25 Cleveland Bars with Food as Good as Their Drinks

BRIM Kitchen and Brewery

3941 Erie St., Willoughby

It took owners TJ Reagan and Chris Frate two years and more than a few wheelbarrows of cash to open BRIM, a stunning white-brick-and-glass structure that looks like a refurbished warehouse on the edge of town. But all that planning led to this being the brewery that may boast the best food out of all of them. And the brews are very good as well.

Photo via BRIM Kitchen and Brewery/Facebook

Hansa Brewery

2717 Lorain Ave., Cleveland

This Biergarten and beer hall is one of just a select few of German-style breweries in Cleveland. The menu of schnitzel, sausages and pretzels makes it feel like you could be in Ohio City or Munich. Oh, and the beer mugs are as big as you’d expect.

Photo via @HansaBrewery/Instagram

Humble Wine Bar

15400 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

This place really has everything you look for in a wine bar. They have a delicious, eclectic selection of wine, great small plates, and a wonderful cheese selection. The delicious Neapolitan style pizzas are what really makes this place stand out.

Photo via @HumbleWineBar/Instagram

XYZ the Tavern

6419 Detroit Ave., Cleveland

XYZ, and its sister restaurant ABC really up the game when it comes to bar food. Eclectic and affordable pub-style comfort food is the name of the game at XYZ, with great burgers, corned beef and chicken sandies filling the bill. Don't miss the housemade chips and the killer chicken and waffles.

Photo via @HollySanker/Instagram

TownHall

1909 West 25th St., Cleveland

The popular West 25th bar and restaurant, which recently expanded to Columbus’s’ Short North neighborhood, has been the place to see and be seen ever since it opened in 2013. The GMO-free menu is also one of the more vegan/vegetarian friendly places in town.

Photo via Scene Archives

The Harp

4408 Detroit Ave., Cleveland

An Irish bar on steroids, the Harp isn’t just your corner joint with a few shamrocks on the wall. It boasts a large Irish-influenced menu and a spacious patio with a view of the lake. The music’s as likely to be rootsy rock or blues as Irish.

Photo via The Harp/Facebook

The South Side

2207 West 11th St., Cleveland

Casually hip and artfully unpretentious, this clubby Tremont tavern offers very good food, cold beer, stylish surroundings and frequent appearances by local bands and DJs. And if all that isn't reason enough to visit, remember that during warm weather, the handsomely landscaped patio is one of the coolest destinations in town.

Photo via @TheSouthsideCleveland/Instagram

Nighttown

12383 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights

The anchor of Cleveland's jazz scene since 1965, Nighttown isn't just a place that locals love; it's received national recognition for its music programming. The food is on the traditional side but it’s all delicious, especially the Dublin Lawyer.

Photo via Scene Archives

Nano Brew

1859 West 25th St., Cleveland

In 2013, Thrillist named this local brewery’s burger as one of the best 33 burgers in America. If that’s not enough of a reason to hit up this microbrewery, pair one of Nano Brew's award-winning burgers (or sliders) with any of their 24 draft beers — they've got you covered until 2:30 a.m.

Photo via Nano Brew/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.

Photo by Douglas Trattner