The Best Restaurants in Downtown Cleveland, Ohio

The Blue Point Grille has retained the title of Cleveland’s premier seafood restaurant since its opening in 1997. The massive bay windows overlook the heart of downtown’s historic Warehouse District, littered with transformed factory buildings and shopping centers. The Grille offers traditional seafood made form the freshest ingredients at the raw bar, as well as award-winning wine pairings. Fine dining meets an open air atmosphere in this sizable urban locale, which has two stories connected by ornate columns. Happy hour is one of the best deals in town, with oysters at $1 each and martinis at $5.

Authentic south-of-the-border flavor is a rare find in the Midwest – a dilemma that a tiny cubbyhole restaurant called Momocho is trying to redress. The decor is chic and edgy, with designs on the wall resembling a tattoo parlor, mixed with traditional Mexican ornaments. Chef Eric Williams puts a fresh spin on Mexican favorites; his menu features such unique items as goat’s cheese guacamole and Korean barbeque-style taquitos. During happy hour on Tuesday-Friday, Momocho offers half-priced signature margaritas and taquitos.

There is no better spot in Cleveland to find New York-style deli food than Slyman’s Restaurant on the East Side. It is a simple diner setting with friendly and attentive staff who serve up traditional American fare, from Ruebens to sweet hotcakes. Don’t miss the classic pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, which are rumored to be the best in the Midwest.

With a name that sounds more like a dive bar than an upscale seafood and steak restaurant, The Rusty Anchor surprises and goes well above its expectations. The interior is, of course, nautically-themed – the dining space is elevated on a curved wooden slope resembling the hull of a boat and other sailing paraphernalia hangs on the walls. The outdoor patio is directly on the Cuyahoga river’s East Bank, offering amazing views of the city by night. There is also live music and an exhaustive wine list available.

L’Albatros, a French brasserie on the outskirts of Case Western Reserve, is one of chef Zack Bruell’s six restaurants in Cleveland. From the outside it looks like a small carriage house, but the interior is deceptively large and completely modern. The walls are white-painted brick and the furniture is similarly stark white, which is offset by a sleek black marble bar and striking artwork. The menu consists of French staples like duck confit and escargots, beautifully executed, as well as some more offbeat items.

Thinking of a foodie getaway? Check out our four-day Mini Trip to Bolgona, Italy, or our four-day Mini Trip to the Basque Country in Spain – you’ll experience the best local cuisine with a small group of like-minded travellers.