Cleveland, Ohio

Rust Belt resilience, lake breezes, and pierogi perfection.

Cleveland roared back from industrial decline to become one of the Midwest's most exciting food, music, and culture destinations, anchored by a sparkling Lake Erie waterfront and neighborhoods brimming with immigrant heritage. From the pierogi-slinging church ladies of Slavic Village to the James Beard–recognized kitchens of Ohio City, Cleveland rewards curious travelers who dig beneath the surface. This is a city that wears its working-class pride like a badge of honor while quietly building something extraordinary.

Best time to visit: May through October for warm lake weather and festival season

Best for: Craft beer and food hall crawls, Rock music history and live venues, Lakefront outdoor adventures

Where to eat in Cleveland

• Slyman's Deli Jewish Deli · St. Clair-Superior · $
  Cash-only institution Order: The Original corned beef sandwich — stacked impossibly high.
• Larder Delicatessen and Bakery American Deli · Ohio City · $$
  James Beard-recognized charcuterie Order: Koji-cured meats and the smoked fish board.
• Flying Fig Farm-to-Table American · Ohio City · $$
  Warm neighborhood anchor Order: Seasonal small plates and whatever's on the cheese board.
• Momocho Modern Mexican · Ohio City · $$
  Mezcal-forward and creative Order: Guacamole tableside and the carnitas taco.
• Great Lakes Brewing Company American Pub · Ohio City · $$
  Historic Ohio City brewpub Order: Edmund Fitzgerald Porter with the Ohio-style fish sandwich.
• Market Garden Brewery American Brewpub · Ohio City · $$
  W 25th Street gathering spot Order: Lager flight and the market burger.
• Grumpy's Café Breakfast / Brunch · Tremont · $
  No-nonsense Tremont diner Order: The classic eggs Benedict or corned beef hash.
• Corky & Lenny's Jewish Deli · Woodmere · $
  Mile-high sandwiches and smoked fish Order: Pastrami on rye or the lox platter.
• Superior Pho Vietnamese · Asia Town · $
  Neighborhood Vietnamese staple Order: Pho tai with extra broth and the banh mi.
• Li Wah Dim Sum / Chinese · Asia Town · $$
  Classic cart-service dim sum Order: Pork shu mai, har gow, and the taro dumplings on weekend mornings.
• The Marble Room American Steakhouse · Downtown · $$$
  Grand former bank dining room Order: Dry-aged prime ribeye in the high-ceilinged main vault.
• Pier W Seafood · Lakewood · $$$
  Lake Erie waterfront views Order: Lake Erie perch shore dinner at sunset.
• Taza Lebanese Cuisine Lebanese / Middle Eastern · Lakewood · $
  Lakewood neighborhood gem Order: The mezze spread: hummus, fattoush, and lamb kofta.
• Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant Ethiopian · Cleveland Heights · $
  Communal injera dining Order: The combination platter — doro wat, misir, and gomen on injera.

Annual events in Cleveland

• Feast of the Assumption Mid-August · Little Italy (Murray Hill)
  Cleveland's biggest street festival - three days of Italian food, live music, and neighborhood pride in the heart of Little Italy.
• Cleveland International Film Festival March-April · Playhouse Square
  One of the top film festivals in the US - world premieres, indie cinema, and filmmaker panels spread across Playhouse Square's historic theaters.
• Burning River Fest July · Cuyahoga Riverfront
  A craft beer festival on the banks of the once-flaming Cuyahoga River - Ohio breweries, food vendors, and a healthy sense of irony about Cleveland history.
• Cleveland National Air Show Labor Day Weekend · Burke Lakefront Airport
  One of America's oldest air shows - three days of aerobatics, military jets, and vintage aircraft over Lake Erie.
• Dyngus Day Monday after Easter · Gordon Square / Czech-Slovak clubs citywide
  Cleveland's beloved Polish-American spring celebration - polka bands, kielbasa, and a city-wide party marking the end of Lent.
• Parade the Circle June · University Circle
  A beloved Cleveland tradition - a wild, participatory parade through University Circle with artists, puppets, and community floats celebrating creativity.
• Ingenuity Fest September · Gordon Square Arts District
  Cleveland's arts-meets-technology festival - interactive installations, live performances, and local makers along the lakefront.
• Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center Summer (June-September) · Cuyahoga Falls
  One of America's great orchestras performs under the stars at their outdoor summer home - bring a picnic and a blanket.

More city guides

• New Orleans, LA
• Sonoma County, CA
• Nashville, TN
• Memphis, TN
• Miami, FL
• Dallas, TX
• Portland, OR
• Windsor, CA