The Best Cleveland Food To Try in 2024
Are you looking for the best Cleveland food? From pierogis and paczki to bratwurst, bagels and chicken paprikash, Cleveland foods feature the heritage of the city’s Irish, German, Polish and Italian settlers.
According to native Drew Carey’s popular ‘90s sitcom “The Drew Cary Show,” Cleveland Rocks! After reading this list of Cleveland food ideas, you’re bound to agree that the food scene tops the charts.
Whether you’re visiting music icons at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, gazing at masterpieces at the Cleveland Museum of Art or adventuring on Lake Erie, we’ve gathered some ideas for where to find the most authentic Cleveland cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert.
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13 Best Cleveland Foods
1. Corned Beef Sandwich at Flannery’s Pub
Flannery’s Pub is the place to go for St. Patrick’s Day, the big game and any other time deserving of good food and drafts.
The Vibe
Outdoor seating, live music and Irish comfort food bring a casually festive vibe to this neighborhood Cleveland food favorite. Hanging out here is one of the best things to do in Cleveland for locals and visitors!
Why It's Good
A Cleveland staple, Flannery’s corned beef sandwich piles generous slices of house-made corned beef on marbled rye bread. Wash it down with an equally generous pour of Guinness.
Flannery’s | 323 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland, OH 44115 | $
2. Bratwurst Sandwich at Frank’s Bratwurst
Located at the West Side Market, Frank’s Bratwurst has been open since 1970 when Austrian immigrants Franz (Frank) and his wife Johanna Ratschki opened the small stall. They also operate a Cleveland food truck known as the Brat Mobile.
The Vibe
The West Side Market is Cleveland’s oldest indoor/outdoor market. You can shop, eat and drink among more than 100 vendors while enjoying a bustling market atmosphere.
Why It's Good
Order it plain or with sauerkraut for an authentic German meal. Frank’s also features other European comfort food selections, including a schnitzel sandwich, German potato salad and Italian sausage.
Frank’s Bratwurst | 1979 W. 25th St., Cleveland, OH 44113 | $
3. Pierogis at Little Polish Diner
The Little Polish Diner, located in the Polish Village in the neighborhood of Parma, serves a variety of Eastern European food such as borsch, stuffed cabbage and the famous pierogi.
The Vibe
The small and intimate corner diner seats 22 in a colorful Cleveland food setting.
Why It's Good
The pierogi is a dumpling stuffed with whipped potatoes and cheese. It’s then pan-fried and served with onions, stuffed cabbage and a side of sauerkraut or coleslaw.
Little Polish Diner | 5772 Ridge Road, Parma, OH 44129 | $
4. Paczki at Michael Angelo’s Bakery
For Mardi Gras celebrations, Michael Angelo’s Bakery is the place to get your authentic paczki sweets and Cleveland food.
The Vibe
Sit at the coffee bar and enjoy coffee and a sweet treat at this neighborhood diner and patisserie.
Why It's Good
Choose from 12 flavors that include apricot, custard and Bavarian maple as well as Boston cream pie or Dutch apple. You can also get macarons, cannoli tortes, cheesecake, pepperoni bread and Irish soda bread.
Michael Angelo’s Bakery | 8035 Broadview Road, Broadview Heights, OH 44147 | $
5. Bagel With Shmear at Cleveland Bagel Co.
Cleveland Bagel Co. bagels are somewhere between a Montreal and New York-style bagel. Flavors include rosemary sea salt, sesame seed, poppy seed and plain.
The Vibe
These chewy bagels can be found at farmers markets, bakeries and coffee shops around town.
Why It's Good
Hand-rolled, boiled and baked, Cleveland-style bagels are made with malt like Montreal-style bagels. Choose from shmears, which is simply Yiddish for “spreads,” such as butter, peanut butter and flavors like brie honey walnut, chorizo chipotle, cheddar chive and thyme black pepper horseradish.
Cleveland Bagel Co. | Multiple Locations | $
6. Walleye Cakes at Zanzibar Soul Fusion
For soul food in Cleveland, look no further than Zanzibar Soul Fusion, which serves Southern comfort cuisine like mac and cheese, candied yams, catfish and waffles, BBQ beef shank and smothered ribeye.
The Vibe
Zanzibar offers a casual and full-service restaurant vibe with indoor and outdoor seating for enjoying some of the best Cleveland food.
Why It's Good
Served with a side of house Cajun corn, Zanzibar’s walleye cakes are a take on the crab cake with the fruits of Lake Erie. Local walleye is blended with roasted red peppers, scallions, cilantro and Thai ginger mayo to make a unique and tasty appetizer.
Zanzibar Soul Fusion | Multiple Locations | $$
7. Chicken Paprikash at Balaton
Opened in 1964, the family-owned Balaton serves traditional Hungarian dishes like goulash, palacsinta and veal paprikash.
The Vibe
A bright and inviting interior welcomes diners to stay a while and enjoy authentic cuisine and Cleveland food specialties.
Why It's Good
Large portions of chicken are pan-fried and simmered in Hungarian paprika, onions and other seasonings until tender. This Cleveland food is served with homemade egg and flour spaetzle.
Balaton | 8564 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 | $
8. Pretzel Crunch Bar at Malley’s Chocolates
Malley’s Chocolates is headquartered in Cleveland and remains a popular slice of Cleveland cuisine for locals and visitors.
The Vibe
Multiple locations allow the ease of picking up a pretzel crunch bar or other chocolaty treat throughout Northeast Ohio. Four of the stores also feature an ice cream parlor for the sweet side of Cleveland food.
Why It's Good
Milk chocolate and salted pretzels combine into a sweet and crunchy treat. In addition to the pretzel crunch bar and other candy bars, Malley’s makes delicious truffles, chocolate-covered pretzels, buckeyes and English toffee creations.
Malley’s Chocolates | Multiple Locations | $
9. Dichotomy Popcorn at Campbell’s Sweets Factory
True popcorn connoisseurs will recommend Campbell’s Sweets Factory every time. Choose from kettle corn, white cheddar, vinegar and other unique flavors as well as chocolates, covered Oreo cookies and popcorn balls.
The Vibe
Step up to the counter, which remains a nostalgic experience with its glass cases displaying rows of colorful treats and Cleveland food.
Why It's Good
Not just any old buttered popcorn, Campbell’s dichotomy blend features caramel corn and cheese for a sweet and savory snacking experience. The white dichotomy popcorn uses white cheddar. You can also choose from seasonal flavors like caramel apple, hot cocoa and garlic Parmesan. Popcorn is available in bags and tins for to-go Cleveland foods.
Campbell’s Sweets Factory | Multiple Locations | $
10. Parmageddon at Melt Bar and Grilled
Melt Bar and Grill serves gourmet grilled cheese, comfort food and a variety of craft beer and cocktails.
The Vibe
A bustling vibe makes Melt a fun spot to grab a bite to eat or celebrate happy hour. You can also find Melt at Progressive Field, home to the Cleveland Guardians MLB team.
Why It's Good
This eclectic and gigantic grilled sandwich is filled with a potato and onion pierogi, sautéed onions and Napa vodka kraut. Fresh artisan bread, a tasty French/Italian hybrid loaf, comes from Mediterra Bakehouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Melt Bar and Grilled | Multiple Locations | $
11. Polish Boy at Seti’s
If you’re wondering: “What food is Cleveland known for?” you can’t pass up a Polish boy. Seti’s was Michael Symon’s pick for the Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate.”
The Vibe
Operating for more than 20 years, Seti’s is Cleveland’s first food truck and a local favorite. It can usually be found at Lorain and 42nd Street.
Why It's Good
Grilled kielbasa, cole slaw, French fries and barbecue sauce are piled high on a sandwich bun. You can also add chili and cheese to this delicious mess of a meal.
Seti’s | W. 42nd and Lorain Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113 | $
12. Buckeyes at Mitchell’s Fine Chocolates
Mitchell’s Fine Chocolates has been family-owned and run since 1939, when it began as a small neighborhood soda fountain.
The Vibe
The brightly lit neighborhood hub features a warm and inviting storefront for sweet treats from dark chocolate coconut bonbons and cherry cordials to fruit slices, pecan turtles and mint truffles. If you’re searching for date ideas in Cleveland, taking your partner to get some sweet treats here is an excellent idea.
Why It's Good
Buckeyes are a great gift to give from a visit to the Buckeye State. Mitchell’s buckeyes consist of a soft and creamy peanut butter center, blanketed in dark chocolate and dotted with a splash of milk chocolate.
Mitchell’s Fine Chocolates | 2285 Lee Road, Cleveland, OH 44118 | $
13. Hot Dogs at Steve’s Diner
The original Steve’s Diner, which opened in 1953, is shown in the opening credits of "The Drew Carey Show.” It was lost in a fire in 2015, but you can still enjoy diner fare at its new location.
The Vibe
Steve’s features a diner vibe with casual counter and table seating, good food and 24/7 service for excellent Cleveland food.
Why It's Good
Choose from hot dogs covered in chili, slaw or cheese, as well as fried chicken, BBQ ribs and breakfast items.
Steve’s Diner | 6850 Biddup Road, Cleveland, OH 44144 | $
Join 200,000+ Culinary Enthusiasts
This collection of Cleveland foods is designed to spark your culinary creativity and satisfy your appetite whether you’re exploring Cleveland, passing through on your way to Columbus for an Ohio State game or headed to Sandusky to ride the coasters at Cedar Point. The next time you’re looking for a bite to eat or a snack to savor, check out one of these Cleveland area eateries.
For even more ways to explore Cleveland, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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