Johnny's Bar delivers an authentic, old-school Italian dining experience full of rich history and classic charm on Fulton Road. The intimate, dark-wood interior with crisp white tablecloths gives off a timeless, sophisticated speakeasy-meets-fine-dining energy. The food is executed with true craftsmanship, the Long Bone Veal Chop was thick, remarkably tender, and juicy with deep savory seasoning, the seafood linguine was loaded with plump, sweet shrimp tossed in a flavorful sauce, and the warm bread basket served right away was fantastic. Their classic martinis and Italian wine selections also complement the hearty menu nicely. Taking off one star because the dining room gets quite loud and the tables are situated fairly close together during peak dinner hours, which caused the pacing between our starters and entrees to slow down a bit. Parking around Fulton Road can also be a bit tight on weekend nights. Still, an absolute Cleveland institution and a top recommendation for an upscale date night, business dinner, or special celebration. read more

We have been to Johnny's on Fulton several times over the years. We found many good things about the dining experience and a few not so good. Let's start with the good-The room is warm and nicely lit. The valet parking very convenient and the food was very good. The Caesar salad was delightful. Generous amount to share. The dressing lightly coated each piece of lettice, and it came with anchovies. My veal parm was well prepared and the pasta was cooked just right. Our companion had a veal chop, although expensive, was tasty. The scampis with clam sauce was well prepared and tasty. The server was very good in the beginning. She initially was very helpful and brought us drinks and kept the diet coke glass filled. Now the bad-The steps to the bathroom are steep and narrow. The dining room has a lot of steps to get in. At the end of the evening we had to wait 20 minutes for the server to bring us our check. The owner, to his credit did get the valet ticket and had our car waiting when we finally could pay and get out. Other than those few glitches the experience was OK. I'm not sure I'd drive 60 miles to eat here again. read more

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Best food anywhere in Cleveland! Get the banana peppers and peppercorn filet! You won't be disappointed!

Food was great, sat outside on the patio! Both vodka and espresso martini was 1000% and the wait staff was amazing. Went to celebrate a birthday! read more

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Anyplace that charges a 3% credit card fee and charges $43 for mediocre veal parm, won't see me again

Service non existent. Manager rude to customer Never even got to food. So slow Left ! read more

If you're looking for a truly unique Cleveland experience, I highly recommend Johnny's. It's an institution and it hasn't rested on its laurels. The small, old school bar is fun to sit at, but the elevated dining room just off the bar is a beautiful place to have a nice meal. We split a Caesar, had the veal medallions and chicken piccata. Nothing nouveau here, just really good classical Italian dishes executed to a tee. The staff have all been there for ages (at least the ones we interacted with) and while many have specific quirks they're all extremely friendly and do an amazing job. Almost a David Lynchian type vibe. Really nice meal - can't to return. read more

Johnny's Bar - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

IMHO best restaurant in CLE. The vibe, the food, the friendly service just tops everything. Took out-of-town family to Johnny's last week. I'm so happy we did! We have been there before and loved it and thought it would the perfect Cleveland dining experience for our guests. We were not disappointed. We were there on a Thursday night. Had reservation and seated immediately. Place was active but not overly crowded or uncomfortable. Physical place has a cool 'old-school' vibe to it. Food was all perfect, service was fantastic and Bo recommended a really great bottle of wine that did not break the bank. Johnny's is the best!!! read more

We popped in unexpectedly and sat at a table in the bar area. Server was friendly and attentive. Cocktails were good. Our entrees were delicious and the tiramisu was perfect size for two. read more

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Upscale Italian Deep flavor dishes. Veal recommend Get all the veggie items. Green is good read more

Ok our server made the evening. She was friendly professional yet fun. If you want a really different, interesting and tasty treat check it out. My veal was huge and outstanding, as were the sausage and peppers, and an interesting selection of cocktails. Pretty pricey but I'd definitely go back now I know what to expect. Cheers read more

Excellent Food in THE LAND! Excellent service and cool ambiance. Started with the Caprese and Veal stuffed banana peppers which were so tasty. Table had the ribeye and mushrooms special and peppercorn filet. Everything was excellent and we all agreed it by far the best meal of the trip. The KEY LIME CHEESECAKE was Wow!!!! We are still talking about it the next day. Must visit restaurant when in Cleveland. read more

Excellent menu as is the food. We sat on the patio, which is a gem. Our server was very good. Overall, we had a very enjoyable meal at Johnny's. read more

We for my boyfriends birthday! Always a great meal! They forgot on the reservation it was his bday, but I had an ice cream cake at home! Waitress was great! read more

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Food was absolutely horrible. Tomato sauce was flavorless, and every other dish we tried went downhill from there. The decor & finishes are very dated, & dark. Stairs down to bathroom are very s t e e p, and ought to be a violation. read more

Went to Johnny's for a dinner date. The bartender and other staff were so friendly, that we decided to sit at the bar. (Laurie and Nate) I have been here before and it never disappoints. My date had not been here before and has been talking about his dinner since then! We ordered a filet with mushrooms and the short ribs. Both dishes were were the perfect dinner size and cooked to perfection. I Highly recommend this place!!!!! read more

Johnny's Bar - Short ribs - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Went for dinner. A great bar with great service. The staff was all very nice. Started with the calamari appetizer which was very different than normal calamari. The waiter explained to us it was different so pay attention to what they tell you. I didn't care for it. They have lots of meat dishes with others really enjoyed. As a vegetarian I got the spaghetti. It was good. But pricey for spaghetti I have nut allergies so didn't have desserts but other that did really liked them This is also a more expensive place So for me I would rate this place average but would add that without my food restrictions I suspect I would rate higher. read more

We e been to Johnnys downtown years ago but had not been to the original. It was awesome! Service was great; the food was incredible. One of the best meals we've had in Cleveland. read more

Johnny's Bar - Filet and lobster in a puff pastry - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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cozy nyc vibe in cle with the best characters around consistently. we love the energy, the bar, the people, and most definitely the food! jose holding the door for you just adds that much more kindness to the whole vibe. stella at the bar is what's up. and the food! mark, the chef, knows what's up! we are regulars and i am vegetarian, so i just have throw together a vegetarian pasta dish and he knocks it out of the park every single time. the chefs are so much a part of the personality of johnnys. we were honored to meet chef matthew, who helped create our amazing dish tuesday evening. beau and willy are the cornerstone of that place. you gotta go there read more

Johnny's Bar - chef's special vegetarian pasta - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Wife and I stopped in here a few years ago, after going to St Rocco's carnival. Just wanted to check the place out (had heard good things about it) and get a couple beers. OMG. We were treated so rudely. Not openly rude, but the people we interacted with made us feel so unwelcome. There were people in there having dinner, so it wasn't closing time. First and only time I've ever gone into a restaurant and been made to feel like they didn't want my business. I've never gone back and never will. (Besides, $29 for a plate of spaghetti is ridiculous, even if the service is spectacular) read more

Charming, classic delicious Italian. Wish we loved closer to this gem. We were traveling so had our 9 year old. We would go as a couple next time. read more

Ordered apps, salads, main courses, and desserts. Only the desserts were remarkable, which were all cakes that they brought in rather than prepared in house. Four people, $400 including tip. Seems like this place is iconic from an era prior to the current food scene existing in Cleveland. I can think of many places the meal would have been much better for 1/2 the price. read more

Wow wow wow that is all I can say about this place and the food I ate. We came here to celebrate a special event and they made us feel special for sure! We got some apps to split and I had to get the veal chop! While the boys for the steak special which was WAY bigger than their stomachs. Thank goodness for to go boxes lol. Our waitress was super friendly and knowledgeable to point us in the right direction. read more

Johnny's Bar - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Tiny place, good service, GREAT food Two of us had steaks one had the shrimp pasta We also shared the mozzarella app and warm spinach salads. While the pace was very drawn out, we didn't mind. We each got a dessert too. Can't go wrong with any of them! read more

Beautifully decorated and elegant for Christmas nothing tacky. The servers made wonderful suggestions and the food was perfectly portioned. read more

Johnny's Bar - Panko Romano Crusted Lamb Chops Sautéed & Perfumed - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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This restaurant is definitely a hidden gem in Cleveland. The patio was a great place to sit down in the summer night and the food was all excellent. The long bone veal chop was fabulous and definitely will fill you up. read more

Johnny's Bar - Long Bone Veal Chop - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Had dinner at Johnny's on Fulton last week. Very,, very disappointed-not the Johnny's it used to be. Food was just ok, server was annoying. My wife had what they called lamb chops-definitely not rib. Lamb was flatted and breaded to the point that it didn't even taste like lamb. Will not go back read more

This place is a classic! The waiter and all staff were amazing!!! Good food good folks! If you are a veal fan in any way shape or form it's a must here! May this Cleveland pillar live on forever!!! read more

Johnny's Bar - Naked veal chop stuffed with Asiago cheese mmmmmmmmm! - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Came here after a funeral for my best friend - it was his favorite spot. Top notch spot with an excellent menu, great food and top notch service. Good time old school feel. read more

Ok. Saturday August 10. Bar stools ripped. Ok. Get sat at the bar area table by the window. Sit down on the chair and it fking splinters. Not a leg off. Whole chair in many pieces. I am not over 200 pounds. I am on the floor. Unbelievable. The manager tried to be helpful. The owner was outside. Didn't do anything. Never going again. Maybe get new chairs after the fire. Not the first time it's happened. read more

johnny's has been our favorite special spot for any occasion whether it's a nite out or an anniversary. just happened to be the first date place for my wife and myself 27 years ago! keep up the good work bo! read more

Recently a friend and I traveled to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for the Asian Lantern Festival and decided to explore the zoo in the afternoon before the festival began. We didn't realize we'd have to leave and then coome back for the festival, but we resolved to find a good place to have dinner. It wasn't easy to find a place, but when I saw Johnny's, I recalled the high praise a former supervisor of mine had for it and suggested we stop. It doesn't look like much from the outside but inside, it's a warm, inviting place with excellent food and great service. Yes, it's pricier than some other places, but the quality makes it worth it. A Cleveland classic! read more

Johnny's Bar on Fulton, while not a very big place, is charming. Unfortunately the gorgeous patio (read: garden) was full, so we sat indoors in a slightly cramped dining room. But that only added to the atmosphere. There was valet, but also parking on the side street not too far of a walk away. The server was friendly and attentive. I asked the server her preference between the on-menu walleye and the halibut special of the evening. The server recommended the halibut and I was not disappointed. The entree came with a house salad which was simple and small, but a good starter. The halibut was a good portion size. It came with rice and thin stalked asparagus. It was a flavorful and light option for dinner. I definitely want to come back and try a true Italian dish...or maybe a steak - I saw one going out and it looked delicious! read more

Johnny's Bar - Halibut special - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Went twice for dinner while in town for business. Great food. Get off your ass and go there! You want cheap go to McDonalds.

Another great evening at Johnny's. Beau, Bobby ,Kelly and the staff takes great care of u. Peppers are our favorite as an appetizer with great dinner specials . Johnny's is our favorite restaurant in Cleveland . read more

Johnny's Bar - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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My husband and I had dinner here last night and enjoyed our meal and the ambiance of the patio. The owner was very friendly and walked us to our table and checked in after our meal. Our waiter was kind and attentive and paced everything so we never felt rushed. The menu prices seem a little too high to me but both my husband's and my meal were cooked perfectly. I tried to order the mussels but unfortunately the mussels were a bad batch or something and I was asked to reorder. That was disappointing, but the salmon I got instead was good. The patio is adorable and if you're going to go, go on a nice night and sit outside. read more

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I had a co worker bring me back a chicken arugula salad yesterday. It was absolutely the worst, repeat the worst salad I have ever had in my life. This is the second time I have had a bad experience with Johnny's. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. THE BAR ISNT TGAT GREAT EITHER. GO TO BRUNOS OR DONS. JOHNNYS SUCKS!!!!! read more

This place is awesome. Don't expect polished but expect great food. This place set the standard for excellence in Cleveland is serving it still everyday. Get the Filet au poivre and you won't be disappointed unless you're a vegetarian and then get anybof the pastas and you'll be glad you did. BEWARE: Johnny's downtown is not as good... different chefs with slightly different recipes!! Cheers to this team for keeping an institution rocking! read more

Absolutely the best! A little tricky when it comes to parking sometimes, but nonetheless, the best food, wonderful ambience... Johnny's bar is outstanding among Cleveland restaurants. The service is superb. Perhaps not the largest, perhaps not the most elegant, but truly the best! read more

This is a must stop in Cleveland if you love Italian food. It is family operated business that has been around for many years. Food is authentic and and delicious. Our lunch both chicken dishes had layers of flavors, we also ordered the stuffed sautéed calamari as an appetizer, all outstanding. They serve lunch & dinner and have an outdoor patio. Looking forward to our next visit. Highly Recommended! read more

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