The 20 Hottest Restaurants in Cleveland Right Now

The Standard

779 E. 185th St., Cleveland

The beloved Colinwood neighborhood gem recently changed ownership, but don’t worry, they’ve kept some longitme favorite dishes of the diehard customer base. In addition to the Standard's aromatic, elaborate constructions like Valencian paella, Provençal bouillabaisse and North African tagine reflect the owner's childhood in Casablanca, where the foods of France, Spain, Italy and North Africa regularly graced his kitchen table. Here, they largely succeed.

Photo by Emanuel Wallace

Thai Thai

13735 Madison Ave., Lakewood

It’s no secret that Thai Thai restaurant in Lakewood has captured the hearts and stomachs of Thai food fans pretty much from the day it opened its doors three and a half years ago. The one downside to Thai Thai? Its size, a puny 15 seats, most of which are gobbled up by eager diners before you arrive. All that changes come December, when Thai Thai 2.0 opens two blocks east on Madison.

Photo by Emanuel Wallace

Salt

17625 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

"Nobody orders small plates in Cleveland." Since the birth of the turnip, that has been the conventional wisdom in these parts. Of course, at her whip-smart Lakewood bistro Salt, chef Jill Vedaa continues to upend that old saw by composing exceptional dishes that focus on a single theme. In place of a meat-and-three, diners zero in on carrots three ways, or earthy beets blasted with sparkle, or a savory lamb ragu over a few supple gnocchi. Mix and match your way to the perfect meal; variety, after all, is the spice of life.

Photo via @LBoeNeedham/Instagram

Ohio City Burrito

Multiple Locations

In the Cleveland area, the burrito is rightly held in high esteem. So the news that Ohio City Burrito — which has churned out affordable and satisfying missiles of goodness on West 25th for nearly a decade, as well as at a new downtown location since last year and at Progressive Field — is expanding to Lakewood shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone.

Photo via Scene Archives

Michael’s Genuine

3427 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights

While Van Aken waits for a few new places to open, Michael’s Genuine stands alone as the only full service restaurant in the new shopping district. It’s definitely good enough to be the flagship restaurant of the area. From Miami Chef Michael Schwartz, winner of a James Beard Award, Michael’s is one of the best new restaurants in town. Get there if you haven’t.

Photo via Michael’s Genuine/Facebook

Luxe Kitchen & Lounge

6605 Detroit Ave., Cleveland

Before there was Toast, Brewnuts, Spice, Astoria, XYZ Tavern and sweet, Sweet Moses there was Luxe Kitchen, an early speculator in the then up-and-coming neighborhood of Detroit Shoreway. When it opened a little over a decade ago, the oh-so-haute bistro joined area mainstays like Rincon Criollo, Happy Dog, Latitude 41 and Gypsy Beans, which perhaps was the first piece on the chessboard of this so-called urban renaissance. Since opening day there have been ups and downs, chefs shifts and menu re-dos – even ownership tweaks – but throughout it all, the restaurant has managed to remain an anchor in this dynamic arts-fueled district.

Photo by Emanuel Wallace

Lindey’s Lake House

Multiple Locations

After turning Brio and Bravo into large, successful franchises, local restaurateur Rick Doody turned his sights on Cleveland by opening Cedar Creek Grille and Coastal Taco. He then decided to expand next to Cedar Creek in Beachwood by opening the first Lindey’s Lake House, a modern eatery with an appealing menu with the feel of a northern Michigan lake house. Then, Coastal Taco in the Flats turned into a second Lindey’s and a third opened recently in Lakewood.

Photo via Lindey’s Lake House/Facebook

Indian Flame

11623 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

A decade in business is a mark of distinction for a restaurant located anywhere on a map, but it feels especially noteworthy on the unpredictable restaurant row that has formed along Euclid Avenue. There are few dining experiences more immediately gratifying, roundly satisfying and value-conscious than a well-prepared Indian buffet. The one dished up at Indian Flame ($10.99) is among the best in town, fueled by a fresh and bottomless selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian Northern Indian dishes.

Photo by Douglas Trattner

Geraci’s Restaurant

Multiple Locations

The thick-cut pepperoni (we recommend ordering double-pepperoni) on their pizzas are the stars of the show at this mom and pop Italian restaurant that’s been a family business for over 60 years, opening in 1956.. Don’t let that stop you from exploring the rest of the traditional Italian menu, with other staples like spaghetti and homemade meat sauce and eggplant parmesan. Now, you can try their delicious offerings at three locations, one in Pepper Pike and one in Mayfield Heights in addition to their original home in University Heights.

Photo via Geraci’s Restaurant/Facebook

Dagu Rice Noodle

3710 Payne Ave., Cleveland

We’re always happy for more additions to our growing Asia Town. Dagu Rice Noodle has hundreds of locations throughout China, where the Shanghai-based restaurant began, a handful in Canada, and only one or two in the States. The house specialty is “crossing the bridge noodles,” a noodle soup-based meal that is similar, but not identical, to hot pot, and it’s quite delicious.

Photo via Scene Archives