Restaurants in Solon

Cool breezes caress the faces of diners seated at the brick-walled outdoor patio at Marbella Restaurant, recalling the Mediterranean climate of the Spanish seaside resort for which the eatery is named. Indoors, tuxedoed waiters deliver fresh seafood such as twin lobster tails, grilled scallops, and jumbo shrimp to tables lit by flickering candlelight. Spanish wines, from sparkling cavas to rich, red riojas, pour into glasses from a full bar.

The recipient of taste-based honors such as Cleveland Magazine’s Silver Spoon Award and the Plain Dealer’s Best Fried Chicken Spot, Phil the Fire transports traditionally Southern comfort fare into the heart of the Midwest. The restaurant’s chicken and waffles, made with fluffy belgian waffles and hot-sauce-ready meat, anchor a wide-ranging menu, packed with hearty Southern victuals. Owner Phil Davis works closely with his daughter Machiah Imani and a dedicated staff to establish a family-friendly vibe and to forge comfort fare staples, including casseroles, meatloaf, and mac ‘n’ cheese, from fresh, wholesome ingredients. A casual, brick-and-wood-laden interior and low-lit dining room keeps meals less intense than those eaten inside saunas, and a fully stocked bar sates thirsty crowds during daily happy hours.

Every night, the smooth hum of jazz music drifts out from North Park Grille, providing a soothing soundtrack for guests who recline beneath the stars on its front patio. Inside, dim candles illuminate tabletops surrounded by colorful paintings and soft purple walls. As bartenders pour fine wines into delicate stemware, servers gracefully deliver plates of Chef Anna Hoffman's contemporary comfort fare. She puts an upscale twist on classic American dishes, fashioning meatloaf from lean ground beef and savory spices, infusing mac ‘n’ cheese with unexpected morsels of feta or buffalo chicken, and molding ground-beef burger patties into the shape of elegant bald eagles.

At Palookaville Chili, healthy, piping-hot gourmet chili warms bellies with whole, dried chilies plunked into recipes culled from southwestern traditions and the creative mind of head chef, Ian P.E. Local ingredients including succulent cuts of Ohio-raised beef and Amish pork from the Westside Market fill up bowls or mingle with chili dogs, burritos, or plates of macaroni. The chili contains no ground beef, only cubed meats, or vegetarian morsels that create spicy veggie chili and creamy paneer concoctions inspired by Indian flavors and Bollywood musicals about chili cook-offs. Displays of artwork add vital views to café walls, and classic rock tunes fill the air with a catchy chili-chomping soundtrack.