Many would agree that these are the best of times when it comes to dining in Northeast Ohio. In this present day, Cleveland boasts one of the most dynamic restaurant scenes in America, and proudly offers an almost bewildering variety of independents eateries of extremely high quality.
With that in mind, The Plain Dealer has released its annual list of the top 100 A-list dining destinations in the area. This year’s instalment introduces more than 15 restaurants new to the list, which in itself is an indication of the dynamic nature of Cleveland’s dining scene. Restaurants on the list were chosen based on at least two visits by critics, and reflect a broad range of cuisines, geographical regions and price points.
Without further ado, Cleveland’s 100 A-list restaurants for 2012 are:
• Aldo
• AMP 150
• Anatolia Cafe
• Bac Asian American Bistro and Bar
• Balaton
• Bar Cento
• Bistro 185
• Bistro on Lincoln Park
• Blue Point Grille
• Brasa • Bruno’s Ristorante
• Bubba’s-Q
• Cafe Toscano
• Charm Thai
• Chez Francois
• Chinato
• Chowder House Cafe
• Cowell & Hubbard
• Crave
• Crop Bistro & Bar
• Cuisine of India
• D’Agneses
• Dante
• Deagan’s Kitchen & Bar
• Delmonico’s Steakhouse
• Diamond Grille
• Don’s Pomeroy House
• Don’s Lighthouse
• Downtown 140
• Eddie’s Pizzeria Cerino
• Etna
• Fahrenheit
• Fat Cats
• Felice Urban Cafe
• Fire
• Flour
• Flying Fig
• Fountain
• Georgetown
• Ginko
• Giovanni’s
• Greenhouse Tavern
• Grotto Wine Bar
• Grovewood Tavern
• Hunan by the Falls
• House of Hunan Medina
• Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse
• Indian Delight
• Istanbul Grill
• Johnny’s Bar
• Johnny’s Downtown
• John Q’s
• Ken Stewart Lodge
• Lago Restaurant & Wine Bar
• L’Albatros
• Le Bistro du Beaujolais
• Le Petit Triangle
• Light Bistro
• Lockkeepers
• Lola Bistro
• Lolita
• Lopez
• Luxe
• Market
• Melt
• Michelangelo’s
• Minh Anh
• Molinari’s
• Momocho
• Morton’s
• Moxie
• Muse
• Noodlecat
• One Red Door
• Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar
• Parallax
• Pearl of the Orient West
• Piatto Novo
• Pier W
• Players on Madison
• Pura Vida
• Red the Steakhouse
• Restaurant Europa
• Rockefeller’s
• Russo’s Kitchen
• Sergio’s Sarava
• SB Eighty One
• Shuhei Restaurant
• Stino da Napoli
• Strip Steakhouse
• Superior Pho
• Sweet Melissa’s
• Table 45
• Tartine Bistro
• Ty Fun
• Viaduct Lounge
• Washington Place Bistro and Inn
• Wild Mango
• Wonton Gourmet
• XO Prime Steaks
• Zanzibar
• Zinc Bistro
So whether you are new to the area, visiting or a long-time resident, be sure to head to any one of the places on this list to experience cuisine at its finest.
