast with no butter.We interacted with several staff members at different phases of our meal. Everyone from the hostess, to the barista, our waitress, and the other servers helping to run food/clear plates was abundantly friendly and helpful. One waiter passing by noticed us looking at the art above our table, which was an original painting from a local artist, and told us some interesting facts about the piece. Felt like a true collaborative team working to make the best experience for all guests.Overall, service was incredible and food was delicious. The only reason I am knocking one star off "atmosphere" is due to the fact that this place is not accessible for people in wheelchairs/other disabilities. You have to walk up a step just to get in the front door, and the entryway is so cramped with a pasty/coffee counter plus the host stand. The aisles are very narrow and people are constantly getting in each other's way. There is also only one single-use bathroom. Everything was just fine for us, but definitely something to be aware of if you are planning a trip here!*Pecan bacon comes with 3 pieces, but I got too excited as soon as the plate came out!Want to try: cinnamon roll, blueberry smoothieVegetarian options: A few options including waffles and macaroni & cheese. One dish able to be made veganWheelchair accessibility: None. Steps to get in the building and narrow walkways with more steps inside.“

“Working with someone like Mrs. Anita Ephraim FX is a good experience and has yielded positive results for me every week. I invested my first $500 into bitcoin and Mrs.Anita FX helped me manage my account and i made $5500 in the first week. It has been an incredible experience from that day on! This wasn't my first time trading but honestly, I didn’t know what to expect when I first. Mrs. Anita Ephraim walked me through the entire process from start to finish, which was a … See more“

“Food, service and atmosphere were excellent during our visit on an early Friday evening. The Mardi Gras decor is nicely done. Our server, Erin, was very courteous and checked on us regularly to see if we needed anything. We will definitely stop by again when visiting the Tremont area and recommend to others as a place to go for a decent dining experience with reasonable prices for food and drinks.“

“Restaurant is hard to find (go through the curtains at the end of the green warehouse building) but worth the hunt. Service was excellent and the food was so fresh and delicious. We watched the chef cut potatoes by hand for home fries. Pricing was low for the amount of food because it's a lot of food!“

“We were walking down W 25th and saw Old Angle Tavern from the windows facing the street. It looked like a relaxed place that had some people in it, but wasn't overlying crowded so we strolled in. I'm glad we did!We sat at the bar and were greeted by a friendly bartender. After some light conversation, we ordered some food. I got some wings that really hit the spot! They have a great Buffalo sauce that's flavorful and spicy. And they're ranch dipping sauce is clearly made in house...I've never had ranch that was that buttery and tasty! My dining companion enjoyed his salad and soup as well. Great atmosphere and music too! I'll be back!“

“Went for Easter Brunch today.Food buffet was good, plenty of choices. Great Easter bunny which went to tables, photos available.The place was decorated well. Very easy to get what you needed, drinks provided and for purchase.Check it out. Staff and owners were great! Highly recommended!“

“What can I say it was simply phenomenal I freaking loved it I end up getting the classic combo with the pancakes mix berries and I end up getting the City Diner Burger and it was so good I really enjoyed it so much the fries were awesome with the burger oh man I haven't had fries like that and a long time also the cook he did the most excellent job cooking the food and the waitress was simply very attentive always came for my coffee asked me if I needed anything else not to mention she was very easy on the eyes her name is Vera and she is very beautiful and a very very excellent waitress...“

“Fantastic place. Was there Thurs afternoon, ran into 3 people I knew, & I hadn't seen each one of them in > 30 years!! Great looking menu, great service, clean, & just an all-around enjoyable place to go. One of the best nights I've had in years. I hope they stay open for a LONG time. Happy Holidays to all the Borgata Bar crew, & to their customers!!!“

“We were in Cleveland on business for a few days, and this was by far the best dining experience we had. The ambiance is great with areas segmented, giving a sense of coziness even though it is not a small establishment. We had cocktails at the bar before dinner. Big beautiful bar with great service and selection. Everyone liked what they had. I had the roasted pineapple margarita. It wasn't my favorite margarita, but that's just my personal preference...it was a little too sweet for me, and the glass was very sticky/sugary, but I was intrigued with the idea so i tried it. I just had to wash my hands before I wanted to touch... anything. At dinner the big round tables give plenty of room for food, comfort, and conversation. The Steak Cigar appetizers were loved by my colleagues... They were a bit rich for me but the taste was delicious. The calamari was perfect with a creative Wasabi aoli lighty drizzled. In our group, one had lamb shank, 2 had sea bass, one had Steak Diane. The lamb and steak were a 10 out of 10, according to my colleagues. I would give the seabass about an 8 out of 10, and likewise with my colleague who also had it. It was very good, but there was something slightly off with texture, and it was a tad on the bland side. I love Chilean seabass...who doesn't? And I'm used to just getting goosebumps from that first delicious bite of this delicate fish. Not quite the case here, but still very good. The asparagus was perfect. The service was top-notch. They were very busy with several tables of groups of business people from the same conference we were attending, and the server absolutely did not miss a thing. Oh! And the cornbread was a surprise and a treat! Old fashioned cornbread served hot in a little iron skillet! We half joked about wanting cornbread for dessert when she brought the dessert menu...and guess what...she brought us cornbread for dessert. I highly recommend this restaurant and will go again when in Cleveland.“

“Stopped in today. I ordered viener schnitzel and home fries. Had a salad as well with fresh bread. Everything was very fresh. Schnitzel was very good and loved the home fries. My aunt got the city chicken. She liked it as well. This is a Cleveland Gem. If in the area it is a must stop!“

“Visited for first time Sunday afternoon. Wow. So happy we came here. Food was incredible. Fresh, beautiful. You can tell the chef loves his restaurant. The staff was welcoming and genuinely happy to serve you !The atmosphere was calm and friendly. I just loved it and can’t wait to go back . And omg the donut holes !! Are you kidding me?“

“Terra is the best thing to happen to Terrestrial Brewing Co! Located inside the brewery, Terra brings in a more comfortable and cool atmosphere with a simple menu, good cocktails and great food at a reasonable price. Of course their craft beer is available as well. The Pimento cheese dip is a must try, and the chicken sandwich is done right. Dog friendly patio and also in the brewery side. Check the website to see their daily specials as well!“

“This was our first time in the Aviator....and our server Tanell made it a Wonderful dining experience ...Our dinners were fabulous!...Tanells service was spot on to make us feel comfortable....there were no disappoints....We'll be Back!“

“It’s always a fun time at The Fairmount! Food and drinks are delicious. I would recommend if you’re coming with a group to call ahead and make a reservation as the place is pretty much always packed in the evenings.We’ve done multiple times and they have both indoor and outdoor dining. The patio is very nice and dog friendly.“

“I come here every year when I go to CL. It is absolutely fantastic. Every time the server is very friendly and kind. We order a make your own bowl and they have countless options to choose from with tags. The food is so so SO tasty and very filling. They have so many smoothies too and they are so good. Everything is a very reasonable and affordable price compared to other trash restaurants like Dunkin and Starbucks which take 6$ for one small drink made up of sugar and ice water. If i could give this place over 100 stars I would.“

“thank you - everything was delicious - food was fast and fresh. one of the best steak & cheese sandwiches we've ever had - onion rings & french fries perfect. lemon & chocolate cake was awesome. we will be back - both kids happy“

“I've been meaning to come here for the longest time. Yesterday my friend and I finally made it haha. We walked in and were told to have a seat anywhere. Surprisingly at the time we arrived they weren't terribly busy. Our waitress came and greeted us right away. Asked if we wanted drinks. Our drinks were brought out in a timely matter then our orders were taken. The food came out pretty quick as well. Considering they were starting to get busy and had phone orders. The food was really good. I got a western omelette with toast and hash browns. The hash browns are made with real potatoes. They were very good, I usually don't like hash browns. I enjoyed the ones here. My friend got biscuits and gravy, she said it was really good. My niece got chocolate chip pancakes with a side of eggs. She waffled them down so I'm assuming it was really good. My other friend's daughter got a croissant with eggs and bacon. That was definitely got a thumbs up from a picky eater. It's a small non assuming restaurant, cute decor and definitely a gem. We will be returning soon.“

“Couldn’t recommend Christian and his team enough if you’re looking to host an event. We had a great experience hosting our Rehearsal Dinner the night before our wedding at The Arcade! Great communication, great people, great food and of course, good beer“

“This hands down was probably one of the best dinner experiences I have had. The service was fantastic and it gave that almost a regular feel to it! Food was good, I ordered the God Father pasta, will recommend. But the ambiance alone paid back for any take backs (there weren’t many) Definitely will return in the future.“

“We met my in-laws here for breakfast while visiting. It's such a happy little restaurant with a basic clean atmosphere. The service was friendly and quick. Our waitress was great in a busy Saturday morning. The food was delicious and prices were very reasonable.“

“The food is always consistent here, you know just what to expect. Great fries ! Always fresh ,hot and tasty. The Rueben is my goto but the patty melt and chicken sandwiches are great too. The wait staff is professional, polite and efficient .My only complaint is it gets a bit noisy when it's packed but to be expected in an old building such as this.“

“Tessa was amazing behind the bar! If you are Looking for a great place to have dinner, watch a ball game on the many huge tvs and wait out a rain delay playing the wide variety of bar and arcade games then this is your place!!! Loved the pour your own beer tap system with more than 30+ brews and the dry rub wings with sauces were amazing! Portions were huge! The food and staff make this a must do in Cleveland!!!!“

“Absolutely Amazing!! The oysters are decadent, the food was delicious! Excellent selection of cocktails! The views are Gorgeous! But by far the best part of this outstanding dining experience was the service!! 5!! Anthony was EXCEPTIONAL! We celebrated my daughters 25th Birthday & Alley Cat was the most Perfectly beautiful venue for a celebration! This will be a family tradition for years to come! Thank you Alley Cat and Thank You Anthony & Team! All of the incredible staff made our day superb!“

“Ma & pa type place. Friendly staff, nothing super notable. Can get a fast, cheap breakfast that's good. It's more of a neighborhood restaurant than a destination.Kid-friendliness: Ma & pa place, kids will be fine.Wheelchair accessibility: It's a little tight if it's busy, otherwise you'll be fine.“

“My chicken soup was amazing.. waitress was accommodating I changed my order from breakfast to the zoo oh my gosh so I will be going there every time my family is sick or I want to I wish however they would have gave me some bread but the soup was overflowing and it was delicious“

“I just had the best chicken ceasar salad ever! I ordered take out and it was ready quick. The $15 salad is worth every penny. The ceasar is not too heavy and is more like a vinaigrette. Flavorful and not too heavy. Chicken is juicy and salad us very fresh. Everything I've had here is fabulous. The French fries are worth the calories!“

“As much as I like going out to new, hyped hotspots, I also love cozy, relaxed & casual dive bar vibes. Hoopples definitely hits the mark. Warm, friendly atmosphere, personable staff, solid drink selection, a simple menu with classic feel-good comfort food, darts & machine bowling, and local decor honoring Cleveland sports, motorcycle culture, and other local interests. Street parking is available. The establishment is also much bigger inside than it looks from the outside, with a good amount of seating inside and out on the patio. Hoopples has a mix of the after-work crowd winding down after a long day, locals having a good time to eat, drink, enjoy each other's company, and watch a sports game. I came on a weekday night, and while it was buzzing with energy, it wasn't too crowded, which was nice. Overall, if you're looking to have a casual, super laidback hangout spot, I would definitely recommend Hoopples!“

“Food was delicious. I had the spinach dip and the philly cheese steak. The beer was cold and they had a lot of local options. I sat at the bar and the bartenders were very personable and attentive. I was there for the solar eclipse and made several friends at the bar with my extra eclipse glasses. Would definitely recommend visiting here.“

“Visiting the markets and popped in here for lunch. It was really busy and couldn’t get a seat, but we left our number and walked the market for a bit. They called us and had us seated in no time. The food was fresh and tasty. I noticed a few patrons with a Bloody Mary and ordered one and wasn’t disappointed. The service from our server was friendly, fast, efficient and she was fun and entertaining. It’s crowded, chaotic, noisy in a good way and everyone was enjoying themselves. Very enjoyable experience.“

“First time here (previously Sal's Diner), ordered carry out by phone. Large parking area in back. Small old school diner inside, can see the cook working feverishly in front of the counter seats. Maybe another 8 booths for seating. This is owned by the previous owners of Steve's 24hr Diner on Biddulph Road, that recently closed. This is about the same, open 24 hours and breakfast all day. The employees were pleasant and my order was perfect. I really enjoy their breakfast here and the famous chili dogs. For 2 breakfasts and 4 chili dogs came out to $22. You really can't beat that price anywhere. Give this place a try you won't be disappointed.“

“I am not usually inclined to leave reviews but felt the need to today. I have yet to have better service in the area and the amount of food we got for the price was incredible. The moment we sat down there were already two waiters getting us coffee and water. Our food was also out in 10 minutes and was incredible. I can't recommend breakfast here enough.“

“We liked the pizza we ended up with but I had to drive back twice for it. I ordered a margherita pizza (tomatoes, basil, mozzarella) for pick up and they put a garlic white sauce on it. Why would they do that? I can't eat garlic, which is why I order a margherita pizza. If they are going to add garlic sauce to a basic pizza, which by definition that I've found has no garlic sauce, they should inform customers in advance. That said, the pizza we finally got, after driving back twice, was good. Not sure I will return however. Lots of good pizza places that know how to make a margherita pizza.“

“Dons is the epitome of a classic seafood restaurant. It's the perfect mix of classy and casual. I've never eaten in the main dining room, only at the bar, but service from the bartenders is always spot on. The drinks are great and so is the food. My favorite dishes so far have been the PEI mussels, the crab cakes, and the Portuguese seafood stew. Everything is fresh and delicious. Happy hour is awesome too!“