The Best Restaurants to Take Out-of-Towners to in Cleveland

Abundance Cafe

1975 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights

For the past year, chef Liu Fang and Carl Setzer have made themselves known around town. What began as occasional pop-ups selling buns, dumplings and noodles under the name Abundance Culinary advanced to weekly two-day residencies at Larder in Ohio City. At those events, and others across town the pair cultivated a passionate, dedicated following for Fang’s elevated Chinese cooking. Diners have grown fond of items like Chinese sausage-filled dumplings, dry-fried green beans, Shanghai scallion noodles, honey ma wings and Huainan brisket ramen.The pair opened their own permanent space at the old diner on Lee Road this August and hopefully will be there for a long time to come.

Patron Saint

2915 Detroit Ave., Cleveland

Open only since early June, Patron Saint feels like it’s been an essential part of this community for years. Owner Marie Artale tapped chef David Kocab to craft a farm-to-table regional Italian menu that leans light, wholesome, seasonal and satisfying. Patron Saint is the kind of place where “a quick glass of wine” can cascade into a tipsy two-hour feast. 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. While not a traditional restaurant, Patron Saint’s all-day menu offers enough variety and heft to cobble together a lovely meal.

Le Petit Triangle

1881 Fulton Ave., Cleveland

A little cramped, occasionally noisy, and one of the city's smallest restaurants, this tiny French bistro still manages to provide a romantic atmosphere while turning out fantastic French foods like their onion soup, cioppino, cassoulet, beef bourguignon and other classics. You’ll be transported to Paris for a couple hours here, and pretty soon, you'll have even more space to enjoy as the restaurant has embarked on an expansion project next door.

Rood Food and Pie

17001 Madison Ave., Lakewood

The only way this concept rises above the level of novelty is by offering not just delicious food, but by presenting it in a way that transforms it into a convivial, communal experience, much like Korean barbecue without all the splatter. What started as a restaurant based on pies expanded to a full dinner menu and morning cafe experience that quickly made it so much more than a spot for a slice.

Thyme X Table

583 Dover Center Rd., Bay Village

Since opening in 2019, the modestly proportioned bistro has been at the top of the dance card for many residents of this placid lakeside suburb. Chef-owner Michael Smith appears to have captured the curiosity and support of the community with his spiffed-up tavern concept, where the menu trades ambitious for approachable at nearly every turn. Yes, you're going to want to have the lobster tots.

Bartleby

1430 West 28th St., Cleveland

Bartleby opened in the former Crop Bistro space in Ohio City in 2022. Morgan Yagi spent much of the previous 15 months before opening gently reshaping the interior of the historic United Bank Building, a 1920s-era property with soaring ceilings, bronze light fixtures and a run of arched windows that flood the space with natural light. While Crop Bistro leaned more to fine dining, Bartleby aims to be more approachable and accessible in its offerings. Diners can look forward to items like burgers, pizzas and bowls of pasta, but also a great grilled ribeye, all dished up in a supper club-style environment with one of the more jaw-dropping rooms in Cleveland.

Marble Room

623 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

You'd be forgiven for thinking you just walked into a castle when you enter the Marble Room, which is situated in an old bank. The gorgeous setting of the restaurant is one thing, but the food and service is what makes this place special, consistently getting accolades as one of, if not the best, restaurant in town. Raw bar, steaks, impeccable service, and a setting to match make it a must-visit.

Cent’s Pizza

5010 Lorain Ave., Cleveland

Vincent Morelli opened Cent’s in 2021 and the pizza joint has very quickly shot up to being one of the hottest restaurants in town. In addition to delicious pizza and other tasty menu items like their creamy housemade stracciatella and their ‘nduja sausage, the restaurant is impeccably designed, with a cool, chic vibe that reflects Morelli’s background as a former visual merchandiser for a street fashion brand. If you need some new fashionable clothes, Cent’s has you covered as well, with a small selection of under the radar brands located in the front of the pizza shop.

Tutto Carne

2181 Murray Hill Rd., Cleveland

This Italian-themed steakhouse, which opened in late spring of 2023, is operated by Ladner and Carl Quagliata, the chef-owners behind Giovanni’s, Smokin’ Q’s BBQ, Paloma and The Village Butcher. In the former Nora spot in Little Italy, the space has been completely transformed into a stylish and sophisticated 45-seat bistro. Chef de cuisine Ryan O’Driscoll oversees a steakhouse-style menu that benefits greatly from the owners’ sister establishment, The Village Butcher. A selection of other steaks and chops is joined by items like seared halibut with littleneck clams in horseradish broth, pan-seared scallops with bacon, potato and spring pea pesto, and a dry-aged beef burger topped with taleggio, short rib onions, bacon and special sauce. For pasta fans, Ladner and his team have assembled a roster of classic dishes.

The Judith

1384 Hird Rd., Lakewood

Owners Jennie Doran and Andrew Worm earlier this year opened The Judith, a French-inspired café on Lorain. The 30-seat space is rich with warmth and texture, one that conjures images of an Old World Parisienne café. In the morning, Onyx Coffee and Tea is served alongside breakfast pastries and open-face sandwiches, or tartines. Lunches usher in fresh salads, shareable small plates, baguette sandwiches and desserts. And recently, The Judith launched evening service, so happy hour and small plates can keep you entertained and fed later into the day, which, judging by the crowds, is welcome news.