The Best Restaurants, Food, and Drink in Cleveland in 2022, According to Scene Readers

Best French Fries and Best Vegetarian Restaurant: Tommy’s Restaurant

1824 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights

Known for their vegetarian and healthy options, this Coventry Road staple has been serving up Clevelanders since 1972. While they had vegetarian and vegan options before those became popular, they have more than just healthy options. The thick-cut french fries are divine and their milkshakes, especially black cherry, is a must try.

Best Restaurant: The Marble Room

623 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

Located in the old National City Bank building, it’d be hard to find a more beautiful restaurant in town than the swanky Marble Room. The name says it all - the beautiful marble columns and intricately designed molding is absolutely stunning. And the steak is up there for the best in town. Get the ribeye and thank us later.

Best Local Snack: Koko Bakery

3710 Payne Ave., Cleveland and 1767 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights

For more than 15 years, Koko Bakery has lured Asian food fans to its downtown store for fresh-baked buns, colorful fruit tarts, cakes and pastries, hot lunches and the best bubble tea around. In 2021, they opened their second shop in Coventry Village in the former Piccadilly Artisan Yogurt space next door to Pacific East.

Best Seafood Market: Kate’s Fish

1979 West 25th St., Cleveland

For over 20 years, one of the biggest draws to the West Side Market has been Kate’s Fish, the seafood stand with some of the best quality fish in town. Whether you’re looking for their house smoked salmon, sushi grade fish, whole fish, homemade crab cakes or whatever’s fresh that day, you’re sure to find something delicious to take home and throw on the grill or stove.

Best New Restaurant: 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. 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. The inviting, hip decor makes way for a lively atmosphere but the pizza is undoubtedly the star of the show. When it comes to the main event, Morelli also bucks convention. Baked in a wood-burning oven, the pies can loosely be described as Neapolitan. Up top, Morelli shrewdly weaves bold ingredients like speck, white anchovies, cream cheese and even Luxardo cherries into cohesive arrangements that surprise as much as satisfy. Even so-called staples like a meatball pie get reworked into more elegant and enjoyable creations.

Best Coffee: Rising Star

Multiple Locations

Coffee connoisseurs sing the praises of Rising Star baristas, who are as knowledgeable as their keenly sourced coffee is potent. Each cup is meticulously brewed to order using beans straight from the onsite roaster. The results are nothing short of the perfect pour over imbued with nuanced, undiluted flavor. We're not surprised that after just eight years in business, the successful shop already has expanded to seven different locations.

Best Teahouse: Cleveland Tea Revival

1434 West 29th St., Cleveland

This pretty-as-a-picture Hingetown shop caters equally to the casual tea drinker and the fine tea connoisseur. Knowledgeable staffers can guide one through an extensive menu of organic varieties, from herbal to oolong, plus custom blended specialty teas with names like Church Avenue Lavender. Take some home to steep on your own time or enjoy it on-premises in sweet little tea kettles. A lovely, relaxing hideaway with vintage style, this Ohio City nook feels made for unwinding with a good book or good friend. Pair sips with snacks like avocado toast (of course!) for the full experience.

Best Ramen: Otani Noodle

234 Euclid Ave., and 11472 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

Otani Noodle, from the same owners of long-standing Mayfield Heights hibachi restaurant Otani, recently opened their second location, this time in the heart of Downtown in addition to their University Circle home, and if you haven’t been yet, you’re missing out. The tonkotsu broth they make for some of their ramen is delectable.

Best German Restaurant: Das Schnitzel Haus

5728 Pearl Rd., Parma,

Hearty German food might not be what first comes to mind when it comes to comfort food. But the type of German food they serve at this Parma restaurant definitely is comforting. A heaping plate of schnitzel, pierogies or stuffed veal is perfect for a rainy day.

Best Chef: Doug Katz

Zhug, Amba

Doug Katz has been on the Cleveland dining scene for years, with most of his formative career being spent at Shaker Square’s Fire. When Fire closed during the pandemic after 20 years in business, Katz was able to turn that into an opportunity to branch out more. When Fire closed, Katz had already recently opened the wildly popular Middle Eastern small plate spot Zhug and pandemic had him experimenting with two new concepts out of a ghost kitchen, Amba and Chimi. 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.