As workers continue return to downtown Cleveland, they’ll find a lunch landscape with many familiar spots, a host of newcomers that have opened since the pandemic began, and, sadly, some favorites that have since shuttered. There are plenty of great options whether you’re in need of something quick or a sit-down affair, with sushi, tacos, subs, bowls, wraps and more to get you through your workday. Here are some of our favorites.

Otani Noodle 11472 and 234 Euclid Ave., Cleveland Otani Noodle, from the same owners of long-standing Mayfield Heights hibachi restaurant Otani, recently took over this Euclid space. If you haven’t been yet, you’re missing out. The tonkatsu broth used for their ramen is delectable. Credit: Scene Archives
Zaytoon 1150 Huron Rd., Cleveland David Ina, the son of the owners of Al’s Deli, worked at his family restaurant to gain experience before opening his own place down the street. Zaytoon specializes in Lebanese food like fattoush and shwarma. Credit: Scene Archives
Boney Fingers BBQ 1800 Euclid Ave., Cleveland ”Delicious BBQ! We tried the pulled pork and brisket sandwiches for lunch and they were so tasty! My fiancé has been hyping up his favorite BBQ spot for over a year and I was finally able to try and it did not disappoint! The brisket was our favorite and it was juicy and tender. Their two types of sauce were great additions to the sandwich and the cornbread was awesome as well! Reasonably priced, good food! Definitely worth a visit!!” Courtney S. on Yelp Credit: Scene Archives
Danny’s Deli 1658 St Clair Ave. NE., Cleveland Over the years, Danny’s has certainly carved out (get it) its spot amongst the contenders for best corned beef in town. And if you want a sandwich that is as big as your head, go for the Jawbreaker reuben. They dare you. Credit: Scene Archives
Johnny’s Little Bar 614 Frankfort Ave., Cleveland Right around the corner from the popular Warehouse district white tablecloth Italian joint Johnny’s, you’ll find Johnny’s Little Bar, an iconic Cleveland spot, and much more affordable than their parent restaurant. The bar boasts a “world famous” burger for just $8.75, giving the traditional Italian menu at the main restaurant a run for its money. Credit: Scene Archives
Camino Taco and Tequila Bar 1300 West Ninth St., Cleveland This contemporary taco and tequila bar, that opened in 2014, fits right into the Warehouse District neighborhood it calls home. This locally owned spot keeps things simple with a streamlined menu that focuses on snacks, small plates and tacos. A great meal can be made just from the starters, paired with a cold Mexican beer or margarita. Credit: Photo via @CaminoCleveland/Instagram
Dave’s Cosmic Subs 1918 East Sixth St., Cleveland With the recent closing of Cleveland Pickle, Dave’s Cosmic Subs remains as the only local sub shop in downtown Cleveland and with our preference for eating local, Dave’s is the place. Credit: Photo via @DavesCosmicSubs/Instagram
Restore Cold Pressed 1001 Huron Rd., Cleveland For a fresh juice, smoothie or toast, Restore Cold Pressed is the place to go. Try an acai bowl for something different, healthy and delicious. Credit: Scene Archives
Pizza 216 401 Euclid Ave., Cleveland This locally sourced pizza place has some of the freshest ingredients around and makes for a perfect lunch pie. Credit: Photo via @Pizza216/Instagram
Susy’s Soups 1701 East 12th St., and 230 Huron Rd. W., Cleveland For over 20 years, Susy’s Soups has been slinging some of the best soups in town. With locations at Reserve Square and Tower City, this soup, sandwich and salad spot is the perfect place to grab a quick and tasty lunch downtown. They often have creative specials like their chicken tikka masala soup pictured here. Credit: Photo via @SusysSoup/Instagram
Saigon 2061 East Fourth St., Cleveland Nestled into a relatively small storefront on downtown’s bustling East Fourth Street, the room is cozy, comfy, and contemporary. The best bets here are the meal-sized phos — fragrant beef-broth soups featuring rice noodles and several different styles of beef. On the side, an array of condiments — Asian basil, fresh lime wedges and bean sprouts, sliced jalapeños, earthy hoisin sauce, and peppery sriracha — allows diners to customize the dish to their preference. Credit: Scene Archives
Credit: Photo via @1942TacosandTequila/Instagram
Al’s Deli 1717 East Ninth St., Cleveland This Middle Eastern deli serves everything from lean corned beef to rolled chicken shawarma and is the perfect spot for whatever lunch fixing you’re looking for in the middle of downtown Cleveland. They also do daily lunch specials, like their beef bean burrito for $8.99. Credit: Photo via Al’s Deli/Facebook
Sushi 86 509 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland One of the only sushi spots downtown, Sushi 86 has a very low key atmosphere that is typical for some of the best sushi joints around. 2020 was its 20th year in business and any restaurant that makes it that long must be doing something right. Credit: Scene Archives
Citizen Pie Roman Cafe 2057 East 4th St., Cleveland Chef Vytauras Sasnauskas, who also operates wood-fired pizza shops in Collinwood and Ohio City, opened Citizen Pie Roman Café in the former home of Erie Island Coffee on E. Fourth Street last year. Unlike the Neapolitan pies he bakes to order at his other pizzerias, Roman Café sells Roman-style pizza al taglio, a focaccia-like pizza that is baked in advance. A daily assortment of rectangular-cut slices are at the ready for take-out or a quick reheat in the shop’s oven. Credit: Scene Archives
Green Rooster Farms 2033 East 14th St., Cleveland The Driftwood Group’s Green Rooster Farms is a cute cafe in the Playhouse Square district that offers healthy, fresh and organic ingredients in their salads, soups, wraps and sandwiches. Credit: Photo via Green Rooster Farms/Facebook
Balance Pan-Asian Grille 515 Euclid Ave., Cleveland Balance Pan-Asian Grille is a beloved spot for downtown lunch. The bowl and taco spot is known for their fresh ingredients and creative offerings like their Korean barbecue tacos, their Filipino adobowl and much more. Credit: Photo via @BalanceGrille/Instagram
Aladdin’s Baking Co. 1220 Huron Rd.., Cleveland Not to be confused with the local chain by the same name, this Middle Eastern spot has been serving up some of the best pita in town since 1972. So whether you prefer a chicken shawarma roll, a gyro or falafel, you’ll get it on some of the tastiest pita around. Credit: Photo via Aladdins’ Bakery and Market
REBoL 101 West Superior Ave., Cleveland Public Square’s Rebol’s 100 percent non-GMO menu offers current en vogue items like bone broth and paleo smoothies in addition to their signature bowls or bols like their tuna poke bol and their Moroccan lamb. If you’re sick of getting Chipotle for the fourth time of the week, try REBoL for a similar style of meal that’s far superior. Photo via REBoL/Facebook Credit: Photo via REBoL/Facebook
City Pop Sushi 1816 East 12th St., Cleveland This visually appealing eatery downtown is a candy-colored homage to Japanese pop culture. Original artwork is joined by an arcade game, TVs streaming city pop music videos, and a short roster of contemporary sushi rolls. Rolls, both grab-and-go and made-to-order, feature fully cooked items like bacon, steak and shrimp. They are served with dipping sauces like wasabi mayo and yum-yum. Credit: Scene Archives
Sittoo’s 1625 Euclid Ave., Cleveland Another spot from the folks behind Aladdin’s? When you do Middle Eastern food as good as they do, why not. Sittoo’s is a fast casual restaurant known for their pita sandwiches and salads, making it the perfect lunch spot whether you’re downtown, in North Olmsted or Parma. Credit: Scene Archives
Indies 530 Euclid Ave., Cleveland “After hearing so much about this place I finally went and they did not disappoint! I might as well have been having my Punjabi grandma’s home cooking! I had the mattar paneer, dal makhni, aloo gobhi and malai kofta with basmati rice. Oh so good! Rest assured I will be back. The owners of Indies are so nice – great service! If you want to know what North Indian home cooking tastes like go here,” Manpreet S. on Yelp Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Photo via Indies/Facebook
Cleveland Sandwich Company 815 Superior Ave., Cleveland Cleveland Sandwich Co. opened earlier in 2022 and has quickly become a favorite for downtown residents and workers alike. Chef Kevin O’Connell serves sandwiches with top-tier ingredients, freshly made Stone Oven bread and housemade cheese. The muffuletta is out of this world. O’Connell will soon open locations in The Flats and Tower City as well. Credit: Photo via Cleveland Sandwich Co./Facebook
Masthead Brewing Company 1261 Superior Ave., Cleveland If it’s true (please let it be true) that man can survive on a diet of just pizza and beer, then Masthead Brewing Co. has all the requirements necessary to sustain life. But more than that, this two-year-old brewery has injected a much-needed jolt of life into an area of downtown Cleveland that desperately needed it. Credit: Scene Archives
Slyman’s 3106 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland “This is a 7 star experience…I can only compare this sandwich to Kaufman’s New Jersey Bypass. This sandwich at Slyman’s is taller, juicier and tastier. I loved every bite and they grill the rye bread over butter on the flat top – that’s what makes you say, “Shut the front door!” You get a healthy amount of sauerkraut and a snappy pickle with it…The coleslaw was great too. I’ll be back for the big Reuben, at 11:00 a.m.,one day!! Their sandwiches are the biggest, no doubt,” Gerry T. on Yelp Credit: Photo via Scene Archives
Pho Thang Cafe 815 Superior Ave. East, Cleveland Pho Thang’s pho is delicious, with 10 different varieties ranging from lean to a combination bowl with round steak, brisket, tripe and meatballs. Chicken varieties are there, too. Soups come in only one size and are served with usual accompaniments of bean sprouts, cilantro, jalapeno and lime. Credit: Scene Archives
Good To Go Cafe 1300 East Ninth St., Cleveland Anna Harouvis’ cafe that she owns in the lobby of the AECOM Building is actually called Good To Go Cafe, but everyone knows Anna better from her line of juices called Anna In The Raw. The cafe also serves healthy options like salads, wraps, toasts and more. Credit: Scene Archives
Lulo Kitchen and Lulo Cafe 1273 West 9th St., and 1300 East 9th St., Cleveland Lulo Kitchen has the unmistakable feel of a boho-chic juice bar on Tulum’s famous beach road, a breezy sun-drenched space where art and culture and food collide. At Lulo, the flavors of Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil make appearances in the form of empanadas, tostones, Cubanos, carne asada and other satisfying items. Earlier in 2022, the husband-and-wife team behind Lulo Kitchen opened Lulo Café, a spin-off, of sorts, from their original Pan-Latin eatery. Customers can expect a similar line-up of coffees, teas, juices, smoothies, salads, soups, sandwiches, bowls and plates. There is also a heightened emphasis on breakfast items like overnight oatmeal, acai bowls with tropical fruit and grab-and-go Latin pastries like pan de queso, buñuelos and empanadas. Credit: Scene Archives