The 25 Most Popular Restaurants in Cleveland Right Now, According to Yelp

By on Fri, Oct 8, 2021 at 9:37 am

Cleveland really does have a very diverse food scene. Looking at the best restaurants in town, according to Yelp rankings, certainly confirms it. In these 25 restaurants alone, there's fine dining, pizza, pupusas, Chinese soup dumplings, a Cuban cafe, Japanese, Middle Eastern food, soul/comfort food, barbecue, a brewery, a sandwich shop, upscale bar food, a Brazilian joint, empanadas, a vegetarian restaurant, a Greek, French and Italian restaurant, and Korean food. It appears from Yelp reviews that regardless of the cuisine you serve in this town, if the food is good, locals will appreciate it.

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Zhug 12413 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights “The only way to describe Zhug is "exceptional." A friend & I finally went in-person a week ago, & it was the magical sort of meal - & dining experience - that transported us back to those more carefree pre-pandemic times, when nice dinners were a frequent & fun experience. To my surprise, my favorite dish was the muhammara, a chunky, slightly sweet dip of roasted red peppers with local goat cheese, walnuts, & mint. The puffy laffa bread was perfect for both it & the hummus, allowing the dips to shine while providing a low-key delicious base. The falafel, too, was a work of art, a small, composed dish topped with ribboned carrots, cucumbers, golden tahini, cilantro, & sesame seed. They were crispy on the outside & perfectly soft inside, not dry like falafel sometimes is. Can you tell I liked this restaurant? My God, I loved this restaurant. I can't wait to go back, & I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!” Kate K. on Yelp Photo by Emanuel Wallace

Zhug

12413 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights

“The only way to describe Zhug is "exceptional." A friend & I finally went in-person a week ago, & it was the magical sort of meal - & dining experience - that transported us back to those more carefree pre-pandemic times, when nice dinners were a frequent & fun experience. To my surprise, my favorite dish was the muhammara, a chunky, slightly sweet dip of roasted red peppers with local goat cheese, walnuts, & mint. The puffy laffa bread was perfect for both it & the hummus, allowing the dips to shine while providing a low-key delicious base. The falafel, too, was a work of art, a small, composed dish topped with ribboned carrots, cucumbers, golden tahini, cilantro, & sesame seed. They were crispy on the outside & perfectly soft inside, not dry like falafel sometimes is. Can you tell I liked this restaurant? My God, I loved this restaurant. I can't wait to go back, & I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!” Kate K. on Yelp

Photo by Emanuel Wallace
Mizu Japanese Sushi Restaurant 10219 Brookpark Rd., Parma “We are back at our favorite sushi place, Mizu Japanese Sushi, for some much-needed home favorites. We ordered the simple but delicious spicy tuna rolls, a Mexican roll and the incredible mustard rolls. We are never disappointed when we come here. The staff is attentive and very knowledgeable and will help point you in the right direction if you're new to sushi or want to try something new. Mizu proves that the restaurant doesn't have to be in a fancy location to be incredible! ,” Nathan B. on Yelp. Photo via Mizu Japanese Sushi Restaurant/Facebook

Mizu Japanese Sushi Restaurant

10219 Brookpark Rd., Parma

“We are back at our favorite sushi place, Mizu Japanese Sushi, for some much-needed home favorites. We ordered the simple but delicious spicy tuna rolls, a Mexican roll and the incredible mustard rolls. We are never disappointed when we come here. The staff is attentive and very knowledgeable and will help point you in the right direction if you're new to sushi or want to try something new. Mizu proves that the restaurant doesn't have to be in a fancy location to be incredible! ,” Nathan B. on Yelp.

Photo via Mizu Japanese Sushi Restaurant/Facebook
Sabor Miami Cafe and Gallery 4848 Broadview Rd., Cleveland “My boyfriend and I decided to grab breakfast here since we were both craving an el típico and, wow, are we glad that we that we did! We both got a Chorizo Honduran Breakfast and a Cuban Colado. It was a ton of food and ended up being two meals for me (admittedly only one for the boyfriend). Everything was amazingly delicious, but the handmade tortillas and beans were the best. We will definitely be back!” Alycia G. on Yelp Photo via Sabor Miami Cafe and Gallery/Facebook

Sabor Miami Cafe and Gallery

4848 Broadview Rd., Cleveland

“My boyfriend and I decided to grab breakfast here since we were both craving an el típico and, wow, are we glad that we that we did! We both got a Chorizo Honduran Breakfast and a Cuban Colado. It was a ton of food and ended up being two meals for me (admittedly only one for the boyfriend). Everything was amazingly delicious, but the handmade tortillas and beans were the best. We will definitely be back!” Alycia G. on Yelp

Photo via Sabor Miami Cafe and Gallery/Facebook
Il Rione 1303 West 65th St., Cleveland “I have lived in Cleveland for about 25 years now and this is the best pizza I have found here. The crust is light and chewy and the ratio of topping to crust is perfect. It's really nice to finally find pizza this good on the West Side,” Jodi B. on Yelp Photo by Emanuel Wallace

Il Rione

1303 West 65th St., Cleveland

“I have lived in Cleveland for about 25 years now and this is the best pizza I have found here. The crust is light and chewy and the ratio of topping to crust is perfect. It's really nice to finally find pizza this good on the West Side,” Jodi B. on Yelp

Photo by Emanuel Wallace
Earth Bistro Cafe 11100 Clifton Ave., Cleveland “This is one of my new favorite restaurants in CLE! For the price you get so much tasty food. Pictured is the fried tofu sandwich and my friend got the marinated tofu wrap which was also to die for. If you're looking for a great restaurant with quick service this is the place. Perfect for meat eaters and vegetarians, plus anything can be made vegan! Go support this local business, I can't wait to come back,” Kylie S. on Yelp. Photo via Earth Bistro Cafe/Facebook

Earth Bistro Cafe

11100 Clifton Ave., Cleveland

“This is one of my new favorite restaurants in CLE! For the price you get so much tasty food. Pictured is the fried tofu sandwich and my friend got the marinated tofu wrap which was also to die for. If you're looking for a great restaurant with quick service this is the place. Perfect for meat eaters and vegetarians, plus anything can be made vegan! Go support this local business, I can't wait to come back,” Kylie S. on Yelp.

Photo via Earth Bistro Cafe/Facebook
Boney Fingers BBQ 1800 Euclid Ave., Cleveland ”Delicious BBQ! We tried the pulled pork and brisket sandwiches for lunch and they were so tasty! My fiancé has been hyping up his favorite BBQ spot for over a year and I was finally able to try and it did not disappoint! The brisket was our favorite and it was juicy and tender. Their two types of sauce were great additions to the sandwich and the cornbread was awesome as well! Reasonably priced, good food! Definitely worth a visit!!” Courtney S. on Yelp Photo via Scene Archives

Boney Fingers BBQ

1800 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

”Delicious BBQ! We tried the pulled pork and brisket sandwiches for lunch and they were so tasty! My fiancé has been hyping up his favorite BBQ spot for over a year and I was finally able to try and it did not disappoint! The brisket was our favorite and it was juicy and tender. Their two types of sauce were great additions to the sandwich and the cornbread was awesome as well! Reasonably priced, good food! Definitely worth a visit!!” Courtney S. on Yelp

Photo via Scene Archives
Rowley Inn 1104 Rowley Ave., Cleveland “Wow, what a great find in the Tremont area of Cleveland. We were looking for a place to enjoy some pierogi. This bar showed up in our search and they had quite a unique menu. It's located in a neighborhood and not on the main drag so it is worth searching out. They serve a variety of local beers on draft and in bottles. The menu had quite a variety to choose from. We had the kielbasa and pierogi plate which was filling and delicious. When you leave you can also visit the Christmas Story house that is located directly across the street,” Eric S. on Yelp Photo via Scene Archives

Rowley Inn

1104 Rowley Ave., Cleveland

“Wow, what a great find in the Tremont area of Cleveland. We were looking for a place to enjoy some pierogi. This bar showed up in our search and they had quite a unique menu. It's located in a neighborhood and not on the main drag so it is worth searching out. They serve a variety of local beers on draft and in bottles. The menu had quite a variety to choose from. We had the kielbasa and pierogi plate which was filling and delicious. When you leave you can also visit the Christmas Story house that is located directly across the street,” Eric S. on Yelp

Photo via Scene Archives
Urban Kitchen and Deli 9751 Chester Ave., Cleveland “Absolutely awesome place with a unique concept. It's breakfast meets traditional east coast deli meets authentic Egyptian fare right on the Cleveland Clinic's campus. I had the hummus (which was uber fresh and could immediately tell it was made in house) to start, then followed things with the "Rocky Balboa" sandwich. Mr. Balboa offered a blend of corned beef and pastrami that was super reminiscent of a deli that you'll catch in NYC,” Rodger B. on Yelp. Photo via Urban Kitchen and Deli/Facebook

Urban Kitchen and Deli

9751 Chester Ave., Cleveland

“Absolutely awesome place with a unique concept. It's breakfast meets traditional east coast deli meets authentic Egyptian fare right on the Cleveland Clinic's campus. I had the hummus (which was uber fresh and could immediately tell it was made in house) to start, then followed things with the "Rocky Balboa" sandwich. Mr. Balboa offered a blend of corned beef and pastrami that was super reminiscent of a deli that you'll catch in NYC,” Rodger B. on Yelp.

Photo via Urban Kitchen and Deli/Facebook
Herb'n Twine 4309 Lorain Ave., Cleveland “One of my favorite sandwich shops in North America! Yeah I said it...The portions are huge, flavor combinations are complementary, and the bread is homemade/fresh. The homemade/fresh bread is such a game changer. My favorite is the Cubano...the perfect sandwich really. If there was a location in Chicago I would frequent weekly,” Daniel W. on Yelp Photo by Tim Harrison

Herb'n Twine

4309 Lorain Ave., Cleveland

“One of my favorite sandwich shops in North America! Yeah I said it...The portions are huge, flavor combinations are complementary, and the bread is homemade/fresh. The homemade/fresh bread is such a game changer. My favorite is the Cubano...the perfect sandwich really. If there was a location in Chicago I would frequent weekly,” Daniel W. on Yelp

Photo by Tim Harrison
LJ Shanghai 3142 Superior Ave., Cleveland “Omg this is a must go in Asia town!!!!!! I legit could eat there once a week - I love it so much! The soup dumplings are everything!!! You gotta get the pan fried noodles with beef, they are cooked to perfection! The spicy wontons are a must but warning they are spicy so avoid them if you don't like the heat!! 10/10 for me!” Kelly J. on Yelp Photo via Scene Archives

LJ Shanghai

3142 Superior Ave., Cleveland

“Omg this is a must go in Asia town!!!!!! I legit could eat there once a week - I love it so much! The soup dumplings are everything!!! You gotta get the pan fried noodles with beef, they are cooked to perfection! The spicy wontons are a must but warning they are spicy so avoid them if you don't like the heat!! 10/10 for me!” Kelly J. on Yelp

Photo via Scene Archives
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