30 Classic Cleveland Restaurants And Bars That Have Been Around More Than 40 Years

Don’s Pomeroy House

13664 Pearl Rd., Strongsville

This restored mid-19th century mansion, which overlooks the town square of Strongsville, creates a dining experience that can’t be replicated. Since 1979, Don’s has featured a standard menu of steaks, seafood and chops. Don’s is pretty traditional menu-wise, but everything is done right. What’s really cool about this place is all of the different rooms of the mansion you can sit in - the study, the parlor, the library, the pub, or the patio when the weather’s right.

Photo via Don’s Pomeroy House/Facebook

Der Braumeister

13046 Lorain Ave., Cleveland

What started as a speakeasy in 1925 still serves up some of the best German fare in Cleveland. In fact, they’ve been given that title multiple times according to Scene’s Best Of Cleveland. What started as Herzog’s turned into Der Braumeister in 1983.

Photo via Der Braumeister/Facebook

Merry Arts Pub and Grill

15607 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Since 1932, Merry Arts has served up food and drinks to the Lakewood community. It opened during the Great Depression, and if it could make it through that, well, we have a feeling it won’t be going anywhere any time soon, especially with how beloved Taco Tuesday’s are.

Photo via Scene Archives

Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers

3600 Brecksville Rd., Richfield

You know a place means business when they’re cash only in the year 2021. And that’s the case at Richfield’s Whitey’s, home to some of the most beloved burgers in the Cuyahoga Valley. With 15 burgers and monthly specials, this place runs the gamut from traditional delicious cheeseburgers to more unique burgers like the Italian Stallion topped with provolone, pepperoni, marinara and Italian seasoning and the B.O.M.B. smothered with Mac N’ Cheese, topped with bacon, served on a Pretzel roll bun. They’ve been around since 1945.

Photo via Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers/Facebook

Guarino’s

12309 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland

Established in 1918, Guarino's in Little Italy is Cleveland's oldest restaurants and is still a family operation. While the decor tends toward Victoriana, the kitchen's pasta, veal and seafood dishes are all Italian.

Photo via Guarino’s/Facebook

Close Quarters Pub

31953 Lake Rd., Avon Lake

The name says it all at this Avon Lake pub that’s been opened since 1930. But it certainly packs a lot of character into 600 square feet of space. Oh, and the wings are awesome.

Photo via Close Quarters Pub/Facebook

Corky and Lenny’s

27091 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere

In 1956, Corky Kurland and Lenny Kaden wanted to open a New York-style deli in Cleveland and did so at Cedar Center in University Heights. That location eventually closed, but in 1973, they expanded to Woodmere, where the restaurant still stands, serving delicious corned beef, pastrami and any other type of delicatessen food. The restaurant is currently owned by Kurland’s son Kenny.

Photo via Corky and Lenny’s/Facebook

Hotz Cafe

2529 West 10th St., Cleveland

This Tremont bar has been in the same family since 1919. Back in the days of League Park, it used to be a favorite hangout of visiting ballplayers and was frequented by the likes of Babe Ruth, Lou Gherig and Ty Cobb. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt is also said to have thrown back a drink or two at this dive.

Photo via Scene Archives

Balaton

13133 Shaker Square, Cleveland

Talk about underappreciated. When Balaton opened over a half-century ago on Buckeye Road, in 1964, the primary language spoken in the dining room was Hungarian. But word of the modest restaurant's remarkable goulash, Weiner schnitzel, and paprikash wriggled out, at first to the immediate neighborhood, and later to the city and region as a whole. Come to the lovely restaurant at Shaker Square, where Balaton has now resided for 20 years, and you won't be awash in Old World shtick.

Photo via Scene Archives

Davis Bakery and Deli

28700 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere and 4572 Renaissance Pkwy., Cleveland

With Wax and Mandel and Pincus bakeries closing in recent years, Davis Bakery is one of the only Jewish bakeries left in town. Davis, which opened in 1939, is known for their coconut bars on the bakery side and their hot pastrami when it comes to sandwiches and savory food.

Photo via Davis Bakery/Facebook