The Cleveland restaurant scene is booming right now. With new restaurant openings, menu and concept changes and expansions all over the city and reservations hard to get on most nights, there are a ton of restaurants just on fire right now. These are the hottest tickets in town at the moment.

Amba 1430 West 28th St., Cleveland Walk into Amba and it’s clear you have the makings of another one-of-a-kind experience from chef Doug Katz. The building is divided into two connected but distinct spaces, the main Amba dining room and the smaller Bar Amba. As at Zhug in Cleveland Heights, the aim is to foster an energetic, lively and informal atmosphere where diners can feel comfortable standing, talking and visiting with nearby tables. Also reminiscent of Zhug, the menu at Amba is loaded with small plates built for sharing. There are two dozen items that range from small, zesty condiments to composed meat and fish dishes. Many of these “Indian-inspired” street foods have a clear through line all the way back to the tandoor oven at Fire. There are options for vegans, gluten-free diners, seafood- and meat-eaters. Credit: Scene Archives
Juneberry 3900 Lorain Ave., Cleveland There is a silver lining to the 2019 closure of Jack Flaps, a popular breakfast diner in Ohio City. Chef Karen Small took the space over and finally opened a diner of her own after much anticipation. The bustling cafe serves breakfast-all-day and lunch items until the early afternoon. Small, who is also in the process of a new concept at the recently closed Flying Fig (2523 Market Ave.,) in the same neighborhood was motivated to grab the space because of what she believes is a gap in the marketplace. Juneberry features an all-day breakfast and lunch menu largely inspired by the chef’s decade spent living outside of Athens, Ohio. Credit: Scene Archives
Bright Side 1948 West 25th St., Cleveland It’s been 17 and 15 years, respectively, since McNulty and co-founder Mark Priemer opened Bier Markt and Bar Cento in Ohio City. This past October, the partners announced that they were closing both venues to make way for something new. This June, they introduced the neighborhood to Bright Side, a bar forward concept. In the kitchen will be the powerhouse tag team of chef-partners Andrew Bower and Steve Schimoler, who marks his return to Ohio City. Together, the chefs have crafted an entirely new menu of creative comfort food made with healthy, local ingredients. To drink there are 16 craft beers (12 from Market Garden, four rotating locals), cocktails and a Champagne-heavy wine list with other global gems. Credit: Scene Archives
Cent’s Pizza 5010 Lorain Ave., Cleveland For nearly two and half years, we have been following the progress of Vincent Morelli as he has endeavored to open Cent’s Pizza on the western edge of Ohio City. The ambitious project required a total renovation of the former PM Security building on Lorain (5010 Lorain Ave.) by the landlord. Like many projects, this one was stalled by the events of last year. Now, one year into the opening of Cent’s, Morelli has quickly established Cent’s as one of the best pizza joints in town with a loyal following. Credit: Scene Archives
Filter 740 W. Superior Ave., Cleveland Since opening his first Sauce Boiling Seafood Express restaurant in 2019, Kyler Smith has gone on to open four more locations in Ohio, with more on the way. In February, Smith opened Filter in former Take 5 Rhthym and Jazz space in the Perry–Payne Building and the changes are dramatic, to say the least. Sporting a lounge-like atmosphere, with shimmering fabric panels, a DJ booth and lengthy bar, the 120-seat restaurant and bar is already attracting a ton of attention. The menu is under the control of chef Jarrett Mines, whose client roster as a private chef includes top players from the Cleveland Browns. Diners can look forward to American fare like pasta, fish, lamb chops and steak. Credit: Scene Archives
The 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 breakfast and lunch spots in town. You might call The Spot a “gastro-diner,” a place that melds the come-as-you-are comforts of the neighborhood hash house with a gently elevated menu grounded by local ingredients and solid technique. 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 Archives
Credit: Scene Archives
Garden of Eden 2017 East Ninth St., Cleveland Azure Sun Lounge was put to bed to make way for the Garden of Eden, a splashy new rooftop oasis at the Metropolitan at the 9. The 12th-floor height immerses guests in the surrounding skyline as opposed to hovering above it. Easygoing happy hours and early dinners will give way to a DJ-fueled lounge vibe in the evenings. Credit: Scene Archives
Blue Agave 2071 East 4th St., Cleveland Since taking over the former Zocalo spot on East 4th Street, Alex Martinez and his team have been busy transforming the 14-year-old, two-level restaurant into something a bit more current. Martinez and his partnership group operate numerous Northeast Ohio restaurants, including Tres Potrillos, Jalapenos, El Palenque, Fiesta Habaneros, Tito’s Mexican Grill, Tacologist and Blue Habanero. In the entrée department, there are traditional platters like fajitas, burritos and chimichangas mixed with house specialties such as seafood-stuffed chile rellenos and carne asada. To drink, there are cocktails like Palomas, Mojitos and Mexican Mules, signature margaritas made with fresh-squeezed fruit juices, and an all-Mexican draft beer list. Credit: Scene Archives
Rum Runners 1085 Old River Rd., Cleveland Thirsty Dog Brewing in the Flats closed over winter and was taken over by Rum Runners, a name that doubtless conjures memories. Rum Runners, along with places like River’s Edge, Fagan’s, D’Poo’s on the River and Peabody’s Down Under, was a staple attraction during the Flats’ halcyon days in the 1980s and 1990s. After a beach-themed makeover, the 7,000-square-foot space opened Memorial Day weekend. There will be live music on weekends on the indoor “Endless Summer” stage, plus live music on the front patio down the road. To drink, there are plenty of rum-fueled drinks, mojitos, margaritas, frozen pina coladas and 20-ounce tiki “fishbowls.” There’s also a full menu which includes burgers, flatbreads, sandwiches and more. Credit: Scene Archives
Pins Mechanical Co. and 16-Bit Bar + Arcade 1880 West 25th St., Cleveland Pins Mechanical Co. and 16-Bit Bar + Arcade is a unique combination of a vintage arcade and a modern bar and bowling alley. The space is massive, with rows of classic arcade games, skee-ball, and pinball machines lining the walls. The bar features an impressive list of craft beers, cocktails, and spirits to keep you refreshed as you play. Whether you’re looking for a nostalgic trip down memory lane or a fun night out with friends, Pins Mechanical Co. and 16-Bit Bar + Arcade is the perfect spot for you. Credit: Scene Archives
Elle 33730 Bainbridge Rd., Solon Solon-based operators Jay Leitson and Izzy Schachner (of 56 Kitchen and Birdigo) are at it again with Elle. Set inside the former Harvest Kitchen property, the “Bohemian-chic” Mediterranean restaurant will focus on bright, fresh and seasonal dishes, many cooked over a live-fire grill. Credit: Scene Archives
Indie 2038 East 4th St., Cleveland Owners Gabriel Zeller and Julie Mesenburg have reshaped the former Greenhouse Tavern space on East 4th into a shrine to independent music. To the many diners who have made their way through this iconic space, the changes are dramatic enough to stop one in his or her tracks. And for lovers of indie music, the dining room offers near limitless eye candy in the form of 240 framed concert posters that span the musical spectrum. Indie features a Southern-styled menu starring appetizers like green tomato hush puppies, spoon cornbread and braised and seared pork belly with slaw. Mains include a shrimp Po’ Boy, chicken and waffles, a seafood boil and Hatch chili mac and cheese. Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene Archives
The Yard on 3rd 18042 3rd St., Willoughby For years, Lure Bistro was home to one of the best patios in Downtown Willoughby. That made way for The Yard on 3rd, the town’s first food truck yard. The casual dog-friendly spot features an outdoor bar, plenty of seating, televisions and family-friendly games. The main attraction — apart from the bar — will be the rotating roster of food trucks. But equally compelling is the Geraci’s Slice Shop, a first for the beloved pizzeria. The shop will be a year-round operation that serves both The Yard guests but also take-out and delivery for Willoughby and the surrounding area. Credit: Scene Archives
Jibaro 6152 Broadview Rd., Parma It’s been more than a year in the making, but Héctor Rodriguez has opened the doors to his Latin restaurant, Jibaro. The Parma eatery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes with decidedly Puerto Rican flavors. Until recently, diners could have found Rodriguez crafting Latin sandwiches at El Sabor de Ponce. In the morning, Jibaro serves hearty breakfast platters of eggs, ham and tortillas, ham and Nutella pancakes, or breakfast sandwiches of ham, egg and cheese on domplines (Puerto Rican fried dough). For lunch, there is a roster of overstuffed sandwiches on Italian bread, including a classic Cubano and Tripleta. Larger plates are available during lunch and dinner hours. Seafood mofongo or trifongo can be ordered with shrimp, octopus or conch. There are versions topped with pork, fried chicken and fried pork chops as well. Credit: Scene Archives
Jade 1048 Old River Rd., Cleveland Zdenko Zovkic closed his Warehouse District mainstay XO Prime Steaks, but soon we can find him down in the Flats, where he’ll be presiding over Jade. This ambitious Asian-fusion concept will offer guests three different experiences on three different levels. Moving up from the ground floor, diners will progress from street food and sushi to upscale dining and finally a stylish rooftop club. Credit: Scene Archives
Edda Coffee Roasters 2011 West 25th St., Cleveland Add Edda Coffee Roasters to the offerings that are now open at Intro in Ohio City. Edda is a bright and blissful all-day café that anchors one end of the tree-lined plaza. Charlie Eisenstat, formerly of Pour Cleveland, is roasting “Nordic-style” coffee beans in house for the café. Those beverages are paired with an all-day menu of light, fresh and wholesome foods. A display case is stocked with grab-and-go pastries like power balls, gluten-free cookies, banana bread, triple-berry scones and fruit-filled beignets. Credit: Scene Archives
JoJo’s Bar 87 West St., Chagrin Falls With Jojo’s Bar, Chagrin Falls finally gets the restaurant it deserves and restaurateur Rick Doody can take that well-earned vacation.For his latest opus, 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. Credit: Scene Archives
Pizzeria 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 2021 in Chagrin Falls, Pizzeria DiLauro brought a little taste of the East Coast to the far East Side. Next up, management has been working to convert the next-door space into the Lounge at Pizzeria DiLauro. The cozy saloon features a 10-person bar and three 6-person tables. Guests will be able to order anything from the pizzeria menu and choose from 20 different beers, wines on tap and specialty cocktails. Likewise, diners next door at the pizzeria (and on the patio) can order beverages from the lounge as well. The Lounge will also come in handy as a waiting room for people picking up pizzas to go. Credit: Scene Archives
Lulo Kitchen 1273 West 9th St., Cleveland Lulo Kitchen has the unmistakable feel of a boho-chic juice bar on Tulum’s famous beach road, a breezy sun-drenched space where art and culture and food collide. With a name like Lulo, which is borrowed from the tropical fruit, one would expect to find wholesome juices, smoothies and limonadas starring a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables. As morning gives way to midday, pan-Latin salads, sandwiches, bowls and plates take center stage. It is here that Chef/Owner Stefhanie Montoya’s creativity, technique and respect for ingredients begin to emerge. The flavors of Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil make appearances in the form of empanadas, tostones, Cubanos, carne asada and other satisfying items. Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene Archives
Mabel’s BBQ 2050 East Fourth St., Cleveland and 28699 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere Season 35, Episode 7 Michael Symon knows meat. In fact, he wrote the book on it when Carnivore came out a few years back. So if anybody could lend credence to the concept of Cleveland-style barbecue, it’s Symon, who also happens to be a great student of all regional forms of barbecue. And how awesome is it that you can eat at a nationally renowned chef’s restaurant for under 20 bucks? Credit: Scene Archives
House of Creole 668 Euclid Ave., Cleveland Jeffrey Miskiri, owner of a Washington D.C.-based restaurant group with multiple concepts with names like Po Boy Jim, Creole on 14th, Suga & Spice and Miss Toya’s Creole House, recently opened House of Creole in the former Sixth City Sailor’s Club and Hodge’s space downtown. Since opening, House of Creole has been dishing up Big Easy-style starters like fried green tomatoes, crab cakes and deviled eggs with shrimp. For the main event there will be fried fish po’ boys, seafood etouffee, Cajun shrimp and grits and jambalaya loaded with shrimp, chicken, sausage and rice. Credit: Scene Archives
Northstar Cafe 3380 Warrensville Center Rd., Shaker Heights Beginning in June, Northstar Cafe joined its sister establishment Brassica at Van Aken District in Shaker Heights. Van Aken will be location number six for Northstar Café, which opened in the Short North neighborhood of Columbus in 2004 and quickly became one of the more popular restaurants in Columbus. Northstar serves breakfast, lunch and dinner every day plus weekend brunches. A large, open kitchen turns out an American menu of familiar foods made with exceptional ingredients and expert technique. Credit: Scene Archives
Pioneer 2407 Lorain Ave., Cleveland Pioneer, the new wood-fired sports bar at Intro in Ohio City opened in June. As the name implies, Pioneer captures the spirit of the great outdoors and camping culture, but filters those activities through a new-school lens. Owner Dan Whalen describes the menu as “American food with hints of Latin and South American flavors.” Most sports bar follow a typical format that includes cheap domestic beer, sticky floors and deep-fried everything. Whalen surveyed the landscape and saw the potential for a more elegant version of the sports bar destination. Credit: Scene Archives
Martha on The Fly 2173 Professor Ave, Cleveland This weekend-only breakfast concept took their pop-up concept and turned it into a brick and mortar spot that opened in Tremont in April. At this micro-diner, patrons can look forward to breakfast sandwiches perfected during the pop-up run, items like the Betty, Shirley and Doris egg sandwiches, Martha on the Fly will showcase new menu items like their potato crispies as well. Credit: Scene Archives