American in Cleveland

31 results

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Bahama Breeze

3900 Orange Pl., Orange Village Eastern Suburbs

216-896-9081

American, Menu

Although the kitchen at this Caribbean-themed restaurant (part of the Darden Restaurants chain) tends to keep the heat turned down, much of the food — such as pressed Cuban sandwiches, butterflied coconut prawns, pan-seared pork tenderloin in a rummy demiglace — is flavorful and attentively prepared. Still, the real draw is the bustling bar scene, fueled by shooters, beer, and boozy, fruity, and frozen concoctions designed to make every night feel like a week at the beach.
Bass Lake Taverne

426 South St., Chardon Mentor/Lake County

440-285-3100

American

Casual, cozy, and with a splendid secluded patio for warm-weather dining, this upscale tavern offers everything from burgers and ribs to filet mignon and veal medallions. The surrounding countryside is charming, and getting there on the winding Geauga County roads is almost half the fun.
Beachcliff Tavern

19245 Detroit Rd., Rocky River Western Suburbs

440-333-4686

American

This warm sports bar hosts live rock and blues when major games aren't commanding attention.
Bistro 185

991 E. 185th St. Eastern Suburbs

216-481-9635

American

Neighbors have thanked owners Marc and Ruth Levine for "not being another wing-and-beer joint," while others appreciate them for not being too upscale. Bistro 185 takes the glorious middle road, offering hearty made-from-scratch comfort dishes at blue-collar prices.
Bistro on Main

1313 W. Main St. Kent/Portage County

330-673-9900

American, Menu

Always energetic and occasionally riveting rustic Mediterranean and American cuisine leads the way at this chef-driven bistro in Kent. Above-average desserts, too, from an in-house pastry chef.
Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern

8960 Wilcox Dr., Twinsburg Akron/Summit County

330-486-BLUE

American

Perched on a hill overlooking the Ohio countryside, this rambling lodge offers a lovely backdrop for Executive Chef Brandt Evans' hearty American fare. While entrées like short ribs and mac 'n' cheese may sound homey, count on Evans to update them with luxury ingredients and season them with culinary magic.

1 article
Brennan's Colony

2299 Lee Rd., Cleveland Hts. Eastern Suburbs

216-371-1010

American, Menu

Still our pick for one of the best dinner values in town, Brennan's manages to combine the vibe of a well-worn bar with the quality of a contemporary bistro. While the kitchen does right by burgers, steaks, and sandwiches, the real thrills are the daily specials — full-meal deals ranging from porkchops, fresh fish, chicken and pasta, pegged at $22 or less.

1 article
The Cabin

28810 Lake Shore Blvd., Willowick Mentor/Lake County

440-943-5195

American

True to its name, the Cabin looks like a cabin inside and out. Lounge acts play in the bar, where couples cut a rug after the dinner crowd thins out.
Claddagh Irish Pub

25389 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst Eastern Suburbs

216-691-0534

American, Menu

While real pubs are woven into the fabric of a neighborhood, you’ll find Claddagh (part of a national chain) adrift in the middle of a parking lot, surrounded by a shopping mecca. Once you're inside, though, evocative decor, friendly service and a multipage menu of well-prepared dishes, including a standout version of fish ’n’ chips, help soften the blow. Nor does it hurt that the full bar carries a solid selection of draft beers as well as every Irish whiskey available in the U.S.
Clifton Martini & Wine Bar

10427 Clifton Blvd. West Side/Ohio City/Tremont/Detroit Shoreway

216-965-0221

American

No pricey destination restaurant, Clifton attracts crowds with simple, appealing American fare, much of it served in large, sharable portions, along with craft beers, creative martinis, and fine wines.
Crave

57 E. Market St. Akron/Summit County

330-253-1234

American

An earthy swirl of brick, glass and polished wood, Crave provides a warm backdrop for chefs DeAnna Akers and Aaron Hervey's long, inventive menu of high-octane treats, featuring everything from Black Angus burgers to porcini-dusted scallops. The bar offers an enticing roundup of imported and craft-brewed beers, along with well-priced wines and savory martinis.
Dave & Buster's

25735 First St., Westlake Western Suburbs

440-892-1415

American

For those who have come to this entertainment complex primarily to play the state-of-the-art games and then find that the starship piloting, dinosaur dodging, and race-car driving have left them peckish, meals in the lavishly appointed Grand Dining Room are generally good-tasting, satisfying, and reasonably priced conveniences.

3 articles
Foster's Tavern of Hinckley

1382 Ridge Rd., Hinckley Medina County

330-278-2106

American

There’s something for everyone at this oddball crossroads tavern, from grilled bologna and pizza to Kobe beef and lobster. The charm factor gets a further twist from boxes, racks and countertops crammed with value-priced wine; coolers stuffed with imported beer; and a jukebox replete with tunes ranging from classic rock to show tunes.

1 article
4th Street Bar & Grill

402 Euclid Ave. Downtown/Flats/Warehouse District

216-298-4070

American

Noisy and fun-loving, this 100-seat restaurant is part of the Corner Alley complex, a high-energy hangout featuring 16 lanes of bowling and a fashionable martini bar. With cheese here, bacon there, and deep-fried goodness nearly everywhere, spa cuisine this is not. But thanks to zesty flavors and often-imaginative preparation, the offerings still beat the standard bowling-alley lineup by a long shot.

1 article
The Harp

4408 Detroit Ave. West Side/Ohio City/Tremont/Detroit Shoreway

216-939-0200

American, Menu

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.

2 articles
Harry Buffalo Lakewood

18605 Detroit Ave., Lakewood Western Suburbs

216-221-1313

American

Stampede over to Harry Buffalo when you need a fix of low-fat bison steaks, ribs, or burgers: This homegrown chain, with six area locations, is the largest purchaser of buffalo meat in Ohio. Besides bison, the large menu includes beef, salads, pastas, and chicken. The video games and a big list of imported, domestic, and microbrewed beers are just what urban cowboys need after a long week on the trail.
Heck's Café

2927 Bridge St. West Side/Ohio City/Tremont/Detroit Shoreway

216-861-5464

American, Menu

Heading into its fourth decade, this charming Ohio City café remains a reliable, if non-trendy, refuge for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch, best enjoyed in the airy garden room, a mug of cinnamon-scented coffee at hand. While gourmet burgers are the specialty of the house, other options abound, including salads, wraps, steaks, and pastas.
Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

26300 Chagrin Blvd. (in the Clarion Hotel), Beachwood Eastern Suburbs

216-464-0688

American, Menu

HPP's Beachwood location is big, manly and urbane, with all the trappings of an upscale midwestern steakhouse. Happily, the food — shrimp cocktails, Kobe beef burgers and of course, thick, juicy steaks — is as satisfying as the setting, and the place is as popular for after-work unwinding as it is for weekend splurges.
J. Alexander’s Restaurant

5845 Landerbrook Dr., Lyndhurst Eastern Suburbs

440-449-9131

American, Menu

Yes, it’s part of a national group of Nashville-based restaurants. But J. Alexander’s still gets the nod for intelligently conceived and well-prepared food, served in a gimmick-free atmosphere. Prices are right, portions are huge, and the slowly roasted prime rib is probably Cleveland’s finest.
Jezebel's Bayou

12718 Larchmere Blvd. East Side/University Circle/Little Italy

216-721-3877

American, Cajun/Creole

This attractive Larchmere Boulevard space is operated by the folks behind Angie's Soul Café and Zanzibar Soul Fusion. Here, the focus is on Cajun and Creole dishes inspired by the Big Easy: Think authentically prepared gumbo, jambalaya, BBQ shrimp, and étouffée. The seafood is fresh, the sauces vivacious, the portions robust, and the prices right where they should be.
Karl's Inn of the Barristers

1264 W. 3rd St. Downtown/Flats/Warehouse District

216-241-4141

American

Cops, lawyers, secretaries, hipsters, football fans, and neighborhood residents — sooner or later, everyone ends up at Karl’s, for the good food, well-stocked bar, and unpretentious vibe. A one-pound corned-beef sandwich is the house specialty; other good bets include the Friday-night fish fry and the well-dressed Snuggery Burger.
The Nauti Mermaid

1378 W. 6th St. Downtown/Flats/Warehouse District

216-771-6175

American

A laid-back alternative to the Warehouse District's pricey haute spots, this nautically themed tavern specializes in fish, seafood, and plenty of beer, in bottles and on tap. One of downtown's best happy hours.

1 article
Nighttown

12387 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights Eastern Suburbs

216-795-0550

American, Music Venues, Clubs

The city’s best jazz club books headliners from every corner of the genre. The dining room where acts perform — you can have dinner while you listen — was recently redesigned for even better sound and sightlines.

3 articles
Olivor Twist

4061 Erie St., Willoughby Mentor/Lake County

440-946-0900

American

An extensive collection of well-priced cocktails and wine is the major draw at this good-looking martini bar. But when the kitchen’s on its game, the concise menu of modern American and Mediterranean fare earns its props too.
Pura Vida

170 Euclid Ave. Downtown/Flats/Warehouse District

216-987-0100

American, Contemporary, Breakfast

Veteran chef Brandt Evans' Public Square restaurant is a breath of fresh air for downtowners, with a spare decor, an urbane vibe, and rustically refined menus built from local, sustainable ingredients. A stickler for details, Evans pays equal attention to every element of a dish. He does, however, leave room for whimsy, as evidenced by the occasional odd ingredient and deconstructed arrangement. Full bar.