Cleveland’s Pizza Scene Dominated — and We Documented it
In case you missed it, we had a lot to love about pizza this year — whether it was celebrating treasured traditions like Vero and Geraci’s, or facilitating discussion on dipping in ranch or calling a pizza Cleveland-style. Find more guides, cheat sheets and stories from the wood-fired oven in our November coverage package. Plus, dig into the newest joints, including Wolf & Co. in Bay Village, Good Pizza on East 4th Street and La Pecora in Larchmere.
Some Heartfelt Goodbyes
After many memorable years of business, Cleveland-area staples such as Salt, Tick Tock Tavern, Solstice, Nighttown and El Carnicero closed their doors, while others like Melt were forced to scale back and restructure.
Yum on Wheels
Cleveland proves you don’t need to be stationary to have great food or drinks. Psychopomp Cafe mixes together Greek coffee beverages and mocktails from a custom-made trailer, while two newer pop-up hot dog carts, FrankieLynn and Glizzy’s, put together some of the city’s best hot dog creations. And Chardon sisters Gail Hewitt and Lydia Chambers both kept going with their own takes on ice cream trucks, with King Kone and Little Ladies Soft Serve.
(Photo courtesy Cafe Blanc)
Coffee Cornerstones
Cleveland beans are always changing the scope of what it means to have a great cup of coffee, all in their own, unique way. City staples like Brewella’s — which announced a bigger and better Lakewood home after six successful years of crepes and coffee — welcomed many new brews to its scene in 2024. Cafe Blanc, bringing European flair to Parma Heights, plays with the boundaries of fun, trendy design, and Bulkley Building Bar and Brasserie, where cocktail craft meets lattes, is a continuation of coffee and bread guru James Orlando’s tasty empire. Two and Company does it all with coffee, breakfast and pastries, and it emulates Shari Hunter's commitment to equal opportunity by offering job training to people with disabilities.
The Year of the Steakhouse
Cleveland cooked up a well-done batch of steakhouses this calendar year — but not the type you’re used to. Oliva is steak with a contemporary Italian twist, while Gunselman’s Steakhouse and Bar, an extension of the beloved Fairview Park burger joint, is half-pub and half-steakhouse. Artis ditches the white tablecloth to fit filet mignon into a trendy neighborhood, and Terry Francona and Jason Beudert’s STEAK does it with a side of ice cream on a Ferris wheel.
Secret Hideouts in Plain Sight
The classic cocktail bar met its match in 2024, as the secret of speakeasies started to get out. These cozy, quaint club-bar hybrids emulate a unique character of their own, with special, outlandish takes on staple cocktails. Many of the most notable popped up around historic downtown in Cuyahoga Falls, such as Vacancy and The Watson, while others like NoBS in Aurora maintain the exclusive speakeasy tradition with members-only admission.
(Photo courtesy Velvet Dog)
Wishing You a Merry Christmas Bar
Christmas cheer is rampant in Cleveland, and it got hard to keep up with. In 2024, we saw more holiday pop-up bars than ever, all emulating their own nostalgic, festive vibe. We made a list to highlight the best we found this season.
Hot Pot is a Hot Topic
The past year has seen a major uptick in Korean barbecue. Hot pot is far from new, but it’s the latest trendy dining experience in Cleveland, offering noodles, meats and vegetables to cook yourself at the table in a flavorful, boiling-hot broth. The opening of One Pot in Cleveland Heights made headlines this May for its all-you-can-eat mantra and futuristic design, while five other Korean barbecue spots around Cleveland have stayed on our radar. Some stick to the basics, while others filter a sushi menu and tabletop grills into their setup.
Chef Cimino is the Cream of the Crop
In January, the James Beard Foundation named Cordelia chef Vinnie Cimino a finalist for the 2024 award of Best Chef: Great Lakes, which encompasses the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. While Cimino fell short of the crown, his top-five stint represented Cleveland with grace. It’s a testament to his meticulous, authentically Midwestern craft — one that earned him Cleveland Magazine’s pick as the city’s best new restaurant in 2023.
(Photo by Annie Nickoloff)
Beloved Brands Got Big Upgrades
Bigger was better for many restaurants in 2024. Banter returned home to Gordon Square in a new, larger building, serving up sausage and poutine in the place where it all started. Vero gained more legroom in Cleveland Heights, while Collision Bend Brewing Company took on some extra square feet in Euclid. LJ Shanghai got a makeover with new furniture for those visiting for its famous soup dumplings, while Cleveland Bagel Company ventured into a different sort of makeover with Cleveland Bagel Cafe, offering an expanded sandwich and coffee menu.
Annie Nickoloff contributed to this article.
(Lead photo courtesy Instagram user @clevelandfoodscene, Danny Boys and Vacancy)
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