18 Best Romantic Restaurants in Cleveland, Ohio

© Marble Room Steaks and Raw Bar

The Marble Room Steak and Raw Bar is a high-end restaurant in a magnificent setting that offers a refined and unforgettable dining experience. Set within the historic old bank building on Euclid Avenue that has a rich history dating back 100 years, the one-of-a-kind Marble Room Steak and Raw Bar serves prime steaks and farm-raised meat dishes, fresh seafood and catch of the day, organic salads and vegetables, and mouthwatering sweet and savory desserts. Signature dishes include whole Maine lobster, seared yellowfin tuna poke bowls, diver sea scallops, and seared Hudson Valley duck breast, all of which are accompanied by hand curated wines from around the world, handcrafted cocktails, and imported craft beers and spirits.

623 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114, Phone: 216-523-7000

© Michaelangelo's

Michaelangelo's brings the rich tastes of Northern Italy to Cleveland with delicious Piedmontese cuisine and fine Italian wines. Housed in an elegant carriage house with a beautiful fireplace and a cozy wine bar, the Italian restaurant is helmed by award-winning Executive Chef, Michael Annandono who presents a menu of classic and contemporary cuisine with French, Swiss and Austrian influences. Hallmark dishes on the menu feature farm-raised meats, fresh seafood, handmade pasta and soups and decadent desserts with rustic flavors that are served with gracious hospitality and world-class service. Read our romantic weekend getaways in Ohio guide for more great ideas.

2198 Murray Hill Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106, Phone: 216-721-0300

© Nighttown

Named after the Dublin Red-Light District in James Joyce’s Ulysses, Nighttown, the eponymous restaurant exudes the elegant and gracious ambiance of typical turn-of-the-century New York dining establishments with several dining rooms and various jazz shows. Boasting breathtaking interiors decorated with memorabilia from past eras and exquisite stained-glass detailing, Nighttown features six distinctly different dining rooms and three full-service bars and presents seasonal menus of inventive cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant also has two four-season outdoor dining areas with moveable walls, ambient heating, and a full-wall waterfall and bar. The Secret Garden is fully-enclosed, heated and features a fireplace. Browse our Ohio day trips article for more ideas.

12387 Cedar Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, Phone: 216-795-0550

© Blue Point Grille

The Blue Point Grille is an award-winning seafood restaurant in the heart of Downtown Cleveland’s spirited Warehouse District that is renowned for its ocean-fresh seafood and award-winning wine list. Set in an elegant, multilevel space with towering windows overlooking the city, Blue Point serves a comprehensive menu of seafood and catch-of-the-day, including fresh oysters with signature dishes like seared Ahi tuna, grilled swordfish, New Bedford scallops, jumbo King Crab, Maine salmon, and lobster. The cuisine is accompanied by an extensive list of globally-inspired wines and other libations, and exceptional service and hospitality, making for an unforgettable dining experience.

700 West Saint Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113, Phone: 216-875-7827

© Dante Tremont

Dante Tremont is a Modern American restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred Chef Dante Boccuzzi that serves Mediterranean-tinged New American cuisine and fine wines in an elegant setting. One of several restaurants that make up the Dante Restaurant Group, Dante Tremont is set within a former bank building and provides a beautiful setting for an intimate dinner for two. The celebrated dining destination serves à la carte options and chef-prepared tasting menus featuring dishes prepared with locally-sourced and organic ingredients and accompanied by an extensive wine list and craft cocktail selection.

2247 Professor Ave Suite C, Cleveland, OH 44113, Phone: 216-274-1200

© Don's Lighthouse Grille

Don's Lighthouse Grille is a cozy neighborhood restaurant that serves an American menu of classic steaks, and fresh seafood served in a historical, mahogany-&-copper-accented space that dating back to 1911. Located a few miles from downtown Cleveland, the 150-seat restaurant has a low-slung roof with a formal dining room and a comfortable, clubby lounge with a warm and welcoming ambiance. The restaurant serves an array of fresh seafood selections, sizzling steaks and chops, fresh salads and organic vegetables, and decadent desserts. A popular spot for lunch or post-theater dinner, Don's Lighthouse Grille is also an ideal place to go for a quiet, romantic dinner with a loved one.

8905 Lake Ave #1, Cleveland, OH 44102, Phone: 216-961-6700

© Empress Taytu Ethiopian Restaurant

Named after Ethiopian Empress Taytu who played an essential part in Ethiopia's Golden Age and the primary architect of the foreign policy of Ethiopia, Empress Taytu Ethiopian Restaurant is a friendly, inviting restaurant that serves authentic Ethiopian fare and traditional coffee service. The restaurant serves a menu of delicious Ethiopian cuisine with an array of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, as well as a unique after-dinner Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony. This age-old tradition involves the roasting of green Ethiopian coffee beans to produce a thick coffee which is served from a jebena (clay pot) and poured into sinis (small traditional coffee cups). Coffee is served with pan-cooked Ethiopian bread known as ambasha against a backdrop of burning frankincense.

6125 St Clair Ave, Cleveland, OH 44103, Phone: 216-391-9400

© Fahrenheit

Fahrenheit is a sleek, buzzing eatery in Tremont owned by renowned chef Rocco Whalen that serves New American fare with an Asian twist paired with an extensive selection of curated wines. Established over 15 years ago, Fahrenheit has been a long-time go-to spot for romantic dinners with an inventive menu of classic and contemporary American dishes. Signature plates range from Kobe Beef Short Ribs bathed in sweetly caramelized soy-based teriyaki sauce with fresh noodles and ginger-glazed vegetables and fresh farm-raised Verlasso salmon with wasabi mashed potatoes, and sweet pickled cucumbers. Other casual dishes on the menu include starters of fried cauliflower with burnt lemon vinaigrette and finger-licking Crispy Gochujang Chicken Wings, which can be enjoyed off separate Happy Hour menu on weekdays.

2417 Professor Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, Phone: 216-781-8858

© Heck's Café

Located in the heart of Ohio City and the fast-growing city of Avon, Heck’s Café is a beloved spot to dine, lounge, and meet up with friends. The renowned Cleveland restaurant has three locations around the state, each with its character and ambiance but all serving the same delicious cuisine and drinks. Heck’s Café Ohio City is based in a beautiful 120-year-old brick townhouse in the middle of the city with an indoor garden oasis, while Heck’s Café Avon boasts an industrial feel in a new warehouse-style building. Best known for their mouthwatering gourmet burgers and hearty sides, Heck’s Café also serves a seasonal and locally sourced menu of creative plates such as mushroom ravioli and orange and beet salad. Tuck into one of the best brunches in town on Sundays with steaming cups of signature coffee and the full-service bar presents a wide selection of finely crafted cocktails, an approachable wine list with vintages from around the world, and a range of locally crafted beers.

2927 Bridge Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113, Phone: 216-861-5464

© Johnny's Bar on Fulton

Established in the 1920s as Louise's Garden, Johnny's Bar on Fulton is one of the most reputable restaurants in the city. Renamed Johnny's Bar in the early 1950s, the eatery serves refined Northern Italian cuisine in a vibrant, vintage setting with a charming seasonal patio. A seasonally changing menu features dishes of farm-raised meat and fresh seafood with freshly prepared salads and hearty sides and is paired with fine wines from a hand-curated wine from around the world. Johnny's Bar on Fulton offers private dining in two beautifully appointed rooms – the Crystal Room which can accommodate up to 12 guests, and the Wine Room that can cater for up to 30 guests for special occasions.

3164 Fulton Rd, Cleveland, OH 44109, Phone: 216-281-0055

© L'Albatros

Set in an old carriage house on the campus of Case Western Reserve University, L'Albatros is a traditional French brasserie with charming patio seating that serves a creative menu of contemporary French cuisine. Owned by renowned chef and restaurateur Zack Bruell, the restaurant offers daily specials, and signature dishes such as freshly grilled salmon, mussels with pomme frites, duck confit, cassoulet, and bouillabaisse. Guests can also enjoy gourmet cheese plates, globally-inspired wines from around the world, a selection of craft beers, and signature cocktails.

11401 Bellflower Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106, Phone: 216-791-7880

© Luca Italian Cuisine

Located on the Superior Viaduct, Luca Italian Cuisine is a sophisticated, art-filled eatery that serves refined Northern Italian cuisine in an intimate, romantic setting. Bringing the warmth and exuberance of Northern Italy to Cleveland, the small boutique restaurant is owned by Albanian-born owner and executive chef Luca Sema and presents an alluring mix of food, wine, service, and ambiance. The seasonally changing menu features inventive dishes like pan-seared artichoke stuffed with lobster and mascarpone, Sacchetti al Tartufo Bianco, and succulent osso buco di cinghiale of slow-roasted boar. The delicious cuisine is paired with easy-drinking wines from Italy, a range of craft beers, and signature spirits and cocktails.

2100 Superior Viaduct, Cleveland, OH 44113, Phone: 216-862-2761

© Nora

Located in Cleveland’s historic Little Italy, Nora is an intimate eatery that serves contemporary French and Italian cuisine prepared from traditional recipes passed down through generations. Owned by Chef Eddie Zalar, the charming restaurant serves an ever-changing menu of dishes with modern Italian flavors and French influences such as spaghetti marinara, roasted Portobello mushrooms with burrata cheese, date and walnut ravioli, chicken chorizo, cherry-smoked mussels, and cioppino, a traditional Italian stew.

2179 W 11th St, Cleveland, OH 44113, Phone: 216-583-9999

© Parallax

Located in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood, Chef Zachary Bruell’s flagship restaurant, Parallax, is a stylish restaurant that serves an inventive menu of fusion seafood and handmade sushi. One of six successful dining establishments owned by Bruell, Parallax offers a menu of contemporary cuisine with dishes such as Sesame Crusted Salmon, Red Curry Cobia, Tempura Lobster Tail, Grilled Hanger Steak, Pork Shank Pad Thai, and Choucroute Garnie. Parallax offers diners a choice of á la carte or prix fixe menus and an extensive menu of fine wines, handcrafted cocktails, and imported spirits to pair with each dish.

2179 W 11th St, Cleveland, OH 44113, Phone: 216-583-9999

© Pier W

Pier W is a landmark restaurant with a unique location that has been serving ocean-fresh seafood and other fine cuisine since 1965. Designed to resemble the hull of a cruise ship and boasting panoramic views of Lake Erie, the modern, upscale seafood restaurant serves a contemporary menu of prime steaks and other meat dishes, fresh seafood and catch-of-the-day fish, an array of vegetarian options, and homemade desserts. The highly acclaimed cuisine is accompanied by an award-winning list of fine wines from the world’s most important wine regions, signature cocktails, and imported spirits and craft beers.

12700 Lake Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, Phone: 216-228-2250

© Provenance

Located in the Cleveland Museum of Art, Provenance is an elevated eatery that pays homage to Asian-French fusion cuisine featuring prime steaks, fresh seafood, and delicious desserts. The 76-seat fine-dining restaurant and lounge serve locally sourced and globally inspired cuisine and a prix-fixe menu that complements current museum exhibitions. Signature plates include Maine scallops, Antarctic salmon, balsamic-braised short rib, curried stew, and Roman gnocchi, along with freshly prepared salads, decadent desserts and fine wines from around the world.

11150 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106, Phone: 216-707-2600

© TURN Bar + Kitchen

Located in the luxurious Ritz-Carlton hotel, TURN Bar + Kitchen is a stylish all-day/all-evening restaurant with dazzling interiors, a sophisticated bar and nighttime entertainment that serves creative menus of Cleveland neighborhood-inspired cuisine. The restaurant features airy, open-plan spaces with contemporary décor and modern furnishings and a dramatically illuminated onyx bar that serves a comprehensive selection of libations. The restaurant attracts a power-breakfast crowd who start their day with Cattleman’s Goulash, which is served with Lángos Crème Fraîche, cheese and eggs, house-made granola and steel-cut oats, healthy smoothies, and East Side Challah with sweet almond paste, and dipped and fried seasonal fruit compote.

1515 W 3rd St, Cleveland, OH 44113, Phone: 216-623-1300