European/Mediterranean in Cleveland

An outpost of the Northfield Center original, this Polish soul kitchen serves big portions of well-prepared standards like cabbage rolls, fresh kielbasa, and roast pork. Don't let the paper placemats and counter service fool you: The hearty food is a tasty bargain. And certainly don't miss the jumbo pierogi, our pick for some of the best around.

Hours: Kitchen 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon-Wed, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thurs-Sat, Closed Sun. Bar stays open later.

Following in the ultra-successful footsteps of Anatolia Cafe, Northeast Ohio’s first Turkish restaurant, Dervish introduces the Middle Eastern cuisine to far West Siders. Despite an exotic-sounding pedigree, the cuisine is remarkably approachable, largely healthful, and ideally suited to our meat-and-potatoes sensibilities. There are vegetarian spreads, flavorful grilled meat kebabs, and simply prepared seafood items. Comfort foods like stuffed peppers and Turkish pizza transcend cultural borders.

If you think Fat Cats is cool, you'll definitely love Felice. Run by the same restaurateur, this cozy eatery is tucked inside a restored Craftsman-style home on the Shaker-Cleveland border. Awaiting diners is unfussy and affordable Mediterranean fare, much of it with a decidedly Spanish flair. There's chorizo-spiked mussels, lamb sliders, skirt steak chimichurri and garlicky seafood stew. Full bar, wine and beer. Outdoor patio.

This is the place to come if you crave authentic homemade Greek specialties, like souvlakia, dolmades, avgolemono and spanakopita. Or grab a $4 gyro and some handcut fries. Open for lunch and dinner.

A little cramped, occasionally noisy, and quite possibly the city's smallest restaurant, this tiny French bistro still manages to turn out superlative crepes, earthy pâtés, and one of the best Croque Monsieur sandwiches this side of the Seine.

Though this Polish deli and restaurant looks and feels like it has always been here, the Slavic Village shop opened in 2008. The front portion is devoted to the deli, with wooden shelving and coolers laden with smoked meats, pastries, and imported foodstuffs from Eastern Europe. A spare but elegant dining room in the rear of the shop dishes up hearty, homey comfort foods like pierogies, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, pork schnitzel, and cabbage and noodles. A buffet, during busy times, is a great bargain, offering an all-you-can-eat experience for $6.99.