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Best Restaurants, May 2021 Cover

Featured Articles

Best Restaurants: How Cleveland Is Eating Now

From pizzas to tacos, New American comfort food and tightly packed sushi to decadent multicourse meals, the Cleveland food scene is finding new ways to thrive. Plus, the up-and-coming chefs we're most excited about.

Food + Drink

2021 Reader-Selected Silver Spoon Award Winners

These are Cleveland Magazine readers' favorite restaurants of the year.

37 Cleveland Pizza Shops We Love: Dining Guide

Pizzerias such as Angelo's Pizza, Cent's Pizza & Goods, Ohio Pie Co. and more stand out in the Northeast Ohio dining scene. By Cleveland Magazine Staff

5 Hummus Dishes Made In Cleveland You Should Be Eating Now

From Mama Mary's pickle hummus to Zaytoon Lebanese Kitchen's roasted jalapeno hummus, these five options are worth scooping up.

Ben Bebenroth Returns With Keep The Change Kitchen Collective

The new takeout concept brings together a diverse array of options under one Cleveland roof.

Best Restaurants: An Ode To 5 Restaurants We Miss

We pay tribute to Lola Bistro, The Plum, Carrie Cerino's, Spice Kitchen & Bar and XO Prime Steaks.

Best Restaurants: Cleveland's Fried Chicken Craze Is Here To Stay

White House Chicken, Angie's Soul Cafe and others offer up unique fried chicken options that comfort and inspire.

Best Restaurants: Ghost Kitchens' Small Footprints And Huge Ambitions Take Cleveland By Storm

The COVID-19 pandemic jump-starts the ghost kitchen trend in Cleveland with options such as Good Meal Jane and Amba.

Best Restaurants: How 5 Dining Spots Expertly Pivoted During The Pandemic

By rethinking how they operate, Pub Frato, Zaytoon Lebanese Kitchen, Sauce The City, Rood Food & Pie and Bar Italia found new ways to do what they do best.

Best Restaurants: How Cleveland Is Eating Now

From pizzas to tacos, New American comfort food and tightly packed sushi to decadent multicourse meals, the Cleveland food scene is finding new ways to thrive. Plus, the up-and-coming chefs we're most excited about.

Best Restaurants: How Cleveland Restaurants Have Adapted To The Demand For Casual Dining

Gusto's Seafood & Chicken, Cilantro Taqueria, Domo Yakitori & Sushi and Citizen Pie Roman Cafe are elevating quick, comfortable eats.

Best Restaurants: Jarrett Mines Eager To Leave His Mark With Cleveland's Filter

With the opening of the new Warehouse District restaurant, the former personal chef is ready to wow the city with his interactive dishes.

Best Restaurants: Jose Melendez's Twisted Taino Expertly Blends Latin American Flavors

A Sauce the City Food Hall staple, Twisted Taino is expanding to a second location in Parma that will house catering, carryout and delivery services.

Best Restaurants: Laura Jerina-Potts Takes A Detailed Approach To Desserts

Thyme Table's pastry chef has been serving up intricate delicacies and sweets for the last three years.

Best Restaurants: Local Restaurants Expand And Experiment With Vegan Offerings

From Go Buddha Meals' walnut taco bowls to The Vegan Club's fettuccine Alfredo, we highlight four unique vegan dishes created by local kitchens.

Best Restaurants: Pop-Up Eateries Thrive In The COVID-19 Era

The Roaming Biscuit and FatBoy Sammies are among area pop-ups finding success.

Best Restaurants: Tiwanna Scott-Williams' Comfort Food Shines At Pearl's Kitchen

The former nurse turned chef tells us why she's ready to take Cleveland by storm with her homecooked, comfort-food style out of Ohio City's Sauce The City Food Hall. 

Best Restaurants: Vinnie Cimino Pays Homage With Immigrant Son Brewery Menu

The 'quasi-nomadic' chef and Greenhouse Tavern alum is settling down with a communal Lakewood brewery menu inspired by his ancestors.

Best Things We Ate This Month: Li Wah, Joe's Barbecue And More

The editors of Cleveland Magazine share the best local dishes they ate this month.

Challah At Meg Rolls Out Classic And Inventive Treats

Meghann Hennen started the handmade, online challah business out of her home last March.

Cleveland Chefs Help Elevate Your At-Home Taco Bar

From making at-home tortillas to lovely twists on salsa and guacamole, Taco Tuesday gets a boost from the chefs behind Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila, Twisted Taino, Momocho and El Carnicero. Plus, a hot sauce we love.

Cleveland's 10 Best New Restaurants, 2021

From pizzas to tacos, New American comfort food, tightly packed sushi and decadent multicourse meals, these restaurants have made a lasting impression over the past year.

Old River Tap And Social Is A Respite For Those Eager To Gather

The Rocky River hot spot, which serves neighborhood bar fare, opened last July.

In the CLE

1965: A Historic Discovery Is Made Under A Highway

Construction from Interstate-71 excavation project unveils 360-million-year-old black shale.

2021 NFL Draft: Meet Liam Eichenberg, St. Ignatius Grad And Top Prospect

Three things you need to know about the offensive lineman from Notre Dame, who is likely to get drafted in the first or second round.

3 Cleveland Mothers Share Parenting Tips For All Stages Of Motherhood

From toddlers to teens, these area moms break down why motherhood is so important to them.

A New Plan Could Open Up 30 Miles Of Cleveland's Coasts To The Public

More public lakefront parks could be on the horizon thanks to the Cuyahoga County Lakefront Public Access Plan, which seeks to change how we think about Cleveland's shoreline.

Editor's Note: Food For Thought

After a pandemic year of takeout, editor Kim Schneider examines Cleveland's dining scene and relishes in the joy of her first meals out in a year.

Essay: How Memories Convey New Meaning Over Time

One writer shares a story of memory, loss and the ways she honors her loved ones' stories.

How The Irishtown Bend Project Could Rejuvenate Cleveland's Near West Side

A five-year collaborative project between Land Studio, Cleveland Metroparks, Ohio City Inc. and others aims to turn a forgotten hillside into a 23-acre community park.

How The Secret Tea Society Forges Connections Through Conversation

Angela Strach-Gotthardt's group turns local landmarks into "salons" where members drink tea and converse on predetermined topics.

Looking For A Job? These Three Industries Are Hiring

Interim executive director and CEO of Ohio Means Jobs Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Frank Brickner shares three local industries looking for employees.

The Race Is On For Cleveland's Mayor Seat

After 16 years in the hands of Frank Jackson, the Cleveland mayorship is up for grabs. With Justin Bibb, Kevin Kelley, Zack Reed and others stepping up to the plate, could this year's candidates usher in a new model of power?

Entertainment

Annie Zaleski's New Book "Rio" Re-examines Duran Duran

Rio, out May 6, features anecdotes from keyboardist Nick Rhodes, drummer Roger Taylor and bassist John Taylor.

Antwoine Washington Brings Black Artists To The Table In His Latest Exhibit

The co-founder of Lakewood's Museum of Creative Human Art hosts Imagine Otherwise through June 6.

Cleveland Museum of Art Sheds Light On Medieval Relics

Medieval Treasures From Munster Cathedral, which highlights holy relics from Germany's Munster Cathedral, runs from May 22-Aug. 14.

Photo Exhibit At Cleveland Hospitals Highlights The Heroes Of The COVID-19 Pandemic

Angelo Merendino's newest photo portrait project is based around a simple question: 'Why did you become a nurse?'

T.J. Sandella's "Ways to Beg" Offers Unflinching Look Into Loss And Love

The Cleveland author and poet's debut collection touches on topics ranging from his religious upbringing to the loss of his mother.

The Shootouts Aim High With Sophomore Album "Bullseye"

Singers Ryan Humbert and Emily Bates discuss recording during the pandemic and Cleveland country music ahead of the album's April 30 release.

At Home

A Cleveland Designer's Guide To A Perfect Baby Nursery

From picking out the layout, colors and furniture, the possibilities for baby's room are endless. Plus, how to baby proof and more.

Mayfield Sand Ridge Club Gets A Jewel-Toned Uplift

The bedazzling remodel of the country club by designer Linda Chittock accents its 20th century English Tudor charm.

Three Things To Know Before Building A Deck

Fred Haun, owner of DeckCreator, gives us an insight on materials, style and more.

Style

Bibury & Co. Offers Unique Items From Local Artisans

From handmade cards to mittens made from recycled sweaters, you never know what you'll find in this Mantau shop.

Three Ways To Get The Perfect Summer Nails

Nail artist Shirley Vu of Rocky River's Lather A Salon shares the summer's biggest nail trends.

Travel & Outdoors

12 Must-Go Places In Gordon Square

From Flight Cleveland to Blue Habanero, Cleveland Public Theatre to Fount, here are a dozen spots to hit in the West Side Cleveland neighborhood.

Health

How To Support Loved Ones With Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

From identifying early symptoms to having tough conversations to transitioning to a care facility, here's how you can help.

Music Helps Manage Anxiety and Confusion In Seniors

Music can help provide clarity, social benefits and more for those struggling with anxiety, confusion and memory loss.