Restaurants in East Cleveland

The name Burgers-N-Beer is straightforward. That’s why first-time visitors may be surprised by the scope of the eatery’s offerings. Cooks sculpt juicy half-pound patties by hand, piling on toppings such as fried eggs or marinara sauce. They also stuff burgers with fillings such as gorgonzola or creole-inspired olive tapenade, and they sometimes go to extremes by crafting burgers that weigh in at a full pound.

Patrons can also opt for slabs of ribs, corned-beef sandwiches on rye, and Italian specialties such as fried ravioli or italian wedding soup. But the food isn’t the only reason to stop by. Burgers-N-Beer exudes what one Cleveland Scene writer described as "old-time charm, cheery atmosphere, and prompt, friendly service—all seemingly designed to make a midweek dinner feel like a getaway at a lakeside resort.” On Friday and Saturday nights, the restaurant stops eager patrons from abandoning still-rolling cars with complimentary valet service.

SB Eighty One puts a modern twist on the familiar supper clubs of days of old, peppering the dining experience with live music and DJ tunes five nights a week. Chefs tickle palates with starters such as crispy calamari with shaved parmesan and duck confit bruschetta, and bartenders set to work warming insides with wine and martinis made with hand-squeezed organic fruit juice. The selection of entrees is comprised largely of rich meat and seafood dishes—such as a tender filet mignon served Oscar-style with crab meat and béarnaise sauce, or the surf & turf burger, which melts brie cheese over sautéed lobster and garlic-saffron aioli. In the dining room, hanging lanterns illuminate opulent dishes that stand out against a backdrop of sleek wood finishes, and outside, massive black umbrellas shade alfresco diners on the patio.

Mizu’s sushi bar is supplemented by a full kitchen, and together create a menu with more than 80 pan-Asian items. From the sushi bar, patrons can begin with appetizers of tuna tartar before ordering one of 22 specialty rolls, such as the Stop Light with tuna, avocado, mango, and a small camera on the side that records anyone who speeds through eating it too fast. The Mexican roll is a spicy blend of tempura shrimp, tuna, jalapenos, chili sauce, and eel sauce in a green soybean wrap. At lunch and dinner, guests can create their own combination meals with nigiri, maki, or sashimi.

In the kitchen, chefs prepare plates of dumplings and veggie tempura to whet appetites for Japanese-style entrees such as teriyaki and udon noodle dishes. Donburi rice bowls are filled with deep-fried chicken or pork, and the traditional nabemono, or hot pot, is filled with a combination of potato noodles, veggies, thinly sliced beef, tofu, and an egg. Asian flavors reappear on the dessert menu, which includes banana tempura with honey and green tea or red bean ice cream.

Behind a glass partition, cooks at El Guero decorate tortillas, bowls of rice, and salads with barbacoa, carnitas, and other meats according to each customer's instructions. Scoops of black beans, shredded cheese, corn, and red chili sauce transform mild-mannered tortillas into hearty burritos right before the eyes of their future owners. Crispy corn or sweet potato chips deliver sides of fresh guacamole and pico de gallo to round out meals. Inside the dining area, bright orange and green walls complement the abstract paintings and glass artwork, warming up the industrial style exposed ductwork, cement floors, stainless steel fixtures, and conveyer belts made entirely of soft taco shells.

Priya Indian Cuisine's chefs' extensive culinary repertoire, more than 100 items strong, fills the dining room’s teal booths with aromatic portions of chicken, lamb, seafood, and veggies. Many meals are baked in a traditional clay oven, although others are stewed in rich curry sauces or spices and served with fluffy basmati rice freshly shaved from the edge of a cloud. A slew of silver dishes line the buffet with up to 27 northern- and southern-Indian recipes as well as dosa—thin crepes stuffed with spiced potatoes and onions.

Though it isn’t a matchmaking service, Grovewood Tavern is responsible for more than 150 successful relationships in the past decade, all of which were realized over dinner. The brick-enclosed restaurant specializes in the delicious puppy love between food and drink, hosting meals that pair fine wines, beers, and spirits with bites from a globally conscious kitchen. The courses encourage guests to savor combinations in the moment, but also nod to the history inside the glassware. Trivia and origin stories accompany the drinks, detailing their flavors and the favorable reviews they've received. Some dinners benefit from presentation by expert hosts, including vineyard aficionados and people who know how the ghosts are added to each bottle of spirits.

Outside of these showcases, visitors can still enjoy selections from the tavern's regular menu. Duck-burger sliders and spice-rubbed ahi-tuna sandwiches dispel any worries about stereotypical pub fare, and the entrees' emphasis on local and organic ingredients adds a refreshing ease of conscience to each bite. Grovewood’s catalog of savory meats ranges from Japanese-style barbecued chicken to the bison pot roast, which, according to a 2007 feature in the Plain Dealer, "falls gloriously apart, upon gentle forkage." Chefs accommodate vegetarians and vegans as well. A wealth of meat- and gluten-free options speckles the menu's pages, and the pairing dinners list substitutions for nonveggie helpings, replacing tea-smoked duck breast with grilled tofu and skirt steak with vegan beef.