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Best Historic Restaurants in University Circle

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13 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Maxi’s Bistro restaurant
1. Maxi’s Bistro
4.6
Exceptional(335)
Price: Moderate
• Bistro • University Circle
Booked 6 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 Blue Point Grille restaurant
2. Blue Point Grille
4.8
Exceptional(6519)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Downtown Cleveland
Booked 39 times today
Blue Point Grille, located in the heart of The Historic Warehouse District, is renowned for serving the highest quality seafood sourced daily from both coasts. Its elegant dining rooms feature expansive windows offering sweeping views of the downtown skyline, creating a sophisticated ambiance. Just a short stroll from the convention center, premier hotels, and Public Square, guests can enjoy acclaimed dishes such as lobster bisque, freshly shucked Blue Point oysters, and the signature Nag's Head Grouper. Since its inception in 1998, Blue Point Grille has consistently been voted Cleveland's top seafood restaurant, known for its fresh seafood, award-winning wine selection, and exceptional service delivered by true professionals.
A photo of Johnny's Downtown restaurant
3. Johnny's Downtown
4.2
Awesome(648)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Cleveland West
Booked 11 times today
Johnny’s Downtown, opened in 1993, is similar to the original Johnny’s Bar on Fulton Road, featuring pasta, veal and fish. The setting, a refurbished 1860’s Warehouse District building, formerly a general store, is the drinking and dining spot of locals and business people alike. Joseph Fall, the executive chef, oversees the food operations and is responsible for our crafting our signature dishes and creating daily specials. There are several wines by the glass to choose from and the wine list has nabbed an Award of Excellence from the Wine Spectator. There is piano music in the bar featuring Mike Petrone Monday-Friday, and Cliff Habian on Saturday evenings.
A photo of DANTE restaurant
4. DANTE
4.7
Exceptional(3249)
Price: Expensive
• American • Tremont
Booked 14 times today
Enjoy Michelin-starred chef Dante Boccuzzi"s signature restaurant DANTE. Located in a historic bank building in Tremont, DANTE restaurant has become one of Cleveland's premier dining spots. The decor features designs and works of art from local artists. Guests may choose from an a la Carte Menu or a Chef's Tasting Menu. Experience the excitement of dining in the kitchen as Chef Dante prepares and serves you a multiple course tasting menu.
A photo of Acqua di Dea restaurant
5. Acqua di Dea
4.4
Awesome(932)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary Italian • Downtown Cleveland
Booked 14 times today
Our award winning Jola Eat Global Restaurant Group opened a third location in 2021. Since then, it has become a downtown hotspot with a trendy approach to the modern fine dining experience. Offering a unique combination of modern and classic coastal aesthetic in a sleek and rustic warehouse setting. Located in Cleveland's Historic Warehouse District in the heart of Downtown, Acqua Di Luca has an innovative Mediterranean menu with remarkably fresh seafood, unique pasta dishes, extraordinary steaks and much more.We are excited to announce some significant changes within our restaurant family.Acqua di Luca located at 500 W. St. Clair Avenue will be renamed Acqua di Dea.​These changes reflect our commitment to offering fresh and elevated dining. Acqua Di Dea will continue operations and ownership by Lola Jacaj.For private events contact a.george@jolaeatglobal.com
A photo of Cloak & Dagger restaurant
6. Cloak & Dagger
4.9
Exceptional(1058)
Price: Expensive
• Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service • Tremont
Booked 26 times today
A cocktail lounge with focus on hospitality and craft located next to Lincoln Park in the historic Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland.
A photo of Cleveland Chop restaurant
7. Cleveland Chop
4.7
Exceptional(2159)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • Downtown Cleveland
Booked 12 times today
We are Cleveland's & Favorite Steakhouse offering a premium experience at an affordable price. Situated in the Historic Warehouse District, the Cleveland Chop is located at 824 West St Clair between W 6th and W 9th street. We are minutes away from downtown hotels, Rocket Mortgage Field House, Progressive Field, Browns Stadium and the Convention Center. We offer dinner, lunch, and our award winning Sunday brunch menu. Please refer to our website for current menu offerings.We will be offering our Easter & Mothers Day Brunch! Please contact the restaurant regarding private functions.
A photo of SASA restaurant
8. SASA
4.9
Exceptional(916)
Price: Moderate
• Sushi • Shaker Heights
Booked 3 times today
Located at historic Shaker Square, SASA is a Japanese Izakaya restaurant. SASA's menu reflects global inspiration while maintaining the tradition and beauty of Japanese cooking. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails, an extensive sake list, and craft beers on tap. Whether a night out with friends, dinner with family, or a business dinner, SASA will create a memorable evening. SASA has a REME HALO® indoor air purification system that uses U.V. filtration & hydro-peroxide plasma to inactivate bacteria & viruses to make our indoor dining room safer than ever.We welcome you to SASA!
A photo of Literary Tavern restaurant
9. Literary Tavern
4.7
Exceptional(261)
Price: Moderate
• American • Tremont
Booked 8 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.
A photo of LockKeepers restaurant
10. LockKeepers
4.8
Exceptional(5000)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Valley View
Booked 52 times today
Lockkeepers, a Cleveland tradition, features Italian cuisine in a comfortable, yet sophisticated setting.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Jim
    Cleveland / Akron / Canton •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Our meals were unbelievably good. We both opted for Chef Dante's Tasting menu and each of the five courses served were delicious. Service was outstanding. Our server along with the other team members made us feel welcome and truly created a memorable evening for us. Highly recommend Dante especially for special occasions.
    More info
    DANTEPrice: Expensive• American• Tremont
    •
    4.7
  • Anthonyvip
    London •144 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Nice quit lunch in beautiful setting. Very reasonable for the great experience.
    More info
    Johnny's DowntownPrice: Expensive• Italian• Cleveland West
    •
    4.2
  • Joe
    Cleveland / Akron / Canton •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Nov 18, 2024
    Professional restauranters are running this restaurant. This is old school service. Front end staff is pleasant and knowledgeable. Managers are attentive. Bartender is a pro. Our apps (we had 4 I'm embarrassed to admit) were excellent. The crab app and the mushroom gnocchi app (available in bar) were outstanding. My entre (grouper) was very salty but I will give that a pass because everything else was excellent. If you are seeking an old school fine dining experience with knowledgeable and personable wait staff in Cleveland, it is basically down to Johnny's on Fulton and Blue Point. I put this place on a level with several first rate restaurants in Manhattan and Washington D.C.
    More info
    Blue Point GrillePrice: Expensive• Seafood• Downtown Cleveland
    •
    4.8
  • Rebekah
    Cleveland / Akron / Canton •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Nov 16, 2024
    Wonderful food, desserts, wine and atmosphere. Perfect for a date night, and a great location before a concert/event in University Circle. $10 cash parking in church parking lot close to restaurant, or valet is also an option.
    More info
    Maxi’s BistroPrice: Moderate• Bistro• University Circle
    •
    4.6
  • Alexvip
    Cleveland / Akron / Canton •10 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Oct 29, 2024
    It was a bit slow to get our order and food in but otherwise a great dinner. We will be back
    More info
    Acqua di DeaPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary Italian• Downtown Cleveland
    •
    4.4

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