There’s nothing like having a meal or a drink or two on a patio when the weather heats up. Want to know what’s even better? A patio on the water. In Cleveland, it’s a summer treat you can’t pass up, whether it’s the river, the lake, or something else.

Chez Francois 555 Main St., Vermilion Nestled on the banks of the Vermilion River, this quaint French restaurant reminds us of why we might never need to visit France. While it’s a bit of a hike out to Vermilion, this is dining and views at its finest and well worth the trip. Credit: Scene Archives
Lindey’s Lake House 1146 Old River Rd., Cleveland Coastal Taco turned into Lindey’s Lake House back in 2019. While the name may and concept may have changed, the ownership group is the same and they kept the same fun atmosphere and good food for this joint in the East Bank of the Flats. Expect all the seafood, plus unmissable river views. Credit: Lindey’s Lake House/Facebook
The Harp 4408 Detroit Ave., Cleveland An Irish bar on steroids, the Harp isn’t just your corner joint with a few shamrocks on the wall. It boasts a large Irish-influenced menu and a spacious patio with a view of the lake. The music’s as likely to be rootsy rock or blues as Irish. Credit: Scene Archives
Lockkeepers 8001 Rockside Rd., Valley View This Italian joint in Valley View is often one of the most overlooked restaurants in town, but make no mistake, everyone who goes there raves about it. With a view of the Erie Canal, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a summer evening eating really good food and drinking wine. Credit: Scene Archives
Merwin’s Wharf 1785 Merwin Ave., Cleveland Unparalleled atmosphere paired with discounted wine, cocktails, and appetizers. Everyone raves about the sights, the sounds and the ambiance. Everything from couches in front of a roaring fireplace and cocktail tables beneath strings of fairy lights, to giant Jenga and corn hole, it’s enough to make you want to move in to this Metroparks run establishment. Credit: Scene Archives
Nuevo Modern Mexican 1000 E 9th St., Cleveland Right on Lake Erie, Nuevo is the spot to hit up before visiting the Rock Hall. They originally opened in Akron and expanded to the banks of Lake Erie in 2016 and have been serving up tacos and tequila since. Credit: Scene Archives
The Rusty Anchor at Music Box 1148 Main Ave #200, Cleveland Sitting perfectly amidst the water and the city’s skyline, you feel like you’re in the heart of Cleveland. If the food and the views aren’t enough, they have outdoor music to soundtrack your experience. If you haven’t been yet this season, what’re you waiting for? Credit: Scene Archives
Shooters On The Water 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland Shooters has historically been a focal point for the Flats. There’s an outdoor bar, plenty of patio seating, and endless Instagram-worthy picture spots. The Cleveland classic boasts easy access and views of trains, bridges, ships at harbor. Credit: Scene Archives
Tinkers Creek Tavern 4000 Tinkers Creek Rd., Walton Hills Set close against a rural, tree-lined road, and just at the border between Walton Hills and Valley View, Tinkers Creek Tavern is a casual watering hole and restaurant in a remarkable natural setting on the Cuyahoga River. Credit: Tinkers Creek Tavern/Facebook
E55 On The Lake 5555 North Marginal Rd., Cleveland The Metroparks has totally revived this beautiful lookout point of Lake Erie by adding a bar, restaurant and bait shop to this spot. There’s also live music on Saturdays and some of the best views in town. Credit: Scene Archives
Trader Jack’s 35901 Lakeshore Blvd., Eastlake Located right on the Chagrin River, Trader Jack’s, in Eastlake, is a vacation-like setting, where you can kick back, grab a beer and a meal and kick your feet up over one of their fire pits on their beautiful patio. Credit: Scene Archives
Whiskey Island Still and Eatery 2800 Whiskey Island, Cleveland Before social media ruined the phrase “hidden gem,” Whiskey Island truly earned the designation. The restaurant at this chill lakeside park has been through more name changes than Diddy, but the “No shirt, no shoes, no problem” vibe has been a constant. This grassy, sandy perch essentially functions as a 20-acre restaurant patio, where boaters at the nearby marina mingle with volleyball players and day trippers. Attempts to fancify the food offerings over the years have been roundly and rightly rebuffed by the clientele, who demand little more than cold beer and hot fries. Here, the music is always live and festive, the crowds robust and the sunsets dreamy. Credit: Scene Archives
Sunset Harbor 625 Prospect St., Fairport Harbor Located on Lake Erie, this hidden gem sits on the dock of a fishing pier in Fairport Harbor, out east by Mentor. Enjoying some fish tacos and a cold beer is our idea of summer, while watching the sun set over the 90-year-old Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse. Credit: Scene Archives
Pier W 12700 Lake Ave., Lakewood This Lakewood seafood restaurant has won Scene’s best of ‘most romantic restaurant’ multiple times, and for good reason. Since 1965, these views of Lake Erie and the city are unmatched, the atmosphere is sophisticated and elegant and the seafood is delicious. So there’s no patio. You’re still enjoying a choice view. Credit: Pier W/Facebook
Inferno 1059 Old River Rd., Cleveland Dante Boccuzzi of Dante and Ginko saw success of his pizza stand at Progressive Field and so when a space became available in the East Bank of the Flats, he jumped on it to take his pizza concept from a stand to a full service restaurant and bar with great views of the Cuyahoga. Recently, Inferno has turned into a night club, but they still have great pizza. Credit: Inferno Flats/Facebook
Beerhead 1156 West 11th St., Cleveland One of the longest standing spots in the new version of the East Bank of the Flats, Beerhead serves up one of the most extensive beer lists in the city. They have fire pits on their patio which will keep you warm against the cold breezes that occasionally come off of Lake Erie. Credit: Scene Archives
1330 On The River 1330 Old River Rd., Cleveland This relative newcomer to the Flats has reworked the former East End property into a stylish waterfront bistro a few steps off the beaten path. Head to the rear of the restaurant, where a small, tasteful patio offers views of the river and enjoy dishes like bacon-wrapped figs, pesto chicken sandwiches and grilled lamb chops with Brussels. Credit: 1330 On The Water/Facebook
Collision Bend Brewery 1250 Old River Rd., Cleveland This brewpub in the East Bank of the Flats was named the best brewpub in the country, according to USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The combination of the exquisite views, the locally-sourced menu and home brewed beers all contributed to that lofty ranking. Did we mention the can’t-miss patio perfect for summer? Credit: Collision Bend Brewing/Facebook
Luca 2100 Superior Viaduct., Cleveland One of the best Italian restaurants in town also contains one of the best views of the city. The sacchetti, which contains white truffles over ricotta stuffed pasta shells, may sound heavy for the summer but you have to get it while sitting on the patio at this Superior Viaduct located spot. Credit: Scene Archives
Alley Cat 1056 Old River Rd., Cleveland Alley Cat Oyster Bar in the Flats offers up the freshest seafood and equally delectable views of Lake Erie. Take in the scenery and kick back some oysters and shrimp while planning out your summer getaway, while enjoying a summer getaway. Credit: Scene Archives
17 River Grille 17 River St., Chagrin Falls Located overlooking the waterfalls of the Chagrin River in quaint downtown Chagrin Falls, Jekyll’s Kitchen turned into 17 River in 2020. Owned by veteran restaurateur Rick Doody, 17 River not only has beautiful views but also the food to match and is a gorgeously designed restaurant. Credit: Scene Archives

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