Lakewood has steadily become one of the best food neighborhoods in Northeast Ohio. Here are some of the places that you definitely shouldn’t miss. From barbecue to vegan to burgers to Mexican and Indian, Lakewood has it all.

Borderline Cafe

18508 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Nothing but breakfast served sunny side up Wednesday through Sunday at this popular West End café. Huge stuffed omelets, chewy buttermilk pancakes, and breakfast burritos are freshly prepared and restorative in nature. Don’t be put off by the line out the door; it just proves that people have good taste.

Forage Public House

14600 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Forage Public House focuses on 100% sustainable, locally sourced, farm-to-table ingredients and they do it deliciously. The ‘Ohio Pork Schnitzel’ from Chardon’s New Creation Farms and the ‘Best BLT Ever’ featuring pork belly from pigs raised in Delaware, Ohio are two of our favorite menu items.

El Carnicero

16918 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Chef Eric Williams, of Momocho and Happy Dog, opened this Mexican joint back in 2013 to expand on the Mexican taste that he mastered at Momocho. El Carnicero is a step-down in price from Momocho, but not in quality. Tamales and taquitos are the staples of the menu here.

Thai Thai

13735 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Few restaurants have made as big of a splash as Thai Thai, the tiny Lakewood eatery beloved for its flavorful, fiery Bangkok-style street foods. From the day it opened in 2016, this pared-down eatery excelled by focusing on a handful of Thai classics and knocking each and every one of them out of the park.

Cleveland Vegan

17112 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Cleveland Vegan has one of, if not the most extensive vegan menu in town. ‘S’more French Toast’, ‘Creamy Shiitake Benedict’ and the ‘Buffalo Cauliflower Dip’ are three items that really make our mouths water. The baked goods really delicious too.

The Proper Pig

17100 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Barbeque has taken over Cleveland in the last few years and the Proper Pig really stands out amongst the different smoked options in town. From their meats by the half pound, to their ‘Texas-sized’ sandwiches to their bacon on a stick, you really can’t go wrong. Finish it all off with some banana pudding with Nilla Wafers if you still have room for dessert.

Bar Italia

15625 Detroit Ave., Lakewoo

Rick Doody, restaurateur behind such concepts as Cedar Creek Grille, 17 River Grille and Lindey’s Lake House, changed his Lindey’s Lake House concept in Lakewood to Bar Italia in early 2021. Drawing on his roots as co-founder of Bravo and Brio restaurants, Doody converted the format at his two-year-old Lakewood eatery, Lindey’s Lake House, to Italian, starring fresh pastas and homemade sauces. Bar Italia uses fresh pasta from Flour Pasta Company, fresh-baked breads from On the Rise and made-from-scratch sauces crafted with high-quality meats.

Dinerbar on Clifton

11801 Clifton Blvd., Lakewood

Loyal fans of the original Diner on Clifton, which operated for 17 years just 160 meters away from the new Dinerbar on Clifton, will quickly observe how much has changed. But they will also appreciate how much has stayed the same. They’re packing them in on weekends for brunch, thanks to full bar service and reliable breakfast fare served all day. Well-made corned beef hash is delicious any time, especially when it features fat and salty chunks of meat, tender potatoes and sweet sauteed onions beneath a roof of over-easy eggs. The dish is joined by a handful of other egg dishes that can be ordered clear up till close. Items such as French toast, pancakes and eggs Benedict are reserved for mornings and weekend brunch only and all hit the spot.

Tost Sandwiches

13427 Madison Ave., Lakewood

After more than a year of delays, Tost Sandwich Cafe finally opened in 2021. The cafe boasts some of the best sandwiches around. The panini-pressed sandwiches are similar to small cafes you’ll find around Europe.

Ferris Shwarma

13507 Lakewood Heights Blvd., Lakewood

Their website says they have “the most awesome shwarma in Cleveland.” Who are we to argue? This menu is very straightforward with only a few options but when you do something so well, no need to mess with what is working.

Humble Wine Bar

15400 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

This place really has everything you look for in a wine bar. They have a delicious, eclectic selection of wine, great small plates, and a wonderful cheese selection. The delicious Neapolitan style pizzas are what really makes this place stand out.

Barroco Grill

12906 Madison Ave., Lakewood

If you’ve never had an arepa before, you need to head to Barocco ASAP. Arepas, which hail from Colombia and Venezuela, are grilled white tortilla’s stuffed with a variety of ingredients. The ‘La Gringa’, stuffed with braised beef, feta cheese, avocado, chimichurri, greens and mozzarella, and the ‘Buffalo Chicken’ arepa are two of our absolute favorites. Barrocco also has fantastic live Latin music three nights a week.

Dang Good Foods

13735 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Daniel Ang progressed from a food truck of the same name to a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Lakewood only slightly roomier. There, he lovingly prepares a small roster of dishes culled from his childhood in Singapore, where he devoured foods rooted in Chinese, Indian and Malay traditions. When you visit, do try the curry noodle soup and braised pork belly rice, but if you want to experience Spam in its highest form, tack on an order of the musubi. Slices of the sweet-salty canned ham are sauteed, painted with teriyaki, sandwiched between steamed rice and bundled up in a tidy seaweed wrapper.

Angelo’s

13715 Madison Ave., Lakewood

For the best pizza in Lakewood, and arguably all of Northeast Ohio, Angelo’s on Madison is the spot. Whether you stay traditional and stick to the normal pepperoni or cheese or get crazy with a Philly cheese steak or baked potato pizza, you really can’t go wrong.

Georgetown

18515 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Formerly Three Birds, Georgetown not only has a great menu but also boasts one of the most beautiful patios in Cleveland. The food is pretty great too – we highly recommend the sausage-stuffed banana peppers, any of the pizza appetizers and the charred beef tenderloin.

The Root Cafe

15118 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

This vegan cafe is a jack-of-all-trades establishment. They showcase local artists on the wall, they have poetry readings and folk musicians performing, have one of the best vegan menus in town, serve great coffee and have delicious baked goods.

Harlow’s

14319 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Lakewood’s lesser known pizza joint should not be slept on. The 12-inch Neapolitan pies come in just five choices – Marinara, Margherita, Bianca, Salami and Leonardo, but they perfect every offering and so nothing else is needed.

Lakewood Truck Park

16900 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Five years in the making, Lakewood Truck Park finally opened last summer, just in time to take advantage of alfresco social-distance partying. The 12,000-square-foot property features two bars, a rotating selection of food trucks and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Fun events like yoga, cornhole tourneys and Tiki Tuesday with live steel-drum music keep the vibe lively and beverages flowing.

Hako

13603 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Sapporo Sushi has been a downtown mainstay for 15 years. The small shop on the alleyway, beloved for its sushi, sashimi, rolls, noodle bowls and teriyaki dishes, rolled down the shutters for good in 2020. They relocated to Lakewood and changed the name to Hako. The space formerly was home to Kim’s Aji Noodle Bar and, before that, Yuzu. In addition to nigiri sushi, sashimi and dozens of traditional and eclectic rolls, the menu features “pan sushi.” Popular in Hawaii, pan sushi is a more carefree style of sushi that features layers of rice, fish, roe and sauces, which are pressed and then cut into tidy squares.

LBM Bar

12301 Madison Ave., Lakewood

To jump into our favorite bars after only being opened only a couple years says something about how much we love LBM. Located in Lakewood, this spot initially opened as a bar, but don’t sleep on their food offerings.

Melt Bar and Grilled

14718 Detroit Rd., Lakewood

If you haven’t had a grilled cheese at Melt yet, then I’m not sure you can be considered a real Clevelander anymore. They now have 14 locations around Ohio including at Progressive Field and Cedar Point. But the original was right here, in downtown Lakewood so head here to try one of Melt’s renowned overstuffed grilled cheese sandwiches.

India Garden

18405 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

India Garden is simply traditional Indian food with all the staples and it’s all delicious. We love the sauce heavy dishes like tikka masala and vindaloo with whatever meat you prefer but they’re all delicious. They also have a lunch buffet every afternoon – be careful though – we’re not sure you’ll be able to get back to work after!

Deagan’s Kitchen and Bar

14810 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Deagan’s has some of the best burgers in town, their fries are on point and almost everything on the menu is shareable. So if you’re one of those people that can never decide what to order, head to Deagan’s with some friends, order all the appetizers and small plates, and you get to sample most of the menu. The corn fritters and buttermilk fried chicken skins are some of our favorites.

Salt

17625 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Chef-owner Jill Vedaa spent 20 years perfecting her craft at restaurants over town, with stints at Bohemia, KeKa, Lola, Flying Fig, Rockefeller’s and the Black Pig before opening her own place in 2016. At Salt in Lakewood, Vedaa, along with co-owenr Jessica Parkison, are showing that in the right hands, small plate dining is social, exciting and creatively refreshing compared to ho-hum steak and potatoes.

Buckeye Beer Engine

15315 Madison Ave., Lakewood

The beer flows at this joint, where they usually have a variety of Buckeye Brewing Company beers on tap along with a wide variety of other breweries. The menu may sound like bar food, but it’s very high end bar food, done right. The ‘Beer Cheesy Cheesesteak’ and ‘World’s Best Fried Bologna’ sandwich are two of our favorites – the burgers are great too.

Buckeye Beer Engine

15315 Madison Ave., Lakewood

The beer flows at this joint, where they usually have a variety of Buckeye Brewing Company beers on tap along with a wide variety of other breweries. The menu may sound like bar food, but it’s very high end bar food, done right. The ‘Beer Cheesy Cheesesteak’ and ‘World’s Best Fried Bologna’ sandwich are two of our favorites – the burgers are great too.

Rood Food and Pie

17001 Madison Ave., Lakewood

The only way this concept rises above the level of novelty is by offering not just delicious food, but by presenting it in a way that transforms it into a convivial, communal experience, much like Korean barbecue without all the splatter. A restaurant based on pies? Well, when you have the quality of pies that Rood Food has, it just works.

El Arepazo Latin Grill

14725 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

El Arepazo Latino, the new Lakewood venture from the owner of El Arepazo y Pupuseria in Fairview Park, opened in 2021 in the former Burgers 2 Beer space at the corner of Warren and Detroit. The new restaurant has an extensive menu of Latin American cuisine including tostadas, torta, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, arepas and much more.

Molto Bene Italian Eatery

18401 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

“If you’re on the hunt for authentic Italian cuisine, but don’t want to head over to Little Italy on the East Side, Molto Bene is your place. The pasta is fresh and delicate as if it were just made by your Nonna, and the sauces are flavorful and delicious. The gnocchi is my favorite, and I am lucky that they allow me to slightly alter the dish and serve it with vodka cream sauce, delizioso! My taste buds are in heaven!,” Dana W. on Yelp.

Sarita a Restaurant

14523 Madison Ave., Lakewood

The goal of Sarita, according to their website, is to serve healthy, new American cuisine from all backgrounds and cultures to an atmosphere of good friends and family and one trip to the restaurant shows that they certainly accomplish this goal. The food is great – the cast-iron cornbread and Navajo fry bread are both must-orders – but we also really love the relaxed yet hip atmosphere of this spot.

Pier W

12700 Lake Ave., Lakewood

This Lakewood seafood restaurant has won Scene’s best of ‘most romantic restaurant’ multiple times, and for good reason. Since 1965, these views of Lake Erie and the city are unmatched, the atmosphere is sophisticated and elegant and the seafood is delicious. Oh, and the brunch is perfection.

Southern Cafe

11817 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Sometimes for names of restaurants, simple is better, and the name of this place says it all. What would you expect at a place called Southern Cafe? Fried green tomatoes, catfish fingers, shrimp and grits, gumbo? Chicken and waffles? They’ve got it all.

Sauced Taproom and Kitchen

14701-4 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

This casual pub and eatery took over the space very briefly occupied by Ivory Keys, which was preceded by the Detroiter, which was preceded by World of Beer. One of the first things the new owners did in the space was reinstall the original 50 draft lines that World of Beer had. They serve local, regional and national craft beers by the flight and pint, and at prices that hover in the $5 range. They also have all the food you’d want out of a pub – sandwiches, pizza, wings, fries, bowls, empanadas and even vegan offerings, because it is Lakewood. And it’s all damn good.

Mars Bar

15314 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Oh man, the gyro at Mars Bar in Lakewood is worth getting this place on its own. It’s one of the best versions in town: Warm, thick and plush pita is piled high with flavorful shaved lamb-and-beef meat, crisp red onion, thick-sliced tomato and creamy tzatziki sauce made by the owner’s mother. And you can get it until 2:30 a.m.

• Slideshows
•  Food & Drink

May 19, 2022

The 40 Essential Lakewood Restaurants in 2022

By Brett Zelman

Lakewood has steadily become one of the best food neighborhoods in Northeast Ohio. Here are some of the places that you definitely shouldn’t miss. From barbecue to vegan to burgers to Mexican and Indian, Lakewood has it all.

Scroll down to view images

JOIN THE CLEVELAND SCENE PRESS CLUB

At a time when local-based reporting is critical, support from our readers is essential to our future.Join the Cleveland Scene Press Club for as little as $5 a month

Scene Archives

Borderline Cafe

18508 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Nothing but breakfast served sunny side up Wednesday through Sunday at this popular West End café. Huge stuffed omelets, chewy buttermilk pancakes, and breakfast burritos are freshly prepared and restorative in nature. Don’t be put off by the line out the door; it just proves that people have good taste.

Scene Archives

Forage Public House

14600 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Forage Public House focuses on 100% sustainable, locally sourced, farm-to-table ingredients and they do it deliciously. The ‘Ohio Pork Schnitzel’ from Chardon’s New Creation Farms and the ‘Best BLT Ever’ featuring pork belly from pigs raised in Delaware, Ohio are two of our favorite menu items.

Scene Archives

El Carnicero

16918 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Chef Eric Williams, of Momocho and Happy Dog, opened this Mexican joint back in 2013 to expand on the Mexican taste that he mastered at Momocho. El Carnicero is a step-down in price from Momocho, but not in quality. Tamales and taquitos are the staples of the menu here.

Scene Archives

Thai Thai

13735 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Few restaurants have made as big of a splash as Thai Thai, the tiny Lakewood eatery beloved for its flavorful, fiery Bangkok-style street foods. From the day it opened in 2016, this pared-down eatery excelled by focusing on a handful of Thai classics and knocking each and every one of them out of the park.

Scene Archives

Cleveland Vegan

17112 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Cleveland Vegan has one of, if not the most extensive vegan menu in town. ‘S’more French Toast’, ‘Creamy Shiitake Benedict’ and the ‘Buffalo Cauliflower Dip’ are three items that really make our mouths water. The baked goods really delicious too.

Scene Archives

The Proper Pig

17100 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Barbeque has taken over Cleveland in the last few years and the Proper Pig really stands out amongst the different smoked options in town. From their meats by the half pound, to their ‘Texas-sized’ sandwiches to their bacon on a stick, you really can’t go wrong. Finish it all off with some banana pudding with Nilla Wafers if you still have room for dessert.

Scene Archives

Bar Italia

15625 Detroit Ave., Lakewoo

Rick Doody, restaurateur behind such concepts as Cedar Creek Grille, 17 River Grille and Lindey’s Lake House, changed his Lindey’s Lake House concept in Lakewood to Bar Italia in early 2021. Drawing on his roots as co-founder of Bravo and Brio restaurants, Doody converted the format at his two-year-old Lakewood eatery, Lindey’s Lake House, to Italian, starring fresh pastas and homemade sauces. Bar Italia uses fresh pasta from Flour Pasta Company, fresh-baked breads from On the Rise and made-from-scratch sauces crafted with high-quality meats.

Scene Archives

Dinerbar on Clifton

11801 Clifton Blvd., Lakewood

Loyal fans of the original Diner on Clifton, which operated for 17 years just 160 meters away from the new Dinerbar on Clifton, will quickly observe how much has changed. But they will also appreciate how much has stayed the same. They’re packing them in on weekends for brunch, thanks to full bar service and reliable breakfast fare served all day. Well-made corned beef hash is delicious any time, especially when it features fat and salty chunks of meat, tender potatoes and sweet sauteed onions beneath a roof of over-easy eggs. The dish is joined by a handful of other egg dishes that can be ordered clear up till close. Items such as French toast, pancakes and eggs Benedict are reserved for mornings and weekend brunch only and all hit the spot.

Scene Archives

Tost Sandwiches

13427 Madison Ave., Lakewood

After more than a year of delays, Tost Sandwich Cafe finally opened in 2021. The cafe boasts some of the best sandwiches around. The panini-pressed sandwiches are similar to small cafes you’ll find around Europe.

Scene Archives

Ferris Shwarma

13507 Lakewood Heights Blvd., Lakewood

Their website says they have “the most awesome shwarma in Cleveland.” Who are we to argue? This menu is very straightforward with only a few options but when you do something so well, no need to mess with what is working.

Scene Archives

Humble Wine Bar

15400 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

This place really has everything you look for in a wine bar. They have a delicious, eclectic selection of wine, great small plates, and a wonderful cheese selection. The delicious Neapolitan style pizzas are what really makes this place stand out.

Scene Archives

Barroco Grill

12906 Madison Ave., Lakewood

If you’ve never had an arepa before, you need to head to Barocco ASAP. Arepas, which hail from Colombia and Venezuela, are grilled white tortilla’s stuffed with a variety of ingredients. The ‘La Gringa’, stuffed with braised beef, feta cheese, avocado, chimichurri, greens and mozzarella, and the ‘Buffalo Chicken’ arepa are two of our absolute favorites. Barrocco also has fantastic live Latin music three nights a week.

Scene Archives

Dang Good Foods

13735 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Daniel Ang progressed from a food truck of the same name to a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Lakewood only slightly roomier. There, he lovingly prepares a small roster of dishes culled from his childhood in Singapore, where he devoured foods rooted in Chinese, Indian and Malay traditions. When you visit, do try the curry noodle soup and braised pork belly rice, but if you want to experience Spam in its highest form, tack on an order of the musubi. Slices of the sweet-salty canned ham are sauteed, painted with teriyaki, sandwiched between steamed rice and bundled up in a tidy seaweed wrapper.

Scene Archives

Angelo’s

13715 Madison Ave., Lakewood

For the best pizza in Lakewood, and arguably all of Northeast Ohio, Angelo’s on Madison is the spot. Whether you stay traditional and stick to the normal pepperoni or cheese or get crazy with a Philly cheese steak or baked potato pizza, you really can’t go wrong.

Scene Archives

Georgetown

18515 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Formerly Three Birds, Georgetown not only has a great menu but also boasts one of the most beautiful patios in Cleveland. The food is pretty great too – we highly recommend the sausage-stuffed banana peppers, any of the pizza appetizers and the charred beef tenderloin.

Scene Archives

The Root Cafe

15118 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

This vegan cafe is a jack-of-all-trades establishment. They showcase local artists on the wall, they have poetry readings and folk musicians performing, have one of the best vegan menus in town, serve great coffee and have delicious baked goods.

Scene Archives

Harlow’s

14319 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Lakewood’s lesser known pizza joint should not be slept on. The 12-inch Neapolitan pies come in just five choices – Marinara, Margherita, Bianca, Salami and Leonardo, but they perfect every offering and so nothing else is needed.

Scene Archives

Lakewood Truck Park

16900 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Five years in the making, Lakewood Truck Park finally opened last summer, just in time to take advantage of alfresco social-distance partying. The 12,000-square-foot property features two bars, a rotating selection of food trucks and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Fun events like yoga, cornhole tourneys and Tiki Tuesday with live steel-drum music keep the vibe lively and beverages flowing.

Scene Archives

Hako

13603 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Sapporo Sushi has been a downtown mainstay for 15 years. The small shop on the alleyway, beloved for its sushi, sashimi, rolls, noodle bowls and teriyaki dishes, rolled down the shutters for good in 2020. They relocated to Lakewood and changed the name to Hako. The space formerly was home to Kim’s Aji Noodle Bar and, before that, Yuzu. In addition to nigiri sushi, sashimi and dozens of traditional and eclectic rolls, the menu features “pan sushi.” Popular in Hawaii, pan sushi is a more carefree style of sushi that features layers of rice, fish, roe and sauces, which are pressed and then cut into tidy squares.

Scene Archives

LBM Bar

12301 Madison Ave., Lakewood

To jump into our favorite bars after only being opened only a couple years says something about how much we love LBM. Located in Lakewood, this spot initially opened as a bar, but don’t sleep on their food offerings.

Scene Archives

Melt Bar and Grilled

14718 Detroit Rd., Lakewood

If you haven’t had a grilled cheese at Melt yet, then I’m not sure you can be considered a real Clevelander anymore. They now have 14 locations around Ohio including at Progressive Field and Cedar Point. But the original was right here, in downtown Lakewood so head here to try one of Melt’s renowned overstuffed grilled cheese sandwiches.

Scene Archives

India Garden

18405 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

India Garden is simply traditional Indian food with all the staples and it’s all delicious. We love the sauce heavy dishes like tikka masala and vindaloo with whatever meat you prefer but they’re all delicious. They also have a lunch buffet every afternoon – be careful though – we’re not sure you’ll be able to get back to work after!

Scene Archives

Deagan’s Kitchen and Bar

14810 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Deagan’s has some of the best burgers in town, their fries are on point and almost everything on the menu is shareable. So if you’re one of those people that can never decide what to order, head to Deagan’s with some friends, order all the appetizers and small plates, and you get to sample most of the menu. The corn fritters and buttermilk fried chicken skins are some of our favorites.

Scene Archives

Salt

17625 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Chef-owner Jill Vedaa spent 20 years perfecting her craft at restaurants over town, with stints at Bohemia, KeKa, Lola, Flying Fig, Rockefeller’s and the Black Pig before opening her own place in 2016. At Salt in Lakewood, Vedaa, along with co-owenr Jessica Parkison, are showing that in the right hands, small plate dining is social, exciting and creatively refreshing compared to ho-hum steak and potatoes.

Scene Archives

Buckeye Beer Engine

15315 Madison Ave., Lakewood

The beer flows at this joint, where they usually have a variety of Buckeye Brewing Company beers on tap along with a wide variety of other breweries. The menu may sound like bar food, but it’s very high end bar food, done right. The ‘Beer Cheesy Cheesesteak’ and ‘World’s Best Fried Bologna’ sandwich are two of our favorites – the burgers are great too.

Scene Archives

Rood Food and Pie

17001 Madison Ave., Lakewood

The only way this concept rises above the level of novelty is by offering not just delicious food, but by presenting it in a way that transforms it into a convivial, communal experience, much like Korean barbecue without all the splatter. A restaurant based on pies? Well, when you have the quality of pies that Rood Food has, it just works.

Scene Archives

El Arepazo Latin Grill

14725 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

El Arepazo Latino, the new Lakewood venture from the owner of El Arepazo y Pupuseria in Fairview Park, opened in 2021 in the former Burgers 2 Beer space at the corner of Warren and Detroit. The new restaurant has an extensive menu of Latin American cuisine including tostadas, torta, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, arepas and much more.

Scene Archives

Molto Bene Italian Eatery

18401 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

“If you’re on the hunt for authentic Italian cuisine, but don’t want to head over to Little Italy on the East Side, Molto Bene is your place. The pasta is fresh and delicate as if it were just made by your Nonna, and the sauces are flavorful and delicious. The gnocchi is my favorite, and I am lucky that they allow me to slightly alter the dish and serve it with vodka cream sauce, delizioso! My taste buds are in heaven!,” Dana W. on Yelp.

Scene Archives

Sarita a Restaurant

14523 Madison Ave., Lakewood

The goal of Sarita, according to their website, is to serve healthy, new American cuisine from all backgrounds and cultures to an atmosphere of good friends and family and one trip to the restaurant shows that they certainly accomplish this goal. The food is great – the cast-iron cornbread and Navajo fry bread are both must-orders – but we also really love the relaxed yet hip atmosphere of this spot.

Scene Archives

Pier W

12700 Lake Ave., Lakewood

This Lakewood seafood restaurant has won Scene’s best of ‘most romantic restaurant’ multiple times, and for good reason. Since 1965, these views of Lake Erie and the city are unmatched, the atmosphere is sophisticated and elegant and the seafood is delicious. Oh, and the brunch is perfection.

Scene Archives

Southern Cafe

11817 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Sometimes for names of restaurants, simple is better, and the name of this place says it all. What would you expect at a place called Southern Cafe? Fried green tomatoes, catfish fingers, shrimp and grits, gumbo? Chicken and waffles? They’ve got it all.

Scene Archives

Sauced Taproom and Kitchen

14701-4 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

This casual pub and eatery took over the space very briefly occupied by Ivory Keys, which was preceded by the Detroiter, which was preceded by World of Beer. One of the first things the new owners did in the space was reinstall the original 50 draft lines that World of Beer had. They serve local, regional and national craft beers by the flight and pint, and at prices that hover in the $5 range. They also have all the food you’d want out of a pub – sandwiches, pizza, wings, fries, bowls, empanadas and even vegan offerings, because it is Lakewood. And it’s all damn good.

Scene Archives

Mars Bar

15314 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Oh man, the gyro at Mars Bar in Lakewood is worth getting this place on its own. It’s one of the best versions in town: Warm, thick and plush pita is piled high with flavorful shaved lamb-and-beef meat, crisp red onion, thick-sliced tomato and creamy tzatziki sauce made by the owner’s mother. And you can get it until 2:30 a.m.

Scene Archives

Sauced Taproom and Kitchen

14701-4 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

This casual pub and eatery took over the space very briefly occupied by Ivory Keys, which was preceded by the Detroiter, which was preceded by World of Beer. One of the first things the new owners did in the space was reinstall the original 50 draft lines that World of Beer had. They serve local, regional and national craft beers by the flight and pint, and at prices that hover in the $5 range. They also have all the food you’d want out of a pub – sandwiches, pizza, wings, fries, bowls, empanadas and even vegan offerings, because it is Lakewood. And it’s all damn good.

Mahall’s 20 Lanes

1114 Center St., Lakewood

Coming up on their 100th anniversary in a few years, this bowling alley, music venue, bar and restaurant was established by the Mahall family in 1924. It’s still one of the more happening spots in town.

Hola Tacos

12102 Madison Ave., Lakewood

From the family who also operates the beloved Barroco Arepa Bars in Lakewood and Westlake, they have assembled a concise but compelling menu of traditional tacos that represent a nice selection of regional classics at Hola Tacos. Al pastor tacos are made “al trompo,” with thin-sliced pork carved from a rotating spit and garnished with pineapple, onions and cilantro. Cochinita pibil tacos consist of slow-roasted adobo-marinated pork capped with pickled red onion. Coal-fired steak is at the heart of the carne asada tacos and roasted cauliflower serves as the filling for a vegetarian selection.

Thai Kitchen

12210 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Pick up any Thai restaurant menu in town and you’re bound to see the same collection of popular chestnuts trotted out time and time again. That’s not the case at Thai Kitchen in Lakewood, home to Chef Kwan and her lengthy roster of authentic restaurant-style and home-style Thai dishes. A graduate of one of Bangkok’s top culinary arts programs, Kwan boldly and unequivocally sets herself apart from the rest of the field.

The Rush Inn

17800 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

The Rush Inn, with locations in Lakewood and Avon, is as no frills as they come, boasting some of the best wings in town. While we usually prefer wings drenched in sauce, dry rub is the way to go here, with the ‘Lemon Pepper Dry Rub’ being our favorite.

Riverwood Cafe

18500 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

This Lakewood watering hole, known for one of the best happy hours around, is also frequented for their exquisite wings. Try the ‘Buffalo Garlic’ or ‘Sweet Heat’ for that extra kick.

Woodstock BBQ

13362 Madison Ave., Lakewood

If you love barbecue, this is another spot that is definitely worth checking out. The smell of smoke wafts into your nose as you enter this place. They really have all the staples of barbecue, including delicious ribs, wings, pulled pork, brisket, cornbread and much more.

To read more news, click here.