Best of Cleveland: 2018 Editor Picks
Discover the ultimate food, shops, entertainment, artisans and things packed into our city, all curated and handpicked by Cleveland Magazine.
'60s-Style Handbags
Fount's full-grain leather Banjo Bag is a statement piece that gives us hippie flashbacks.
All-Purpose Winery
High & Low Winery in Medina is a wine-tasters paradise that offers two venues in one.
Amigurumi
Made by Snow, these Japanese crocheted dolls of yarn take many mystical forms.
Art "Display"
78th Street Studios' Watch It Wednesdays event brings onlookers behind the scenes of the art making process in real time.
Bagel Sammies
Cocky's Bagels food truck in Lakewood rolls out a smorgasbord of bagel sandwiches, such as Buffalo chicken dip and The Grilled Cheesus.
Bath Bombs
Soothing Sloth Soap Co.'s technicolor bath bombs, bubble bars and soap products are excellent stocking stuffers or self-care gifts.
Beef Jerky
Snap into Backattack Snack's beef jerky, which forgo the high-salt and -chemical content and pack a spicy punch.
Beer Infusions
Terrestrial Brewing Co.'s brewers experiment like mad scientists by packing different fruits and vegetables into its infusion tower, which changes every two to three days.
Blacksmithing Class
Larchmere Fire Works is a fiery, 90-minute instructional DIY workshop in Cleveland's hottest neighborhood that teaches you basic technique and sends you home with a masterpiece.
Book Reunion
Just try to stump the booksellers at Loganberry Books. No matter how obscure your childhood favorite may be, our money says these bibliophiles can find it.
Booze Bags
Carry your favorite adult beverage in style with these hand-printed booze bags from Snakes and Acey's in Little Italy.
Broken Glass Jewelry
One man's shattered window becomes the next custom jewelry piece from Cleveland Street Glass.
Cold Coffee Refresher
Coffee Coffee Coffee proves it knows a thing or two about elevated carbonation with the Espres-soda, a concoction of espresso and Italian soda.
Cookie Dough
Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes' egg-free cookie dough is our favorite kind of dessert — the kind you don't have to wait to eat.
Cover Band
If you like pop, you'll love Billy Likes Soda, a genre- and decade-spanning cover band that sweeps you off your feet and onto the dancing floor.
Custom Cookies
Itty Bitty Bakeshop churns out little, edible pieces of art.
Electro-Soul Artist
Marcus Alan Ward, who released the album Beast in August, simmers with danceable soul grooves.
Emoji Pillows
Your favorite emoji becomes a cuddly joy with these heart-eye-worthy accessories from DittoHouse.
Fish-n-Chips Sushi Roll
The swanky Marble Room gives a classic casual dish an elevated revival.
Foie Gras
Cru Uncorked's appetizer, which has a slightly different treatment every daily, is an exercise in decadence.
Garnachas
El Rinconcito Chapin in Old Brooklyn puts a lot of love into these tiny tasters, which are similar to a tostada and packed with beef and veggies.
Gas Station Hummus
Mama Mary's Hummus, which comes in multiple varieties, can only be found at this Sunoco gas station in Olmsted Falls.
Giant Bloody Mary
Only available for Sunday brunch, South Side's Mother Mary, which is topped with multiple eggs, sandwiches and an unopened beer, is an Instagram-worthy hair of the dog (or maybe even beast).
Graffiti Toys
Playtime is fun again thanks to Serg and Destroy, which breathes new life into toys such as Funko Pops by tagging them with graffiti.
Ice Cream-Filled Doughnuts
Daylight Donuts and Coffee in Cleveland Heights made our dream collaboration come true by turning the fried breakfast dough into an ice cream holder.
Jam
Break out the butterknife and top your toast with spicy and sweet jams from the Home Pantry.
Kids Art Class
Stella's Art Gallery has more than six classes for youngsters to choose, including painting and pottery.
Kimchi Balls
Xinji Noodle Bar's deep-fried fermented cabbage balls are nothing short of delightful.
Koji Class
Learn how this fungus, used heavily in Japanese cooking, can cure meat at Larder Delicatessen and Bakery's koji classes.
Lawn Greetings
Say "Hello!" to your neighbors with the help of Olmsted Falls-based Yard Party, Custom Lawn Greetings.
Live Event Painter
When your next party comes to life, have a Jacqueline DelBrocco Purdy-painted document to prove it.
Macarons
Sugar Bowl offers animal-shaped macarons that transform you back to childhood.
Meatballs
Brian Okin and Adam Bostwick's new eatery in Rocky River, Polpetta, has us by the meatballs.
Mobile Loom
Praxis Truck's rentable mobile loom is is making textiles, threads and fabrics fun and approachable by rolling up to parties across Cleveland.
New Hot Spot
From a movie theater to a central park, Pinecrest in Orange Village has shoppers flocking.
Nostalgic Store
Satisfy your sweet tooth and childhood nostalgia at Sweetie's Big Fun, a candy-toy hybrid shop in Orange Village.
Oyster Shucking Service
Aww, shucks, every party is better with some imported oysters from CLE on the Half Shell.
Polynesian Cocktails
The Tiki Underground is a nearly hidden secret in Hudson that serves up some strong Polynesian cocktails.
Pork Trio
Trio in Tremont's true-to-its-name small pork plate subverts your expectations about pig ears.
Record Storage
PratherMade brings record shop vibes to your listening room with its handcrafted storage pieces.
Repurposed Lights
Whiskertin Lighting's industrial-chic fixtures light up your home.
Reuben Pizza
Masthead Brewing Co.'s corned beef-covered 'za works as well for Friday pizza night as it does for St. Patrick's Day.
S'mores Beer
Boss Dog Brewing Co.'s new cold-weather beer, brewed with 40 pounds of semisweet cocoa nibs and marshmallow fluff, has us asking for s'more.
Salmon Chips
Pastina Rustic Italian in Mentor has a smoked-salmon appetizer that nears perfect-bite territory.
Soup Dumplings
AsiaTown's LJ Shanghai has the best soup dumplings in the game — just follow eating directions so you don't get burned.
Treasure Hunt
Dig for antique collections, buried treasure and rare finds at Salvage Yard Resale Shoppe.
Viking Bar
Rustic, medieval Viking bar LBM has a loyal modern following due to its expertly crafted concoctions.
Wedding Cake Alternative
Your big day just got a whole lot cheesier with these cheese cakes — no, not that kind of cheese cake — from Old Brooklyn Cheese Co.
Wine Frappe
Nectar of the Vine's powdered packets bring chocolate martinis, wild sour apples and more to the frozen wine game.
Wooden Sunglasses
Habibe Sunglasses sells custom-designed earthy, wooden custom eyewear at Beachwood Place.
Read the full list of #BestOfCLE reader selections.
best of cleveland
12:00 AM EST
September 27, 2018
