Not only can you find a decent meal in the suburbs, you can find some of the best food in Northeast Ohio. There’s obviously great pizza, but our favorite options also include Korean fare, ramen, farm-to-table spots, steakhouses, great Italian and much more, all from west to east to south.
Aurelia
16 North Main St., Chagrin Falls
Chef-owner James Balchak spent nearly six months converting the North Main Diner, formerly Dink’s, from a dowdy luncheonette to a smart little supper club. Energy from the buzzy bar scene boosts the mood and spirit of the entire space, ensuring that the atmosphere never dips to melancholy. This farm-to-table restaurant has recently found its footing after testing some things out and figuring out what worked and what didn’t.
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene ArchivesBoom’s Pizza
14370 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Partners Ben Bebenbroth formerly of Spice and Jonathan Bennett of Moxie and Red started hosting “doughball Fridays” at Keep the Change Kitchen Collective, the now-closed virtual food hall from Spice Hospitality Group, during the pandemic. The pizza became so popular that they decided to open a brick and mortar space which opened in Lakewood in January as Boom’s Pizza. The Neapolitan-style pizza shop has quickly become one of the most popular eateries in town, and for good reason. It’s phenomenal. Credit: Agape PhotographyCoppia
8623 Mayfield Rd., Chesterland
Out in Chesterland, this fine dining restaurant opened in late 2021. Chefs Talia Trovato and Hedy Pastran turn comfort foods into a high end dining experience and knock it out of the park. Everything is made from scratch and the menu changes seasonally. Definitely visit this place before it really blows up. Credit: Scene ArchivesCru Uncorked
34300 Chagrin Blvd., Moreland Hills
Maybe the fanciest joint in town, this Moreland Hills French fine dining restaurant is truly one of a kind in the region. If it wasn’t for the table settings, it would be easy to forget that you were touring a public restaurant and not the private home of the wealthiest family on the street — a street that also happened to be located in the ritziest zip code in town. The actual building looks like it was plucked from the Normandy countryside.
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene ArchivesCrumb and Spigot
16783 Chillicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls
This tavern located basically out in the cut in an unassuming strip mall is worth the trip out to far Chagrin Falls. Crumb and Spigot does a great job of seeming like any old tavern but it’s far from that. Highlights of the eccentric menu include a beer board featuring house-made jerky, their take on a sloppy joe, and their wood-fired pizzas. Credit: Scene archivesFlour
34205 Chagrin Blvd., Moreland Hills
Is it just us or does Flour get better and buzzier over time? We’ve been fans of the Italian restaurant since the start, lured out to suburbia by the four skilled hands belonging to Paul Minnillo and Matt Mytro. This tag team of tagliatelle put the panache back in pasta, elevating the genre from dependable gut-buster to captivating, elegant cuisine. The perfect pairings of noodles and sauce, like rigatoni with lamb neck gravy, are memorable to the very last bite. Credit: Scene archivesGiovanni’s Ristorante
25550 Chagrin Blvd., Beachwood
One of the last remaining grande dames of the region’s formal dining scene, this elegant Italian restaurant offers impeccable appointments, attentive service and a luxurious menu of steaks, veal chops, seafood and pasta. Yes, it is expensive. But the chance to put on a suit and feel like a grown-up and have pasta prepared table-side? Priceless. The bolognese is a must have. Credit: Scene archivesIssho Ni
34302 Euclid Ave., Willoughby
This cherry little spot on the far-east side of town is serving up some of the best ramen in Northeast Ohio. Choices include a classic pork tonkotsu prepared with various levels of spiciness, kuro ramen made black from the addition of squid ink and fermented garlic, Hokkaido-style yellow ramen, soy-based shoyu ramen and the broth-less mazeman ramen. Credit: Scene ArchivesJoJo’s Bar
87 West St., Chagrin Falls
With Jojo’s Bar, Chagrin Falls finally gets the restaurant it deserves. For his latest opus, restaurateur Rick Doody appears to have plucked all the best nuggets from his portfolio of restaurants, which includes 17 River Grille, Cedar Creek Grille and Bar Italia. Those pearls are polished for a more critical audience and presented with New York swagger in a drama-filled space. Rather than go one route or the other, the serial restaurateur opted to marry the timeless appeal of an elevated Italian trattoria with the flair of a classic American chophouse. Once again, Doody has partnered with designer (and wife) Wendy Berry to create a cohesive interior dripping with good taste. There’s also JoJo’s Backyard, an outdoor patio next door, with a totally different menu. Credit: Scene archivesLa Campagna
27337 Detroit Rd., Westlake
It’s hard to recommend just one dish on this ever-changing menu of Italian cuisine because the menu changes so often on the whim of chef/owner Carmella Fragassi and what she finds fresh at the market. Seasonal and local is the theme here at this authentic Westlake restaurant that is so authentic, you might think you’re in Italy if you didn’t know any better. Credit: Scene archivesLox, Stock and Brisket
3441 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights
After 12 years of working for celebrity chef Tom Coliccho, including recently being the “top chef” at the $10 million dollar Vegas restaurant Heritage Steak, chef Anthony Zappola quietly returned home in 2018 to open a Jewish deli in a strip mall in University Heights. Lox, Stock and Brisket, which moved to Van Aken two years after opening, is modeled after the great Jewish delicatessens that once thrived in this area but it’s geared to today’s fast-paced lifestyle, with ordering sandwiches at the counter, a few other items like Matzo ball soup, and not much else except delicious food. Credit: Scene archivesML Tavern
34105 Chagrin Blvd., Moreland Hills
With Hyde Park being around so long, it’s almost an afterthought in the Cleveland steakhouse scene, but that shouldn’t be the case with ML Tavern from the Hyde Park Restaurant Group. Thick-cut steaks, a healthy portion of chicken milanese, lobster mashed potatoes and the roasted corn are highlights at this beautifully decorated Moreland Hills joint that will make you feel like you’re sitting in a Ralph Lauren advertisement and are dining after you’ve finished riding your horse. Credit: Scene archivesPaloma
20041 Walker Rd., Shaker Heights
One of the last remaining marquee restaurant spaces at Van Aken District was snagged by the team behind Giovanni’s and Smokin’ Q’s BBQ. The 4,400-square-foot property, which is next door to the plant store Stump and the new burger concept Shake It, recently opened as Paloma, a taco-focused Mexican restaurant. From partners Zachary Ladner and Carl Quagliata of Giovanni’s and the Village Butcher, Paloma is a taco-focused modern-Mexican restaurant that is a bit more elevated than what’s typically offered. The restaurant opened last fall and unveiled the patio this spring. Credit: Scene ArchivesPier W
12700 Lake Ave., Lakewood
This Lakewood seafood restaurant has won Scene’s best of ‘most romantic restaurant’ multiple times, and for good reason. Since 1965, these views of Lake Erie and the city are unmatched, the atmosphere is sophisticated and elegant and the seafood is delicious. Oh, and the brunch is perfection and the seafood is the best in town. Credit: Scene archivesPizzeria DiLauro
17800 Chillicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls
For three years, pizza lovers in Northeast Ohio got to know Adam DiLauro and his pies thanks to the Pizzeria DiLauro food truck, a mobile trailer with a built-in wood-fired oven. Last winter, DiLauro parked the rig to refocus his attentions on a brick-and-mortar pizzeria of the same name. When it opened in February in Chagrin Falls, Pizzeria DiLauro brought a little taste of the East Coast to the far East Side.
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene archivesThe Pompadour
320 High St., Fairport Harbor
The Pompadour is a ways away, but absolutely worth the trip and the scheduling. Be sure to call ahead, and take in the great views and scrumptious tapas. Credit: Scene archivesThe Reserve
42 North Main St., Chagrin Falls
At long last, The Reserve Chagrin Falls opened its doors in August of 2022. The restaurant replaced Umami, which closed this past winter after 14 years. Owners Mike Mendlovic and Nikki Williams changed the concept and added a handsome bar constructed of black walnut that spans the length of the left side of the room. The biggest changes were “reserved” for the menu, which is under the control of chef Gregg Gale. This time around, the chef focuses almost entirely on small plates, many of which will be familiar to regular diners. Most of the large plates and entrees have been jettisoned or converted to small-plate form. Seafood still plays a starring role on the menu. Credit: Mike MendlovicSalt +
17625 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
“Nobody orders small plates in Cleveland.” Since the birth of the turnip, that has been the conventional wisdom in these parts. Of course, at her whip-smart Lakewood bistro Salt, chef Jill Vedaa continues to upend that old saw by composing exceptional dishes that focus on a single theme. In place of a meat-and-three, diners zero in on carrots three ways, or earthy beets blasted with sparkle, or a savory lamb ragu over a few supple gnocchi. Mix and match your way to the perfect meal; variety, after all, is the spice of life. Credit: Scene archivesThe Sleepy Rooster
5120 Chillicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls
This Chagrin Falls breakfast and lunch diner just opened in 2021 but it’s made quite an impression. Biscuit fans will appreciate the fresh-baked ones served here. They land in dishes like breakfast biscuits, biscuits and gravy, and eggs Benedict. The Sleepy Rooster is one of the only Northeast Ohio restaurants to make and serve goetta, the German breakfast meat made with pork, beef, steel-cut oats, onions and spices. Some breakfast items, like a section of toasts topped with arrangements like avocado and sea salt, chorizo and goat cheese, and smoked salmon, dill cream cheese and onion, are available all day. This place is certainly elevating the breakfast game in town. Credit: Scene archivesThe Spot on Lakeshore
7272 Lakeshore Blvd., Mentor
Veteran chef Zachary Bond opened this spot in Mentor in 2021 and quickly turned it into one of the better brunch spots in town. In addition to all the classics, The Spot serves up items like breakfast sandwiches, eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy, three-egg omelets and platters containing eggs, meat, home fries and toast – Bond also whips up avocado toast, eggs in purgatory and a half dozen skillets starring redskin potatoes with various toppings. Those are joined by specialties like steak and eggs and country-fried chicken and waffles with black pepper gravy, creme brulee french toast and tiramisu pancakes. Credit: Scene archivesTaki’s Greek Kitchen
377 Lear Rd., Avon Lake
You’ll have to drive out to Avon Lake to chase down the best contemporary Greek food in the region. That’s where chef Peter “Taki” Diamantis works his magic, at a sharp little bistro called Taki’s Greek Kitchen. From dips to dessert, Diamantis treats his ingredients with the care and attention they deserve, resulting in dishes that are bright, clean, fresh and bursting with life. Credit: Scene archivesTartine Bistro
19110 Detroit Rd., Rocky River
Tartine Bistro boasts a masterful arrangement of setting, mood, food and drink to recreate the unfeigned quintessence of a charming french bistro. Plus, there’s really good pizza! A small kitchen puts out not only small plates, but also sandwiches (tartines), right-sized entrées, and classic desserts. Credit: Scene ArchivesThe Last Page
100 Park Ave. Ste. 128, Orange Village
Within a tsunami of fast-casual monotony, The Last Page at Pinecrest is a welcome detour. This modern-day supper club offers an immersive, upscale experience, from the luxuriously appointed waiting area to the grand bar in the rear of the drama-filled dining room. A lengthy menu avoids categorization of any kind, presenting instead a blitz of 25 appealing items that lean on various cultures and cuisines. Credit: Scene archivesThyme X Table
583 Dover Center Rd., Bay Village
In Bay Village, Thyme Table, which opened in 2019, has quickly established itself as one of the best restaurants in the near Western suburbs. Chef-owner Michael Smith captured the curiosity and support of the community with his spiffed-up tavern concept, where the menu is approachable at nearly every turn. Thyme Table is the opposite of a special-occasion restaurant, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing special about the place. Lobster tater tots? Don’t miss them. Credit: Scene archivesThyme2
113 West Smith St., Medina
The successor to chef-owner John Kolar’s Thyme, Thyme2 offers two distinct environments: fine dining upstairs and a pub below. On the first menu you’ll find contemporary, upscale preparations of fish, seafood, and meats. On the second, there’s wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and wings. No matter which you choose, count on Kolar to deliver the goods.
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene ArchivesVero Pizza
12421 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights
It might just be pizza to us, but to owner Marc-Aurele Buholzer, it’s a way of life. First you make the dough, then you stoke the fire, and finally you feed the neighborhood. There’s only so much of that naturally leavened dough to go around, so admiring diners know to get here early to secure one or three of those fly pies. They exit the wood-burner with a textbook puffy, chewy, tender crust spotted like a leopard with slightly bitter bits of char. Credit: Scene ArchivesZhug
12413 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights
With the unveiling of this new venture, Doug Katz has created a new gravitational center for this side of town, attracting diners with such force that many get turned away. If your idea of Middle Eastern food consists largely of tightly wrapped falafel sandwiches, shawarma carved from a twirling spit and grilled beef shish-kabob on a bed of rice, Zhug will expand your culinary horizons in a million little ways. With its dazzling small plates, meticulously crafted cocktails and ripped-from-Tel Aviv-vibe, this cosmopolitan eatery upends every Cleveland dining convention.
Photo by Emanuel Wallace Credit: Scene archivesIssho Ni
34302 Euclid Ave., Willoughby
This cherry little spot on the far-east side of town is serving up some of the best ramen and sushi in Northeast Ohio. We’re not sure what they do better, so get a bowl of tonkotsu ramen and pair it with their Euclid or sunshine roll and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better combination in town. Credit: Scene ArchivesSara’s Place by Gavi’s Restaurant
1501 Chagrin River Rd., Gates Mills
As cozy as a colonial tavern, this well-appointed dining room in the middle of secluded Gates Mills features an eclectic lineup of Italian standards, along with an assortment of sandwiches, burgers, chops, and a popular chicken pot pie. The Italian fare is highly recommended. Credit: Scene archivesRood Food and Pie
17001 Madison Ave., Lakewood
The only way this concept rises above the level of novelty is by offering not just delicious food, but by presenting it in a way that transforms it into a convivial, communal experience, much like Korean barbecue without all the splatter. A restaurant based on pies? Well, when you have the quality of pies that Rood Food has, it just works. Credit: Provided
