18 New Cleveland Bars and Restaurants We Can't Wait to Open Soon

By Scene Staff on Fri, Jun 15, 2018 at 2:45 pm

The number of exciting bar, restaurant and brewery projects that have our attention in Northeast Ohio is nothing short of impressive. From Lakewood to Chagrin Falls and all points in between, there are heaps of new ventures presently taking shape. Hopefully, they'll all be open sometime this summer, if not by the end of 2018. Here's a look at what's to come.

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BrewDog

Location TBD

BrewDog recently stormed the United States by planting a very big flag in Columbus with the opening of its new 100,000-square-foot brewery in Canal Winchester, just outside the city, but this Scotland-based brewery has been making a lot of noise for a decade. The company recently confirmed to Scene that its next move will involve opening a Cleveland-based BrewDog Bar in an as-yet-unannounced location.

Photo via @BrewDogUSA/Instagram

Cleveland Bagel Company

Carnegie and East 77th St., Cleveland

In just four years' time, Cleveland Bagel has progressed from a home-based business to a thriving brick-and-mortar storefront and production kitchen in Ohio City. But owners Dan Herbst and Geoff Hardman aren't content to coast. Next up for the bagel boys is an eastside location that will closely mirror the original one in terms of size and scope. The 2,800-square-foot spot sits adjacent to Souper Market on Carnegie Avenue and will serve as both a production facility and retail shop.

Photo by Douglas Trattner

Blue Habanero Mexican Street Tacos and Tequila

6416 Detroit Ave., Cleveland

For 15 years, Rafael Ayala has operated Tres Potrillos in the Akron area. He later added locations in Medina and Beachwood, which opened a few years back in the former Charley's Crab space on Chagrin. Ayala says that Blue Habanero Street Tacos and Tequila, which will take the space of the vacated Arcadian in Gordon Square, will not be a simple reproduction of those popular Mexican eateries. While still very much a work in progress, Ayala says that the food would taste fresh, modern and different than typical Mexican/American fare.

Photo via Scene Archives

Birdtown Brewery

2035 Quail St., Lakewood

The team behind Barrio is not slowing down. They recently opened the fifth location of their popular taco-and-margarita chain, this one in Willoughby. They will soon add Birdtown Brewery, a casual eatery and brewery that has been slowly taking shape in the old St. Gregory Catholic Church in Lakewood's Birdtown neighborhood.

Photo via Birdtown Brewery/Facebook

Trio

2661 West 14th St., Cleveland

Chef Anthony Scolaro, along with partners Meghan Pender and Anthony DiPetta run the popular One Eleven Bistro in Medina. On June 21, they’ll open Trio, a modern American bistro in the Tremont space that formerly housed the beloved Bac Bistro. When Trio opens, it will do so with a concise menu of modern American food that changes frequently. The ingredient- and technique-driven eatery will also offer early happy hour, tasting menus and daily specials.

Photo via Trio Tremont/Facebook

Rood Food and Pie

17001 Madison Ave., Lakewood

When Rood Food and Pie opens in the West Madison neighborhood of Lakewood, it will be an all-day cafe that straddles the line between breakfast and dinner, sweet and savory, classic and contemporary. In the morning, neighbors will enjoy light breakfasts of coffee drinks, pastries, overnight oats, Scotch eggs and pie. Lunch might feature biscuits, savory chicken potpies, smashed avocado toasts and pie. Dinner will offer soups, build-your-own slider flights and more pie, naturally.

Photo via Rood Food & Pie/Facebook

Oak and Embers

Pinecrest, Orange Village

Since opening in Chesterland four years ago, Marc and Gretchen Garofoli have been going full tilt. That popular restaurant continues to attract large crowds thanks to a winning formula founded on “barbecue, bourbon and beer.” That restaurant was soon joined by a second location in Hudson. Come fall, a third Oak and Embers will come online, this one at Pinecrest, the development currently taking shape in Orange Village. The 6,000-square-foot eatery will offer the same great mix of smoked meats, Southern comfort foods, bourbon and craft beer.

Photo via Scene Archives

Literary Tavern

1031 Literary Rd., Cleveland

If you've ever dropped by Cantine in Broadview Heights, then you've witnessed the knack that Ross Valenti has for getting the basics right. That popular wine bar, bistro and bottle shop offers guests a hip environment in which to enjoy a concise selection of approachable, well-crafted small and medium plates. Valenti's goal for the Literary Tavern, which is the new name for the old Literary Café in Tremont, is to create a casual, comfortable and relevant place for neighbors to enjoy themselves: essentially, a new-old neighborhood classic.

Photo by Douglas Trattner

Kensington Pub

2299 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights

The well-worn Tavern Company space on Lee Road in Cleveland Heights is inching ever closer to becoming the Kensington Pub, an elevated American tavern serving upscale pub grub and steaks in an unpretentious setting. Owners Jeff King and Brad Poe have been hard at work since September renovating and improving the interior while retaining its old-school charm.

Photo by Douglas Trattner

Van Aken District

20065 Chagrin Blvd., Shaker Heights

In Shaker, the Van Aken District tenants announced thus far include Jonathon Sawyer, who has earmarked a marque space in a two-story, two-tenant property; Genuine Pizza from Miami-based chef Michael Schwartz; Mitchell's Ice Cream (pictured); Restore Cold Pressed; Rising Star Coffee; and the widely anticipated food hall concept that will house multiple tenants.

Photo Rendering via The Van Aken District/Facebook