Cleveland was blessed in the past calendar year with a smorgasbord of fresh dining options. From chef-driven fine and finer dining to high-low dive bars, new and expansive Asian eateries to fine-tuned concepts enjoying a second life, these are the best new restaurants of 2024.

*Editor’s note: some restaurants not appearing below might not have been reviewed prior to the publication of this list.

Artis, Lakewood At a time when the town is awash in pizzerias, taquerias, fried chicken shacks and steakhouses – Italian or otherwise – it’s refreshing to see a chef swing for the fences. That’s what Andrew Mansour is doing at Artis in Lakewood, a lively neighborhood bistro that avoids easy classification. Sure, Artis offers steaks, but they play second fiddle to a broad array of stunning dishes that include lobster bisque-filled soup dumplings, shredded lamb-topped hummus, kimchi fried rice, adobo-spiced octopus and many more. Save room for dessert. (Read full review here.) Credit: Photo by Doug Trattner
Scorpacciata Pasta Co., Shaker Hts. Larchmere Boulevard has been on an upswing for the past few years, with compelling new food and drink options popping up with delightful regularity. This past summer, Scorpacciata joined the party, bringing with it scratch-made pizza and pasta dished up in a setting that’s casual enough for a family pizza party, yet stylish enough for date-night Saturday. Chef and owner Peter Reuter is a culinary school graduate and Fire Food and Drink alum, so diners can bank on killer technique, clever construction and confident execution. (Read full review here.) Credit: Photo by Doug Trattner
Never Say Dive, Old Brooklyn From the outside, Never Say Dive looks like every other workingman’s tavern from back in the day. But cross the threshold and you land in a playful escape from the outside world, where a handsome 1920s-era saloon underwent the full “revived-dive” experience. The whimsical nature of the interior belies a seriousness behind the food, beverage and hospitality. Sharp cocktails, housemade hard seltzers and cheap beer bolster a menu loaded with culinary surprises. Elevated bar staples like burgers, dogs and buckets of fried chicken join an eclectic roundup of ambitious plates, many of which are vegan and vegetarian. (Read full review here.) Credit: Photo by Doug Trattner
STEAK, Tremont From the moment guests walk up to the blacked-out façade of STEAK and grab the meat-cleaver front door handles, they know they’re in for a different type of steakhouse experience. In return for putting up with a healthy dose of tongue-in-cheek playfulness, diners are rewarded with a unique all-inclusive steak-dinner format that starts at just $35. That price includes the house top sirloin cap, salad, sauce and a side. Other prime cuts are available, including a filet, boneless ribeye, bone-in strip and 32-ounce tomahawk. Meals begin with containers of free popcorn and end with ice cream sundaes delivered with a Ferris wheel loaded with toppings. (Read full review here.) Credit: Courtesy Photo
Westsiders, Rocky River There used to be dozens of restaurants like Westsiders, independently owned neighborhood places that aimed higher than ho-hum burgers and fries. Those places, of course, have been pinched out by bland fast-casual chains and pricey destination joints. Owners Constantine Katsaros and Jack Messer managed to fashion a sort of unicorn establishment, one that is attractive, chef-driven and well-run, but also priced for weekday enjoyment. Chef Chris Suntala has a knack for pastas, housemade and smartly composed, but also appealing starters, fresh salads, meaty mains and a world-class burger. (Read full review here.) Credit: Photo by Doug Trattner
YYTime, Asiatown For his latest act, Sheng Long Yu spent two years converting the former National Tire & Battery property in Asiatown into a spacious gathering space with boundless food options. YYTime is the new home of Dagu Rice Noodle, the noodle shop that Yu opened down the road in 2019, but that’s just the start of the fun. Dozens and dozens of items are spread across categories of cold appetizers, hot appetizers, grilled vegetable, seafood and meat skewers, buns, dumplings and Chinese stir-fries. Bubble tea lovers have 60 different blends of milk tea and fruit tea options that can be customized in a million and one ways. (Read full review here.) Credit: Photo by Doug Trattner
Oliva, Downtown Few would assert that Cleveland needed another steakhouse, but if it’s Lola Jacaj that’s doing the selling, we are happy to be doing the buying. A year-long renovation project transformed the former Osteria spot on St. Clair from a close-quartered trattoria to an elegant Tuscan-style ristorante with an open kitchen and chef’s counter. The new Italian-style steakhouse stands out amongst the fray thanks to its nose-to-tail ethos. Yes, there are steaks and chops, but also beef neck meatballs, braised veal shoulder, beef cheek ravioli, and cavatelli with rabbit ragu, along with plenty of seafood. (Read full review here.) Credit: Photo by Kaitlin Walsh
Proof Barbecue, Ohio City If you’re looking for a tale about perseverance, consider the brief and obstacle-filled history of Proof Barbecue. After having its opening-day dreams dashed by Covid, this Tremont restaurant reopened later that same year but was never able to gain traction. In late 2022, after the owners announced they had found the restaurant a new home, they shuttered the original. Early this year, Proof opened – for the third time – in the former Nick’s Diner property in Ohio City, which has been rebuilt from the walls in. The ‘cue is just as good as it’s always been, but now it has the charming home it deserves. (Read more here.) Credit: Courtesy Photo
Amazonia, Lakewood Nobody puts their heart and soul into a project like Juan Vergara. The designer/operator obsesses over every element, big, little and miniscule. That attention to detail is on full display at Amazonia, a Lakewood speakeasy that joins Barroco Arepa Bar, Hola Tacos, Pulpo Beer and La Pecora in the group’s ever-expanding portfolio. The dimly lit lounge and restaurant is like a miniature Explorers Club, filled with objects that an adventurer might bring home following an expedition. Amazonia takes its cocktails seriously and pairs those concoctions with globally inspired small plates and wood-fired pizzas. (Read full review here.) Credit: Courtesy Photo
STEAK in Tremont Credit: Courtesy Photo

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.