Many of Cleveland’s bars and restaurants are as pleasurable for the eyes as they are for the taste buds. No wonder we see so many people snapping and sharing photos not just of their food and cocktails but of the restaurants themselves.

These 25 gorgeous Cleveland eateries offer aesthetic details such as gorgeous fabrics, dramatic lighting and one-of-a-kind wallpaper — details primed to take your dining selfies to the next level.

Brewnuts 6501 Detroit Ave., Cleveland Yeah, Brewnuts makes some awesome, unique donuts. But their neon sign that reads ‘Donut Mess With Cleveland’ is what’ll get you all the likes. Credit: @dannyledinsky/Instagram
Heinen’s Rotunda 900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland Not only is it great that we finally have a grocery store downtown, but it’s even better that it’s one that makes for great photos. The rotunda is especially perfect for getting that great shot. Credit: @DannieMooreRealtor/Instagram
Harlow’s 14319 Madison Ave., Lakewood Lakewood’s lesser known pizza joint should not be slept on. The 12-inch Neapolitan pies come in just five choices – Marinara, Margherita, Bianca, Salami and Leonardo, but they perfect every offering and so nothing else is needed. Their counter and modern/hip decor make for great shots that’ll get all the likes. Credit: @HarlowsPizza/Instagram, Photo by Peter Larson
Filter 740 W. Superior Ave., Cleveland Since opening his first Sauce Boiling Seafood Express restaurant in 2019, Kyler Smith has gone on to open four more locations in Ohio, with more on the way. In February, Smith opened Filter in the former Take 5 Rhythm and Jazz space in the Perry–Payne Building and the changes are dramatic, to say the least. Sporting a lounge-like atmosphere, with shimmering fabric panels, a DJ booth and lengthy bar, the 120-seat restaurant and bar is already attracting a ton of attention. The menu is under the control of chef Jarrett Mines, whose client roster as a private chef includes top players from the Cleveland Browns. Diners can look forward to American fare like pasta, fish, lamb chops and steak. Credit: @TheFilterExperience/Instagram
Chez Francois 555 Main St., Vermilion If you’re looking for a romantic destination restaurant for a special occasion, bring your date to Chez Francois in Vermillion. Upscale cuisine, like Filet de Boeuf Wellington à la Périgourdine is served at this French Restaurant with a great waterfront view. They’re also known for their excellent selection of fine wines. Credit: @NikkiSoltis/Instagram
27 Club Coffee 1215 West 10th St., Cleveland Owned by Cleveland native Machine Gun Kelly, this hip, modern coffee house in the Flats is perfect if you’re looking to find some coffee that you can put on the ‘gram. In addition to their coffee drinks, 27 Club serves cocktails. Credit: @27ClubCoffee/Instagram Photo by @ChrisGoody23
Juneberry 3900 Lorain Ave., Cleveland Chef Karen Small’s bustling cafe serves breakfast-all-day and lunch items until the early afternoon. Small, who is also in the process of a new concept at the recently closed Flying Fig (2523 Market Ave.,) in the same neighborhood was motivated to grab the space because of what she believes is a gap in the marketplace. Juneberry features an all-day breakfast and lunch menu largely inspired by the chef’s decade spent living outside of Athens, Ohio. Juneberry also features a mural from artist Charity D’Amato. Credit: @JuneberryTable/Instagram
Alea 2912 Church Ave., Cleveland For a demonstration on the transformative powers of real-fire cooking, reserve a table at tiny Alea in Ohio City. In place of the typical back bar of booze bottles sits a wood-burning cooking suite that fills the room with the irresistible charm of a backwoods chalet. Alea is not the first Cleveland restaurant to employ a wood-burning cooking suite, but it is the only one to position that apparatus in the middle of the dining room. It’s gorgeous decor makes for awesome pics too. Credit: @Alea.Cle/Instagram
Amba 1430 West 28th St., Cleveland Walk into Amba and it’s clear you have the makings of another one-of-a-kind experience from chef Doug Katz. The building is divided into two connected but distinct spaces, the main Amba dining room and the smaller Bar Amba. 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. There are options for vegans, gluten-free diners, seafood- and meat-eaters. Credit: Scene Archives
Good Night John Boy 1167 Front St., Cleveland, OH Forward Hospitality Group opened this 1970s-themed nightclub in the Flats this past summer after two years of planning. According to co-owner Bobby Rutter “It looks like your grandparents’ crazy basement, with wood paneling all over the place, shag carpet, linoleum floors and some crazy wallpaper that I can’t believe exists in the world,” Rutter says. “It’s awesome. It’s everything that’s beautiful about the ’70s. We’re way out there on the spectrum of cool design.” Rutter, who proudly claims to be “high on disco,” says that the whole ’70s craze is one of the hottest things going right now. Credit: @AnnaMackenzieHenry/Instagram
Vault 2017 East 9th St., Cleveland “If you need a socially distant cocktail, you need to go to Vault. It’s located underneath The 9 in Downtown Cleveland. All parties must remain seated and service is great. The drinks are unique and delicious. I recommend the Black Market cocktail, because the blackberries are muddled to perfection. You truly can’t go wrong at Vault. Makes an amazing date night spot,” KayLyn G. on Yelp Credit: @BridgetRazem/Instagram
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. Credit: @Carlos.Torrese/Instagram
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, founder of Brio and Bravo, 17 River not only has beautiful views but also the food to match and is a gorgeously designed restaurant. The highlights of their brunch menu include a steak eggs Benedict, chicken and waffles and a sourdough French toast. Credit: Scene Archives
Mahall’s 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood Coming up on their 100th anniversary in a few years, this bowling alley, music venue, bar and restaurant was established by the Mahall family in 1924. It’s still one of the more happening spots in town. A mecca of awesomeness, with food, cocktails, music, bowling and beer. The doors opened in 1924. In 2012, new owners re-vamped the menu and space while holding onto the business’s historical integrity and glory. Credit: @Ju1iannaGutierrez/Instagram
The Marble Room 623 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 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 and seafood are up there for the best in town. Credit: Brett Zelman
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. The ambitious project required a total renovation of the former PM Security building on Lorain (5010 Lorain Ave.) by the landlord. Like many projects, this one was stalled by the events of last year. 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. Credit: Scene Archives
Cru Uncorked 34300 Chagrin Blvd., Moreland Hills Maybe the fanciest joint in town, this Moreland Hills French fine dining restaurant is truly one of a kind in the region. If it wasn’t for the table settings, it would be easy to forget that you were touring a public restaurant and not the private home of the wealthiest family on the street — a street that also happened to be located in the ritziest zip code in town. The actual building looks like it was plucked from the Normandy countryside. Credit: @Balazaro/Instagram
Society Lounge 2063 East Fourth St., Cleveland Everything about this space, from the lit up drinks, to the classy, modern design, is just really cool. Located in the basement of an East Fourth Street building, this place is definitely worth checking out for the decor and the craft drinks. Credit: @ErinChiiiic/Instagram
Flight 5712 Detroit Ave., Cleveland Flight Cleveland, a wine shop and bar, opened in the former home of Latitude 41n in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood in 2018. The property features two distinct spaces, one devoted to a large bar and soft seating like sofas, armchairs and banquettes. The opposite side is dedicated to the tasting room and retail bottle shop. Flight is one of the most attractive and appealing spaces around in which to explore and enjoy wine. Credit: @FlightCleveland/Instagram
The Haunted House Restaurant 13463 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights Melt closed its Cleveland Heights location last year after a decade in business. The Haunted House Restaurant took its place, where the only thing that’s scary is “how good the food is,” the one-of-a-kind space presently taking shape pays homage to the pantheon of great horror flicks. As soon as guests cross the threshold they’ll be greeted by the aroma of fresh-popped popcorn. In place of a traditional host stand is the ticket booth. Original artwork celebrates iconic characters like Pennywise, Slimer and Frankenstein’s monster. And staffers will dress in theater usher uniforms. Credit: Scene Archives
Lost Social Club 1265 West 6th St., Cleveland Below Barley House you’ll find Lost Social Club, a new exclusive boutique cocktail and nightclub from the folks at TownHall and DJ E-V. It’s one of the most lively clubs in town and a perfect place to get a great photo to show your friends you’re still cool. Credit: @reeagaann/Instagram
Lucky’s Cafe 777 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland Lucky’s Cafe has won Scene’s best of brunch award so many times, we can’t keep count. Chef and Owner Heather Haviland’s Tremont cafe has also been featured on the Food Network multiple times, with Chef Michael Symon calling their biscuits and gravy the “best thing he ever ate,” and also on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Their outdoor mural is also a piece of iconic Cleveland street art. Credit: @LuckysCafe/Instagram
Merwin’s Wharf 1785 Merwin Ave., Cleveland Unparalleled atmosphere paired with discounted wine, cocktails, and appetizers. Everyone rave 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 into this Metroparks run establishment. Credit: @AbbyCat/Instagram
Noble Beast 1470 Lakeside Ave. East, Cleveland In a quieter part on the city on the edge of Downtown sits Noble Beast, one of our favorite breweries in town. Their Imperial Cookies and Milk Stout is a real standout, as is their Catchweight Kolsch. And their skylight with the foliage coming down makes a perfect shot for the ‘Gram. Credit: @Noble_Beast_Brewing/Instagram
Porco Lounge & Tiki Room 2527 West 25th St., Cleveland Porco Lounge & Tiki Room is only about ten years old, but its dedication to professionally blended cocktails — even silly sounding ones — has helped its reputation grow at a brisk rate, along with its awesome decor. The Mai Tai is the best of the bunch, a cold fusion of fresh fruit juices with coconut rum and a soupçon of almond. In 2016, the Food Network named the bar one of the best tiki bars in the country Credit: @AdamDemerath/Instagram