Dining out made a full-throated return to Cleveland in 2022, with exciting new openings all over town. It was a satisfying year to write about food, filled with memorable experiences and dishes that made a lasting impression. These are a few of our favorites.

Paneer at Amba 1430 West 28th St., Cleveland Diners are ripped from their comfort zones the moment they cross the threshold of Amba in Ohio City. From the shadowy, lounge-like interior to the menu of Indian-inspired foods, this edgy eatery encourages culinary exploration. While one could toss a dart at the menu and come up roses, the paneer stands out for its beauty and depth of flavor. Arranged like jewels on fine ceramic, honey-colored cubes of cheese are dotted with mustard seeds and arranged in creamy dal. Credit: Tiffany Joy Photography
Any Slice at City Slice Pizzeria 12021 Lorain Ave., Cleveland City Slice Pizzeria is the closest thing Cleveland has to an authentic New York slice shop. This bustling westside storefront offers a ready selection of gigantic 40-inch pies. Massive slices are reheated to order in the brick oven until they’re blistering hot and crisp. The thin, chewy crust is soft enough to fold, which prevents flopping, but sturdy enough to support the toppings. A thin but even layer of salty low-moisture mozzarella barely covers the mildly seasoned red sauce. Credit: Douglas Trattner
Damas Eatery 3650 West 117th St., Cleveland Yaseen Allaham fled war-torn Syria, made his way through Jordan, and settled in Northeast Ohio, where he and his family opened Damas Eatery. Thanks to this quiet westside restaurant, the local Syrian community has a place to go for comforting, traditional and often celebratory dishes that taste of home. In the soul-satisfying goat mandi, mellow, sweet and tender bone-in meat is arranged on a bed of fluffy, seasoned rice. Be sure to ask for a side of the spicy pepper puree. Credit: Douglas Trattner
Jerk Chicken at Gar and Mar 10 Seminary St., Berea When the Campus Grille in Berea closed, Garry and Nadette Lawson swooped in to open a place of their own. Born and raised in Jamaica, “Gar” and “Mar” set about making the foods of their native home, going so far as to build a traditional Jamaican-style drumpan behind the restaurant on which to cook foods. Emanating from that grill is exceptional jerk chicken. Marinated, spice-rubbed and grilled to a chestnut brown, the meat is firm, slightly smokey from the flames and intensely flavored. Credit: Douglas Trattner
Burger Box at Cordelia 2058 East 4th St., Cleveland Lola was a tough act to follow, but the crew at Cordelia on East 4th has more than risen to the occasion. In the kitchen, chef Vinnie Cimino reminds diners that eating out can still be daring and delicious with items like fish toast, popcorn chicken livers and whole fried chicken. The Burger Box, Cordelia’s take on the smash burger, is a four-slider pull-apart affair that features the customary beef, pickles and special sauce, but it’s the epic griddle-melted cheese skirt that tips the scales. Credit: Courtesy Cordelia
Prime Strip Steak at JoJo’s Bar 87 West St., Chagrin Falls After Gamekeeper’s Tavern gave way to Bull and Bird, and Bull and Bird transitioned to Jojo’s Bar, Chagrin Falls finally landed the restaurant it deserves. Rick Doody treats guests to an impeccably remodeled interior, attentive but unhurried service, and food that exceeds expectations. The setting makes everything taste better, including the prime strip. This well-marbled beauty arrives charred on the outside, mid-rare within, and paired with crispy onion straws. Tack on orders of creamy horseradish or bearnaise. Credit: Photo by Nicole Steffen
Chicken and Waffles at Juneberry 3900 Lorain Ave., Cleveland Juneberry Table is a showcase for chef Karen Small’s unfussy style of cooking. In this sun-splashed Ohio City diner, breakfast and lunch plates star humble Appalachian ingredients like buckwheat, sorghum, cornmeal, fruit preserves, fermented veggies and cured meats. In the exemplary chicken and waffles, local chicken is pickle-brined, dredged in panko and fried to the perfect chestnut brown before joining the Ohio cornmeal waffles. To dress it up, there’s Ohio maple syrup and earthy-sweet sorghum butter. Credit: Scene archives
Nubeigel 2254 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights Last fall, it got easier to score a bag of fresh-baked bagels on Cleveland’s east side. Nubeigel, Cleveland Heights’ new bakery/café is owned by Josh Admon, a chef who relocated from Jerusalem to University Heights. Admon’s plain, sesame, poppy, everything and everything spicy bagels are hand-rolled, boiled and baked, giving them that characteristic sheen and chew. Bagels can be purchased individually ($2), by the dozen ($21), or as sandwiches filled with cream cheese schmears of various flavors. In addition to plain cream cheese, Nubeigel sells versions with kalamata olives; capers and red onion; Sriracha; and horseradish dill (all $4). Add-ons like smoked salmon, kimchi, capers, tomato and cucumber can be tacked on for a fee. This place rocks. Credit: Scene archives
Big Breakfast at The Spot on Lakeshore 7272 Lakeshore Blvd., Mentor The Spot in Mentor is a gastro-diner that melds the come-as-you-are comforts of a neighborhood hash house with a gently elevated menu grounded by local ingredients and chef-driven technique. Reservations make it a breeze to slide in for weekend brunch, where a full bar and occasional live music await. The Big Breakfast is a meat- and carb-lover’s feast, combining three eggs, a choice of biscuit, waffle or short stack, crispy hash browns and a choice of meats that includes local Serbian cevapi. Credit: Douglas Trattner
Tommy’s Restaurant 1824 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights Known for their vegetarian and healthy options, this Coventry Road staple has been serving up Clevelanders since 1972. While they had vegetarian and vegan options before those became popular, they have more than just healthy options. The thick-cut french fries are some of the best in town and their milkshakes, especially black cherry, is a must try. Credit: Scene Archives
Cornmeal Fries at Martha on The Fly 2173 Professor Ave., Cleveland In 2022, Martha on the Fly graduated from a weekend pop-up to a sticks-and-bricks venture, transforming a nondescript Tremont storefront into a shiny micro-diner. Martha dishes out killer breakfast sandwiches and hearty lunch hoagies, but it was the heaven-scented cornmeal fries that bowled me over. A crispy exterior gives way to a creamy polenta-like core. The corny fingers come with a side of the house Sunshine Sauce for dipping but fork over a couple bucks for the indulgent black pepper gravy. Credit: Courtesy Martha on the Fly
Basque Cheesecake at Sophie La Gourmande 2275 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights Even in bakery-blessed Cleveland Heights, Sophie la Gourmande made a splash. A quick glance at the display cases proves that this beautiful stranger is aiming at a different target. Colorful, intricate and flawlessly executed French pastries sit alongside savory Danishes, melt-in-your-mouth croissants, lemon-poppy coffee cakes and ropey Jerusalem bagels. Don’t miss Sophie’s ethereal Basque cheesecakes, which are crustless, characteristically dark on top, and dense but creamy within. Credit: Photo by Megann Galehouse

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.