My Cleveland Favorites

In a city that’s up and coming, it can be kind of hard to narrow down my all time favorite spots, however, there are a few that stand out 🙂

TOWNHALL

This is a great all around spot whether you’re looking for a boujee weekend brunch,

a family dinner, a business lunch meeting, to a Friday night out. I enjoy it for delicious food paired with their high quality ingredients. As a clean eater and someone with a fair share of food sensitives, you can’t beat it. I have three main go-to’s that I’d happily recommend: [chicken or veggie] bone broth, the Harvest Salad, and The Full Monty (brunch only).

BARRIO
Lord, I enjoy traveling and have taste tested a fair share of Mexican restaurants, but nothing compares to Barrio. I used to diet for bodybuilding competitions, which was months of restriction, and sometimes the only thing I wanted was to slug down their salsa. I recently tried the Stoner taco (LAWD), but I typically order taco bowls and I’m still obsessed. If you’re into queso, ask your waiter to combine the Stoner and the Elote for ya. This was brought to my attention a few years back and I’m just over here trying to pay it forward.

RISING STAR COFFEE/KOFFIE/ERIE ISLAND COFFEE

I’m all about ambiance paired w/ bomb ass coffee and these two spots have never disappointed. I’ve been to two of their locations–Hinge Town and Little Italy. I go to Hinge Town more often just for proximity purposes, but I love um both. Koffie is located in Ohio City, right in the midst of all the hustle and bustle, perfect for sight seeing. Erie Island is located on 4th street; I used to be a frequent flyer when I worked out at a gym nearby. It’s a great spot to grab a window seat or enjoy their patio to be in the hype of it all. Pour, I’m sure I’d love you too if I knew I was guaranteed a parking spot on Euclid!!! I’ll brave it soon enough I’m sure.

Velvet Tango Room

I like to call this place VTR. It is a swanky cocktail lounge that offers completely fresh crafted drinks each and every time. It’s the perfect place for a romantic date night or a ‘need to escape for a minute after work’ feels. The drinks take a moment to arrive since they’re made from scratch and they typically cost around $18 each. Regardless, the whole experience is worth the wait and price. I recommend the Lady In Red if you’re a vodka person like myself! VTR is conveniently located on Columbus Road right in between Tremont and Ohio City!

RESTORE

After a workout at Rise Nation, Restore is your go to stop. They offer health conscious items for any and all. They offer a variety of items from acai bowls, to matcha tea, to juice cleanses (just to name a few). It’s not easy to come by places that strictly focus on health concisions foods, so when you find one, you never let um go.

GREAT LAKES BREWING COMPANY 

This spot is on the list specifically for patio sitting. Order a flight of beers, taste test as
you please, and enjoy your Ohio City views. You can catch a solid buzz off that flight so don’t underestimate y’all. For whatever reason it feels
super cozy and you’re in a prime spot to bar hop if you choose.

WEST SIDE MARKET
UGH, love me some WSM! Open M, W, F, S, Su where you can grocery shop, have lunch, enjoy a cup of coffee–just about everything. Some of the most affordable produce I’ve ever purchased and you’re basically buying in bulk (if you choose). Don’t forget to bargain, majority are willing to wheel and deal and if they’re not –keep walking, there’s sure to be another vendor with what you’re looking for just five feet away! Once you head into the indoor section, that’s where you’ll find the meat, pastries, pasta, pizza etc. Snag some food and head up to their balcony to enjoy the views from above.

East 4th Street 

In general, 4th street is just fun. It’s another great spot for lunch, date night, a night out, shopping for CLE apparel, or a convenient pregame spot. It’s a great area to hang before a Cavs game or a concert at Quicken Loans Arena ( I talk more in detail about this in my blog A Weekend In Cleveland). In the summer they line the street with beautiful flowers/greenery and it makes for a real inviting feel. It’s also in the heart of the city so a short walk could lead you to Tower City, Public Square, Progressive Field, Heinens etc. etc! A conveniently located street if you’re a first time visitor or a local resident trying to make your rounds.

It’s an ever changing list but these guys have been Cleveland staples for minute now. Looking forward to see what other new places pop in the area—a lot of changes happening in good ole C-town! One of the best times to come see the place, if I do say so myself :).

Love,

Your avid Cleveland fanatic