The 20 Hottest New Cleveland Restaurants

Watami Sushi

7426 Broadview Rd, Parma

Instant gratification is the name of the game at Watami Sushi in Parma, billed as Ohio’s only conveyor-belt sushi restaurant. The dining room is small but efficiently arranged so that all the dishes pass within arm’s reach of every table, every diner. Items are color-coded, with green, yellow, pink, red and black dishes corresponding to the price. They start at $2.50 for vegetarian items like edamame, seaweed salad or an avocado roll and climb to $3.75 for raw nigiri like salmon, yellowtail and snapper or cooked items such as shrimp or eel nigiri or spider rolls.

Patron Saint

2915 Detroit Ave., Cleveland

Maria Artale's lifelong dream was to open a restaurant and she fulfilled that goal when she opened Patron Saint in June, when the long-planned all-day cafe and aperitivo bar opened to the public. As an all-day café, Patron Saint transitions from early morning coffee service through early evening aperitivo hour. The 50-seat café boasts a window counter with lake views, comfortable banquettes, a standing rail, and bar seating. Although there is a full bar, Artale has her sights focused on low-alcohol beverages like amaro-based spritzes, which will go well beyond the ubiquitous Aperol and Campari. Additionally, there will Italian beer and wine on hand. Chef David Kocab has created a farm-to-table Italian-inspired menu that leans light, wholesome, seasonal and creative.

Wolf Pack Chorus

2175 Cornell Rd, Cleveland

The former Club Isabella space in Little Italy is now home to Wolf Pack Chorus, which owners Chris and Katie Wolf describe as a “modern brasserie.” The attractive bar and dining room attempts to plug the gap between neighborhood trattoria and upscale special-occasion restaurant.

La Plaza at Re:bar

2132 E 9th St, Cleveland

Taco lovers no longer need to make the trek to the Cleveland-Lakewood border to hit up La Plaza Taqueria. Adrian Ortega's downtown taqueria is up and running at Re: bar, which is located a block from Progressive Field. The eatery comes thanks to a partnership between Ortega and Re: bar owner Rachel Ulloa. The bar offers the complete taqueria menu, including tacos, tortas, tamales, quesadillas and the all-important salsa bar.

Hecks Beachwood

3355 Richmond Rd, Beachwood

Back in the late-`70s and early-`80s, Hecks operated taverns on both sides of the Cuyahoga River. In addition to the original Ohio City location, which celebrated its 50th birthday last year, the iconic Cleveland brand had a restaurant at Eton mall in Woodmere. Now, after nearly 40 years, Hecks has returned to the east side. Owner Fadi Daoud had been working since this past summer to transform the former Blu (and Moxie) space into a warm and woodsy American restaurant.

Mendel's Kansas City BBQ

20314 Chagrin Blvd, Shaker Heights

Like his Miami restaurant, Mendel’s Backyard BBQ, Mendel Segal is proving that kosher and barbecue can indeed coexist. Mendel’s Kansas City BBQ opened its doors in Shaker Heights, across Chagrin Boulevard from Van Aken District. The 80-seat restaurant is full-service, but family-friendly. And with items like brisket, smoked pastrami, giant beef ribs, beef back ribs, smoked veal brisket, lamb ribs, smoked turkey, burnt ends and smoked chicken, few diners will miss the pork.

Boom’s Pizza

14370 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Ben Bebenroth and Jonathan Bennett, both of Spice Hospitality Group, have opened Boom’s Pizza in Lakewood. The snazzy corner shop is a pleasant merger between a casual sit-down and pick-up operation, with a comfortable dining room that rewards dine-in customers. Guests order, pay and grab their beverages from self-serve coolers filled with beer, wine by the can, split and bottle and soft drinks.

The Judith

5222 Lorain Ave, Cleveland

Jennie Doran and Andrew Worm, owners of Room Service, have opened The Judith, a French-inspired café. The 125-year-old building in Ohio City, formerly home to Guide to Kulchur bookstore, has been transformed into a charming 28-seat European-style café. In the morning, coffee and tea is served alongside breakfast pastries and open-face sandwiches. Lunches usher in fresh salads, shareable small plates, baguette sandwiches and desserts. When the wine, beer and cocktails are added in the coming months, the café will roll through happy hour and into the evening.

Gray House Pizza

14201 Madison Ave, Lakewood

Gray House Pies owner Joe Schlott has been passionate about Detroit-style pizza for years. As soon as it became available, he snagged the Lakewood spot formerly home to Chow Chow and Smokin’ Thyme Kitchen. His technique starts with a 2-day cold proof. He uses high-fat brick cheese, making sure to pile it into the corners and edges. Naturally, they are baked in square steel pans and sauced after they exit the oven to keep the tomato flavors bright and fresh.

Duke's 'n Boots

4027 Erie St., Willoughby

Dukes `n Boots, chef Dante Boccuzzi's first foray to the east side, welcomed its first guests in the heart of Willoughby on Erie Street in May. The Southern-styled saloon elevates the honky-tonk vibe thanks to warm wood, exposed brick and a menu designed by a Michelin-starred chef. Heading up the kitchen is chef Emily Campion, who has been working at Ginko and Dante for the past year. She takes the reins with an eye on quality, consistency and creativity. Don’t miss the 60-seat outdoor patio, perfect for summer dining and drinking.