There’s nothing like some comfort food to warm us up on a cold winter day. Or at least to fill your belly. From a nice steaming bowl of pho, to some chicken and waffles to potato chip nachos to a heaping plate of weinerschnitzel, there’s a ton of comfort food around town. According to Yelp users, these are the 25 best restaurants to get some of that comfort food in Cleveland.

SOHO Chicken + Whiskey/Chicken Run 1889 W. 25th St., Cleveland Put “chicken” in your name and you better do it right, and SoHo does. While SoHo temporarily changed their concept to a takeout spot called Chicken Run for the pandemic, they’re still serving perfectly fried thighs and breasts. They also have a bunch of different, super flavorful chicken sandwiches and yummy chicken and waffles too. Photo via Scene Archives
Black Box Fix 25359 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst “I don’t usually rate a place after only 1 visit, but this place earned it. The “Famous” OMG Philly (Seasoned grilled chicken w/ sautéed mushrooms, onions, peppers, garlic & melted swiss cheese, topped w/ Creole jumbo grilled shrimp. Served on a toasted hoagie w/ yum mayo) was so, so, so good. Outstanding, actually. You could taste how fresh every item in the sandwich was, including the bread. Plus the sandwich was LOADED with meat. All sandwiches come with a side of fries. You can choose from plain, garlic Parmesan, lemon pepper, cajun, or creole butter, which was my choice. Fantastic flavor on still-crispy fries! All this, and it’s locally owned and operated by one of the nicest couples I’ve ever met. I made sure to express to them how great the food was before I left. If I didn’t live an hour away from this place, I’d be grubbin’ there ALL the time,” Michael G. on Yelp Photo from Black Box Fix
Melt Bar and Grilled Multiple Locations “All I can say is YUM! Cheesy deliciousness! Some may say that this restaurant uses too much cheese, but I don’t believe that is possible! Sure the portions are gargantuan and you feel like you need to be rolled out if you join the clean plate club, but this isn’t a place you go for a healthy meal. This is a place to gorge yourself in cheesy goodness and deep fried slices of heaven (aka fried pickles),” Dana W. on Yelp Photo via Scene Archives
The South Side 2207 West 11th St., Cleveland “I really feel this will always be my favorite place in Tremont. The chicken and waffles app is my main dish choice because it’s amazing and unbeatable for flavor of waffle, that crispy perfect chicken skin with a juicy breast underneath that if you slather sriracha and maple on will be an experience like no other – such a quality meal choice. The fresh ingredients and choices make any selection delicious but that or the chorizo burger are my cravies!” Jenn G. on Yelp Photo via Scene Archives
Wonton Gourmet & BBQ 3211 Payne Ave., Cleveland “This is my favorite Chinese restaurant in Cleveland. I have been on a long hunt for good Asian food places in Cleveland the past few months and am happy to place Wonton Gourmet at the top for Chinese picks! If you are looking to satisfy an authentic Chinese food craving, I recommend this place!” Ashley C. on Yelp Photo via @PatBenatarNation/Instagram
49th Street Tavern 4129 East 49th St., Newburgh Heights “One of my new favorite places for lunch! Stopped by for a quick bite to eat between meetings and found the place busy with what appeared to be a crowd of regulars enjoying their mid day break from work. The place is clean, and the food is practically all made in house, and the service was friendly and fast. I got the house burger with cheddar, house cut fries, and a bowl of chicken noodle soup. Everything was lights out good and the bill was under $10. And get the house cut fries!” Matt N. on Yelp Photo courtesy of 49th Street Tavern
Battiste and Dupree Cajun Grill 1992 Warrensville Center Rd., Cleveland “Best Cajun in Ohio. I love the vibe of the place. The owner is super cool. The food is always fresh and hot. You come in, order food and drink with good company until your food is ready. Everything I’ve tried was great. The red beans and rice, chicken, catfish, all excellent. It’s a hidden gem,” Daniel M. on Yelp Photo via Scene Archives
Ronnie & CJs 491 E 260th St, Euclid “Well-priced, great food. This is a small neighborhood takeout spot with great flavors. They sell to-go breakfast items like shrimp & grits, my personal favorite. They also sell great dinners like wings and fish of all kinds. If I’m recommending anything it’s for sure the shrimp & grits and the Moscato cheesecake. You can thank me later for setting this new spot up on Yelp,” A’Lia M. on Yelp Photo via Ronnie & CJs/Facebook
Kim’s Wings Multiple Locations “Passing thru on my way to Chicago and the front desk person recommended Kim’s. I was not disappointed. We got a couple of wing dinners with no sauce and peach cobbler. Everything was superb including the fries and coleslaw. Next time I will get double dipped wings as recommended by one of the regulars. Maybe we will stop by on the way back home. St Clair Ave. is the joint,” Bernard G. on Yelp Photo via Kim’s Wings/Facebook
Superior Pho 3030 Superior Ave. E., Cleveland “Fantastic, quick and easy pho. Kind of hidden away in the Asia town area in the back of another building. Superior Pho serves up some of the best pho in Cleveland. They make it super easy and offer great combos to get you taken care of. The pho here comes in huge portions and has a beautiful,clear flavorful broth to go along with all the accompaniments. It’s always important to me to leave a pho restaurant full and Superior definitely takes care of that,” Grant E. on Yelp Photo via eatingwithlindsay/Instagram
Zanzibar Soul Fusion 627 Prospect Ave., Cleveland “Hands down, this may be the best tasting soul food that I’ve had in a restaurant in my life. From the beginning with the appetizer of catfish fingers through my ultimate feast dinner where I selected the blackened catfish, turkey chops, Mac n cheese, corn w/ okra and corn bread. I had the nerve to top it off with peach cobbler, not because my stomach had any space, but rather because everything else tasted so good that I wanted to see how my favorite dessert would taste. Zanzibar did not disappoint. Wow!” Nyota W. on Yelp Photo via Scene archives
Bourbon Street Barrel Room 2393 Professor Ave., Cleveland “Okay Yelp, 5 stars is just not enough for Bourbon Street Barrel Room! Now let’s get to the food… I’ll be honest, I’ve never been the biggest fan of Cajun inspired flavors, but everything I tried was incredible. We arrived in time for happy hour, so we ordered jambalaya and hush puppies to share, and we each ordered a mini hurricane cocktail. The hush puppies were the best I’ve ever had! For our entrees, I ordered the shrimp and grits, and my husband had the catfish. Both meals were very large (we both left with leftovers), and delicious. Despite being very full, we decided to share the bread pudding for dessert, which was the perfect ending to our meal,” Rebecca L. on Yelp Photo via @BSBRCle/Instagram
Das Schnitzel Haus 5728 Pearl Rd., Parma, “Loved the food here. Just moved from Florida and have not had German food since I moved from Buffalo NY. My family did get take out but never tried this place and I said it’s a must. OMG it was awesome!!!!! The Schnitzel was to die for. From the soup, red cabbage and Spätzle, everything was 5 stars. I actually ordered delivery 2 weeks later and did not tell my brother! I didn’t want to share,” Kathy D. on Yelp Photo via Scene Archives
The Inn On Coventry 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights “Love love this brunch spot! I have come here several times and it is my go-to for visitors new to Cleveland. The Lemon Ricotta pancakes are delicious, a perfect mix of sweet and tart. I often want savory along with sweet for brunch, so I get the scrambled eggs and home fries on the side. The home fries are seasoned very well and are a big portion. I also enjoy the bottomless coffee. The service is the best part of this place. There is often a short wait but all the wait staff is so friendly once you are seated. They make you feel right at home. I will come back here again and again. Hopefully, I can stop myself from ordering the lemon ricotta pancakes so I can try something new,” Naini S. on Yelp Photo via Scene Archives
Lucky’s Cafe 777 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland “You have to go here! Travel if you must, it’s a destination eatery! Seriously great fare!!!! I’m a foodie and I know great food! This place has homemade gourmet style food that is top notch. Lobster mac and cheese is like no other you’ve ever eaten! Please try this place out. The owner is serious about the quality and uses local foods and grows her own herbs and most veg. Don’t miss this place! We travel over 2 hrs to get there and its worth it!,” Kathleen F. on Yelp Photo via Scene Archives
Landmark Smokehouse 11637 Clifton Blvd., Lakewood “This place is amazing! i love it here – it’s so slept on! From breakfast to dinner it’s soo good! i miss the wings and mac & cheese balls but I’ve mostly had the whole menu even from the veggie dish! It’s so good! I would definitely recommend it to anyone! One of my favorite spots & it’s so nice inside with a great location. This place plus the food makes me so happy! Mac & cheese is my fav!” Nicole D. on Yelp Photo via Scene Archives
Rowley Inn 1104 Rowley Ave., Cleveland “Can’t believe this was my first time coming here! What an awesome hidden gem in Tremont. Let’s start with the best thing on the menu, their bacon wrapped tots. These things are gigantic and covered in strips of bacon before they are deep fried. The bacon soaks into the tots so it gives them amazing succulent flavor while still being crispy on the outside. Seriously whichever chef designed this menu item needs to win a James Beard award. The rest of their food was also great, the burger was cooked to perfection and their other breakfast items including the grilled cheese is also good,” James P. on Yelp Photo Provided by Restaurant
Hatfields Goode Grub 16700 Lorain Ave., Cleveland “I lived in Charleston, SC for 5yrs & was absolutely spoiled by the food there & I quickly fell in love with grits but… Hatfield’s takes the cake! Best grits, best sausage gravy AND we’re in Cleveland!? I never would’ve imagined I’d find such good southern food so far north but here it is! Banana pudding is incredible too!! Better than my great aunt’s homemade!” Ashley W. on Yelp Photo via Scene Archives
Joe’s Deli 19215 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River “Joes is by far the best deli I’ve ever been to! The Reuben is unbelievable and you can literally make 2 more sammys with all of that corned beef! If you like battered onion rings, omg…you’ve gotta get them from here! The steak sandwich is also very good and their matzo ball soup…yum! We don’t stray much further from our favorites just because, well why would we ha ha,” Savvy T. on Yelp Photo via Scene Archives
Ohio City BBQ 3829 Lorain Ave., Cleveland “These guys are doing it right. I ordered ribs and some coleslaw a few weeks ago, just to try this place out. The owner came out in the lobby and said hello and thanked me for supporting his business. He even threw in some delicious banana pudding and some potato salad for me and my friends to try because it was our first time eating at his place. When they had all the food packed up, he had them throw in a free drink. He was just so nice and truly thankful for the business. The food was outstanding! I will be going back and supporting all winter when I need my bbq fix,” Mary D. on Yelp Photo by Emanuel Wallace
Southern Cafe 11817 Detroit Ave. “This place is so friggin good! If you’re looking for a good home cooked soul food meal look no further! I ordered both the fried catfish and blackened catfish dinners and they both tasted so good along with the most flavorful potatoes I could eat like three bowls. The cornbread was so moist it tasted like cake. I ordered by phone and picked up the meals by parking on street by the restaurant,” Maritza M. on Yelp Photo by Emanuel Wallace
Fahrenheit 2417 Professor Ave., Cleveland “This is our go to when we go to Cleveland. This Rocco Whalen joint is nestled into the trendy Tremont neighborhood. I’ve had about 5 birthday dinners here and it is fantastic. I was actually shocked that I haven’t reviewed this place yet. Most recently we went for the brunch and that too was impressive. This time we tried the Cap N Crunch Pancakes which is a must even if it is just to share (which is what we did). Then I ordered the Fried Chicken and Potato Waffles with the Chorizo gravy. My wife had the shrimp and lobster eggs benedict, all very amazing. Oh and be sure to check out their create-your-own Bloody Marys!” Anthony P. on Yelp Photo via @FahrenheitCleveland/Instagram
Grumpy’s Cafe 2621 West 14th St., Cleveland “I’ve been here many times, this is a great spot for breakfast with a lot of options! I’ve had their chorizo tacos which are really flavorful and delicious, biscuits and gravy, 2 egg special, a few of their pancake options, and I really like their breakfast potatoes topped with cheese and bacon as well. It’s usually been pretty crowded when I come, seems to be a very popular place! The service is good, usually it’s pretty quick, and I always love their food,” Marsha Z. on Yelp Photo via Scene Archives
Urban Kitchen and Deli 9751 Chester Ave., Cleveland “Absolutely awesome place with a unique concept. It’s breakfast meets traditional east coast deli meets authentic Egyptian fare right on the Cleveland Clinic’s campus. I had the hummus (which was uber fresh and could immediately tell it wa s made in house) to start, then followed things with the “Rocky Balboa” sandwich. Mr. Balboa offered a blend of corned beef and pastrami that was super reminiscent of a deli that you’ll catch in NYC,” Rodger B. on Yelp. Photo via Urban Kitchen and Deli/Facebook

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