Cleveland favorites!

by Kaylah Stroup

Three years ago I wrote a small guide to my favorite spots in Cleveland.  I recently revisited that guide and realized just how terribly out of date it is. A handful of those spots have closed, and I’ve discovered many others that I adore.

Cleveland is a really rad city. We have so much to see, do, and eat! Obviously, there is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but I want to make a list of my favorite spots. These are places I visit often, places I love to bike to, and spots I just generally cannot get enough of.  This list is kind of all over Cleveland but I’ve always found this to be a very easy city to travel across so even if you’re staying in downtown it shouldn’t take very long at all to get to any of these places as long as you’re not driving in rush hour.

Mason’s Creamery

4401 Bridge Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
Mason’s Creamery is the best ice cream place in Cleveland. Period. It’s a cozy little spot that always has fun new flavors to try. They regularly switch out what they have and offer a handful of vegan options. On my most recent visit, I got Mexican chocolate, it was incredible. On top of that, everyone that works there is super sweet. It’s just always genuinely a great experience. Check out them out on Instagram, @masonscreamery, to get a peek at their current flavors.

La Petit Triangle

1881 Fulton Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113
Do you want to eat the tastiest breakfast of your life in a cozy little cafe? Me too! That’s why this spot ranks so highly for me. Every single time Jeff and I go we get the lemon curd crepe, and the smoked salmon omelet and split the two (…ya know with me mostly devouring the lemon curd crepe before he can even take two bites because it’s just that good.) I could literally eat here every day and never get tired of their food. It’s been my reigning favorite breakfast since moving to the area. Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, and all other special days – this is always my choice!

Wendy Park

2800 Whiskey Island Drive, Cleveland, OH 44102
Wendy Park is my beach of choice in Cleveland. It’s certainly not our prettiest or cleanest beach (Try Edgewater!) but I’ve just got a thing for Wendy Park. It’s usually fairly quiet there. There’s even a pier where you can walk out to the old coast guard station, and a great view of the city and some neat bridges. For more beach recommendations or suggestions on where to find beach glass, check out this post I shared earlier in the year.

Dittrick Medical History Center

11000 Euclid Ave #3, Cleveland, OH 44106
The permanent exhibits at this wonderfully strange little museum feature medical instrument collections to document the development of medicine. I shared a handful of photos from one of my visits a little while back, you can find them here. Oh! Did I mention it’s free? Because it is!

Barrio

806 Literary Avenue, Tremont, OH 44113
Barrio has build your own tacos. They have a sheet listing their options for tortillas, proteins, cheeses, toppings, salsas, and sauces. You simply go down the list, checking off what you want, hand it to your server when you’re finished and a short time later you have your own custom taco. It’s cheap, it’s delicious, and it’s an absolute favorite of mine. There’s one located about a block from our home so it’s kind of a weekly thing for us. If you’re not feeling up to the task of creating your own taco, here’s what I get – hard corn tortilla, thai chili tofu, cilantro-lime rice, queso fresco, cilantro + onions topped with cilantro pesto sauce. Their thai chili tofu is one of my favorite things ever. I truly wish I could just go in and buy it to bring home to put on other food!

Rising Star Coffee

1455 W 29th, Cleveland, OH 44113
Rising Star has a few locations throughout the city but I’m particularly fond of their spot in Hingetown. Friendly employees and tasty coffee all in an old firehouse. I highly recommend the Promised Land Latte. Hingetown is a cozy little neighborhood filled with murals so grab a coffee and wander around a bit.

Rockefeller Park Greenhouse

750 E 88th St, Cleveland, OH 44108
Built in 1905, used originally to grow plants for the city. This place is stunning inside and out. There are multiple rooms with different themes and tons and tons of plants. Parking and admission are free. You basically have no excuse to not love this place. Check out some photos from one of my visit’s here.

Edison’s

2365 Professor Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
My favorite by-the-slice pizza! It’s not gourmet. It’s probably not healthy but it’s the best greasy pizza I’ve ever had. Grabbing a slice mid-bike ride is one of my favorite past times. Now that I live just a block away, I enjoy bringing home a slice and topping it with goat cheese. SO GOOD. Either way, if you’re in the mood for pizza – head here!

Mural located on the corner of W.25th Street + Chatham Avenue

Even more recommendations…

Angelo’s Pizza – 13715 Madison Avenue
Okay, not technically Cleveland but super close. If Edison’s has the best greasy pizza, Angelo’s has the best “fancy” pizza. It’s insanely delicious.

Loop2180 West 11th St
Another one of my favorite coffee shops! A bright, air little spot. Not only do they have great coffee but they also sell records.

Koko Bakery – 3710 Payne Avenue
The cutest little Asian bakery but I wouldn’t know anything about it because I’m just here to chug all the bubble tea.

Terminal Tower Observation Deck – 50 Public Square
My favorite building in our cute little skyline has an observation deck that I so rarely see get mentioned it almost seems like a secret? It’s worth visiting, for sure! It has kind of funny hours though so be sure to check online before going.

The Westside Market – 1979 W 25th Street
Cleveland’s oldest public market. You can grocery shop, find something delicious for lunch or just sit up top and people watch.

The World’s Largest Outdoor Chandelier – intersection of Euclid Avenue and East 14th Street
A little bit random but Cleveland actually has the world’s largest outdoor chandelier, and it is just gorgeous at night. I recommend at least driving under it when you visit!

pizza mural on the corner of Church Ave & West 28th in Hingetown

Where to stay…

I don’t really have any specific recommendations on where to stay other than by area. That being said, I LOVE my neighborhood, Tremont. When traveling, I’m always looking for the equivalent. Hip neighborhood, lots of coffee shops, restaurants, and bars. Cleveland isn’t really known for its shopping, it may be the one thing we’re lacking but Tremont does have a handful of stores. (You can find a list on Walkabout Tremont.) There aren’t any hotels directly in the neighborhood but there are a handful of places on Airbnb. ($40 off your first stay using that link!) Still not sold on Tremont? Well, we have a cat cafe opening up this summer so BAM, beat that. In all seriousness though, Tremont is a great neighborhood. Even if you don’t stay here, at least come walk around.

There are six Cleveland script signs throughout the city. This one is at Edgewater Park.

Enjoy your visit!
xoxo

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10 comments

Bekah September 11, 2018 - 8:48 am

Yessss! GIve me all the Cleveland recommendations!! We just moved to Twinsburg!

Kaylah September 20, 2018 - 2:59 pm

Welcome to the area!!! 🙂

Megan Lane Patrick September 11, 2018 - 10:10 am

Thank you! This makes me want to go right back to Cleveland for another long weekend : )

Kate September 11, 2018 - 5:10 pm

Yay, great roundup! You chose some of my faves, plus quite a few places I haven’t been yet. And would you believe I JUST went to Wendy Park for the first time?! I had no idea you could get out to the old Coast Guard station, though, so it looks like I’m goin’ back soon!

Kaylah September 26, 2018 - 5:25 am

WHAT?! Wendy Park is my favorite!

Morgan September 11, 2018 - 5:37 pm

I’m a barista in Ottawa, and someone came in a few days ago and mentioned she had taken a trip to Cleveland. Thanks to your blog, I had a ton of really specific questions to ask her! Looks like such a fun city!

Kaylah September 26, 2018 - 5:24 am

🙂

amber S. September 27, 2018 - 2:51 pm

Sound like some great places! And a cat cafe?! So jealous. Totally random, but have you played that Cat Cafe game app? I don’t know why but it’s so soothing to play. LOL I want to own a cat cafe!

Kaylah October 5, 2018 - 9:22 am

Nope, never heard of it!

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