Cleveland Favorites
Food Scene
A wide selection of pastries in the historic Little Italy neighborhood.
18 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Presti's Bakery
12101 Mayfield RdA wide selection of pastries in the historic Little Italy neighborhood.
Corbo's Bakery
12210 Mayfield RdKnown for their fresh canoli's and strawberry cassata cake
Your local bougie coffee spot. Great place to study, it's just down the street.
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Rising Star Coffee Roasters
1455 W 29th StYour local bougie coffee spot. Great place to study, it's just down the street.
Great happy hours at the bar. Come right when happy hour opens or you may have trouble finding a seat, especially for groups. Dining is upscale but delicious.
Washington Place Bistro & Inn
2203 Cornell RdGreat happy hours at the bar. Come right when happy hour opens or you may have trouble finding a seat, especially for groups. Dining is upscale but delicious.
Homey and comfortable place to have lunch/coffee and study in an unpretentious, boho-styled spot.
11 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Algebra Tea House
2136 Murray Hill RdHomey and comfortable place to have lunch/coffee and study in an unpretentious, boho-styled spot.
Delicious and freshly made sandwiches. Fresh mozzarella.
7 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Murray Hill Market
2072 Murray Hill RdDelicious and freshly made sandwiches. Fresh mozzarella.
Local, smooth, creamy ice cream. Bring home a pint for $6. The Mitchell's shop will have fresher ice cream than what you will find at the grocery stores.
Mitchell's Ice Cream (Uptown Shop)
11444 Uptown AveLocal, smooth, creamy ice cream. Bring home a pint for $6. The Mitchell's shop will have fresher ice cream than what you will find at the grocery stores.
Phoenix Coffee Co
1793 Coventry RdGreat place to study
Delicious Morrocan food. The owner is passionate about food and incredibly friendly.
9 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Mediterranean Food - MoMo's Kebab Moroccan Restaurant
2199 Lee RdDelicious Morrocan food. The owner is passionate about food and incredibly friendly.
Our favorite Ethiopian place. Huge portion sizes, great for takeout.
6 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant
2240 Lee RdOur favorite Ethiopian place. Huge portion sizes, great for takeout.
Pho and Rice
1780 Coventry RdFavorite pan-Asian takeout place in the area
Named a 2019 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant. Affordable, delicious.
Pro Tip: order a sandwich and take it to Edgewater for a picnic.
20 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Larder Delicatessen and Bakery
1455 W 29th StNamed a 2019 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant. Affordable, delicious.
Pro Tip: order a sandwich and take it to Edgewater for a picnic.
La Plaza Supermarket
13609 Lakewood Heights BlvdHands down the best taco place in the city
Slightly more upscale brazilian food and drinks place. Great for a celebration, dates.
15 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Batuqui Brazilian Restaurant
12706 Larchmere BlvdSlightly more upscale brazilian food and drinks place. Great for a celebration, dates.
Upscale French restaurant. Happy hours are affordable; dinners are great for celebrations with family.
37 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
L'Albatros
11401 Bellflower RdUpscale French restaurant. Happy hours are affordable; dinners are great for celebrations with family.
Kenko
11312 Euclid AveMy go-to boba place
Affordable arepas and drinks. They have live music often.
26 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Barroco
12906 Madison AveAffordable arepas and drinks. They have live music often.
Citizen Pie
15710 Waterloo RdBest thin crust pizza in town
East Asian bakery, cakes, boba. Nearby are Park to Shop (asian grocery) and Dagu Rice Noodle (a new Chinese noodle place)
10 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Koko Bakery
3710 Payne AveEast Asian bakery, cakes, boba. Nearby are Park to Shop (asian grocery) and Dagu Rice Noodle (a new Chinese noodle place)
On The Rise Artisan Breads
3471 Fairmount BlvdMy go-to freshly baked bread place
Flying Fig
2523 Market AveFavorite upscale farm-to-table dining
Drive-in burger place, our northeast Ohio "In-N-Out." Get the Galley Boy!
Swensons (University Heights) Drive-In Restaurants
14510 Cedar RdDrive-in burger place, our northeast Ohio "In-N-Out." Get the Galley Boy!
Favorite bagel and shmear place for take out. The location is not close to other stores so it's not a place to window shop, but it's great to bring for a picnic or potluck.
34 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
The Cleveland Bagel Company
4201 Detroit AveFavorite bagel and shmear place for take out. The location is not close to other stores so it's not a place to window shop, but it's great to bring for a picnic or potluck.
Great for groups. Good mix of American-Chinese and Chinese-Chinese food. Although Sichuan style food is known for being spicy, not everything here is spicy and they can adjust based on what you like.
Szechuan Gourmet
1735 E 36th StGreat for groups. Good mix of American-Chinese and Chinese-Chinese food. Although Sichuan style food is known for being spicy, not everything here is spicy and they can adjust based on what you like.
My favorite cupcake place. They're unassuming, not bougie, and I never had a cupcake place from there that I didn't like.
The Sweet Fix Bakery
2307 Lee RdMy favorite cupcake place. They're unassuming, not bougie, and I never had a cupcake place from there that I didn't like.
Start with a hot dog. Add whatever you could possibly think of on top. This local spot hosts a lot of events, including storytelling the first Wed of every month (think: The Moth podcast), as well as live music.
68 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Happy Dog
5801 Detroit AveStart with a hot dog. Add whatever you could possibly think of on top. This local spot hosts a lot of events, including storytelling the first Wed of every month (think: The Moth podcast), as well as live music.
Upscale, downtown dining with good, albeit expensive drinks. The chicken wings are the highlight of the menu.
39 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
The Greenhouse Tavern
2038 E 4th StUpscale, downtown dining with good, albeit expensive drinks. The chicken wings are the highlight of the menu.
Parks & Nature
Best place to spend a summer day. Upper park area is great for picnics.
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Bajja ta 'Edgewater Park'
Best place to spend a summer day. Upper park area is great for picnics.
Bratenahl Park is a favorite for birders. We like to go for walks, picnics, and to escape the summer heat. It's usually 5-10 degrees colder there by the lake than more inland neighborhoods.
Bratenahl
Bratenahl Park is a favorite for birders. We like to go for walks, picnics, and to escape the summer heat. It's usually 5-10 degrees colder there by the lake than more inland neighborhoods.
Drinks & Nightlife
Local and traveling artists, comedy club on Monday evenings
28 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights BlvdLocal and traveling artists, comedy club on Monday evenings
Best affordable and tasty food + drinks combo. In the summer their outdoor patio and bar area has great ambiance.
38 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
The Fairmount Cocktail Bar
2448 Fairmount BlvdBest affordable and tasty food + drinks combo. In the summer their outdoor patio and bar area has great ambiance.
Strong, reliably tasty drinks. Minimal waiting time for 2-3 people. Groups of 5+ will wait up to 45 min for table or standing area on weekend nights.
34 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Porco Lounge & Tiki Room
2527 W 25th StStrong, reliably tasty drinks. Minimal waiting time for 2-3 people. Groups of 5+ will wait up to 45 min for table or standing area on weekend nights.
Inventive drinks, great for date night or solo travel. House-converted restaurant/bar with outdoor garden patio area with bar. Be sure to apply mosquito spray in the summer before you go, outdoor patio area has lots of plants
21 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Felice Urban Cafe
12502 Larchmere BlvdInventive drinks, great for date night or solo travel. House-converted restaurant/bar with outdoor garden patio area with bar. Be sure to apply mosquito spray in the summer before you go, outdoor patio area has lots of plants
Upscale speakeasy with inventive drinks, often with live music.
42 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
The Velvet Tango Room
2095 Columbus RdUpscale speakeasy with inventive drinks, often with live music.
Speakeasy with a secret entrance. Barbershop by day, bar by night. You have to call in a reservation and they'll let you know how to get in.
Quintana's Speakeasy
2200 S Taylor RdSpeakeasy with a secret entrance. Barbershop by day, bar by night. You have to call in a reservation and they'll let you know how to get in.
The Spotted Owl
710 Jefferson AveInventive drinks on the west side
Upscale dining and drinks for celebrations, dates, and dinner with family
22 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Gigi's On Fairmount
3477 Fairmount BlvdUpscale dining and drinks for celebrations, dates, and dinner with family
Great outdoor patio and bar during the summers. Upscale drink spot in Gordon Square on the west side.
51 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Luxe Kitchen & Lounge
6605 Detroit AveGreat outdoor patio and bar during the summers. Upscale drink spot in Gordon Square on the west side.
Want a more laid-back evening? This place has every board game under the sun in a well-lit cafe/bar. On W 25th near lots of other restaurants and bars.
12 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Tabletop Board Game Cafe
1810 W 25th StWant a more laid-back evening? This place has every board game under the sun in a well-lit cafe/bar. On W 25th near lots of other restaurants and bars.
Twist Social Club
11633 Clifton BlvdGay-friendly bar on the west side.
Chuck E Cheese for adults. This place is huge with multiple bar areas and floors, mini golf, shuffleboard, bocce, etc etc
44 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Punch Bowl Social Cleveland
1086 W 11th StChuck E Cheese for adults. This place is huge with multiple bar areas and floors, mini golf, shuffleboard, bocce, etc etc
Arts & Culture
A beautiful concert hall and hosts one of the best orchestras in the world. Student tickets are $15
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Severance Hall
11001 Euclid AveA beautiful concert hall and hosts one of the best orchestras in the world. Student tickets are $15
Free to the public. Check their website for special exhibitions they host throughout the year. The Atrium is a beautiful and sunny place to study, although outlets are limited.
365 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Mużew tal-Arti ta 'Cleveland
11150 East BlvdFree to the public. Check their website for special exhibitions they host throughout the year. The Atrium is a beautiful and sunny place to study, although outlets are limited.
On weekends, The Cinematheque hosts independent foreign films here.
20 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque Peter B. Lewis Theatre
11610 Euclid AveOn weekends, The Cinematheque hosts independent foreign films here.
Local movie theater with both blockbuster and indie films
70 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Cedar Lee Theatre
2163 Lee RdLocal movie theater with both blockbuster and indie films
Upscale movie experience outfitted with comfortable recliner couches and food service. ~$16 per movie ticket. Drinks and food are nothing special, but the couches are worth the drive and price.
Silverspot Cinema
10 Park AveUpscale movie experience outfitted with comfortable recliner couches and food service. ~$16 per movie ticket. Drinks and food are nothing special, but the couches are worth the drive and price.
Playhouse Theater has a few plays every season. We try to go to at least one a year, they have student tickets for $15
Allen Theatre
1407 Euclid AvePlayhouse Theater has a few plays every season. We try to go to at least one a year, they have student tickets for $15
Comedy club in an intimate setting, similar to The Laugh Factory. Check their website for events
22 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Hilarities
2035 E 4th StComedy club in an intimate setting, similar to The Laugh Factory. Check their website for events
The oldest African-American theater in the United States, famous for being where Langston Hughes developed his plays in his early years. They have plays, comedy shows, and classes throughout the year.
Karamu House
2355 E 89th StThe oldest African-American theater in the United States, famous for being where Langston Hughes developed his plays in his early years. They have plays, comedy shows, and classes throughout the year.
Essentials
Will have most of your essential grocery needs
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Dave's Markets Cedar Hill
12438 Cedar RdWill have most of your essential grocery needs
Cash or Discovery card only, but this is the cheapest grocery option in the area
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Marc's Stores
1833 Coventry RdCash or Discovery card only, but this is the cheapest grocery option in the area
In a pinch? This small grocery store is just down the street.
27 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Constantino's Market
1278 W 9th StIn a pinch? This small grocery store is just down the street.
Can't find something at Dave's? You can probably find it here - Zagara's is more like your big box grocery store.
38 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Zagara's Marketplace
1940 Lee RdCan't find something at Dave's? You can probably find it here - Zagara's is more like your big box grocery store.
A Touch of Rain nailspa
12407 Larchmere BlvdIn need of a mani or pedi? They have great weekday deals. Men welcome!
Upscale local grocery store for your organic needs
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Heinen's Grocery Store
2180 S Green RdUpscale local grocery store for your organic needs
Shopping
Favorite local bookstore in Cleveland. It's huge and you can get lost in it for hours.
9 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Loganberry Books
13015 Larchmere BlvdFavorite local bookstore in Cleveland. It's huge and you can get lost in it for hours.
Beautiful indoor market frequented by locals and tourists. Get your fresh meat, fish, cheese, and pasta here. Skip the grocery section, you'll find more affordable and fresher items elsewhere. When you get hungry, there's a falafel place (Maha's falafel) in one corner of the market that's delicious and filling. They also have breakfast wraps.
366 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
West Side Market
1979 W 25th StBeautiful indoor market frequented by locals and tourists. Get your fresh meat, fish, cheese, and pasta here. Skip the grocery section, you'll find more affordable and fresher items elsewhere. When you get hungry, there's a falafel place (Maha's falafel) in one corner of the market that's delicious and filling. They also have breakfast wraps.
Neighborhoods
My favorite place to window shop. Lots of great thrift stores to get lost in. Loganberry books is the best local bookstore in town, and there are a few restaurants that are great for happy hour or dinner.
11 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Larchmere Boulevard
Larchmere BoulevardMy favorite place to window shop. Lots of great thrift stores to get lost in. Loganberry books is the best local bookstore in town, and there are a few restaurants that are great for happy hour or dinner.
Van Aken District is a new upscale apartment and window-shopping complex. Of note, Brassica is worth going to - it's similar in concept to Chipotle, but a bit higher end and with falafels/mediterranean. I usually go here after climbing at Shaker Rocks (kitty corner from Van Aken district).
Van Aken Boulevard
Van Aken BoulevardVan Aken District is a new upscale apartment and window-shopping complex. Of note, Brassica is worth going to - it's similar in concept to Chipotle, but a bit higher end and with falafels/mediterranean. I usually go here after climbing at Shaker Rocks (kitty corner from Van Aken district).
I was not able to specifically pin restaurants and shops so I will write my rec's here:
- Park to Shop - East Asian grocer that will have almost all of your east asian cooking needs
- Koko Bakery - east asian bakery for cakes, sweet buns, and boba. Our family gets birthday cakes here every year.
- Dagu Rice Noodle - new Chinese noodle place. big portions!
- Szechuan Gourmet - good for groups. Good mix of American-Chinese and Chinese-Chinese dishes. Spiciness can be adjusted
- LJ Shanghai - Best soup dumpling place, good for takeout as well. The other menu items are so-so in my opinion.
Asiatown
I was not able to specifically pin restaurants and shops so I will write my rec's here:
- Park to Shop - East Asian grocer that will have almost all of your east asian cooking needs
- Koko Bakery - east asian bakery for cakes, sweet buns, and boba. Our family gets birthday cakes here every year.
- Dagu Rice Noodle - new Chinese noodle place. big portions!
- Szechuan Gourmet - good for groups. Good mix of American-Chinese and Chinese-Chinese dishes. Spiciness can be adjusted
- LJ Shanghai - Best soup dumpling place, good for takeout as well. The other menu items are so-so in my opinion.