9 of the Oldest Surviving Restaurants in Cleveland

Tommy’s Restaurant
Soon after Tommy’s Restaurant opened as a small soda fountain in 1972, Rolling Stone Magazine voted it “Best Milkshake East of the Mississippi.” Even after three different location changes, the restaurant has never stopped serving up delicious foods and frozen confections. Located at 1824 Coventry Rd. in Cleveland Heights, this neighborhood cornerstone is sure to draw foodies for generations to come. The photo above is of the restaurant’s first location on the corner of Coventry and Euclid Heights Boulevard. It began with seven seats and eventually expanded to 27 (Photo courtesy of Tommy’s Restaurant).

Guarino’s Ristorante
Born out of prohibition, Guarino’s Ristorante in Little Italy has been serving up food and drink since 1918. During prohibition, the Little Italy staple served liquor in coffee cups to the elite of Cleveland and had a small food menu. Since its start, the restaurant expanded to a full menu and has been serving up delicious Italian cuisine ever since. Located at 12309 Mayfield Rd, this authentic cuisine is sure to satisfy your hunger for years to come (Photo courtesy of Guarino’s Ristorante’s Facebook).

Otto Moser’s Restaurant
Otto Moser’s Restaurant is a Playhouse Square landmark, serving arts lovers and downtown lunchers for more than 100 years. The menu includes a cast of soups, salads, steaks, chicken, and stacked-up sandwiches, many — like the W.C. Fields and Fanny Brice — named in honor of old-time stage stars. Located at 1425 Euclid Ave., this staple’s dinner hours vary with the theaters' schedules; calling ahead is always a smart move (Photo by Jacob Gedetsis)

Pier W
The critically-acclaimed Pier W has been serving up Cleveland’s best seafood since 1965. The five star restaurant boasts an elegant atmosphere, whether you choose to sit at the 165-seat dining room with its natural finishes, or the 50-seat bar and cocktail lounge with live piano. Located at 12700 Lake Avenue, Winton Place in Lakewood, the restaurant’s view of the Cleveland Skyline completes the dining experience (Photo courtesy of Pier W's Facebook page).

Johnny's Bar
Johnny's Bar has been serving-up fine Northern Italian Cuisine to Clevelanders for almost a century. Opening in the 1920’s as Louise’s Garden, the restaurant would flourish into one of the most distinguished dining establishments in Northeast Ohio. Renamed Johnny’s Bar in 1952, this local eatery located on 3164 Fulton Road serves fresh and authentic Italian food in a relaxed and beautiful atmosphere. Since its opening, Johnny’s has opened two other locations across Greater Cleveland area (Photo Courtesy of Johnny's Bar's Facebook page).

Balaton Restaurant
Balaton Restaurant in Shaker Square has been serving up traditional and delicious Hungarian cuisine since opening in 1964. Serving Cleveland’s large Hungarian population, the Eastern European cornerstone is famous for its delicious wiener schnitzel stuffed cabbages, goulashes, and of course chicken paprikash. Dinner ends with one of Balaton’s tasty sweet treats. Located at 13133 Shaker Square, try the restaurant’s delicious crepe suzette, or palacsinta with apricot, walnut, sweet cottage cheese, or poppy seed fillings (Photo Courtesy of Shaker Square’s Facebook page).

Giovanni’s Ristorante
Established in 1976, Giovanni’s Ristorante elegance permeates in its food and sophisticated environment. Its handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and prime veal, lamb and beef cuts has made this a Northeast Ohio staple for decades. If the food wasn’t enough, (and believe us it is) the wine list is internationally recognized for its wide selection. Located at 25550 Chagrin Blvd. Ste 44122, we expect this upscale experience to be around for years to come (Photo Courtesy of Giovanni’s Ristorante Facebook).

Sterle’s Country House
In 1954, the late Frank Sterle, an immigrant from Ljubljana, Slovenia, founded Sterle’s Country House with a small building on East 55th Street, a few picnic tables, and only one waitress. The waitress had to memorize the small menu since none had been printed, featuring traditional dishes including wiener schnitzel, chicken paprikash, stuffed cabbage, sausage and sauerkraut. Over 60 years later, the restaurant still serves up Slovenia and Eastern European comfort food, but is now open for private and public events only. Located at 1401 East 55th St., you will always leave full and satisfied (Photo courtesy of Sterle’s Country House’s Facebook page).