Cleveland, Ohio is home to one of America’s largest immigrant populations, and by extension, some of the best global cuisines. Discover these family-owned gems in the heart of the Midwest.
Midwestern cuisine is so much more than meat and potatoes. In Cleveland, Ohio—the top city for immigrants seeking American citizenship—the culinary scene has gone global, with countless family-owned restaurants showcasing cuisine from around the world. Here are our top picks for the best global flavors around Cleveland.
Aladdin’s
Beloved by locals, Aladdin’s is a group of family-owned restaurants that first opened in Lakewood in 1994. Owned by Lebanese immigrant Fady Chamoun, the menu includes fresh Mediterranean fare like hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and warm baked pita. With plenty of vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan options, Lebanese food has something for everyone. For a unique bite, try their pita “pizzas” topped with falafel, fresh veggies, or shawarma.
Batuqui Brazilian Restaurant
At Batuqui Brazilian Restaurant, diners are transported to South America through caipirinhas and traditional dishes like pao de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread), feijoada, and Moqueca Baiana, a traditional Bahian stew. Husband and wife team Carla Batista and Gustavo Duarte opened Batuqui in 2015, bringing with them the flavors of their homeland. In 2021, they opened a second location, attesting to their booming business.
Das Schnitzel Haus
Located in Parma, family-run Das Schnitzel Haus has crafted authentic German dishes since opening in 2004. Its covered beer garden is a popular spot to hang out and enjoy a plate of juicy bratwurst or crispy schnitzel.
In 2021, the second generation, brothers Igor and Goran Djurin, opened Schnitz Ale Brewery right across the street. They recruited Polish-American brewmaster Jerome Moore to craft brews like you might find in Germany, including kolsch and rauchbier. You can sample the beers at the tasting room or at Das Schnitzel Haus.
Empress Taytu
Empress Taytu Restaurant, owned by Ethiopian-American couple Carl and Senait Robson, is named for Taytu Betul, the empress who founded Addis Ababa. The vegan-friendly menu includes traditional injera, a crepe-like sour bread that compliments the Ethiopian spice profile. Highlights include wat, a rich meat and vegetable stew, foula, a fava bean dish, and the hearty stewed lentils. End your meal with the Ethiopian coffee ceremony, which includes roasted green coffee beans served in a clay pot.
Guarino’s
In Cleveland’s Little Italy you’ll find the historic Guarino’s, which first opened in 1898. Vincenzo Guarino came from Sicily and purchased the tavern, including an apartment upstairs. After getting married, his wife began serving meals to patrons. During Prohibition, they even sold homemade wine to patrons in coffee cups. Over a century of rich history later, the restaurant (still family-owned!) continues to serve Italian favorites like braciole and gnocchi pesto. The Guarino’s apartment is now the restaurant’s private dining room and the patio is a popular spot to hang out on warm days.
Immigrant Son Brewery
The Hungarian community in Cleveland dates back to the 1800s and is often cited as one of the biggest populations outside of the motherland. In 2021, Immigrant Son Brewery opened in a former grocery store in the Lakewood neighborhood, deriving its name from owner Andrew Revy’s parents, who arrived in Ohio before the Hungarian Revolution in 1956.
The menu is a love letter to his family legacy, with house-made kolsch and IPAs, plus dishes like langos, a Hungarian fried bread, and chicken paprikash. The brewpub also has a local partnership with Lithuanian basketball player Zydrunas Ilgauskas, formerly of the Cleveland Cavaliers. They created the citrus-forward PerZverence IPA in his honor.
Thai Thai
Siriphan “Kiwi” Wongpeng moved to America from Bangkok in 2000 with her family. In 2016, she opened Thai Thai, a Lakewood restaurant that focuses on authentic street food from the Thai capital city.
Her mom mans the kitchen, crafting dishes like Northern Thai sausage, kra praow (a spicy dish with chili and garlic), gai yang (a chicken skewer dish), and fresh bubble tea. Wongpeng also created Unknown Cleveland, an Instagram account that profiles creatives from around the city.