Tiny, teensy, cozy, small … whatever you call them, these Cleveland-area havens offer up that perfect intimate experience for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of life.
Cap’n Taco
16099 Brookpark Rd., Brook Park, 216-676-9830
This airplane-themed eatery has lined every inch of its small space with decor, including an impressive collection of license plates. Be sure to stop by for the 79-cent Taco Tuesday special.
Photo via kenzunot/InstagramCitizen Pie
15710 Waterloo Rd., 216-417-2742
While this fantastic pizzeria has opened up a location in Ohio City, the Collinwood spot is our favorite for pure coziness. The artisan wood-fired pizza is customizable, though the menu suggestions are pretty close to perfection.
Photo via citizen.pie/InstagramCharlie’s Dog House Diner
2102 Brookpark Rd., 216-661-4873
This diner’s decor harkens back to the 1950s, which is fitting as its been around since ‘52. You can get breakfast and lunch, but the pull here is still the hotdogs and hamburgers, which are best eaten on one of their red stools at the counter.
Photo via _funkyflamingo_/InstagramBorderline Cafe
18510 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-529-1949
This Southern-inspired eatery serves meals that range from the Bacon Avocado Benedict to Trail Mix Pancakes. Breakfast is considered their speciality, but they also have a host of lunch options, including paninis and burritos. Cash only.
Photo via noravarcho/InstagramClose Quarters Pub
31953 Lake Rd., Avon Lake, 440-933-5217
NBC News gave this miniature establishment a shout-out in its 2011 list of the World’s Smallest Bars. Truly, the pub gives “small but mighty” a new meaning, with only 12 chairs and 11 stools.
Photo via hausmalts/InstagramLe Petit Triangle Cafe
1881 Fulton Rd., 216-281-1881
As small as the name suggests, this French eatery offers delicate and classy fare. They’re great from morning to evening, from breakfast pastries to a wine to unwind with.
Photo via lepetitetriangle/InstagramJohnny’s Little Bar
614 Frankfort Ave., 216-861-2166
This hidden gem is operated by the owners of Johnny’s Downtown restaurant, but with a different, much more low-key vibe. The bar is known for its hamburgers, which are made from meat culled from cuts used at the restaurant and never include cheese.
Photo via clevelandvibes/InstagramTony’s Southside
2193 Professor Ave., 216-771-0515
Alongside its killer pizza, Tony’s also serves up authentic Greek dishes. They’re only open Friday and Saturday night, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., so reservations are recommended,
Photo via chefmtngoat/InstagramLittle Polish Diner
5772 Ridge Rd., Parma, 440-842-8212
This tiny Parma staple is a classic place to grab some great Polish food. The perogies in particular are worth the trip, but they also have killer homemade chicken noodle soup.
Photo via littlebeeman/Instagram Credit: Scene ArchivesEtna
11919 Mayfield Rd., 216-791-7670
Tucked into a corner of Little Italy, this establishment channels an “old world” atmosphere with its wooden bar and low ceilings. Check out their daily seafood specials and, in the summer, their outdoor seating options.
Photo via heidilynn88/InstagramBruno’s Ristorante
2644 West 31st St., 216-961-7087
Everything is prepared fresh at Bruno’s, which offers Italian fare like pizza, pasta and calzones. Its wooden bar and linoleum floors are clean, simple and reminiscent of an earlier time.
Photo via mjmihalic/InstagramUmami
42 North Main St., Chagrin Falls, 216-247-8600
A sleek and stylish venue makes Umami great for date nights. They nabbed a spot on Open Table’s list of the 100 Best Restaurants in America in 2015, and with good reason. The restaurant is now in its tenth year of making Asian-inspired fare with a local twist, like their Cleveland Tofu.
Photo via btbuckeye/InstagramNora
2181 Murray Hill Rd., 216-231-5977
This Little Italy favorite stands out from the crowd with its commitment to local ingredients and gluten-free options. With only 40 seats, this establishment makes a little go a long way. Be sure to check out their wine list.
Photo via noracleveland/InstagramThai Kitchen
12210 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-226-4450
This Thai-ny restaurant packs a big punch. In 2017, they expanded from 12 to 28 chairs to accommodate their popularity. Try the curry, which Chef Kwan creates from scratch using fresh and MSG-free ingredients.
Photo via the Scene archivesAldo’s Restaurant
7249 Memphis Ave., Brooklyn, 216-749-7060
This spot is coming up on its 40th anniversary of serving up great Italian food in a cozy space. Known for generous portions and great service, their dining room fills up quickly, especially for dinner.
Photo via bitebuff/InstagramPupuseria La Bendicion
3685 West 105th St., 216-688-0338
The star of this westside hotspot is (obviously) the pupusa. Traditionally Salvadoran, pupusas consist of thick tortillas stuffed with various fillings. This pupuseria also serves up great tamales and tacos. Grab a seat if you can, but be prepared to get take-out.
Photo via ohiofestivals/InstagramFlying Fig
2523 Market Ave., Cleveland
Chef-owner Karen Small stocks her larder with simple, homegrown ingredients, then coaxes them into precise assemblages of soaring flavor at this hip, youthful, and energetic bistro in the heart of Ohio City. And as any trendinista will tell you, the Fig’s happy hours are among the best in the city for unwinding on a budget.
Photo via @TheFlyingFig/InstagramIl Rione
1303 West 56th St., Cleveland
Il Rione might be “just a neighborhood pizza parlor,” but it elevates the genre thanks to warm lighting, stylishly weathered interior, and a killer playlist from the golden age of rock. While the menu is spare, the New York/New Jersey style pizza exiting the open kitchen is amazing, with the clam pie taking the cake. Diners can choose from a half-dozen predesigned pies or can build their own from the crust up.
Photo via Scene ArchivesLarder
1455 West 29th St., Cleveland
At its heart, Larder is a Jewish deli, with matzo ball soup, thick pastrami sandwiches, out of this world fried chicken sandwiches and awesome baked goods. But there’s so much more going on here than that. Chef-owner Jeremy Umansky utilizes techniques like koji (a Japanese mold) curing, foraging for wild edibles, cold and hot smoking, and fermentation and pickling to produce an ever-shifting roster of seasonal plates.
Photo via @LarderB/InstagramProof Bar-BQ
2258 Professor Ave., Cleveland
Over the past three years, the former Komorowski Funeral Home building on Professor Avenue has transitioned from a place of bereavement to a warren of joyful activity with Visible Voice bookstore on the top floor and Crust pizza on the main floor. Now, in the bottom floor of the same building, Proof Bar-BQ and Cocktails is bringing Southern and Texas-style barbecue to Tremont and they’re killing the BBQ game.
Photo by Doug TrattnerBar Oni
2173 Professor Ave., Cleveland
On August 25, chef-owner Matthew Spinner closed Ushabu, his fine-dining Japanese bistro in Tremont. On October 1, he and chef Dave Kocab opened Bar Oni an izakaya – aka Japanese sports pub – in the same space. Ushabu was one of the best restaurants in town and the food at Bar Oni is predictably as good, albeit at a lower price point.
Photo courtesy Scene ArchivesMomocho
1835 Fulton Ave., Cleveland
Clever cuisine, playful decor, and intimate surroundings make this “modern Mexican” eatery like nothing else in town. Don’t come around looking for refried beans and rice; luscious lamb “adobo” and avocado-leaf-crusted tuna are more Momocho’s style. Factor in the fruit-infused margaritas, chilada-style beers, and the smart array of tequilas, and even the fiercest bandito would happily pull up a chair in the cozy downstairs bar room.
Photo via Scene ArchivesHabesha Ethiopian and Eritrean Restaurant
16860 Lorain Rd., Cleveland
When Habesha opened in early December, the number of Ethiopian restaurants in Cleveland increased to three and will be the only such eatery on the West Side. Habesha joins the long-standing Empress Taytu on St. Clair and Zoma in Cleveland Heights. Sadly, Lucy Ethiopian restaurant on Broadview Road has closed. Fans of Ethiopian cuisine will discover a tempting assortment of combination plates that offer various pairings of vegetarian and/or meat-based items.
Photo via Scene Archives
