7 Must-Try Foods in Cleveland

The options for finding the best food in a city like Cleveland can seem endless. With countless eateries serving delicious dishes, getting lost in the sea of options is easy. But fear not! This blog guides you through the gastronomic delights of Cleveland, revealing the seven must-try foods that will leave your taste buds craving more.

Prepare to embark on a mouthwatering journey as we unravel the hidden gems of this captivating city. Let’s explore seven delectable dishes that should be on your Cleveland food bucket list.

Polish Boy at Seti’s

One of Cleveland Ohio’s culinary treasures is the Polish Boy at Seti’s, a food truck offering a true feast for the senses. Polish Boy is a talked-about sandwich, just as famous as the Eiffel Tower.

Seti’s offers a delightful fusion of Polish and American flavors, resulting in a mouthwatering creation that will satisfy any hunger pangs. The Polish Boy Sandwich treats the taste buds with an irresistible blend of flavors and textures.

It features a generous portion of perfectly grilled kielbasa sausage, topped with a layer of tangy barbecue sauce and piled high with a generous serving of creamy coleslaw. This is sandwiched between a fluffy bun, adding a layer of satisfaction to each bite.

Location: W 42nd and Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113

Pierogi

Pierogi is a must-try in Cleveland if you’re craving a dish combining comfort, flavor, and a touch of Eastern European cuisine. These delightful dumplings have made their way from Poland to the heart of this vibrant city, offering a unique blend of flavors that will transport your taste buds to a whole new level of satisfaction.

Pierogi are typically made by wrapping pockets of dough around a savory or sweet filling, then boiled or fried to perfection. The fillers vary, ranging from traditional options like potato and cheese to more adventurous choices like sauerkraut, mushrooms, and fruit.

Each bite of a well-made Pierogi offers a flavor and a satisfying contrast between the soft dough and the delicious filling. Besides the fact that they are undeniably delicious, these dumplings offer a glimpse into the rich culinary heritage of Eastern Europe. They testify to Cleveland’s diverse food scene and its embrace of different cultures and flavors.

Locations to find the best Pierogis in Cleveland

• Jukebox: 1404 W 29th St, Cleveland, OH 
• Great Lakes Brewing Company: 2516 Market Ave, Cleveland, OH 
• Market Garden Brewery & Restaurant: 1947 W 25th St (at Market Ave), Cleveland, OH

Corned Beef Sandwiches – A Cleveland Delicacy 

Then the conversation of iconic sandwiches comes up. Cleveland has its claim to fame with its mouthwatering Corned Beef Sandwiches. Some even call it the best food in Cleveland.

This culinary delight showcases the city’s love for hearty and flavorful fare, drawing inspiration from Jewish-American cuisine and making it uniquely Cleveland.

Corned beef, a flavorful and tender cured meat, takes center stage in these sandwiches. The beef is typically seasoned with a blend of spices and slow-cooked until it reaches a melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

Served on rye bread and often accompanied by tangy mustard or pickles, the Corned Beef Sandwich offers a harmonious blend of savory, spicy, and slightly salty flavors. What makes corn beef sandwich a must-try food in Cleveland is the generous portion of tender, succulent corned beef piled high on the bread.

Locations to find the best corn beef sandwich in Cleveland

•  P.J. McIntyre’s: 17119 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
• Flannery’s: 323 Prospect Ave., Cleveland
• The Harp, Cleveland: 4408 Detroit Ave., Cleveland

Savor a Sfogliatelle

Indulge your sweet tooth and embark on a delectable journey with the heavenly Sfogliatelle. Hailing from the rich culinary traditions of Italy, this pastry is a work of art and a must-try food in Cleveland. If you have a penchant for flaky layers, delicate fillings, and a touch of sweetness, then Sfogliatelle will surely captivate your taste buds.

Sfogliatelle is a delicate and intricately layered pastry originating in Naples, Italy. Its name, “many leaves” or “many layers,” perfectly describes its unique appearance. The pastry dough is made by rolling and folding repeatedly, creating thin, crispy layers that encase a luscious filling. The flaky, buttery layers provide a satisfying crunch, while the creamy filling offers a delicate sweetness and a slight tang from the ricotta.

Locations to find the best Sfogliatelle in Cleveland

• K B Confections LLC: 13519 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107
• Corbo’s Bakery at Playhouse: 1603 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115
• The Sweet Fix Bakery: 2307 Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

Cleveland’s Ice Cream

Ice cream holds a special place in the hearts of many, and Cleveland takes this beloved frozen treat to new heights. In this city, ice cream is not just a dessert; it’s an experience that showcases creativity, quality ingredients, and a passion for crafting frozen delights. Combining innovation and commitment to quality makes ice cream a must-try food in Cleveland. 

Cleveland’s ice cream scene is a hotbed of artisanal creations, where local ice creameries strive to push the boundaries of flavors and textures. One reason why Cleveland’s ice cream stands out is the use of high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.

Many ice creameries in the city prioritize collaborating with local farmers and producers to ensure their ice cream is freshly prepared with quality and the finest ingredients. This commitment to quality shines through in every scoop.

Locations to find the best ice cream in Cleveland

• Mitchell’s Ice Cream: Multiple Locations
• Mason’s Creamery: 4401 Bridge Ave, Cleveland
• Honey Hut: Multiple Location

The All-Famous Chicken Wings

When people type in “food Cleveland” into Google, Chicken Wings is one of the results that are sure to show up.

 Famous for its love of bold flavors and hearty fare, Cleveland’s chicken wings are a culinary delight that you should try. If you’re a fan of perfectly seasoned, crispy wings bursting with flavor, then Cleveland is the place to satisfy your cravings.

Cleveland’s chicken wing scene offers various options, from classic buffalo wings to unique and innovative flavor combinations. The city boasts a variety of sauces that cater to every taste preference, whether you prefer tangy and spicy or sweet and smoky

Locations to find the best chicken wings in Cleveland

• Dina’s Pizza & Pub: 5701 Memphis Ave, Cleveland, OH
• Winking Lizard Tavern: 811 Huron Rd E (at Prospect Ave E), Cleveland, OH 
• Hot Sauce Williams: 3770 Lee Rd, Cleveland, OH 

Bite into a Slice of Cleveland’s Pizza

Without savoring a slice of the city’s delectable pizza, no culinary journey through Cleveland would be complete. While Cleveland may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of pizza, this vibrant city has a thriving pizza scene that offers a unique and mouthwatering twist on this beloved comfort food.

Cleveland offers a diverse range of pizza styles to satisfy every preference. Cleveland has it all, whether you’re a fan of traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas with thin, crispy crusts or hearty deep-dish pizzas with a thick, doughy base. The city’s pizza joints showcase their creativity through various toppings, sauces, and flavor combinations that will tantalize your taste buds.

Locations to find the best pizzaz in Cleveland

• Papa Nick’s Pizza & Pasta: 11534 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland
• Donte’s Restaurant & Pizza: 20850 Sheldon Rd., Cleveland
• Romito’s Pizza West: 6474 Brecksville Rd., Cleveland

Conclusion  

Exploring the food scene in the city is just one of the many things to do in Cleveland, Ohio. This blog has taken you through the seven must-try foods in Cleveland, each with its unique charm and flavor profile. But it’s just the start.

Start by exploring these culinary treasures, you’ll satisfy your cravings and gain a deeper appreciation for Cleveland’s vibrant food culture and the passionate individuals behind these delectable creations.