From Polish Boys to Perfection: A Summer Dining Guide to Cleveland

Cleveland’s culinary scene is having a moment-again. And this time, it’s not just about the Polish Boy.

That iconic sandwich-kielbasa, fries, barbecue sauce, and coleslaw crammed into a hot-dog bun-remains a hometown rite of passage. But the city’s dining landscape has expanded far beyond its blue-collar roots. With a high concentration of breweries per capita and a wave of acclaimed chef-driven restaurants, Cleveland is earning national attention as a Midwestern food city on the rise.

Whether you’re a visitor or a local who gave up trying new spots during the pandemic, here’s a guide to what’s worth your time and appetite right now.

The Heavy Hitters

Start with Larder. Tucked into the Hingetown neighborhood, this deli has been frequently cited as the best in the country. The pastrami is hand-cut, the rye bread is house-baked, and the line out the door on a Saturday proves it’s no fluke.

For something trendier, head to Bright Side in Ohio City. The New American spot serves a Sunday brunch that runs until 5 p.m., making it a rare late-afternoon option for those who sleep in. The menu changes with the seasons, but the crispy potato fan and the fried chicken sandwich are constants worth ordering.

Downtown, Mabel’s BBQ holds down the fort. The restaurant from a local chef who helped put Cleveland on the food map serves smoked meats with a distinctly Pittsburgh-style white sauce-a nod to the region’s coal-country roots. It’s expensive, but the brisket and the burnt ends justify the splurge.

Old-School Institutions Worth Your Time

Cleveland rewards patience. Tommy’s Restaurant in Coventry has been serving thick milkshakes and vegetarian-friendly fare since 1972. The shakes alone are worth the trip-blended so thick you might need to let them sit for a minute before tackling them with a straw.

Sokolowski’s, a Polish institution on the city’s near West Side, remains a rave-worthy destination for pierogi, kielbasa, and the kind of cafeteria-style service that feels like stepping into a church basement dinner, if that church basement dinner had been perfected over decades. The line moves fast, and the food is hot.

For a classic steakhouse experience, Johnny’s downtown has been a reliable choice for decades. The martinis are stiff, the service is professional, and the steaks are cooked exactly as ordered.

The West Side Market, now 114 years old, remains the city’s culinary anchor. The historic market hall buzzes with ethnic vendors selling everything from fresh pasta and Mediterranean olives to artisanal cheeses and house-made sausages. It’s a place to graze, to buy ingredients, or just to soak in the noise and the smell of frying peppers.

A Note on Local Customs

If you’re in Cleveland during Lent, you’ll notice something: fried Lake Erie walleye is on every menu, from bars to fancy restaurants. The tradition is serious enough that the city’s fish fries become weekly events, with churches and firehouses competing for the best recipe.

And the beer scene is no joke. Cleveland has more breweries per capita than most American cities. Whether you’re into hazy IPAs, stouts, or lagers, there’s a taproom within walking distance of nearly every neighborhood-from Ohio City and Tremont to the near East Side and Lakewood.

How to Navigate It All

The city’s formal dining guides-Cleveland Magazine’s Hello CLE and CleveScene’s Dining Guide-provide updated addresses and phone numbers for dozens of restaurants across Cleveland, Lakewood, and Cleveland Heights. For a city that rewards walking and neighborhood hopping, those guides are your best friend.

Start with a morning at the West Side Market, grab lunch at Larder, hit a brewery in Ohio City by late afternoon, and finish with a dinner at Bright Side or a late shake from Tommy’s. That’s not a perfect day in Cleveland. That’s Tuesday.