Best Casual Restaurants in University Circle

36 restaurants available nearby

A photo of La Dolce Vita - Cleveland restaurant

1. La Dolce Vita - Cleveland

4.7

Exceptional(1821)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 39 times today

Welcome to La Dolce Vita Bistro - “The Sweet Life,” a restaurant and bistro created to recapture the bell-époque charm of “The Italian Drug,” opened here by Dr. Anthony Caruso in 1914. In the tradition of the great European bistros, La Dolce Vita is devoted to providing a relaxed and friendly atmosphere for everything from eight course dinners to coffee and Calvino. We strive to prepare the perfect meal, or the perfect cappuccino, and let you enjoy it at your leisure. Our pasta is cooked fresh to order, our sauces and dressing are painstakingly prepared using only the finest ingredients: extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, the freshest vegetables, imported whole tomatoes, fresh basil and Italian parsley... and your table is reserved for the evening.

2. Maxi’s Bistro

4.7

Exceptional(349)

Price: Moderate

• Bistro • University Circle

Booked 12 times today

Nestled in the heart of Cleveland’s Historic Little Italy, Maxi’s embodies a vibrant atmosphere and a welcoming ambiance. We are open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.Our main level offers guests the opportunity to interact in a casual and upbeat setting or to partake in the dynamic liveliness of the bar. The cozy and intimate upstairs level seats 50 people comfortably and can be booked for events such as meetings, rehearsal dinners, birthdays, graduations, presentations and more. Our fully enclosed and heated garden patio provides a relaxed and comfortable dining experience while the sidewalk tables allow for a most spectacular view of Little Italy.Whether you are looking for a place to dine before going to The Cleveland Orchestra concert or searching for the perfect location to share a conversation, Maxi’s welcomes you to enjoy dinner, an appetizer, a glass of wine at the bar, a Peroni while the game is going on, or even an espresso with a San Pellegrino for a caffeine push.

A photo of Michelson and Morley restaurant

3. Michelson and Morley

4.4

Awesome(512)

Price: Moderate

• American • University Circle

An American-style bistro featuring a variety of locally source and seasonal small plates, flatbreads, sandwiches and entrees. Michelson and Morley is located inside CWRUs Tinkham Veale University Center.

A photo of Tutto Carne- Cleveland restaurant

4. Tutto Carne- Cleveland

4.8

Exceptional(173)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Little Italy

Booked 15 times today

Chef-inspired Italian steakhouse featuring Ohio farm raised, hand selected and dry aged beef.

5. Fahrenheit

4.4

Awesome(3342)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown Cleveland

Booked 35 times today

Located in Downtown Cleveland, Chef Rocco Whalen's Fahrenheit is two spectacular stories of unforgettable flavors and gorgeous, sparkling interiors. This fresh new take on Cleveland’s beloved restaurant will blow you away. Fahrenheit is the perfect hotspot for the sharp dressed crowd and anyone looking for a culinary wonderland of mouthwatering mains, fresh shellfish towers, and innovative daily offerings. With unmatched views of downtown's action-filled city-center, the restaurant features luxurious furnishings and instagram-able scenes. Available for lunch and dinner, Rocco's cuisine will delight your senses with its Mediterranean and Asian accents and curated cocktails. Fahrenheit boasts a stunning bar, curved banquettes, scalloped ceiling, action-filled chef’s table, and a private dining room. Take the sweeping staircase and meet us on the second floor to elevate your night life with our exclusive rooftop menus and artistic energy. Become part of the buzzing new destination

6. Taste

4.4

Awesome(842)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Cleveland Heights

Booked 5 times today

A place for food, wine, funContemporary cuisine, extensive wine list, full bar in a sleek, yet casual atmosphere.

A photo of Red, the Steakhouse Cleveland restaurant

7. Red, the Steakhouse Cleveland

4.6

Exceptional(2877)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown Cleveland

Booked 38 times today

Please call (after 2pm) to make reservations for parties over 5 guests, for all parties over 10 please contact Private Dining. For Parties over 5 we require a credit card to hold the reservation. Fee of $25 per person charged in cases of No-Show or cancellation with less than 24hrs notice.For patrons who value a premium culinary experience, RED The Steakhouse offers the best in high quality food by using the finest and freshest ingredients and creating an undeniably superb culinary experience. By transcending our guest’s expectations for superior service and food, Red The Steakhouse creates a consistent, exceptional and non-traditional dining experience. Enjoy the Wine Spectator award winning wine list as well as the Captain's List of specially featured wines. Reservations strongly recommended.

A photo of Batuqui - Larchmere restaurant

8. Batuqui - Larchmere

4.8

Exceptional(836)

Price: Expensive

• Brazilian • Shaker Square

Booked 21 times today

Described as "Brazil in Cleveland", Batuqui is in the heart of Cleveland, OH and emphasizes the cuisines of the Bahia and Minas Gerais states of Brazil. Set in a casual but appealing dining room, there is also a full bar with custom cocktails.The menu at Batuqui is full of exciting and unique choices and they are known for their authentically grilled top sirloin steak called Picanha. They offer appetizers like the Frango Passarinho which is fired chicken in a cilantro sauce or the Salgadinhos which are savory hand-rolled Brazilian bar snacks and entrees like the hearty traditional Brazilian party dish called Feijoada. They have fantastic salads and an array of intriguing Brazilian entrees. Choices include fish, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options in addition to the grilled meats and Brazilian steaks that make Batuqui such an appealing spot. Love desserts? Their homemade chocolate bon bons called Brigadeiros or Coconut Butter Cake are amazing too!

9. Betts - Cleveland

4.6

Exceptional(552)

Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown Cleveland

Booked 8 times today

Please call the restaurant at +1 (216) 357-2680 if looking to book a reservation for parties over (5) five guests. We are more than happy to accommodate you and your party if possible. "Betts" is a tribute to Elizabeth Schofield, wife of Captain Levi Schofield and our namesake. The space is cozy yet airy and feels like a mix between a restaurant and a very cool home that you’d happily want to reside in all day. Betts is inspired by American dishes we all know and love but reinvented with a thoughtful approach. The menu focuses on freshness, quality and whole foods put out from a predominantly scratch kitchen. It's easy to eat healthy here and it's just as easy to indulge- the menu has something for everyone.

10. Literary Tavern

4.8

Exceptional(269)

Price: Moderate

• American • Tremont

Booked 22 times today

Come visit our newly updated location at 1031 Literary Road, in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood. With a brand new kitchen, we are serving entrees, appetizers and sandwiches 6 days a week. We are open for lunch Monday through Friday and Happy Hour is from 3 - 6 pm.A favorite of area locals for many years, we are located in one of the oldest buildings in Tremont. We have worked hard to preserve the character of the historic location and offer an intimate atmosphere, inventive cocktails and a variety of wine and beers, chef made entrees and appetizers.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

T
TinaVIP
Cleveland / Akron / Canton •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Amazing food and service! We will definitely be going back. Best restaurant we have been to in Little Italy. Reminded me of all the delicious food we had on our last trip to Italy.
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La Dolce Vita - ClevelandPrice: Moderate• Italian• Little Italy
•
4.7
P
Paul
Los Angeles •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Christopher took care of us really well. Despite being arguably one of the best steak stops in Cleveland? We went for the seafood tower. Mac n cheese side and a chicken spring roll app. Food was incredible, everyone was attentive and the ambiance was superb. Honourable mention: the bananas foster desert is table made and done so beautifully. 10/10
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FahrenheitPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Downtown Cleveland
•
4.4
T
Toni
Pittsburgh / Western PA •1 review
5.0
Dined on Dec 26, 2024
My fiancé and I went for our anniversary. Everything was incredible. We both are in the industry and have dined at most of the restaurants in Cleveland. We both agreed that this was the best meal we’ve had in years. Can’t wait to go back!
More info
Tutto Carne- ClevelandPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Little Italy
•
4.8
S
Sharon
Cleveland / Akron / Canton •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 23, 2024
Our waiter was a young man, home from college and working at the restaurant. He was delightful and made sure we were well taken care of. A lovely dinner, the best clam pasta I've ever eaten and fabulous cannolli!
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Maxi’s BistroPrice: Moderate• Bistro• University Circle
•
4.7
A
Anita
Cleveland / Akron / Canton •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jul 31, 2024
Lunch was great - all of us ordered different salads with the add-on crab cake. The salads were good and the crab cake was perfect - crispy edges, not a lot of filler, and delicious! Our waiter was attentive and inconspicuous at the same time.
More info
Michelson and MorleyPrice: Moderate• American• University Circle
•
4.4

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University Circle

Best Casual Restaurants in University Circle

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36 restaurants available nearby

1. La Dolce Vita - Cleveland

2. Maxi’s Bistro

3. Michelson and Morley

4. Tutto Carne- Cleveland

5. Fahrenheit

6. Taste

7. Red, the Steakhouse Cleveland

8. Batuqui - Larchmere

9. Betts - Cleveland

10. Literary Tavern

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