All Saints Public House
Why we love it: This English-inspired upscale pub is a neighborhood gem. Try this: The Spaghett ($7) is a playful mix of a Miller High Life, Italian Aperol Spritz and fresh lemon. 1261 W. 76th St., Cleveland, 216-675-0028, allsaintspublichouse.com
Blue Habanero
Why we love it: Owner Rafael Ayala’s choice to break away from the family business, Tres Potrillos, and open his own spot paid off at this hub for tacos, burritos, fajitas and margaritas. Try this: The Tacos Huitlacoche (pronounced wheet-la-KO-chay) ($15) center around the “Mexican truffle” but also features corn, tomatoes, avocado, queso and a house-made spicy sauce. 6416 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-465-1818, bluehabanerocleveland.com
Cleveland Bagel Co.
Why we love it: While you can now find these bagels in coffee shops and breakfast spots across the Cleveland area, the house-made dough and schmear is always freshest at the original location. Try this: Get a little spicy in the morning with the chorizo chipotle schmear ($4). 4201 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-600-5652, clebagelco.com
Flight Cleveland
Why we love it: On a quest to make wine less pretentious, owner Lindsay Smith launched an Insta-worthy wine shop and bar with 37 wines on tap, 13 specialty flights and over 400 different bottles available for purchase. “I wanted to come up with something approachable,” she says. Try this: Mayu’s Pedro Ximenez ($15 per bottle) white dry wine, made with 100% Spanish grapes, carries notes of citrus and fruit. 5712 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-400-6867, flightcleveland.com
Good Company
Why we love it: Good Company elevates all-American grub with local ingredients, scratch cooking and vegetarian options. Try this: The Plum Chicken ($14) tops fried chicken with malted pickles, shredded lettuce, an American cheese sauce and roasted red pepper mayo on house-made brioche toast. The chicken can be substituted for black beans or a chickpea patty ($1). 1200 W. 76th St., Cleveland, 216-331-0318, goodcompanycle.com
Happy Dog
Why we love it: Cleveland’s neighborhood bar has a live performance lineup that ranges from punk to podcasts. Try this: Build your own hot dog ($7) with fruit loops, macaroni and cheese and more, but don't forget the tots ($5) with dozens of dipping sauces. 5801 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-651-9474, happydogcleveland.com
The Harp
Why we love it: One of Cleveland’s best Irish pubs features one of the city's best skyline views. Try this: Powers Whiskey spices up the Irish Mule ($10). 4408 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-939-0200, the-harp.com
Il Rione
Why we love it: The East Side's Little Italy is better known, but the West Side's has arguably the city's best brick oven pizza. Try this: Drizzled arugula pesto, fried sage leaves, and basil complete the Green Pie ($16-$21). 1303 W. 65th St., Cleveland, 216-282-1451, ilrionepizzeria.com
Jukebox
Why we love it: This Hingetown bar centers around the city's best jukeboxes. Try this: Pierogies such as mushroom kraut, sweet potato black bean and buffalo chick pea ($8.50) stand out on a menu of Eastern European classics. 1404 W. 29th St., Cleveland, 216-206-7699, jukeboxcle.com
Larder Delicatessen and Bakery
Why we love it: This modern Eastern European deli and bakery has earned James Beard award noms for its old-school, local approach to food. Try this: You can’t go wrong with the classic pastrami sandwich ($12): sliced brisket, sauerkraut and mustard on fresh-baked rye. 1455 W. 29th St., Cleveland, 216-912-8203, larderdb.com
Luxe Kitchen and Lounge
Why we love it: Luxurious but not pretentious was the aim, and Luxe is game with its upscale, modern take on Italian and Mediterranean dishes. Try this: The spicy sausage pizza ($17) also features sweet piquillo peppers, house-made hot sauce and caramelized fennel and onion on Pomodoro sauce with a handful of imported Italian mozzarella sprinkled on top. 6605 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-920-0600, luxecleveland.com
Ninja City
Why we love it: Ninja City's unique concept combines Asian cuisine, bar food and a full-service bar with urban street art murals coating the walls. Try this: A fresh French baguette hugs pickled veggies, BBQ pulled pork and chili aioli in this Banh Mi sandwich ($15.50). 6706 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-862-7200, ninjacity.com
Parkview Nite Club
Why we love it: This “cool place for shady people” is a chill dive that welcomes all with live blues, traditional American eats and an old-timey tavern vibe. Try this: Start with fried cheese ($8.25), crispy, hand-breaded wedges of provolone cheese served with marinara dipping sauce. 1261 W. 58th St., Cleveland, 216-961-1341, parkviewniteclub.com
Ready Set Coffee Roasters
Why we love it: After starting in a garage, this small-batch coffee bar has graduated to a permanent home in 2021. Try this: Hot or cold, the Black Cat Mocha ($5) kickstarts your morning with house chocolate syrup, vanilla, steamed oat milk and a delightful “chocolate surprise.” 7306 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-736-8601, readysetcoffee.com
Rincon Criollo
Why we love it: For 15 years, the Ruiz family has offered homespun recipes and made-from-scratch Puerto Rican cuisine. Try this: The El Famoso Jibarito ($6.50) is a sandwich with protien (chicken, pork, fish or ham), tomatoes, Swiss cheese, lettuce and mayo between two crispy fried green plantains. 6504 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-939-0992, rinconcriollocle.com
Saucy Brew Works
Why we love it: This Hingetown favorite pumps out award-winning craft brews and pizza. Don’t neglect the dog-friendly Vibe Garden patio space in the center of Hingetown. Try this: Coffee- and chili-braised beef, roasted pepper queso, smoked shredded cheese and parsley coat a generous bed of kettle chips in the Cowboy Chips ($12). 2885 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 216-666-2568, saucybrewworks.com
Stone Mad Pub
Why we love it: Opened in 2008, this Irish neighborhood pub is still somehow a hidden gem with great food, extensive beer offerings, a handmade interior and a beautiful stone patio. While it's always worth checking out, the St. Patrick's Day Party is not to be missed. Try this: An Irish classic, the Shepherd’s Pie ($15) is everything you would expect from an Irish pub. 1306 W. 65th St., Cleveland, 216-281-6500, stonemadpub.com
Terrestrial Brewing Co.
Why we love it: If the massive patio, industrial taproom and canine friendliness wasn't enough, Battery Park’s brewery is expanding to bring a food program and live events to the space. Try this: The Space Chimp Wit OG ($6) is brewed with orange and coriander. 7524 Father Frascati Drive, Cleveland, 216-465-9999, terrestrialbrewing.com
Tina’s Nite Club
Why we love it: Karaoke is far from our most embarrassing story after nights of swigging domestics at this glorious hole in the wall. Try this: These days, local beers flow at dives, too, with selections from Great Lakes Brewing Co. sitting right around $4. 5400 Herman Ave., Cleveland, 216-651-8057
Toast
Why we love it: The former Biley’s Bakery sources food and wine from local purveyors and farmers. Try this: The asparagus risotto ($13-$27) is made with locally sourced asparagus from Rittman Orchards. 1365 W. 65th St., Cleveland, 216-862-8974, toastcleveland.com
XYZ the Tavern
Why we love it: With 24 craft beers on tap and more than 100 whiskeys and bourbons on the shelf, don’t get fooled into thinking this is just a tavern. A backyard smoker kicks out barbecue platters and sandwiches. Try this: The smoked salmon BLT ($13) comes with a hunk of pork belly. 6419 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-706-1104, xyzthetavern.com
Want more? Check out more recommendations at clevelandmagazine.com/food-drink
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