Cleveland is now widely considered to be a foodie’s paradise. But not every restaurant works out. We’re pretty sure that the restaurants on this list — at least the ones we were alive to try — were actually wonderful, and it’s not just nostalgia talking. Truly, these 24 restaurants are part of a bygone Cleveland era.
Cleveland is a foodie’s paradise. But not every restaurant works out. We’re pretty sure that the restaurants on this list — at least the ones we were alive to try — were actually wonderful, and it’s not just nostalgia talking. Truly, these 32 restaurants are part of a bygone Cleveland era, including the very recent past.
Sergio’s
1903 Ford Dr., Cleveland
For close to 20 years, Sergio’s operated at University Circle as one of the most charming restaurants in town before shuttering in 2013. The space is now home to Jonathan Sawyer’s Italian restaurant Trentina.
Photo via @TrentinaCLE/InstagramDempsey’s Oasis
1109 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland
Named for boxer Jack Dempsey, this Tremont joint, located in the spot that now houses Prosperity Social Club, operated from 1938 all the way until the year 2000. While they’ve made some updates to the space, the original building is largely intact.
Photo via Cleveland HistoricalRockefeller’s
3099 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights
One of Cleveland’s most beautiful restaurants closed its doors in 2015, even though it was repeatedly listed as one of the best restaurants in town. A Cleveland Heights favorite for many years, the upscale dining experience is still a fresh wound in the hearts of Cleveland foodies.
Photo via Scene ArchivesLola
900 Literary Rd., Cleveland
Before relocating to East Fourth Street downtown, Michael Symon’s Lola operated in a small Tremont space that later became Lolita, which then closed thanks to a fire. Lola originally opened in 1997 and opened on East Fourth in 2006, where it ran until 2020 and the pandemic.
Photo via Daniel X. O’Neil/FlickrThe Watermark
1250 Old River Rd., Cleveland
From 1985 until 2003, the Watermark was one of the hot spots on the East Bank of the Flats. The space is now home to Zack Bruell’s Collision Bend Brewery, which opened in 2017.
Photo via The Watermark/YelpCaptain Frank’s
East Ninth Street Pier, Cleveland
At the end of the East Ninth Pier, before the Rock Hall and the Science Center were there, Captain Frank’s was the place to go, for the “finest and most delightful dinner on the shores of Lake Erie.”
Photo via Scene ArchivesThe Theatrical Grill
715 Vincent Ave., Cleveland
In a bygone era, Short Vincent used to be the place to be in downtown Cleveland and the Theatrical Grill was one of the hotspots. The restaurant and jazz club opened in 1937, and hosted stars like Judy Garland and Dean Martin and was also a place where people went to place a bet or two. It closed in 1990.
Photo via The Theatrical/FacebookThat Place on Bellflower
11401 Bellflower Rd., Cleveland
For over 30 years, starting in 1975 and closing in 2008, this neighborhood joint served up delicious french food in the University Circle neighborhood. L’Albatross took over and continues to thrive in this wonderful space.
Photo via Regional Economics Action Links Northeast OhioThe Rusty Scupper
14th St. and Euclid, Cleveland
The Rusty Scupper was located in the Playhouse Square district and was a popular spot for the before and after shows crowd.
Photo via The Cleveland Memory ProjectGoodman’s Sandwich Inn
5164 Pearl Rd., Parma
Holy corned-beef was this place great. Freshly sliced corned beef, piled high and served to customers sitting at a long countertop: What an experience. Goodman’s closed in 2011 after being opened for 62 years.
Photo via Scene ArchivesTuscany
28601 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere
While restaurateur Carl Quagliata is widely known around the region for his Beachwood Italian staple Giovanni’s, Tuscany was almost as popular for a time. It was located at Eton in Woodmere, well before Eton became the upscale shopping center that it is today, then moved to the Hamptons in Beachwood before closing in 2013.
Photo via @EtonChagrinBlvd/InstagramFrank and Pauly’s
200 Public Square, Cleveland
The first location of this classic Italian joint opened in Public Square in 1993. After 13 years downtown, the restaurant moved to Mentor but that location unfortunately closed in 2013.
Photo via Cleveland Public Square/FacebookJuniper Grille
1332 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland
This relaxed spot was known for its tasty breakfast and lunch options. After closing in 2009, it became Verve Kitchen and then Carnegie Kitchen but neither lasted.
Photo via Scene ArchivesGrovewood Tavern
17105 Grovewood Ave., Cleveland
Located in the Colinwood neighorhood, this spot operated for 16 years before closing in 2015. This chef-driven bistro and wine bar was truly a hidden gem.
Photo via Cleveland Rocks, Cleveland EatsJohn Q’s
55 Public Square, Cleveland
This beloved, quintessential steakhouse, located in Public Square in the heart of the city shuttered in 2013 after serving Clevelanders for 22 years.
Photo via Scene ArchivesThe Original Club Isabella
1109 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland
For 25 years, Club Isabella was the place to go in University Circle for matchless jazz and food. That all ended in 2007 when University Hospitals razed the legendary club to make way for a new hospital. The new version of the restaurant opened in 2011.
Photo via Scene ArchivesLolita
900 Literary Rd., Cleveland
In 2005, Michael Symon moved Lola to East Fourth and opened Lolita in the former Lola spot, to roaring success. Unfortunately, a fire in 2016 caused the restaurant to close.
Photo via Edsel Little/FlickrBaricelli Inn
2203 Cornell Rd., Cleveland
This upscale Italian joint was a cornerstone in Little Italy for 25 years, but closed in 2010. We can’t complain too much, however, because the chef/owner Paul Minnillo now operates Moreland Hills’ Flour, which is quite delicious. Baricelli Inn was replaced by Washington Place Bistro & Inn.
Photo via @Digital504/InstagramHerman Pirchner’s Alpine Village
1614 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
From 1931 to 1961, Alpine Village was the place to be seen in the Playhouse Square district. In addition to Alpine Village, there were also two annexes attached to the restaurant – the Little Café, for faster service, and the Eldorado Club, where members of high society could enjoy a more private evening on the town.
Photo via The Cleveland Memory ProjectSwingos on the Lake
12900 Lake Ave., Lakewood
The same family that operated the infamous rock hotel Swingos, portrayed in Cameron Crowe’s film “Almost Famous” and party spots for famous bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin, also owned a restaurant on the water in Lakewood. It closed in 2009, but Tony George, of Harry Buffalo, will soon reopen a new restaurant in the vacant spot.
Photo via Cleveland SeniorsSarava
13225 Shaker Square, Cleveland
This Shaker Square Latin restaurant closed in 2013, a year after chef/owner Sergio Abramof tragically passed away. The space is now occupied by Zanzibar, a soul food restaurant.
Photo via @LipGlossForever/InstagramKluck’s
1313 West 117th St., Cleveland
Kluck’s opened all the way back in 1939 and served seafood and German fare until it closed in 2007. The space is now El Jalapeño’s, a Mexican restaurant.
Photo via Scene ArchivesCharley’s Crab
25765 Chagrin Blvd., Beachwood
For more than 30 years, Charley’s Crab was the place to go for fine seafood on the east side of Cleveland before closing in 2007. The space is now home to the Mexican restaurant Tres Portillos.
Photo via Tres Portillos/YelpSammy’s in the Flats
1400 West 10th St., Cleveland
Sammy’s opened on the West Bank of the Flats in 1980 before closing in 2000. They continued to operate as a catering business until 2013.
Photo via Yellow PagesCoquette Patisserie
11607 Euclid Ave Cleveland
When Coquette Patisserie opened its brick-and-mortar store at Uptown in 2014, it immediately became the darling of the Cleveland pastry scene. Already people had come to know and appreciate chef Britt-Marie Culey and her authentic French pastries from her six or so years at the North Union Farmers Market at Shaker Square. The shop however, became so much more, thanks in equal parts to husband and partner Shane, who paired those pitch-perfect sweet and savory items with a killer beer, wine and cocktail program but sadly closed in 2018.
Photo via Scene ArchivesLa Cave du Vin
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights
20 plus years in business is something to be proud of, especially when the concept was basically unheard of when they opened. This Coventry underground wine bar brought a new idea to Cleveland and had a loyal following thanks to its cozy atmosphere, craft cocktails and wonderful selection of beer and wine. It served its last cocktail in 2018.
Photo via Scene ArchivesLe Bistro du Beaujolais/FacebookCarrie Cerino’s was a Northeast Ohio staple that over its 57 years drew North Royalton diners and untold family functions, events and wedding celebrations.
Photo via Google MapsFire
From the moment it opened its doors in 2001, Fire was a hit, drawing sophisticated diners from throughout the region and beyond to Shaker Square, which was no easy feat. They came for the industrial chic dining room, professional service, spot-on seasonal American fare and Doug Katz’s unpretentious and generous spirit.
“We had a great 20-year run,” he says. “I want to respect what it was and I don’t want to start something in April where we’re just trying to keep something alive that it can’t be. I’d rather focus on what I can do and what we’re excited to do this year and into the future.”
Photo via Scene ArchivesSokolowski’s University Inn
They don’t get much more Cleveland than Sokolowski’s, the nearly century-old Tremont restaurant that’s served pierogies and other Polish classics to Presidents, movie stars, professional athletes and, more importantly, everyday Clevelanders since 1923.
It endured the second World War, countless recessions, the life and death and rebirth of Tremont, and had stood as the second-oldest continually operating restaurant in Cleveland, but it didn’t survive the pandemic.
Photo via chris_from_hawaii/Instagram
