Your Cleveland Dining Bucket List for This Summer

Soho Chicken + Whiskey

1889 W. 25th Street, Cleveland

If you’re looking for something different along West 25th Street in Ohio City, step into Soho Chicken + Whiskey. As the name implies, Soho offers fried chicken – some of the crispiest, juiciest fried chicken around, actually – but it does so in a sharp little cosmopolitan bistro. To go with the fried chicken platters and sammies, Soho prepares Southern comfort classics like biscuits and jam, deviled eggs, pimento cheese, gumbo and shrimp and grits. Top-flight cocktails and stellar service add to the experience.

Daisy’s

5614 Fleet Ave., Cleveland

A legend in Slavic Village for four decades, Daisy’s in Slavic Village recently reopened after a five-year hiatus. Partners Brittany Bissell and Chris Hoke offer a combination of hard pack and soft serve ice creams, brownie sundaes, banana splits, milkshakes and floats. They serve Toft’s ice cream from Sandusky (“Ohio’s oldest dairy”), as well as a small selection of hot foods starring hot dogs and traditional Polish boys, with kielbasa, fries, coleslaw and barbecue sauce.

The Van Aken District

3401 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights

The Van Aken District has converted a portion of the area's main thoroughfare, Tuttle Road, into a turf-lined pedestrian-only seating area. The sun-soaked outdoor space functions as the patio for Market Hall eateries like Banter, On the Rise, Ninja City, Scorpacciata and Lox, Stock and Brisket. And because the lane is a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, diners can stroll with alcoholic beverages purchased at Craft Collective. Throughout the season, the site also plays host to farmers’ markets, makers’ markets and live entertainment.

Flight Cleveland

5712 Detroit Ave., Cleveland

It’s officially rose season, and when it comes to exploring the fresh crop of summer sippers, there are few better places than Flight. Located in buzzy Gordon Square, this generously proportioned patio is a welcoming perch to sip varietals from around the globe. Order a flight, find a new favorite, and buy a bottle to go.

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. This January 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.

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 wine, beer and cocktails are added in the coming months, the café will roll through happy hour and into the evening.

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 — is the rotating roster of food trucks. But equally compelling is the Geraci's Slice Shop, which was the first outpost for the beloved pizzeria. The shop is a year-round operation that serves both The Yard guests but also take-out and delivery for Willoughby and the surrounding area.

Jolly Roger Seafood House

1737 East Perry St., Port Clinton

Arriving at Jolly Roger you'll see plenty of out-of-town license plates in the parking lot and what seems like an endless line. People come from all over the U.S. for the seafood house's yellow perch sandwiches. They're caught in Lake Erie, which is within eyesight of the establishment. Order with a side of fries or onion rings to complete the delicious lunch.

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.

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.