The Food Trends and Bites That Defined Cleveland Dining in 2025

What’s in, and what’s out? The dining experience shifted in new ways this year, showcasing emerging flavors and ideas in local bites.

Girl Dinner

Who says restaurant meals have to be serious? The TikTok-famous Girl Dinner trend hit Cleveland, turning low-effort bites into the city’s newest going-out ritual. Local restaurants like Georgetown Vosh, Lago East Bank, Hi-5 and STEAK have served up no-frills combos of salads, fries and martinis to embrace the idea of uncomplicated, shareable meals that are light, chic and fun.

Shareable Drinks

Bigger is better behind the bar. From Porco Lounge & Tiki Room's Botany Bay barrel of rum-fueled punch to The Yard on 3rd's rubber ducky-topped Willbilly Punch, The Fairmount’s Scorpion Bowl and Erie & Vine’s shareable espresso martini, these over-the-top cocktails turn drinking into a group affair, with multiple straws included.

Members-Only Bars & Lounges

Cleveland’s wave of members-only clubs redefine exclusivity through intimacy, craft and connection. Spaces like The Writer’s Room, The Warrior Club and Never Ordinary Bourbon Society trade velvet ropes for curated communities built on trust and taste — and, often, for a hefty fee. These hidden enclaves fuse privacy, exquisite design and rare spirits into luxury experiences for those seeking something more refined.

Eatertainment

The usual dinner-and-drinks routine can get old, but these spots keep things exciting even after dessert. “Eatertainment” venues redefine nights out with interactive twists that mix food, drinks and play. At Birdietown, guests can sip and snack their way through a mini golf course, while Five Iron Golf offers virtual fairways and craft cocktails. At The Arcade on Detroit, you’ll find retro games and a menu filled with nostalgic fun.

TikTok Trends

Cleveland’s food scene is having its viral moment as internet obsessions like dirty soda, Dubai chocolate and strawberry matcha pop up beyond the phone screen. From Malley’s Chocolates and Shibam Coffee to Blackseed Cafe and Goodkind Coffee, local spots turn online cravings into everyday indulgences.

Protein Prominence

Whether you’re building muscle or trying to eat cleaner, protein is having a moment. From Starbucks’ protein lattes to Jack Frost Donuts’ gluten-free, keto-friendly ProNuts, even comfort foods get an unexpected nutritional upgrade, meeting a growing demand for more functional fuel.

Seasonal Pop-Ups

Every season’s a reason to party, and some spots embrace rotating pop-up bars and themed menus. There's Amici Italian Restaurant & Bar's eerie “CarnEvil” and tropical “Aloha” takeovers, Great Lakes Brewing’s holiday hideaways and Hudson’s festive Blitzen’s. Even Around The Corner joins in, decking out every room in shifting themes for year-round fun.

Hello & Goodbye

It’s been a fast-paced year in Northeast Ohio’s dining scene, with fresh concepts, trendy bites and kitchen shakeups. We welcomed a slate of anticipated new offerings, and said goodbye to beloved classics. 

We said hello to…

1. Irishtown Bend Taproom
     1849 W. 24th St., Cleveland

2. Lola’s Bistro
     86 N. Main St., Chagrin Falls

3. Kyuu-juu
     2054 Fulton Road, Cleveland

4. The W Sports Bar
     5428 Detroit Ave., Cleveland

5. Sofia’s Kitchen and Bar
     17621 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

… and waved goodbye to

1. Xinji Noodle Bar
     4211 Lorain Ave., Cleveland

2. The Spot on Lakeshore
     7272 Lakeshore Blvd., Mentor

3. Re:Bar
     2130 E. Ninth St., Cleveland

4. Wolf Pack Chorus
     2175 Cornell Road, Cleveland

5. Velvet Dog
     1280 W. Sixth St., Cleveland

Find More Year-End Reviews in Our 2025 CLE Wrapped Feature

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