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Restaurants in Cleveland

The Midwest isn’t immediately known for its great dining, but in Cleveland, the abundance of neighbourhoods means a high incidence of locally owned restaurants. This helps the city stand out as a beacon of good food options in an otherwise fairly bland region.

The Cleveland restaurants below have been hand-picked by our guide author and are grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over US$65)
Moderate (US$35 to US$65)
Cheap (up to US$35)
These Cleveland restaurant prices are for an average three-course meal and for half a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent per person; they do not include tax or tip.

Expensive

Blue Point Grille

Cuisine: Seafood

Not many places are particularly creative with seafood, but the inspiration in this Warehouse District eatery draws gourmands as well as famous local sportspeople. Try specialities such as the masala-spiced bass. It also serves up a mean steak if you’re not fish friendly.

Address: , 700 West St Clair Avenue, Cleveland,
Telephone: +1 216 875 7827.
Website: http://www.bluepointgrille.com

Lola

Cuisine: American

The cult of the celebrity chef is alive and well, and represented at this modern American restaurant by TV star Michael Symon. ‘Sleek’ and ‘elegant’ are adjectives often used to describe both the décor and the menu, and dishes include surprises such as scallops in pea-yoghurt purée.

Address: , 2058 East Fourth Street, Cleveland,
Telephone: +1 216 621 5652.
Website: http://www.lolabistro.com

Sans Souci

Cuisine: Eclectic

There isn’t too much choice of high-end continental fare, but this restaurant in the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel brings a touch of Provençal to the Midwest. Influences actually range from French to Spanish and Moroccan, with angel hair pasta, bouillabaisse and veal osso bucco on the menu.

Address: , 24 Public Square, Cleveland,
Telephone: +1 216 902 4095.
Website: http://www.sanssoucicleveland.com

Moderate

CROP Bistro and Bar

Cuisine: American

Self-described as ‘inventive American fare’, the emphasis here is on very fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Chef Steve Schimoler changes his menus almost daily, such is his commitment to seasonal goodies. Pasta, poultry and steak are all present, but lovingly and creatively presented.

Address: , 2537 Lorain Avenue , Cleveland,
Telephone: +1 216 696 2767.
Website: http://www.cropbistro.com

Mabel’s BBQ

Cuisine: American

Another restaurant by Michael Symon, Mabel's BBQ has a very different feel from Lola's. At communal tables, under industrial lighting and exposed brick walls reminiscent of the city's West Side Market, foodies enjoy flavourful Cleveland-style barbecue accompanied by a long list of bourbon.

Address: , 2050 E fourth St, Cleveland,
Telephone: +1 216 417 8823
Website: http://www.mabelsbbq.com

Sokolowksi’s University Inn

Cuisine: Polish

The oldest family owned and operated restaurant in Cleveland, Sokolowski’s is a humble landmark of Cleveland eating, serving up scrumptous Polish and Eastern European cuisine. With homey, cafeteria-style service, accompanied by live music, this restaurant offers rich comfort foods catered to the working man.

Address: University Circle, 1201 University Rd, Cleveland,
Telephone: +1 216 771 9236
Website: http://www.sokolowskis.com

Cheap

Corky & Lenny's

Cuisine: Deli

Corky & Lenny's is a busy and lively East Side deli that has been around for over 40 years. On the menu are items like beef ribs, ham steak, roast stuffed kishka ( sausage pudding) and homemade gefilte fish, and the cheesecake is famous.

Address: Woodmere, 27091 Chagrin Boulevard, Cleveland,
Telephone: +1 216 464 3838.
Website: http://www.corkyandlennys.com

Johnny Mango World Café & Bar

Cuisine: Eclectic

Eclectic, international, tropical, flavourful, colourful - Johnny Mango is a place where all kinds of cultural and culinary ingredients are mixed and combined to great effect. There are plenty of vegetarian dishes, but seafood and red meat also feature on the menu.

Address: , 3120 Bridge Avenue, Cleveland,
Telephone: +1 216 575 1919.
Website: http://www.jmango.com

Slyman's

Cuisine: Deli

People flock to this deli for their corned beef sandwiches, which are an exercise in simplicity: meat, fresh bread and a pickle. You can also sample the full range of classic American sandwiches, including Reubens and a choice of melts.

Address: , 3016 St Clair Avenue, Cleveland,
Telephone: +1 216 621 3760.
Website: http://www.slymans.com

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