Restaurants and Bars

Though it will always be better know for its rock than its rolls (or steaks or cakes), Cleveland nonetheless has some serious chops when it comes to places to eat. And despite its location on the shores of a Great Lake, Cleveland boasts some outstanding seafood.

Downtown

You cannot walk two blocks downtown without coming across a fine steakhouse. It all starts just a few blocks south of Lake Erie at John Q's Steakhouse. Situated in the middle of downtown, it is the city's most famous, most popular and arguably best eatery. David's at Key Tower and Morton's of Chicago, The Steakhouse are among the best places to enjoy a slab of beef.

Morton's also has a wide selection of seafood, which seems to be the most abundant fare in the city. Hornblower's Barge and Grill, Century at the Ritz Carlton and the Blue Point Grille are top stops on the seafood trail. Johnny's Downtown will toss in a dish of linguini with your lobster, and if something from the local waters is on your mind, you can get a plate of perch just about any place.

Pasta is the most prevalent non-domestic dish downtown. Italian restaurants line the streets and you do not have to be in Little Italy to find one. Johnny's Bar, Circo Zibibbo, Frank & Pauly's and Ciao Cucina are among the numerous choices. Then there is Sans Souci restaurant, which serves traditional French cuisine, and the Greek Isles restaurant, which has a menu that transports palates to the flavors of the Mediterranean.

For those wanting to experience the sights and sounds of Cleveland more so than the tastes, there is the The Terrace Club (Levy Restaurants) inside Jacobs Field. You can even enjoy lunch and dinner when the home team is away and during the off-season.

The Flats and Tremont

Littered with such chains as Hooters and BW3, the area's nightclub scene has a few selections for those wanting more than bar food. Shooter's on the Water and Pats in the Flats prove that a bar-and-grill can actually have the emphasis on grill.

For people seeking trendy bistros and eclectic eateries, Tremont is the neighborhood for them. The up-and-coming district features Kosta's, which is one of the hippest joints in town. Fat Cats is among the top Italian establishments in this neighborhood or any other. Fahrenheit kicks it up a notch with a fresh, seasonal menu of pizzas and pasta.

University Circle

They do more than study in the area surrounding Case Western Reserve University. Those future doctors and lawyers need somewhere to eat. That Place on Bellflower and The Severance, inside Severance Hall, the home of the Cleveland Orchestra, are two of the top choices in the vicinity.

East Side

On the near east side, the Academy Tavern offers the best of all worlds, serving seafood, steak and Italian cuisine. The Balaton Restaurant features stick-to-your-bones Hungarian fare and is an example of the ethnic diversity in the Shaker Heights neighborhood. For Italian food, Mayfield's Battuto is the best of the east.

West Side

Not to be outdone, the "newer" side of town has a healthy list of eateries. Gamekeeper's Taverne in the Rocky River neighborhood features an outdoor cafe, weather permitting. Westlake features the best France and Italy have to offer at Le Bistro Du Beaujolais and Buca di Beppo, respectively. Known for its nightlife, Lakewood has plenty of places to dine before dancing. Players on Madison boasts the area's most well known pizza, while Pier W keeps the shellfish coming. Don's Pomeroy House in Strongsville proves the point that all of Cleveland is on a seafood diet.