Beet Jar Juicebar and Takeaway on Detroit Avenue in Ohio City, a vegan-owned juice bar and raw food shop since 2013, runs organic cold-pressed juices and creative raw plates.
Signature dishes: Cold-pressed juice, Bravocado sandwich
Must order: The Bravocado sandwich and a green cold-pressed juice.
Tip: Counter ordering; the Van Aken District branch is the second location.
Address: 2600 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
Larder Delicatessen and Bakery on West 29th Street in Hingetown, Jeremy Umansky's koji-and-curing project a 2025 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef Great Lakes and Outstanding Pastry Chef.
Signature: Pastrami on rye, Matzoh ball soup
Order: Pastrami on rye with a side of matzoh ball soup, plus a knish to go.
Tip: Hot food service stops 17:45; walk-ins welcome. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Stone Oven Bakery Cafe on Lee Road in Cleveland Heights, an artisan bread, soup and sandwich shop for over 25 years, runs the Cedar-Lee block from morning through evening.
Signature: Artisan bread, House-baked sandwiches
Order: A house-baked sandwich on artisan bread plus the soup of the day.
Tip: Counter service; weekday lunch runs fastest. Additional outlets at Eton and the Galleria.
Poppy on Larchmere Boulevard, chef Jill Vedaa and Jessica Parkison's small-plates room since March 2023, runs a tight rotating menu in a converted turn-of-century house.
Signature: Rotating small plates, Seasonal mains
Order: Order four to five small plates per pair from the rotating menu, plus an entree to share.
Tip: Reserve on Tock; the dining room sits small. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Mabel's BBQ on East 4th Street in downtown Cleveland, Michael Symon's smokehouse since April 2016, builds Cleveland-style BBQ on fruitwood smoke and Bertman Ball Park mustard.
Signature: Smoked brisket, Cleveland-style ribs
Order: The four-meat tray with smoked kielbasa, plus an order of the spicy pickled vegetables.
Tip: Walk-ins seated at the bar; reserve the dining room on OpenTable two weeks ahead.
Larder Delicatessen and Bakery on West 29th Street in Hingetown, Jeremy Umansky's koji-and-curing project a 2025 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef Great Lakes and Outstanding Pastry Chef.
Signature: Pastrami on rye, Matzoh ball soup
Order: Pastrami on rye with a side of matzoh ball soup, plus a knish to go.
Tip: Hot food service stops 17:45; walk-ins welcome. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Mama Santa's on Mayfield Road in Little Italy, the family-owned Sicilian pizzeria since 1961, anchors the Italian-American block with hand-tossed pies and homemade pasta dishes.
Signature: Sicilian pizza, Homemade manicotti
Order: Sicilian sausage pizza and a plate of the manicotti to share.
Tip: Takes reservations and walk-ins; the patio opens in warm months. Closed Sunday.
Trattoria on the Hill on Mayfield Road in Little Italy, an Italian-American dining room since 1988, runs hearty traditional pasta plates and veal mains with a parking lot.
Signature: Eggplant parmesan, Chicken piccata
Order: Eggplant parmesan and chicken piccata, plus a slice of cassata cake to finish.
Tip: First-come, first-served seating most nights. Little Italy parking is tight outside the lot.
